Chapter 39 People who don't like to laugh, involuntarily...
"Woof woof woof".
Unable to squeeze between the two, Qi Bao raised its front paw and placed it on Jiang Yin Yue's shoulder, insisting on joining them, which made Jiang Yin Yue burst into laughter through her tears.
The last tear fell from the tip of her nose and soaked into Wei Qin's shoulder. She recounted the events in detail, her voice gradually changing from choked to clear.
"I'm fine now, you can go to the government office."
Wei Qin returned to the residence during his lunch break and couldn't linger too long. However, he didn't rush off. He still held Jiang Yinyue and gently patted her, as if trying to help her ease the last bit of her lingering anger.
He was always extremely patient with her.
After loosening his grip slightly, Wei Qin massaged Jiang Yinyue's Zanzhu acupoint to relieve her eye strain and headache. "Close your eyes."
"Go back to the government office."
No rush.
Under the man's patient guidance, Jiang Yinyue closed her eyes, feeling the pressure of the massage. Her scalp tingled, and her tense emotions gradually relaxed.
The sky was clear and blue, the wind was gentle and the sun was shining. Warmth and gentleness mingled on Wei Qin's fingertips, soothing the last bit of grievance hidden in Jiang Yinyue's heart.
This injustice stemmed from the helplessness of being questioned and unable to defend oneself, but finally, the injustice was redressed.
It's not that one must sacrifice oneself for righteousness in a critical moment, but how could she not feel wronged and aggrieved when her actions were misinterpreted and misunderstood!
"Could you give me a ride to Han's Noodle Shop on your way?"
"good."
A short while later, Wei Qin escorted Jiang Yinyue to the backyard of the noodle shop that was closing, promising to pick her up in the evening.
Jiang Yinyue approached Han Jian's bedside, looking at the pale-faced man who was almost on the verge of death. She did not question him about why he had been so slow to tell the truth. If it were her, she might not have had the courage to make amends.
The two Han sisters stood by her side, their faces wet with tears.
Dr. Zhao from a nearby clinic treated Han Jian's wounds, left a prescription, and instructed the two sisters to prepare and change the medicine for their brother in a timely manner.
Jiang Yinyue was acquainted with Doctor Zhao through Wei Ying. When seeing him off, she handed him a bulging money bag, saying, "Be sure to save his life."
"My lady, there's no need for that. I will do my best."
When Jiang Yinyue returned to the inner room, she heard Han Yan and her sister sobbing softly, "The Crown Prince believed the slander, but wasn't he innocent? Why didn't he shoot himself...?"
"Sister, please stop talking."
Jiang Yinyue quietly stepped back and leaned against the door frame.
Yes, shouldn't Wei Xichen ask himself that question?
**
The capital city.
Emperor Shunren received another memorial from Yangzhou and sent messengers to summon several important officials to the imperial study, including Chief Minister Dong, who had been suffering from typhoid fever for a long time.
"Wei Qin has performed outstandingly and made great contributions in the Yan Hongchang case. I would like to hear your suggestions on what kind of reward he should be given."
After putting down the memorial, Emperor Shunren leisurely observed Tao Qian, Jiang Song, the Minister of Personnel, and his two fathers-in-law.
Tao Qian rose and bowed, saying, "Wei Qin is an exceptional talent among the newly promoted officials. I am unworthy, but I am eager to find capable people and wish to enrich the Ministry of Revenue with talent."
Jiang Song is Wei Qin's father-in-law, so it's best to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
The Minister of Personnel smiled and glanced at Chief Minister Dong.
The old man, who rode directly into the palace in a palanquin, removed the handkerchief covering his mouth and said in a low voice, "The top two scholars in the same examination as Wei Qin have already entered the cabinet. We cannot neglect one for the other; we should treat them all equally."
After eating sour plums for three years, Jiang Song finally heard a pleasant sentence from the Dong family.
Tao Qian lowered his eyes. Was that old fox Dong trying to steal the prize?
Wei Qin had been in office for more than three years, but he was neglected by the Crown Prince. Without Tao Qian's recommendation, he remained a thankless editor in the Hanlin Academy.
Old fox Dong wanted to reap the benefits without lifting a finger, but was he outsmarting him and outmaneuvering him? In reality, he had long seen that Wei Qin was a promising talent, or was he trying to appease Jiang Song?
Between the Ministry of Revenue and the Grand Secretariat, the newcomers naturally preferred the latter, since powerful ministers came from the Grand Secretariat. Even he and Jiang Song had the title of Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat and both wanted to become famous ministers.
"The cabinet is full of talented people, Your Excellency, please give way to me."
