Chapter 13 Shi Jingtao stares at Jiang Yunzheng: Crawling in the dark

The Princess's Mansion is located in the northeast corner of Pingkangfang, very close to the Imperial Palace.

The Shi family arrived not too late. The alley ahead was blocked by carriages one after another. Most of them had not received invitations from the princess's mansion, but had sent people to give gifts to the eldest princess.

The carriage was stuck in traffic and it was unclear when it would be able to pass.

The Shi family simply got off the carriage and were led into the palace by the attendants of the princess's palace.

Walking in front of the Shi Mansion was another official family, and it was Mrs. Xu with Xu Mianmian.

The person in front was walking and stopping from time to time. Xu Mianmian lost her balance and was about to fall to the side.

Jiang Yunzheng quickly reached out to support Xu Mianmian, "Be careful."

"Oh, I was almost scared to death. Luckily Sister Jiang is here." Xu Mianmian's eyes sparkled and she stuck out her tongue at Jiang Yunzheng. "Fortunately, we don't live far from the Duke's Mansion, otherwise I don't know how early we would have to get up in the morning."

The Xu family’s house is right next to the Duke’s Mansion.

Jiang Yunzheng has a gentle face, and the smile on her lips is like a gentle breeze.

Madam Xu glanced at her daughter and resisted the urge to pinch her. She thanked Jiang Yunzheng. Madam Xu did not recognize Jiang Yunzheng, but she did recognize Qin who was beside her. Zhang's smile faded a little: "Let's go in first."

But Qin was completely unaware and approached with a smile on her face, "I haven't seen Madam Xu for a long time. She looks very well."

Mrs. Xu said indifferently, "Same to you."

Jiang Yunzheng: "Let's go in first."

Shi Xiaoya was completely ignored by the Xu family mother and daughter. She looked unhappy. When she passed by Jiang Yunzheng, she pushed Jiang Yunzheng's arm hard, but Jiang Yunzheng did not move at all. Shi Xiaoya herself was unstable and almost fell.

Shi Xiaoya was furious: "When did you two meet?"

Shi Xiaoya used to be a concubine's daughter. After her aunt was promoted to a wife, her status became that of a legitimate daughter. Most of the young ladies from noble families in the capital were unwilling to associate with Shi Xiaoya, as they thought it would lower her status.

Jiang Yunzheng's eyes were indifferent: "Is it related to you?"

Xu Mianmian didn't miss Shi Xiaoya's little trick and sneered: "Some people are really useless."

Jiang Yunzheng patted Xu Mianmian's hand. Just as she was about to speak, the cold wind blew into Jiang Yunzheng's sleeves. Her body was different from before, and she started coughing lightly at the slightest gust of wind.

When everyone saw him, they hurried in.

The Qin mother and daughter who stayed where they were looked even more gloomy than the other.

Jiang Yunzheng was not unfamiliar with this mansion. The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and the Princess' Mansion were adjacent to each other, and the landscapes of the two mansions were harmonious. The small building with carved corridors had the grandeur of the north, while retaining the exquisiteness and grace of the Jiangnan gardens.

After passing through the hanging flower gate, my vision suddenly broadened.

The banquet was held on the shore of the Weiming Lake in the princess's mansion. There was a small hill in the lake, surrounded by covered bridges. The dining area for the female guests was set up along the covered bridges, while the male guests were on the other side of the Weiming Lake, and the two sides were connected by a stone bridge.

On the east side of Weiming Lake, there is a stage where "The Peony Pavilion" is being performed.

Some women and young girls were watching a play in the pavilions and waterside terraces, and their laughter was crisp.

Jiang Yunzheng kept walking with a decent smile on her face. Although she looked unfamiliar and did not have a stunningly beautiful face, her unique and cool temperament attracted everyone's attention.

Some eyes looked towards Jiang Yunzheng, and when they saw Qin beside Jiang Yunzheng, there was a hint of subtle disgust in their astonished and inquiring eyes.

Qin seemed unaware and greeted some women she knew.

Qi Yanyu, who was at the front greeting her companions, heard the noise and immediately looked towards Jiang Yunzheng and called out, "Sister Jiang."

