Chapter 30 Yin Yue Protects Her Husband, Crown Prince Shows Light Anger
The cool sensation on the back of her neck vanished in a flash, sending chills down Jiang Yinyue's spine. She dared not stand up to confront the person behind her.
Her right hand was still held in that person's palm, wandering across the plain paper, almost slipping out of her control.
This was also the first time she had written a piece so fluently and beautifully, without even having to think.
"Wei Qin".
"Um."
"It's so hot..."
Wei Qin wrote the last character "了" with a sharp, pointed stroke, then released her hand and stepped back. The ease and control he displayed in his movements were something Jiang Yinyue could never learn.
“My father-in-law loves Green Willow Spring tea, so I’ll ask the messenger to bring him a few jars.”
Jiang Yinyue lay on the table, absentmindedly staring at the flowing handwriting on the letter from home. It was different from her own delicate regular script. Her father was about to brag to everyone about his good son-in-law again.
I remember when we first got engaged, she was always frowning and had a sour face, while her father was beaming with joy and praised himself for his good taste.
Competing with numerous powerful figures, he ultimately won the prize, a sense of accomplishment no less than becoming the crown prince's father-in-law.
His face was practically splitting open with a grin.
At that time, she did not understand why her father was so happy. She thought he was putting on a brave face in front of others and refused to admit that he had lost face because of her. Now it seems that her father really took a liking to her at first sight and was sure that his judgment was correct.
What made the father so certain?
“Wei Qin, before you even left the examination hall for the imperial examination, Minister Tao, who was in charge of the inner curtain, praised you highly. Afterwards, he even tried to take the initiative and arrange for his seventh daughter to be your match. Why did you refuse?”
Tao Qi was a renowned talented woman in the capital, possessing both beauty and talent.
Wei Qin took three jars of green willow tea picked in early spring from the shelf, put them into a paper package along with the letter, and ignored Miss Jiang, who seemed to be bringing up old grievances.
After seeing the messenger off, he returned and saw that a certain young lady was still sitting at the table. Only then did he reply, "I don't feel a connection with her."
"So, you met Miss Tao Qi before the formal matchmaking was arranged?"
We met once before the imperial examination.
That old fox, Minister Tao, is even more astute than her own father. No wonder everyone says he's the most likely successor to the position of Grand Secretary. Jiang Yinyue couldn't help but think of her father's saying, "Even if marriage doesn't work out, there are still benefits." Even after failing to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Tao Qian still recommended Wei Qin to be the transport commissioner, investigating the salt affairs of Yangzhou, all to gain a favor and thus win Wei Qin over to serve the Third Prince.
Tao Qian observed for three years and realized that the Crown Prince would not give Wei Qin an important position, and Wei Qin was the son-in-law of the Jiang family, who were fully supporting the Crown Prince...
Was the contradiction a gamble set up by Tao Qian?
To sow discord.
The Third Prince, Wei Yangwan, was personally trained by Tao Qian. He was eager to find talented people and had accumulated many scholars from poor backgrounds under his command. His power gradually grew, especially in recent years with the secret assistance of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, which made him even more powerful and the biggest rival of the Crown Prince.
I wonder what His Majesty thinks.
The political situation in the court will continue to change until the very last moment, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Jiang Yinyue rested her chin on her hand in thought until a large hand lifted her cheeks.
Their eyes met.
Jiang Yinyue leaned closer to Wei Qin and whispered, "If the Crown Prince doesn't intend to give you an important position, would you switch your allegiance to the Third Prince?"
"do you mind?"
"Father will mind."
Wei Qin stared at the candlestick on the table, with intermittent flickering flames in his dark eyes.
Who could have guessed three years ago that the Crown Prince, who was always respectful and courteous to scholars, would overlook the son-in-law of the Jiang family? Even if the son-in-law were someone else, he might not have been given important positions either. So, as the saying goes, no jade is perfect, and the Crown Prince ultimately acted impulsively in matters of the heart.
Even the shrewd and calculating Jiang Song did not expect that the Crown Prince would ignore his son-in-law.
The top three scholars, Zhuangyuan and Tanhua, who were also among the top three scholars, were both promoted by the Crown Prince. Zhuangyuan rose rapidly to become the youngest Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, while Wei Qin, the most outstanding second-place scholar in the Hanlin Academy, did not receive the Crown Prince's approval.
The Minister of Personnel, who was in charge of transferring officials, was a confidant of the Crown Prince and similarly overlooked Wei Qin's performance.
