Chapter 19 For the rest of her life, can she accept it? ...
“She’s just a scrap. The princess is precious, how could I, Wei, dare to wrong her?” Wei Zhang gestured to the door.
Immediately, Qingyang presented Yuanyi with a brocade box made of golden nanmu wood.
The box was opened, and inside was a pair of South Sea pearl earrings, exactly the same style as Xue Lanyi's earrings.
However, the South Sea pearl in the box was a size larger and more lustrous than the one Xue Lanyi wore, and it was a rare golden color.
The openwork patterns on the earrings are flawless, clearly the work of a skilled craftsman.
In comparison, the earrings that Xue Lanyi wore paled in comparison.
She too paled in comparison.
It turns out she wasn't the only one who wore earrings.
Xue Lanyi vaguely realized that Yuan Yi and Wei Zhang had an unusual relationship.
The two pairs of earrings, which are identical in design, clearly distinguish the wife from the concubine.
The tea-serving ceremony just now was originally a concubine serving tea to the future wife of the heir apparent?
Xue Lanyi looked at Wei Zhang in disbelief.
Wei Zhang's attention was only on Yuan Yi, and Yuan Yi was also looking at Wei Zhang.
They gazed at each other from afar, their smiling eyes revealing a tacit understanding that others could not comprehend.
Xue Lanyi became the superfluous one, awkwardly clutching her palms, almost bleeding.
Yuan Yi refused to let her go, glancing at her earrings and sighing, "They are different after all. No one else puts earrings on me with their own hands."
“If the princess likes it, what’s so difficult about that?” Wei Zhang stood up and faced the head of the table.
He walked towards Xue Lanyi, passed by Xue Lanyi, and went to Yuan Yi's side.
The large fox fur coat bumped into Xue Lanyi, causing her to stumble half a step.
Wei Zhang didn't notice and lifted his robe to sit side by side with Yuan Yi on the chaise longue.
Xue Lanyi watched as he took out the golden South Sea pearl earrings and carefully wiped the earring post and the South Sea pearl with a velvet cloth.
He planned to use the method Xue Lanyi had taught him to put earrings on other women.
Xue Lanyi had never seen him so attentive and accommodating to anyone.
She thought he wouldn't, but it turns out he just didn't want to be gentle with her...
Xue Lanyi bit her lip secretly.
Unfortunately, Wei Zhang had his back to her and didn't see her eyes, which were about to burst into tears.
Yuan Yi looked over Wei Zhang's shoulder and saw it clearly.
At this moment, a satisfied smile appeared on the noble princess's lips, and her attention shifted back to Xue Lanyi: "Come and serve the young master his drinks. If you serve him well, I will reward you."
Yuan Yi's words have made the distinction between master and servant very clear.
Xue Lanyi was with Wei Zhang as a servant, not out of mutual affection or romantic love.
Only Princess Yuanyi was the woman who truly stood by Wei Zhang's side.
This is the social order that governs marriage based on social status and social hierarchy.
However, Xue Lanyi did not have such feelings for Wei Zhang.
Despite the unequal social status, what she wanted was equal love.
Summoning her courage from who knows where, she stepped forward and curtsied, "I have caught a cold and fear that I may pass it on to the Prince and Princess. May I... excuse myself for now?"
As a sinner, I have no right to refute, no right to be jealous; all I can do is turn a blind eye.
Yuan Yi was still angry.
She was a princess in power, showered with favors and affections, and had never been disobeyed by a mere servant.
His phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent.
In the empty hall, the faint hissing sound of a serpent flicking its tongue could be heard.
It is said that people from the Western Regions are very skilled at using snakes to kill people, and that being bitten by a venomous snake will result in immediate death.
Xue Lanyi remained in a bent-knee position, her legs trembling with soreness.
Sometimes, she has a stubborn streak that's not afraid of death.
Wei Zhang shook his head almost imperceptibly, tucked his sleeves into his pocket, poured himself a cup of wine, and also poured one for Yuan Yi, saying, "I, Wei, would like to offer a toast to the princess."
As he spoke, he raised his cup in acknowledgment.
However, when the wine reached his lips, he frowned again.
This wine has a strong medicinal smell.
"This is a wine that nourishes yin and yang. Lord Wei worked hard last night and deserves some nourishment. We have important business to attend to later..."
Yuan Yi turned her attention back to the present, raised her cup and took a sip of wine, and said with great interest, "How about we bring the three of them along? I don't mind."
Xue Lanyi didn't understand.
The surrounding maids understood, removed the food, and lowered the layers of light pink gauze curtains in the main hall.
Light gauze flutters in the wind, light and shadow sway, and a warm fragrance rises gently.
Xue Lanyi realized what was happening, and her pupils suddenly dilated.
Yuan Yi found it laughable, "You women from the Central Plains are so obsessed with such outdated and useless notions of chastity."
Women of my clan only care about whether a man is capable or not when choosing a spouse. If he marries into the Wei family and lives a life of widowhood, wouldn't I be at a disadvantage? Therefore..."
"I need to test her first. Only if she is suitable will I marry you, my lord. What do you think, my lord?"
That's ridiculous!
Xue Lanyi's breathing quickened as she stared intently at Wei Zhang's retreating figure.
Wei Zhang seemed to have expected this, his expression remaining completely calm. "Since the princess is interested, I will accompany her to the end."
