Chapter 66 Your Highness, please return my wife to me…
The fire was almost out of flame. Jiang Yinyue watched as Wei Qin gathered up the dry branches and started drilling wood again to make a fire.
He is afraid of fire.
Jiang Yinyue closed her eyes and leaned against the stone wall. The woman, who disliked awkward silences, was taciturn. The lake of her heart, which had been filled with pebbles, calmed down as time passed.
Smelling the aroma of roasted wild berries, she turned to the side, her back to Wei Qin who was leaning towards her.
"I'm not hungry."
You need food.
"Whether I live or die is none of the Crown Prince's business."
Wei Qin turned the woman around, his rough fingers stroking her cheek. "How can it be unrelated? You are my wife."
Jiang Yinyue smiled, her nose stinging with tears. "I am Wei Qin's wife, or rather, Wei Qin is just using me."
If he considered her his wife, would he have kept it a secret from her for so long?
Jiang Yinyue herself felt awkward. Back then, her mother had earnestly warned her that Wei Qin might have ulterior motives and was using the Jiang family as a stepping stone, but she hadn't taken it seriously. She even thought that it would be a miracle if Wei Qin actually liked her. Their union was nothing more than a mutually beneficial arrangement. Now that she knew she had been used, she was less carefree than before.
Was it his thoughtfulness that moved her, or his sincerity that touched her, allowing her to regain hope amidst the ashes and daring to open her heart to a new relationship?
It hurts so much, it hurts so much to be stabbed.
Wei Qin paused slightly as his thumb, which was caressing the woman's cheek, could not deny that even though he was burdened with a blood feud, he could not beautify his original purpose in approaching the Jiang family father and daughter.
The girl, who was stabbed and wounded all over by her own brother, was dragged into an even more dangerous vortex by him in her despair.
If he had kept to himself and her, perhaps the harm to her would have been less. But as they spent every day together, he developed impure thoughts and selfish desires, and took the initiative to cross the line to win her heart, causing her immense grief.
"My feelings for you are genuine."
"The Crown Prince's true feelings are so complicated."
When utilitarianism and calculation are mixed in, how much of the sincerity can there be?
Jiang Yinyue was tired and didn't want to investigate further. She pried Wei Qin's hand away, turned her back to him again, feeling as powerless as a lump of mud, yet the fortifications she had built in her heart were as strong as iron walls.
She was truly exhausted from being used by the two brothers one after another.
When Jiang Taolue arrived, his brocade clothes were tattered and disheveled, and there was a scratch on his brow bone, as if he had been through a fierce battle.
After falling off different paths, he encountered two black bears, one large and one small, but fortunately escaped unharmed.
Pulling his sister in front of him and shielding her with his left arm, Jiang Taolue used his right hand to stop Wei Qin from getting closer, saying, "If you're looking to take advantage of my kindness, we'll talk about it another day."
Wei Qin had no intention of taking advantage of the situation; he was simply reluctant to let Jiang Yinyue go. Yet, he still stood at the cave entrance, watching the brother and sister leave with the Jiang family's entourage.
Carried on her brother's back, Jiang Yinyue found a true sheltered "cave" and did not give the man in front of the cave a second glance.
The mountains were covered in pristine white snow. Wei Qin followed in the footsteps left by the Jiang family, climbing the mountain alone. In the desolate snow, he knelt before the Yu family's grave for the entire night.
When Wei Qin left Yu's grave, it was already broad daylight.
The wind stopped and the snow cleared, but the weather suddenly turned cold, and thin clothes were not enough to keep out the cold.
On his day off, there was no need for the morning court session. Wei Qin returned to the city, taking a long detour through Jiang Prefecture, arriving and departing silently.
In the bustling market, steamed buns were being steamed. He packed a steamer full, carried the paper bag back to his small house, but in a narrow alley, he ran into a group of thugs.
"Where did Vice Minister Wei go yesterday? He didn't come home last night."
The man at the head of the group was none other than Consort Xian's younger brother, Guo Zhenyong.
Looking somewhat haggard, Wei Qin didn't bother with them and tried to walk past them, but Guo Zhenyong stopped him.
"That old bastard Ge Cheng has found a powerful backer, and he's determined to take the position of Director of Ceremonial Affairs, no longer afraid of being threatened. Tell me, who gave him that confidence?"
“You said he has powerful backers, so naturally it’s from those backers.”
"Well said!"
Guo Zhenyong clapped his hands, smiled, and leaned closer to Wei Qin's ear, but because he wasn't tall enough, he had to stand on tiptoe. "What if I flattened this mountain?"
Wei Qin kept his eyes straight ahead, his narrow, phoenix-like eyes slightly piercing, his anger swirling around him. He didn't care about losing his composure temporarily to vent his frustration. He smiled lightly, took a step, and walked towards the group of thugs.
The thugs followed his steps backward, and at a command, they threw punches.
"Bang bang bang".
"Bang bang."
