Chapter 166 – Incomplete Copy Of An Extinct Book
If she had taken out this book and shown it to Jing Wenyan before she left to see Wei Yuejiao, it might not have had much effect. But now, Wei Yuewu believed that this shrewd Miss Jing’s heart had started to tilt again!
In fact, the balance in the heart of Jing Wenyan who was now in Wei Yuejiao’s room was indeed starting to shake…
The room was clean, almost spotless. However, the ground that was sprinkled with water couldn’t be dried for a while. Jing Wenyan even saw a maid standing at the corner with her head lowered, and the left part of her face was swollen.
From her position, she could see a small piece of porcelain under Wei Yuejiao’s chair.
All these meant that this Third Miss Wei had lost her temper in the room before going out to greet her.
Shortly after returning to the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, Wei Yuejiao had lost her temper. It seemed that this Third Miss Wei was not only very bad-tempered, she was also very irritable. Compared to Sixth Miss Wei, who was younger but was quite calm and unfathomable, it seemed that this Third Miss Wei was not a good choice for her.
“Miss Jing, how about this tea?” Wei Yuejiao saw Jing Wenyan put down the tea in her hand and she asked with a smile.
“This tea is very fragrant, I wonder where Third Miss Wei got it?” Jing Wenyan asked calmly.
“This tea is from the border. I heard that it is rare. Father himself cherishes it very much. When he found that I liked it, he gave it all to me.” Wei Yuejiao said proudly. She indeed had the capital to be proud. With her status as a concubine-born daughter, she actually made everyone in the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, including the Madam Dowager, treat her as a legitimate daughter.
“Marquis Hua Yang really dotes on Third Miss Wei!” Jing Wenyan smiled.
“Father loves me the most. He would give whatever good stuff he has to me. Miss Jing, did you see this screen?” Wei Yuejiao proudly pointed at the screen in the room.
She had suffered a setback from Wei Yuewu. She really wanted to find a chance to get back her sense of superiority over Wei Yuewu.
“Very beautiful, what is this…” Jing Wenyan smiled and asked.
“This is a screen embroidered by my mother. It’s her dowry. Grandmother heard that my room needed a screen, so she asked someone to bring this screen over to me. Perhaps even Sixth Younger Sister hasn’t seen this screen.” Wei Yuejiao also knew that she couldn’t refer to the deceased Marquise Hua Yang as “Wei Yuewu’s mother” in front of outsiders.
She knew she must address her as mother, so even though she was unhappy in her heart, she still called her mother. However, her own mother told her that she would soon be able to address her as mother.
“Did the Madam Dowager arrange this for you? Hasn’t even Sixth Miss Wei seen Marquise Hua Yang’s dowry?” Jing Wenyan pinched her handkerchief and asked in surprise.
Was it because this Madam Dowager was too ignorant of the rules, or because she took that Sixth Young Lady too lightly?
In any aristocratic family, such a deed would be a slap in the face to the legitimate wife and her direct descendants! But the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang did such a thing so openly! Did this mean that Concubine Dong was about to be elevated to the position of Marquise Hua Yang so that this screen was intentionally placed in Wei Yuejiao’s room to suppress Wei Yuewu?
“Of course. I just arrived today. Everything here has been arranged before my arrival. This place is close to grandmother. Grandmother loves me the most. Although Sixth Younger Sister’s courtyard is fine, it had actually belonged to Second Elder Sister. I don’t know how it ended up being allocated to Sixth Younger Sister.” Wei Yuejiao curled her lips in disdain.
She had suffered a loss earlier, and she felt quite annoyed in her heart. Now that she had a chance to belittle Wei Yuewu, of course she wouldn’t let it go.
Wei Yan?
After Wei Yan “died of illness”, this name had slowly faded out of everyone’s sight. Although the people in the mansion knew that Wei Yan committed suicide, they only said that Wei Yan had an urgent illness and died, which could be considered as giving the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang a decent excuse to save its face.
When Wei Yuejiao mentioned Wei Yan, Jing Wenyan was shocked.
This arrogant Second Miss Wei was once very famous amongst the daughters of aristocratic families in the capital, but after Wei Yuewu entered the capital, she actually ended up dying of illness.
Even the Second Lady Li, who was in charge of the backyard, went back to her parents’ house to recover from her illness.
Was this really not related to that Sixth Miss Wei who had just arrived at the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang?
She heard that Lady Li and Wei Yan had always harbored malicious intentions towards this Sixth Miss Wei! But who would expect that they ended up like this! Did it really have nothing to do with this innocent Sixth Young Lady? The meaning behind this was enough to make people think carefully about it.
“Since it was Second Young Lady’ courtyard, why was it given to Sixth Young Lady?” Jing Wenyan asked calmly.
“I don’t know either. Perhaps it has something to do with Second Elder Sister’s indiscreet behavior!” Wei Yuejiao said scornfully.
“This screen, will the Sixth Young Lady come to get it back?” Jing Wenyan’s gaze fell on the screen and she smiled curiously.
“Since grandmother has given it to me, how could she get it back?” The corners of Wei Yuejiao’s mouth revealed a hint of pride. Grandmother had always been a giver to her. When had grandmother reclaimed anything that had been given to her?
Everything in this mansion, as long as it was something that she liked, would immediately be delivered to her once she asked for it. When Wei Yan was alive, she used to compete with her, but in the end, Wei Yan would always obediently give way.
Even the eldest sister, who was the wife of the Heir-apparent of a prince, would not go against her!
“Third Young Lady, I suddenly remembered that I still have things to do. I have to leave now!” After thinking for a while, Jing Wenyan suddenly stood up and said smilingly.
“Aren’t you going to stay for a while longer?” Wei Yuejiao also stood up.
