Chapter 81 (081) - Side Story: The Pursuit Before Leaving the Capital (...)
Lin Wan had already lowered her head.
Staring at the chain buckle on her ankle, she felt like a caged canary. Under Xie Huaiyuan's domineering influence, she had nowhere to escape and could not escape. The past few months, imprisoned in Pear Blossom Lane, were neither long nor short, but they eroded her little by little, breaking down her heart.
As a result, she gradually began to get used to Xie Huaiyuan's presence by her side.
On this day, Xie Huaiyuan had a rare day off from court, and he did not go out. Instead, he quietly waited for Lin Wan, who was curled up in the quilt, to wake up.
When Lin Wan woke up from her dream and opened her eyes, she was greeted by a handsome face that was all too familiar. Xie Huaiyuan was smiling at her, his gaze fixed on her directly, making him impossible to ignore.
Xie Huaiyuan stared at her with great patience until she looked away, embarrassed.
Lin Wan: "Your Highness, are you not attending court today?"
"Did you have a dream?" Xie Huaiyuan asked. "Did you dream of something good that made you so happy and joyful even in your sleep?"
Lin Wan was startled. She had indeed had a dream. In her dream, she returned to the warm Jiangnan region, where she was free and at ease, instead of being confined to this small place. She didn't want to answer, but her hesitant and silent demeanor aroused the suspicion of the person in front of her.
"Wanwan?" Xie Huaiyuan's suspicions arose, but he suppressed his doubts and called her again.
"I dreamt of Jiangnan from many years ago..." Lin Wan mumbled, her fair fingertips blocking Xie Huaiyuan who was leaning closer and closer. "The capital is too cold. It's warmer in Jiangnan back home."
Xie Huaiyuan narrowed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. His stern expression melted away like icebergs, and his eyes filled with laughter. "After things are settled in the capital, I'll take some time to accompany you back to Jiangnan, shall we?"
Lin Wan: "...Okay."
"However, Wanwan, please accompany me back to the Prince's Mansion today."
"What?" Lin Wan found it hard to believe what she was hearing. In her memory, the only mansion Xie Huaiyuan mentioned was his own home, the Xiangyang Manor. But ever since Xie Huaiyuan had kept her in the villa in Pear Blossom Lane, he rarely mentioned returning to the Xiangyang Manor. In fact, after the princess came to see her there, she knew that the princess did not like her.
She suspected that Xie Huaiyuan might think she would try to escape again, so he wanted to bring her back to the palace, so that she would really have no way to escape.
Lin Wan didn't meet his gaze directly, but she could still feel that undeniable stare.
Xie Huaiyuan was still looking at her. With his deep-set eyes lowered, he didn't even show the smile he had just seen when he opened his eyes. He neither explained his reason for going to the Prince's mansion nor responded to Lin Wan's reply.
Inside the draped curtains, even the breaths exhaled gradually became warm, and Lin Wan's fingertips could no longer block the heat. She thought of the marks from last night hidden in the bedding that had not yet faded. Looking at Xie Huaiyuan in front of her, she was at a loss for what to do. In the end, she had no choice but to ask again, "Is there something you need to take care of at the Prince's residence?"
Xie Huaiyuan looked at the slender arm that was blocking his way, a subtle meaning slowly rising in his eyes, and said softly, "My mother has prepared a banquet at home and invited you as well."
"But, it's not that the princess dislikes..." She didn't finish her sentence. After all, no matter what, the princess was still her mother, so how could she cause conflict with her mother because of her? So she stopped talking and put down the rest of the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward, and it was clear that Lin Wan did not want to continue.
Seeing her like this, Xie Huaiyuan said softly again, "Wanwan, come back with me."
With just that one simple sentence, Xie Huaiyuan said nothing more, but his gaze remained fixed on me, his presence so strong that it could not be ignored.
Lin Wan avoided Xie Huaiyuan's gaze and lowered her head slightly: "I understand."
