Chapter 18 What are you doing (Second update)...

As the head of the household, the Dowager Consort Xu could not neglect another distinguished guest from the Eastern Palace. She stepped out of the small building to greet Yan Zhuyi, who had arrived late.

Unexpectedly, Yan Zhuyi brought another person with her.

The daughter of the prefect, Lin Xiu'er, who was rumored to be absent.

Former rivals become close friends?

The female guests turned their gazes in turn.

Lin Xiuer was a beautiful and charming woman, a rare beauty, and the only child of Prefect Lin. Just standing there, she exuded an overbearing aura, making Yan Zhuyi pale in comparison.

But she was carrying two gifts, one of which was for Yan Zhuyi.

"This junior wishes the Dowager Empress continued prosperity and longevity."

The Dowager Consort Xu had someone accept the two congratulatory gifts from Lin Xiuer, and said a few polite words with a smile.

Being personally received by the Dowager Consort Xu, and being the only female guest besides Princess Huaijin, these two were already quite remarkable.

Lin Xiuer owes her success to Yan Zhuyi.

Even without the Dowager Empress personally welcoming her, Lin Xiu'er never lacked people's attention.

As she and Yan Zhuyi walked side by side to the garden stage, a noblewoman offered them her seat.

Everyone stood up and bowed.

"May Your Majesty be well."

Yan Zhuyi smiled faintly and gestured for everyone to dispense with formalities, but one person remained unmoved, still resting his chin on his hand and staring at the stage.

Yan Zhuyi's perfectly timed smile lingered on her lips as she sat in the best spot offered by the noble lady, waving a small silk fan and exchanging polite greetings with those who tried to strike up a conversation.

It was truly elegant and refined.

Lin Xiuer walked straight to Jiang Yinyue's side and sat down. She picked up the covered bowl handed to her by a maid and casually scraped the tea surface. But somehow, the covered bowl shattered at Jiang Yinyue's feet.

Tea splashed everywhere, wetting Jiang Yinyue's skirt and embroidered shoes.

"Sorry, it was a slip of the hand."

Jiang Yinyue looked at Lin Xiuer, who was laughing hysterically. Having grown up in a privileged family, she had seen too many of these kinds of provocations.

Jiang Yinyue glanced at Yan Zhuyi, who was sitting comfortably in her seat.

The Jiang Yinyue of the past would immediately seek revenge, but now, having endured too much criticism and hostility, she has become somewhat numb. Besides, this is the Dowager Consort Xu's home turf, and throwing a tantrum would be impolite.

Jiang Yinyue beckoned to a maid, and moved her feet aside, waiting for the maid to clean.

Lin Xiuer picked up a handful of hazelnuts and played with them in her hand, saying in a nonchalant tone, "I wondered what kind of beautiful bride Wei Qin would marry, but I never expected that she would be a rejected product by His Highness the Crown Prince."

The storyteller on the platform spoke with great passion, drowning out the whispers below, but Jiang Yinyue heard it all clearly.

"The arrogant daughter of the prefect, suppressed by her former enemy, stands up for him. It is truly an insult to the word 'arrogant'."

Lin Xiuer was taken aback, then threw the hazelnut in her hand away heavily. "Stop being so sarcastic."

Even a dog wouldn't be as sycophantic as you.

"you!"

Jiang Yinyue stared at the stands, ignoring Lin Xiuer's surprised expression.

Lin Xiuer was taken aback by the fact that the daughter of a high-ranking official would use such vulgar language. Instead of being angry, she laughed and said, "No wonder she was used as a stepping stone for others. Vulgarity is not fit for a refined manner."

"So you can just throw a tantrum?" Jiang Yingyue pointed to a puddle of water on the ground.

Lin Xiuer found that this woman was speaking with great conviction, unlike any other noble ladies she had ever met before.

At this moment, as the storyteller struck the gavel, applause rang out again from the audience.