Grand Secretary Dong coughed lightly, covering his mouth with his handkerchief. “Minister Tao is mistaken. We are all cultivating talents for the court. Which official from the Six Ministries doesn’t want to gain experience in the Grand Secretariat? Preventing Wei Qin from taking the wrong path and promoting him directly to Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat is the best reward.”
Emperor Shunren ordered tea to be served, and looked with a smile at the silent Grand Tutor Cui, "What do you think, father-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Cui and Chief Minister Dong both looked up.
Cui Shengzhi didn't rush to speak. Only after Emperor Shunren fixed his gaze on him did he say in a hoarse voice, "This old minister believes that everyone has their own expertise. The Ministry of Revenue should recruit talents who are far ahead in mathematics. Those who write well can indeed enter the cabinet for training."
Jiang Song nodded in satisfaction.
Grand Secretary Dong coughed and smiled, "The Grand Tutor is right."
As everyone left the Imperial Study, Tao Qian walked at the very front, flicking his sleeves.
The group that had temporarily reached an agreement followed behind at a leisurely pace, offering words of comfort to the temporarily disheartened person.
"Why must Minister Tao do this?"
"You're being too calculating."
Unable to withstand the wind, Chief Minister Dong bowed to Cui Shengzhi and Jiang Song, and urged the sedan chair bearers to quicken their pace and pass Tao Qian.
"I'll invite Minister Tao to a small gathering another day."
Tao Qian ground his back teeth and sneered, "It's an honor."
Jiang Song looked at Cui Shengzhi beside him and bowed, "Thank you for speaking up for me, Grand Tutor."
Cui Shengzhi said hoarsely, "It's not flattery, it's just the truth."
He then smiled at Jiang Song, "Minister Jiang has a good eye. This rough gem, once polished, might just amaze the world. I have high hopes for this young man."
Upon returning to his residence, Chief Minister Dong specifically mentioned recommending Wei Qin in a letter he sent to the Crown Prince.
"Wei Qin is Jiang Song's only son-in-law and is highly valued by Jiang Song. Your Highness must not act rashly. Remember, never underestimate a young man's potential. Tao Qian, who came from a humble background, is a prime example."
After entrusting the book to his trusted messenger, the old man returned to his study and coughed, spitting out blood. He braced his hands on the table to ease his discomfort.
In the evening, the Third Prince, Wei Yangwan, personally visited Tao Qian.
The seventeen-year-old boy inherited Emperor Shunren's good looks and Consort Guo's charm, and was born with a delicate and beautiful appearance.
"Old Dong is indeed worthy of being the head of all officials. He is not so foolish as to let the Crown Prince act on impulse. This move has stabilized Jiang Song and destroyed our carefully laid plan to sow discord. What a brilliant counterattack."
Tao Qian poured tea for Wei Yangwan, saying, "The game is not yet over, so it's hard to say."
Wei Yangwan became interested and said, "This student would like to ask the master for guidance."
"According to information I obtained from Yangzhou, the Crown Prince has recently been frequently seen with the Jiang family's maid because of Qi Bao, and it seems he is about to rekindle his old feelings."
"What is it about that spoiled brat that the Crown Prince can't forget?"
"The most agonizing thing is wanting something but not getting it." Tao Qian poured himself more tea, the surface of which reflected a pair of gloomy eyes. Only a scheme to sow discord is truly brilliant.
**
As dusk settled in Yangzhou, a vibrant tapestry of colors unfolded. Wei Qin left the rouge shop and headed straight for Han's noodle shop.
After visiting Han Jian, who was sometimes unconscious and sometimes lucid, Wei Qin left with his wife.
A light drizzle was falling when Han Yan handed the young couple an oil-paper umbrella.
The two walked in the rain. When they passed a stall selling plush toys, Jiang Yinyue pulled Wei Qin over, wanting to pick one out for Qibao.
Now, Qi Bao's dolls are almost piled up into a small mountain, but Wei Qin not only didn't stop her, he also accompanied her to choose them.
“This doll is so cold.” Jiang Yingyue placed the doll on Wei Qin’s shoulder and said seriously, “It’s like you.”
The hastily made doll was not even one percent as exquisite as Wei Qin's, which amused the stall owner.
"If you two like it, please buy it; it's one of a kind."
Wei Qin, holding an oil-paper umbrella at an angle, took out a copper coin and bought the doll. Afterwards, he accompanied Jiang Yinyue to other stalls, paying for each one for the enthusiastic young lady who was picking out items.
Without blinking.
The bulging money bag deflated.
Jiang Yinyue was engrossed in selecting items. Although they were all inexpensive trinkets, she liked them. Even though they were inexpensive, they added up to an expense.
