Chapter 65 Planning Ahead: The Person the Wang Family Has Their Eye On
Wang Yan was so frightened that she stood rooted to the spot and looked at Li Changling for help.
A-Guo was overjoyed and immediately introduced himself: "I'm not a bad person. My name is A-Guo, and I'm also a friend of Young Master Shen."
A-Guo, the Yi woman who had become famous in the capital in just a few days, was rumored to be quite close to Prince Su. Wang Yan lowered the veil, "Since she is Ziqian's friend, I hope you will keep this a secret for me. Pretend that you have not met her today."
A-Guo glanced at Li Changling, who was holding a sword in his arms, and quickly raised her finger to swear, "I promise I won't tell anyone. Is Madam Wang feeling any better?"
She had even told her about this... Wang Yan paused for a moment before saying, "Thank you for your concern, I'm much better now."
A-Guo nodded, sincerely wishing, "When Madam Wang is truly cleared of suspicion, A-Guo will come to find you again. Take good care of yourself."
After the Yi woman left, Li Changling wanted to remind Shen Minghuai to send Wang Yan back to the Zhu residence first, but she stopped him. Although she didn't trust the strange girl from before, she trusted him.
"A-Guo probably just wants to be friends with me and has no ill intentions. I'm going to wander around outside, so please don't follow me, Senior Brother." Dressed so flamboyantly in red, it's hard not to attract attention.
Mischievous children often wielded bows and arrows in the alleyways, sending slingshots flying everywhere. Wang Yan dodged several times before finally reaching the main street. Unexpectedly, another pebble grazed past his eyes, striking a man squarely between the eyebrows. The pebble was small and had little force, yet it left a red mark on his forehead, and the man immediately burst into curses.
That voice sounded so familiar… It was the man who had called her “Ah Ying” just now!
Wang Yan stepped aside and carefully parted the veil to reveal a man dressed in brocade striding towards Yuchun Tower, where he bumped into a young master who was just stepping out of the building.
Shang Shifan snatched the slingshot from Cui Chongqi's waist, his face contorted with rage. Before Cui could explain, his two or three henchmen pinned him to the ground, subjecting him to a thorough humiliation with fists and kicks, before finally turning and leaving. No one passing by dared to intervene, not even the people at Yuchunlou dared to turn a blind eye.
Cui Chongqi staggered to his feet, his face covered in blood, and shouted as he was helped by his servant, "I want to report this to the authorities!"
Wang Yan brushed past him, stepped into the Jade Spring Pavilion, lifted her skirt, and went up the steps to the spot where the slingshot had been fired. Sure enough, she found a slingshot lying in the corner. Returning to the hall and about to sit down, several children ran past, nearly bumping into her. The manager stepped forward, smiling apologetically, and brought her a plate of stir-fried ginkgo nuts. The performance hadn't pleased her, and Wang Yan only drank her tea for a short while before leaving.
Back at the Zhu residence, she had barely removed her veil when the person who had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time approached her.
"Did you enjoy yourself today?"
“A-Guo recognized me.” Wang Yan handed him the slingshot.
Shen Minghuai gave Ying Ming a few instructions, then followed her into the house, explaining, "She is Prince Su's person."
Wang Yan hung the fur coat on the cangue, went outside to light the stove and brew tea, and then told him the origin of the slingshot: "I picked it up at Yuchun Tower today."
The news of Shang Shifan and Cui Chongqi's street brawl today was all over the place; how could he not know? Shen Minghuai glanced at the slingshot in his hand and immediately understood her meaning: what Cui Chongqi said was true. This was indeed a good opportunity to recruit people from the Ministry of Works. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her head, feeling both heartache and joy, along with a hint of barely perceptible sadness.
Wang Yan was still brewing tea when he asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you tell me about your brother's matter?"
The person behind him froze at the sound, and Wang Yan took the opportunity to break free from his hand and headed towards the kitchen. Shen Minghuai followed closely behind with the sable fur coat in hand.
That day, Wang Fuzhi invited him to the Wang residence to discuss Wang Yan's departure from the capital. On the way there, he encountered the Xie family's carriage, and knew that the marriage between the Wang and Xie families was already settled. However, he did not expect that there would be a secret waiting for him upon entering the residence.
Eleven years ago, Shen Minghuai was only nine years old.
In the spring of the second year of the Suihe era, a great plague struck Cixi County. Many died, more than half the population perished, and cries of despair filled the air. At that time, the Prince of Jin was ordered to inspect the south, passing through Cixi. Initially, the plague was mild, considered a common ailment, and the city gates remained wide open, with merchants coming and going in an endless stream. Unexpectedly, within a few days, five or six out of ten were infected. Only after the plague spread to neighboring counties did the Prince of Jin, together with the county magistrate, issue an order to seal off the city. When doctors from within a hundred li (approximately 50 kilometers) arrived, the city was already littered with corpses, a scene of utter devastation. The Prince of Jin and his entire family also succumbed to the plague.