Mr. Gong thanked the audience and left the stage, and it was the opera troupe's turn to set up the scene.

While waiting, someone came up and asked Lin Xiuer what kind of congratulatory gift she had given to the Dowager Consort Xu.

Lin Xiuer was known for her generosity, and "gifted the Dowager Consort several bolts of Zhangzhou satin."

"Zhangzhou satin! That's a rare commodity, produced in... produced in..."

Lin Xiuer rolled her eyes, as if she thought the other person was ignorant, "Zhangzhou."

“It’s Suzhou,” Jiang Yinyue corrected.

Lin Xiuer spoke slowly and deliberately, with unwavering conviction, "Zhangzhou was the pioneer."

Although Suzhou is famous for its silk, the name "Zhangduan" does indeed sound like it originated in Zhangzhou.

Everyone pricked up their ears to listen to the excitement.

Jiang Yinyue was like a blade that had been ruthlessly sharpened on a whetstone. She no longer had Lin Xiuer's imperious manner. She was as calm as a flowing stream, murmuring gently. Yet, no matter how sharp the knife was, it could not cut or sever the river of her heart.

“Zhangzhou is famous for its Zhangzhou silk and Zhangzhou velvet. Suzhou, based on the weaving techniques of Zhangzhou velvet and the patterns of Yunjin brocade, created Zhangzhou satin with satin ground and velvet flowers,” she explained unhurriedly.

A knowledgeable noblewoman whispered in agreement, "Zhangzhou satin was indeed first created in Suzhou."

The expressions on everyone's faces varied, with most secretly chuckling.

We haven't seen Lin Xiuer suffer a setback yet.

Jiang Yinyue glanced at it indifferently, got up and went to a less crowded place. Even the usually domineering Jiang Yinyue did not have the habit of correcting people's mistakes in public and making them lose face. This was just an eye for an eye, targeting Lin Xiuer.

As she left her seat, she glanced at Yan Zhuyi out of the corner of her eye, a hint of coldness in her eyes.

But just as she approached the moon gate, a strange figure drifted in.

"The Dowager Princess requests a chat with you, Madam."

Jiang Yinyue stopped in front of the unfamiliar servant without thinking much of it. Her grandmother and the Dowager Consort were like sisters, and the Dowager Consort probably wanted to take care of the younger generation of her old friend.

"Please lead the way."

After crossing a long series of stepping stones, Jiang Yinyue arrived at another garden, which was miniature and exquisite, with a beautiful view at every turn.

In the waterside pavilion adorned with camellias, the surrounding gauze curtains, reflecting the sunset glow, resemble the azure sky in the misty rain of Jiangnan.

Seeing that the Dowager Consort Xu was watering flowers by the second-floor window, Jiang Yinyue quickly climbed the spiral staircase.

The second-floor reception room is small, square in shape, and divided by a three-panel screen.

"This junior greets the Dowager Consort."

"No need to be so formal, come and sit down." The old man sat by the fragrant window and beckoned to Jiang Yinyue. "We haven't officially met yet, child. Was your journey tiring?"

Jiang Yinyue was pulled to sit down by the old man, and smiled, "The journey has been long and tiring, but it has been good for cultivating one's mind."

"It's not just the scenery along the way that affects your state of mind, but also the people around you." The Dowager Princess patted Jiang Yinyue's hand and asked, "How is your relationship with the second-place scholar?"

Elders are used to chatting with younger generations about everyday matters, including matters of the heart. Because of her grandmother's connection, Jiang Yinyue simply assumed that the Dowager Empress was showing concern for her, a younger generation.

But the feelings between husband and wife are a private matter behind closed doors, and besides, her relationship with Wei Qin was still in a state of ambiguity. She couldn't say she had any feelings for Wei Qin, but she was definitely dependent on him.

"fine."

"It sounds like they're being overly polite to each other."

The Dowager Empress smiled, as if she had revealed something, or perhaps she was testing the waters.

