Chapter 14 Why doesn't Prime Minister Song go in and sit down? ...
The carriage from the Prime Minister's residence had just stopped in front of the Duke of Ying's residence when Duke Zhang Yunkai of Ying came out to greet them with his second daughter, Zhang Youwei.
Outside the mansion gate stood a long line of servants, carriages came and went one after another, the entire street was kept clear of all outsiders, leaving a wide road for the guests, and laughter could be heard from afar.
British official Zhang Yunkai didn't need to personally come out to greet Song Jie, but he couldn't resist his daughter Youwei's persistent pestering, so he had no choice but to accompany her and give Song Jie face.
The guests at the gate, seeing the Duke of England personally come out of his residence to greet them, all turned their attention to the carriage that had just come to a stop.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and an excessively pale hand supported the attendant's arm. Song Jie emerged from the carriage with an icy expression, his cold brows concealing a pair of emotionless eyes. The sunlight made him frown slightly, making him appear even more unapproachable.
Despite the sweltering heat, he wore thick robes and looked unhealthy. As he walked down, the surrounding heat seemed to cool down a bit.
"Prime Minister Song is ill, why bother making this trip?" Zhang Yunkai greeted him with a smile, exchanging polite greetings, but inwardly he was pleased. Song Jie hadn't left his residence for several days due to illness, and his personal visit to offer birthday wishes today was a sign of respect for him.
Song Jie looked at him, a hint of a smile finally appearing in his cold gaze: "It's the Duke of Ying's sixty-sixth birthday. Even His Majesty remembered it and instructed the Fourth Prince to send a congratulatory gift. How could I not come to offer my congratulations?"
Zhang Yunkai laughed heartily at the compliment, while Zhang Youwei beside him stared unabashedly at Song Jie's face. When he coughed, she asked worriedly, "Is Prime Minister Song feeling any better?"
Song Jie simply gave a perfunctory "hmm" as an answer.
Zhang Youwei, however, was already satisfied. She smiled and urged her father, "It's too hot here. Prime Minister Song is still ill. Father, please invite him inside to rest."
Zhang Yunkai glanced helplessly at his daughter. Even a blind man could see her admiration for Song Jie, so how could he not know?
He had admonished her before, saying that Song Jie was not a good match for her in terms of background, health, or character. But Youwei was simply too spoiled. She even went on a hunger strike, refusing to marry anyone but Song Jie. He could only turn a blind eye and wait for her to hit a wall and realize that Song Jie was a venomous snake that could not be warmed.
"You've been too busy talking." Zhang Yunkai smiled as he invited Song Jie into the residence. Youwei even personally arranged Song Jie's seat, tea, and snacks, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
But Song Jie didn't move. He said in a slightly hoarse voice, "I'm not fully recovered, so I won't go in."
He didn't say any more pleasantries, only instructing Cangshu to send in a generous gift before taking his leave.
"Why is Prime Minister Song leaving so soon?" Zhang Youwei immediately became anxious, pushing her father's arm, trying to persuade him to stay. She only saw Song Jie once every ten days or so, and had been mentally preparing herself for a long time to confess her feelings to him today...
Just as Zhang Yunkai was about to say something to persuade Song Jie to stay, two carriages stopped one after the other next to Song Jie's carriage, interrupting him.
The first carriage belonged to the Earl of Yongyi's mansion. Pei Shilin helped the old lady of the Pei family, Li Huixian, down from the carriage first.
But following behind was a brand-new carriage, with three large black horses lined up in a row, neighing loudly. The curtains were adorned with exquisite ornaments, making it even more luxurious than the carriages of the Prime Minister's residence.
Whose is that?
Zhang Youwei also looked over and saw Pei Shilin from the Yongyi Earl's Mansion walk to the luxurious carriage and extend his hand to the person inside.
Two maids, adorned with gold and silver, lifted the carriage curtains from either side. The interior seemed frozen, a cool breeze carrying a fragrance wafting out. A few steps away, Song Jie coughed twice, involuntarily frowning at the fragrance…
Song Jie looked towards the carriage and bumped into the face that was leaning out of it. Under the blazing sun, the face was slightly lowered, illuminating only a pair of eyebrows and eyes. The eyebrows were thick and fluffy, and the eyes were dappled with light and shadow beneath the thick eyelashes. She frowned slightly, seemingly unhappy, and said, "It's so hot."
The voice and the expression made Song Jie lose his composure. Even though she wasn't pretending to be Jia Ning today, and even though he knew it was Xie Yushu from the scent, his heart still trembled when he saw that face. He couldn't take his eyes off her. This face was so beautiful and vibrant in the daytime, like seeing an even more radiant Jia Ning...
“That’s Jia…” Zhang Youwei took a step forward in surprise, staring at the face and almost blurted it out.
