Chapter 48 Twisted
That night, Jiang Yinyue lay beside Hong Mei, unable to sleep. Her slightly swollen lips still bore the pain Wei Qin had inflicted on her.
The capital city.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafted around the imperial brush. After reading the princess's secret letter, Emperor Shunren, holding the brush, gave a cold laugh, a sound that struck Empress Dong's heart with neither too harsh nor too gentle.
Before the princess arrived, a letter arrived first. It was originally intended for the emperor's sister-in-law, but the messenger was intercepted at the palace gate, and the letter ended up in the emperor's hands.
The emperor, who always treated the empress with great respect, smiled sinisterly. "Why does the crown prince refuse to choose a consort? I am completely baffled. Please enlighten me, Empress."
Empress Dong frowned and lowered her brows. She could answer his questions and even asked the eldest princess to persuade him.
The crown prince was an easy child from birth, and he became even more obedient and sensible after he grew up. Unexpectedly, his marriage caused his elders a lot of trouble.
"Please grant Chen'er some more time, Your Majesty."
"The Crown Prince is twenty-one! Which prince doesn't have three wives and four concubines after reaching adulthood, to produce offspring for the royal family? Only my Crown Prince is headstrong and stubborn! What I want is a heir who prioritizes the greater good, not a stubborn brat who bows down to personal feelings!"
In a mere instant, the emperor went from being sarcastic and irritating to flying into a rage, demonstrating that he had been harboring resentment for a long time.
Even with her proud nature, Empress Dong dared not contradict the enraged Emperor. "Your Majesty," she said, "I will immediately send someone south to Yangzhou to order..."
"No need."
Emperor Shunren, having exhausted his patience, waved his sleeve, decreeing that every blade of grass and every tree in the palace must grow for him, let alone his offspring.
He turned a blind eye to the petty actions of the royal family members. Just as the empress could send the eldest princess to Yangzhou to persuade them, he could also send someone else to provoke them.
If the soft approach doesn't work, try the hard one.
The person who can provoke the Crown Prince should have arrived in Yangzhou by now.
Emperor Shunren suppressed his anger, but the five-clawed golden dragon on his chest looked ferocious and menacing.
**
Early in the morning, the rooster next door crowed loudly in the light drizzle, disturbing Qi Bao's deep sleep.
A chicken and a dog barked at each other from a distance.
Jiang Yinyue pressed down on Qibao's nape and carried it back to its doghouse. "We're old, don't get angry."
Yu Guangzhong: A figure in a blue robe walked out of the room.
Jiang Yinyue didn't turn around, but gently stroked Qibao's head.
Wei Qin stood under the eaves for a while, then strode away. As he brushed past Hong Mei, his upturned phoenix eyes held a hint of mystery.
Hongmei has always been a clever person who knows how to read people's expressions. Logically speaking, she wouldn't openly compete for favor; surely someone is behind her back.
Father-in-law.
Not long after Wei Qin walked alone into the alley in the morning breeze and drizzle, an oil-paper umbrella was held above him.
"Someone's causing trouble."
"Yeah?"
The silver-robed painter held an umbrella for Wei Qin, twirling the handle to shake off glistening raindrops. On the umbrella, a fisherman watched the clam and snipe fight.
During the plum rain season, as the rain drizzled, Jiang Yinyue and Hong Mei shared an umbrella, wandering through the nooks and crannies of Yangzhou, intending to buy some local specialties as souvenirs to take back to the capital to show their respect to the Jiang family elders.
As noon approached, Jiang Yinyue heard a melodious zither tune at a fork in the road between several alleys.
Just as she looked up, Hong Mei reacted swiftly, using her sword to block an incoming glass bead.
The sword was not drawn.
On the veranda of a restaurant situated at a crossroads, an androgynous young man smiled, his beautiful face perfectly described as having rosy lips and a fair complexion.
"A fine knife. Was it a gift from General Jiang?"
Hong Mei's grip on the knife tightened suddenly.
Jiang Yinyue walked up to Hong Mei and looked up at the boy on the veranda.
From the red walls and black tiles of palaces to the misty alleys, the two were always at loggerheads.
The boy's smile remained unchanged. "You spoiled brat, it's been a long time."
"Wei Yangwan, what brings you to Yangzhou?"
"You don't even bow to me, the prince? You're becoming more and more unruly. No wonder Father Emperor likes you."
Some people can't say anything nice, no, he's afraid of dogs, so he's more like a rotten apple.
Jiang Yinyue picked up the cracked glass bead from the ground and threw it over, saying, "This is how I, your humble servant, respectfully welcome Your Highness."