There's no need for the older generation to test her and Wei Qin's relationship, Jiang Yinyue thought to herself. Suddenly, she caught a whiff of a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar scent in a gust of wind.

Incense reserved for royalty.

Ambergris.

Although very faint, the scent of ambergris is so unique that those who are frequently in contact with it can recognize it at a glance.

Jiang Yinyue subtly shifted her gaze, the corner of her eye sweeping over the only screen in the guest room that obscured the view. She sensed something, and although she was suspicious of why the person was using the Dowager Consort's words to test her, she did not reveal it. Instead, she naturally changed her words, saying, "It's not about mutual respect, but about living in harmony and mutual respect."

"oh?"

"Their feelings for each other were very deep, like glue and lacquer."

The Dowager Consort was confused by Jiang Yinyue's sudden change of heart. She smiled and shook her head, then personally brewed some Green Willow Spring tea and handed it to Jiang Yinyue. "So, do you have any plans to have a child?"

“Yes.” Jiang Yingyue glanced at the screen carved with flowers, birds, pine trees and rocks, and said immediately, “My mother-in-law wants to have grandchildren and is urging us to do it as soon as possible so that we can take care of them while we still have the energy.”

The poor families are not like the rich families. The wet nurses, maids, and nannies take turns serving the young master. Jiang Yinyue's words are in line with the Wei family's circumstances and will not give away the truth.

The naive woman uttered wild words, and regardless of whether they sounded charming to the listeners, she felt good about it.

Regardless of whether old grudges have been resolved, she cannot lose face in front of her former enemies.

She's doing very well, as good as she could possibly be, and that's the truth.

The fresh fragrance of spring willows lingered on her tongue. Jiang Yinyue gazed out the window, no longer noticing the direction of the screen. The begonia pendant tucked diagonally into her hair swayed in the wind, its light shimmering in her amber eyes through the gap in the screen.

On the side table next to the armchair, the unused green willow leaves had already cooled down, and a jade hand resting on the edge was slightly stiff.

The man in white robes had a blank look in his eyes, except for the bright color of the swaying begonia pendant.

Wei Xichen still didn't understand why he had asked the Dowager Consort to put on this charade. He was clearly repulsed by Jiang Yinyue, but being in the same residence, he couldn't help but feel a subtle sensation. Ease, joy, and anticipation wove together like silver hooks, easily stripping away his emotions, leaving only the desire to see her.

Wei Xichen closed his eyes, his long, black eyelashes trembling with his heartbeat.

He wanted to see her.

It broke through restraint and composure.

They broke free from the shackles of their identities.

We can no longer deceive ourselves.

A light rain began to fall outside the window, which quickly intensified, pattering obliquely against the bonsai in front of the waterside pavilion, causing the robust and vigorous Chinese privet and pine trees to break branches.

Jiang Yinyue's eyes stung from the water droplets on the branches. She rubbed her eyelids and suddenly saw a petite figure walking downstairs.

Princess Huaijin, Cui Shihan.

A spirited young woman dressed in men's clothing raised her pretty face and greeted the Dowager Empress in a hoarse voice: "The ladies of the court are having a card game. Aren't you going to join in, Dowager Empress?"

The old man, who loved playing cards, stood up and pulled Jiang Yinyue down the spiral staircase. "Come on, let's play cards."

Jiang Yinyue knew that the Dowager Empress was giving someone behind the screen a way out, and she also had to give this noble person a way out so that she could leave the waterside pavilion openly and legitimately.

But a gentleman does not deceive even in the dark; did this noble person live up to that?

Stepping into the damp courtyard, Jiang Yinyue stopped in her tracks. "This junior wishes to have a chat with Princess Huaijin."

"Please go ahead."

The Dowager Empress smiled politely and left with a group of servants waiting outside the waterside pavilion. She felt somewhat guilty towards the granddaughter of her old friend, but she could not refuse the nobleman's request, and she was caught in a dilemma.