Jiang Yinyue suddenly felt indebted to Wei Qin. If it weren't for her... But was the Crown Prince really rejecting Jiang's son-in-law because of her? Or did she think too highly of herself?
Jiang Yinyue leaned on the table, close to Wei Qin, and said sincerely, "Do as you please, even if it goes against the Jiang family's choice."
The identity of a son-in-law should not become a shackle on Wei Qin's career; that would be unfair to him.
**
At the same time that Jiang Yinyue received her father's letter, Crown Prince Wei Xichen also received a letter from the capital.
Letters from my maternal grandfather.
In his letter, Grand Tutor Dong mentioned his condition. The old man, who was used to reporting good news but not bad, sighed repeatedly. He was old and frail and his strength was failing. He hoped that the Crown Prince could appoint a principal wife as soon as possible and take in more concubines in order to strengthen his power in the court through marriage.
"The youngest daughter of the Minister of Personnel is intelligent and virtuous, and is highly favored by the Emperor and Empress. She is the first choice to be the Crown Princess. The granddaughter of Imperial Censor Zhang has also come of age and is waiting to be married. She is the second choice. In addition, Your Highness should also pay attention to the selection of Liangyuan, Chenghui, Zhaoxun, and Fengyi."
Wei Xichen skipped over this part and continued reading his maternal grandfather's letters. Apart from the matter of the talent show that his grandfather had instructed him to attend, he had given deep thought to all the other important matters.
After putting the letter away, he leaned back in his armchair and rubbed his forehead, then subconsciously looked at Qi Bao, who was lying in her nest.
As if sensing something, Qi Bao came closer, raised her two front paws and lay on his lap, looking aggrieved.
"Missing her again?" Wei Xichen stroked Qi Bao's head, his eyes filled with a hint of melancholy.
In the following days, the Crown Prince went to the Salt Transport Office every day to personally investigate Yan Hongchang's case, with Wei Qin temporarily serving as his adjutant and accompanying the Crown Prince.
Other relevant officials are on standby.
The emperor and his ministers worked day and night, burning the midnight oil. Wei Qin even stayed at the government office and did not go home for several days.
Around the time of Grain in Ear, the air was filled with the heat of summer. The Crown Prince, who had been busy for a long time, planned to reward everyone. In addition to generous gifts, he also borrowed one of the old Consort Xu's estates to hold a banquet with flowing wine cups on a winding stream.
In addition to the officials and yamen runners who investigated the salt administration, the commanders of the thousand and hundred households who had made meritorious contributions, as well as many soldiers, were also invited.
On a fine, sunny day, the civil officials sat around the stream, exchanging literary ideas, while the military officers played games like pitch-pot, wrestling, and swordsmanship not far away.
When the Crown Prince hosts a banquet, who would dare not attend?
Wei Xichen sat in the second-floor pavilion, looking down at the various parts of the manor, his gaze falling on Wei Qin, who was always alone.
After a chuckle, he led his men to Wei Qin.
The snow-white clothes obscured the summer sun from Wei Qin's view.
Why is Wei Qing alone?
Wei Qin stood up. "This humble subject is prone to awkward silences."
Does it mean rigid and dull? Given Jiang Yinyue's personality, how does she interact with him in private?
A perceptive general jogged over, panting heavily and drenched in sweat, and said, "I've heard that Judge Wei is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and possesses an exquisite swordsmanship. Would I have the honor of learning from Judge Wei?"
Wei Qin replied calmly, "I don't know anything about sword dancing."
"......"
Wei Xichen pursed his lips. This personality was indeed prone to causing awkward silences. He strode towards an open space under the blazing sun. "I wish to ask Minister Wei for guidance on swordsmanship. Would you do me the honor?"
Fu Zhongcai immediately sent someone to retrieve the Crown Prince's sword.
The civil and military officials no longer sparred individually, but flocked to this open space to observe the Crown Prince's swordsmanship.
Fu Zhongcai turned around and winked at Wei Qin, who was standing under the shade of a tree, signaling him to hurry up and catch up.
The guards brought the prince's sword and presented it with both hands.
Wei Xichen drew his sword from its sheath, casually twisting his wrist to flip the blade with ease. In the blink of an eye, he lowered his shoulder and elbow, pointing the sword at his "enemy" opposite him.
"Wei Qing, please choose a sword."
The generals immediately raised their swords, allowing Wei Qin to choose one.
Wei Qin drew the longest sword closest to him, took a step back, turned his toes, and focused his energy in his dantian. "Your Highness, please."
