Chapter 96 County Princess
The news that Xie Sangning had been granted the title of Princess of Jianing County caused quite a stir in Jinling City.
Most people applauded – Miss Xie had spent so much real money to establish the academy and cultivate talent, sending twenty-three new Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to the court. What's wrong with giving her the title of county princess for this achievement? She deserved it!
But there were always a few pairs of eyes staring at the General's Mansion as if they were poisoned.
The first one to get angry was the Second Princess, Pei Mingyue.
"Splash—!"
Another set of fine teaware has blossomed in the Second Princess's residence.
Scalding hot tea mixed with broken porcelain shards splashed everywhere.
"Why should she! What is Xie Sangning anyway!" Pei Mingyue's chest heaved violently, her pretty face contorted with rage as she paced back and forth like a madwoman. "She's just raised a few poor, pedantic scholars, does she even deserve to be a county princess?! Has Father Emperor gone senile?!"
"Your Highness, please calm down!" Bai Qing, the personal maid, was terrified. She knelt down on the broken porcelain shards with a thud, ignoring the stinging pain in her knees, and pleaded urgently in a low voice, "Walls have ears! To speculate on His Majesty's thoughts... is a serious crime!"
"Smack!"
A resounding slap landed hard on Bai Qing's face!
The force was so great that it knocked her head to the side, and her cheek instantly became red and swollen.
Pei Mingyue withdrew her hand: "What 'ears'? What serious crime? In my princess's residence, who dares to spread this word?! If it really gets out..."
Her chilling gaze swept over the palace maids who were trembling with fear, wishing they could disappear into the floor. "Then you treacherous servants deserve to die! Drag you all out and beat you to death! Would Father Emperor really kill his own daughter for a few servants?!"
Bai Qing covered his face, blood mixed with tears seeping from between his fingers, and buried his head, not daring to utter another sound.
Pei Mingyue is going crazy in her room and is still under house arrest. Just thinking about how that bitch Xie Sangning is probably living a life of luxury outside makes her grit her teeth in hatred.
"No! I can't stand it! Bai Qing, send men to bring this little slut to the Princess's residence today! I will teach her a lesson!"
She's gone mad! The princess is absolutely furious!
While still under house arrest, he wanted to kidnap a dignified county princess just because he couldn't stand seeing others thriving?
Or is it Xie Sangning?
Are those four maids around her easy to deal with? This isn't the way to send someone to their death!
Can I persuade him? Bai Qing sneered inwardly.
If you go over there now, you'll only get another beating.
Forget it, the stupid master will learn his lesson once he hits a brick wall.
Bai Qing knelt, her eyes lifeless.
Besides the second princess, there was another person who was also consumed by jealousy and unable to eat or sleep.
In a fairly clean upper room in the backyard of Yuelai Teahouse in the south of the city.
Xie Wuyou was sitting inside, tightly twisting the worn-out embroidered handkerchief in her hand.
At this time, she had already hidden herself at the home of a former friend, claiming to be visiting. The friend was the daughter of the owner of Yuelai Teahouse, who had always been Xie Wuyou's shadow.
Although Xie Wuyou has been expelled from the General's Mansion, the common people cannot fight against the officials. Xie Wuyou used to always refer to herself as the young lady of the General's Mansion, so the teahouse owner naturally dared not offend her.
Not to mention Xie Wuyou is engaged to Wei Zikai, a fifth-rank general. Who knows, she might become a proper general's wife one day, and dealing with their little teahouse would be a piece of cake.
Only then did she have a place to stay temporarily.
But Xie Wuyou, now that he had found a place to stay, had no time to be happy.
How dare she! That wretched woman who usurped my place!
They robbed her of her general's mansion, her life of luxury, and now they've taken away the honor she never dared to dream of!
And what about me? Like a stray dog, hiding in this dilapidated teahouse!
No! The engagement absolutely cannot be called off!
Not only can she not back out, she must marry into the Yongning Marquis's household as soon as possible, immediately!
Only by capturing Wei Zikai and becoming the general's wife can she regain her standing in Jinling City and have the opportunity to... crush Xie Sangning!
This thought, like a wildly growing vine, instantly entangled Xie Wuyou's heart.
She suddenly stood up, grabbed a rough porcelain teacup from the table, and took a big gulp of cold tea to calm her anger. She didn't even bother to look in the dressing mirror before rushing out of the room.
She walked in a hurry and didn't notice that the moment she stepped out of the back door of the teahouse, two ordinary-looking men silently followed her.
The Yongning Marquis's mansion had its vermilion gates tightly shut, with two imposing stone lions standing in front of them.
The gatekeeper was dozing off with his arms crossed when he caught a glimpse of a figure rushing towards him from the alleyway. He nearly bit his tongue in shock.
Oh my goodness! It's this plague!
Before Xie Wuyou even arrived, the gatekeeper's face was already beaming with eagerness. He jogged down the steps, his back almost bent at a ninety-degree angle: "Oh! Isn't this Miss Xie? What brings you here? Please come in, please come in!"
In his heart, he was cursing wildly: "Oh my god, please don't start throwing a tantrum and screaming at the door!"
Seeing the gatekeeper's attentiveness, Xie Wuyou felt a surge of vanity that instantly overwhelmed his anxiety.
See? The Marquis's family has no intention of annulling the engagement! Otherwise, why would they be so obsequious to me!
A sense of pride welled up inside her, and she raised her chin demurely, coughing lightly, "Yes. I've come to see Brother Wei."
Her voice was deliberately made soft and delicate.
The guard's smile froze for a moment: "Looking for the general? Please wait a moment! I'll go in and inform him right away! Please come in, have some hot tea while you wait?"
He half-coaxed and half-invited her into the gatehouse, afraid that she would be seen standing at the door by passersby.
Xie Wuyou followed him in with satisfaction, sat on the simple bench in the gatehouse, and even pickily dusted off non-existent dust.
Not long after, the gatekeeper returned, his smile still bright: "Miss Xie, the General is not in the manor. However, our Second Miss heard you were here and specially came to keep you company and cheer you up! This way, please!"
As he spoke, he led Xie Wuyou toward the second gate.
Brother Wei isn't here? Xie Wuyou felt a little disappointed.
But when he heard that it was Wei Feng who was there to receive him, he felt a little annoyed.
One prostitute isn't enough.
The future Lady of the Marquis has arrived; shouldn't the current Lady of the Marquis personally receive her?
When she becomes the mistress of the Marquis's mansion in the future, she will definitely set a good example for the family.
She pouted, suppressed her dissatisfaction, and followed them into the flower hall.
In the flower hall, Wei Feng was idly fiddling with the lid of a teacup.
She didn't even lift her eyelids when she saw Xie Wuyou come in.
"Xiao Feng," Xie Wuyou sat down on his own, his tone carrying a familiar intimacy, even a hint of command, "Why is it you? Where did Brother Wei go? I clearly told the gatekeeper I wanted to see him, is that gatekeeper hard of hearing?"
Wei Feng's fingers tightened abruptly around the teacup lid. "Little Feng? This lowly commoner dares to call me that?!"
A wave of nausea rushed to my throat.
She suppressed her anger, raised her face, and forced out a smile that couldn't be more fake.
"Sister Wuyou, you're too kind. Brother really had something to do and went out. That's why I rushed over, worried that you'd be neglected if no one was there to entertain you. Would you like some tea, sister?"
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