In the courtyard, two petite figures faced each other, one tilting the umbrella towards the other.

In return for a favor, Jiang Yinyue asked directly, "Now that today's matter is settled, would the county princess be willing to find me a quiet and elegant place to enjoy tea?"

"Isn't this place elegant enough?" Cui Shihan said meaningfully, with a hint of teasing. "And there's the delicate fragrance of willows in spring."

"Not enough; only when we have a pleasant conversation can tranquility truly emerge."

Cui Shihan, always a straightforward person, pouted and shrugged, and accepted Jiang Yinyue's invitation.

Before the two parted, Jiang Yinyue asked a servant in the mansion to send a message to Wei Qin, saying that she and Princess Huaijin were leaving first.

In the deserted, rain-soaked pavilion, Wei Xichen stood by the open window, staring at the Ge kiln teacup that Jiang Yinyue had used. The glaze was as smooth and lustrous as solidified cream, with a trace of rouge lipstick remaining on it.

The old eunuch stepped up the spiral staircase and came up behind the man. "Your Highness, the historian Gong Fei retired last December and returned to his hometown of Yangzhou. Occasionally, he would be invited to teahouses and taverns to tell stories, mostly unofficial histories of high-ranking officials and nobles."

Wei Xichen was still staring at the lip print, and casually hummed in response, without any further reaction.

It's harmless, let it be.

Fu Zhongcai glanced at it timidly, took a step closer, and lowered his voice: "Recently, he has been keen to tell about the good deeds of Empress Yide during her lifetime, and has even written a biography of her, which is no longer unofficial history."

Wei Xichen's gentle eyes narrowed slightly.

Where are they?

"Has already left the Xu residence."

**

The drizzle hadn't stopped when Cui Shihan, who had just left the Xu residence, took the reins from the groom and gestured with her chin toward Jiang Yinyue, who was following closely behind, saying, "Riding a horse in the rain must be hard on you, my lady."

Having traveled a long and winding road from the capital to Yangzhou, Jiang Yinyue's former delicate air transformed into a sense of open-mindedness. "Riding a horse in the rain is quite interesting."

"That Huaiyang cuisine restaurant will be open for a few more days, why don't we go and try it?"

"Good food is worth waiting for, and enjoying tea today is also quite nice."

Cui Shihan mounted her horse and extended her hand to Jiang Yinyue. Her small body leaned forward quite a bit as she straddled the tall horse. "The tea is rather bland. Would you like some wine? I know a tavern hidden in an alley that has absolutely delicious wine."

Ordinary young women wouldn't drink outside; at most, they'd indulge in a little at home. Jiang Yinyue paused for a moment, then handed over her hand.

Good wine needs no bush; even before reaching the alley entrance, Jiang Yinyue could smell a unique aroma, rich and mellow, intoxicating the spring breeze.

A light rain moistened the bluestone, and a fine horse carried them to a dilapidated little shop.

Cui Shihan jumped off her horse and led Jiang Yinyue into a tavern that could only accommodate one table of diners.

"Shopkeeper, please bring me the Shaoxing wine I stored here last time."

Cui Shih-han, familiar with the place, greeted Jiang Yin-yue, "His family has never had more than three kinds of snacks to go with their drinks for decades."

Fried peanuts, stir-fried clams, and mixed lotus root slices.

The shopkeeper served Cui Shihan a bottle of already opened yellow wine, filling it to the brim. When it was Jiang Yinyue's turn, Cui Shihan stopped her.

"She's easygoing."

The shopkeeper understood and put down the wine jar to prepare the dishes.

Jiang Yinyue didn't try to be brave; she had a very low alcohol tolerance and almost never drank alcohol, but Cui Shihan didn't like tea, and she didn't want to spoil the mood.

"Will this spoil your fun?"

What if I said yes?

"Then I'll have a drink with you."

