Chapter 19 Kiss
Before the slightly ajar window, Madam Gu, who had brought the hangover soup, silently retreated and hurried away from the east wing. She was somewhat surprised and somewhat pleased, and she had never seen any emotion other than indifference on her son's face before.
A warm tent is still good for one's health and gentleness.
Mrs. Gu suppressed her excitement, thinking that she might be able to hold her grandchildren next year on this day.
"What are you grinning about?" Her husband, Wei Zhongchun, suddenly asked.
"Shh!"
Mrs. Gu nervously hissed, signaling her husband, who had just returned, not to make any noise.
Wei Zhongchun limped closer to his wife and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
"It's alright, come on, let's go back inside."
She didn't want anyone to disturb her son and daughter-in-law's intimate moments.
The capital city.
In the dead of night, Emperor Shunren awoke from a nightmare. He stared blankly at the top of the bright yellow tent, where a five-clawed golden dragon coiled majestically.
Emperors are naturally suspicious, and their sleeping quarters are always kept lit, never dark. At this hour, the light shines on the exquisitely crafted golden dragon embroidery, making it seem as if a real dragon leaps out of the satin, stirring up clouds and rain.
Emperor Shunren sat up, disturbed by the nightmare. He took out the talisman from under his pillow and summoned the eunuch on night watch.
"Tomorrow, we will send a different sorcerer to the palace."
Clearly, the sleep-inducing spells backfired.
Emperor Shunren sighed to himself, “My son is too violent, wandering the world, unable to be reincarnated. I am ashamed.”
However, the child's birth date and time destined him to become a vengeful ghost. Empress Yide's premature birth altered the birth date of the infant who should have been born on an auspicious day.
The imperial physicians predicted that the days leading up to the Empress's delivery would be auspicious, and even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau predicted that auspicious omens would descend from the heavens. However, Empress Yide went into premature labor. On the morning of her delivery, the baby's loud cry reached the Emperor's ears like the lingering sound of a broken string.
After reviewing the birth date and time, the supervisor of the Imperial Observatory immediately collapsed to the ground.
The son is incapable of harming his father.
Emperor Shunren, who had always pursued the art of immortality, stormed off without even holding his eldest son. The following month, the imperial concubine gave birth to a son, and auspicious omens appeared in the sky. Rain nourished the earth, the drought receded, and a bountiful harvest was ushered in.
Emperor Shunren was overjoyed and bestowed upon Consort Dong the title of Imperial Noble Consort.
The eldest son was stubborn from a young age and was not a likable child compared to the obedient and docile second son, but he was still his own flesh and blood.
Blood is thicker than water, how can we bear to sever ties?
But the child still went with his mother, and on the way from the palace to the temporary palace, he detonated the carriage.
His uncle was the commander of the Shenji Battalion, in charge of the most elite firearms of the Great An Dynasty. Through secretly learning, he mastered the method of detonation.
How insightful! If only I had been born on an auspicious day.
Now, the eldest son, who has turned into a vengeful ghost with his malevolent energy, often appears in Emperor Shunren's dreams. What else could this be but a son bringing misfortune to his father?
Emperor Shunren leaned back and sighed again, a look of helplessness appearing on his well-maintained face.
"Go and send a message to the Crown Prince, instructing him to make sure that during his time in Yangzhou, he finds out whether the Cui family harbors any hostility towards the Eastern Palace."
Cui Shihan's attitude represents the attitude of the Cui family. Over the years, Grand Tutor Cui Shengzhi has not participated in the power struggles among the princes. He has remained silent and has lost his desire to seize power. But foxes are patient and will strike later. They are carnivores.
In order to appease Lady Cui and prevent her from arguing with Lady Dong, Emperor Shunren took full responsibility for the death of his first wife. He confided in Cui Shengzhi and promised to make up for Lady Cui's shortcomings. That's why he issued an edict to confer the title of Lady Cui as a county princess on the day her second daughter was born.
Cui Shengzhi is the head of the Cui family. Even if he weighs the pros and cons, he would not go against the royal family and ruin the entire family just to avenge his eldest daughter.
Over the years, Emperor Shunren bestowed official titles and ranks upon many members of the Cui family, but did not grant them real power, simply because he did not want to sow the seeds of future trouble for the Crown Prince. However, Cui Wei, the eldest son of the Cui family, was the commander of the Shenji Battalion. The border was kept peaceful, and the enemy suffered repeated defeats. Cui Wei deserves half the credit for this.
To this day, no one can replace him.