Qi Yanyu first introduced Jiang Yunzheng's identity. Everyone nodded, and Qin also forced a smile on her face, "I didn't know that Yunzheng and the princess had such a good relationship."

The Qi family's second master's wife, Zhao, was in charge of receiving the female family members today. Zhao had a face like a bodhisattva, and her smile was round and sweet. She said kindly, "The younger generation has their own destiny."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Most of the people present were mistresses of the harem. The things that happened in the backyards of the aristocratic families in the capital were just topics of conversation after dinner, but they had to maintain a decent relationship on the surface. A woman they knew called Qin to sit next to her, and Shi Xiaoya also sat in the corner.

Madam Xu was led to a young woman, sitting in the middle. Qi Yanyu introduced them one by one: the young lady of Prime Minister Gu's family, Madam Chen of the Minister of War... The young woman was the young lady of the Xu family of the Prime Minister's Mansion, and her name was Rong Yue.

Jiang Yunzheng's expression remained unchanged, and she smiled and nodded.

In the previous life, the year Xu Jingyang married Qi Yunshen, Xu Suyuan, the eldest son of the Xu family, married Rong Yue, the daughter of the director of the Imperial Hospital.

"Hearing soon is believing. Yunzheng should be in good health and go out for a walk to relax more." Rong Yue took over the conversation. Everyone present was smart. Seeing that Jiang Yunzheng was on good terms with the princess, they became more warm towards Jiang Yunzheng.

Seeing the little girls gathered together and chattering, Zhao suggested that they take a walk around the lake, as there were beautiful scenery everywhere in the mansion.

Qi Yanyu wanted to talk to her good sister, so she naturally took the lead in saying yes.

Qin finally had the opportunity to interrupt. She glanced at Jiang Yunzheng with a forced smile and asked Shi Xiaoya to go with them.

Several people walked along the lakeside. In addition to Qi Yanyu, there were also several young sisters from the same clan in the Duke's Mansion. The young girls were cute and lovely, and they were pleasing to the eye at first glance, with graceful postures.

Qi Yanyu was enthusiastically introducing the scenery of the Duke's Mansion. A man's voice was heard from the side of the rockery. Some young men, led by the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Zhou, and Qi Yunzhou, came over.

The current Emperor Jingming has few children and only three princes.

The Crown Prince is the eldest son of the late Empress; the Second Prince died young; the Third Prince is His Royal Highness Prince Zhou, whose mother, Concubine Chen Guifei, is the daughter of the Chen family, the Minister of War. Her maternal family is powerful and its influence should not be underestimated.

King Yu was the fourth and youngest son. He was born to Emperor Xiaowen and a palace maid after he got drunk. Emperor Xiaowen had a loving relationship with the late empress and considered his drunkenness that night a disgrace, so he did not like the fourth son.

After the death of the previous queen, Emperor Xiaowen appointed the second prince's mother as the new queen.

The prince was gifted, naturally intelligent, generous and loved the people. He was deeply loved by Emperor Xiaowen, but he had been weak and sickly since childhood. The situation in the court was volatile, and forces from all sides were surging. Once the prince left, King Zhou became the best candidate for the next crown prince.

Jiang Yunzheng looked at the prince. It was only September, and the prince was already wearing a sable cloak. His yang energy was fading, his eyes and nose were black, and the corners of his lips were white. He really looked like he would not live long.

Qi Yanyu led everyone in greeting, and the prince raised his wrist slightly: "Today is my aunt's birthday, Yanyu, there is no need to be so polite."

Prince Zhou was born handsome, with a natural flirtation and a love for beauties. He had many wives and concubines in his house, a typical smiling tiger. Prince Zhou waved his fan and chuckled, "I haven't seen you for a few days. My princess has become even more beautiful."

Qi Yanyu said with a forced smile: "Thank you, Brother Zhou Wang, for the compliment."

"Your Highnesses are still as charming as ever." Qi Yunzhou praised his sister Shangye. As soon as he finished speaking, he met the direct gaze of a woman behind the female relatives. He vaguely remembered that it seemed to be the fourth lady of the Shi family.

Qi Yunzhou frowned, glanced at Xu Mianmian, and quickly looked away.

Shi Jingtao was also among them. He fixed his eyes on Jiang Yunzheng and slowly lowered them.