Chapter 113 – A Sudden Invitation
Wei Qiuju subconsciously avoided Wei Yuewu’s eyes and stammered, “What… what should I do? Sixth Younger Sister, you came up with this idea. If Second Aunt finds out that it had something to do with me. I… I won’t be able to keep my lips buttoned.”
“Fifth Elder Sister, are you saying that you will tell her that I asked you to do all of this if Second Aunt asks you about it?” Wei Yuewu smiled and pointed out Wei Qiuju’s unspoken words.
Wei Qiuju’s entire body trembled. She had never imagined that Wei Yuewu would be so straightforward. She looked at the sharp-tongued Wei Yuewu in disbelief.
Even though she didn’t dare to underestimate Wei Yuewu now, she never thought that Wei Yuewu would say such words to her face to face.
Wei Yuewu looked at Wei Qiuju’s face. The corners of her lips curled into a mocking smile. ‘”Fifth Elder Sister, are you thinking that Second Aunt will definitely come looking for trouble with me? As for you, you are innocent. You did it either because I threatened you, or because I lied to you and you had no choice but to do as I said. You have been in the mansion for so many years, and there are no grudges between you and Second Elder Sister. But I have never been on friendly terms with Second Elder Sister since I entered the mansion.”
Wei Yuewu’s clear eyes were sharp and deep as she stared fixedly at Wei Qiuju.
Wei Qiuju couldn’t help but panic. That was exactly what she was thinking in her heart. She had found this way to get out of trouble. That was why she had ganged up with Wei Yuewu to plot against Wei Yan without hesitation. At this moment, fear rose to her face. She bit her lips and the corners of her lips trembled, “Sixth Younger… Sister, I… I….”
“Fifth Elder Sister, you don’t need to explain. Actually, it won’t matter whatever you say. Do you think Second Aunt will spare you, given her temperament? Second Elder Sister was her daughter, but now, she will have to be a concubine because of a letter from you. Not only will Second Aunt take revenge on you, but Eldest Sister will perhaps also hold a grudge against you. Even if you push all the blame onto me, will Second Aunt believe that you are innocent?”
Wei Yuewu leaned sideways and tilted slightly toward Wei Qiuju. “Besides, it was you who brought up the matter of that letter, right? I don’t know anything about it!”
It was Wei Qiuju’s maid who substituted Xie Qingzhao’s clothes that were then sent to Wei Yan.
And it was Wei Qiuju who sent that letter to the Madam Dowager. Almost everything was related to Wei Qiuju. Considering Lady Li’s character, she would never believe that Wei Qiuju was innocent. Wei Qiuju had been living in the third branch these years. However, when she heard the people in the mansion talking about how crafty Lady Li was, she couldn’t help but feel frightened.
She was just a concubine’s daughter, the least significant daughter in the mansion. She had almost no way of surviving against the most powerful Lady Li in the mansion. Considering Lady Li’s viciousness, she could almost foresee how she would end up. After clearing her mind up on this point, Wei Qiuju no longer dared to take any chances. She raised her eyes and looked at Wei Yuewu anxiously with a pale face.
She respectfully curtsied to Wei Yuewu. “Please save me, Sixth Younger Sister!”
How would she dare to provoke Wei Yuewu at this time? She only looked at Wei Yuewu pleadingly, her face filled with fear.
Looking at Wei Qiuju’s current appearance, Wei Yuewu knew that her words had worked. “I believe that you are a smart person, Fifth Elder Sister. Just think about the current situation. As this matter continues to develop, even if you inform against me as the wirepuller, you won’t be able to escape unharmed. I am a first daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. If grandmother insists on having someone convicted as the scapegoat, I believe that you are less significant than me. It will just be like what happened to Fourth Elder Sister and Second Elder Sister today.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded like a giant hammer that ruthlessly smashed into Wei Qiuju’s heart. Wei Qiuju grew up in the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. She was very clear about Madam Dowager’s power in the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. Although she didn’t believe that she was inferior to Wei Yan and Wei Qiufu, she couldn’t gain Madam Dowager’s love. That was only because she was just a concubine’s daughter.
Speaking of the most respected and valuable young lady in this mansion was, there was really no other choice than Wei Yuewu.
The Madam Dowager was also a scheming person. Today’s matter was just an example. The letter clearly concerned Wei Qiufu and Xie Qingzhao, but she counted it on Wei Yan and Xie Qingzhao and forced Xie Qingzhao to admit it. Most importantly, because Wei Yan was no longer useful whereas Wei Qiufu was much more valuable than her, the Madam Dowager made Wei Yan a scapegoat.
And what was her chance when compared with Wei Yuewu?
Wei Qiuju looked at Wei Yuewu in panic. This Wei Yuewu in front of her was not only noble but also beautiful. How could she compare to her? It was almost absolute that if Second Lady found out the truth, the Madam Dowager would let her take the blame. It was not because the Madam Dowager loved Wei Yuewu so much, but because things had changed and Wei Yuewu was more valuable than her.
Once she came to realize this, Wei Qiuju’s lips turned deathly pale. She trembled but was unable to say a word.
Seeing that Wei Qiuju was dumbfounded, Wei Yuewu knew that it was about the time. Her expression softened and she revealed a faint smile, “Fifth Elder Sister, think about it. If you’re smart, you’ll know who can save you and who can cast you in a position beyond redemption.”