Therefore, the court could only allow the Cui and Dong families to coexist and prosper together.
Sixteen years have passed. People's hearts are unpredictable and driven by self-interest. The Cui family has no prince as leverage to compete with the Dong family, but that doesn't mean they will willingly submit to the Crown Prince. It's crucial to probe Cui Shihan's attitude. If the Cui family truly has no intention of stirring up trouble, he, as the emperor, can rest easy. If the Cui family has problems, he must eliminate this major threat to the Crown Prince while he is still strong and healthy.
But the Cui family, with its centuries-old history, cannot be easily eradicated. To move against the Cui family would inevitably cause turmoil in the court and among the people.
This is also the reason why he has made amends to the Cui family over the years to appease them, hoping that the Cui family does not have any intention of indirectly seizing the throne.
"Also, have the messenger send the Crown Prince's beloved dog to Yangzhou. It doesn't eat or drink all day and no one can take care of it."
**
The next morning, Jiang Yinyue, now sober, sat up with her legs dangling to her sides and groggily scratched her messy long hair.
No hangover headache, feeling refreshed, and even having changed my clothes.
Confirming that this was Wei Qin's room, she breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time felt a sense of bewilderment. Who could be so close to her...?
"The second young mistress has woken up."
A maid with an unfamiliar face came in carrying a copper basin and explained with a smile, "This servant was brought in by the Second Madam. From now on, I will be the Second Young Madam's personal servant in the Wei family. You can call me Dujuan."
Jiang Yinyue had already heard her mother-in-law mention hiring a maid, so she wasn't surprised. "Where is the second young master?"
"I'm off to my quarters. This servant will help the Second Young Mistress with her toilette."
"Did you arrive this morning, or last night?"
Du Juan replied with a smile, "It was before dawn today."
Jiang Yinyue nodded and didn't ask any more questions. After washing up and dressing, she went to find Miaodie.
Miao Die was only responsible for serving the frail Wei Ying. A few days ago, she was temporarily sent to serve Jiang Yinyue because there was a shortage of people at home.
When Jiang Yinyue subtly inquired about who had helped her change clothes the previous night, Miaodie couldn't help but chuckle, but immediately straightened her posture.
"It is this servant."
In most households, even among married couples, maids usually take care of their daily needs. Miaodie didn't think much of it and led Jiang Yinyue to Wei Ying's room.
Wei Ying was constantly taking medicine and rarely went out. Her complexion was sickly pale, but her eyes and brows lit up with joy whenever she saw Jiang Yinyue.
"My sister-in-law is here."
Jiang Yinyue felt a little sorry for the girl and planned to accompany Wei Ying for a walk and soak up some sunshine whenever she had free time.
After discussing it with Wei Ying, Jiang Yinyue led her out of the backyard and strolled in the morning light in the back alley.
Seeing a neighbor craning their neck to look outside, Wei Ying explained, "Our neighbors are all quite nosy, so just ignore them, sister-in-law."
"It's good that you think that way."
Wei Ying looked at Jiang Yinyue in surprise, vaguely feeling that her sister-in-law was different from others, but her thoughts were interrupted by the clatter of horses' hooves.
Cui Shihan rode up on horseback, and in an instant even the flowing wind seemed to come alive. "You're sober now."
"I woke up early." Jiang Yinyue smiled unconsciously. Perhaps it was because she had gotten along well with Cui Shihan the previous two times and had a tacit understanding that made her feel like an old friend in a foreign land.
"Mr. Gong is telling stories at the teahouse today. I've booked a viewing area. Would you like to join me?"
"That Mr. Gong from yesterday?"
"Exactly."
Jiang Yinyue looked at Wei Ying, who smiled and shook her head, politely declining her sister-in-law's silent invitation.
**
In the evening, a light drizzle fell. Cui Shihan drove Jiang Yinyue to the teahouse, where a waiter led them to the second-floor viewing area.
Because Mr. Gong was skilled at telling anecdotes about the love affairs of high-ranking officials and nobles, he attracted many female readers, including many women from wealthy families and unmarried girls.
The greenhouse was filled with all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Cui Shihan sat with her legs crossed, holding a silver plate, leisurely eating melon seeds. When Mr. Gong appeared in the lobby on the first floor, she joined in the cheers and commotion.
It has nothing to do with being reserved.
It earned it a lot of disapproving looks.
Jiang Yinyue, on the contrary, smiled, feeling delighted to have met such an unconventional woman.
Both of them grew up amidst public gossip; one was criticized for squandering her potential, while the other was secretly accused of being her sister's stand-in.