“Thanks. I will come here next time when I am free.” Jing Wenyan shook her head.
Seeing she was determined to leave, Wei Yuejiao could not say anything and she ordered her maid to see Jing Wenyan off.
Wei Yuejiao’s maid led the way for Jing Wenyan and left only after they reached Jing Wenyan’s carriage.
Jing Wenyan, however, did not get on the carriage immediately. She stood still and looked behind her, her eyes slightly solemn.
“Miss Jing, our Miss asked me to deliver this book to you.” Shufei appeared from behind the carriage and respectfully presented the book in her hand.
It was a very old book and was even incomplete. But its cover surprised Jing Wenyan. She also had this book. She originally thought that what she had was the only copy, and she didn’t expect that there was still an incomplete copy of this book.
She hurriedly reached out to take it, but when she took it, she felt as if her hand was burned. The book in her hand almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, the maid beside her reacted quickly and took it for her.
Wei Yuewu actually knew all about that sachet sent by Wei Yuejiao. However, she actually remained calm without the slightest look of surprise. Was this really the reaction a thirteen-year-old girl was supposed to have in that situation?
“Please convey my thanks to your Sixth Young Lady. I happen to have a complete copy of this book. I’ll have someone deliver it to your Sixth Young Lady later.” Jing Wenyan held the book firmly and smiled calmly.
“Miss Jing has this book? Then thank you very much. Our Miss has always lamented that this book was damaged and that she couldn’t get a complete copy. She didn’t expect that Miss Jing would send a complete copy to her. Thank you, Miss Jing!” Shufei excitedly thanked Jing Wenyan on behalf of Wei Yuewu.
“No problem!” Jing Wenyan smiled and got on the carriage with the help of her maid while Shufei retreated to the side.
Shufei didn’t leave until the carriage slowly drove out of sight. Instead of heading for the Lotus Courtyard, she headed for the back door of the mansion. She was going to intercept people!
And the person Shufei was trying to intercept was Jin Ling, who had just happened to leave the mansion.
This eldest young lady of State Jing really had a huge ambition!
Thus, Jing Wenyan’s words and deeds in the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang were faithfully reported to the handsome and unworldly heir-apparent.
And this heir-apparent was right now entertaining the Fourth Prince, Wen Yi, and the third prince, Wen Caidie.
While beautiful songs and dances were being performed, the Third Princess was very uneasy. Occasionally, she looked at Yan Huaijing, who seemed to be focused on the songs and dances. She saw him reclining on the couch. His slender phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and he wore a white embroidered butterfly-patterned gorgeous robe. It was just perfect for showing his nobility and elegance that made people intoxicated.
An attendant whispered a few words in his ear. He only smiled faintly as gentle as water, without any change in his expression.
Yan Huaijing waved his hand and the attendant retreated.
At this time, the beautiful dancers had just finished their dance and were retreating one by one.
Taking advantage of this gap, the Third Princess looked at her brother Wen Yi and secretly winked. Wen Yi understood and coughed softly. He smiled and said to Yan Huaijing on the main seat, “Your Heir-apparent, is there something that needs to be handled?”
Yan Huaijing raised his eyes and swept his gaze over the Third Princess and the Fourth Prince with a gentle smile. He shook his head and said, “It’s not a big deal. May I know how His Majesty and the Crown Prince are going to handle the matter of State Jing?”
State Jing was the last crucial point in this incident. The Emperor and Wen Tianyao had not expressed their attitude yet, but Yan Huaijing was not in a hurry. It seemed that nothing serious would happen. If the Emperor wanted to take actions against State Yan, there was no need to wait until now.
He just didn’t expect Jing Wenyan to be so restless…
“Oh… Father Emperor and Eldest Brother didn’t say anything. Don’t worry, Your Heir-apparent. When Father Emperor and Eldest Brother mention this matter, I will definitely speak up for Your Heir-apparent.” The Fourth Prince hesitated for a moment before expressing his support for Yan Huaijing.
“Then I have to thank you, Your Highness. The eldest young lady of Jing State is the number one beauty. Has Your Highness seen her?” Yan Huaijing casually turned the cup in his hand and said to the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince smiled and said, “I saw her once in Mother Empress’s palace. She was said to be the number one beauty, but in my opinion, it might be a bit of exaggerated. There are several young ladies in the capital who can rival her.”
“Oh, there are other young ladies who can rival Miss Jing?” Yan Huaijing seemed to be interested, and his long and narrow phoenix eyes turned around with a bit of interest.
How could other young ladies easily rival Jing Wenyan, who was widely known as an unsurpassed beauty? However, since the Fourth Prince had boasted like that, he had to make his statement consistent. “Your Heir-apparent has not been in the capital for long. In a few days, grandmother will meet you. At that time, there will definitely be a lot of young ladies from the noble families. You will see by then.”
The Empress Dowager’s reception wasn’t something that happened every day. This Empress Dowager’s health wasn’t very good. Normally, she only received people close to her, and not even the Empress was able to see her frequently. She only received some aristocratic ladies with official mandates and daughter of aristocratic families on some special days.
Even though Yan Huaijing was the Heir-apparent of the Yan State, he had never seen this Empress Dowager before.
“My thanks to the Empress Dowager for her kindness. I will definitely live up to her expectations.” Yan Huaijing smiled and said meaningfully.
The Fourth Prince and the Third Princess exchanged a glance and heaved a sigh of relief. Yan Huaijing’s words meant that he agreed on the marriage alliance with the royal family.
Since their goal had been achieved, the two of them couldn’t stay longer. They bid Yan Huaijing farewell and then left.
The Fourth Prince did not get on his horse. Instead, he jumped into the carriage of the Third Princess.
The Third Princess inside the carriage was worried, “Fourth Brother, what should we do?”
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