"I'm sorry."
Wei Xichen started moving, quickly approaching Wei Qin. His snow-white robe flashed past everyone's eyes like a startled swan, moving with lightning speed.
In that instant of pause, the blades met.
Wei Qin was hit and staggered backward until his right heel touched the ground, blocking the sword strike.
Wei Xichen pressed his advantage, trying his best to suppress the sword in Wei Qin's hand and forcing Wei Qin to lean back.
The onlookers were surprised that the Crown Prince would take it so seriously, and they couldn't help but become interested. Who would like a charade? Intense conflict is much more entertaining.
The two clashed swords and clashed, their strength clashing. Wei Qin, who had initially been nonchalant, had to concentrate and forcefully swung his sword to deflect the advantage that Wei Xichen had gained.
Wei Xichen gripped his sword and retreated, dust billowing from his feet. He picked up a pebble and struck Wei Qin in the face, then leaped into the air, his sword flashing smoothly in mid-air.
Wei Qin blocked the flying stone with the blade of his sword, quickly turned around, dodged the sword that came flying through the air, and flashed behind Wei Xichen the moment his feet landed, striking him with his elbow.
Wei Xichen flipped the sword tip and stabbed it under his armpit, attacking the person behind him.
Wei Qin stepped back, swung his sword, and cut through the summer heat and wind, the sword energy brushing past Wei Xichen's back.
Wei Xichen turned his head, only to be counterattacked by Wei Qin.
Wei Qin's swordsmanship combines strength and gentleness, alternating between feints and real attacks, and is unpredictable.
After receiving several moves, Wei Xichen once again unleashed a flurry of swordplay, creating overlapping shadows and an unstoppable momentum. Sunlight reflected off the blade and spine, casting beams of light that pierced Wei Qin's eyes.
The sun was blinding, and Wei Qin turned his head to avoid the light. In a flash of white light, he sensed the opponent rapidly approaching. While not exactly fierce, the opponent was as nimble as a dragon.
The crowd gasped in surprise.
As the sword light disappeared, Wei Xichen severed the longsword in Wei Qin's hand.
But the attack did not stop there; the blade sliced through Wei Qin's neck.
Wei Qin held the broken sword to the side, and warm blood beads flowed from the side of his neck.
Wei Xichen had gained the upper hand, but everyone gasped again that the one who had the upper hand was unable to move.
This was because Wei Qin caught the severed sword tip with his bare hands and pressed it against Wei Xichen's heart.
Fu Zhongcai was so frightened that he covered his face with his hands, shouting, "Stop!"
Has this person eaten the gall of a bear and the gall of a leopard?
Wei Qin stepped back, folded the broken sword in his hand, clasped his hands and said, "Your humble servant has lost."
A trace of blood remained on the broken sword tip.
"You flatter me." Wei Xichen sheathed his sword, ignoring the cheers and compliments around him, even as his blade approached Wei Qin's neck and Wei Qin's sword tip pointed at his heart.
There was no winner or loser in this match.
However... his sword was a precious sword that could cut through iron like mud, which was incomparable to ordinary longswords.
In all respects, Wei Qin was at a disadvantage.
As dusk fell, everyone returned to their homes by carriage. Wei Qin did not stay overnight at the government office and returned to his residence.
The young couple, who hadn't seen each other for many days, gazed at each other in the courtyard.
Jiang Yinyue walked quickly to Wei Qin and touched the wound on his neck. "What happened?"
"fine."
"Sword wound."
Jiang Yinyue heard that the Crown Prince had rewarded the meritorious officials at the Dowager Consort's manor today. She also knew that civil and military officials often had sparring matches when they gathered together, whether it was literary talent or martial arts. Wei Qin was injured by a sword, so he must have been injured by someone else.
"Don't hide it from me."
"I fought His Highness with a sword and was injured by him."
Jiang Yinyue lowered her gaze to his left hand, which was wrapped in white cloth. She immediately pried open his fingers to check, her anger rising to her head.
"He did it on purpose."
"no."
"It must be."
Jiang Yinyue pulled Wei Qin back to the side room and took out her medicine box to treat his wounds again.
The wound on his neck was deeper and almost damaged an artery.
Jiang Yinyue was feeling annoyed when she heard a dog barking from the backyard, followed by the howling of a lightning bolt. She quickly ran to the backyard gate and blocked the Wei family members inside.
He closed the backyard door behind him.