Jiang Yinyue filled her small wine cup and clinked it against the wine bowl in the girl's hand.

The crisp sound mingled with the sizzling of spicy stir-frying.

Cui Shihan didn't mind Jiang Yinyue's shamelessness. It was Jiang Yinyue who had suggested drinking extra, but not everyone is a heavy drinker, and not everyone can hold their liquor like her.

The bright red, spicy stir-fried clams were served. Cui Shihan took a sip of wine, then ate a clam, spitting out "hissing" sounds from the spiciness, her teeth bared, showing no trace of the refined demeanor of a noble lady.

After drinking to her heart's content, she stepped onto a bench and played drinking games with Jiang Yinyue. She discovered that this woman, who had been ridiculed and even insulted, was not aggressive at all. She was willing to accept defeat and was approachable and honest.

The key point is that they also play drinking games.

Where did you learn that?

Jiang Yinyue, who had lost ten games in a row, leaned against the wall and said lazily, "My elder brother is a general. He has been working in the military since he was young. When I was just old enough to remember, I liked to pester my brother. I would occasionally go in and out of the military camp to watch the soldiers play drinking games and I was influenced by what I saw and heard."

"With such an elder brother, why did he cling to the Crown Prince when he was still a teenager?"

"A tragic fate."

Like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, she dared to pester the crown prince with the courage of a first impression, even disregarding the emperor's disdain. She was truly young and naive.

Then came a blow to the head that hurt her terribly.

Jiang Yinyue leaned against the wall, squinting at the wine cup in her hand. The spring sun outside the shop shone in beams, casting light on her fair cheeks. She pouted, feeling there was nothing to hide, having already accepted her impetuous self from back then. "Back then, my brother was angry with me because I kept pestering the Crown Prince."

"He's jealous because his sister is ignoring him."

Thinking of her elder brother, Jiang Yinyue missed him dearly. Three years had passed since they last met, and she couldn't imagine the trials and tribulations he had endured.

Cui Shihan also has an older brother, who is a war god general of the Great An Dynasty, but he is not as childish as Jiang Yinyue's brother.

Cui Shihan smiled, a bitter smile on her face, and downed a bowl of wine in one gulp. She let out a burp and told the shopkeeper's youngest son to deliver a message to Wei Qin.

When Wei Qin arrived, Jiang Yinyue was being helped onto her horse by Cui Shihan.

The drunken woman immediately clung to the saddle as soon as she touched the horse's back, becoming limp and mumbling something unintelligible as she spoke to the horse.

Wei Qin strode closer, making a move to help the woman down from her horse, but was stopped by Cui Shihan, who had drunk half a jar of yellow wine without changing her expression.

"Now that she's already on the horse, let's not bother her anymore."

Wei Qin was a man of few words. He stared intently at the smiling young woman, but did not blame her. His gaze was rather profound and cold.

"Singing to the Moon".

In front of outsiders, he never addressed Jiang Yinyue as "Miss".

"Hmm?" Jiang Yingyue opened one eye and glanced at the direction from which the sound came.

In the blurry vision, Wei Qin's tall and handsome figure appeared.

She chuckled and introduced him to Cui Shihan, "Here, this is Wei Qin, my husband."

Upon hearing this, Cui Shihan curled her lips in a teasing smile. Just as she was about to mount her horse, she suddenly felt a numbness in her ankle and fell back to the ground with a "plop".

Wei Qin struck her acupoint, even through his boot.

Cui Shihan grimaced again, supporting herself on one foot and massaging her numb ankle through her boot.

The numb acupoints were hit by a small pebble that Wei Qin flicked out.

Wei Qin stepped forward, placing himself between her and the horse, and reached out his hand to Jiang Yinyue, who was drunk and almost unconscious. "Come here."

The simple word "come" is imbued with boundless tenderness.

