Chapter 187 [VIP]
"Really?!" Xie Jing asked impatiently.
“Once you leave the capital, head south. There’s a tea stall there. If you want to see her, just wait there.” She took Xie Danling’s arm. “Cousin Danling, let’s go fly kites.”
"Where...where is she now?" Xie Jing thought of Gu Zhizhuo's earlier mention of the Duke of Cheng'en, and a thought struck him. "Could she be at the Duke of Cheng'en's residence?"
Gu Zhizhuo waved his hand with his back to him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and soon walked away with Xie Danling.
Cheng'en Palace...
Sun Nian?!
Xie Jing knew that Sun Nian and Ji Nanke had always had a very good relationship, like sisters. Even after Ke'er was driven out of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion and abandoned by everyone, Sun Nian would often come to see her.
Oh right. I was incredibly stupid.
Xie Jing clenched his fist and clapped his hands. Ke'er had no silver, no valuables, and no travel permit.
Where could she have gone? She must be at the Duke of Cheng'en's residence, with Sun Nian!
Overwhelmed by exhaustion and helplessness, Xie Jing couldn't help but wonder: if he hadn't broken off his engagement with Gu Zhizhuo, and had Gu Zhizhuo's help and the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion as his backing, would he not be so physically and mentally exhausted, and could he be as relaxed as Xie Yingchen, easily commanding the court?
The thought was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. After watching the two cousins turn a corner and disappear completely from his sight, Xie Jing hurriedly left the palace and headed straight for the Duke of Cheng'en's residence.
The main gate of the Chengen Duke's Mansion was wide open, and the dowry, tied with red silk, was being carried out by servants, with firecrackers going off all the way.
The gate was surrounded by people asking for lucky money, and Xie Jing took advantage of the chaos to enter the mansion.
The mansion was in a mess, with servants coming and going.
"Be careful, be careful."
"Ouch, don't bump your head."
"...Your Highness, what brings you here!?"
The steward, who was directing the servants to carry the dowry, spotted him and immediately came forward, saying, "The Duke is inside."
Xie Jing asked directly, "Is Ji Nanke in the manor?"
"I don't know."
The inner and outer courtyards have always been separate, and as the steward of the outer courtyard, he really didn't know anything about the inner courtyard.
"Jing'er?"
The surprised voice of the Duke of Chengen rang in his ears. Xie Jing originally wanted to take advantage of the chaos to enter, find Ji Nanke and take her away. He never thought he would have to face the Duke of Chengen.
He abandoned his post and secretly returned to the capital. He was in the wrong first, and he would definitely be scolded by his uncle.
Without a second thought, Xie Jing covered his face with his sleeve and fled in panic.
No wonder Miss Gu told him to wait outside the city tomorrow; she must have expected that today's trip would be in vain.
"Jing'er!"
"Why are you back? What happened to your job?!"
When the Duke of Cheng'en caught up, Xie Jing was already gone. He could only grab the steward and ask, "What did His Highness the Third Prince say?"
"His Highness asked if Miss Ji has been here."
It's someone with the surname Ji again!
Duke Cheng'en stamped his foot angrily, a nameless sorrow welling up in his heart.
He poured his heart and soul into his nephew Xie Jing, not only marrying his daughter to a living dead man, but also having to marry a living dead man himself. And what was the result?
They found him a good job. Duke Cheng'en even thought that even if Xie Jing couldn't compete with Xie Yingchen and couldn't get the position, with his marriage to the princess of Liang and the merit of this wedding procession, Xie Yingchen wouldn't be able to take his life after he ascended the throne. At that time, he could be easily given a prince or duke, and his life would be peaceful.
As a result, he gave up his job and future for someone surnamed Ji.
He knew this was something he couldn't do openly, and that no one would even dare to see him, yet he still did it anyway!
"Lord Duke, the dowry is almost all carried away."
The steward reported cautiously.
"Lord Duke." Another steward rushed in, "Steward Liu of the Prince of Jin would like to ask if the dowry-making process can be skipped for tomorrow's wedding."