But when that person got off the carriage, he looked up at her, his thin lips, a small mole on the tip of his nose... It suddenly jolted her awake. It wasn't Jia Ning, but Xie Yushu!
It's so lively!
Xie Yushu, with Pei Shilin's hand in hand, looked at the bustling entrance of the Duke of Ying's mansion. It seemed that the 9 points of popularity points were useful, as they actually bumped into Song Jie at the entrance. However, they did not see the male lead, Xiao Zhen.
She didn't look at Song Jie, but walked forward with her green-haired tortoise husband, bowing to the Duke of Yingguo. She then raised her eyebrows and smiled at the second female lead, Zhang You: "Princess, how have you been?"
Zhang Youwei's heart skipped a beat. The voice, tone, and expression... it was as if Jia Ning had suddenly reappeared in front of her, but she was not Jia Ning; she was the annoying Xie Yushu.
She felt an inexplicable disgust. How could she have mistaken Xie Yushu for Jia Ning? She had always been disdainful when others said Xie Yushu resembled Jia Ning, because in her opinion, Xie Yushu only looked somewhat like Jia Ning in appearance, but once she started talking or moving, she was nothing like Jia Ning.
Jia Ning would never be as timid and cowardly as her, pretending to be weak and pitiful to please men. Xie Yushu deliberately imitated Jia Ning's clothes and appearance to deceive the old lady and Pei Shilin.
But Xie Yushu seemed different today than before. She was so confused that she mistook her for Jia Ning, even though Xie Yushu's clothes and appearance were different from Jia Ning's.
"Xie Yushu, don't talk to me like that." Zhang Youwei stared at the mole on her nose, reminding herself that she was deliberately imitating Jia Ning, which was disgusting: "Are we that close?"
Xie Yushu wasn't angry at all. He still looked at her with a smile and deliberately tilted his head to ask her, "We're not familiar with each other, so why did the county princess invite me here?"
Zhang Youwei visibly froze for a moment, as if she were bewildered. A memory flashed through her mind of how Jia Ning used to say to her with a forced smile when she was angry, "If you don't like me, why are you coming to see me, Princess?"
She disliked Xie Jianing at that time because everyone liked her, even Song Jie. While she said she didn't like Song Jie, she was also very close to him.
Her dislike was mixed with jealousy. For a while, she deliberately ignored Jia Ning, hoping that Jia Ning would take the initiative to make up with her. In the past, she was always the one who took the initiative to please Jia Ning, and she also hoped that Jia Ning would do the same for her. But Jia Ning suddenly disappeared...
At that moment, Xie Yushu spoke to her in a manner and tone so similar to Jia Ning's: "It was just a joke. I am very grateful to the county princess for sending me the invitation."
For some reason, Zhang Youwei couldn't bring herself to say those harsh and vicious words. Her heart ached, and Jia Ning had never given her such a way out.
Xie Yushu looked at his "charm value" on the system interface, which had increased to 10 points, and was very satisfied. Sure enough, the second female lead could also be won over and her "charm value" could be increased. There were just too many easy targets.
She was so happy that she even smiled when she looked at her green-haired turtle husband.
Song Jie seemed to be stung by her smiling face, and said in a hoarse, cold voice, "I didn't expect to meet Madam Pei here."
His gaze remained fixed on Xie Yushu, trying to detect any discomfort or anger on her face, since he had canceled their plans for the evening.
He had thought that Pei Shilin would cause trouble for Xie Yushu because she was no longer of any use to him, but she seemed to be doing very well. In the sunlight, she looked like a plump peach. She was no longer wearing clothes or outfits similar to Jia Ning's. Instead, she wore a thin gauze dress with narrow sleeves. When the wind blew, her arms were faintly visible through the gauze. A pair of emerald earlobes swayed by her ears, and her gaze towards Pei Shilin was so sweet it could almost overflow with honey.
Pei Shilin served her tirelessly, and even now he still holds her hand in his wrist.
She remained composed, never giving Song Jie a proper look until he uttered the words "Madam Pei," at which point she lifted her eyelids and looked at him.
Song Jie saw a hint of mockery in her bright eyes and thought she was going to say something to him, but she quickly looked away and turned to Pei Shilin, saying, "Husband, please continue your conversation with the Duke of Yingguo. I will accompany my mother inside first."
Pei Shilin was clearly taken aback. He hadn't expected Xie Yushu to give him so much face and cooperate with him in playing the loving couple. Before leaving, he had specifically instructed his mother not to provoke Xie Yushu today. If they caused a scene at the Duke of Ying's mansion, the Pei family would never be able to hold their heads high in Bianjing.
He nodded, flattered, and his tone softened unconsciously: "Okay, it's hot in here, you and Mother go inside first, I'll come find you later."
Song Jie couldn't help but sneer, and had to admire Xie Yushu's "acting skills" for pretending that nothing had happened between them and acting as a loving couple with Pei Shilin, that good-for-nothing.
