Chapter 29 He politely declined the hairpin, but his heart skipped a beat.
"We'll die if we don't leave."
Jiang Shiyao repeated the same thing as she watched She Erniang's retreating figure.
She Erniang did not move or turn around.
Jiang Shiyao's voice was low, "I just want to live, I just want my daughter to live."
She Erniang slowly turned around and spoke after a long while.
"Martial law is now in effect at the city gates..."
“I know there will be another tribute mission next month, and it will take at least two more months.”
The last time Jiang Shiyao asked at the carriage shop was a month ago.
She Erniang was taken aback. "Where did you get this information from?"
Jiang Shiyao told the truth, "I inquired at a carriage and horse shop on Zhuque Street a month ago and even paid a deposit of fifty taels."
“The carriage and horse shop closed down a few days ago, so I came to the horse market today.”
She Erniang said, "...You really do have some luck on you."
"That carriage shop and the person who tried to cheat you are the same kind of people. They closed down a few days ago because they offended someone."
She snorted coldly, "Those who act recklessly will eventually capsize in the gutter."
She glanced at Jiang Shiyao again as she spoke, "Aren't you afraid I'll lie to you?"
Jiang Shiyao said, "You said it yourself, doing this kind of thing is risking your life. People would be eager to hide all their wealth."
"Only you have made your home in such a chaotic place."
"They not only have courage, but also ability."
She Erniang was amused by the praise, "Alright, you have good taste, and it seems we are destined to meet."
"I'll take your business."
Jiang Shiyao was secretly delighted.
She Erniang said solemnly, "Fifty for the journey, five hundred for the person."
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips. "I want them all."
The money for the road only covers the road permit; the money for the people is just to make a disguised book.
She Erniang held out her hand, "Take the money and do the job."
"See you at Baima Temple in five days."
When we returned to Zilin Garden, it was almost time for the banquet to end.
Just as Jiang Shiyao and Fu'er reached the door, Zhou Congxian was helped out unsteadily.
He reeked of alcohol; he must have been forced to drink quite a bit.
When Zhao saw that Jiang Shiyao had returned from outside, she couldn't help but scold, "Where have you been?!"
Jiang Shiyao lowered her eyelids. "Fu'er hasn't gone out for quite some time. I took her to play in the street for a little while."
Zhou Congxian looked up at the person in front of him, straining his eyes to make out who it was.
He pointed at Jiang Shiyao, his words muffled.
"You, you...how did you get here!"
Zhao said, "Alright, hurry home!"
Zhou Congxian pushed the servant aside and walked straight to Jiang Shiyao, where he stood awkwardly in front of her.
"you--"
He had barely opened his mouth when he collapsed headfirst into Jiang Shiyao's arms.
Jiang Shiyao was still holding her daughter's hand; at this point, how could she possibly catch a drunken man?
At the critical moment, a hand came across and caught Zhou Congxian steadily.
The group of women at the entrance bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Cheng."
Xiao Shu handed the already drunk Zhou Congxian to a servant before turning to Zhao Shi and saying...
"It was my fault today; I did not know that the Crown Prince was not a strong drinker."
Zhao quickly replied, "It has nothing to do with Your Highness. It's just that Xian'er has been too busy lately and his meals have been irregular. He drank alcohol on an empty stomach today, which is why he's like this."
As she spoke, she looked up and scolded Jiang Shiyao again, "As Xian'er's personal servant, you didn't even know to advise the young master that he hadn't eaten."
Jiang Shiyao lowered her head and did not argue.
It's all her fault anyway, so even if it's not, we'll find something wrong with her.
With so many people around, how could they possibly lose face?
She was the only one who bought it for ten taels of silver.
No need for face.
Zhou Congxian was helped onto the carriage.
"Sister Fu'er!"
Xiao Lin squeezed out of the crowd.
He searched the entire banquet and finally found Sister Fu'er!
"This is for you!"
Without saying a word, Xiao Lin stuffed the tiger Huang Fei, which hadn't been given away, into Fu'er's arms.
Zhao was shocked. "This...Seventh Prince, this is inappropriate..."
Xiao Lin put her hands on her hips and said with dissatisfaction, "My third brother said I can give it to whomever I want!"
"I simply love Sister Fu'er, and I'm going to give her to her!"
Fu'er was also frightened by the scene, and she looked at her mother uneasily.
Xiao Shu patted his younger brother's head. "So the sister you were looking for is a young lady from the British ducal family."
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Shi and Jiang Shiyao, "No need to panic, Xiao Qi has given it to us, just accept it."
Xiao Lin grinned, "That's right! When Fu'er grows up, I'm going to marry her and make her my princess!"
Their words, though seemingly childlike, carried a powerful weight.
Everyone present was astonished.
Song Jiyun, who was behind him, was so engrossed in clutching his handkerchief that he almost ground his teeth to powder!
She knew that Jiang Shiyao's appearance was never a good thing.
If even a concubine's daughter is betrothed to a prince, what will happen if she gives birth to a daughter? Won't she be forever trampled underfoot?
Neither she nor her daughter can survive!
*
Jiang Shiyao was sent to Zhou Congxian's carriage to be taken care of.
Fu'er boarded Zhao's carriage, and amidst the swaying and rocking, she fell asleep.
Zhao glanced at the little girl who was already asleep in her mother's arms.
"I never expected this little thing to be so lucky."
