In the blink of an eye, a man strode in like a whirlwind.
Jiang Jiaojiao looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to him.
The man who entered was tall and slender, neither fat nor thin, with gentle features and a straight nose; he was clean-cut and handsome.
The man's features were gentle and refined, like a spring breeze, with a faint smile on his lips, as warm and comforting as the spring breeze in March.
Dressed in a long, straight-cut green bamboo robe, she exuded a scholarly air and possessed an elegant and noble demeanor.
Her eyes were gentle, and her smile was like a warm, flowing spring stream.
Their eyes met, and the man's gentle gaze made Jiang Jiaojiao almost stop breathing.
No wonder there are rumors that the men of the Wei family are all unattainable. Such a handsome and warm man, coupled with the Wei family's immense wealth, would be an incredible blessing for anyone who marries him.
"Grandmother, I didn't know you had guests here. I'll come back to pay my respects later." The man quickly looked away and was about to leave.
“Mingzhou, you’ve come in. It’s Madam Jiang and Miss Jiang from the Minister’s Mansion. They’re not outsiders, so it’s no problem.”
Wei Mingzhou cupped his hands in greeting to Madam Yang and her daughter, as a gesture of acknowledgment.
Jiang Jiaojiao gave a slight, shy curtsy, "Greetings, Third Young Master Wei."
Jiang Jiaojiao had seen Wei Mingzhou from afar before and knew that he was born out of wedlock, but she didn't pay much attention to him.
Upon closer inspection, Wei Mingzhou's demeanor is no less impressive than that of the legitimate son.
Madam Yang turned to the side and said to Wei Mingzhou with a smile, "Third Young Master, please go inside quickly. Jiao'er and I are just about to go out."
"Please, Madam." The maid led the way, and Madam Yang followed. Jiang Jiaojiao had already stepped out of the flower hall, but couldn't help turning back to look at Wei Mingzhou.
"Grandmother, my eldest sister is ill. I'm going to Qinglian Temple tomorrow to pray for her. Would you like to donate some money for incense?"
"What?"
"Clang."
The sound of porcelain shattering rang out.
"Madam!"
The screams of the maids and servants came from inside the room.
Jiang Jiaojiao quickly followed Yang's steps.
It turns out that Madam Wei was unaware of what was happening in the palace; no wonder she was laughing so heartily just now.
After the mother and daughter left the Prime Minister's residence, Madam Wei showed no intention of arranging a marriage for her daughter. Feeling depressed, Madam Yang did not want to speak once she got into the carriage.
Jiang Jiaojiao was torn between her inner thoughts and her mind, with Wei Mingzhou's image constantly appearing in her head.
Jiang Jiaojiao preferred the gentle and refined gentleman to Du Shizheng, the unruly and undisciplined brute.
"Jiao'er, put away those thoughts. Wei Mingzhou is a son born out of wedlock."
It is said that no one knows a daughter better than her mother. Looking at her daughter's shy expression, Madam Yang knew that her daughter had fallen for the handsome appearance of the Third Young Master Wei.
Jiang Jiaojiao, whose thoughts had been exposed, was stunned for a moment. "Mother, why not? Being the legal wife of the Wei family's illegitimate son is better than being the legal wife of the legitimate son of those minor officials."
Yang understood this simple truth perfectly well.
She pressed her lips together unhappily, "Jiao'er, don't you know? That Third Young Master Wei is Aunt Chen's son. You've seen Aunt Chen's temper; she's not someone to be trifled with."
Today, she hadn't even complained about a concubine coming out to greet her, but Aunt Chen was finding fault with everything.
“Mother, I think the Third Young Master is a good man with excellent character and appearance, and I can entrust my life to him. After all, Aunt Chen is just a concubine. There are still the Old Madam and the First Madam in charge above her. Aunt Chen is not easy to get along with, and I am not someone who can be bullied.”
Ms. Yang was persuaded by her daughter.
As far as she knew, the Third Young Master Wei was not yet married.