Cui Shihan, who was grimacing, was taken aback. She watched with amusement as Wei Qin lifted Jiang Yinyue off the horse and carried her in his arms.

Wei Qin did not ride a horse; he simply carried the drunken woman into the dazzling sunset without saying a polite farewell to Cui Shihan.

Cui Shihan didn't feel impolite. She crossed her arms and leaned against the horse's back, quietly watching Wei Qin's figure disappear into the long street lit up with evening lights.

**

It's difficult for someone with weak arms to carry someone for a long time, but Wei Qin carried Jiang Yinyue as they strolled through the crisscrossing alleys.

This alley was mostly occupied by the residences of salt merchants, with gauze lanterns hanging in front of each door, forming streaks of light in the evening, illuminating the twilight.

After falling into the familiar embrace, Jiang Yinyue lost consciousness, curled up like an innocent child, and occasionally rubbed her face against the man's clothes.

The scent of bamboo and soapberry mingled on the man's body, creating a sense of peace that made her relax completely, and she nestled softly in his strong arms.

As her back sank into the soft bedding, she let out a soft "humph" and tried to untie the belt around her waist.

Her soft voice, infused with the scent of wine, was gentle and mellow.

A large hand grabbed her small hand that was tugging at her.

"I want to take it off..."

She was uncomfortable from the tight belt, so she tried to pull her hand away and continued to untie the belt.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the long sash of her skirt onto Wei Qin's lap.

It climbs and meanders like a water snake.

Wei Qin picked up the skirt ribbon, which should have been folded and placed aside, but whether it was the fragrance on the ribbon or the smooth silk that gave it a skin-like feel, the man with no other thoughts was unwilling to put down the begonia-red ribbon.

The winding gold embroidery threads on it shimmered in the candlelight, like sparks leaping from the skirt and scorching Wei Qin's hand.

Her slender, fair fingers grasped the golden and red "tongue".

Wei Qin was afraid of the heat, but he would rather be "burned" than give up.

He looked at Jiang Yinyue, who was still being restless, and for some reason, he tied her hands with the sash of her skirt to prevent her from continuing to open her clothes.

Her collarbone was already covered in large patches of snow-white skin with hints of pink, making it tempting to pluck.

"Um?"

Unable to move her hands, Jiang Yinyue opened her watery eyes and stared at the blurry figure beside the bed. She shook her hands, which were forced together, to signal the person beside the bed to untie her.

Her disheveled hair, styled in a messy bun, was half-draped over the pillow, thick and dense like seaweed, which made her skin appear even whiter and pinker.

It looks like a piece of pink chalcedony scooped out of milk.

Wei Qin leaned down, resting his elbow beside her, and slowly moved closer to embrace her.

Her large, well-proportioned hands crumpled the fabric at the back of her dress.

"Hmm?"

The woman, whose hands were bound, was then embraced by another arm, her whole body being kneaded like a fish on a chopping board, and she couldn't help but moan.

"Wei Qin... what are you doing...?"

The soft panting came from who knows where.

Wei Qin did not cross the line, nor did he kiss the limp Jiang Xiaoniangzi, but he still overstepped the bounds of propriety by pulling the woman into his arms without permission and caressing her through her clothes, unable to control his emotions.

The soft, sweet moans of a gentle woman surpass even the delicate laughter of a beautiful woman in a book.

Wei Qin, who originally disliked romantic tales, seemed to have begun to write with his own ink, his penmanship delicate and soft, as if his heart, softened by Jiang Yinyue, was unfolding the chapters of his story.

Wei Qin tightened his arms, suppressing his deep desires, closed his eyes, and accompanied her to sleep.

A note from the author:

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The next chapter is going to be a VIP chapter! It'll be a super long chapter tomorrow night at midnight, don't miss it! Little Wei is about to confess his feelings for Mei Bao, he'll do it soon! The Crown Prince is also about to admit his feelings for Mei Bao, he's not pretending anymore! [heart emoji] [let me see!]