Chapter 65: Instructions
With Ginkgo's company, they chatted and laughed along the way and soon arrived at Duke Wen's Mansion.
It was Madam Wen's birthday banquet, and the Duke Wen's mansion was decorated with lights and it was lively and festive. Duke Wen was an upright official who seldom made enemies. It was also a holiday, so almost all the civil and military officials had arrived. The banquet seemed even more lively than that of Concubine Su's birthday banquet.
It was just that Chen Tang felt a little embarrassed. Ever since she stepped into Duke Wen's Mansion, many eyes had been on her. After all, Duke Wen's Mansion had once asked the Third Young Master to marry her, and because she was a "husband-killer", Duke Wen had fallen out of the sedan chair and sprained his arm. Normally, on a day like this, she shouldn't have gone to Duke Wen's Mansion to cause trouble.
Chen Tang didn't want to come either, but she remembered a few days ago how the Third Young Master of Duke Wen's Mansion had offended the Prince of Changping. It was on the day of Madam Wen's birthday banquet that the Third Young Master Wen and the Prince of Changping had an archery competition. The Prince of Changping shot first, and the Third Young Master Wen's archery skills were so superb that he actually pierced the Prince of Changping's arrow and hit the bull's eye, thus winning against the Prince of Changping.
Some people cannot afford to lose even a little bit of face. They hold a grudge against the third young master Shangwen, and framed him for entering a gambling house, where he lost half of his position as Duke Wen, and almost angered Duke Wen to death.
Duke Wen fell down because of the man's attempt to stop her from getting engaged. She already felt guilty towards Duke Wen's Mansion, and the Third Young Master Wen even apologized to her. It would have been fine if it was just an apology, but Duke Wen still felt unhappy about it, so he helped the Second Master fight for the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Although it almost ruined Chen Tang's plans, Chen Tang admired Duke Wen's character. Knowing that Duke Wen's Mansion was in such trouble, how could she just stand by and watch?
Shen Tang didn't know that before Duke Wen helped recommend the Second Master, he once again asked Shen Sui to marry Shen Tang for his son, the Third Master Wen. Shen Sui didn't tell him that Shen Tang was half engaged, but politely declined.
After entering Duke Wen's mansion, the maid led Chen Tang into the inner courtyard. Chen Tang looked around, but didn't see the Third Young Master Wen. Instead, his eyes met those of Prince Jingyang by chance.
Chen Tang dodged out of habit. Although it was not the first time, Xie Guimo's brows were still frowned. However, what made him frown even more was yet to come. Chen Tang avoided his gaze and kept looking at the Third Young Master Wen.
A certain gentleman's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
Prince Duan Xiao Xun was standing nearby, his face twitching from trying so hard to hold back his laughter.
Chen Tang didn't know whether Third Young Master Wen had figured out that she had something to talk to him about, so she could only follow Second Madam to the inner courtyard to pay her respects to Old Madam Wen.
Neither Madam Wen nor Lady Wenguogong's wife had expected Chen Tang to come. Madam Wen was satisfied with Chen Tang in every way, but it was a pity that the marriage between the two families could not be settled, and Miss Shen was left with a reputation of being a jinx. It was really the Wenguogong Mansion that let her down.
The second wife thanked the wife of Duke Wen, "Thank you Duke Wen for recommending my master a few days ago..."
Lady Wen Guogong said, "It's a pity that I can't help much."
No one expected that the position of a minister of the Ministry of Revenue would alarm Prince Jingyang, so that even though so many people recommended Master Shen Er, he still missed the position.
Although I failed in the end, this relationship must be maintained. If I want to get a better position in the future, I will have to rely on Duke Wen's recommendation.
Today, not only the Second Madam came, but also the wife of Marquis Xuanyi. In front of the Second Madam, no one was stupid enough to praise the Second Master of the Marquis Xuanyi Mansion for his promotion, and the atmosphere was harmonious. However, what Chen Tang did not expect was that the wife of the Earl of Yongning also brought her daughter, Miss Li.
Miss Li and Master Wang are already discussing the wedding date, and as they are about to get married, they generally won't show up in public.
Seeing Chen Tang, Miss Li Yunxiu clenched her hands, but did not show anything on her face.
There were many people in the room. Shen Tang and Shen Ran greeted each other and went to the garden. The two sisters separated quickly. The Second Madam taught Shen Ran to be Shen Xian's follower, but never taught her to follow Shen Tang, let alone give in to her in everything. If she gave in, she would probably be scolded by the Second Madam when she returned.
Shen Tang also didn't like Shen Ran following her. Although Shen Ran was not the second wife's biological daughter, Shen Ran didn't know it, and Shen Tang couldn't treat her separately from the second wife.
Chen Tang did not forget the purpose of coming to Duke Wen's mansion. She hesitated whether to ask Chen Shan to help her find the Third Young Master Wen, or to ask the maid of Duke Wen's mansion to invite him. If the maid went to invite him, it would be bad for her reputation if people knew about it. If she asked Chen Shan to find him, wouldn't it let Duke Wen's mansion know that she came to celebrate the birthday and brought people to protect her...