"When Mother gets back, she will send Granny Qu to ask Matchmaker Li from Zhixi Lane to find out what Old Madam Wei is thinking. She didn't mention the Third Young Master Wei at all today, so Mother is not sure about this matter."
"Mother is so good." Jiang Jiaojiao affectionately hugged Yang's arm.
"Oh! Jiao'er, don't be too happy yet. Madam Wei wasn't particularly enthusiastic when she saw you today. Who knows whose daughter she has her eye on?"
Seeing her daughter's joyful expression, Madam Yang felt heavy-hearted.
There are only so many prominent families in the capital, and although he often praises his daughter for how wonderful she is.
If her daughter were truly beautiful, she wouldn't be in such a hurry.
"Mother, you left in a hurry and didn't understand, but I heard you. Young Master Wei is going to Qinglian Temple tomorrow to pray for the Empress."
Jiang Jiaojiao raised her head, which was resting on Yang's arm, her face showing no trace of girlish reserve.
"My daughter will also go to Qinglian Temple tomorrow to find that old woman. It would be better to directly test the Third Young Master's intentions."
Madam Yang frowned and shook her head slightly, "No! Your father will be angry if he finds out, saying that I've spoiled you too much."
"Whether it's a test or a chance encounter, it's easy for men and women to be criticized for meeting in private."
“Mother, I know what I’m doing. Just tell Father that it’s Qixi Festival and I’m going to the temple to pray for blessings.”
"If Mother is still worried, may Granny Qu and Caiyan go along?"
After weighing the options, Yang gritted her teeth and said, "Sigh! Go ahead. Do you know how to test the waters? Don't let people think you're too eager. Even if it works out, they'll look down on you afterward."
Madam Yang was also helpless. Her daughter had been delayed until now because of her desire to enter the palace, and looking around, there were fewer and fewer suitable candidates for her daughter's age.
If this continues, the legitimate daughter will have no choice but to marry down.
The third young master of the Wei family happened to be the same age as her daughter, so she had no choice but to let her daughter take the plunge.
That night, Jiang Jiaojiao was filled with spring fever and couldn't sleep, tossing and turning over in her mind how to win Wei Mingzhou's favor the next day.
When she went to the Prime Minister's residence today, Wei Mingzhou's gaze was not unusual. Could it be that she was dressed too formally today?
Jiang Jiaojiao simply jumped up and started looking for clothes in the closet.
Hearing the commotion inside, Caiyan, who was in the outer room, lifted the curtain and asked, "What are you looking for, Miss? This servant will do the work."
"Caiyan, do you think my outfit looks good today?"
Without thinking, Caiyan replied, "Miss looks good in anything. Today's outfit is elegant and graceful, very appropriate."
Jiang Jiaojiao shook her head. "No, Young Master Wei didn't even glance at me as we passed by. My dress must not be pretty enough."
Jiang Jiaojiao lowered her head slightly, and her breasts, now bare of her bodice, resembled two side-by-side mountain peaks.
Seeing her mistress frowning as she stared at the nightgown on her chest, Caiyan asked, "Does Miss think the undergarment I made is too tight?"
Jiang Jiaojiao's eyes crinkled with a smile. "No wonder I felt so constricted today; it turns out it was the undergarment that was the problem."
Jiang Jiaojiao quickly found a lotus-root-colored low-cut brocade inner layer in the wardrobe, paired with a light yellow gauze outer layer, and then took out a bellyband that she used to think was too loose.
"How about it, isn't this outfit eye-catching enough?"
"Miss, isn't this too eye-catching?" Caiyan glanced at Jiang Jiaojiao's chest.
Jiang Jiaojiao puffed out her chest. "It's good to be eye-catching. Normally, you have to hold your chest tightly, which is uncomfortable and not aesthetically pleasing."
She couldn't possibly hide the part of her body that she was so proud of.
"Look at the girls in front of the brothel, which one of them isn't half-hidden behind the curtain? Men, aren't they all the same? Even if they see Wushan through the clouds, they're like they've lost their souls."
Caiyan: "..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