They should cherish each other.
Mr. Gong bowed to the audience, then struck the gavel and began to recount how Empress Yide was famous throughout the capital before she married.
Cui Shihan listened intently, ignoring the stares from the others, her eyes glistening with tears.
Jiang Yinyue had no memory of Empress Yide. She was only two years old when the empress committed suicide. She only learned from her elders that she was a gentle and dignified empress who was kind to everyone.
It was precisely this kind of personality that ultimately led to his unfortunate end.
The imperial harem is not suitable for overly kind people.
On the stands, Mr. Gong spoke with humor and wit, and some women in the audience were already sighing.
"With such a family background and appearance, why would she be so foolish as to enter the palace to compete for the emperor's favor?"
Cui Shihan's eyes were filled with a deep sadness. Why? It was because she mistakenly believed that emperors could be devoted to one another.
But deep affection is often short-lived.
Mr. Gong was still speaking passionately when suddenly, a series of neat and uniform footsteps rang out, like a thousand troops rushing through the teahouse door and blocking the doorman.
The onlookers turned around in bewilderment, their confusion and panic causing them to retreat to both sides.
The lead constable strode aggressively toward the stands, shouting, "The government is arresting people; all bystanders, please leave!"
The teahouse owner hurriedly went to greet him, bowing as he went, "Sir, please calm down. Let's talk this out. What is the meaning of this...?"
"Speak properly? You're in trouble now! I'll settle the score with you later!"
The head constable pushed aside the bewildered owner, strode onto the platform, grabbed Mr. Gong by the collar, and dragged him out without a word.
Mr. Gong was old and staggered to the ground, still tightly gripping the gavel in one hand.
Who are you?
"Your eyesight is failing you? You don't recognize the people in the yamen?" The yamen runner stepped on the old man's hand holding the gavel, to prevent him from retaliating with his "weapon."
The teahouse, which was packed with spectators, fell into a deep silence, and no one dared to stop them, until a hoarse female voice came from the second-floor viewing area.
There always needs to be a reason for taking someone's money.
The constable looked up and recognized the girl at a glance. His solemn expression instantly turned respectful. "The county princess is here too! I am here on the orders of the prefect to arrest her. Is this reason sufficient?"
Cui Shihan looked down at the group of yamen runners, no longer relaxed and casual, and said, "I would like to trouble Prefect Lin to explain something."
"Princess, please don't make things difficult for me."
"Then release them!"
Cui Shihan was too lazy to waste words. She grabbed the railing of the covered walkway with one hand, jumped down, and at the same time drew her riding whip from her waist, lashing it straight at the face of the leading yamen runner.
The constables instinctively stepped back, releasing their grip on Mr. Gong.
Cui Shihan landed steadily, grabbed Mr. Gong, and while the constables hesitated, swept her whip across the ground.
The rain outside the teahouse was getting heavier. A dilapidated horse-drawn carriage sped along the sparsely populated street. The young girl driving the carriage had a serious face and piercing eyes.
"drive!"
Jiang Yinyue sat beside the girl, letting the rain soak through her light blue dress. She glanced back at the constables who had been shaken off, then looked into the carriage with its straw curtain half-rolled up.
"Mr. Gong, do you know why they arrested you?"
The old man sat in his carriage, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, "He probably knows."
"Is it related to...Empress Yide?"
Seeing the old man and the young girl fall silent, Jiang Yinyue had her answer. Mr. Gong's recounting of Empress Yide's life story would lead some unscrupulous people to associate it with Empress Dong. The two empresses were once close friends, but later fell out, and rumors circulated that Empress Dong was behind Empress Yide's tragedy.
Why would Mr. Gong risk recounting the biography of Empress Yide?
Is it just for publicity?
Just as the old man was about to explain, his body suddenly lurched forward as the carriage came to a sudden stop, nearly flying out of the carriage.
Cui Shihan grabbed the galloping horse with one hand and held Jiang Yinyue's shoulder with the other, coldly glancing at the rosewood carriage approaching from the front of the long street.
The magnificent carriage, drawn by two horses, rapidly approached on the cobblestone road, which was coated with a thin film of drizzle. It showed no sign of slowing down, forcing the three of them to reverse.
Two Akhal-Teke horses exerted pressure, looking down on the retreating old horse.
Passersby quickly made way, hiding in neighboring shops or alleyways, peeking out cautiously.
