Chapter 58 Apology
The moonlight, like water, gently fell upon the two of them, the silvery light outlining Jiang Ru's profile. Her eyelashes drooped slightly, her hair was disheveled, yet she resembled a fairy descended to earth, her beauty exquisite and captivating.
The long street was quiet and still, the houses on both sides were dimly lit, with only the bright moon and lanterns in the distance, the flying eaves and green tiles, and the sound of breathing.
The shadows of the two intertwined and merged, just like their master. Pei Wu was hesitant to touch Jiang Ru's hand, but when he wanted to pull her up from the ground, he had to hold her tightly.
Jiang Ru steadied herself, let go of his hand, and gave Pei Wu a disgruntled look: "You're sober now?"
Even if he was drunk, he would have sobered up long ago. Pei Wu said in a low voice, "If there is a next time, please don't help me up again."
Pei Wu always drinks. He can't guarantee he won't drink, but he can guarantee he won't need Jiang Ru's help. However, if Jiang Ru doesn't help him, he's afraid he'll fall hard and land face down.
Jiang Ru waved her hand: "We'll talk about it later."
It's not Pei Wu's fault; Jiang Ru herself went to help him. Pei Wu is much taller than her, so it's normal that she couldn't hold on properly.
She hadn't felt anything while sitting, but now that she stood up, she felt a bit of pain in her tailbone area. Jiang Ru tried to take a couple of steps, but immediately stopped, wincing in pain.
Pei Wu had been observing her movements, and when she stopped, he knew she had hurt herself.
Pei Wu stopped abruptly, and after a moment of silence, said, "I'll carry you on my back."
It's not to the point where I can't walk, it just hurts a little when I walk, and...
She really couldn't trust Pei Wu. What if Pei Wu accidentally fell and they both got hurt?
Jiang Ru still refused: "I'll walk by myself."
Immediately afterward, Jiang Ru limped ahead of Pei Wu, cursing with every step she took. She looked like she hadn't fallen seriously, but only she knew how much it hurt.
Pei Wu fared much better than her, since he had a cushion to cushion his fall and barely got hurt.
Just a few steps from home, Jiang Ru limped open the door, and Xia greeted her: "My lady is back."
She paused mid-sentence, noticing Jiang Ru's limping leg and disheveled clothes, and asked, "What happened?"
Jiang Ru glanced back at Pei Wu, who immediately explained, "I just tripped and fell."
Xia was completely confused when Pei Wu continued, "Please go and fetch a doctor."
Judging from her words, it must be serious. Xia sighed and was about to leave when Jiang Ru reached out and grabbed her, frowning, "What are you asking me to do? I just fell and will be fine in a couple of days."
Pei Wu wanted to say something more, but Jiang Ru glanced at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense, I'm going to sleep."
Pei Wu stopped when he saw that she was really tired: "If she doesn't feel well tomorrow, we'll ask a doctor to come and take a look."
Jiang Ru nodded haphazardly and plunged into the room.
It wasn't until late at night, when she was alone under the covers, that she rubbed her aching bottom. Pei Wu was truly wicked!
The next day was a day off, and Pei Wu left early. Jiang Ru had just woken up when she saw a box of pastries on the table and a hairpin on the other side.
This hairpin is entirely gold, adorned with a few small pink flowers and a few jade-like leaves; it is exquisitely beautiful.
Pei Wu went to buy something to apologize.
After a night's rest, the pain wasn't as bad as it had been at first, and her anger had mostly subsided. Now that Pei Wu was apologizing and giving her a hairpin, she felt embarrassed: "I didn't blame you."
Pei Wu replied, "My cousin doesn't blame me because she's magnanimous, but I can't ignore it."
Look how sweetly she speaks! Jiang Ru took out the hairpin from the box and examined it against the light. Under the sunlight, the hairpin was even more dazzling. Jiang Ru usually wore her hair in two buns and didn't need the hairpin much.