Qi Bao, with her tongue lolling out, pounced on Jiang Yin Yue and kept tugging at her clothes.
Jiang Yinyue, contrary to her usual behavior, did not respond, but coldly stared at the rare visitor who appeared in the back alley.
Wei Xichen came in person, followed by Fu Zhongcai.
An old eunuch stepped forward and handed over a porcelain bottle. "This is a secret palace medicine for wounds, given to Judge Wei by His Highness."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yinyue grabbed the porcelain bottle and smashed it, hitting Wei Xichen squarely in the chest.
"Smack."
The porcelain bottle shattered instantly.
"Your Highness, please stop pretending. There's no need to hurt someone and then offer a sweet treat. Besides, I don't want to give Your Highness two bottles of wound medicine with interest."
Fu Zhongcai frowned, embarrassed and not daring to look at the Crown Prince's expression.
The guards were even more unsure of where to look.
Seeing the porcelain bottle, still covered in ointment, shattered on the ground, Wei Xichen raised his hand and dismissed the crowd in the back alley.
Fu Zhongcai turned back as he left, his face full of conflict. Although he couldn't figure out the real purpose of His Highness bringing Qibao to visit Wei Qin, he figured it was probably to see his childhood sweetheart.
Why bother? Men and women should just live their own lives peacefully after marriage.
Wei Xichen stepped over the broken porcelain and walked up to Jiang Yinyue. "You're saying I was being hypocritical and intentionally hurt Wei Qin?"
"Isn't that right? His Highness could have stopped his sword strike, but he still injured him, almost fatally."
"Am I as ruthless as you think?"
Jiang Yinyue chuckled and turned to leave, but Wei Xichen grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
Why did I harm Wei Qin?
"Your Highness knows perfectly well!"
"For you?"
The man spoke calmly and without emotion, but his grip on the woman's wrist tightened, as if he were pouring a hidden fire into his fingertips.
Jiang Yinyue silently twisted her wrist, not wanting to make a sound and attract the attention of the neighbors. In a fit of anger, she stomped hard on Wei Xichen's brocade boots.
Leave behind tiny footprints.
With a creak, Wei Qin pushed open the door and grabbed Wei Xichen's wrist with his left hand.
“My wife acted impulsively and talked back to Your Highness. Please calm down, Your Highness.”
The three were subtly battling for strength.
Qi Bao darted around the three of them, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere that was brewing beneath the surface.
In the end, Wei Xichen released his strength and took a step back.
What am I doing...?
A bitter feeling spread through his heart, which he forcibly suppressed.
Without offering a single explanation, he turned and left, his robes brushing against the shards of porcelain on the ground.
"Qibao".
Qi Bao was stunned for a moment, then turned her dog head and remained motionless. When Wei Xichen stopped to wait, she slipped her head between Jiang Yinyue and Wei Qin's clothes, pretending not to hear.
Wei Xichen closed his eyes and strode away.
Jiang Yinyue immediately looked away and grabbed Wei Qin's left hand. "Does it hurt?"
The wound was bleeding, and it looked rather creepy.
"Ugh, it hurts."
Jiang Yinyue looked up in surprise, thinking that he had no sense of pain. The Wei Qin of the past would not easily cry out in pain.
Wei Qin looked at the woman whose eyes were full of him, his thin lips twitched slightly, and suddenly he leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers.
Jiang Yinyue froze on the spot, her anger, which had been provoked by Wei Xichen, instantly extinguished, and her agitation was soothed.
**
In the quiet of the night, the small room of the inn, which was dark and gloomy without any lights, was filled with gloom. Wei Xichen, who was sleeping in a round-backed chair, frowned.
In her hazy consciousness, the woman cautiously tugged at his sleeve, repeating over and over, "Crown Prince, please help me, I want a divorce."
He gazed at the woman squatting beside the chair, her pretty face raised, and slowly reached out to pinch her soft cheek.
The woman smiled and nuzzled his hand.
He suddenly picked the person up and pulled them into his arms.
At that moment, the man suddenly woke up from his sleep.
The empty silence was like an invisible sword, piercing his heart.
The night wind blew in through the half-open window, and figures moved about outside. They were the heavily guarded secret guards and accompanying attendants of the Eastern Palace, but that ghostly figure still managed to sneak into his dream and disturb his will.
He raised his hand to his throbbing forehead, instinctively wanting to call for Qi Bao, but realized that his beloved dog was not beside him.
A soft sigh echoed in the still night.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Qi Bao is such a clever little girl! [doge emoji]
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