Chapter 27 The Top Scholar Who Murdered His Wife and Daughter (Twenty-Seven) The Rebellious Son of a Farmer...
Xiao Chen paused, glanced at the person following beside him, and the person immediately understood his master's meaning. He stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your Highness, our master is traveling in simple attire today. The carriage is just ahead. Why don't you come with me to take a look? If it doesn't suit your taste, I will immediately send someone to change it."
"What? Second Brother can sit here but I can't? How could I be so delicate? When we brothers went hunting in the mountains before, we didn't even have a carriage to ride in. It took three or four hours to get there and back, and we had to ride horses." Xiao Yu waved his hand and said nonchalantly.
Seeing that Xiao Yu was unmoved by reason, and unable to lash out, Xiao Chen had no choice but to lead him to the carriage that had been prepared in advance. The two brothers boarded the carriage one after the other.
The carriage quickly arrived at the ship on the banks of the Xiang River. The people waiting outside, having received the news, hurriedly led the distinguished guest to the private room that had been prepared in advance. Upon learning that the Second Prince had actually brought the Fifth Prince along, they quickly sent someone to dismiss the beautiful young girl serving in the private room.
Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table in the private room, Xiao Yu smiled and said, "My little brother is really lucky to have such a delicious meal today, thanks to his second brother."
Xiao Chen led Xiao Yu to his seat, and he picked up the wine pot to personally pour Xiao Yu a cup of wine: "It's been a long time since we brothers have eaten together. I'm sorry that I've been too busy lately, but as sons, we must do our best to fulfill Father's duties. Come, let me toast you first, Fifth Brother. Please don't take offense!"
He intended to show how much Emperor Shunyuan valued him, but Xiao Yu replied nonchalantly, "The capable are always busy. Second Brother, you've worked hard all the time."
Xiao Chen: "..."
The two brothers drank a few more cups of wine. Xiao Yu asked Xiao Chen to tell him some interesting stories about his business trips. However, after only a few words, a loud voice came from the next private room. Xiao Chen glanced at Xiao Yu, who was happily eating, and then focused on the commotion next door.
Upon hearing the words, "Since it's all just an act, we naturally won't act like that gossipy woman and complain to Madam Song," Xiao Yu put down her chopsticks: "Who's next door?"
The attendant looked at Xiao Chen, who put down his wine cup. "Didn't you hear the Fifth Prince asking a question?"
"Your Highness, the officials from the Hanlin Academy are next door," the attendant replied, bowing.
"Hanlin Academy? I remember that this year there was a top scholar who achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations, named Song Ce, who entered the Hanlin Academy and was appointed as a Hanlin Compiler, right?" Xiao Yu said.
"If Your Highness the Fifth Prince remembers correctly, the person who just said he didn't need anyone to serve him was Compiler Song," the attendant replied.
"Hmm, he's quite devoted. What do you think, Second Brother?" Xiao Yu said with a smile.
"It's just womanly sentimentality." Xiao Chen came here this time hoping to win this person over, but now that he's in the vortex of officialdom, instead of thinking about how to cultivate good relationships with his superiors, he's neglecting the feelings of his colleagues over such trivial matters. It's clear that he values personal feelings too much, which makes it difficult for him to achieve great things. If you want to work under him in the future, you must correct this flaw.
"Really? But my brother thinks that the fact that he can always think about his wife shows a truly pure and innocent heart," Xiao Yu said, moved.
Xiao Chen glanced at his younger brother indifferently. He had been taught by Emperor Shunyuan since childhood and had never experienced any setbacks. The people around him were also extremely respectful, which had given him a straightforward personality that was completely different from that of the imperial family.
Xiao Chen slightly hooked his left hand, and the servant quietly withdrew. A short while later, he brought in a small pot of wine from outside.
"Fifth brother, this is the famous Liulin wine that Second Brother found when he was on business last time. Today, you and I, the two brothers, must have a good drink together," Xiao Chen said with a smile.
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Is it the Liulin wine, known for its clear yet not bland, rich yet not overpowering flavor?"
“This is the wine,” Xiao Chen said with a smile.
“Then my brother has come at the right time today; he almost missed out on a pot of fine wine.” Xiao Yu hurriedly called to the servant, “Pour it quickly.”
...
Looking at Xiao Yu, who was fast asleep on the table with an air of nonchalance, Xiao Chen was rather speechless: "He's certainly ruined one of my precious wines."
"Your Highness, news just came from outside that Song Ce is drunk and has been helped to a room on the third floor," the servant whispered.
"Okay, how long will it take for the medicine to restore consciousness?" Xiao Chen asked.
"No more than half an hour," the attendant said respectfully.
"Very well, send someone to escort your fifth brother back to the palace first. Half an hour later, come with me to meet this great talent."
While various conspiracies unfolded on one side, the Xia family's carriage came to a steady stop in front of the couple's courtyard.
Inside the carriage, Xia Miaozhen asked Xia Ping to help her change into the clothes of a maid in the Xia family. All her hairpins and jewelry were removed, and her long hair was styled like a maid's, which also concealed some of her former radiance.
After disguising herself, Xia Miaozhen looked at herself in the mirror and asked Xia Ping, "How is it? Is it alright?"
“You are so beautiful, even these servants’ clothes cannot outshine you. Now that it’s getting dark, I think that woman is too blind to recognize you,” Xia Ping said flatteringly.
"Let's go knock on the door." With that, Xia Miaozhen casually took out a piece of jewelry she didn't particularly like from the box. "Here, take this as a gift."
