Chapter 21
After Jiang Qi got up, he only gave Ling Wu a deep look before turning and leaving.
He walked very fast, his steps were somewhat unsteady. In the memories of the noble ladies, this refined and elegant young master had never been so out of control.
For a time, each situation was complicated.
Song Leyuan picked up the stack of papers, intending to stuff them into Ling Wu's hand, but Ling Wu refused.
"I have not yet thanked Your Highness for your kindness. If it weren't for Your Highness, I'm afraid I would still be in the dark. And... has Your Highness forgotten what my family does?"
Song Leyuan was momentarily stunned. Whenever she met Ling Wu, she would forget everything and only want to give her the best.
After the farce ended and the noble ladies left, the story spread throughout Kyoto!
For a time, the Jiang family, a prestigious and aristocratic family, became the target of countless people's desire to distance themselves from them, fearing that they might be tainted by any scandal.
Officials are most averse to this, not to mention those who come from noble families, who value face and integrity the most.
The veteran officials who had served for many years were even more apprehensive, after all, the Princess was someone even His Majesty was wary of.
Fortunately, Jiang Qi was meticulous in his work and maintained a respectable demeanor despite his humble attitude, so the damage was only to the Jiang family's reputation and his own marriage agreement.
But Song Leyuan felt it wasn't enough. She wanted to wait until her people entered the Jiang residence and collected all the evidence before crushing these ants.
Playing with toys becomes boring if you kill them all at once.
Back to the present, the noble ladies all left excitedly. Song Leyuan still tried to persuade Ling Wu to stay, but seeing Ling Wu's tiredness, she changed her mind.
"Take care on your journey, and when you arrive home safely, send me a pigeon."
Lingwu nodded, then took out a light yellow square amulet with the word "Peace" written on it in red cinnabar.
"This is?"
"I heard that the peace charms of Cangshan Temple are extremely effective, so I asked for one for Your Highness. May the peace charm bring you peace, and may Your Highness live a long and healthy life, free from worries, and always be happy." Lingwu smiled, her eyes like a thousand ripples of spring water.
Song Leyuan's hand trembled slightly as she picked up the amulet. She had received countless gifts, but this was the first time she had received such an intimate gift as a amulet.
She didn't believe in ghosts or gods, but at that moment she felt a fleeting joy and made a prayer for them.
I pray that the girl in front of me will live a long and healthy life, free from worries, and always be happy.
It's so nice to be remembered and cared for by others.
————
Jiang Qi returned to the Jiang residence with a pale face.
Jiang's father, who had just regained consciousness, fainted again upon hearing the news!
When he awoke, the entire mansion was adorned with bright red lanterns.
By the light of the moon and the glow of the red lanterns, he could see Jiang Qi sitting on his couch.
His original gentle and refined demeanor was broken in one corner, turning him into a cold and indifferent person, like a walking corpse, which made Jiang's father feel sorry for him.
"Qi'er..."
“Father,” Jiang Qi said respectfully, bowing his head.
"I will enter the palace now..."
Before Jiang's father could finish speaking, Jiang Qi interrupted, "Father, do you intend to go to the palace to plead with His Majesty?"
After Jiang's father settled down, he nodded, but Jiang Qi curled his lips into a smile that was somewhat frightening.
"His Majesty only saw the Eldest Princess once that afternoon; he did not see anyone else."
Jiang's father leaned against the bed, lowering his eyes to conceal the darkness within them. "Are you implying that His Majesty is also involved in this matter?"
“Even if there wasn’t one, there is now. The Jiang family is a target for trouble. Since they don’t want to see the Jiang family continue to shine, they can use this opportunity to lay low for now… In a few days, Shengjing will be in chaos, and then they won’t have the mind to bother the Jiang family anymore.” Jiang Qi looked at the moonlight, his voice icy.
Jiang's father was speechless for a moment. He wanted to open his mouth but didn't say anything. He just stared blankly at his son, who was known as the Bright Moon Prince.
It felt unfamiliar, yet also comforting.
next day
For the Jiang family's joyous occasion, those who wished to distance themselves from the event simply sent gifts and then claimed illness or other reasons for being unable to attend.
The transformation from bustling crowds to desolate emptiness took only a day.
Jiang Qi, however, appeared completely unaffected, dressed in his wedding attire, his handsome face framed by a faint smile.
Song Leyuan changed into a white dress.
Wearing a white dress for a wedding is something no one would believe without a sense of unease.
Jiang Qi, however, maintained his original smile, unchanged.
Only after watching Jiang Qi and Su Meier drink the nuptial wine did Song Leyuan feel bored and leave leisurely.
He turned and went to the Bai residence, where he talked with Ling Wu for a long time.
It is said that Su Meier only had a few meager dowry boxes. Although the betrothal gifts were plentiful, the boxes were never opened, and it was unknown whether anything was actually inside.
And even if she did have them, they wouldn't end up in her hands.
Jiang's parents looked furious, but Su Meier showed no sign of a smile.
At this point, Lingwu's gaze fell on the branches outside that had sprouted new buds.
How could Su Meier possibly laugh? After this incident, her life in the Jiang family might not be as good as before.
Song Leyuan also looked over and said, "By the way, it's strange, Su Meier kept looking towards the door while drinking the nuptial wine. Could it be that she has someone else she likes?"
Lingwu shook her head slightly. Perhaps what she was waiting for was the only tenderness she had experienced since arriving in Shengjing.
Unfortunately, she ruined it herself.
After Song Leyuan left, Qinglu stepped forward and said, "Miss, I heard that someone outside the capital has fallen ill."
Ling Wu nodded. "Has he arrived?"
When that person was mentioned, a hint of joy appeared in her green eyes, and her cheeks flushed slightly, making her look quite adorable.
"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Miss."
"You," Ling Wu said reproachfully, then took out the letter. "The same as before, ask him to prescribe a few more doses of medicine this time, and then send them to those maids who went out of the palace to buy things."
Qinglu accepted the order, replied "Yes," and left.
Lingwu gazed at the white clouds outside the window, then got up and walked towards her father's study.
As expected, Bai's father had a worried look on his face, but when he saw Lingwu, he smiled and said, "Little Wu, do you want to go out and relax lately? I think Cangshan Temple is a good place to go. How about you and your mother go to Cangshan Temple for a short stay of more than a month?"
Ling Wu shook her head, picked up the abacus that her father had placed on the table, and said, "Father, do you still remember what I told you a few days ago?"
Father Bai paused for only a moment before speaking: "The food and medicine have all been stockpiled, but Xiao Wu, you are young and do not know how dangerous this matter is."
He seemed to be recalling something, and pain showed in his eyes. "When people are hungry... they don't care about imperial power or nobles. Listen to your father, take your mother to Cangshan Temple to take refuge for a while. Once this matter has calmed down, your father will come up the mountain to pick you up."
Ling Wu gently tapped the abacus with her slender hand, producing the sound that Bai's father heard most often.
Ling Wu said as she strummed her fingers, "But along with it comes a plague..."
Seeing that Bai's father's worry had deepened, Lingwu remained calm and composed. "A new physician has come to our household today. I heard that he can cure this disease."
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