Chapter 25 (Revised)
Ever since that first glimpse, and under the seduction of Mr. Pan who came to Beijing with their family, Wei Xuan had developed some active feelings for Jiang Yingyue.
Wei Xuan was dreaming that he had become the son-in-law of the Jiang family, with the crown prince as his backer, and that he would be a man who could call the shots in the capital from now on. However, Mr. Pan Liang, who said he was willing to help him, brought him bad news that was enough to shatter his dream.
"Has she already arranged a marriage?"
Wei Xuan's face was filled with regret, yet he was helpless. Since the other party was already engaged, he could only lament that he was ultimately not destined to be with such a beautiful woman with such an outstanding family background.
"Don't be disappointed, young master," Pan Liang said with a soothing smile. "The Jiang family has only verbally agreed to the marriage, and even the engagement process hasn't been completed yet. If you can make the Jiang family girl fall in love with you, would you still be worried about not having a father-in-law who is the Minister of the Central Secretariat?"
Hearing this, the disappointment on Wei Xuan's face disappeared in an instant. He thought that what Mr. Ning said made sense. As long as he could capture Miss Jiang, her previous marriage would be invalidated.
"Although this method is a bit dishonorable, the young master can not only marry a beautiful woman, but also gain a powerful Yue family. Isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"
Pan Liang's smile remained unchanged, but a sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he instigated her step by step: "Besides, if something really breaks out, we can simply imply that it was all Miss Jiang's seduction. She will handle it all, and you, young master, will at most be accused of being 'young and romantic.' At that time, the Jiang family will be powerless to refute it and will have no choice but to marry their daughter to you. Then, what will Jiang Weiqiu mean to you? Wouldn't it be a pleasure to settle all the old and new grudges at once?"
In fact, Wei Xuan was only slightly dissatisfied with Jiang Weiqiu. He temporarily transferred the anger that he didn't dare to vent on Wei Zhen to Jiang Weiqiu. After a while, when his mind calmed down, he didn't have any major opinions about Jiang Weiqiu anymore.
However, Pan Liang's words brought out his dissatisfaction with Jiang Weiqiu and Wei Zhen. The simple-minded and impulsive young man didn't think much about it and asked Pan Liang directly what he could do.
From an angle that Wei Xuan wasn't paying attention to, Pan Liang's lips curved up in a way that seemed to hold a hint of mockery. "I heard that in five days, Miss Jiang will be accompanying Madam Jiang to Yuyin Temple to fulfill a vow. Why don't you come along, young master?"
As soon as the matter of going out was mentioned, Wei Yan immediately shrank his neck with guilt.
He sneaked out two days ago, intending to see the customs of Beijing, but ended up walking into a gambling house and lost a large sum of money.
Fortunately, Pan Liang found him in time and paid the money, so he was released from the casino. Otherwise, he would have been beaten so badly that his parents would not have recognized him.
As he walked towards the inn in dejected mood, he ran into a group of thugs on the road who chased and beat him for no apparent reason.
Even Pan Liang, who was dodging and running around in the streets with him, was hit twice, not to mention that he was almost beaten black and blue, he looked so miserable.
This experience made Wei Xuan stay in the inn for two days and he didn't dare to go out easily again.
As if sensing Wei Xuan's concerns, Pan Liang continued, "Young Master, don't worry. We'll take the carriage this time. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asks about it later, just say you're going to Yuyin Temple to pray for your parents and brother. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kind-hearted and will certainly not blame you."
Pan Liang's words were like a reassurance to Wei Xuan, and he immediately adopted his suggestion.
Seeing Wei Yan nod, Pan Liang smiled and took charge of everything, just to make Wei Yan satisfied.
*
Suburbs of Beijing.
In the distance, the blue sky silhouetted against lush green hills, and fields stretched out in a crisscross pattern. Wheat seeds were gradually sprouting, blanketing the fields with a velvety green. Men from various households were wielding tools and working in the fields.
After leaving the palace and arriving in the countryside outside the capital, Wei Zhen changed into low-key attire, but it still couldn't hide his noble aura.
At this time, Wei Zhen and Jiang Weiqiu were strolling on a country road.
After the spring plowing ceremony, the emperor transferred Wei Zhen to the outskirts of the capital on the pretext of inspecting agricultural work, to conduct a private visit and understand the people's sentiments.
It would take at least half a month to inspect the farmland conditions in several county towns and villages near the capital.
In order to keep abreast of the developments in the capital, especially the status of Prince Su who was investigating his biological parents, Jiang Wei Qiu would regularly come to Wei Zhen to report on the situation.
When Jiang Weiqiu talked about how his good-for-nothing younger brother sneaked out of the inn to gamble and almost lost himself, Wei Zhen had a hard time suppressing the urge to roll his eyes at his schoolmate Wei Yan.
"Why didn't you let those hooligans break his arm?" Wei Zhen's face was slightly furious. "Tolerating gamblers like this will only bring disaster."
Although the boss said so, no one was sincere and really beat the man to a pulp.
Jiang Weiqiu consoled him, saying, "It'll be fine if you endure some physical pain. I think you'll be very well behaved in the inn these past two days."
After hearing what Jiang Weiqiu said, Wei Zhen felt a little relieved, and then asked about Pan Liang who came to the capital with his family from Ye County.
"He's a wealthy salt merchant. He came to Ye County three years ago and quickly established a relationship with the Duke. Later, with the Duke's help, he almost monopolized the salt business in Ye County."
Wei Zhen looked solemn.
Jiang Weiqiu continued, "The Duke's actions in Ye County over the past few years have more or less been influenced by Pan Liang. I suspect this man was behind the instigation of the crimes presented to the emperor."
