Chapter 2 How come this person looks exactly like the assassin in his dream...?
Ji Chengnin's mood, which had just calmed down, began to fluctuate again. "Who said that?"
Hearing that Ji Chengnin's tone was off, Huaide immediately shut his mouth, regretting it so much that he wanted to slap himself twice.
How could he forget the last time that the Sixth Master persuaded his son to get married, saying that the daughter of Imperial Censor Feng was very good, the son picked up a pair of silver scissors and wanted to cut off his hair to become a monk, but the tip of the scissors was pointed at the Sixth Master, which frightened the Sixth Master so much that he ran away without even eating the family banquet.
Huayde hunched his shoulders and kept looking at Chizheng.
Ji Chengnin turned his head.
Chi Zheng felt uneasy under Huaide's gaze and cursed him inwardly for being so talkative. He said, "Your Highness, I only heard it from others."
Meeting the cold gaze of his young master, he quickly explained in detail: "Yinyu, the maid in the fourth young master's room, came over this morning and said that she was sent by the fourth young master to deliver something to you. Since you were not here, we put the things away. Before leaving, she said a few words to the maids in the courtyard who were on good terms with her, and then, and then the news spread."
Ji Chengnin frowned.
Fourth Brother's maid?
Marquis Yongning had only one son, Ji Chengning, and no other brothers from the same father and mother. The so-called fourth brother was actually a cousin from his sixth uncle's family.
Young Master Ji is spoiled and arrogant, and his status is also higher than that of his other brothers. Therefore, his relationship with his brothers is very ordinary, and they only get along superficially.
He scoffed coldly.
Even without thinking, it's obvious that this is strange; there's no reason to bring your fiancée over before the engagement is finalized.
What kind of wicked scheme is his good fourth brother up to now?
“You’re just making baseless accusations,” Ji Chengning gestured with his chin toward Huai De, “you.”
The two of them immediately stood up straight.
The young marquis half-lifted his eyelids and said, "And those servants in my courtyard who gossip will all have half a month's wages deducted."
As for his fourth brother...
Ji Chengnin, who never tolerated being taken advantage of, turned his gaze and said, "Let's go to Wangle Hall."
A sudden gust of wind may not be without reason.
Let's ask my second uncle first before making any plans.
Since it happened to be a day of rest for the imperial court, Ji Chengning went straight to his second uncle Ji Lin's courtyard.
As soon as he stepped into the main courtyard, Ji Chengning stopped a familiar-looking maid and asked, "Look, where is my second uncle?"
Kan Zhu whispered, "Second Master is inside." She lowered her voice even further, "Second Master just dealt with Steward Zhou, and those on duty inside don't even dare to breathe loudly."
Ji Chengning nodded and smiled, took a few steps, then suddenly remembered something and turned to Huai De, saying, "Go and get two bottles of the rose water that the Earl of Guangling sent a few days ago. If you can't find them, tell A Luo to look for them and tell him they are two-inch tall, light blue glass bottles."
His gaze swept towards Kan Zhu, and Huaide immediately understood, hurriedly saying, "I understand."
Ji Chengnin then entered the main hall.
He lifted the curtain, bringing not only the sweet fragrance of dew but also the cool air from outside, which gave everyone a slight jolt.
As soon as he entered the room, his subordinates felt that the entire main hall was suddenly illuminated.
Those who were acquainted with Ji Chengning looked at him with pity, as if he were a lifeline.
Ji Chengning felt so disgusted that he got goosebumps.
He looked around and saw his second uncle, Ji Lin, kneeling on a bamboo mat, holding a book in his fair hands, reading with great concentration.
The rest of his subordinates sat on the left and right, all sitting upright and trembling with fear.
Perhaps because he had served as Minister of Justice for many years, Ji Lin was always shrouded in a chilling aura, with a slight crease between his brows, exuding an imposing presence even without anger.
He was not wearing official robes, but only a plain everyday robe, with a blue lotus gauze overlay. His posture was relaxed, yet still elegant and refined, like a slender plum tree with a lofty and upright character.
"Second Uncle."
Ji Lin ignored him and turned a page of her book.
Ji Chengnin turned to the crowd and said with a smile, "Everyone, I still have something to say to Lord Ji, so please disperse."
Everyone looked at each other, cautiously watching Ji Lin's expression, not daring to move.
Ji Lin raised her eyes slightly and happened to meet her nephew's face, which was even more beautiful and larger than the peonies outside.
A smiling face.
"...As Your Highness wishes, disperse."
The subordinates, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly greeted each other and said, "We take our leave."
After everyone left, Wangle Hall was no longer as deserted as it had been before.