Wei Yangwan dodged to the side, then opened his jade-shaped folding fan, on which three large characters stood out prominently.
Delicate and spoiled brat.
The boy flipped the fan over, revealing three more large characters.
Jiang Niannian.
"One cannot hit a smiling face. This prince wishes to invite Miss Jiang for a chat tonight."
"It's probably a trap."
Jiang Yinyue was suspicious but too lazy to pay attention. She grabbed Hong Mei and was about to leave when she heard the young man look up and sigh, "If this pampered brat won't do me the honor, surely Judge Wei will. After all, he was promoted by Minister Tao and owes him a favor."
"Wei Yangwan, never underestimate a young man's potential."
"How could I dare? Wei Yunpan is about to be promoted to Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. I'll have to curry favor with him later. I'll be waiting for you at Yuxiao Tower tonight at the end of the 5-7 PM."
Seeing his confident demeanor, as if he were hiding some clever idea, Jiang Yinyue pursed her lips and pulled Hong Mei away.
"Is the Third Prince testing Miss's weakness?"
Do I have a weakness?
"Son-in-law... I'll let it go."
Jiang Yinyue moved the oil-paper umbrella that was blocking her view aside, gazed at the drizzling sky, and let her thoughts wander.
Wei Qin was still a powerful figure, and any influential person who disliked him could find a pretext to make things difficult for him, let alone the Third Prince who was currently in power.
Although we cannot guess the true purpose of the Third Prince's trip, one thing is certain: the Third Prince will use this as an excuse to hold Wei Qin responsible for the grudge that Tao Qian was thwarted by Grand Secretary Dong.
If you can't deal with the head of all officials, can't you at least deal with a newcomer from a humble background?
Climbing high and stepping on low.
Jiang Yinyue pondered for a moment, then looked at Hong Mei, "We'll have to delay for a few more days."
She needed to make sure Wei Qin was safe before she could leave with peace of mind.
**
As dusk settled and the rain continued, lanterns twinkled outside Yuxiao Tower. Qibao followed happily behind Jiang Yinyue, led by Hongmei.
Jiang Yinyue, who shared an umbrella with Wei Qin, kept the umbrella handle straight the whole way.
Your shoulders are all wet.
"Are you worried about me, Miss?"
Still furious about being forcibly kissed last night, Jiang Yinyue would never admit that she was worried about him being humiliated by the Third Prince.
"Clothing is a person's public image; getting wet in the rain makes you look disheveled."
Wei Qin still tilted the umbrella, holding it above Jiang Yinyue, and looked up to meet the eyes of today's host.
Wei Yangwan was dressed in red, with his long, loose hair tied up with a thin ribbon. He had a feminine appearance, was beautiful and charming, and could be both frivolous and eccentric when he smiled.
"The top pick is honored to have you here. Please come in."
The usually bustling Yuxiaolou restaurant is only hosting one group of guests today.
As the host, the Third Prince naturally understood the rules. When entertaining his suspicious elder brother, he could not place his trusted subordinates nearby. If he tried to lure his brother into a trap, he would not be able to invite the main guest tonight.
The crown prince would not allow himself to be placed in such a dangerous situation.
The magnificent reception hall has windows on three sides, with silk curtains fluttering in the wind.
Three sets of tables and chairs were set up.
Wei Yangwan sat comfortably in the main seat, inviting Wei Qin and Jiang Yinyue to sit as the secondary guests.
The host and guest have not yet arrived.
Jiang Yinyue was even more disappointed when she guessed the other party's identity.
"If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's return journey, Wei Yunpan wouldn't have gotten this deputy guest position."
Jiang Yinyue retorted, "Who cares?"
Wei Yangwan mimicked her, adding a shake of his head, "If you don't care, why come? Oh, you're worried about your husband."
Just as they were joking around, the door to the reception hall was pulled open from the outside, and the wealthy and powerful owner personally led one person in.
"Your Highness, please be careful of the threshold."
The accompanying guards remained outside the door.
Wei Xichen glanced at the people present, without exchanging any pleasantries. However, he acted like a proper guest, taking the seat of honor and sitting down more casually than the host.
This must be the aura of the Crown Prince, always overwhelming the other princes.
"Since Wei Qing is now able to move freely, he should stop recuperating and start taking care of the tasks at hand as soon as possible."
Wei Qin nodded, "Your humble servant obeys."
I despise my elder brother's air of superiority; even his contempt and disdain are hidden in his soft-spoken words—it's so hypocritical.