"It cost Lord Wei quite a bit of money."
"We can earn more."
Jiang Yinyue was satisfied and skipped ahead, letting Wei Qin hold an umbrella in one hand and carry the packages in the other.
Unexpectedly, at the height of their enjoyment, they ran into the aunt and niece walking side by side.
The two walked on the arched bridge over the babbling brook.
The royal aunt and niece traveled without much fanfare, accompanied by only a few attendants.
The darkness concealed their brilliance.
The princess, who had originally come out to coax her nephew to relax, saw the young couple moving between the stalls from afar. She wanted to turn around and take another street, but she couldn't persuade her nephew, who insisted on walking towards the young couple.
"Your Highness, why bother!"
Wei Xichen remained silent, slowly stepping down the arched bridge. His moon-white robes were as pure and bright as the moon, leaving him in the sight of passersby.
What a handsome man!
Passersby sighed.
The man's slightly pursed lips were tense, lacking the soothing quality that moonlight should offer.
The eldest princess stepped forward gracefully, and when she unexpectedly met the young couple, she smiled brightly and said, "What a coincidence."
Upon noticing that the two were traveling incognito, Wei Qin simply nodded slightly.
Out of respect for elders, Jiang Yinyue did not pull Wei Qin away. She nodded and uttered a single word: "Skilled."
The princess had never been treated so coldly before, but having seen her share of storms, she wouldn't let such a small misunderstanding cause her to show her displeasure. "What did you buy?"
"They're all just little gadgets."
“Few noble ladies like these things; Nian Nian is becoming more down-to-earth.”
"A thousand pieces of gold cannot buy what the heart desires." Jiang Yinyue took Wei Qin's arm, nodded to the Princess, and never once gave Wei Xichen a glance.
She led her husband past Wei Xichen, who was holding an umbrella for her imperial aunt.
Two oil-paper umbrellas crossed paths on the long street, moving further apart. One umbrella was always held above Jiang Yinyue, while the other was placed in the hands of the Princess.
"Chen'er..."
Wei Xichen walked into the drizzling rain.
The rain that nourishes all things cannot soothe his aggrieved state of mind.
The clean clothes were covered in mud from the uneven surface.
He turned around in the rain, his wispy hair brushing against his forehead obscuring his vision.
The woman who has gone far away is a bright pearl that he lost among countless raindrops.
Her hands, hanging by her sides, suddenly tightened.
The empty gaze now has a focus.
**
In the dark and gloomy secret room, Yan Zhuyi, who had barely managed to eat a mouthful of soup and rice, was startled by a sound of footsteps and stared in horror at the entrance.
Xie Jincheng, who was guarding the side, was blinded by the torch and raised his hand to shield his eyes.
A burly man walked in, lit the wall lamp, and while providing light, also delivered a chilling instruction.
"Young Master means that there is no need to send her to the capital."
Xie Jincheng stood up. "Huh?"
"She is no longer of any value."
Yan Zhuyi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at the two of them in horror.
The burly man was none other than Mo Hao, the one who escorted Mr. Gong to Jiangning.
After listening to Mo Hao's explanation, Xie Jincheng pondered it. Yan Zhuyi had two values: first, she could clear Jiang Yinyue's name; second, she could let Emperor Shunren know that even the crown prince he had personally nurtured could deceive him.
Now that she has lost one of her values, she still has a second use, yet the young master says she has no value anymore.
Mo Hao, his face covered, his eyes as still as dead water, said, “The city gates are heavily guarded. Sending someone out is harder than climbing to heaven. She’s a hot potato right now. Why not use her to test the Crown Prince’s bottom line?”
Will the enraged crown prince tear off his gentle facade...?
Xie Jincheng paced back and forth, feeling somewhat regretful about his current status as a wealthy businessman. Once he handed Yan Zhuyi over to the Crown Prince, he would no longer be able to travel the world as "Manager Xie".
"Understood."
A light rain was falling, and insects were chirping. Xie Jincheng looked up from the crowded street. On the veranda of the small building facing the street, dancers with long sleeves were moving gracefully, and singers' voices lingered in the air.
"snort."
The hunchbacked man strode forward without stopping. Everyone knew that Manager Xie was incredibly wealthy, a self-proclaimed playboy, and an old man without a wife or children. But no one knew that this rich and arrogant playboy had never squandered a single penny in his extravagant lifestyle.
He's just wasting his time calling himself a romantic playboy.
"Oh."
Xie Jincheng chuckled and leisurely walked to his shop, where he gave some instructions. Then he leisurely went to Zhao's Medical Clinic, saying, "Old Zhao, it's time to tidy up..."
