As the festival approached, the group burst into laughter and set off again...
She suddenly remembered that Luo Yuan had investigated Yao Zizhu that day and said that Yao Zizhu was a meticulous person who responded to gentle persuasion but not to force.
Song Zijin, standing nearby, took a wooden stick he had somehow found and started poking his ticklish spots.
Yao Zizhu's face, contorted with anger, began to twist with urge to laugh again. Just as he was about to unleash a torrent of curses, he looked up and saw the girl in the snow-white silk dress, and his face flushed red as he tried his best to hide it.
Qin Weixi approached, holding a short dagger in one hand. His face was still icy cold as he asked, "Speak, why did you harm me!"
Yao Zizhu paused in his smile: "Beauty, how come your expression changes so quickly?"
She raised an eyebrow, then brought the dagger an inch closer: "Not going to talk?"
Yao Zizhu gagged again, forcing a smile, "A beauty like you is so extraordinary, and so is the way you do things." He cleared his throat, "Back then, that young master Liang was supposed to go to the Star Gazing Tower soon, but that night he saw the Star Gazing Tower suddenly collapse and sensed something was wrong, so he took me with him to take a look." At this point, he glanced at the girl in front of him, "Who knew that we would find you, beauty, outside the Star Gazing Tower."
"That young master Liang, fearing trouble, promised me a thousand taels of silver, instructing me to kill you, my beauty, at midnight. I said I've never harmed anyone, so I should ask for at least ten thousand taels. Young master Liang negotiated down to five thousand. But seeing your beautiful face, I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Qin Weixi chuckled softly, glancing at him only once: "That's all? What are you investigating for the Liang family?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, then she suddenly bent down close to him, a bright smile blooming on her face: "Liang Bai?"
Yao Zizhu said sarcastically, "What's the point of investigating someone who's been dead for ten years?"
"What is it?"
Knowing he had been too talkative, Yao Zizhu quickly shut his mouth. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Beauty, what kind of bewitching potion did you give me?" But there was a hint of guilt in his smile.
Qin Weixi and Song Zijin exchanged a glance, knowing he was trying hard to hide something. Song Zijin stepped forward and said coldly, "Speak properly! You think ten thousand taels of silver can buy a life?" Her eyes were full of sarcasm: "And that Liang thief, one thousand taels, how could he even think of that?"
Yao Zizhu curled his lip: "I only care about money. Beauty, if you give me silver, I'll do things for you." He then revealed a hint of lust: "Speaking of which, since you're so beautiful, why not please me..."
With a "whoosh," a short dagger grazed past his left shoulder, and he cried out in alarm, "Ah! An assassin!"
Luo Yuan immediately drew his sword and stood protectively in front of Qin Weixi, while Song Zijin also stood guard beside her, warily scanning their surroundings. The group then looked towards the direction from which the short dagger had come, only to see Chu Yening appear unnoticed on an old tree trunk protruding from the neighbor's wall. He lazily crossed his arms, then leaped down and walked towards them, his gaze lingering only briefly on Song Zijin's face before moving away.
He looked at the girl who was just inches away from him and asked, "When did a stranger appear beside Eighth Sister?" His smile was quite meaningful.
Qin Weixi didn't answer him, but asked instead, "Fourth Brother, do you miss your Eighth Sister so much after returning to the capital? You even sent Songyang to keep an eye on you at all times."
Yao Zizhu stared at him with wide eyes and said, "Jing... Marquis Jingning." He then looked at the girl in front of him and asked, "And who are you?"
Chu Yening bent down slightly, smiling as he looked at her: "What do you want to do?"
Qin Weixi smiled and said truthfully, "I want him to be of use to me."
"That's easy, we'll temper his character." Chu Yening didn't even glance at the fellow.
Yao Zizhu angrily retorted, "Hey! What are you plotting?"
Chu Yening waved to Zhou Feng: "Your elder brother came home early today and specially asked your fourth brother, me, to pick you up. Shall we go?"
“Your brother said he has something important to discuss.”
Yao Zizhu craned his neck, about to shout again. Chu Yening frowned: "You're so noisy."