The young man smiled and said, "I am flattered that Your Majesty has taken time out of your busy schedule to attend to this matter."
Wei Xichen said calmly, "Third brother, let's not keep things to ourselves. I don't have the energy to watch you play games. If you have something to say, say it. If not, drink. Consider this my farewell drink. Leave Yangzhou as soon as possible."
In short, it broke through the barrier.
The tense atmosphere dissipated in just a few words, and the undercurrents in the imperial court flowed into the small restaurant.
The royal family is indeed heartless; even small talk between brothers becomes superfluous.
Wei Yang did not deny that he was deliberately being mysterious, but he was also confident and knew that his words would shatter the Crown Prince's composure.
"Unfortunately, Your Majesty really can't drink this farewell toast." The young man straightened his posture, walked up to Wei Xichen, and took out a scroll from his sleeve from a superior position.
Jade axis woven with brocade, blessed by imperial seal.
"Crown Prince Wei Xichen, receive the imperial decree."
Wei Xichen was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening. Yu Yu's eyebrows furrowed, and she subconsciously looked at Jiang Yinyue opposite her.
The bone-scraping knife at the Feast at Hongmen.
The third son's show of force was achieved by borrowing the emperor's authority.
Jiang Yinyue and Wei Qin also guessed what the imperial edict meant.
They smiled simultaneously.
Wei Qin's smile was deeply hidden, almost imperceptible, a mixture of amusement and mockery.
Jiang Yinyue was overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the resounding imperial decree to select a concubine, and for the first time, she was not annoyed by Wei Yangwan's voice.
The Third Prince still looked down at Wei Xichen with a smile, waving the scroll in his hand, "Brother, don't you intend to accept the imperial decree?"
Wei Xichen slowly stood up, his gaze gradually rising above his younger brother, who was still quite childish, and past his brother's forehead, landing on the woman opposite him who hadn't had time to stop smiling.
Her clear, melodious voice held a gentle smile.
"If this is an imperial edict for the selection of concubines for the Crown Prince, I would trouble you, Third Brother, to take it back with you."
"I dare not disobey the Emperor's decree. Does Your Majesty intend to defy the imperial order?!"
Wei Xichen did not bend his knees. He looked at Wei Yangwan, but spoke to the emperor far away in the palace, "Your subject refuses the imperial decree."
This is insane! This is insane!
Wei Yangwan shook his head vigorously and swayed back two steps, as if imitating the reaction of the supreme ruler.
Suddenly, he pulled out a ruler from his other sleeve and waved it in the air.
It was a ruler specifically used by emperors to discipline their princes.
The specially made ruler is much harder; when it strikes the body, it will leave bruises, if not tear the skin.
"I am relaying Father Emperor's words on your behalf, please do not blame me, Your Majesty." The young man coughed, his tone became serious, and he imitated Emperor Shunren's tone, "If the Crown Prince disobeys the decree, my son may punish him first and then report it to the Emperor. Thirty strokes of the cane, no more, no less."
"Smack!"
The boy threw it without the slightest hesitation.
"Slap! Slap!"
Wei Xichen clenched his fists, his body swaying slightly.
The boy continued waving his arms, while outside the door, the guards began to stir.
"Your Highness?"
As long as Wei Xichen gives the order, his guards will break down the door and enter, and they will draw their swords against anyone, whether they are imperial relatives or princes.
"It's nothing."
Despite the pain and numbness in his arms, Wei Xichen spoke calmly, his tone steady and light, his gaze fixed on Wei Yangwan's face, his cold glint like a blade.
He staggered backward in pain, slumped onto the low table, and looked up at the boy holding the ruler.
A low chuckle escaped his throat, which trembled involuntarily. He did not mention Tao Qian's assassination attempt to stop the arrogant young man.
Before long, he will make his younger brother understand what the price is.
Wei Qin stood up, walked quickly over, squatted down beside the Crown Prince, and gripped the Crown Prince's shoulder tightly with one hand, speaking solemnly and earnestly, "Your Highness, why make things difficult for yourself? Just accept the imperial decree and avoid physical suffering. His Majesty places high hopes on you; Your Highness must not let him down."
Wei Xichen suppressed the trembling caused by the pain and ignored Wei Qin's unpleasant advice.
Wei Qin stopped trying to persuade him and squatted there, watching indifferently as Wei Yangwan whipped Wei Xichen.
Jiang Yinyue looked at the three men, her heart pounding with fear. A father instigating his son to whip another son, stirring up their emotions to toughen them up and prevent them from being bound by feelings—what difference was there between this and training a cold, sharp blade?