"Lord Wei is so generous, I'm growing to like you more and more." Yuan Yi raised her cup. "Here, let me feed you, my lord."
As he spoke, he slowly approached Wei Zhang.
Western Region clothing is inherently alluring, and Yuan Yi's slender waist swaying exudes a myriad of charms.
As Xue Lanyi watched the two of them talking back and forth up close, her eyes welled up with tears that she could hardly hold back.
Wei Zhang seemed to sense the faint sniffing sound of the person behind him, and finally turned around to glance at her, saying, "Didn't you hear the princess ask you to come along? What are you standing there for?"
Xue Lanyi's head buzzed; she could hardly believe her ears.
At that moment, she couldn't even care less about being sad; she only felt ashamed, unbearable, and disgusted.
She knelt down with a thud, "This concubine...this concubine is unwell and dares not disturb the prince and princess's enjoyment!"
"Since you're unwilling, why don't you get out of here?" Yuan Yi was so aroused by the medicinal wine that he had no time to pay attention to her anymore and sneered.
Wei Zhang didn't look at her again.
Xue Lanyi felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly withdrew.
In his panic, he bumped his heel on the threshold.
That night, the lingering soreness in her hip bone returned, and she leaned against the door frame, breathing deeply until she recovered.
Meanwhile, deep within the gauze curtains, Yuan Yi, like a bewitching water snake, coiled around Wei Zhang, saying, "As long as Lord Wei pleases me today, the Western Frontier and I will follow you faithfully forever..."
Her voice was charming and soothing, it melted your heart.
Then, the sound of glasses crashing to the floor echoed through the hall, and the long table in front of the two people was swept clean.
What will happen inside the house is self-evident.
Wei Zhang would engage in intimate acts with another woman, look at her with the same deep gaze, and whisper sweet nothings in her ear.
Xue Lanyi dared not look or think about it, and hurried away.
But the enchanting fragrance in the main hall followed her closely.
The woman's soft, unpretentious voice kept drilling into her ears, like silken threads wrapping her heart.
Every single thread and every strand was painfully uncomfortable.
She understood perfectly well that Wei Zhang could never be with her for life.
Given his status, he cannot marry a convicted slave who cannot be brought to light.
He will get married sooner or later, and his marriage will surely be a stepping stone on his path to success.
Xue Lanyi never dared to face the future, only thinking of settling for second best and seeking a sincere heart.
But now, watching him make love with someone else, she asked herself if she could accept it.
Can I accept this for the rest of my life?
Xue Lanyi's breathing became increasingly painful, and her steps became more and more hurried.
She didn't know where to go and wandered around aimlessly like a headless fly.
As she reached the corner of a grand hall, a maid stopped her, bowed, and gestured for her to leave. "Miss, please go and change your clothes."
Xue Lanyi's clothes were soaked through; the spring day was still chilly, a bone-chilling cold that seeped into her very bones.
Why would Yuan Yi kindly give her clothes to change?
Xue Lanyi didn't understand, but she thought dejectedly: she was like a fish on a chopping board in this manor.
If Yuan Yi wanted to do something to her, she couldn't escape it just by not changing her clothes.
That's all.
If they don't go, they'll be accused of disobeying the princess.
Xue Lanyi had no mood to resist and followed the maid into the side room.
The room was not as turbulent and unpredictable as Xue Lanyi had imagined.
The room was heated with silver charcoal, and several sets of ruqun (traditional Chinese dresses) were stacked on the dressing table. They were a pale yellow color that Xue Lanyi liked.
One of the pieces even had a rabbit fur collar sewn on, all white and fluffy.
She reached out to stroke it, her fingertips sinking into the soft down, feeling as warm as if she were being gently embraced.
In this unfamiliar village, all alone, only a tuft of rabbit fur offered him solace.
My heart calmed down a little, and I closed my eyes slightly, swallowing back my tears.
Back in the brothel, she knew that those so-called masters and patrons loved to see them cry.
The more heartbroken the girls were, the more excited they became.
Therefore, Xue Lanyi would not cry for those who bullied her.
Those people will not be lenient; they will only bully and mock her more recklessly.
Xue Lanyi sat in front of the bronze mirror, took out tangerines from her purse, and stuffed them into her mouth one by one until her mouth was bulging.
The tangerines were a bit bitter today, and she ate quite a few before she could barely suppress the sourness in her heart and change into a rabbit fur dress.
Fifteen minutes later, she lifted the curtain and went out into the inner room.
Outside, a tall man stood with his back to her, seemingly having waited for her for a long time.
Xue Lanyi's eyes lit up, and she opened her mouth.
The person turned around, and Xue Lanyi was stunned.
A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, followed by astonishment, "Young Master? What are you doing here?"
Wei Xuan made a shushing gesture and peered through the crack in the window.
Princess Yuanyi was a distinguished guest from a foreign land, and neither Wei Zhang's guards nor the Imperial Guards were allowed to enter the manor.
In the capital, there is no place better than this place to hide one's presence.
“Yiyi, I’ve come to…” Wei Xuan turned around and immediately noticed the sugar residue on the girl’s lips.
She wasn't a sweet tooth; she would only think of eating candy when she felt wronged.
A note from the author:
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Dogs may be naughty, but they are clean.
Moreover, the handling of the situation was incredibly swift; there was no entanglement with the female supporting character.
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