Counterfeit
Three months later, war raged across the land.
The war spread.
After a month of continuous fighting, a brief period of peace finally arrived on this day.
There are few peaceful places in the world, and Yangzhou is one of the few that has been spared from being affected.
Jiang Mian returned with the grain she had just bought, and upon seeing that familiar figure in the courtyard, she couldn't help but sigh.
For three whole months, he still refused to leave.
Hearing footsteps, the man turned around, his eyes gleaming, and immediately came up to take the thing from her palm.
"Mian'er, let me do it."
Jiang Mian dodged the question, but couldn't help asking, "Brother Wenshi, when are you leaving?"
Upon hearing this, the man smiled gently: "This is my home, where else can I go?"
Seeing this, Jiang Mian didn't want to waste any more words with him.
Three months ago, she intended to leave quietly, but unexpectedly, she encountered Song Mingyan as soon as the carriage left the capital. He somehow got news of her and learned that she was going to Yangzhou. He disregarded everything and even helped her fake the appearance of falling into a trap.
At that time, Jiang Mian had no time to care about him; she herself was not long for life.
But then, by sheer chance, she went to a temple to pray for blessings and unexpectedly met a wandering physician who could cure her poison. It was a stroke of luck that her poison was cured and she survived.
However, from that day on, Song Mingyan stayed by her side.
Jiang Mian returned to Yangzhou.
He also returned to Yangzhou.
Even when she first returned to face her aunt's family, he stood up for her. Jiang Mian had no choice but to let him leave.
As time went by, gossip began to circulate in the alley.
The more she heard it, the more embarrassed she became.
However, Song Mingyan accepted it without hesitation, and even said, "If those things hadn't happened back then, you would be my wife now."
"I wouldn't mind marrying you again."
Jiang Mian pretended not to hear. She already knew his identity and knew that one day he would return to the capital and become the heir apparent.
Furthermore, the seventh princess was still hopeful for him. He was engaged, so she had no expectations of him and dared not have any.
These past few days, while she was working outside, she heard many people say that Shen Ji had started an uprising. It turned out that his true identity was the orphan of the Crown Prince of Yong'an, and that he had many supporters in the world.
After all, His Majesty's ascension to the throne was illegitimate.
During his reign, taxes were levied, and the people on the border were frequently harassed, yet the court never sent a single soldier.
It is evident that the emperor, far removed from the imperial court, was unaware of the hardships faced by the common people.
The swift and decisive soldiers, wherever they went, not only did not harm the people, but also helped displaced people rebuild their homes, and for a time, the hearts of the people were with them.
These occasional whispers made Jiang Mian feel somewhat dazed. Even though only three months had passed, she felt as if those memories of him were things that happened in a past life.
Fortunately, her current workplace is quiet, so the gossip doesn't spread much.
Her boss is a well-known embroiderer from Yangzhou who has watched her grow up and is quite patient with her.
Jiang Mian is in charge of embroidery here, and in just one month, her skills have become much more refined.
"Mian'er, aren't you planning to marry that boy from the Song family?"
Yunniang looked like she was looking for gossip.
Before she moved, she and Jiang Mian were neighbors, so she naturally knew that the Song family's son had fallen off a cliff while participating in the imperial examination. But she never expected that a few years later, the dead man would come back.
These two grew up together, so it's perfectly normal for them to be together.
Yunniang was also thinking of the children. Just looking at her appearance, apart from that boy from the Song family, there was no one else in the whole of Yangzhou who could match her.
In her opinion, the two of them were a match made in heaven.
Yunniang wanted to ask a few more questions, but unexpectedly a guest suddenly arrived outside. Yunniang went out to greet him and learned that it was the prefect of Yangzhou who wanted to order a batch of fabric.
Jiang Mian stayed inside and didn't go out. The man was wandering around casually when he suddenly stared at her intently.
There are still such beautiful women in the world.
"Lord Sun, what brings you here?" Yunniang appeared just in time, blocking Jiang Mian's way. The scrutinizing gazes disappeared. Sun Wei stroked his beard, dealing with Yunniang while thinking that perhaps the matter that the prefect was worried about had taken a turn for the better.
Before leaving, Sun Wei took two more reluctant glances.
Yangzhou is known for its slender horses, but the prefect despises those women for their vulgarity and excessive flattery.
The person in front of me is an excellent candidate.
Jiang Mian felt uncomfortable under that scrutinizing gaze and couldn't help but ask Yunniang, "Who was that person just now? I've never seen him before."
"Sigh, he's the prefect's great-uncle. Relying on the prefect's power, he's always extorting money from the people. Next time you encounter him, try to avoid him. Those hooligans and bandits may look respectable on the surface, but they're all lowlifes behind the scenes."
Yunniang said indignantly.
Jiang Mian noted it down. The fighting had finally subsided in the past few days, and many displaced refugees had poured into Yangzhou. On her way back, she saw many men with ill intentions. Fortunately, it was still dark, and in broad daylight, they dared not make a move.
But Jiang Mian never expected this, no matter how much she planned.
There was such a daring thief who dared to drug her while she was out.
Before Jiang Mian could struggle, she was stuffed into a sack, tied to a carriage, and before she completely lost consciousness, she only vaguely heard the pockmarked man smiling.
They said things like, "That person will definitely like it."