Having been pampered by her family since childhood, she found it difficult to comprehend the emperor's twisted psychology.
Wei Yangwan swung the ruler thirty-one times, panting, and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I am just following orders. Father has another message for me to convey."
The young man put away the ruler, walked to the main seat, and took a sip of water to calm the throbbing caused by his outburst of emotions. "The reason why the eldest son is chosen over the most virtuous is because the eldest son is a fixed number, while the most virtuous is a variable. Since I have already broken with convention and chosen the variable, I don't mind changing again and again."
As Wei Xichen listened to the threat relayed by the young man, he suddenly felt a deep empathy for his elder brother, Wei Yihe's, sorrow. A rebellious and uncontrollable prince was destined to be disfavored by the emperor.
"Understood, go back and report."
"Still defying the imperial decree?"
"Go and report back."
If Wei Yang were to change his eccentric ways, he would squat on the ground and smile innocently, saying, "Imperial orders are hard to disobey, so please don't hold a grudge against me, Your Majesty."
Wei Xichen, contrary to his usual behavior, raised his hand and patted his head, "How could that be? I know it wasn't your choice. Wei Qing, help the orphan back to the inn."
Wei Qin helped the Crown Prince up and gave Jiang Yinyue a meaningful look.
Jiang Yinyue followed closely behind, and as she brushed past the young man, she heard a mocking laugh.
"You spoiled brat, is your brother doing this for you?"
The boy rested his hands on the back of his head and followed the group down the spiral staircase, as if to see them off.
"With so many guards following you, why did you let Wei Yunpan help you? Is Your Majesty trying to make you feel sorry for him? Doesn't he feel sorry for you?"
Jiang Yinyue slowed her pace, falling behind the Crown Prince and the others. "Your Highness is truly witty."
"Then why aren't you laughing?"
"Woof! Woof woof!"
Suddenly, a furry figure darted out from under the spiral staircase and pounced precisely on the person most afraid of dogs in the crowd.
"Ahhh! Where did this dog come from?" Wei Yangwan climbed onto the spiral staircase handrail and hung on it using both his hands and feet.
Jiang Yinyue walked to Hong Mei's side, letting Qi Bao bark fiercely, and said slowly, "This is Qi Bao, Your Highness should recognize her."
"Take it away quickly."
To show his sincerity and lure the crown prince into lowering his guard and attending the banquet as promised, Wei Yangwan dismissed all his accompanying palace servants. Now that there was no one else available, he climbed up the handrail, like a green worm.
Jiang Yinyue followed suit, asking, "Your Highness is usually very cheerful, why aren't you smiling anymore?"
"Take him away, take him away!" Wei Yangwan was most afraid of Qi Bao. He vividly remembered being chased by this hunting dog when he was a child. His cries for help echoed throughout the vast harem, but the guards dared not help him because of the Crown Prince's majesty.
Jiang Yinyue held up five fingers. "Fifty taels."
"What?"
"One hundred taels."
The boy grinned, pulled out a silver note from his clothes, and threw it at the boy, shouting, "Take him away!"
Jiang Yinyue caught the silver note, pouting her cherry lips, "Doesn't Your Highness feel bad about it?"
Boomerangs kept piercing his body. The boy gritted his teeth. "Fine, she brought Qi Bao here on purpose to scare him!"
**
Walking along the path leading to the post station, Wei Xichen, with his arm around Wei Qin's shoulder, glanced back several times, but the girl was nowhere to be seen among the dark mass of servants.
He released Wei Qin and walked alone as usual, the pain in his flesh not as intense as the old ailment in his heart.
"Wei Qing, go back now. Remember to report for duty tomorrow."
"Your Highness will be at ease once I have escorted you to the post station."
Wei Xichen smiled faintly, even finding it somewhat amusing, "So concerned about me?"
"Your Majesty, my loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon."
As Wei Qin left the post station, he strolled through the summer night after the rain, when a figure in a silver robe appeared beside him once again.
"In a couple of days, there will be a pawn auction in the city that is sure to pique the Third Prince's interest. Should we take this opportunity to rip him off?"
Wei Qin walked with upright steps, his posture was elegant and refined, and his breath was clean and clear in the night breeze.
He spoke slowly, leaving behind six words that were neither too loud nor too soft.
"Even the crown prince was trapped in the pit."
-----------------------
Author's Note: In the previous chapter, it was hard to tell Hongmei and Meihong apart. It's corrected now; it's Hongmei [laughing and crying emoji]
100 small red envelopes [kiss]
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