Chapter 656 Pity
Lin Yuesha rode in the carriage for almost half an hour before heading to Shuangfuji. After being led upstairs by the waiter and opening the door, Xu Da was exceptionally enthusiastic towards her.
"Cousin, are you hungry? I'll tell the waiter to bring the food right now."
Xu Da pulled Lin Yuesha inside, poured her a cup of tea, and inquired about her well-being.
"I was hungry. There were pastries in Young Master Luo's carriage, but I was saving room for roast duck, so I held back."
After Lin Yuesha finished speaking, she patted her stomach and then instructed the waiter that the roast duck was too greasy, so he should bring some finely sliced cucumber strips for her to wrap in pancakes.
"Whatever you say."
After Xu Da finished speaking, he found a cushion and said, "Women are prone to feeling cold, so I got you a soft cushion."
After Xu Da finished speaking, he turned his head and sighed deeply.
This series of actions puzzled Lin Yuesha. Xu Da had always taken good care of her, but never to this extent. Besides, Xu Da was a single man and didn't know how to be considerate of women, let alone put out a cushion.
Lin Yuesha had just taken a sip of tea when she felt intense gazes directed at her. She looked up to try and catch Xu Da's complicated expression.
How should I put it? That look in his eyes...
Lin Yuesha could describe herself as a cuckolded man, someone who had been cheated on. Everyone around her had noticed, but she was kept in the dark. Because it was difficult to talk about it, they could only treat her well and feel sorry for her.
That's the feeling Xu Da gave her.
She only took a detour and spent an extra half hour, so what exactly happened?
"The food's here, eat it while it's hot!"
Luo Wang stood up and went to the side to wait for the waiter to serve the dishes. In the meantime, he glared at Xu Da.
The number of people who knew this secret could be counted on one hand, and Xu Da, as his confidant, was the one who brought it up.
In fact, Luo Wang himself had only known about it for a short time. When he first saw his brother, he was even more shocked than Xu Da, after all, he was someone who had disappeared many years ago.
Xu Da nodded hesitantly, but his hesitation betrayed his feelings.
"Cousin, what's wrong with you?"
She didn't want to expose him, but Xu Da kept stealing glances at her, almost making her face ache from his stare. Helpless, she finally asked him.
“I saw Wei Lan and her two henchmen making things difficult for you through the car window, and I even wanted to get out and help you out.”
Xu Da made up a story, "You don't recognize Wei Lan, do you?"
Lin Yuesha shook her head. She heard the noise outside the carriage. Only Bai Cha peeked through the crack in the carriage window. She was worried that the three of them would rush onto the carriage, but fortunately they didn't have that kind of courage.
It turns out that Miss Wei's maiden name is Wei Lan, and judging from her voice, she seems to have an arrogant personality.
"It's not surprising that Lin Yue'e was taken to the Wei family and is with the Wei family's young lady."
What's strange is how Bai Youran, the daughter of a minor official, managed to infiltrate this circle.
In the capital, there were strict distinctions between high-ranking families based on rank; the daughters of first and second-rank officials formed a distinct circle.
With Empress Wei's backing, the Wei family has many people trying to curry favor with them. Moreover, since Miss Wei is not yet engaged, suitors have been lining up to break down her door.
Lin Yuesha's scumbag father was a high-ranking official who was in charge of the people and defenses of the entire capital, so he was in the first tier.
As for the Bai family, they are considered low-class and not even qualified to be followers.
"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, during the Lantern Festival, Miss Wei was pushed into the river by the crowd, but was rescued by Bai Dingfeng. Now you understand."
The hero saves the damsel in distress; all chance encounters throughout history have followed the same pattern.
"Cousin, I didn't know you were into gossip!"
Lin Yuesha covered her mouth and chuckled. Xu Da didn't just like swords, spears, and clubs; he was most annoyed by those well-behaved young ladies who never smiled.