A maid went to fetch Ji Chengning a cushion, but he waved his hand and said, "I don't want that." He then pulled out a brocade cushion covered with auspicious cloud patterns from under the table and smoothly knelt down next to Ji Lin.
It is indeed smooth.
From Ji Lin's perspective, Ji Chengning "slipped" and landed beside her.
Ji Chengnin's expression changed as quickly as turning the pages of a book, and he looked like he was about to cry. "Second Uncle, are you finding me annoying?"
Ji Lin: "Mm."
Ji Chengning has shallow eyes and never cries without tears. In just a few seconds, his eyes were already brimming with tears. "I knew it. Second Uncle thinks I'm too charming and attract too many suitors, disturbing his peace. Otherwise, why would he arrange a marriage for me so early? It's just that," he choked out, "that he wants me to get married early and live separately."
Ji Lin paused in turning the pages of her book, then frowned and looked at Ji Chengning.
Ji Chengnin looked at Ji Lin with teary eyes.
Ji Lin took a handkerchief and threw it expressionlessly into Ji Chengnin's arms. "Who said you were going to get married?" he asked coldly. "Take them out and sell them too."
As Ji Chengning wiped away his tears, he murmured, "I'm just afraid that Sixth Uncle won't be able to bear it."
Ji Lin half-opened her eyelids and gave him a lukewarm look.
Ji Chengnin was completely unaware.
He was overjoyed to hear that the marriage was a sham, but then he changed the subject, "Second Uncle, I heard that a girl has come to our house, is that true?" He casually peeled a segment of orange and put it in his mouth, "Sweet."
He generously gave the remaining half to his second uncle.
Ji Lin was deeply moved by Ji Chengnin's filial piety. "Did you wash your hands?"
Ji Chengning looked at Ji Lin with a resentful expression.
"That is indeed the case. The girl is from your fourth aunt's family. Her parents have both passed away. Her relatives are coveting her family's property, so she had no choice but to come and seek refuge with her aunt. She is currently staying at the Marquis's residence."
Ji Chengnin asked vaguely, "How old is that girl? What's her name?"
“Your aunt said she’s a few months younger than you, and her name is Cui Yao.” He frowned slightly as he saw Ji Chengnin slouching as if he had no spine. “Now you’re not the youngest in the family anymore, you need to act like an older brother.”
Ji Chengnin disagreed, "I don't have a younger sister." He then grinned and leaned closer, "If Second Uncle had a daughter, she would be my sister."
Ji Lin glanced at him, her expression softening slightly, but she said, "I'm just afraid you'll corrupt my daughter."
Ji Chengnin snorted.
Ji Lin rubbed her temples, a hint of weariness on her face. "Is Your Majesty's headache any better?"
"Her Majesty is in much better health and has hardly needed any medicine lately," Ji Chengnin said with a smile. "Don't worry, Second Uncle."
The young man was born with a pair of bright, smiling eyes, his gaze so captivating that it inspired trust in everyone.
Ji Lin nodded. "The Lantern Festival is approaching, and I wish to copy forty-nine volumes of the Lotus Sutra to pray for the Empress's blessings."
"My second uncle is very busy with official duties, so let me do it."
“Don’t waste my paper and ink with your illegible handwriting,” Ji Lin refused decisively. “Besides, when copying scriptures, one has to kneel down to copy with piety, and also burn incense and eat vegetarian food until the copying is finished. How long can you keep that up?”
After a few seconds of silence, he said again, "Never mind, I have someone to choose. You have to go to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, so go back to your room and study."
"Yes, yes—" Ji Chengnin deliberately dragged out the tone, "Nephew obeys, nephew understands."
He got up to leave, but caught a glimpse of Ji Lin out of the corner of his eye.
His face was pale with a bluish tinge, almost bloodless, like a piece of hard jade.
The boy suddenly leaned forward again, "Second Uncle, please add a red ginseng and astragalus pigeon soup to dinner."
Ji Lin covered her face with the letter and ignored him.
Ji Chengning assumed Ji Lin had overheard and said with a grin, "Second Uncle, don't forget, I'll be coming over for dinner tonight."
Without waiting for Ji Lin's reply, he flew out.
The pearls and jade hanging from his body clattered together, making a melodious sound, before disappearing into the distance.
Until it was completely silent.
Ji Lin picked up the document, her expression dark and unreadable.
His gaze shifted and landed on the soft cushion where Ji Chengnin had just been kneeling.
The interior of Wangletang is mainly made of bamboo and wood, and the furnishings are all elegant. However, this cushion, which is simply out of place with the words "overwhelming wealth" carved on it, is glaringly ugly.
Seeing that his gaze lingered on the cushion for a long time, the maidservant hurriedly said, "This servant will put it away right away."