However, this hairpin is quite beautiful. Perhaps Jiang Ru can try other hairstyles in the future. In a good mood, she praised Pei Wu: "This hairpin is indeed very nice."
The price wasn't cheap, of course. But since she'd already bought it, Jiang Ru didn't ask any more questions. She just casually said, "You should be more careful with your spending in the future. Don't think you can buy everything. I don't need that much."
When did he develop such a lavish spending habit, always picking out expensive things and buying her things every few days? I'm afraid he's already used up all his secret stash of money.
Upon hearing this, Pei Wu subconsciously replied, "Not much."
Jiang Ru glanced at him, and he changed his mind, saying, "Okay, I'll buy less in the future."
Jiang Ru didn't quite believe it, so she could only emphasize, "You must remember this in the future."
Pei Wu nodded: "I've got it."
Around mid-to-late May, the long-awaited envoy from the Southern Kingdom finally arrived in Bianjing.
A long line of carriages and horses entered through the city gate. Su Mu, the Privy Councilor, and the Ministry of Rites were responsible for welcoming them. Both sides dismounted, and the envoy from the Southern Kingdom presented a memorial, which Su Mu accepted. Afterwards, he led them to the guesthouse.
After two days of rest, they will enter the palace, where the emperor will personally make an appearance.
Among the envoys from the Southern Kingdom, one was quite special: Zhao Tuo, the fourth prince of the Southern Kingdom. It was said that Zhao Tuo was the most promising successor to the throne in the Southern Kingdom. His mission also included finding a wife.
The Southern Kingdom is, after all, a vassal state. Not to mention that there are no suitable women in the royal family to marry into, even if there were, they would never marry him.
So the news that spread was that among the daughters of officials, these were all the darlings of their families, and who would be willing to marry off their daughter? For a time, all the young ladies were on edge, fearing that the prince of the Southern Kingdom would take a fancy to them.
Song Shu was even angrier. She pulled Jiang Ru aside and gave her a good scolding. She scolded so much that the jade hairpin in her hair came loose. Jiang Ru put the jade hairpin back in and said, "Just ignore them."
Song Shu cursed even more: "A toad trying to eat swan meat, he's really dreaming."
Marriages among the children of officials in the imperial court were generally arranged by custom, with most marriages being between each other, and there were no exceptions.
Even when it comes to marriage alliances, they are only between members of the royal family. Besides, officials are not members of the royal family. If it really happened to them, they could simply resign. How could they bear such humiliation?
Whether the prince of the Southern Kingdom had something wrong with his head or not, his ideas were simply outlandish.
There has never been such an example in this dynasty, let alone in previous dynasties.
Jiang Ru also thought it was outrageous. After thinking about it, she finally said, "It might not be true. Don't get angry yet."
Such a matter involves their own interests, and the court officials will inevitably oppose it vehemently, making it impossible for it to succeed.
Song Shu regained some of her composure and fanned herself, saying, "I'm so angry!"
Jiang Ru patted her hand reassuringly: "How about this, let's go have a bowl of herbal drink. It's hot outside, a bowl of this will help cool you down."
Previously, when Jiang Ru was in Jinzhou, Xia and a few others had been managing this beverage shop. They did encounter some difficulties, which were all resolved by Song Shu.
Now Song Shu has become a spiritual shareholder of the beverage shop. Sometimes, if she doesn't go for a few days, Xia and the others will come to ask her about it.
The two agreed and went to the beverage shop together. In the past few days, many merchants from the Southern Kingdom had entered the capital, and they could go and have a look around.
The spices from the South were famous, and the two tried some at the stall. Before they knew it, they had bought a lot, a whole bag of spices and many strange and unusual things, some of which were even available in Bianjing. Even though the prices were a bit high, they were happy with their purchases.
It is said that there is a cow horn comb in the south that is the best for hair care, making hair black and shiny, and even has the miraculous effect of promoting hair growth.
Having received a modern education, Jiang Ru knew immediately that it was all a lie. She finally realized that she had been deceived, looked down at the bag of trinkets she was carrying, and felt extremely regretful.