"According to my subordinate, Wei Lan is a troublemaker, and it was the Five Cities Garrison who escorted her back to her residence that night."
Xu Da was dismissive; that was roughly the gist of it.
When Bai Dingfeng passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), the Wei family sent him a congratulatory gift, their attitude ambiguous.
"But... Bai Dingfeng is married."
Not only that, but he also married Li Ruoxue. These two should be locked up forever.
Wei Lan is the legitimate daughter, with the Empress's backing. She would never share her husband with someone else or become a concubine.
"What is the status of the Li family? Can they be compared to the Wei family?"
With Luo Wang joining the gossip circle, and the Bai family, known for their scheming, certainly wouldn't allow Li Ruoxue, who offends everyone, to remain Bai Dingfeng's legal wife. It's likely they'll divorce her soon.
Lin Shusheng is the best example of someone who divorced his wife, remarried, and then rose to power with the help of his wife's family.
Who doesn't bow to power? Bai Dingfeng didn't particularly like Li Ruoxue, so it was only a matter of time before the two parted ways.
The roast duck was sliced very thinly and tasted exceptionally good. Lin Yuesha asked the waiter to pack one up and take it to Wenjunlou to deliver to Qin Nanyan.
It was already evening, and the restaurants and eateries on the main street were packed with people, and the streets and alleys were full of people.
Bai Youran sought out Bai Dingfeng, who was studying at the Imperial Academy, to speak with her brother.
"Sister, I heard that a new Shuangfuji restaurant has opened. It seems to be the same Shuangfuji restaurant in the prefectural city. Why don't we go there for dinner?"
Li Ruoxue, accompanied by her maid, smiled broadly. Whenever she saw Bai Dingfeng, her eyes and heart would immediately fill with pink bubbles.
Now that she is pregnant, she eats even more than before.
In the past, Bai Youran would have definitely responded, but tonight she had to get rid of Li Ruoxue because she had important business to attend to.
"Brother, Wei Lan and I have agreed to go to Wenjun Tower together to broaden our horizons."
Bai Youran quickened her pace, tugged at Bai Dingfeng's sleeve, and whispered.
"Nonsense!"
Is Wenjun Tower a place where women can go? If discovered, their reputation would be ruined.
Wei Lan is the Empress's younger sister, so she can be indifferent; when something goes wrong, it's her own sister who has to take the blame.
Bai Dingfeng was so angry that his face turned red. If the Bai family hadn't been discussing marriage with the Liao family for his younger sister, he would have written a letter to send her back to the north.
Liao Langzhong's uncle was a high-ranking official of the second rank, and he had no son. No matter how you looked at it, our family was marrying above our station.
"Let your sister finish speaking first."
When Liao Langzhong was mentioned, a look of disdain flashed in Bai Youran's eyes.
People strive for better things. Since befriending Wei Lan, her horizons have broadened, and she no longer looks down on Liao Jianghan, that blockhead.
Bai Youran was waiting to matchmake Wei Lan and her elder brother, so that they could get married into the Wei family and Lin Yue'e would never dare to boss her around again.
Tonight is a good opportunity.
Upon hearing from Luo Wang's coachman that Luo Wang would be visiting Wenjun Tower that evening, Bai Youran immediately began to plot.
How could she possibly meet the Prince of Luo? She had no choice but to deceive Wei Lan.
Wei Lan was simple-minded. She thought it would be exciting to go to Wenjun Tower, and when she heard that Bai Dingfeng was also going, she immediately made an appointment with Bai Youran for the time.
"The Prince of Luo appreciates those with outstanding poetry and prose, and he doesn't care about their status. Why don't you take this opportunity to exchange skills with the Prince of Luo?"
Scholars have integrity, which means they cannot speak too directly.
To scheming and to actively approach each other—but we shouldn't use the word "scheming," as that's too vulgar—but rather use the term "exchange of ideas."
If one is favored and befriended by the Prince of Luo, it's like riding in a carriage straight to the top.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