Sitting in the rosewood carriage, Prefect Lin nodded to the man opposite him and stepped out of the carriage first. "Gong Fei, you use fabricated anecdotes about Empress Yide to gain attention and seek personal gain. Do you know you're wrong?"
As a historian after all, Mr. Gong was not intimidated by the prefect's aura and said loudly, "Although I may know some unofficial histories of the powerful and wealthy, there is not a single falsehood in the biography of Empress Yide. All of them are good deeds of the Empress during her lifetime, and I have a clear conscience!"
"To slander the current Empress, can you truly say you have a clear conscience?"
"I have never slandered Her Majesty the Empress!"
Prefect Lin angrily pointed at the old man, "Lies!"
Cui Shihan did not stand up, but said coldly, "I was present at all of Mr. Gong's lectures about my elder sister, and I can vouch for that. She has never slandered Her Majesty the Empress. If Prefect Lin insists on arresting people, arrest me as well."
"I understand the county magistrate's feelings, but one thing is one thing."
Following the two-horse carriage, another group of yamen runners arrived one after another, while the runners who had been chasing after the dilapidated carriage also arrived, panting heavily.
The three were attacked from both sides.
Just as Prefect Lin was about to order the arrest of Gong Fei, a clear and melodious voice suddenly came from inside the rosewood carriage.
"Make them step back."
Prefect Lin dared not disobey, but before he could give the order, the yamen runners who heard the Crown Prince's decree immediately retreated.
Wei Xichen sat quietly in the carriage, holding a piece of mutton-fat white jade in his hand, which was a gift from Grand Tutor Cui to him on his coming-of-age ceremony.
That day, the old man chuckled hoarsely and sighed, "A gentleman is like jade. May Your Highness be as gentle and kind as jade, benevolent and just."
No matter how much injustice Cui suffered, she could not be an enemy of the royal family. The gift of jade from Grand Tutor Cui was a gesture of goodwill, but it also implied that Cui's rough edges had been smoothed out.
Wei Xichen always wore this jade stone at his waist.
Gong Fei recounts the biography of Empress Yide. As long as it doesn't cause any harm, he won't interfere, but the premise is that it cannot damage his mother's reputation.
Originally, he asked Prefect Lin Yu to investigate the matter to confirm whether Gong Fei had engaged in any behavior of flattering the powerful and belittling the weak to gain attention. However, Lin Yu either did not understand his meaning or was eager to make a name for himself, so he mobilized a large force to arrest him.
Gong Fei's deep voice came from outside the carriage: "Now that Your Highness is here, retired historian Gong Fei has something to say! Empress Yide was kind to me. Back then, when I compiled historical facts about the late emperor's extravagant selection of concubines, I angered His Majesty and almost lost my head. It was Empress Yide who spoke up for me and saved my life. My praise for Empress Yide's good deeds is out of gratitude, and I have absolutely no intention of slandering anyone. I hope Your Highness will understand!"
The late emperor's extravagant selection of concubines was not a secret. Wei Xichen had heard of this case involving historians. He lifted the glass beaded curtain and looked at Gong Fei kneeling under the carriage.
The past between Empress Yide and her mother was circulated in all sorts of ways. Making an example of her would silence the gossip and solve the problem once and for all.
Killing Gong Fei would be as easy as crushing an ant, but...
His gaze unconsciously drifted to Jiang Yinyue, who was standing next to Gong Fei.
The phrase "acting impulsively" is deeply etched into the old wounds in his heart.
And the phrase "May Your Highness be as gentle and kind as jade, benevolent and just" also echoed in my ears.
"Guards, escort Mr. Gong out of the city and let him live in seclusion." He looked at Gong Fei, who was pressing his forehead to the ground, and said, "In the future, you must not profit from anecdotes and unofficial histories of nobles, as it will cause trouble for others."
Prefect Lin was taken aback. Was this how it ended? Even if Gong Fei hadn't slandered Empress Dong, he had still dragged the Empress into trouble, damaging the royal family's reputation.
Besides, how can a subject constantly talk about the private affairs of the imperial concubines!
They are punishable.
This is also why he dared to mobilize such a large force to arrest people in order to gain merit. His Highness the Crown Prince only offered a minor punishment as a warning?
The accompanying guards stepped forward and helped Gong Fei up, brushing past Cui Shihan, whose jaw was clenched.
The girl clenched her fist and asked with a sneer, "Then, Your Highness, would you be so kind as to allow Mr. Gong to tell me about my elder sister's life story all by himself?"
"That's just everyday stuff, no need for me to make an exception."
Wei Xichen lowered the beaded curtain and, through the shimmering gaps in the glass, gazed in one direction.