Her voice was very soft, like a faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her body. Although it was so faint that it would disappear into the air very quickly, it could easily stir Xie Huaiyuan's heart.
Xie Huaiyuan looked at her quietly, his heartstrings twitching, and reached out to hold her chin down.
Just as they were about to get close, Lin Wan's innocent voice rang in her ears: "I'm still very tired..."
At this moment, she pushed him away with a soft, boneless motion. Xie Huaiyuan quickly understood the hidden meaning in her words. She had indeed not lied or made excuses; she had indeed bothered him for a long time last night. Xie Huaiyuan's dark pupils shifted slightly, and he did not continue. Instead, he lifted the hanging curtain, got up, and called someone in from outside.
Soon, the maids who had been waiting outside filed in, led by Liu Ye.
After Xie Huaiyuan went into the inner room alone, Lin Wan also sat up with Liu Ye's help. The moment she stood on the floor, her legs were a little weak and she almost lost her balance. Fortunately, Liu Ye supported her and prevented her from falling again.
And she was seen in this state by Xie Huaiyuan, who had just come out from the inner room and was all tidied up.
His magnificent attire accentuated Xie Huaiyuan's imposing presence as he discreetly observed her.
"...Are you really tired?"
Lin Wan glanced at him, and saw that the instigator was still looking gloating. She suppressed her anger and turned her head away from him. He was truly despicable!
Seeing this, Xie Huaiyuan smiled warmly and said, "Come to the front yard when you're ready."
As he spoke, he reached out and unfastened the chains on her feet before striding out.
-
The Prince of Xiangyang's mansion was bustling with activity that day.
The princess hosted a banquet at the mansion, inviting the most famous opera troupe in the capital to perform. She also invited several skilled performers who had recently gained the attention of prominent families and nobles in the capital to perform and tell stories. For a time, the entire Xiangyang Prince's mansion was filled with the sounds of string and wind instruments, opera performances, and storytelling, making it a truly lively place.
So much so that when Lin Wan entered the Prince's Mansion, she couldn't immediately connect this extremely bustling mansion with its previous desolate state.
People from the manor and the clan, regardless of age or gender, including relatives and friends who had not had much contact with each other in the past, as well as some ladies from prominent families in the capital, all gathered together.
Lin Wan also saw that Princess Zhaoyi was sitting in the same seat as the princess!
Shortly after entering the Prince's mansion, Xie Huaiyuan was summoned away by a respected elder of the clan, who said there was something to discuss. However, before leaving, he specifically instructed Liu Ye: "Do not leave Lin Wan alone."
Lin Wan watched his hurried departure and knew that this was the first time in a long time that he had relaxed his guard against her. Perhaps it was because they were in the Prince's mansion, in his own home, with his servants watching them from all sides. With so many people around, who would dare to join forces with her to make her leave?
At this moment, the princess's head maid came over and said respectfully, "Miss Lin, this way please. The princess is waiting for you."
Lin Wan looked at the head maid she had met more than once before and knew that she was finally going to face her.
Along the way, many people looked up or glanced at her wherever she went. Those gazes made her feel very uncomfortable. Although she didn't say it out loud, the scrutinizing look in those eyes was unpleasant.
In the front courtyard where the banquet was held, a magnificent stage had been erected. From afar, one could tell that it was a lively place. The banquet seats below were almost full. I thought I would be led to sit in the guest seats in front of the stage, but I wasn't.
The maid leading the way turned left and right, and the noise from the stage gradually faded away. The path was not leading to the front yard, but to the back yard.
When Lin Wan realized what was happening, she saw that some of the places she passed by were familiar. She had been to the Prince's Mansion a few times before, and she still remembered some of the covered walkways and paths.
Lin Wan: "Where are you trying to lead me?"
"Just a little ahead, the princess is waiting for you."
Lin Wan looked up at the secluded courtyard ahead and indeed saw someone sitting in the pavilion.
Princess: "Miss Lin, please sit down."
