Chapter 64 Deception and Scamming I like you, simply because you are you. ...

A subtle fragrance wafted through the courtyard, and a sprig of red plum blossom sat in a celadon vase on the desk. Wang Yan was looking at the poem about plum blossoms he had written that day, while Shen Minghuai was sketching the scene of the plum garden. Suddenly, Xu Ning'an appeared at the door with an uninvited guest.

"Wenxuan, I..."

This scene, witnessed by Shang Nianyao, stirred a pang of envy within her, a feeling she had never dared to hope for love. She forced a smile, unsure whether she was laughing at Wang Yan or at herself.

The door closed, and Shen Minghuai was ushered out, while Xu Ning'an went to keep an eye on the situation in the front hall. His gaze didn't dare to stray from the door for even a moment, and after a while, there was finally movement. Shang Nianyao glanced at the people waiting outside the door, then quickly followed Xu Ning'an away.

Seeing that she had been sullen since her conversation with Shang Nianyao, Shen Minghuai asked softly, "Would you like a bowl of sweet soup?"

She finally understood what the Prince Wei was thinking when he first saw her, and why he had given her the same look he gave Consort Shu. Wang Yan grabbed Shen Minghuai's sleeve, "Do you know A-Ying?"

Shen Minghuai crouched on her lap, waiting patiently for her to finish speaking, just like a dog wagging its tail in front of her.

“It’s not me, it’s A-Ying from the Prince Wei’s mansion, Ying as in firefly.” Wang Yan hooked his hand with her fingers.

Shen Minghuai grasped her hand in return, "I don't know, what's wrong?"

Seeing his straightforward answer, Wang Yan hesitated and asked again, "You really don't know him?"

Shen Minghuai sensed her unease but didn't know why, so he wrapped both of her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes, "I really don't recognize you."

"Aying was once a maidservant of King Wei. She looked a lot like me, but she died unexpectedly." Wang Yan recounted a past event that had nothing to do with her with unusual calmness.

Shen Minghuai stroked her face and told her firmly, "I love you, simply because you are you. No matter what you look like or what your family background is, the one I love has always been the woman on Yunyan Mountain who wields the Falling Flower Sword."

Yes, their fate began at Yunyan Mountain, and besides, he and Prince Wei had always been different. The inexplicable unease subsided; thankfully, she wasn't the one who married into Prince Wei's household. This position was one Shang Nianyao had sought herself; would her current life make her regret her choice back then?

Wang Yan looked at the person in front of her and embraced him. She suddenly felt that she was not bad off; at least for this moment, she still had a choice.

When King Wei learned that his queen was pregnant, he was overjoyed. Those living in the back courtyard for months thought they had kept it a secret, but two days later, King Wei, accompanied by a few officials, ransacked the Jisheng Hall under the pretext of arresting a fugitive. They failed to apprehend the criminal and instead incurred public resentment. A large quantity of medicinal herbs was destroyed, and the Jisheng Hall was closed for three whole days. The people who regularly went there for medicine and treatment secretly spat on the hall.

When Li Changling slipped into the courtyard through a side gate carrying various medicine packets, Wang Yan was practicing her internal energy. During the brief moment she was sitting cross-legged, Li Changling had already prepared the prescription, enough for half a month.

Wang Yan, wearing a fur coat, went to the kitchen. Li Changling had already prepared a delicious and fragrant Dongpo tofu, and the Golden Jade Soup was still simmering, with an enticing aroma wafting through the room.

"Why don't I learn a few dishes from you? That way, when you're not around, I won't have to suffer from hunger."

Li Changling glanced at her. "Actually, your cooking isn't inedible, it's just not very tasty."

Wang Yan leaned against the door, feeling a bit hungry. "That's why I said we can't let our mouths suffer. I'm not good at cooking; it's a family tradition. My father said that my great-grandfather's cooking skills were unparalleled in the capital, even surpassing the imperial chefs. Perhaps he borrowed them from us; I wonder how long we'll have to pay back that debt."

A biting gust of wind blew in, causing the empty can on the table to sway slightly. Li Changling pointed at it with a spoon, saying, "Your great-grandfather sneezed up there, so be careful tonight."

Wang Yan said dismissively, "These are Father's words. If anyone is to be contacted, it should be him first. Prince Wei... hasn't caused trouble for Jishengtang, has he?"

Li Changling lifted the lid of the casserole and glanced at it. "Don't worry. Jishengtang is older than Master, and a prince wouldn't dare to act recklessly. Luckily, you two reacted quickly."

Wang Yan heard from Zhu Yu that Xu Ning'an had been invited to the Prince of Wei's residence to help the Princess with her pregnancy, which meant she was now under the Prince of Wei's surveillance. These days, very few people could come to talk to her; you could count them on one hand.