With these words, Wei Yuewu ignored the dumbfounded Wei Qiuju and strolled toward her Lotus Courtyard with her two maids. Behind her, Wei Qiuju looked at her back in horror. Wei Qiuju’s lips trembled in disbelief. Was Wei Yuewu really just a thirteen-year-old girl?
She had ganged up with Wei Yan and Wei Qiufu to plot against her. In the end, none of them ended up well. How she regretted it….
When Wei Yuewu was back in the Lotus Courtyard, Jin Ling was waiting for her at the porch. Seeing her mistress coming, Jin Ling hurriedly lifted up the lantern to light the way for her. She had left the Lotus Courtyard to avoid Xie Qingzhao’s lad servant. Then, she did something for Wei Yuewu that sort of drew a finishing line for today’s matter.
The mistress and the maids entered the room together, and the maids helped Wei Yuewu take a bath.
After the bath, Wei Yuewu sat in front of the bronze mirror, and Shufei helped dry up her black hair. She couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what about Qianxi?”
Everyone could tell that Qianxi framed Wei Yuewu, but the question now was why the clothes that were supposed to be in Wei Yuewu’s courtyard appeared in Wei Yan’s courtyard? Did that mean Wei Yuewu was trying to frame Wei Yan by taking advantage of the situation?
Therefore, when things on Wei Yan’s part were investigated thoroughly, Wei Yuewu would actually be unable to justify herself.
Wei Yuewu glanced at Shufei from the bronze mirror with a smile at the corner of her lips, but she did not reply.
Jin Ling, who was making the bed for Wei Yuewu, stopped her movements and smiled. “Shufei, don’t worry. Miss has already thought about it. I went to see Qianxi just now!”
Shufei was stunned and asked, “You went to see Qianxi?”
“That’s right. I’ve seen Qianxi and made it clear to her that if she still wanted to live, she must do as I told her. Otherwise, she will die. Second Lady is unable even to fend for herself now. How would she be able to take care of her?” Jin Ling smiled proudly and admired her mistress even more.
Qianxi’s reaction was almost exactly the same as what Miss had said.
Hearing Jin Ling’s words, Shufei heaved a sigh of relief. The maids around Wei Yuewu were now filled with admiration for her. Now they knew that their mistress had already considered this problem, they immediately felt that things would not get so bad.
Huamo chimed in, “Will Qianxi withdraw her previous remark and do as Miss said?”
“That depends on how Madam Dowager looks into it tomorrow. Don’t be anxious. Miss has her own plan. These are all small matters. Well, there is a big thing right now.” Jin Ling laughed until she finished the former part of her words. Suddenly, she remembered the invitation she had received. She frowned and took out an exquisite invitation from her pocket.
She had been focused on talking with Wei Yuewu and forgotten about this.
“The steward sent this invitation and said that it was for you, Miss. I happened to meet that steward and she gave it to me. It’s said that the event was to be held tomorrow, quite urgent.” As Jin Ling spoke, she carefully handed the invitation to Wei Yuewu.
Wei Yuewu took it and cast a glance at it. A trace of seriousness flashed in her eyes. It was an invitation for her….
This invitation was very exquisite, but the most surprising thing was that it was from the Third Princess. Furthermore, the princess invited her to the Plum Blossom Nunnery to enjoy the blossoms. The event was set for tomorrow, and early in the morning.
Traveling with the princess was of course an honor. The question was that they were to depart so early and why the invitation was sent over at night? It was really puzzling no matter how she saw it.
“What did the steward say?” Wei Yuewu asked with a frown as she held the invitation.
Jin Ling replied, “She didn’t say much, except that a eunuch from the palace came in a hurry to deliver this invitation and urged that you must go. The carriages must get there early and gather at Plum Blossom Nunnery. The steward also said she would report it to the Madam Dowager.”
Wei Yuewu pondered for a moment. So the Madam Dowager knew about it. Since the Madam Dowager knew about it, she had to go even if she didn’t want to. The Madam Dowager would think that her acquaintance with the Third Princess would only benefit the entire mansion of Marquis Hua Yang and there was no harm in it.
“Sixth Young Lady, are you asleep?” Just as she was pondering, Nanny Hong’s voice came from the outer courtyard. Wei Yuewu glanced at Huamo. The maid understood her meaning and lifted the curtain and walked out. She led Nanny Hong in.
Nanny Hong did not come alone. She was followed by two maids, each holding an exquisite ornament box in their hands. She was smiling.
Nanny Hong asked the two maids to open the boxes in their hands and said smilingly, “Sixth Young Lady, the Madam Dowager heard that you are going to meet the Third Princess tomorrow. She’s afraid that you don’t have new jewelries. Therefore, she asked me to bring two boxes over. Sixth Young Lady, please choose whatever you like.”
Wei Yuewu looked over and found that the jewelries the Madam Dowager had provided this time were obviously much better than the ones last time. Although the styles were somewhat out of date, anyone could tell that each item was of high quality. Wei Yuewu’s sharp eyes also noticed a pair of familiar earrings.
She was quite familiar with this pair of earrings, because she had seen them on her maternal grandmother’s ears. Her maternal grandmother had told her that there were two pairs of such earrings, one of which belonged to her mother. But now, she saw them in the decoration box from which the Madam Dowager asked her to choose. A trace of coldness flashed through her eyes….
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