When the topic of weddings came up, Duke Cheng'en's face turned ashen: "Go ask the lady."
He staggered inside, really wanting to quit.
But no matter how much he complained, how annoyed he was, or how much he wanted to be a hands-off manager, he couldn't split one day into two.
There was no joy at all in the Duke of Chengen's mansion. Apart from the red silk wedding cloths hanging high, the masters did not have a single smile on their faces. The servants all lowered their heads and dared not even speak loudly, for fear of accidentally offending their masters and being beaten.
Finally, the day of the wedding procession arrived.
The crackling sound of firecrackers shattered the deathly silence.
Xie Qiyun arrived in a carriage to fetch the bride, accompanied by bursts of joyful congratulations, as a bridal sedan chair was carried out of the Chengen Duke's mansion.
The servants of the Prince of Jin's mansion scattered celebratory money all over the capital, accompanied by the sounds of music and drums.
"Ke'er, has the bridal sedan really left?"
Sun Nian sat in her boudoir, asking questions in disbelief.
When Xie Qiyun first returned, her father said that she was a living dead person and that her engagement should be canceled.
A few days later, Prince Jin brought Xie Qiyun to his door to discuss the marriage. She hid behind the screen and secretly peeked at him. That one glance gave her nightmares for three nights in a row.
Fortunately, her father loves her.
As a result, her father told her that the marriage with the Prince of Jin's family would proceed as planned.
These days, if it weren't for Ji Nanke being with her, she would have even contemplated suicide.
She had already resigned herself to her fate, waiting to get into the bridal sedan chair, waiting to marry a living dead man, and waiting to be widowed.
She even thought that once the crown prince died, she would return in grand style.
However, even though she was dressed in her wedding gown, her hair was styled by the best man, and her face was even shaved, no one came to carry her to bid farewell to her parents.
She sat in her room, waiting and waiting, until the noise had completely faded away, but no one came.
She didn't even know when, but her maid, wet nurse, and concubine had all disappeared, leaving the courtyard empty except for her and Ji Nanke. Ji Nanke went out to inquire and returned to tell her that the bridal sedan chair had left.
Ji Nanke confirmed, "Yes. They really left! The guests are already eating at the table."
Sun Nian was initially surprised, then delighted: "Could it be that the Prince of Jin's mansion changed their mind at the last minute, or did they find an unlucky person with an even better birth chart?"
"They've found an unlucky guy with an even better birth chart."
The one who answered was Lady Cheng'en, who came in with only one trusted confidante.
"Really!" Sun Nian exclaimed with delight. "Tell me quickly, who is it? Who is so unlucky?"
"Your father."
Sun Nian: "..."
She caught her breath and froze.
Lady Chengen glanced at Ji Nanke and quickly said, "Hurry up and get ready, change out of your wedding dress, and get out of the city as soon as possible."
Sun Nian asked blankly, "You mean, Father married in my place?"
She felt she must be going crazy, or her mother must be, otherwise how could she say such a thing? Even if it was a substitute marriage, shouldn't it be a half-sister? She had never heard of a father marrying in place of his daughter in her entire life.
Lady Cheng'en's face contorted as if she had a toothache, and she awkwardly squeezed out a voice: "Your father... has a good birth chart."
She had lived most of her life and had never heard of such an absurd thing. She could only comfort herself that it was better than her daughter marrying into that family.
"Don't delay, hurry up. Mother has already made arrangements. Go stay at the estate for a while and come back when things have calmed down."
To avoid the Prince of Jin's family regretting their decision and coming to take the bride away again!
Sun Nian sat there, dumbfounded.
Lady Cheng'en sighed, "Nian'er, your father still loves you."
I wonder who will be the wife and who will be the concubine between me and Xie Qiyun after today.
My head hurts so much, I'd better not think about it.
Sun Nian: "Right?"
Lady Cheng'en urged her to change out of her wedding dress, and then said, "Ke'er, you are Nian'er's best friend, would you like to go with Nian'er?"
Ji Nanke agreed.