Suddenly, a hidden arrow flew over his head, startling Yao Zizhu.
Chu Yening turned around and saw that she was still standing there. He smiled slightly and said, "Tired? Do you want your fourth brother to carry you? Or... like that day at Jingyun Temple, when your fourth brother carried you?"
Song Zijin's lips twitched involuntarily, and Luo Yuan stared at him with a tense expression. Qin Weixi suddenly rubbed his forehead, recalling the day he tricked her into leaving the palace.
Seeing that she still didn't move, Chu Yening glanced at the disheveled man behind her and saw him glaring at her. He took a few steps forward and actually put his arm around her shoulder.
Qin Weixi suddenly remembered the dizziness and headache he had experienced that day. He took a few steps back and instructed Luo Yuan and Song Zijin to temporarily leave Yao Zizhu at the villa before returning to the manor with Chu Yening. However, Uncle Gu said that his elder brother had not yet finished his shift and returned home. Qin Weixi turned around to look, but apart from two food boxes containing exquisite pastries on the ground in front of the manor gate, he could no longer be seen. Only a bewildered Qin Weixi remained.
Just as she was about to enter the house, she saw the Pei family's carriage suddenly stop in front of the gate.
Pei Qing lifted the carriage curtain and quickly got off the carriage, noticing a sudden awkwardness on her face.
"Luo Zhaoxing, is your injury healed?"
Qin Weixi turned to look at her: "Are you worried about me?" She looked up at the rising moon in the sky: "The moon is out as usual today!"
Pei Qing choked, glared at her, and turned away angrily, walking back to the carriage.
Just as Qin Weixi stepped onto the stone steps, Pei Qing suddenly turned back, this time carrying a food box. He said rather awkwardly, "This is food made by my mother."
"Thank you." Qin Weixi quickly and generously accepted it.
Pei Qing was stunned; she thought she wouldn't answer.
Pei Qing said, "Then I'm leaving."
"You want to break off the engagement?" A gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Pei Qing turned around.
"Beg me."
Pei Qing opened his mouth and took a deep breath.
But the girl opposite him smiled and said, "Seeing is believing. Don't slander others. Wait for my news." After saying that, Qin Weixi didn't linger. He went up the stone steps toward his house, but waved his hand and said, "I won't see you out."
Pei Qing was left standing there, stunned. A maidservant beside her reminded her, "Miss? Why are you crying?"
Pei Qing pulled up her sleeve and wiped her eyes: "It's nothing, just some sand in my eyes."
She wanted to annul the engagement; she never stopped thinking about it, but no one in the Tao family was willing to stand up for her. As for her aunt in the palace, every time she went there to cry and complain, she would only get the same response from her aunt.
"My aunt is the Empress, and she has many things she can't do."
But now there is a girl who, upon returning to her hometown, has been constantly at odds with the girl she has been clashing with, and she asks her if she wants to break off the engagement. The implication in her words is clear: she will help her.
Liang Xi!
And that fearless look in that girl's eyes—she'd seen it before in the eyes of another girl her age. She turned to look at the maid behind her, pursed her lips, and said nothing.
Not long after returning to Tingyu Pavilion, Luo Ling finished his shift and went home. He learned that Yao Zizhu was at his mother's estate in the suburbs. After a moment of amusement, he sent several more trusted men from the Luo family to guard Yao Zizhu. Song Zijin pondered for a moment and said, "Young master, young lady, this little thief Yao is probably hiding something. Look at his evasive eyes. I think since Pu Niang knows how to do makeup, why don't I go to the Liang family? The Qian family frequently changes their maids in their inner quarters; perhaps I can use my position as a maid to investigate. Maybe I'll discover something."
Qin Weixi noticed Yao Zizhu's unusual behavior today, but Mu Tong was still alive. If Zijin were to be implicated in the Liang family at this time, and his life were in danger, how could she explain it to Mu Tong? She said, "Brother, Zijin, I will go."