Why haven't I seen my brother lately?

Upon hearing this, Li Changling stopped what he was doing, seemingly struggling with something difficult to say, torn between whether or not to tell her. Clearly, reason prevailed.

"He was determined to marry the Xie family's daughter, and his uncle also agreed."

Just two days ago, Xie Ding led Madam Hu to visit the Prince's residence. Wang Fuzhi, accompanied by Madam Li, welcomed the guests into the hall and had someone bring over a pot of freshly brewed Longyuan Shengxue tea, filling a porcelain cup to seven-tenths full, and presented it to Xie Ding.

"The weather was bitterly cold, yet a rare guest came to visit."

"The harsh winter has been unbearable, but thankfully I have a cup of hot tea from Lord Wang to ward off the cold and keep me warm. It's not so bad after all." Xie Ding took only a sip and then held the tea on his lap.

Wang Fuzhi laughed and said, "With the year-end approaching, Lord Xie still has time to come here for a cup of tea. I suppose His Highness Prince Yi has taken good care of things."

“His Highness Prince Yi is busy with official duties and has no time for us.” Xie Ding secretly turned the jade cup. “I have come here today to discuss the engagement between our two families on behalf of my younger brother.”

Wang Fuzhi rolled up his sleeves, placed his right hand on the rosewood table, and Xie Ding's teacup was refilled.

"How could I not know that our two families were discussing marriage? Could it be that General Xie lost a letter on the way and only informed you, not me?"

Xie Ding chuckled lightly, "Lord Wang, please don't joke around. After your son and niece fell into the water, if you don't arrange a marriage, are you expecting the whole capital to laugh at you?"

Wang Fuzhi half-closed his eyes. "What a joke! Whose rule is it that you have to get engaged after physical intimacy?"

Xie Ding stood upright, his words resounding and powerful: "The tradition passed down from ancient times, the rules set by our ancestors."

Wang Fuzhi put his hands into his sleeves. "What's the point of following unwritten rules? Even our ancestors, who lived to this day, had to learn to be flexible."

Xie Ding's face was slightly tinged with displeasure. "Lord Wang is indeed flexible. Your son will have no trouble finding a wife in the future, but my Ji'er has already lost her reputation. How can she find a good match?"

Wang Fuzhi had already made it clear that he wanted to see his guest out. “I, Wang, have never wanted to meddle in other people’s affairs. For such a difficult problem, Lord Xie, you should find someone else.”

Xie Ding, unable to bear it any longer, shouted, "Wang Fuzhi! Do you have any conscience?"

Wang Fuzhi remained calm and countered with a question: "Is conscience more important than life?"

Xie Ding stood up excitedly, holding the porcelain cup, spilling tea all over the floor. "You're drinking such fine tea, yet you're worried this marriage will cost you your life?"

Wang Fuzhi slowly replied, "Things are unpredictable. Some people were guarding the border yesterday, but today they have been ordered to return to the capital. Do you think I'm wrong to be more careful?"

Finally, Madam Hu spoke up, saying, "Lord Wang is right. However, what is unpredictable is not worldly affairs, but the Emperor's will."

Instantly, all eyes in the hall focused on the door, and all was silent. Even the howling north wind fell silent the moment the door closed.

Madam Hu continued, “I am a woman and do not understand politics. What I say comes from my heart. Lord Wang has his own considerations, which is understandable; it is also reasonable for us to want to protect Ji’er’s reputation.”

Xie Ding steadied himself and suppressed his anger. "The Chen family has served loyally for generations, and has made both merits and hardships. However, due to bias and suspicion, they have fallen to this state. I know your concerns, sir. This protection could disappear at any time. Don't you want to do more for the Wang family? Ji'er will not marry into the Wang family empty-handed."

For the first time since entering the manor, Wang Fuzhi's gaze lingered on Xie Ding for an extended period. His silence was an implicit acceptance of Xie Ding's proposed conditions.

"Eleven years ago, during the epidemic in Cixi County, the Crown Prince's edict was with me."

Wang Fu stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves in the cold wind, watching the visitors depart. Li Shi draped a cloak over him, exhaling a puff of white breath in the bleak winter air.

"According to Yiheng, Aying also opposes this marriage. Since it's going to be settled, we should find an opportunity to tell her."

Wang Fuzhi grasped Li's hand and said, "What you say is true, Madam. However, once this marriage is settled, Aying's departure from the capital will probably have to be brought forward."

Looking at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, Li said, "Do you think I shouldn't have sent her to Yunxi Mountain back then?"