Lin Wan looked around. This was the backyard of the Prince's mansion. Unauthorized people were not allowed to enter the backyard. No wonder the people she passed by looked at her with surprise on the way here. After all, none of the guests came to the backyard. Her behavior was so different from others.
Lin Wan never expected to meet the princess alone. She still felt some respect for her, but she couldn't back down now. She could only grit her teeth, step forward, and bow, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Princess: "Liu Ye, why don't you rest in the front corridor for a while? Miss Lin and I have some private things to discuss."
Without a word, her head maid stepped forward, took Liu Ye's hand, and led her to the distant corridor to wait there.
The place was secluded and undisturbed, so no one else knew what the princess said to her.
Lin Wan, knowing she had no choice, sat quietly in front of the princess: "I wonder what business the princess has with me?"
The princess raised her eyelids and looked at the person in front of her one by one. Her beautiful and charming face was indeed captivating at first glance. Compared to the last time she saw Lin Wan in the courtyard of Pear Blossom Alley, Lin Wan's appearance had grown even more beautiful and charming, like a splendid peony, making people want to hide her away at first sight.
"Miss Lin Wan, what are your plans?"
Lin Wan: "What do you mean by 'what plans I have'? Does it mean I can make any plans I want?"
Both of them spoke with hidden meanings, and it was immediately clear what they were referring to.
Xie Huaiyuan never concealed from the Princess Consort the fact that he had imprisoned Lin Wan in the villa in Pear Blossom Alley. The Princess Consort was aware of this, but knowing it was one thing, and revealing it to everyone was another.
Now, Xie Huaiyuan has the idea of marrying Lin Wan and is making preparations for it.
When the princess thought about Xie Huaiyuan's frank confession that he wanted to marry Lin Wan, not the princess she had in mind, she was furious and scolded him.
But after observing him for so long, he has come to understand that his son's temperament is exactly the same as the late old prince's; once he has made up his mind, no one can change it.
However, she was unwilling to let Xie Huaiyuan marry Lin Wan like that. Her ideal daughter-in-law had always been the princess. "I heard Huaiyuan mention the marriage. I wonder what you think, Miss Lin?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan found it amusing. Did she think it would be of any use refusing him? When had she ever had a good outcome after refusing him? Every time, she ended up in a bad situation. Helpless, she smiled politely and replied, "I have no opinion on this matter. The young master has probably already made his decision."
The princess frowned, looking at Lin Wan with utter incomprehension. She immediately said, "Miss Lin, marriage is a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's words. Besides, given Huaiyuan's status and position, the person he chooses to marry cannot be just anyone. Naturally, it must be someone whose status and position are comparable to Huaiyuan's. I wonder if Miss Lin understands what I mean?"
Before Lin Wan could reply, the princess continued, "The principle of 'marrying someone of equal social standing' applies here. If the two people are too different, it may not be beneficial for the future. Don't you agree, Miss Lin?"
This isn't about asking for my opinion; it's just an opportunity to scold myself.
The princess looked at Lin Wan, who had a blank expression, sighed slightly, and continued, "As a mother, I naturally hope that my son will live a peaceful and happy life."
She already knew that Xie Huaiyuan had imprisoned her in the villa, but she thought it was just a minor squabble. She never expected it to develop like this.
After a long while, Lin Wan finally spoke, asking the question that the princess had been hoping for: "I wonder what the princess means? If it can help the princess relieve her worries, Lin Wan will certainly help without hesitation."
Princess: "I belong to Princess Zhaoyi. I mentioned this to Huaiyuan many years ago. I wonder if he has mentioned it to you. Of course, I am not a rigid person. Miss Lin, you are gentle and virtuous, and you are a very good girl. Why don't we wait until after he marries the princess, and I will ask him to put in a good word for you to join his family? Miss Lin, what do you think of this?"
good?
How could it possibly be okay!
