Chapter 85 This marriage cannot be completed
"But I don't think the fault lies with the two sisters. If we don't investigate, it will definitely disappoint both families."
"I also ask my royal brother to issue an order to severely punish the young master and Song Lingyi."
After saying so much, Xiao Mingyi still looked indifferent, and Princess Changyang's heart began to beat fast for no reason.
After staying in Danyang County for three years, the emperor's brother returned to Kyoto. His temperament had changed a lot. She couldn't put it into words, but she just felt that the emperor was too oppressive now. When they were alone together, she always felt uneasy and her back went cold.
"Offensive language?"
Xiao Mingyi took in every subtle expression on her face with indifference, "Tell me how they offended the young master."
Princess Changyang was stunned for a moment as she didn't understand her brother's attitude.
In the past, the emperor loved her and would try his best to satisfy her requests. Why did he punish a minister with misconduct today and had to get to the bottom of it?
"That Song family girl has no parents. Not long after she came to Kyoto to live with her relatives, she discussed marriage with the Pei family's second son. The Pei family's second son is outstanding in literary talent and extraordinary in appearance. He is a banished immortal. How could he be interested in her? She must have seduced him secretly!"
"My two sisters only spoke a few truths, but the young master and Song Lingyi, out of venting their anger, actually pushed someone into the water. How despicable."
Princess Changyang was a spoiled girl, used to being the center of attention. Of course, she didn't think there was anything wrong with saying such words that would damage someone's reputation.
The Lu and Pei families are about to get engaged, and she must find a way to stop it.
As long as the emperor issues an order to severely punish Song Lingyi, the Pei family will never accept a person of such low character as a bride, and this marriage will definitely be cancelled.
"In that case, the one who did it was the young master. What does it have to do with Miss Song?" Xiao Mingyi's voice was light and deep, and his eyes were filled with unpredictable emotions.
"How is it unrelated?"
Princess Changyang was already angry, and with her red lips slightly pouted, she said, "She wasn't in the front yard at the time. If she hadn't instigated it, how could the young master have attacked the two girls?"
Just as he finished speaking, a meaningless snort suddenly came from the leader, "I wasn't in the front yard at the time, so why don't you say it was me who instigated it?"
Princess Changyang was startled and looked up to carefully examine her brother's expression.
"...What do you mean, my royal brother?"
"The girls from the Zhao and Lin families are criticizing others behind their backs and stirring up trouble. Is that commendable?" Xiao Mingyi said with a cold and disdainful expression. "Knowing that the Duke of Jin's family is a prominent family, they still dare to make irresponsible remarks. I've shown you great mercy by not pursuing the matter. Yet, you still want me to intervene. How foolish!"
“…”
Princess Changyang frowned slightly, her heart suddenly sinking.
What's wrong with my royal brother? Why is he siding with the Duke of Jin's Mansion? Is it possible that the young master has a relationship with my royal brother?
"She is an orphan without a father or a mother. Do you know that the Song family fell into poverty because her father was so righteous that he led troops to support Danyang County." Xiao Mingyi had a calm face and was intimidating without being angry.
Princess Changyang naturally knew about this matter, but she did not care. It was such an honor to die fighting for the stability of Dayuan. Moreover, Song Lingyi's father was only a captain, and she had to rely on her brother to pacify the pirates.
"But……"
"The girls from the Zhao and Lin families criticized others before, so they deserve to be taught a lesson."
Hearing this, Princess Changyang panicked completely. Her eyes were red and tears were about to roll down. "My two sisters and I have a good relationship. If you don't help them, you are not helping me!"
She originally thought that after she pressed him like this, the emperor would definitely compromise as usual, but she never expected that the emperor's face became even gloomier, which made her feel terrified.
"I almost forgot."
Xiao Mingyi stared at her intently and said, "Changyang, as a princess, you actually pestered a minister at the Chu Mansion's wedding banquet. How can this be considered improper?"
Princess Changyang was terrified.
I had clearly instructed no one to tell anyone about the matter that was bothering Pei Zhao, so how did my brother know about it...
After the panic, she felt a surge of grievance, tears streaming down her face. "The person I love is about to be engaged to someone else. How can I sit still? My brother loves Changyang the most. Can't I just follow Changyang's wishes and break off this marriage?"
Tears fell one by one, and her eyes were almost swollen into peaches.
"I'm not willing to accept this. How can Song Lingyi compare to me? Why did Pei Erlang agree to marry her..."
Looking at his imperial sister crying bitterly in front of the desk, Xiao Mingyi raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, speechless for a while.
"This marriage won't work out."
Princess Changyang wiped her tears and sobbed, "Really?"
"Of course." Xiao Mingyi paused. "But from now on, you must not cause trouble for Song Lingyi again. If I hear about it again, I will punish you severely."
"……oh."
Princess Changyang was dissatisfied, but she endured it.
…
For a while, Song Lingyi, fearing she'd run into Xiao Mingyi again, stayed away from the Duke's Mansion. Her aunt, Wang, constantly pressured her to learn etiquette and household chores, making her life dull and boring.
Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and Kyoto City held a lantern festival. At nightfall, thousands of bright lanterns were lit up in the sky, and people gradually poured into the West Market, creating a bustling atmosphere.
After a sumptuous dinner, Lu Tanwei and his family went to the Lantern Festival. On the way, they stopped by the Pei family residence, and the two families went to the West Market together.
The carriage stopped nearly two miles outside the Lantern Festival market, so the two families had to get off the carriage and walk.
The autumn night was slightly chilly. Song Lingyi wore a scarlet brocade dress with a white cloak on the outside. The edge was wrapped with a three-finger-wide satin embroidered with auspicious patterns, which made the girl look even more bright and pretty.
The elders were chatting in front, while the five younger ones were walking behind.
Lu Yu and Pei Ling looked at each other and tacitly left the middle seat to Song Lingyi and Pei Zhao.
Lu Qian, who was half a step behind, saw that the arms of the young man and the girl were about to touch each other, so he immediately squeezed in between to separate them.
Song Lingyi was caught off guard and stumbled, bumping into Lu Yu next to her. The two women glared at Lu Qian angrily.
"Little white face, are you sick!?"
"What are you doing, brother?"
Lu Qian tilted his head, his eyes threatening, his voice low and harsh: "I have something to say to Pei Zhao, you two stand aside."
“…”
“…”
The two sisters were angry but dared not speak out.
After finishing this, Lu Qian turned around and looked at Pei Zhao, with a fake smile in his eyes: "Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, you don't have to go to the poetry gathering of those sour scholars?" He just kept hanging around in front of the dead girl.
Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the city's scholars and literati would gather together to recite poems and compose essays, under the pretext of praising the festival and promoting Dayuan culture. Pei Zhao was a frequent visitor to such poetry gatherings.
Pei Zhao heard the disparagement in his words, but he kept smiling. "This year is different, but... the Lantern Festival will be held at Cuiwei Residence in the West Market. If you're interested in the poetry gathering, you can definitely attend."
The smile on Lu Qian's lips froze.
Interested? It would really disgust him.
The group walked into the spacious lantern festival street, where all kinds of lanterns lit up the autumn night like a bustling day.
Song Lingyi wanted to buy a lantern, so she stood in front of the stall. In the short time she was picking up the lantern, several young men in brocade robes who were passing by glanced over to take a peek.
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