They barely tidied up; the estate had everything it needed anyway. Even if anything was missing, the Duchess of Cheng'en would send it over in a couple of days. The two quietly boarded an unremarkable black carriage through a side gate and slipped away.
The driver was a stranger, and the Duchess of Cheng'en did not allow her to bring any maids or wet nurses.
The streets were bustling with activity; even through the carriage curtains, one could hear everyone around discussing the grand spectacle of the Prince of Jin's wedding procession.
Sun Nian felt uneasy and gritted her teeth, saying, "Let's go take a look."
"The Duchess said..."
"Please, Ke'er, just take a look from afar and then leave.
Ji Nanke did not try to persuade him further, so the carriage turned a corner and went around the main street in front of the Prince of Jin's mansion.
The further we went, the louder the firecrackers became, deafeningly loud, with a booming sound that almost lifted half the sky.
A bridal sedan chair stopped at the gate. The matchmaker, whose face was stiff and whose smile looked more like a grimace, helped the person out of the sedan chair.
The surroundings suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Why is this bride so... um, so plump?
The sound of firecrackers continued incessantly.
The smoke from the gunpowder enveloped the surroundings in a hazy gray.
A sudden gust of evil wind, seemingly from nowhere, swept up the red paper scattered on the ground and made it fly around.
Sun Nian lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, covered her face with her hands, and almost burst into tears.
Others might not recognize him, but she recognized the figure; it was her own father.
Her father was actually willing to marry in her place?
"Ke'er".
Sun Nian lay on Ji Nanke's body and sobbed, her tears growing more and more heartbroken.
Fearing discovery, Ji Nanke quickly lowered the carriage curtain and ordered the carriage to move quickly, saying reassuringly, "The Duke is... is..." Even with her silver tongue, she was too shocked to speak at this moment, and could only say dryly, "...Don't let the Duke's sacrifice be in vain."
Sun Nian cried until they left the city, her shoulders still trembling.
The carriage traveled south along the official road without stopping.
After walking for a full half hour, Sun Nian became restless.
In the past, when traveling, even if it was a long journey by carriage, the carriages were always very spacious, with soft seats covered with thick cushions, incense burners, food, drinks, entertainment, and even chamber pots. There were also maids and servants to attend to you. Riding in a carriage was like lying on a chaise lounge in your boudoir.
Unlike now, the carriages are small and narrow, and there's not even any saliva to drink.
Sun Nian got up early in the morning. To avoid having to go to the bathing room, the new bride could hardly eat anything all day, and now she was both thirsty and hungry.
Seeing the tea stall sign hanging by the roadside, she quickly said, "Stop, stop for a moment, let's go down and rest for a while before we continue."
After much urging from Sun Nian, the carriage finally stopped at the tea stall. Sun Nian pulled Ji Nanke down from the carriage and called out from afar, "Two bowls of tea, is there anything to eat?"
Xie Jing sat silently at a small square table.
Ever since he bumped into the Duke of Cheng'en, Xie Jing dared not stay in the capital. After leaving the city, he traveled south and found this stall. He gave the owner a silver ingot and has been waiting here ever since.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Xie Jing looked up sharply and immediately saw Ji Nanke.
Ji Nanke was still as beautiful and charming as when he left. She and Sun Nian came side by side, chatting and laughing.
Wait, Sun Nian?
Xie Jing was dumbfounded. Wasn't Sun Nian getting married today? Why was she here?!
The words "elopement" instantly came to mind.
Not only did Ji Nanke run away, but she also took Sun Nian with her to elope!
Why did she become like this?!
"We have braised pork noodles and wontons, what would you like, young lady?"
"Wontons, two bowls, please..." Sun Nian exclaimed in surprise, "Cousin?!"
Ji Nanke was startled and quickly looked in the direction of the sound. Xie Jing was sitting at the square table behind Zhao Zi, hidden by Zhao Zi. They hadn't noticed him at all when they got off the car.
Xie Jing stared intently at her, thinking to himself: Gu Zhizhuo's divination was really accurate!
Ji Nanke: "..."
