"..."
Qiao'er quietly pouted, "Oh, this servant will go right away."
Qin Sheng personally escorted Yue Rongheng out, while his guard Yun Yin waited at the gate of the mansion with two horses.
"Let's go back," he said to Qin Sheng, then mounted his horse.
Qin Sheng nodded and turned to go inside.
Yue Rongheng rode away, the horse galloping very fast, and the expression on his face unconsciously turned cold.
When Qin Sheng returned, Qiao'er was still in the courtyard.
The young maidservant, not understanding, frowned and asked, "Madam, why don't you tell His Highness what happened at the Marquis of Wuping's residence?"
"Tell him what?" Qin Sheng walked towards the study without stopping.
She remembered that among the books she brought, there seemed to be a few that specifically taught people how to cook. She wondered if she could manage to cram at the last minute.
Qiao'er stomped her foot angrily, "Of course I'll let His Highness avenge you! You lost face today at the Marquis of Wuping's residence because of what that Fourth Miss Wu said!"
"We can't entirely blame her."
Qin Sheng entered the study and searched for books on the bookshelf, saying, "It was because I was too impatient and wanted to establish connections with the Marquis of Wuping's family. Otherwise, I wouldn't have failed to see through the Marquis of Wuping's wife's thoughts."
Although Miss Wu was born out of wedlock, she was greatly favored by Marquis Wuping, and her mother even overshadowed the principal wife in terms of popularity and affection within the household.
Therefore, after learning of Rong's plans, Wu Jin'er's behavior, though seemingly arrogant and spoiled, was actually...
Qin Sheng paused in her action of picking up the book.
Yes.
Wu Jin'er looks arrogant, domineering, and brainless. Her outburst today has undoubtedly made her a laughing stock.
However, what they were really enjoying was the joke made on Lady Wuping.
Because today's spring banquet was personally organized by the Lady of Wuping Marquis.
Moreover, even if Qin Sheng initially wanted to become Marquis Wuping's concubine, this means it's no longer possible.
Otherwise, what would the people of Ningzhou Prefecture think of her?
Qiao'er was still indignant, saying, "But in the end, we should blame that Lady Wuping. She really went too far!"
Qin Sheng had found the book she wanted, opened it, and nodded: "It is indeed nonsense."
Moreover, he's not very bright; otherwise, he wouldn't have been unable to outmaneuver Aunt Xing for so many years, living a life dominated by a mere concubine.
but---
Qin Sheng couldn't help but smile bitterly. Wasn't she the same in her past life? What right did she have to laugh at others?
...
The horse stopped in front of an inconspicuous house.
Seeing that his master had dismounted but lingered and did not go inside, Yunyin hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is Master worried about Lady Qin?"
"..."
On the way back, riding on horseback, Yue Rongheng's expression remained icy cold, and there was no sign of it changing at this moment.
Seeing that he did not answer, Yunyin wisely stopped mentioning it and said only, "Young Master Yuan and Young Master Xiao must have been waiting for you for a long time."
Yue Rong nodded and strode up the steps.
Once inside the gate, he said, "This Wu Rukai has been a 'local tyrant' for so long that he really thinks he's an emperor."
"...Ah?" Yunyin was startled.
Yue Rongheng walked with the speed of the wind, and Yun Yin quickly followed suit.
He absolutely did not believe Qin Sheng's explanation today. What physical discomfort? He couldn't see it coming from her.
It must be that the Marquis of Wuping's mansion that has gone too far in bullying people!
She's such a young girl, and she must have been too embarrassed to speak out after being wronged.
Yue Rongheng felt a little uncomfortable. Are all young girls these days so concerned about saving face?
After all, they were childhood sweethearts, and she used to call him "Fifth Brother" all the time when she was little.
Why won't you tell him even though you've been wronged?
Unable to fathom the young girl's thoughts, Yue Rongheng had already stepped into the courtyard.
Wine and dishes were already laid out on the stone table. Yuan Xiuhuai and Xiao Yuehai were talking about something when they saw him coming over, and they both stood up.
Both of them now work in the Ministry of Revenue. They came out with Yue Rongheng this time not only to investigate the tax revenue of Ningzhou Prefecture, but also to do some things behind the scenes.
The three men drank and talked about the Marquis of Wuping's mansion.
Later, once the rules were set, Yue Rongheng became somewhat distracted.
Xiao Yuehai chuckled and teased, "It's only been a few cups of wine. What, Your Highness, is your alcohol tolerance so low?"
Yue Rongheng shook his head: "Let's do it the way we just said."
He put one hand to his forehead, not because of a headache, but because he was thinking about something that happened before he left the capital.
That was the night before he came to Ningzhou, in the palace, when Princess Wenhua spoke to him.
"That girl does have someone she loves, but how can you just go along with it and help her elope? What kind of behavior is that?"
"Are you suggesting that if you're ever arranged a marriage for someone, you'll try every possible way to get rid of that girl?"
Princess Wenhua was both angry and heartbroken. "If this happens to me, how will I face my father and the late emperor when I pass away?"
"You're twenty-five already, you have to have a son, right?"
Princess Wenhua cried more and more bitterly in the end.
Yue Rongheng finally agreed, saying, "Once the Ningzhou tax issue is resolved, I will find a girl to marry."
A promise made is a promise kept.
Princess Wenhua wiped away her tears and glared at him: "You said it yourself, and all the ancestors of the Yue Rong clan heard it!"
...
The residence of Marquis Wuping.
The lively spring banquet is finally drawing to a close.
Wu Jin'er, who was locked in her own courtyard, was throwing a tantrum when her half-sister, Wu Jingying, arrived.
Although Wu Jingying was born of the legitimate wife, she was not favored and had an ordinary appearance. In terms of looks, she could not compare to her half-sister Wu Jin'er, and in terms of personality, she was even less able to please their father than her half-sister.
What are you doing here?
Wu Jin'er glared at her, looking disgusted.
"I heard that Fourth Sister offended a distinguished guest in the garden today and has been confined to her quarters by Father. I've come to see you."
Wu Jin'er chuckled and looked at her coldly.
This face is so ordinary, no wonder no good family has come to propose marriage. What good is being born of the legitimate wife?
but---
Another face suddenly appeared in Wu Jin'er's mind: skin as smooth as cream, eyebrows and eyes clear and beautiful, a kind of dignified beauty.
That Qin Sheng!
Wu Jin'er did not regret making a scene in the garden today. After all, her father's anger was only temporary. It would be terrible if that woman really entered the mansion.
"You've come here to laugh at me?" Wu Jin'er raised her chin and glared at her half-sister. "Do you really think you're all set just because you have the title of legitimate daughter? Do you even know who the distinguished guests from the capital are? You—"
"Of course I know."
Wu Jingying looked at her calmly: "The current Regent, however, no matter how much your father dotes on you, as an illegitimate daughter, you will never become the Regent's Consort."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
