After leaving Jiming Temple, Princess Jinyi sat in her carriage and wrote down every detail of her recent experiences in Jinling in a letter. As she disembarked, she gave it to A-da to deliver to the capital. Along with the letter, Princess Jinyi also sent some food and small items. Her mother had been trapped in the palace for over a decade, and Princess Jinyi wanted to let her know how much fun there was outside.
"Princess, there are a few more people from powerful and wealthy families in the visiting cards today. Would you like to take a look?" The young eunuch asked while kneeling on the ground.
After washing up, Princess Jinyi, feeling bored, beckoned. The eunuch handed out the visiting cards. Ah Er took them and placed them on the table. He then picked up the top one and handed it to Princess Jinyi. He read three of them in a row: one from a princess of the imperial clan and one from the family of the prefect of Jiangning, who was in charge of Jinling Prefecture. He didn't bother with these; the palace servants would reply to each one, and Princess Jinyi wasn't prepared to see them.
After opening the fourth visiting card, Princess Jinyi saw that it was signed by the Yongyi Marquis Mansion. She sat up straight and read the visiting card again from beginning to end.
Princess Jinyi, clutching the visiting card, smiled and said, "I'm quite curious about the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion. Please summon him to see it." Then she waved her hand and said, "I won't look at anything else."
The young eunuch took the invitation, kowtowed, and withdrew. Ah Er and the young eunuch also withdrew. Ah Da stood by his side, motionless as the pillars in the room.
"I pay my respects to the princess, Princess Wanyi." The wife of Marquis Yongyi and her daughter-in-law Jin, who were dressed in formal attire, knelt down to pay their respects to Princess Jinyi.
Princess Jinyi, who was sitting at the main seat, raised her hand and said, "Madam, there is no need to be so polite. Please stand up quickly."
The two of them hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, Princess." Then Jin helped the Marquis' wife to stand up, and the two of them sat down following the guidance of the palace maid.
Princess Jinyi, beaming with joy, calmed the two men down. She said, "Don't be nervous, Madam. I'm just traveling incognito. I received a visiting card from the Marquis's residence and wanted to meet the Marquis's wife. I'd also like to chat with Madam Sheng after returning to the capital."
Hearing the name "Madam Sheng," the Marquis's face trembled, and then a trace of pain flashed across her eyes, and the corners of her eyes instantly turned red. Meanwhile, Jin, who was sitting in the lower seat, had a look of panic on her face, and she felt a little flustered.
After squeezing her palms, the Marquis's expression softened, and she replied, "The princess's arrival at Jinling Prefecture is a joyous occasion for the entire prefecture. I am deeply honored to have the privilege of meeting you." Leaning forward, she asked, "Don't worry, princess, you'll laugh at me. Twenty years ago, my son insisted on marrying the third place winner, which ended the engagement."
Princess Jinyi nodded to indicate that she knew about this, and then listened to the Marquis' wife say, "How could a mother abandon her child? If, if the princess returns to the capital, could you please convey a message to me?"
Princess Jinyi nodded, naturally agreeing, "Of course. I will convey Madam's words verbatim."
Wiping her eyes, the Marquis's wife said, "Princess, please tell my son that we'll make new osmanthus cakes every year." She paused, moved her lips, and finally didn't say anything. She smiled and said, "That's all."
Princess Jinyi, having accepted the task, nodded in agreement, though she didn't understand the Marquis's intentions. Later, the topic of Madam Sheng surfaced, and the two of them became increasingly acquainted. After the meeting, Princess Jinyi and the Marquis's wife arranged to visit the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion three days later.
Jin, who had been sitting in the lower seat, unable to get a word in, felt her heart racing. She recalled what she had said to her sister-in-law's maid a while ago, and felt that something bad was about to happen. And if something she had done over the years were to be uncovered, she might be divorced and sent home.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