"Thank you, Manager Xie."
Accompanied by her maid, Wei Ying stood up, smiled sweetly, and habitually offered out candy.
Though frail, her smile is radiant and dazzling.
Xie Jincheng swallowed his words, took the candy from the woman's hand, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth.
It was sweet, the only sweetness we tasted amidst all the hardships of the journey.
Thank you.
"You're welcome."
"As we part, I wish my wife no regrets for the past, no worries for the future, and that she may be joyful and safe year after year."
Wei Ying was taken aback. "The shopkeeper is leaving?"
Xie Jincheng stood in the bright moonlight, laughing heartily. His laughter was like a warm spring breeze, making him seem younger than a middle-aged man, more like a young man in the prime of his life.
Wei Ying walked to the door, leaned against the frame and gazed into the distance. She was a quiet and reserved person who rarely interacted with outsiders, and she greatly envied Xie Jincheng's witty and unrestrained personality.
Dr. Zhao wrote down a prescription at the consultation table and told Wei Ying that she could go to Zhou's Clinic on the street for her next consultation.
"Are you leaving too?"
Doctor Zhao stroked his beard and nodded meaningfully.
Having never experienced separation before, Wei Ying felt lost and dejected. She returned to the house and talked to Jiang Yinyue under the eaves about her inexplicably low mood.
Jiang Yinyue, who had a little more experience than her sister-in-law, comforted her: "Actually, most people meet and part ways in a hurry. If someone leaves a deep mark on your heart, that memory will be more profound and lasting than the time spent with them. From the time we can remember, we are constantly meeting, parting, remembering, and letting go. The one who can accompany us for a long time is always ourselves."
"What about couples?"
"The separation of life and death in old age, or the severing of ties in the middle of life."
"In my sister-in-law's opinion, how can a husband and wife reach the point of severing ties?"
"cheat."
Wei Ying suddenly became extremely proud, "Brother would never deceive sister-in-law."
"Yes, I believe him."
"What if you could?"
Jiang Yinyue chuckled, "Then let's sever all ties and become strangers."
Just like with Wei Xichen, she believed that Wei Qin would not lie to her.
Jiang Yinyue returned to the east wing, changed out of her damp clothes, and looked at herself through the bronze mirror.
The ups and downs of her emotions left her looking tired and haggard. She covered her face with her hands, looking herself up and down, and was startled when another face suddenly appeared in the bronze mirror.
The lamplight was dim and green, and the person was as beautiful as a ghost.
Why did you stay so quiet?
"What are you looking at?"
Jiang Yinyue pointed to herself, "I look a little haggard."
Wei Qin stepped forward and pressed her down to sit in front of the dressing table.
The two looked at the mirror together.
The two stunningly beautiful faces looked perfectly matched.
Jiang Yinyue's face did indeed appear somewhat pale.
Wei Qin took out a box of rouge from his clothes and placed it on the dressing table. He saw the young lady look down at the rouge box and then look up at him.
"Bought for me?"
"Um."
Jiang Yinyue puffed out her cheeks and pouted her pink lips to one side, her smugness quite obvious.
She opened the rouge box, examined it carefully, selected the most vibrant cherry red, scooped out a pea-sized amount, and applied it to her lips, carefully blending it in.
The woman in the bronze mirror became rosy-cheeked and stunningly beautiful.
Wei Qin watched quietly when the woman suddenly smacked his face.
A cherry-red mark appeared on her left cheek.
The woman in the bronze mirror smiled happily.
Wei Qin lowered his head, put his hand on the woman's neck, and pulled her closer.
"No, no, I was wrong..."
Jiang Yinyue felt itchy when her face was forcibly pressed against his, so she squinted her right eye and shrank her neck like a cat.
Her cheeks were flushed a cherry red.
Wei Qin did not stop there. He walked to the other side, hugged the woman who was slightly flustered and trying to escape, and pressed his other cheek against hers.
Gently rub against it.
"I was wrong, Lord Wei."
"Brother Wei."
"Wei Qin!"
In the deep darkness of the room, two figures were entangled and playfully wrestling, accompanied by the soft pleas of a woman.
Two uneven patches of rouge remained on the woman's delicate cheeks.
Jiang Yinyue looked at herself in the bronze mirror, then at Wei Qin, whose chin now bore a ring of teeth marks and lip prints, and proudly raised her eyebrows.
She's not going to suffer a loss.
Lord Wei, who remained silent, touched his chin, no longer caring about it, and as he turned away, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Even he himself was unaware of it.
People who don't usually laugh suddenly found themselves smiling.
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