His mocking laughter drew the attention of Pei Shilin and Zhang Youwei.
"What is Prime Minister Song laughing at?" Zhang Youwei asked curiously.
Song Jie looked at Pei Shilin and sneered, "It's nothing, I just didn't expect Young Master Pei and Madam Pei to be so affectionate."
Pei Shilin's face immediately tightened as he stared at Song Jie, cursing him repeatedly in his mind, hoping that he would be poisoned and rendered mute immediately.
Two leeks even fought over wearing green hats.
She helped Li Huixian inside, feeling refreshed, and overheard Zhang Youwei trying to persuade Song Jie to stay.
"Prime Minister Song, won't you come in and sit down? You could have some tea and snacks," Zhang Youwei asked Song Jie softly.
But Song Jie's gaze seemed to be directed towards the mansion. Zhang Youwei followed his gaze and saw Xie Yushu's graceful back. She was both surprised and uncomfortable. Could Song Jie be looking at Xie Yushu? Impossible. Song Jie would despise Xie Yushu, this imposter, just as much.
But she heard Song Jie slowly reply, "It would be good to go in and sit down." For some reason, she wasn't happy at all, as if... as if Song Jie had only stayed because of Xie Yushu.
Song Jie didn't stay because of Xie Yushu. He just remembered that Xiao Zhen was also at today's birthday banquet, and the thought of Xiao Zhen possibly seeing Xie Yushu's face made him uncomfortable.
Will Xie Yushu treat Xiao Zhen the same way he treated him? Will she "act" as Jia Ning in front of Xiao Zhen? Will Xiao Zhen use her as a substitute for Jia Ning?
The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He suppressed a cough and said, "It's just the right time to play a game of chess with the Fourth Prince." He wanted to do everything he could to prevent Xiao Zhen from seeing Xie Yushu.
Pei Shilin's already tense face darkened further. What did Song Jie mean? Why wasn't he leaving again?
※
Has Xie Yushu entered the mansion?
In the secluded waterside pavilion, Xiao Zhen heard his attendant whisper that Xie Yushu and Song Jie had met in front of the mansion gate, and that Song Jie, who was about to leave, was stopped by Princess Zhang.
Was he kept behind by Princess Zhang? Or by Xie Yushu? Song Jie was never one to change his mind easily.
He was becoming increasingly curious about Xie Yushu, but he couldn't openly meet her in the front hall, where there were many women, as the fourth prince.
"Where is Xie Yushu now?" he asked his attendant.
"It seems she went to the West Garden." The attendant replied, "The ladies in the front hall were unwilling to associate with her, but the young master of the Meng family and the young master of the Duke of Ying's mansion secretly went to the front hall to see her, and then she was summoned to the West Garden by the nanny of the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion."
Is it Xie Jianing's cousin, Meng Tingchun? He and Xie Jianing are childhood sweethearts. Even he would secretly look at Xie Yushu. Just how similar are they?
Xiao Zhen waved for him to leave, and quietly went to the West Garden when no one was paying attention.
Sure enough, they saw the old nanny from the Yong'an Marquis's residence guarding outside the pavilion.
He lightly leaped onto the canopy of a tree from which he could see the pavilion, and crouched down to look inside.
First, they heard the reproachful voice of the Lady of Yong'an Marquis: "What are you doing here today? I told you on the day of your return visit that you served the old lady, and I promised you this marriage and dowry with the Pei family, and that was it. From now on, you should be a good Lady Pei and not try to get involved with the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, and you should not dress up as Jia Ning anymore! But you insisted on coming today, and you even attracted so many people to secretly watch you!"
A figure in green stood in front of Lady Yong'an in the pavilion, her back to Xiao Zhen's gaze. Xiao Zhen heard her cold laughter first.
"Mother is being unreasonable." The voice, laced with mocking laughter, slowly said, "What do you mean by not dressing up as Sister Jia Ning? Father gave birth to me this way, am I supposed to jump into boiling oil and ruin this face?"
The figure in emerald green moved at the sound, turned and sat on the stone bench, gently fanning herself with a fan in her hand, her beautiful eyebrows raised defiantly.
Xiao Zhen gripped the tree branch tightly. This time, he saw that profile clearly. In the dappled light and shadow, wasn't that Xie Jianing with her raised eyebrows and blinking eyes?
But she uttered words that Xie Jianing would never say: "Mother shouldn't blame me, she should blame my good-for-nothing father, the Marquis of Yong'an. If he hadn't messed around, I wouldn't have been able to find a way to be born even if I wanted to."
Xiao Zhen stared at her profile in the light and shadow, finding it hard to reconcile these words with that face. He couldn't help but wish she would turn around so he could see her whole face...
A note from the author:
----------------------
It's a little late today, but I'm sending out red envelopes! The first fifty will be sent out, and I'll be doing it promptly at 6 AM tomorrow!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com