In the partially obscured view, the woman turned her back.
He slowly withdrew his gaze, his heart aching more and more, yet he continued to caress the white jade in his hand, absorbing its luster.
Although Fu Zhongcai, who was waiting to the side, did not say anything, he ultimately felt that His Highness was too kind-hearted. Making an example of one to warn a hundred was a rare opportunity to stop people from criticizing the Empress.
Jiang Yinyue watched as Gong Fei was taken away by three guards, presumably to take the old man home to pack his valuables and leave Yangzhou that very night.
Gong Fei was old and his legs were not very strong. He limped onto the dilapidated carriage, as if he were imprisoned in an invisible golden cage.
He bowed silently to bid farewell to Cui Shihan.
Perhaps the story of Empress Yide can only end here.
The sound of wheels rolling came from behind. Cui Shihan grabbed Jiang Yinyue and left without looking back.
The girl was still young and had not yet developed the ability to remain calm in the face of honor and disgrace; in her impulsiveness, she acted somewhat rudely.
As she mounted her horse, she looked up and felt the coolness of the rain.
An indescribable sense of frustration.
Suddenly, a pair of small hands wrapped around her waist, like a best friend snuggling behind her, and a soft voice said with understanding: "When I'm in a bad mood, I hold my breath underwater until I feel suffocated, and then all my worries are left behind."
Cui Shihan leaned back against Jiang Yinyue's chest, her petite body no longer tense. She closed her eyes and smiled, as if murmuring or sighing, "It's very uncomfortable to have water in your nose."
"It should float to the surface before entering the water."
Cui Shihan pouted, "Childish."
"Want to give it a try?"
"No way."
Half an hour later, the two girls were soaking in the bathing pool of the county magistrate's mansion.
Jiang Yinyue originally wanted to find a bathhouse to soak in the hot springs, but Cui Shihan said that there was a hot spring pool made of warm jade in the mansion.
Several maids served by the pool, bringing tea and water, peeling and cutting fruit, while a musician played a soothing zither.
Jiang Yinyue hadn't enjoyed this much in a long time.
She took the cool handkerchief handed to her by the maid and draped it over her forehead. Leaning lazily against the warm jade wall, she couldn't resist teasingly asking, "Want to try it?"
Cui Shihan looked disgusted, but still waved her hand to dismiss the maids. Then she plunged into the hot spring and held her breath for a long time without surfacing.
Jiang Yinyue didn't rush to "rescue" him. She picked a fresh fruit and put it in her mouth. With a splash of water, she narrowed her dark almond eyes.
Water droplets streamed down her face from her pointed chin. Cui Shihan wiped her face, then plunged back into the water, repeating this process until she finally lay on the edge of the pool, her chest heaving.
My mood seems to have improved.
“I have been a substitute for my sister since I was a child. The title of county princess was only conferred by the emperor because he felt guilty towards my sister. Outsiders always mock me, saying that I am a puppet created by my parents to summon my sister’s soul, and that I will take over my sister’s responsibility and enter the palace to continue Cui’s favor.”
Jiang Yinyue did not respond, but listened silently to the girl's thoughts.
Cui Shihan covered her face with one hand, hiding the disappointment in her eyes. "But I still like my sister very much. I like to hear about her past from other people. It's a contradiction."
"You are not a substitute."
"What?"
"The Grand Tutor sent you to Yangzhou to block out gossip and prevent you from losing yourself amidst all the chatter."
Comforted by a young woman, Cui Shihan, who considered herself mature, snorted and plunged back into the water to hold her breath. She would never have revealed her vulnerable side if she hadn't found common ground with this woman.
Jiang Yinyue didn't stop him, immersing herself in the misty atmosphere, thinking of her father. She was the good-for-nothing little darling he spoke of, but every step he took was with her in mind.
No father is insignificant unless... you hate him.
These were the words she had spoken to Wei Qin, but clearly, Cui Shihan did not hate her father.
At this moment, a maid entered the bathhouse and told Cui Shihan that a table of guests at the Huaiyang cuisine restaurant had canceled their appointment at the last minute.
Cui Shihan emerged from the water, and coincidentally, she was in a bad mood; this was no coincidence.
A moment later, Cui Shihan rode a horse, carrying Jiang Yinyue to the restaurant.
Neither of them were reclusive women who rarely left their homes, nor did they care much about what others said. Even without servants, the two remained composed and at ease.
