Chapter 86 She's really jealous!
Awakened, Emperor Shunren flew into a rage, his face twitching, exuding a murderous aura.
"Rebellious son!"
He gritted his teeth in hatred, wishing he could strangle this wicked eldest son.
There was no politeness whatsoever between father and son.
Wei Qin showed no remorse for his biological father; his heart, hardened by the fire of adversity, remained steadfast. “Father summons me late at night; there must be important matters to discuss. Your son will listen attentively.”
"Rebellious son!"
Wei Qin dodged the slap that Emperor Shunren was about to deliver and slowly retreated, the python pattern on his clothes gleaming in the light of the palace.
"If Father Emperor is only reprimanding his son, it would be too much of a fuss."
"An unfaithful son, an unfilial son, a treacherous son, a wicked son!"
"continue."
Emperor Shunren launched into a tirade, his language as vulgar as a street ruffian's, which amused Wei Qin. The more fiercely he cursed, the more unperturbed Wei Qin became.
Accept it calmly.
Emperor Shunren, tired of cursing, turned to his second son, who was uninvolved, and continued to hurl insults at him.
Wei Xichen did not acquire Wei Qin's immunity to all poisons.
Looking at his father, who had torn off all pretense of dignity and acted like a madman, he felt utterly exhausted. The royal family, so dignified and upright, was not as concerned with family ties as ordinary people.
After leaving the palace with Wei Qin, Wei Xichen asked in the still-chilly night wind, "Is Your Majesty really planning to drive Father insane?"
Wei Xichen's change in addressing Wei Qin was extremely natural, simply because Wei Qin was not an illegitimate child who appeared out of nowhere, but the rightful eldest son of the emperor, who had lived in the palace for four years and had engaged in a naive game with Wei Xichen in their youth.
"Your Highness is speaking as if I am the only villain."
Leaving behind only a thought-provoking remark, Wei Qin crossed the gate of the East Palace and walked into the deep passageway that blended into the night.
The palace servants carrying lanterns split into two groups, with a small group closely following Wei Qin.
The lamps glowed faintly.
They were once one in the light and one in the shadows, but now, the lamplight casts Wei Qin's shadow, no longer a ghostly silhouette.
Wei Xichen withdrew his gaze from the distance, returned to the East Palace, sat quietly in a rocking chair, and kept company with the pitch-black night.
A little tabby cat nestled at my feet.
He stopped taking out his pipe, unwilling to deceive himself any longer. He had tried it a few times, but apart from being choked, it had no effect on relieving his sorrow.
Sorrow will dissipate on its own.
Wei Qin was walking in the dead of night when he suddenly stopped as he passed a dry well in the inner palace.
The wind howled and cranes cried out, as if a mournful wail was coming from the depths of the dry well.
Mo Hao jumped into a well to fake his death and escape, and looking back on it, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Wei Qin walked to the well and looked inside. It was pitch black, and even the wind from the bottom of the well was terrifying.
**
After leaving the palace, Wei Qin got into a carriage.
Cao Angui, who had not shown up for many days, offered a hand warmer, but the young man refused it.
The old man smiled and said, "Young master is not afraid of the cold because he is in the prime of his life. When he gets older, he may suffer from paralysis. Habits become second nature, and young master will have to overcome this mental barrier slowly."
"Yinyue also said that."
"When the young master and young mistress are together, they become more humane."
Wei Qin leaned against the car wall, tilting his head slightly. As he listened to people talking about Jiang Yinyue, he unconsciously raised the corners of his lips slightly.
As an observer, the old man believed he could see things clearly. Before meeting Jiang Yinyue, the young man was always serious and had a cold face.
"Your union has made each other whole."
Wei Qin didn't think so. He believed that Jiang Yinyue had saved him, and that she was a good person to begin with. Her past experiences wouldn't affect her resilience and positive outlook; she could heal herself in the bright sunshine.
How fortunate I am to have met her.
As dawn approached, Jiang Yinyue, unable to sleep, got up and wandered alone to the second courtyard. Seeing that the light in her father's study was still on, she walked to the window with her hands behind her back and coughed.
The window was pushed open from the inside, and a person stood in the light streaming in.
"Still not asleep?"
"Come and pay your respects to Father."
Jiang Song scoffed and leaned over to give his daughter a flick on the forehead. "You're tossing and turning in bed because of that boy, aren't you?"
