Chapter 19 A hard object was stuffed into the palm of his hand.
Thinking of this, Xie Qi couldn't stay still any longer. He made an excuse to leave the room of the Marquis of Wuyi and returned to his study, where he took out his pen and ink and began to write a letter.
After finishing the letter, the problem became how to give it to her.
As a man, he was naturally unaffected by the burden of reputation. However, since Miss Jiang was of marriageable age, he certainly couldn't visit her without permission.
He had not returned to the capital for a long time and had no female relatives or friends he knew. How could he send a letter to the Minister's residence and ask her to come out to discuss this matter?
Xie Qi was at a loss for words as he held the letter in his hand, while Lady Wuyi outside the door was so anxious that she kept stamping her feet and cursing him in her heart for being an inflexible blockhead.
Why don't you ask her, the mother, for help with this?
She couldn't wait any longer, so she pushed open the study door and went in, getting straight to the point: "I'll go to the Jiang residence for you."
Xie Qi was startled and hurriedly pressed the letter under his book. "Mother?"
"Stop hiding it, I've already met that Miss Jiang." Lady Wuyi raised an eyebrow mysteriously.
Xie Qi asked in disbelief, "You know her? When did you meet her?"
Lady Wuyi then recounted what she had seen and heard at Linglongzhai that day, and added at the end, "That Miss Jiang is quite fond of you. She even made a special trip to Linglongzhai when the tassel on her jade pendant came loose, which shows how much she cherishes you. Don't miss this opportunity."
Upon hearing his mother mention her jade pendant, Xie Qi knew it was indeed Miss Jiang.
He was always decisive and efficient. When he learned that his mother was willing to help, he no longer concealed his intentions. He took out a letter from under the book and respectfully handed it to her, saying, "Then I will have to trouble you to make this trip, Mother."
Lady Wuyi smiled with great satisfaction, "Don't worry, son, I will personally deliver the letter to Miss Jiang."
When Jiang Zhi was summoned to Wang Yuru's courtyard by the servants, she knew in her heart that it must be the Lady of Wuyi Marquis who had come to visit.
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw two noble ladies sitting in the hall.
Wearing a brocade robe with lotus patterns and gold leaf, and possessing a gentle and beautiful appearance, was her stepmother, Wang Yuru.
Dressed simply yet dignified, with eyebrows like distant mountains and a hint of illness on her face, yet her noble bearing was undeniable. She was none other than Song Zhuyue, one of the two beauties of the former capital and now the wife of the Marquis of Wuyi.
Jiang Zhi seemed oblivious, and stepped forward to bow respectfully.
"This must be the eldest daughter of the household? She is indeed beautiful." Lady Wuyi's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but praise her.
The Jiang family is truly blessed with outstanding people and beautiful daughters.
Especially this young lady, who is elegant, graceful and poised, seems like a calm and collected person, and is a perfect match for her son.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and her son ended up getting involved with the second young lady of the Jiang family, something she, as his mother, couldn't control.
"Thank you for your kind words, Madam. I am unworthy of such praise." Jiang Zhi said modestly for a few moments, then found a seat and leisurely sipped her tea.
She wasn't the main character today; she was happy to relax and watch the show.
Jiang Yunqian arrived early and sat opposite her with her head down, unable to hide her shyness. She was twisting a handkerchief in her hand, feeling both nervous and excited.
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
She had always thought her stepsister was spoiled rotten by the family and fearless. Turns out, she could be so anxious and reserved at times.
The Lady of Wuyi and Wang Yuru at the head of the table were chatting casually, but they kept bringing up the second young lady, Jiang Yunqian.
The way they were acting was as if they wanted to find out her birth date and time.
Wang Yuru also sensed something was wrong and tentatively asked, "Madam Xie, my daughter is mischievous, but has she done something inappropriate?"
"Not at all. I felt an instant connection and great joy upon seeing your two daughters from the Jiang family." Lady Wuyi raised her hand slightly, and Granny Cui took out an invitation card.
"My mother-in-law's birthday is approaching, and we have prepared a small banquet at home. We hope that Minister Jiang and his family can join us in celebrating this auspicious occasion and that our humble abode will be honored with your presence."
The matter of Miss Jiang saving Qi'er at Puzhao Temple was of great importance, and she could not point it out directly, so she could only use the birthday banquet to create an opportunity for her son.
She handed over the gold-embossed invitation. A flash of surprise crossed Wang Yuru's face, but it quickly turned into a smile.
"Oh dear, it is an honor for my family to be invited to a banquet by the Marquis of Wuyi. We will certainly lead our whole family to your residence to celebrate the old lady's birthday."
Wang Yuru accepted the invitation with obvious delight, and her attitude towards the Lady of Wuyi Marquis became even more enthusiastic.
She was always good at putting on a show, flattering and fawning over the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion at every turn, and praising Xie Qi, the heir apparent, to the skies, making the Marquis of Wuyi's wife beam with joy.
Seeing that it was almost time, Lady Wuyi rose to take her leave.
As she passed by Jiang Yunqian, she stopped and said, "Daughters are so much better. My little rascal has been running around and causing me so much trouble since he was a baby." She lovingly took Jiang Yunqian's hand.
Jiang Yunqian's face flushed even deeper. Just as she was about to say a few words of modesty, a hard object was suddenly stuffed into her palm.
The surprise on her face had barely appeared when Lady Wuyi patted the back of her hand, nodded meaningfully, and then left the Jiang residence accompanied by Wang Yuru.
Jiang Yunqian stood there, stunned.
Just now, thanks to the cover of her wide sleeves, her mother did not notice the little tricks of the Lady of Wuyi.
A secret thought arose in her mind, and she eagerly wanted to take out the thing in her sleeve to check it.
Her gaze shifted, only to find her elder sister looking at her with a half-smile. "What's wrong, little sister?"
Jiang Zhi saw everything but pretended not to know.
Jiang Yunqian had a feeling that her secret had been exposed, so she could only suppress her suspicions and said with a stiff face, "It's nothing."
I almost forgot there was someone in the way.
"Since you have some free time, and I've just brewed some fresh tea, why don't you come over and enjoy some tea and flowers with me?" Jiang Zhi teased her, knowing she was anxious.
Jiang Yunqian had no interest in such things and waved her hand impatiently, "What's so great about drinking with you? Stop pretending."
Without waiting for Jiang Zhi's reply, she lifted her skirt and fled the courtyard as if escaping.
Only after returning to her own Xia Yin Garden did Jiang Yunqian manage to calm her rapid breathing. After dismissing those around her, she carefully took out the item from her sleeve.
It was indeed a letter.
When unfolded, a rich, deep aroma of pine ink permeates the air, and the characters on it are as if carved by a knife and axe, elegant and unrestrained.
Jiang Yunqian had been secretly observing Xie Qi for a long time, and she knew at a glance that the letter was from him. The words were like a reflection of the person, as if Xie Qi himself was standing in front of her.
[Xie has returned to the capital. I have matters to discuss with you. I will meet you tomorrow at the beginning of the 7 PM in the elegant room of the east wing on the second floor of Shuyu Tower. Please do not refuse my visit. Best wishes for your well-being.]
The letter contained only a few words and was unsigned; even if it fell into the hands of someone else, it would not harm her reputation.
He was incredibly thoughtful.
Jiang Yunqian placed the letter against her heart, suppressing her violently pounding heart.
She never expected that Prince Xie would send her a message and invite her to meet him at the teahouse the next day.
In the past, she would never have dared to even think about this.
Could it be that he knows the jade pendant is in my possession and wants to thank me?
Or perhaps... he also has feelings for her?
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