The narrow alley was in complete chaos, with a group of people, including Guo Zhenyong, lying on the ground, their faces bruised and swollen, grieving and in pain.
Wei Qin stepped over Guo Zhenyong by stepping on his chest.
Yan Yi, with a dry blade of grass in his mouth, and the big guy Mo Hao followed closely behind.
Since Guo Zhenyong visited last night under the guise of congratulating them on moving, alerting the group, the two have been secretly following them.
Yan Yi spat out some dry grass and kicked Guo Zhenyong's chin with the tip of his boot. "You guys have been bullying people a lot, haven't you? If there's a next time, I'll dislocate your chin."
"ah!"
There's no need for a next time," the young man kicked out, dislocating Guo Zhenyong's chin.
Disheveled and disheveled, Guo Zhenyong found a clinic to set his bones. He endured the pain and went to the palace, where he rushed to Consort Xian and cried, "Please, sister, do me a favor."
"You're saying Wei Qin has a skilled fighter around him?"
"Two."
"Two mere people managed to rout you?" Consort Guo shoved her brother away in disdain. "They're high-ranking officials of the third rank. Is it so hard for them to hire a few experts? It's your fault for having incompetent subordinates!"
"Sis, are you just going to stand by and watch your little brother get bullied?"
The boy sitting to the side scoffed, "Uncle is bullying others with his power and is not as skilled as others, yet he has the nerve to complain? Wei Qin is not someone you can deal with. Even I, his nephew, have to avoid his sharp edge."
Consort Guo thought for a moment and then instructed her younger brother, "Didn't you find a few beauties recently? Pick the best-looking one and send it to Wei Qin."
In Consort Guo's view, one must be able to assess the situation and seize opportunities. Just when Wei Qin was being driven out of the Jiang family by the maid, sending him the flower of understanding might be twice as effective in winning people's hearts.
Wei Yang nodded heavily and sighed, "Wei Qin is not the Emperor. Using a beauty trap will only make us look vulgar."
"You understand now!"
"Your subject does not approve."
The young man left the Consort Xian's palace and strolled leisurely into the inner court. From afar, he saw a female official from the laundry department leading a woman gracefully towards him.
The boy rubbed his eyelids, cursed under his breath, and scurried towards the imperial study.
Inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Shunren coldly summoned the Crown Prince and asked in a deep voice, "My son, you didn't deal with Yan Zhuyi properly. Throwing her into the laundry department as punishment was too lenient."
Wei Xichen explained, "Giving her death would be too lenient."
"If you really want to torture her, why not throw her into the brothel?"
Wasn't it torture to become a prostitute in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district) both physically and mentally? Emperor Shunren leaned back on his dragon throne and sighed, "After all these years, you still haven't developed the ruthlessness of the leader."
To avoid being imprisoned and humiliated by the palace servants who treated people differently based on their status, the young child detonated the carriage, a resolute and decisive act.
Wei Yangwan, who had come to pay his respects, overheard these words at the door.
A royal guard reported, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince requests an audience."
"Enter."
Wei Yangwan strode in, bowed respectfully, and uttered a few witty remarks.
The princes had to pay their respects to the emperor every day. Emperor Shunren didn't think much of it and asked a question with a profound meaning.
If he were the crown prince, would he tolerate a woman who had deceived him living on?
Wei Yangwan bowed and said, "Your subject will not give such a person a way out."
Emperor Shunren gestured to the silent Wei Xichen from a distance.
At this moment, the imperial guard reported again: "Your Majesty, the female official from the Laundry Bureau has arrived with a group of people."
Emperor Shunren tapped his knuckles, signaling the female official to bring the person in.
Having already been enslaved, Yan Zhuyi stepped past the two brothers, knelt before the imperial desk, and said tremblingly, "This servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Shunren glanced at it and said, "From now on, you will be a maid who sweeps outside the Imperial Study."
A glimmer of light finally appeared in Yan Zhuyi's empty eyes. "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shunren dismissed the others and looked at his crown prince, saying, "If you are not ruthless enough, you will leave hidden dangers. I will keep her around to get in your way."
When Wei Xichen left the Imperial Study, a little tail followed behind him.
"Brother, have you noticed that Father is starting to miss his eldest brother? Why don't you follow his example and leave something for Father to remember you by?"
Wei Xichen, annoyed by the boy's noise, didn't stop walking and, taking advantage of his long legs, left the boy, who hadn't yet grown much taller.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, His Highness the Crown Prince ordered the removal of the portraits of beauties that the powerful and wealthy had painstakingly hung in his bedchamber. He sat quietly alone on the chaise longue, his mind devoid of tranquility, as still as a stagnant pool.
At the sound of knocking, Fu Zhong hurriedly stepped across the threshold. "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned Lady Jiang to the palace for an audience."
Wei Xichen raised his eyes solemnly, then his gaze dimmed. Perhaps his father was testing whether he had given up on Jiang Yinyue. The calmer he was, the safer Jiang Yinyue would be.
The man waved his hand, dismissing Fu Zhongcai.