A winding path leads through a small bamboo grove covered in green moss, where swallows peck at the mud and flit about. Amidst the vibrant spring scenery, wisps of smoke from cooking fires entice guests to linger.
Jiang Yinyue and Cui Shihan sat deep in the bamboo forest, listening to the babbling brook, enjoying authentic Huaiyang cuisine, chatting and laughing until the lanterns were lit.
Before leaving, Jiang Yinyue wanted to pack up a few of her favorite dishes.
Cui Shihan joked, "Are you taking it back to give to your in-laws?"
"Talking about filial piety is too serious. It's just that I think the food is delicious and I want to share it with my family."
Family... Cui Shihan didn't rush to leave. She leaned back in the bamboo chair with great interest, more casual than the other diners. "Do you know Lord Wei's tastes?"
Jiang Yinyue felt embarrassed by the teasing, but she didn't want to lose her composure. The girl in front of her exuded a carefree and unrestrained air, which could easily put others at a disadvantage.
Jiang Yinyue, however, disliked being passive.
“I know my husband’s tastes, but I cannot disclose them.”
She didn't know Wei Qin's taste preferences, but her far-fetched reason, given in a nonchalant tone, didn't give her away.
Cui Shihan couldn't help but smile and waved her hand, "Don't misunderstand, I have no intention of finding out Lord Wei's preferences."
Jiang Yinyue shrugged. "Does the county princess know my husband?"
Cui Shihan slowly finished the last sip of wine, rested her hand on her crossed knees, and twirled the empty cup. "Before Lord Wei went to the capital for the imperial examination, he was the most sought-after son-in-law in all of Yangzhou. He was well-read and had an elegant demeanor, and his aloofness was very appealing to young ladies. You may not know, but when he won the top prize, the Wei family's doorstep was practically worn down by matchmakers from all over the place."
The waiter, who came to refill their tea, overheard them discussing Wei Qin and chimed in with a smile, "There's a saying still circulating in Yangzhou: 'Meeting Wei Lang once and you're doomed for life.' Even the prefect's daughter hasn't married yet."
Wei Qin is so sought after! No wonder her father said he went to great lengths to secure a good marriage for her.
Jiang Yinyue took a sip of tea, suppressing her worries. She had agreed to the marriage out of spite without asking around, and she wondered if her father had interfered with their relationship by breaking up Wei Qin and his sweetheart when he was coercing and enticing them.
It was already past 7:45 PM when Cui Shihan escorted her back to the back alley of the house. Before she even entered the house, Jiang Yinyue heard Madam Zhang scolding her son, Wei Xin.
Aunt Ji from next door opened the door and splashed water. She glanced at the unfamiliar yet strikingly familiar Wei family daughter-in-law and made no attempt to hide her scrutiny.
Jiang Yinyue greeted her and received a knowing smile from Aunt Ji.
What kind of daughter-in-law would be out socializing with people after sunset? Is this the daughter of a wealthy family?
When Jiang Yinyue knocked on the door, Aunt Ji, who had hesitated several times before saying something, couldn't help but say, "Wait a minute."
She adopted the demeanor of an elder, her tone quite serious: "Don't blame me for being nosy, but if it weren't for our old neighbor relationship, no one would want to cause trouble for themselves or others. If you consider yourself the mistress of the house and the Wei family boy your son-in-law, then I have nothing to say. But if you consider yourself a member of the Wei family, then you should abide by the rules of a woman, stay at home, be strict with yourself, and not cause trouble for the family. So many eyes are on the Wei family."
Since the news of Wei Qin's success in the imperial examination reached Yangzhou, the attitude of the neighbors towards the Wei family changed from mockery to envy.
Jiang Yinyue stopped in her tracks and straightened her posture. “I have loved reading since I was a child. My father built a library for me, which contains thousands of books, but there is not a single book like ‘Admonitions for Women’. I do not believe that women should be confined to the backyard, nor do I believe that only men can bring glory to the family. If you feel this is inappropriate, you are welcome to read some books other than ‘Admonitions for Women’.”
"you......"
"It's late, I'll take my leave now."
Her tone was calm and not aggressive, but her words were unpleasant to hear, making Aunt Ji's chest heave with anger.
Just then, Madam Zhang opened the door and overheard their conversation. The usually shrewish woman put one hand on her hip, raised her ruler towards Aunt Ji, and said, "My niece-in-law, does she need you to tell her what to do?"
Having lived as neighbors for many years, Aunt Ji had witnessed Zhang's unreasonable behavior. She muttered "shrew" under her breath and slammed the courtyard gate shut.