"It seems that Prince Su had arranged Pan Liang as a chess piece for me three years ago."
Three years ago, the crown prince position was still undecided. But no matter who entered the Eastern Palace, Prince Su's arrangement could become a chess piece to contain Wei Zhen.
"Do you think he might have buried a chess piece for King Huai as well?"
Jiang Weiqiu understood everything immediately and said that he would go back and discuss with Xu Zizheng to send people to investigate King Huai's hometown and fiefdom.
"Since you're a salt merchant, you must have accumulated a lot of money over the years. Go check where that money went."
Jiang Weiqiu nodded in agreement.
"The Ye County incident came at the perfect time." Wei Zhen's voice was cold and emotionless. "He's plotting to drag me into this mess. I might as well use this to drag him into this mess as well."
Jiang Weiqiu suddenly became interested, his eyes full of excitement: "What do you need me to do?"
"My parents must have had large sums of money dealings with Pan Liang. Find Pan Liang and try to get the court to send someone to inspect the salt production in Ye County."
Wei Zhen paused and added, "Let Prince Huai go."
When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. He was unwilling to see King Huai reap the benefits, so it would be better for them to sink into the quagmire together and neither of them could escape easily.
The two discussed a few more specific details, and the excited Jiang Wei Qiu left with a malicious smile, preparing to go find Xu Zihao to discuss the matter.
Watching Jiang Weiqiu riding away on his horse, Wei Zhen ordered someone to bring his horse over, mounted it, and galloped away alone towards the northwest of the capital.
*
The Chu family's manor has been very busy these days. Some craftsmen are completing the final finishing work in the garden, and members of the Chu family are coming in and out to put their belongings away.
Chu Miaomiao and her sister-in-law Yu Rongxue have been staying in the warehouse for a few days. They are counting their property to see if there is anything that can be exchanged for real money in case of emergency.
Chu Canglang, who occasionally came to take a look, saw his sister unceremoniously piling up those highly valuable calligraphy and paintings aside, intending to either sell or pawn them. He was so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe.
But after thinking about it again, this was all money prepared for them to avoid disasters in the future, Chu Canglang swallowed the words on his lips.
When the Chu family was packing up their things, Wang Bo, the steward of the old house who came with them, came to report that the Crown Prince was visiting.
"?"
Chu Miaomiao's face was full of confusion and trouble, and her mood, which was already not very good due to the trouble of sorting things, became even more irritable.
She waved her hand impatiently: "Just say that our family is out and send him back."
Uncle Wang turned and left.
Yu Rongxue looked at Chu Miaomiao and said with regret, "I didn't expect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be so devoted to Miaomiao. What a pity."
Chu Miaomiao's mind was clear, and her voice was very calm: "There's nothing to regret. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a good man, it's just that we're not destined to be together."
Chu Canglang looked at his sister with eyes full of heartache.
Just now, when Uncle Wang said that the prince was coming, he noticed that his sister's body stiffened for a moment. Although she said "It's a pity, we are not destined to be together", her eyes were a little sad.
There were some things Miaomiao didn't tell him because she didn't want him to worry, but he had heard some of them. Naturally, he also heard some of the things the prince did for her.
He was also happy that his sister, who had grown up neglected by her family, finally had someone to care for and favor her. Unfortunately, fate played a trick on them, and the two were destined not to be together.
The favor Miaomiao received was too short-lived.
Chu Canglang felt a little reluctant: "We are quite far from the capital. Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come, it would be inappropriate to offend him. Why not invite him in for a cup of tea?"
"..." After a long while, Chu Miaomiao said in a muffled voice, "If you want to invite him in, then let him in. I won't go to the front hall to receive guests."
The backyard where they were was some distance from the main gate, so Chu Canglang called a quick-footed servant to chase after Uncle Wang, saying that he wanted to invite the Crown Prince to sit in the front hall.
Wei Zhen, who had been waiting patiently outside for quite some time, finally entered the gate of the Chu family manor. As Uncle Wang came to the front hall, Chu Canglang had already prepared tea and was waiting for him.
Wei Zhen glanced around, but didn't see the figure that had haunted him. He felt a little disappointed, but he didn't show it on his face. He still faced Chu Canglang with his polite but distant smile, and the two of them exchanged a few words.
"The Crown Prince left the capital in a hurry, and I only just learned of this. My visit today is rather abrupt. I will come and celebrate with you at our housewarming party later, with generous gifts."
Chu Canglang smiled: "Your Highness is too polite."
"Princess...Isn't the princess at home?"
Chu Canglang's smile remained unchanged: "Your Highness also knows that my younger sister is a person who can't sit still. She rode out early in the morning, and no one knows where she went."
After receiving the expected answer, Wei Zhen concealed the disappointment in his eyes and said, "There is one more thing I should remind you of today, Your Highness."
"Your Highness, please speak."
"The Queen's birthday will be in a while. The palace will hold a grand banquet to celebrate her. The Crown Prince, his wife, and the princess are invited to join the banquet."
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness."
Before he could finish his words, Chu Canglang started coughing again, and Wei Zhen tactfully excused himself and left. Before leaving, he took a deep look at the Chu family manor and sighed slightly.
When Chu Miaomiao left Beijing, he had already been sent to the outskirts of Beijing to inspect agricultural work, and they didn't even say goodbye to each other.
Wei Zhen was both disappointed that the two of them hadn't said goodbye in person, and yet also relieved that they hadn't said goodbye to each other. Perhaps not saying goodbye meant that he hadn't been completely rejected by Chu Miaomiao, and that they would meet again one day.
Chu Miaomiao is obviously avoiding him now, but it doesn’t matter.
If she retreats, then he advances.
If she retreats again, he will take another step forward.
He wanted her to see his true heart.
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