Ji Lin looked away. "Leave it there." He said, "Summon Cheng'an to Wangle Hall."
Over there, Huaide was waiting outside. When he saw Ji Chengning come out with light steps, he ran up to him and said with a smile, "Young Master, everything is done. I saw that Sister Zhu said she thanked the Young Master for his trouble."
Ji Chengnin casually said, "You did alright, at least you've learned to use your brains. I'll remember the fine you're owed for now, and if there's a next time, I'll add it to the total."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Huaide's voice rose with joy. "When I get back, I will give them a stern talking-to so they will never dare to do it again."
The two men walked out while talking, and just then they saw Kanzhu walking towards the inner courtyard.
Seeing Zhu's aloof yet considerate smile, he led a young girl into the courtyard, saying, "Miss, this is the place."
Hearing the sound, he didn't stop walking, only glancing at it casually.
But the next moment, he stared in shock, his eyes widening.
He...!
She was a young girl about the same age as Ji Chengning, with dark blue sideburns, sharp brow bones that pressed slightly down her eyes, and a very high and straight nose. From her bone structure, she was quite imposing.
But he had gentle eyes, light in color, like a clear, still autumn lake, which softened the coldness around him.
Ji Chengning was horrified.
How could this person look exactly like the assassin in his dream?!
Even the color and location of the small mole at the inner corner of the eye are exactly the same.
Noticing his gaze, the girl stopped in her tracks and looked at Ji Chengnin.
The fear of having Qingfeng pressed against his throat surged up like a tide, and Ji Chengning abruptly took two steps back.
who is he? !
Ji Chengnin's fear at this moment was no less than seeing an evil spirit return at midnight to claim his life, especially since he had killed the person himself.
Seeing that the other person was looking over, Ji Chengnin immediately took a step back.
He suppressed the urge to throw a bucket of black dog blood at the other person to see if they were human or ghost, and asked Kan Zhu dryly, "Who is this, who is this young lady?"
For the first time in his life, the eloquent young marquis's lips and tongue went numb.
Kan Zhu said solicitously, "Your Highness, this is Miss Cui from the Fourth Madam's family."
The young woman lowered her head and bowed in greeting, "This humble woman, Cui Yao, greets Your Highness."
When he spoke, even his voice was similar to that of the assassin in his dream, both being clear, gentle, and melodious.
The only difference was that the assassin's voice in his dream was unmistakably male, while Cui Yao's voice in front of him was only slightly lower than that of an ordinary girl.
Ji Chengnin's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly, and he said dryly, "Oh, you're the younger sister from Fourth Aunt's family."
He said something meaningless.
Cui Yao replied gently, "Yes."
Feeling cold and damp around his neck, Ji Chengning suppressed his discomfort and carefully examined Cui Yao from head to toe.
Upon closer inspection, their appearances are not entirely similar.
Cui Yao was not as tall as the assassin in his dream, nor did he possess that heavy, intimidating aura.
Ji Chengning's gaze fell unabashedly on Cui Yao's face.
He watched with intense focus, his gaze even carrying a hint of tender affection.
It's over.
Huaide thought in despair, "The young master is here again."
The young marquis was a womanizer; the number of times he was "stunned by the beauty of a celestial being and forgot his worldly ways" upon seeing a beautiful woman was more than the number of hairs on Huai De's head combined.
Could it be that he has fallen in love with this "Miss Cousin" at first sight again today?
The charming young man's gaze lingered on her like candy, but Cui Yao's expression remained unchanged, a gentle smile still playing on her lips. Only her eyelids drooped slightly as she pressed the plain silver ring stuck at the base of her finger.
Its cold light gleamed, as sharp as a knife's edge.
Seeing that Ji Chengnin was lost in thought, and fearing that it might cause trouble, Kanzhu quickly smiled and said, "Young Master, Miss Cui is going to thank the Second Master. Do you think we could talk another day?"
Ji Chengnin looked away as if waking from a dream. "Okay."
Cui Yao's voice was gentle. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"It's cold outside, young lady, please come inside quickly," Kan Zhu urged.
Cui Yao curtsied and said, "This humble woman takes her leave."
Ji Chengnin nodded, as a gesture of return.
They passed each other by.
The fragrance spread with the owner's movements. It was an extremely luxurious and deep fragrance, but when used too heavily, it became overly flamboyant and aggressive.
It's astonishing that a man could have such a strong scent of perfume.
Cui Yao turned her head to avoid it, but the sweet fragrance lingered around her nose, meandering and persistent.
He frowned.
A note from the author:
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For ease of reading, Cui Yao (Gong) will always be referred to as "he".
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