Madam Zhang stepped forward and shouted through the courtyard gate, "Even a shrew is better than a gossip! It's none of your business, you outsiders! Whether you like to show your face in public or not is your own business, there's no need to keep an eye on others!"
Madam Zhang scoffed and turned to look at Jiang Yinyue. Just as she was about to offer some words of comfort, she saw the woman gazing intently at her.
"Is there something on my face?" Zhang touched her cheek and realized that she might have been too fierce and frightened her niece-in-law.
I feel really embarrassed.
She coughed and stepped forward. "Don't pay attention to those gossips. They can't stand to see our family doing well. Ah-Qin is successful and even married a beautiful wife. They're jealous."
Jiang Yinyue never dislikes straightforward people; on the contrary, she finds it more comfortable to be around them.
Back at Hanlan Garden, Jiang Yinyue handed the packed food to the cook, Aunt Cheng, and chatted with her mother-in-law as usual, without mentioning the unpleasantness with the neighbors. When she returned to the east wing, Miaodie had already prepared a bath.
"I'll stand guard outside the door. If you need anything, young mistress, just call me."
The little girl smiled and closed the door, standing obediently outside. After a while, she saw a figure accompanied by the moon approaching from not far away.
"Second Young Master."
The smell of alcohol from the social gathering was mostly dissipated by the night wind. Wei Qin glanced at the lit east wing and understood what was going on. He went to sit with his mother for a while, and when he guessed that his wife had finished washing up, he knocked on the door.
"Crunch."
The door was pulled open from the inside, and a fragrance of pears wafted out, hitting Wei Qin's nose directly.
"I'm back."
"Yes, I couldn't refuse a social engagement today, so I got back a little late."
As a second-rank official, Jiang Yinyue's father often couldn't refuse social engagements, let alone Wei Qin, who was new to the area. Jiang Yinyue nodded and instructed Miaodie to prepare a hangover soup.
She leaned in and sniffed the smell of alcohol on Wei Qin, then pulled him into the house. "Would you like to take a shower first? I'll have Aunt Cheng change..."
“No need for that.” Wei Qin stirred the bathwater Jiang Yinyue had used. “I don’t like hot water.”
That can't be... Noticing that Wei Qin was slightly unsteady on his feet, Jiang Yinyue stepped forward to support him. Without even asking, she knew that some people from the Salt Transport Bureau were intentionally getting Wei Qin drunk in order to extract information from him.
He was acting as an imperial envoy, but without the official status of one. One can imagine how difficult his situation must have been.
If he had a kindred spirit who knew and understood him by his side...
Yangzhou, with its gentle and enchanting scenery shrouded in mist and rain, is not lacking in beautiful women with intelligent minds and gentle hearts. Recalling Cui Shihan's words today, Jiang Yinyue turned her back to the screen, lost in thought.
The sound of water came from behind, especially clear in the not-so-spacious room.
The absent-minded woman took out her personal scented powder and casually made a scented seal, which was meant to soothe her lungs and calm her mind.
"Miss."
"ah?"
"Could you get me my nightgown?"
From behind the screen came Wei Qin's deep voice, tinged with alcohol. It was clear that he was somewhat drunk, which was why he hadn't even prepared a change of clothes.
Jiang Yinyue walked to the cabinet, picked through the neatly stacked nightgowns for a while, took out a set she liked, then went around to the screen and stopped three steps away from the bathtub.
She coughed softly, as if knocking on a door, and walked to the bathtub, handing over the clothes with a wandering gaze.
The steam wasn't hot, yet it made her feel uneasy.
A large, wet hand reached out, a blue vein extending from the base of the palm towards the forearm, its wildness bulging and meandering due to the stimulation of the bathwater.
Jiang Yinyue's gaze moved upwards along the smooth yet powerful lines of the arm, past Wei Qin's robust chest, and landed on his face, which showed signs of slight intoxication.
Although it was a reused bath, wisps of steam still surrounded the man, adding to his elegant appearance.
No wonder they say Wei Bangyan is good at looking at women.
Jiang Yinyue didn't consider herself a woman who judged people by their appearance. She turned her face away and draped her nightgown over the edge of the tub. "Call me if you need anything."
"Miss."
Wei Qin pulled her close, his wet fingertips soaking through Jiang Yinyue's sleeve. He looked up, her jade-like face flushed and intoxicated by the steam. Holding Jiang Yinyue's sleeve, he looked at her through the steam, her skin appearing most translucent.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Yinyue asked.
"Stay with me."