Upon arriving at Xiamashi by carriage, Jiang Yinyue was helped down by her elder brother.
"I'll be waiting for you here, brother."
"Um."
Although she didn't know what the emperor was up to, as an official's wife, Jiang Yinyue had no choice but to agree.
She didn't send anyone to disturb her father, who was still in the government office. Since she didn't know what the emperor was up to, she decided to play it by ear.
If you count the years, the last time I met the emperor was four years ago.
Jiang Yinyue was led into the Imperial Study by a young eunuch who had been waiting at the palace gates since early morning.
She had been feverish and unconscious since returning home last night, but the strong incense in the palace made her head throb. She stepped past the eunuch and bowed gracefully, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
It is against the proper order for the emperor to privately summon a subject's wife, but Jiang Yinyue was raised by Emperor Shunren and can be considered a child of the palace.
"I heard that Niannian was trapped in the mountains yesterday, is that true?"
"Yes, I am well and thank Your Majesty for your concern."
Emperor Shunren felt no sentimentality at the passing of time and the reunion with old friends. From the bottom of his heart, he did not think highly of this child who chattered like a little sparrow in his youth.
Without goodwill, how can one sigh at the changing times?
"I summoned you here today for one matter. Among the servants sweeping outside the palace is someone you know well. How eloquent and flattering she was back then, and how destitute she is now. Does that make you feel relieved?"
Following the emperor's instructions, Jiang Yinyue walked unsteadily to the palace gate and peered out, locking onto a evasive figure.
Was the emperor summoning her to witness this scene to support her and vent her anger?
Jiang Yinyue didn't think of herself as a guest of honor before the emperor. She still vividly remembered the emperor's disdain for her back then.
Why go through all that trouble?
"The royal family failed to investigate the truth back then and misunderstood you, causing you a great deal of injustice. I feel deeply guilty. Now that the truth has come to light, the royal family will make it up to you. The insults and contempt you suffered back then will be borne by them many times over."
Jiang Yinyue felt only irony. Was this what they called compensation?
Yan Zhuyi was wrong, but was the Crown Prince not wrong? Was it right for the Emperor to kick her out before investigating the matter thoroughly?
Did they all shift onto Yan Zhuyi?
Noticing that the woman had no reaction, Emperor Shunren smiled and said, "What other compensation do you want? Just name it."
"This humble woman has no other requests."
Emperor Shunren praised her with the words "good child," a sinister remark that sent a chill down Jiang Yinyue's spine.
My head is even more dizzy.
On her way out of the palace, Jiang Yinyue noticed that the eunuch was deliberately taking a detour. She pinched her fingertips, knowing that this road led to the East Palace. She also guessed the emperor's intentions to some extent, and felt even more exhausted.
Whether the Crown Prince is open-minded or not is none of her business.
She had already been kicked out of the game by the emperor, yet she was still being used to test the crown prince's intentions—how ironic!
The passageway in front of the East Palace was quiet and serene, but there was no sign of that pale-faced figure.
But Jiang Yinyue's vision went black as double images appeared before her eyes.
"Jiang Niangzi!"
Before fainting, I heard the little eunuch's sharp scream.
The concealed, moon-white figure rapidly approached, scooped up the fallen Jiang Yinyue, and said, "Go and summon the imperial physician."
The young eunuch stammered, "To...to which palace?"
"Eastern Palace".
Wei Xichen carried Jiang Yinyue straight to the East Palace, but was intercepted by a figure in crimson robes who appeared at the other end of the passageway.
"Your Highness, please return my wife to me!"
Wei Qin's appearance was like a hurricane sweeping across Wei Xichen's parched heart, leaving him feeling unbearably bitter. Wei Qin's presence here must mean he had heard the news of Jiang Yinyue's entry into the palace.
"The Eastern Palace is closer, so let's have the imperial physician diagnose why she fainted first."
"It was caused by catching a cold yesterday."
Wei Qin reached out to hug his wife, but Wei Xichen dodged him.
"I am worried."
"She is my wife."
The palace guards and servants of the Eastern Palace, standing at a distance, stared at each other, none daring to step forward... to cause trouble.
Wei Qin grabbed Wei Xichen's tense left arm and tightened his grip on it with his knuckles.
Wei Xichen didn't hold Wei Qin's overstepping his bounds against him. He simply turned his head to look at Jiang Yinyue, his thoughts caught between the past events and his father's warning. Today's events would reach his father's ears, which would be detrimental to Jiang Yinyue.
The arms that were holding him tightly suddenly loosened their grip.
My arms felt empty.
He stood there, watching Wei Qin carry the person away, feeling empty and lost.
But before Wei Qin could get far, Jiang Yinyue, who had fainted, frowned and woke up...
When she regained consciousness, she jumped off the man's arms, refusing to let him follow her, her pale face cold and solemn.
Wei Qin stood there, watching Jiang Yinyue walk away alone.
The north wind and rain swept over the two men, one in front of the other, gazing at the same woman.
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