The next morning, Zhu Jiayu, with the help of Lüzheng, washed up and dressed, intending to go to the Sheng'an Marquis's residence.
This day was the coming-of-age ceremony for the third young master of the Sheng'an Marquis's mansion, and most of the young masters and ladies in the capital were invited to attend.
As soon as she left Zhaohua Lane in her carriage, she saw Song Jiangmei sitting inside. She lifted the curtain and smiled, "Have you been waiting long?"
They had arranged to go to the Sheng'an Marquis's residence together.
Song Jiangmei shook her head: "I haven't been here long." She smiled and said, "Besides, it doesn't matter how long I wait for you."
After she finished speaking, she heard someone sigh. Turning around, she saw another carriage stop behind her. She glanced at it, pursed her lips, and said, "They say there's a wide road, and everyone goes their own way. This carriage behind me is strange. Why doesn't it use the proper road and instead stops behind my carriage? Do I have to give way to it?"
After she finished speaking, instead of receiving comfort from Zhu Jiayu, she heard a melodious male voice, as pleasant as flowing water and gurgling stones: "It's because Miss Song and I both came here for Ayu that we bumped into each other."
Fu Yao hurried back and whispered to Song Jiangmei through the carriage curtain, "Miss, it's the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."
Song Jiangmei's hand trembled slightly as she picked up the teacup.
She chuckled twice, glanced at Zhu Jiayu, dropped her sarcastic tone, and said gently, "Lord Wei, you must have misunderstood. I didn't come here today for Ayu; I just happened to be passing by. Since Lord Wei has made an appointment with Ayu, I'll take my leave now."
As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't wait a moment longer and urged the coachman to drive the horse away.
After Song Jiangmei left, Zhu Jiayu raised an eyebrow and looked at Wei Qinglou, whose face was half-exposed in the carriage: "Lord Wei, do you have something to say to me?"
She didn't ask him what he meant by what he had just said to Song Jiangmei. After all, someone like Wei Qinglou always had a somewhat cynical mind. What others might consider inappropriate to say was nothing more than a joke to him.
If she were to dwell on it, it would only make her seem like she cares too much.
The half-drawn carriage curtain cast a shadow, shrouding Wei Qinglou's features in the shadows, yet making him appear even more refined and sharp, like a long sword drawn from its sheath in the dark night, exuding a chilling aura and a startling glint in the darkness.
When he looked up, a faint smile played in his eyes, like a peach blossom plucked from a spring tree as a long sword is sheathed.
Wei Qinglou looked at her and said, "I heard that you went to the Sheng'an Marquis's mansion for a banquet today. Coincidentally, I also received an invitation from the third young master of the Marquis's mansion, so I thought I would come and ask you to go together."
Shujian rode his horse alongside the carriage, and upon hearing this, the corner of his mouth twitched.
His young master's ability to make up lies is getting stronger and stronger. This invitation was clearly snatched from Young Master Xiao by him, so how did it become that the Third Young Master of the Earl's Mansion ordered someone to deliver it?
This shows that love not only makes people blind, but it can also make them lie through their teeth.
Wei Qinglou added, "Although Miss Song can now speak up among the young ladies, she hasn't yet settled her messy score with her stepsister in the household. I'm afraid that when her stepsister's confidante sees you later, she won't speak properly. You'd better not get too close to her, lest you get caught in the crossfire."
The implication was that it would be better to get closer to him.
Shu Jian didn't show it on his face, but in his heart he was already clicking his tongue.
Zhu Jiayu remained composed, his eyes clear and honest: "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Wei, but I am not afraid."
Wei Qinglou nodded, looked at her gently, and said softly, "But I can't help but worry that you'll suffer a loss."
Zhu Jiayu: ...
She held back for a long time before finally managing a stiff smile. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Wei."
When the carriage arrived at the Sheng'an Marquis's residence, Zhu Jiayu got off first, followed by Wei Qinglou.
He was tall and had long legs; one step he took was equivalent to two steps for Zhu Jiayu. Yet, he slowed down and walked side by side with Zhu Jiayu into the Earl's mansion.
Inside the Earl's residence, the steward saw the third young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, now the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, showing his invitation to the guards as he walked towards the mansion. He quickly turned around and went to the hall, where he found the Earl, who was dealing with guests who had come to offer their congratulations. He exclaimed with delight, "Master! Lord Wei has arrived!"
Sheng Anbo waved his hand impatiently: "Which Lord Wei? He's here—wait! Lord Wei? Is it Wei Qinglou, the Junior Minister of the Imperial Secretariat!"
The steward nodded vigorously: "It is indeed him, sir! Who else in the capital could be Lord Wei besides him!"
Marquis Sheng was overjoyed!
When Wei Qinglou was first transferred by the Emperor to Songjiang for disaster relief, some people were not optimistic about him. However, he not only completed his duties flawlessly, but also dealt with the county magistrate and wealthy gentry who had been exploiting the people. Later, someone impeached Wei Qinglou for being autocratic and dictatorial, and for killing the new county magistrate on a whim. However, it was later proven that this was just hearsay by the censor, a baseless accusation against a loyal official. It was clear that the county magistrate was on good terms with him, and Wei Qinglou was deeply saddened by the magistrate's death.
When he was impeached, the emperor treated him leniently; but once it was proven to be a false accusation, the emperor was furious with the censors and officials, which was enough to make everyone in the court clear about the emperor's attitude towards Wei Qinglou. After several shifts in the political climate, everyone now regards Wei Qinglou as if he were a hot commodity.
"But why would he come?" Sheng Anbo handed the guests in the hall to his eldest son and said to the steward as he walked out, "Isn't he always averse to banquets?"
It was precisely because of this that, although he sent a letter to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he never expected that the Duke's mansion would send anyone—a family like theirs was clearly not worthy of the Duke's mansion, and sending a letter was merely to fulfill the proper etiquette.
The steward bowed and said, "I saw him come with a young lady. I'm afraid he's here to keep her company?"
“There’s a reason for that.” Sheng Anbo nodded, and when he looked up, he saw Wei Qinglou walking over with a beautiful young woman.
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