Then, Jiang Mian completely lost consciousness.
When she woke up again, she found herself in an unfamiliar room, and someone had even covered her eyes with a strip of cloth.
His hands and feet were tied, and his mouth was bandaged.
This was the first time Jiang Mian had encountered such a brutal scene. Recalling the several burly men she had seen before she lost consciousness, she felt that she might really be doomed this time.
"Have you taken care of everything I asked you to do?"
Two voices could be faintly heard outside.
"Don't worry, there won't be any mistakes after administering the medicine. I just don't know what that person will like it."
"No matter what, we're still young and full of vigor. The one inside is top-notch. The prefect said that if we can handle this matter well, we won't be shortchanged..."
Jiang Mian vaguely deduced that she must have been kidnapped by the prefect of Yangzhou, who was going to hand her over to some high-ranking official.
Judging from their tone, that person seemed to be someone of importance.
However, before Jiang Mian could think too much, she felt an abnormal force surging through her body. She suddenly realized that the two men meant to force-feed her medicine!
"Sir, please."
The prefect of Yangzhou, Song Rui, was all smiles and began flattering Shen Ji as soon as he stepped off the carriage.
Xiao Quan followed behind silently, ready to shield Shen Ji from troublesome flattery if necessary.
My family prefers quiet.
Upon hearing this, Song Rui was even more delighted: "Originally, my humble abode had prepared a welcome feast, but I imagine that you must be tired from your journey. How about this, let's rest first, and then we can prepare a welcome feast for you tomorrow when you are more relaxed."
Xiao Quan nodded.
Shen Ji was too lazy to look at him.
Song Rui was not annoyed at all. The world was already divided, and anyone with eyes could see who the people's hearts were. As for those in the palace who were stubbornly holding on, they were just at their last gasp.
Moreover, the one in front of him is the legitimate heir of the Crown Prince.
Song Rui's forte was to be adept at navigating social situations, and he had already grasped the situation. He just couldn't understand why this important person from afar would appear in such a small place as Yangzhou.
You should know that a battle is taking place not far away.
Song Rui guessed that his appearance at this time must be because he wanted something from her.
Xiao Quan didn't say a word the whole way.
Song Rui wisely kept his mouth shut, watching the official walk inside. He was overjoyed, thinking that once tonight was over, he, Song Rui, could rise to prominence tomorrow.
Xiao Quan seemed to have seen through his thoughts, and his eyes shifted indifferently over.
Turning to Shen Ji, he said, "Young master, you've come all this way, why don't you go somewhere else?"
Song Rui: "..."
"No need." The man said nothing more and turned to step into the room.
Song Rui's smile deepened, and as he passed Xiao Quan, he couldn't help but say, "Commander Xiao, you've been traveling day and night, why don't you go and have some fun?"
Xiao Quan frowned. He didn't know what this glib-tongued man had that required the young master to come in person.
"No need, Lord Song, please do as you please."
"Tsk, Commander Xiao is so boring." Song Rui sighed twice and swaggered away.
Xiao Quan frowned. With his naturally perceptive nature, he felt that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Jiang Mian was truly desperate at this moment. Yangzhou was simply her nemesis. Last time, she was sent to the county magistrate's bed by her aunt. This time, she was tied up by this so-called prefect and fed deadly things.
At this moment, my internal organs are burning, and a scorching heat rises within me.
She vaguely sensed what the medicine was for.
However, before she could come up with a solution, the door was pushed open.
Jiang Mian tensed up. She had made up her mind. Once the person came over and untied her ropes, she would grab a vase from the side and smash it over their head.
If all else fails, it's okay to make her suffer.
Nothing is more important than life.
As long as she lives, she can take revenge in the future.
Jiang Mian held her breath, prepared to fight to the death, but unexpectedly, the figure passed through the screen. When she looked up, she was astonished and her eyes widened.
Shen Ji paused, his usually expressionless eyes now swirling with surprise, astonishment, and shock.
In the end, it all turned into a cruel irony.
"They look so alike."
"Unfortunately, no matter how similar she is, she is not her."
Shen Ji gave her a disgusted look and made a move to leave.
Jiang Mian struggled frantically, ignoring her bound hands and feet, desperately trying to get him to stay: "Waaah..."
As expected, the man returned, a hint of interest gleaming in his eyes.
"Unexpectedly, this Song Rui is quite good at catering to people's preferences."
"Although it's a fake, it's your good fortune that it resembles her to some extent."
The playful look in Shen Ji's eyes seemed genuine. After scrutinizing her from head to toe, he reached out and tore off the tape from her mouth.
Jiang Mian looked at him with tears in her eyes, puzzled.
Why would he say such a thing? She is clearly Jiang Mian.
"Three months ago, she fell off a cliff and died. I don't know where Lord Song got the means to create a replica of her."
“Cousin…” Jiang Mian still called out that name.
Unexpectedly, Shen Ji suddenly grabbed her by the neck: "Shut up, you have no right to call me that."
"Cough cough..." Jiang Mian looked pitiful. Being choked was not a good feeling, especially since she was currently taking Chinese medicine, and her body was as soft as a pool of spring water.
My vision gradually blurred.
She gradually lost the ability to distinguish whether it was a dream or reality.
Why did I encounter Shen Ji here?
And why did he look at her with such unfamiliar eyes?
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