Jiang Song, as the head of the family, was fully aware that his former son-in-law had stayed overnight in his daughter's room and then rushed to the palace late at night.
Jiang Yinyue rubbed her forehead. "It hurts."
"Come inside."
Jiang Song opened the door and let the drafty little cotton-padded jacket into the study.
The father and daughter sat around the small table on the kang (a heated brick bed) and chatted about matters of the court.
"Is Wei Qin's most urgent task to break the alliance between the Crown Prince and Chief Minister Zhou?"
As Jiang Song brewed tea, he asked with a puzzled expression, "She's not stupid, so why does she always let unmarried men into the house?"
"Father!"
"Getting impatient?"
The old father, with a sour tone, mimicked her exasperated expression, "Do you know what that old bastard Zhou Yujin cares about most right now?"
"Wei Qin".
"You think everyone cares about that kid as much as you do?"
Jiang Yinyue puffed out her cheeks, turned her head away, and crossed her arms, looking like she didn't want to talk to anyone.
Jiang Song smiled and explained, "You're right. Of course he sees the eldest prince as a thorn in his side, but right now he's concerned about something else. Think about it again. Here's a hint: he's getting old and won't be the chief minister for many more years."
"To form a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince."
“That’s right. Zhou Yilan, the last unmarried young lady of the Zhou family, is Zhou Yujin’s youngest daughter and his trump card. As long as he can marry into the Eastern Palace, he will do everything in his power to assist the Crown Prince.”
Although Zhou Yujin had many children, he had no granddaughters or great-granddaughters in the next generation. His only hope was to arrange a marriage with his youngest daughter.
Zhou Yilan, the ninth young lady of the Zhou family, is dignified, elegant, and intelligent. She is the epitome of a noblewoman in the eyes of high-society ladies, unlike Zhou Yilan, who has been disliked by the ladies since childhood for her flamboyant personality and love of showing off.
Jiang Song poured tea for his daughter. "The Crown Prince has 'come back to life,' and the Crown Prince, who should be able to rest easy, feels the crisis. To consolidate his power, he should immediately arrange a marriage with the Zhou family. But as you know, the Crown Prince is indecisive when it comes to matters of the heart. He has feelings for you, and he keeps delaying the marriage negotiations. Interestingly, the Zhou family girl doesn't seem to care much about her own marriage either."
Jiang Yinyue sipped her tea, showing no interest in Wei Xichen's marriage, but since it concerned Wei Qin's struggle for the throne, it was a different matter.
The father and daughter chatted until 3:45 AM. Jiang Yinyue saw her father off at the mansion and then strolled alone in the back alley, feeling the last chill of winter.
My heart is heavy with worries.
Having only met Zhou Yilan a few times since childhood, it would be somewhat dishonest for me to get closer to her again.
Jiang Yinyue didn't think that breaking up other people's marriages was a matter of course from a political perspective. She was just trying her luck and trying to arrange a new marriage for them. If neither of them were interested, she wouldn't insist on bringing them together.
The father said that Zhou Yilan had a heartache and wanted to see Xiao Fanzi, who jumped into the well in the palace all those years ago. She even asked a sorcerer to perform a ritual for her, but all she encountered were charlatans. She was even confined to her quarters by the chief minister Zhou for a full hundred days.
This was the only point of contention surrounding this young lady from the Zhou family, but since the other party was a deceased eunuch, no one pursued or mocked her.
As for the relationship between Zhou Yilan and Xiao Fanzi, only the two of them know the truth, and outsiders have no way of knowing.
Because of the Crown Prince's selection of concubines, Zhou Yilan was kept under close watch by the Zhou family. Jiang Yinyue sent people to keep watch near the Zhou residence every day, and they never had a chance to get close to Zhou Yilan.
Hongmei asked, "Why didn't you send someone to deliver an invitation to Miss Zhou first?"
It was perfectly normal for noble ladies to move around together.
Jiang Yinyue sat on the swing in the backyard with Qibao in her arms, not minding the cold weather, and buried her head in Qibao's fragrant fur.
"I can't get an appointment with them."
Why?
"This Miss Zhou enjoys painting and likes to wander in the countryside. She is also a woman who can't sit still. Nowadays, she rarely leaves the house and is mostly confined to her home."