When the Crown Prince, far away in the capital, heard of the plague in Cixi, he immediately drafted an imperial edict and sent it to Mingzhou. However, it was intercepted by a treacherous person, the messenger died a violent death, and the edict disappeared without a trace. Wang Fuzhi frankly admitted that the person who intercepted the Crown Prince was his father, the current prime minister.
“My surname is also Shen.” Shen Minghuai didn’t know why Wang Fuzhi was telling him this. If he wanted to use this to blackmail the Shen family, why did he come to him?
“In the past, your father and I were in the same boat. Now, you and I are on the same journey.”
Shen Minghuai had always assumed that Wang Zhen, like himself, chose Prince Su solely based on personal beliefs, differing from the views of his elders. He hadn't expected the Wang family to be of one mind, father and son. The Minister of Revenue, who never made any pronouncements, had privately revealed his stance to him. The reason? It wasn't hard to guess.
“You are the person that Aying and Yiheng have chosen, and the person that the Wang family has chosen.”
Shen Minghuai took the knife from Wang Yan's hand, led her back into the courtyard, and the tea and food that Yin Shicheng had ordered from Fenglelou had also arrived.
"Yiheng wanted to tell you personally, which is why he kept it from you. My uncle came to see me a couple of days ago, hoping I could persuade you to leave the capital."
Uncle? When did they become so close...? Wang Yan picked up a jade chess piece, and only then did the words "leaving the capital" enter his ears.
"Leave the capital? Why do you want me to leave the capital?"
The Wang and Xie families were unaware of the dangers lurking behind this marriage arrangement. Their only recourse now was to prepare for the worst and send Wang Yan out of the capital, as far away from this dangerous place as possible. Although Prince Su was secretly assisting them in the capital, given what had happened at Jishengtang last time, they couldn't afford to be complacent. Every day Wang Yan remained in the capital increased the danger.
Shen Minghuai's persuasion was not actually firm; how could he bear to let her leave because of his own selfish desires?
"I'm not leaving," Wang Yan refused decisively.
The situation is currently relatively stable, but her father is in a hurry to send her away from the capital, sensing that there is a greater turmoil beneath the surface. How could she selfishly leave, leaving her beloved in this treacherous hell?
Shen Minghuai had no choice but to compromise with her. He also cherished the time he spent with her, and wished it could last longer. Wang Zhen and Xie Ji's wedding was scheduled for after the New Year, so they should enjoy the New Year first.
Since the last snowfall, the weather had remained sunny until the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. Wang Yan, dressed warmly, went to the Daxiangguo Temple to pray for blessings at the invitation of the temple. Xu Ning'an arrived a quarter of an hour before her. The two chose a secluded spot and talked for a while before entering the hall to offer incense.
On the day of the year's change, there were many worshippers, especially at the main hall. Wang Yan avoided the crowds, turned the corner and came to the Guanyin Hall. In the gap between the crowds, he stepped into the hall to offer incense. A woman was kneeling on a prayer mat to the side.
"Has the lady also come seeking a child?"
After offering a prayer, Wang Yan rose. "I've come to pray for peace." She used to pray for wealth, but since last year, her wish has been for peace. She hopes for peace for those around her, and for peace for herself.
"That's true. You're still quite young, you must not be married yet?" The woman was simply dressed, but had an extraordinary air about her.
Wang Yan's heart skipped a beat; could it be that she was going to arrange a marriage for her son...? She grabbed her veil and tried to run, but it was too late. The woman grabbed her wrist and warmly pulled her towards the Heavenly King's Palace.
Wang Yan was momentarily at a loss for words, and amidst the jostling of the crowd, his veiled hat slipped from his hand. Two women approached, their conversation reaching his ears.
"You're going to stay in the capital for a while this time. It'll be a good opportunity for you and that young master from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to develop your relationship."
Wei Xiaoshu blushed slightly. "Sister, don't talk nonsense. I heard that Brother Minghuai and Madam Wang are in love. What does it have to do with me?"
Wei Xici laughed and said, "They haven't even gotten engaged yet, so it's probably just something someone made up. We'll ask them another day—"
The two continued walking as usual, unaware that Wei Ziqing had suddenly become distracted and stood motionless for a long time. Following his gaze, he saw a woman in purple robes with a veil bent down to pick up her veiled hat and hurriedly put it on. A red string on her fair wrist was particularly eye-catching. Her mother was standing beside her.
Wei Xici walked up to Ji Shi first, and Wei Xiaoshu waved in front of Wei Ziqing, "Still looking? Everyone's gone."
"Ziqing, your mother just took a fancy to a lady—" Madam Ji turned around, but the lady wearing a veiled hat had already walked away. "Oh dear, why did she leave without saying a word?"
Wei Xiaoshu glanced at Wei Ziqing and said, "Isn't it the same person that Mother and Third Brother have their eyes on?"