There was someone even more foolish next to her. Song Shu listened to the stall owner's effusive praise and reached out to buy all the combs on the stall. Jiang Ru was shocked when she heard this: "Stop, stop, stop! Don't be impulsive."
Even if the Prime Minister's mansion is wealthy, it shouldn't be so extravagant!
As they were talking, Song Shu was already taking out her money, but Jiang Ru quickly stopped her, saying, "Don't buy it, it's a scam."
Those who come to the South to do business all know some of the Great Xia language. Originally, this was a big deal, but it was intercepted by Jiang Ru halfway through, so naturally he didn't have a good attitude. He looked at her with hostility: "Little lady, don't talk nonsense. I never lie."
Jiang Ru didn't want to cause trouble, especially since the stall owner was charging exorbitant prices—several hundred coins for a single comb. Anyone who bought it would be a fool.
However, when he tried to pull Song Shu away, the stall owner became unhappy and stepped forward to stop them: "How can you go back on your word? You said you wanted it, but now you don't?"
Several of the stall owners next to him also stepped forward and blocked their way.
They only brought Xia Xia and a few maids from the Song family with them when they went out. They were all women, and they were at a disadvantage against several grown men.
Song Shu frowned: "These merchants from the Southern Kingdom are going too far. Don't forget, your every word and action represents the Southern Kingdom. If something happens to us, how will the Southern Kingdom's envoys face?"
Those who were able to come to Bianjing were naturally all connected with the royal family of the Southern Kingdom. Their every move was subject to restrictions, especially since the Southern Kingdom was a vassal state. How could they be so presumptuous?
Song Shu, being a lady from a prominent family, spoke with great authority, causing the merchants from the South to hesitate, wondering whether they should continue forward.
It was the horn comb vendor who spoke first: "Young lady, judging from your wealthy family background, you can't even afford a few horn combs?"
These words were malicious. The ox horn comb was clearly priced exorbitantly, but he didn't mention it himself. Besides, they hadn't reached a deal yet, nor had they made a verbal agreement.
Jiang Ru retorted without mincing words: "Your description of this comb is exaggerated; why should we buy it?"
The merchant from the south turned pale: "Don't you dare slander me."
By this time, many people had gathered here, forming a circle to watch. Jiang Ru then said, "Don't forget, you are in my Great Xia."
The people around were all citizens of Bianjing. If they really made a move, how could the people of Daxia let them trample on their heads? Naturally, they would retaliate. At that time, the merchants from the Southern Kingdom would not only be in the wrong, but might also be beaten up.
Upon hearing this, the vendors exchanged glances, snorted coldly, and returned to their stalls.
After they all dispersed, Jiang Ru pulled Song Shu away.
After walking a bit further away, Song Shu patted her chest and said, "This Southern Kingdom is really arrogant. A few vendors are so brazen."
The Southern Kingdom is a vassal state of the Great Xia Dynasty. Perhaps their ruler doesn't understand his own strength anymore, and they have become arrogant as a result.
Even though the Great Xia Dynasty is not as powerful as it used to be, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. This mere southern country is still so majestic.
Jiang Ru also found it outrageous, saying only, "In the future, it's best to stay away from people from the South; they don't seem quite normal."
Song Shu deeply agreed.
When the two arrived at the beverage shop, it was already full of people, just like any other day. However, as Jiang Ru walked in, she noticed several unfamiliar faces.
The people from the south were burly and rugged, and the few sitting in the shop were the same, with stubble beards and an unfriendly look.
At this moment, Song Shu tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Hurry up."
However, the people inside the shop called out to Song Shu precisely: "Young lady Song, please wait."
Jiang Ru glanced at the person in the middle and saw that the person was embroidered with a circular pattern. She roughly knew why Song Shu ran away as soon as she saw him.
That person was none other than Zhao Tuo, the prince of the Southern Kingdom whom Song Shu had been criticizing in her writings.
A scoundrel-like, mentally challenged individual.
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