Ji Nanke guessed that he would rush back after receiving the letter, but she did not expect to meet him so soon.
Men are all the same; what they can't have is always the best.
Just like now, because Gu Zhizhuo broke off the engagement with him, he still can't forget her.
Her original plan was to make Xie Jing unable to find her, to make him realize that she was the most important person to him, and then reappear.
Their eyes met for a moment in mid-air, then Ji Nanke gritted her teeth and turned to leave.
"Ke'er!"
"Stop right there!"
Xie Jing suddenly stood up and rushed towards her. His movements were so fast and urgent that he almost overturned the square table.
"cousin."
Sun Nian tried to pull him back but failed, and could only watch helplessly as he chased after Ji Nanke.
"Don't come any closer... There's no future for us." Ji Nanke stood in front of the carriage. "I won't bother you anymore, and neither will you. Don't bother me."
After she finished speaking, she got into the carriage.
Neither she nor Sun Nian were paying attention to their chase, and neither of them noticed that the driver sitting on the carriage had been quietly replaced.
Ji Nanke shouted loudly, "...Let's go!"
She had thought that since this was the carriage of the Duke of Chengen's mansion, and Sun Nian hadn't gotten on yet, the carriage definitely wouldn't move. But before she could even settle into the carriage, it started moving.
She stumbled and almost fell face down.
"wait……"
Ji Nanke wanted to tell them to stop, but when she looked outside, she saw that Xie Jing had actually caught up on horseback, so she had to swallow her words.
The carriage was moving extremely fast, and before they knew it, it had veered off the main road.
The path was rugged, and since this wasn't a carriage for travel and hadn't been fitted with shock absorbers, Ji Nanke was jolted about, bumping into things several times. She gripped the window sill tightly with both hands, waves of nausea rising in her chest, and cold sweat pouring down her back.
"Stop, stop right now!" She couldn't take it anymore!
Her voice was drowned out by the sound of the carriage wheels and never got through.
"Oh, are you about to lose him?"
Xiangyang, who was driving the carriage, glanced back, pulled on the reins, and slowed the horse down so that the people behind would not lose track of it.
But if Xie Jing pursues closely, Xiang Yang will make the horse run faster.
He was kept at a distance, neither too close nor too far.
"drive!"
Xiang Yang flicked his whip with style, and the horse galloped off on all fours.
Xie Jing was sweating profusely as he chased after the carriage. Every time he thought he was about to catch up, the distance would widen again. He watched the carriage behind him sway back and forth, as if it were about to overturn at any moment, and his heart pounded with panic.
"Stop right now!"
Xie Jing shouted loudly.
He didn't know how long he chased after them, but unknowingly, they drifted further and further away from the main road, becoming increasingly remote. Finally, a small village appeared in the distance, and the carriage, as if out of control, sped straight towards it.
The sudden commotion attracted the attention of the steward of the estate, who narrowed his eyes and a strange glint flashed in them.
Who is it!
Were they just passing by, or did they come prepared...?
The steward made a gesture, and the mute servants scattered to be on guard.
The horses pulling the carriage neighed loudly.
Click!
The carriage frame suddenly broke, and the entire carriage tilted uncontrollably to one side, crashing heavily to the ground, raising clouds of dust.
"Ke'er!"
Xie Jing finally caught up, jumped off his horse, and stumbled over: "Ke'er, are you alright?"
Ji Nanke struggled to climb out of the carriage, covered in dust and dirt. Xie Jing, still shaken, pulled her into his arms.
"Let go of me!" Ji Nanke pushed him away. "Hypocrite!"
She was jolted awake, sweating profusely, her throat was filled with acidic fluid, and her head felt so swollen she felt like she was going to die.
She suddenly vomited, covering him in vomit.
The manager cautiously rushed forward a few steps, sizing them up.
The groom, dressed as a groom, lay prostrate on the ground, placing the bird flute hidden in his palm to his lips and rhythmically blowing it a few times.
Birds chirped and twittered.
Hearing the sound, Chongjiu, who was hiding in the shadows, stared at the small house, waiting for an opportunity to make his move.
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