Madam Ji still looked up and searched around, saying, "Your mother's judgment is beyond question."
Wei Xici took her mother's arm and walked towards the mountain gate. "They've come to pray for blessings, not to find a match. They might already be engaged. Mother, please don't play matchmaker and break up their marriage for no reason."
Wei Xiaoshu hooked her arm around Ji Shi on the other side, "But Mother, is it really effective for you to pray for a child for my elder brother...? This kind of thing must be done by the person himself, right?"
I'm sorry!
A young girl adorned with silver ornaments apologized to Wei Xici repeatedly. Behind her walked a young woman in brocade robes and two guards.
"My sister was impulsive. I apologize to you on her behalf."
A-Guo stepped in front of Shang Nianyao, "How can this be? How can the Princess apologize on my behalf? It was A-Guo who was too reckless."
Wei Xici was taken aback upon hearing this, then led her mother, younger brother, and younger sister to bow to Shang Nianyao. After Shang Nianyao nodded, Aguo quickly helped the four of them up. It was just an accidental bump, and hearing that Wei Xici didn't blame her, Aguo happily pulled Shang Nianyao to the main hall to offer incense.
Just as they stepped out of the hall, they ran into Xu Ning'an, who had already paid homage to every hall. A-Guo immediately followed suit, starting from the main hall and bowing all the way. After feeding the carp in the release pond, she realized that Shang Nianyao had been waiting for her for a long time.
"Your Highness and Doctor Xu finished their conversation so quickly? Weren't you going to see a friend?"
After learning she was pregnant, Shang Nianyao seemed to become a different person. She became as indifferent as a chrysanthemum, ignoring everything else. She often went to the palace to chat with Consort Shu, and even gave away her favorite dog.
"I've seen him. Go back now."
Having just received Shang Nianyao's short note, Wang Yan thought long and hard, but still kept it. Xu Ning'an strode over, pulled her behind the arhat tree, and whispered to her that Shang Nianyao had also arrived.
"Yes, I've encountered it." Those three words on the note kept lingering in Wang Yan's mind.
Xu Ning'an gasped. "She wouldn't have come here specifically to find you, would she? You'd better go back right away."
Wang Yan reassured her, "Don't be nervous, Huaxin is nearby. I still need to see someone."
Following the novice monks to the backyard, Wang Yan pushed open the door to her quarters, where Li Changling was already waiting. She quickly went in and, upon seeing the woman sitting in the chair, her eyes welled up with tears.
"Mother."
The mother and daughter huddled together, weeping uncontrollably. Wang Yan stopped crying first, took a few deep breaths, and took out a handkerchief to wipe away her mother's tears. Madam Li carefully looked her up and down, not daring to blink, repeatedly recalling her in her mind.
"You've lost weight."
Wang Yan gripped her mother's hand tightly, "My senior brother and Ziqian have been cooking delicious meals for me these past few days. Before long, all that fat will grow back."
Li cupped Wang Yan's face in her right hand and gently stroked it, her eyes filled with heartache and self-reproach. "Our A-Ying has suffered so much."
Wang Yan shook her head vigorously, like a rattle-drum, pursing her lips to hold back her sobs, "Aying is not suffering. During the time Aying is not in the mansion, Mother and Father must also take good care of themselves."
“Silly child, with your father and brothers around, the Wang family will be safe.” Madam Li took out the peace charm she had just obtained from her sleeve. “I don’t ask for anything else, as long as you are safe.”
Wang Yan hugged her mother's neck tightly, burying her face in her neck, as if afraid that this moment of tenderness would be fleeting. Madam Li patted her back and gave her many instructions, until Li Changling knocked on the door.
"Aunt, it's getting late, we should head back."
After noon, carriages and horses returned to the city one after another, and most families still had to rush to send off the Kitchen God at night.
Wang Yan had just returned to the Zhu residence when he heard that Princess Wei had been ambushed on her way back. Fortunately, General Xuanwu happened to be passing by, preventing the assailants from succeeding. King Wei was furious and ordered the Kaifeng Prefecture to find the perpetrators within three days.
Holding the short note in her hand, Wang Yan was troubled. She sat in the courtyard for a long time, and only when the familiar scent reached her nose did she come back to her senses. Little did she know that the sunlight had already blinded her, and she hadn't eaten anything yet.
"The food isn't to your liking?" Shen Minghuai opened the food box on the table; it contained all the items on his list, proving that Huaxin hadn't made a mistake in purchasing them.
Wang Yan suddenly craved Laba porridge. Fortunately, there were still ingredients in the kitchen. Shen Minghuai took off his fur coat, rolled up his wide sleeves, and soon simmered a large pot of it. Seeing him sit down beside her with a bowl, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you also offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God today?"
"No need, I just met with some people." Shen Minghuai was even hungrier than her; he finished his bowl in just three bites.
Wang Yan gently put down the spoon, and the sound of the celadon clattering together was extremely clear in the quiet night.
"The Wei family's younger sister?"
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