Chapter 248 The Substitute
The Marquis of Annan's residence.
After entertaining her guests, Ning Sihan returned to Cangsong Courtyard, slightly drunk.
A servant brought him a hangover soup, which he took and drank in one gulp, lowering his eyes to conceal the indifference in them.
Since the toxins in her body were completely removed two years ago, Ning Sihan's frail body has been getting better day by day.
However, the damage was ultimately to his very core. Even with the meticulous care and treatment from Physician Wang and Physician Hu, his body remained much weaker than that of a normal person, and he would fall ill for several days every time the seasons changed.
That is why Lady Hou and the Second Young Master Ning felt they had a chance and always coveted Ning Sihan's position as heir. They made many moves but never succeeded and suffered several setbacks in silence.
After drinking the hangover soup, Ning Sihan washed her hands and changed her clothes, preparing to lie down and rest for a while.
At this moment, his trusted aide, Ah Chang, hurriedly walked in and whispered a few words in his ear.
A glint of light flashed in Ning Sihan's indifferent eyes, followed by an overwhelming sense of loss that made him clutch his chest and cough involuntarily.
"Your Highness!"
Ah Chang hurriedly stepped forward to pat his back, his face full of anxiety: "The young master must be exhausted. This servant will go and fetch the royal physician right away!"
As she spoke, she was about to run outside when Ning Sihan stopped her, saying, "No need."
After he finished speaking, he coughed a few more times before stopping, and a faint blush appeared on his slightly pale face.
Ah Sha was relieved to see that his master was alright, and tentatively asked, "We have found out where Madam Sheng lives. Should I send her a visiting card?"
Ning Sihan didn't hesitate for a moment: "It's not the right time yet."
Ah Chang had a better understanding of the situation, but this only fueled his greater worries.
Ning Sihan glanced at him, a smile appearing on her lips: "Don't overthink it. Your master would never do something like stealing another man's wife."
A-Chang scratched his head sheepishly: "Your Highness, that's not what I meant."
He just felt that the young master had suffered too much over the years, and that his happiest days were probably the few months he spent recuperating in Qingzhou.
At that time, Madam Sheng cooked delicious food for the young master every day, and he always ate very happily. Before leaving, he even gave Madam Sheng a keepsake.
The young master treats Lady Sheng differently.
I thought that Madam Sheng would visit the young master after arriving in the capital, but she never showed up.
The prince was worried that something might have happened, so he sent him to inquire at all the inns in the city. Only today did he find out that Madam Sheng and her husband were staying at Master Jiang's house.
Ning Sihan didn't care about A Chang's attitude and said with a light laugh, "You've worked hard these days. I'll give you a few days off. You don't need to come and serve me unless it's important."
Ah Chang hurriedly replied, "This servant is not tired, I don't need to rest!"
Ning Sihan shook her head helplessly, thought for a moment and said, "Then you go and keep an eye on someone."
Ah Chang immediately stood up straight, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Young Master, who is this person?"
Ning Sihan slowly uttered a name: "Xu Huaining".
Xu Huaining? The cousin of Madam Sheng's husband?
Why are you watching him?
No, last year, Princess Shanmin's henchmen mobilized a large force to capture runaway slaves throughout the city. One of these runaway slaves happened to look somewhat like Xu Huaining. Could it be...?
Could it be that Princess Shanmin truly favors Xu Huaining? Is the runaway slave a substitute for Xu Huaining?
Otherwise, Xu Huaining, who came from a rural background, would not have had the opportunity to study at the Imperial Academy if he hadn't married Princess Shanmin.
Ah Chang's eyes lit up, feeling like he'd stumbled upon some juicy gossip, and he excitedly replied, "Yes, Your Highness!"
Ning Sihan could tell what Ah Chang was thinking just by looking at his expression.
He shook his head with amusement and patted Ah Chang's head: "Go on, and read more books when you have time."