"Who could have predicted that something like this would happen? A-Ying liked it very much and never complained, so how could it be your fault, Madam?" Wang Fuzhi hugged Li Shi's hand tightly.

Li raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Before leaving the capital, can we see A-Ying one last time?"

"Of course we should meet again."

In the snow-covered landscape, a graceful figure was approaching. The north wind continued to blow, the hen continued to lay eggs as usual, and the destined dead would still die.

For the past year, officials have been taken to the execution ground in prison carts every now and then. The common people never fail to throw eggs; they don't know who is being executed, only their rank and the crime they've committed. In previous years, people would have been more restrained in throwing eggs at this time, since fewer eggs were harvested in winter, and those with more hens could throw more. But not today. Those who disrupt peace are the most despised by the people.

With the explanations of those who knew the truth, they gradually understood what crime the people in the prison cart had committed. A general named Hu Ji had killed members of the Liao delegation, attempting to sabotage friendly relations between the two countries, recklessly provoke border conflicts, and gain merit for himself. Such a selfish and petty person was met with unstoppable condemnation. Although some were deeply dissatisfied with the verdict, they were powerless to change it.

One woman in a fox fur coat cried out to stop passersby from throwing eggs, while another woman in a sable coat, wearing a veiled hat, stood before a notice on the wall, looked at the tattered arrest warrant, laughed for a while, and then peeled it off with her slender fingers. As they walked, they commented on the painter's skill; the person in the notice really didn't resemble her.

"Aying?"

Wang Yan's smile vanished instantly; she didn't recognize the voice. She quickened her pace, and the man followed with heavy footsteps.

"Ah Ying!"

Hua Xin suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stopped the man, saying, "This young master must have mistaken you for someone else."

Wang Yan walked briskly for a mile before regretting not having seen the man's face clearly. As she turned into another alley, a hand suddenly reached out from behind her. She quickly dodged and made several moves with her bare hands. Just as she was about to draw her sword, she heard the man say, "Madam Wang, how have you been?"

The voice instantly dragged her back to the secluded courtyard. A tall red wall loomed heavily over her, filling her with despair as the darkness approached. Wang Yan staggered backward, but before she could run, her wrist was grabbed by the man again.

"Let me go!"

The Taoist priest immediately let go of her hand, noticing her slight trembling, and then took two steps back. "Don't worry, I'm not here to take you back. I am Yan Xun's senior brother."

Wang Yan clutched his arm tightly, only calming down slightly upon hearing a familiar name, "Yan Xun...Senior Brother?"

With deep remorse, Taoist Chen said, "I'm so sorry. Yan Xun asked me to look after his fiancée, but I did something so heinous. When that brat finds out, he'll probably come and fight me. But I did my best inside."

Wang Yan made a hand gesture with one hand, pondering how to escape, and said coldly, "Do you expect me to thank you?"

The Taoist priest Chen put his hands on his hips and said, "Hey, you little girl, you're taking my kindness for granted."

"Hey, Taoist priest! Haven't you cheated and swindled enough people? When have you ever been kind?" Li Changling jumped down from the high place and stood in front of Wang Yan.

The Taoist priest Chen squinted at the young man, finding him familiar. "When did we ever cheat or swindle? Are those people Taoists? They always try to pin the bad things on us. How about I draw a talisman for you to open your eyes?"

Li Changling crossed his arms and shook his head. "Forget it. Those kinds of talismans cost three coins a piece at the market up ahead. Who wants them?"

“You won’t lose out, you won’t be cheated,” Chen the Taoist priest said, taking out ten talismans from his sleeve and stuffing them into Wang Yan’s hand. “I don’t want money for these, consider them compensation for not keeping my promise.”

Wang Yan was about to tear it up when she heard the Taoist priest say that each talisman cost a hundred taels of silver. She then examined it carefully and confirmed that it was indeed a Taoist talisman, but she didn't know which god it was used to pray to or which ghost it was used to exorcise. She accepted it with some doubt and planned to ask the Taoist priest to take another look the next day. When she came to her senses, the Taoist priest had already disappeared.

"Why did you run out?" Li Changling did not chase after him.

"It's so boring." Wang Yan held up her arrest warrant in front of him. "They drew me so ugly."

Li Changling raised an eyebrow and said, "After all, we are fugitives."

Wang Yan parted the curtain and glanced at him, then tore the arrest warrant to shreds. "I do not recommend that you travel with fugitives. Be careful not to get arrested."

A young girl adorned with silver ornaments rushed over and grabbed Wang Yan's hand. "It's you! The woman on the arrest warrant!"

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Author's Note: Double update today! I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to receive a comment. [Let me see][Hugs]