This person was clearly doing it on purpose, deliberately saying things to disturb Lin Wan's peace of mind. Lin Wan, on the other hand, suffered no loss and ended up arranging a wife and concubine for her son all at once.
What do they take her for?!
Lin Wan grew angrier the more she thought about it. No matter how bad she was, she would never allow herself to be summoned and dismissed at will, or to be played with like a monkey.
Before leaving home, she had felt a sense of awe towards the princess, thinking that since she was Xie Huaiyuan's mother, she should naturally respect her. But now, as these harsh words drilled into her ears, the princess acted as if nothing was wrong, and the only one who was troubled was herself. She was actually quite happy to be at ease.
As for her admiration for Princess Zhaoyi, let her go and tell Xie Huaiyuan herself. Why bother her? She doesn't even have the most basic freedom now. Can love feed her or buy her freedom? So these words are really meaningless.
Lin Wan felt increasingly aggrieved. Was she destined to be confined to that small space, forever losing her former freedom and happiness?
With that thought in mind, Lin Wan no longer felt afraid in front of the princess and said frankly, "I'm afraid this matter should be brought up by Your Highness and the Crown Prince. I am of low status and know my place, and I have no unrealistic ideas."
Lin Wan had no interest in the rest of the conversation and did not want to continue talking with the princess, so she excused herself and left first.
The princess got what she wanted and nodded in agreement, instructing her head maid to take her back to the banquet hall in the front courtyard.
Silence returned to the pavilion in the backyard.
"Come out now."
The tightly closed door of the side room next to the pavilion creaked open, and a person walked out. This person was Xie Huaiyuan, whom the two had just mentioned.
Without even lifting her eyelids, the princess said bluntly, "Huaiyuan, you heard what I just said clearly. Miss Lin is indeed a rare and wonderful girl. Even she knows that marriage should be between equals and that it should be approved by her parents. Since she is so sensible and knows that she shouldn't be hoping for a position that doesn't belong to her, you should accept it. There are many good noble ladies in this world; you don't necessarily have to marry her."
Xie Huaiyuan lowered his eyes and said, word by word, "My mind will not change. I will either not marry or I will only marry her."
"Xie Huaiyuan! You're forcing her!" The princess was furious. "Can't you see that she doesn't want to marry you? That girl was so calm when she heard that a man wanted to marry her. Even if she eventually married you, it was only because she had to submit to your power. Let her go."
Xie Huaiyuan recalled the past and suddenly realized that his fingertips still lingered on Rouyue Er, who had pinched her chin earlier. "I won't let go. You said you wanted to see her, and I brought her here as you asked, but I didn't promise you I wouldn't marry her. You don't need to worry about anything else; I'll take care of it."
"Ignore it? You're abducting a respectable girl, you're ruining her life," the princess roared. "What decent girl would let you treat her like this? What if her family found out..."
Xie Huaiyuan: "I have already mentioned it to Lord Su."
Princess: "You!"
The rest of her words were stuck in her throat, leaving her so angry she could hardly breathe.
He's really good at this!
However, Xie Huaiyuan seemed to be able to see through the princess's thoughts and continued, "Mother, you don't need to think about asking the emperor to grant you a marriage. The palace is calm on the surface, but it's actually in chaos. If you rashly enter the palace and get taken hostage, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to get you out. As for the princess, you don't need to say a word to her. This matter is ultimately mine. I'm the one who's going to marry, and it's not someone else. Mother, you can just wait peacefully to drink the tea offered by your new bride."
Xie Huaiyuan made everything clear, silencing the princess's thoughts of making any further futile plans.
She snorted and glared at him: "So you already knew what I was saying today?"
Xie Huaiyuan stood up, slightly straightening his somewhat disheveled clothes, a hint of ruthlessness flashing across his face. "Since I said I would marry her, I must have already made up my mind. Whatever her thoughts are on this matter, if she is happy to marry, that is naturally good. Even if she is unwilling or has other ideas, she will have to sit in this bridal sedan chair whether she likes it or not!"
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