"She is still the Crown Prince's child after all. She has a good personality and is well-behaved. The Seventh Prince is a little tyrant, but he also dotes on her."
Zhao smiled and said, "It was just a child's joke."
Then she thought for a moment, "Fu'er will be four years old in about six months, right?"
Xiang Mama immediately understood what she meant. "Yes, Miss is almost four years old. I remember that the eldest young lady started her education at the age of three."
"Your Highness feels sorry for the young lady, having let her play for half a year too long. Now it's time to hire a tutor."
Madam Zhao smiled and straightened the corner of her clothes. "You're right. I remember that the children in the Li family were all taught by Zhang Shichong."
“Zhang Shichong is stubborn, and it would be difficult to invite him in without a middleman.”
"I'll write a note for Madam Li later, and you can deliver it to her in person."
He replied to his mother, "Yes."
Her gaze fell on the yellow jade tiger pendant on the little girl in her arms. This child was blessed; even if she didn't win the mistress's favor in the future, her future wouldn't be bad.
Who knows, in the future, the glory of her birth mother, Lady Jiang, might even surpass that of Miss Song!
Jiang Shiyao glanced at the man who had already passed out drunk, then turned to look out the window.
She spent over a thousand yuan at She Erniang's place today.
This is just the money for the identity.
At that time, we'll still have to bribe the officials at each checkpoint who demand bribes and favors.
After leaving the city, there are still travel expenses, carriage fees, and money to settle down and start a business.
She doesn't have enough money right now!
Moreover, grain prices are still rising, and there is still a lot of grain in the granaries. I'm afraid that it might be targeted by someone with ulterior motives.
It's like a large money bag placed on the body of a septuagenarian.
She still needs to think of a way to prevent someone from sabotaging her plans, otherwise all her efforts will be in vain.
"Jiang Shiyao".
Jiang Shiyao turned around in surprise and found Zhou Congxian sitting up with clear eyes.
"You...you're not drunk."
Zhou Congxian rubbed his temples. "My mother told me that someone sent you an invitation, and you've met the person who sent it."
Jiang Shiyao lowered her eyes slightly, "I saw him, it was His Highness Prince Cheng."
Zhou Congxian showed no difference, only raising an eyebrow, "What did you say?"
"King Cheng said he lost something and asked if you had seen it. I said I didn't know."
Zhou Congxian leaned against the carriage wall, "His Highness Prince Cheng has really gone to great lengths."
"From now on, please tell me about any invitations sent out of the blue."
He looked directly into her eyes.
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips. "Yes."
He suddenly leaned closer, and before she could react, her scalp tightened as something cold was stuffed into her hair.
"Don't move."
Zhou Congxian stepped back a little, and Jiang Shiyao felt a weight on her right side, a cool touch sweeping past her ear.
It is a hair ornament.
Zhou Congxian said, "I won it by shooting flowers at the banquet."
Jiang Shiyao looked into his eyes, and her fingers, which were resting on her knees, twitched slightly.
Zhou Congxian never gave her anything; if she needed anything, he would simply have someone deliver it.
This was the first time he had delivered it personally.
Zhou Congxian waited with eyes full of joy, but after a long while, he saw no change whatsoever.
Just as he frowned, Jiang Shiyao pulled out the hairpin and said softly.
"The Crown Prince and Miss Song were at the same banquet, and she watched as the Crown Prince won this hairpin."
"If she sees the hairpin in my hair, how am I supposed to face her?"
"She...she won't."
Even Zhou Congxian himself felt somewhat powerless in his words.
He knew all too well what kind of person Song Jiyun was—capricious and willful.
But it's not time yet.
Song Yitang did not trust him.
Your Majesty is too young. The Empress Dowager has been in control of the government since the late Emperor was seriously ill, and she has not relinquished power to the new Emperor after his ascension to the throne.
Song Yitang has been enjoying unparalleled prominence in recent years, and is a key figure planted by the Empress Dowager in the Emperor's inner circle.
The only way to bring down the Empress Dowager's faction is to start with the Song family.
King Cheng's birth mother was obscure and died young. He grew up under the care of the Empress Dowager. He appeared humble and polite, but in reality, he was a vicious tiger waiting for an opportunity to hunt.
The old ministers in the court, led by Grand Secretary Li, were conservatives who repeatedly rejected the new policies proposed by His Majesty.
His Majesty is now a puppet with no real power, only the Shadow Guard left to him by the late Emperor.
He used to be His Majesty's study companion, and he knew very well that His Majesty was not as obsessed with women as he appeared to be now.
During his two years in the Yanwei Camp, he used his position to uncover information about some of the Empress Dowager's faction.
However, they were unable to penetrate deep behind enemy lines.
So when his grandmother asked him to find a match for Song Jiyun, he immediately agreed.
Jiang Shiyao twitched the corner of her lips, then stuffed the hairpin into Zhou Congxian's hand.
“Miss Song will be the mistress of the household in the future. Although it is a small matter for the young master to send a hairpin, I do not want to cause discord between the mistress and the master.”
"You should give this hairpin to Miss Song; she will be very happy."
Zhou Congxian held the hairpin, while Jiang Shiyao looked understanding and smiled with her eyes crinkling.
He always felt that she was still the same, yet different from before.
It was as if something was slowly slipping away from his fingers.
He felt a strange sense of unease and disorientation.
"Jiang Shiyao!"
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