Jiang Yinyue's neck was almost burning red. It was the first time she had seen Wei Qin drunk. He was somewhat shameless, but when she saw his droopy eyes, she also saw an indescribable gentleness.
That's unusual.
Jiang Yinyue knew that she couldn't reason with a drunk person, so she didn't forcefully pull her sleeve back, letting the man hold onto the cuff.
"What do you want me to do with you?"
"Let's talk."
"You're not very talkative."
Wei Qin pressed his throbbing forehead with his other hand. In order to figure out which people in the Salt Transport Office were up to no good, he did not refuse the cups of wine offered to him one after another. He knew that those who wanted to get information out of him were naturally more eager and eager than the innocent ones.
But alcohol ultimately led to a situation where it hurt both sides more than the enemy, and after making everyone vomit, he was inevitably slightly tipsy.
"Except for Miss."
Jiang Yinyue smiled and said, "You enjoy talking to me?"
"Um."
"Is this wine laced with honey?" Jiang Yinyue raised an eyebrow, a hint of shrewdness in her eyes, and perked up. She wanted to return the favor, hoping Wei Qin would cheer up and stop being so sullen all the time.
Although you can't reason with a drunk person, she still adopted a proper attitude and earnestly tried to negotiate.
“Wei Qin, I am not a very understanding partner.” She did not consider herself his wife, knowing that they had each gotten what they wanted in the first place. “If you had someone you liked in Yangzhou back then, and she was still unmarried, and you were still interested, I could have granted your wish.”
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
A drop of water slipped from Wei Qin's elbow and landed with a "plop" on the surface of the rippled bathwater, the sound clearly audible.
Jiang Yinyue felt inexplicably nervous, staring intently at Wei Qin's wet face, vaguely sensing his emotional fluctuations.
The man, usually quiet and reserved, said nothing, yet his silence carried an air of coldness that was more pronounced than usual.
"Does Miss want a divorce?" he suddenly asked, his tone much more serious than usual.
"I feel you've suffered too much."
"So I have to suffer even more."
Jiang Yinyue frowned, her good intentions misunderstood, and reflected on whether her approach had been too abrupt and lacked gradual guidance.
"I hope you can find someone who understands and loves you back to be your companion. Our relationship is fundamentally based on mutual benefit... um..."
When a timid, delicate moan escaped her lips, Jiang Yinyue's eyelashes trembled slightly. She forgot to breathe and held her breath as Wei Qin lifted her face.
The man's palms rested on her chin, his wet fingers pressed against her cheeks, holding her tightly.
A kiss that came out of nowhere, nestled in the steam.
Jiang Yinyue was forced to lean forward, with most of her body lying across the bathtub. All she could see were a few drops of water on Wei Qin's fair skin.
She frantically tried to get up by bracing herself against the edge of the tub, but then felt a sharp pain on her lips.
"Mmm..."
The tension turned into shock and shame. She gripped the edge of the bucket tightly and tried to back away, but Wei Qin seemed to be drunk and confused. Not only did he not let go of her, he also pinched her earlobe with two fingers and rubbed it hard.
"Wei... um..."
The young woman, her face flushed red from ear to collarbone, was about to lose her temper, grumbling and venting her dissatisfaction, but she was no match for his strength.
When Wei Qin's body temperature, which was below normal, touched her lips, it was cool and slightly chilly, carrying the aroma of wine, which Jiang Yinyue could hardly resist yet could not help but clearly feel.
Wei Qin merely kissed her, his kiss hovering over her lips. He clearly had the strength to pry open her tightly closed lips and conquer her, but he did not take any further action.
As he created a slight distance, his deep eyes, tinged with the smell of alcohol, dimmed slightly.
"That's my answer."
Jiang Yinyue took a breath when she had a chance to breathe. Her lips were red and swollen, as if a layer of wine had been ignited by fire and spread across her light lip lines.
Her lips were unusually red.
What answer?
She asked indignantly, only realizing it belatedly.
Wei Qin did not want a divorce.
"If you don't have someone you like, you can just say so. There's no need for this..."
She straightened up, wiped her lips hard, and her watery almond-shaped eyes were filled with resentment and grievance.
I have someone I like.
Wei Qin spoke calmly and slowly, but with a veil of hoarseness.
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Author's Note: This is a really long chapter! Our little Wei has started his offensive! [cheering] The next chapter will be at midnight on Sunday. Updates have been quite late before the deadline, but I'll adjust the update time later so you guys don't have to wait too long. [kissing emoji]
A bunch of small red envelopes are dropping! [heart emoji]
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