With such a simple mind, one day you'll be sold out and still have to pay the seller for the money.
No one else knew about the conversation between the master and servant. Xu Huaining, who lived in a simple little house in the city, was also completely unaware that he was being watched.
Xu Huaining had just returned from a social engagement when a servant approached him and reported, "Young Master, someone just delivered a message asking you to meet at the usual place tomorrow morning."
Xu Huaining had drunk quite a bit of wine, and his stomach was churning with discomfort. Hearing the servant's words made his stomach feel even worse.
He rubbed his chest and ordered in a slightly deep voice, "Iron that newly made sky-blue outfit. My young master will wear it tomorrow."
The servant obeyed, bowed, and withdrew.
Xu Huaining returned to his room, and as he passed the table, his face was reflected in the bronze mirror.
He paused, walked to the bronze mirror, reached out and touched the familiar eyebrows and eyes in the mirror, his expression changing unpredictably.
The next moment, Xu Huaining grabbed the bronze mirror and slammed it heavily onto the ground, making a loud noise.
Looking at the bronze mirror facing down, Xu Huaining closed his eyes for a long time, and then let out a light sneer that sounded both mocking and triumphant.
This face is on his body, so it's only natural for him to use it to achieve his goals.
As for the double, well, history is written by the victors, and he will surely be the sole victor!
The two servants outside the room were so frightened by the commotion inside that they dared not move, much less go in and risk getting into trouble.
Only after the room quieted down did the two servants dare to move around, each busy with their own tasks, not daring to discuss why Xu Huaining had suddenly become angry under his nose.
Before the Lunar New Year holiday was over, Tan Zhenlin returned to the Jiang residence and secluded himself to study.
Madam Tan doted on her son and would send him fresh food every few days to help him recover, naturally including some for Sheng An and Xu Jinnian as well.
In return, Sheng An personally prepared some delicious food and had it delivered to the Tan family.
Spending her days in the courtyard, with Tan Qingrou occasionally coming over to talk to her, she didn't find the days unbearable.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Xu Jinnian put down his book, took her hand and said, "The capital is very lively today. I'll go for a walk with you."
Sheng An hesitated for a moment: "There are so many people on the street, won't it be troublesome to go out and have fun?"
Xu Jin smiled and said, "No, I had Li Tian book rooms at teahouses and restaurants in advance, and Brother Fang also sent someone to book a pleasure boat so we can rest whenever we're tired."
Seeing that the man had already made the arrangements, Sheng An didn't hesitate any longer: "Okay!"
After dinner, Tan Qingrou also came over, and they went out for a stroll together with Sheng An and the others.
As Xu Jinnian said, the Lantern Festival in Beijing was exceptionally lively, and even the cold weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the people to go out and have fun.
Sure enough, even before it was completely dark, the streets were already teeming with people. Looking down from above, all you could see were countless heads.
Many candidates for the imperial examinations also came out to join in the fun, standing in front of the exquisite lanterns to guess riddles and wish for good luck.
Xu Jinnian and his group did not join in the fun and, under the protection of the guards, did not get caught in the crowd.
They went to the teahouse and sat on the second floor by the window, watching the students below guessing riddles.
As he watched, Tan Zhenlin became more and more excited. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Those people are too bad. They couldn't guess the answer for a long time. I'm going down to win that lantern!"
After saying that, he grabbed Tan Qingrou and rushed downstairs, squeezed into the crowd, and directly recited the riddle that stumped all the candidates, which drew applause and cheers from the onlookers.
"Hehe, I'm still the best!"
Tan Zhenlin took his prize—a magnificent lantern—glanced it casually, and was about to give it to his younger sister who was watching him longingly.
At that moment, a clear and crisp voice rang out from outside the crowd:
"I've also taken a liking to this lantern. I'd like to have a riddle-solving contest with you. Whoever wins gets the lantern, and I'll give you a thank-you gift in return. How about it?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com