Jiang Yinyue had heard of the strengths of the more famous noble ladies from high-ranking families in previous years. Zhou Yilan was an exceptional painter with a small reputation, and her paintings often sold for good prices.
Hongmei thought for a moment, "Then why don't I sneak into Miss Zhou's boudoir at night and have a private talk with her?"
"The Prime Minister's residence is not something you can just barge into; it's too dangerous," Jiang Yinyue immediately denied. "It's a good thing we can't see her. It means she didn't want to marry into the Eastern Palace, which is why she had a disagreement with the people in the residence and was confined to her quarters."
In this way, Jiang Yinyue actually gained more leverage.
In the evening, Jiang Yinyue appeared at the small house, and Wei Ying was the most delighted.
"Why is my sister-in-law here?"
The young girl couldn't hide her surprise and, before her brother returned, pulled Jiang Yinyue towards the west wing, ready to have a detailed chat.
Jiang Yinyue looked around the room. "Where's Mo Hao?"
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the house. Wei Qin, dressed in a python robe, led his horse in, followed by Mo Hao and Yan Yi.
Upon hearing this, the three men fell silent.
Yan Yi raised his thick eyebrows and glanced at Mo Hao with suppressed excitement. "The young mistress is looking for you."
The usually composed Mo Hao lost his footing and handed his mount to Yan Yi. He kept looking back, trying to confirm his young master's intentions.
The young master remained silent. What did that mean?
"Young Madam, are you looking for me?"
"Um."
Since their parting that night, Jiang Yinyue, who hadn't yet met Wei Qin, sent someone to deliver a message to him, mentioning the matter of breaking up and matchmaking other people's marriages. Why was Wei Qin giving her such a sour face now? And why did he go straight to the stable instead of staying there?
Jiang Yinyue was eager to confirm something and didn't pay attention to Wei Qin's attitude. "Mo Hao, you're still called Cao Fan, right?"
Mo Hao was slightly taken aback. He hadn't heard this name mentioned for many years. "My original name was Mo Hao. After entering the palace, I recognized the Grand Secretary as my adoptive father and changed my name to Cao Fan."
Without his adoptive father as a protector, the young boy would be tormented beyond recognition by the women of the harem.
It was only through his adoptive father's intervention that his body was preserved and he was not made a true eunuch.
Mo Hao was grateful for Cao Angui's protection and recognition. After Cao Angui suggested that he escape unscathed, he jumped into the bottomless dry well without hesitation.
Jiang Yinyue nodded. "I have something to discuss with you."
Mo Hao looked towards the stables again, only to find the young master feeding the horses instead of immediately returning.
Something unusual must be going on.
Mo Hao coughed lightly. "May I discuss this with the young master?"
Jiang Yinyue smiled and shook her head. This person was the most sensible of Wei Qin's three young confidants, no wonder he was always the one to handle the most meticulous matters.
But Mo Hao returned without bringing Wei Qin back.
This is even more awkward.
Recalling the young master's faint smile just now, Mo Hao felt a chill run down his spine.
"Please, young mistress."
The two sat at the stone table in the courtyard, undisturbed, until they finished talking.
An eerie silence.
Mo Hao fell into his own thoughts and remained silent.
Jiang Yinyue didn't linger, telling him to think it over before giving her an answer, as a marriage requires passion from both sides, and neither side can be lacking.
"I'm leaving now."
Mo Hao stood up. "Young Madam, won't you stay a while?"
"No, thank you."
Jiang Yinyue walked out of the small house without saying goodbye. Just as she took the riding whip from Hong Mei, her wrist was grabbed by a hand.
A refreshing scent wafted over, and Jiang Yinyue feigned displeasure, turning her head to glance at Wei Qin, signaling him to let go.
Wei Qin glanced at Hong Mei.
Feeling superfluous, Hongmei led her horse away.
Once everyone was alone in front of the small house, Jiang Yinyue withdrew her hand, saying, "You can continue to sulk."
Some people are incredibly jealous; they're even jealous of their best friends.
Wei Qin grabbed Jiang Yinyue again, "Miss, don't go."
"Then are you still going to keep giving me that sour look?"
Wei Qin lowered his eyes, his grip on her forearm tightening even more, reluctant to let her go.
Jiang Yinyue's best target for manipulation was Wei Qin. With a stern face, she tiptoed closer to Wei Qin's handsome face, which remained striking even when tense. "Then smile, and I'll calm down."
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