Just as I was hesitating, Young Master Wen San arrived.
Because they came to the garden with a group of young masters from aristocratic families, they were not so eye-catching. At that time, Chen Tang was distracted in the lotus pond. Ginkgo heard the footsteps and looked back, saying, "Miss, Young Master Wen San is coming..."
Chen Tang turned around and saw the Third Young Master Wen walking towards her. Chen Tang bowed and the Third Young Master Wen returned the greeting, saying awkwardly, "I hope I didn't misunderstand you. Second Young Miss Chen, do you have something to say to me?"
Chen Tang nodded, "Master Wen San didn't misunderstand me, I do have something to tell you."
Young Master Wen San looked at Chen Tang in confusion. Chen Tang said, "Young Master Wen San should have heard about my mother's dream, right?"
This was something that everyone in Kyoto knew, so he had naturally heard about it. Young Master Wen San nodded, and Chen Tang said, "Maybe my mother sensed that the mansion was going to ask for me to marry you, so she told me something about the mansion. I came to you because I wanted to remind you that you should not compete in archery with the Prince of Changping Marquis today or in the future, let alone win against him."
Master Wen San, "......???"
"Why?" Young Master Wen San was puzzled.
Chen Tang said, "The Prince of Changping is narrow-minded. If you make him lose face, he will definitely find ways to get back at you. He will have someone trick you into going to the gambling house and losing half of the Duke Wen's mansion."
Young Master Wen San's heart trembled. He had just agreed to compete in archery with the Marquis of Changping...
Master Wen San calmed himself down and said, "I can't beat him in archery. I can't beat him."
It’s best not to win.
You won't gain any extra weight if you win, but you'll gain more enemies if you lose. It's not worth it.
Chen Tang didn't know that the Third Young Master Wen had already agreed to compete in archery with the Prince of Changping. She had already reminded him, but as for the rest, she was powerless to do anything.
Two people who had been engaged in marriage were talking together. Although it was in public, it still aroused curiosity and people kept looking over there.
Master Wen San said, “Thank you Miss Shen Er for reminding me.”
He saluted and then left.
As soon as Master Wen San left, Shen Ran came over and asked, "What did Second Sister and Master Wen San talk about?"
The second wife always wanted to get to the bottom of any abnormal behavior of hers.
Chen Tang said nonchalantly, "Third sister, what do you think I can talk about with Third Master Wen? We just bumped into each other. I just want to thank Duke Wen for helping to recommend Second Uncle."
The frank Shen Ran felt that he was superfluous. Thinking about it, Shen Tang and the Third Young Master Wen really had nothing to talk about. For two people who were almost engaged, it would be awkward to say one more word.
There was nothing to ask, so Shen Ran went to play with the ladies from wealthy families again. Shen Tang was a little thirsty, so he went to the pavilion to drink tea.
However, before he had even finished his cup of tea, news came that Young Master Wen San had defeated the Prince of Changping in an archery contest.
Chen Tang, "..."
I gave a lonely reminder.
What happened to the agreement that you couldn’t defeat the Prince of Changping?
Is it possible that Young Master Wen San is destined to be unable to escape this disaster?
I hope he listens to her and doesn't go to the gambling house again, otherwise he will be beaten again.
Chen Tang continued to drink tea and eat snacks. He didn't know how long he had been sitting there. A maid came over, saluted, and then handed over a note, "Second Miss Shen, this is what the eldest lady of the Yongning Earl's Mansion asked me to pass on to you."
Miss Li?
If she has something to do, why not come to her directly? Why send her a letter?
But Chen Tang was really curious about what was written in the letter. She reached out to take it, opened it, and saw that it read:
If you want to know who instigated me to push you into the water, come to the southwest corner of the garden.
Chen Tang didn't expect that Miss Li asked her out for a meeting. Could it be that she had a change of heart and wanted to tell her the truth?
Chen Tang would rather believe that Miss Li was unwilling to sacrifice her whole life for Chen Xi and wanted to instigate the sisters to fight each other.
Chen Tang didn't want to pay attention to it, but she had nothing to do anyway. With Chen Shan protecting her in secret, she didn't have to worry about falling into Miss Li's trap. She might as well go and see what kind of trouble she was trying to make.
Chen Tang stood up and led Gingko towards the southwest corner of the garden.
The place was not remote, but not many people came. Chen Tang walked forward, and then she faintly heard a few gasps coming from behind the rockery. She glanced over and saw a bellyband embroidered with a peony on the ground.
Chen Tang's heart trembled, and he quickly stepped back. However, after taking a step back, he bumped into a strong chest and stepped on someone's foot.
Not Ginkgo!
She was frightened out of her wits.
Just as she was about to scream, her mouth was covered and the man took her and hid on the other side of the rockery.
Chen Tang was terrified. She bit the man's mouth. The man felt pain and whispered in her ear, "It's me..."
A familiar voice.
When Chen Tang opened his eyes, he saw a handsome face enlarged in his pupils.
yes--
Thanks Guimo!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