"Thank you, young lady!"
Inside the courtyard, Du Ningwan was passing the time with a travelogue that Song Ce had specially found for her. Upon hearing a knock at the door, the maid who had been serving her behind her quickly walked to the door and opened it.
"Who are you looking for?" the girl asked.
"Go and announce that we are maids from Lord Song's colleagues, here to deliver a message to Lord Song's wife."
The girl nodded, opened the door and let them in. Xia Miaozhen led Xia Ping into the courtyard, looked around the cramped little courtyard, and showed a faint look of disdain on her face.
"What message do you want to convey to me?" Du Ningwan slowly stood up and asked calmly.
"Are you Madam Song?" Xia Ping stepped forward and secretly sized her up. She was indeed beautiful, but the courtyard was too dilapidated, and her clothes were also very ordinary. She was just the daughter of a county magistrate, and neither her background nor her looks were as good as hers.
Du Ningwan frowned slightly. The maid who approached was rather rude, but what really caught her attention was the girl standing in the courtyard. She was very well-mannered and had a proud look on her face, so she guessed that she was no ordinary maid.
“Our young master and Lord Song serve in the same court. Today they went to a banquet by the Xiang River. Lord Song asked us to come and tell you that he will not be dining with you tonight, and that you need not wait for him.”
Even though the words are almost identical, just a few slight changes in wording can completely alter the tone and attitude.
Du Ningwan's expression remained unchanged; she simply smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for coming over, Ah Huan."
The girl named Ah Huan took out a small purse from her sleeve: "Sister, take this and have a cup of tea."
"As Lord Song's wife, instead of thinking about saving money for him, you're giving us money as a reward. You're truly worthy of being the daughter of a county magistrate; you have no taste at all," Xia Ping sneered.
Ah Huan turned pale with anger at Xia Ping's words. "You rude girl! Our lady kindly gave you some reward money, and you dare to speak to her like that!"
"Please forgive her, Madam. That girl is just a straightforward person," Xia Miaozhen said softly, bowing slightly.
Du Ningwan remained calm. "It's nothing, you can go back now."
"I heard that you and Lord Song are newly married, and now Lord Song has a beautiful woman in his arms by the Xiang River. Aren't you worried? If Lord Song brings a beauty home, how will you handle it?" Xia Miaozhen asked.
“When my husband and I were married, he promised that he would never take another woman as his concubine, and I believed him,” Du Ningwan said with a gentle smile, her eyes slightly flashing.
"Really?" Xia Miaozhen's smile was somewhat forced. "You're so naive to believe such meaningless vows from men."
"If I don't trust my husband, should I trust you, young lady?" Du Ningwan replied calmly.
"I'm trying to be helpful, but you don't appreciate it. I'll wait and see how long you can keep laughing." Xia Miaozhen's expression changed slightly, and she said coldly, "Let's go."
After the two women left, Ah Huan said angrily, "I really should have asked which family's maid she was, how dare she be so rude to Madam."
"Why get so worked up?" Du Ningwan said with a smile, "Go to the kitchen and pour yourself a cup of honey tea."
"Thank you, Madam." Ah Huan bowed and withdrew.
Du Ningwan smiled as she looked at the travelogue in her hand, then turned to the next page and continued reading.
...
At this moment, Song Ce was sitting quietly in the side room reading a book, listening to Lian Yang's subordinates reporting word by word what had just happened in the manor. A sweet feeling suddenly welled up in his heart, all because of Du Ningwan's wholehearted trust.
"Is the time almost up?" Song Ce asked after his subordinate finished reporting.
“Your Majesty’s prediction is correct. After our men held off the servant, the Second Prince, seeing that the servant had not returned, looked rather displeased. He is now preparing to disguise himself and go upstairs alone,” Lian Yang said.
"Has the love incense burned out?" Song Ce asked meaningfully.
"Not yet. This incense stick looks thin, but it burns very slowly. There's still half a stick left," Lian Feng said with a grin.
Inside the side room, Song Ce and the other two exchanged glances as they listened to the light footsteps coming from the stairs, then waited quietly.
The Second Prince, Xiao Chen, arrived at the private room they had agreed upon earlier. Seeing that no one was around, he carefully pushed open the door and went inside.
The room was filled with a strange fragrance, mixed with a faint scent of musk. Xiao Chen had already drunk quite a bit that day to get Xiao Yu to drink, so he didn't notice anything unusual about the smell for the moment.
An indescribable sound came from inside the gauze curtain not far away. Xiao Chen smiled, guessing that "Song Ce" was not finished yet, so he found a chair and sat down, staring at the layers of gauze curtain with great interest.
But for some reason, the voice seemed to change as he listened. The female voice from inside the gauze curtain had become a voice that Xiao Chen knew very well, a voice that was deeply hidden in his heart.
Xiao Chen stood up and walked step by step to the gauze curtain. He raised his hand and gently lifted the curtain. What came into view was a delicate and beautiful face that he was so familiar with that he couldn't help but feel affection for it.
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Author's Note: If you find the flow difficult, please start reading from Chapter 25. I've made some revisions to the original text and sped up the pace. Thank you again for adding it to your favorites! [Keep it up!] A long chapter will be released on the day of completion, please comment and follow, thank you QAQ
My world has collapsed! Damn it, I missed by a dozen words?! My little red flower is gone! I'm going to destroy this little red flower! [frightened] My hard-earned little red flower, earned for almost a month... oh my god! (Author suspected to be Toast)
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