Luo Ling shook his head and said, "Liang Lang, the third son of the Liang family, has been acting strangely lately. Little sister, you have already died once, and your brother will never let you go. But Luo Yuan is often by your side, and his every move may arouse suspicion from the Liang family father and son. Your brother will send someone else from the manor to investigate."
Song Zijin then said, “Young master, sometimes it’s much easier for women to do things. Liang is a very cunning man. If a strange, grown man suddenly enters the mansion, he will probably be more cautious. I know martial arts, and I usually stay hidden in the inner quarters of the Qian family’s residence, so there won’t be any problems. Besides, Luo Yuan is secretly protecting us, and we are all in the capital.”
"Zi Jin, no."
Song Zijin smiled and bowed to the two of them: "Young master, young lady, it's settled then. Although the Liang residence is dangerous, I will live well for Mu Tong."
Just like that first meeting in Jiangnan amidst apricot blossoms and spring rain, Zi Jin was resolute and decisive. This time, no matter how much the Luo family "siblings" objected, she was determined to leave.
Night fell and dawn broke, and the Dragon Boat Festival quietly arrived. This day also marked the 70th birthday of the Empress Dowager of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The capital city was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Emperor Kangxi had sent Chen Guiyi with birthday gifts the day before, but Chen Guiyi returned them unopened. However, Ding Wei went down the mountain.
Inside the East Palace, Ding Wei said, "The old matriarch said that as she gets older, she prefers quiet. This year, Your Highness and the young masters will not need to go up the mountain, and the gate to Xiaguang Peak will not be open to the public."
This year marks Grandma Zhao's birthday, and several of the younger generation wanted to go up the mountain to offer their congratulations. However, Ding Wei's words revealed a resolute determination. Although they had all carefully prepared gifts, they knew that climbing to the summit of Xiaguang Peak was hopeless, so they asked Ding Wei to take the birthday gifts they were going to give to the Empress Dowager back to Xiaguang Peak as well. Ding Wei readily agreed. Qin Weixi also asked Luo Ling to take the zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) that Pu Niang had personally wrapped, as well as the pair of embroidered shoes with hibiscus flower patterns that she had sewn herself.
Finally, Tao Qingyun suggested going to Xiaopenglai, where peach blossoms were in full bloom all over the mountains at this time of year. Strolling under the peach trees and enjoying a pot of fine wine would be delightful. If she could see Zhu Ruo again, that would be even better.
This time, the six traveled together, and Qin Weixi also invited the Zhao siblings. Because of the assassination attempt that day, Tao Qingyun insisted on bringing Fa Cai along and informed Luo Ling to bring Luo Yuan as well. Empress Tao also instructed the Jiang siblings to bring A Xiao and Zi Shu along because of this matter.
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, a large group of people set off for Xiaopenglai.
At the foot of the mountain, the group encountered Cui Lu, who was arriving in a carriage, followed by Chu Yening and Songyang Jiuqu and his servant. Cui Lu said that the Empress Dowager had learned that they were in Xiaopenglai and had sent him some Dragon Boat Festival food.
Upon learning that the Empress Dowager was well, Jiang Yuanjun ordered her subordinate, A Xiao, to bestow a festive reward upon Cui Lü, who accepted it with a smile. Finally, the group bowed to the rising sun in the east and said in unison, "May our grandmother enjoy the sun and moon shining brightly year after year, and live as long as the pine and crane in spring."
Just like they did every year when they were young. At that time, the Empress Dowager would smile happily with tears in her eyes, and then take out eight small purses embroidered with auspicious symbols, containing her private savings, and distribute them to them one by one.
Seeing their reaction, Ping'an imitated them, saying, "May Grandmother..."
Zhao Shuhan immediately interrupted him: "Ping An, it's your great-aunt. Repeat after me. Don't rush, think patiently about how I taught you at home."
Ping An hesitated for a moment, but quickly replied, "Sister, I know."
May my great-aunt always be smiling!
The group immediately burst into laughter and set off again towards Penglai. The morning sun shone on them, and they all wore relaxed smiles, as if they had returned to the spirited youth of their younger days.
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Author's Note: The young marquis is about to undergo a "trial"! [Laughing and crying while covering face]
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