Chapter 68 – Contending For Supremacy, And The Blood-Stained Sleeve
A trace of sharpness flashed across Wen Tianyao’s gentle face but was immediately belied by a faint smile. He looked as gentle as ever. “My father His Majesty will make decision about Third Younger Sister’s and Fourth Younger Sister’s marriages. I heard that Your Heir-apparent is not married yet. I wonder if Your Heir-apparent will want to ask for the hand of some noble young lady and bring her back?”
“If there is a suitable girl, I don’t mind marrying her and bringing her back. However, it’s not that easy to choose someone who deserves to be my wife.” Yan Huaijing’s fingers coincidentally landed on the territory of Yan State in the map. He tapped there gently with some leisure and contentment.
Not to mention that the Yan State was the largest dukedom, Yan Huaijing’s appearance alone guaranteed that it was not easy to pick a wife for him.
The Crown Prince, Wen Tianyao, seemed to be intrigued. His eyes swept across the map and finally landed on Yan Huaijing’s handsome face. “I wonder what kind of girl Your Heir-apparent wants to marry. There are many young ladies in the capital who are outstanding in all aspects. I wonder if they are qualified to be Your Heir-apparent’s wife.”
“If they deserve the praise of Your Royal Highness, of course they are the best choice. I heard that the nobler a lady was, the more dowries she would bring along. I heard this in Yan State. Is it true?” Yan Huaijing said slowly with the corner of his mouth curled up.
“There is indeed such a custom in the capital. When noble ladies get married, she brings with her countless treasures and even concubines who have a lower status. Bur these concubines, of course, are extremely noble to ordinary people.” Wen Tianyao replied, his finger gently stroking the land of the capital in the map.
This area was at the center of the whole map. From whichever point of view, one could see that the capital was the most magnificent and imposing place in the map and it was easy to defend but difficult to attack.
“That would be interesting. It should be a pleasure if I could enter into such a marriage.” The corners of Yan Huaijing’s lips curled into a faint smile. His voice was as clear and smooth as a bead of translucent jade. With his lofty and gentle temperament, he seemed so ethereal and elegant.
However, it was extremely quiet inside the tent. Those who stood beside the Crown Prince Wen Tianyao and the few people who had followed Yan Huaijing in were all subconsciously holding their breath, trying not to let their breathing interrupt the two of them.
This was a speechless competition for supremacy…
Inside the carriage, the Third Princess was talking to Wei Yuewu.
The Third Princess’s carriage was very spacious, with a thick carpet and a heating stove. It felt as warm as spring the moment they got in.
The Third Princess sat on the innermost couch, while Wei Yuewu refused the Third Princess’s invitation and sat at the side, as the etiquette required, with Jin Ling supporting her.
“Sixth Miss Wei, did you really get acquainted with the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State on the way to the capital?” The Third Princess asked softly as she specially pushed the fruit plate on the table to Wei Yuewu’s side. Curiosity was writ large on her face.
Actually, there were many people who were curious about this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State. It was natural for the Third Princess to ask such a question in private.
“It was the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State who saved me when I was being chased by assassins.” Wei Yuewu said vaguely. Although she could use some things against Mo Huating, she could not gossip about them as facts. After all, it would need evidence to prove them once they were spread out. Moreover, this Marquis Jing Yuan, Mo Huating, established himself very firmly in the capital and had been highly thought of.
“Oh, so that’s how it is. I saw the heir-apparent paid a lot of attention to you. I thought that you knew him a long time ago,” said the Third Princess casually. A light flashed across her eyes and she changed the topic. “Sixth Miss Wei, you and Marquis Jing Yuan are engaged, right? I heard that Marquis Jing Yuan is a loyal person. You are so lucky, Sixth Miss Wei.”
This was a difficult topic for Wei Yuewu. The matter between her and Mo Huating was too complicated and she couldn’t explain it clearly within a few words. But Wei Yuewu was certain about one thing: she would withdraw from the engagement no matter what. However, the fact was that the marriage wasn’t broken off yet. Therefore, now it was not right to either admit or deny. Furthermore, the person in front of her was not an ordinary person but the Third Princess of the royal family.
“I lived in the countryside for a long time and don’t know anything about the engagement. We will talk about it after my father returns to the capital.” After thinking for a while, Wei Yuewu answered softly with a smile. A trace of thoughtfulness flashed through her eyes. This Third Princess seemed indeed extraordinary. She led her to a dilemma with just a few words.
Even though there wasn’t any saying about the engagement between her and Mo Huating, since Wei Yan had made a series of mistakes, some news must have been circulated in the circle of aristocratic families. Could it be that this Third Princess lived in the palace and didn’t know anything about it, so that she talked about Huating as a perfect fiancée?
Wei Yuewu would never forget that when she was nearly forced into a trap because of the matter of playing the qin, the Third Princess also had a gentle look on her face at the time…
However, the Third Princess only asked about some ordinary matters on the rest of the way. The two of them chatted now and then in what could be described as a peaceful atmosphere. Of course, this was on the premise that both of them selectively forgot what had happened in the tent.
As both of them were well-bred, they evidently forgot about it.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the palace. The Third Prince wanted to take Wei Yuewu to her palace to change clothes but was refused by Wei Yuewu politely. After that, Wei Yuewu went to the resting place prepared for the ladies and young ladies.
Seeing that Wei Yuewu was resolute, the Third Princess didn’t insist but asked a palace maid to lead the way for Wei Yuewu. She also sent her own maid to fetch the clothes Wei Yuewu left in the carriage of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. She then returned to her palace.
At this hour, the resting place for the female guests was empty and quiet. Everyone knew that the young ladies had gone outside the city to welcome the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State who came to offer captives, while the ladies had gone to the Empress’ palace. It was still early for the banquet. There was only a palace attendant at the entrance of the courtyard. Other servants had gone elsewhere for their own duties.
“Is this the resting place? Sixth Miss Wei wants to have a rest.” The palace maid leading the way walked to the courtyard entrance and asked the attendant at the door.
The doorkeeper was a middle-aged eunuch. He looked up at Wei Yuewu with a look of surprise on his face. He hesitated for a moment and said, “The banquet hasn’t started yet, so it isn’t all prepared yet inside…”
“My mistress only wants to rest inside. The Third Princess told us to come.” Jin Ling took a step forward and said those words unhappily to the eunuch.
“Yes, I will find a room for Sixth Miss Wei to rest right now.” Upon hearing the Third Princess’s order, the eunuch replied hastily without daring to offend them.
Wei Yuewu was then led into the room on the far left. The room was very clean with burning incense made from sandalwood. A faint soothing fragrance was spread in the quietness of the room, which was very pleasant indeed.
“Sixth Miss Wei, some rooms haven’t been tidied up yet. You can have a rest in this room for the time being.” The eunuch smiled flatteringly.
“Thank you.” Wei Yuewu nodded, “If someone brings clothes for me later, please take her here.”
“Yes, I understand. Sixth Miss Wei, please have a rest. I won’t disturb you.” The eunuch nodded and bowed with a very sincere attitude. After receiving Wei Yuewu’s approval, he cautiously retreated.
When he retreated outside the door, he thought for a moment as if he had some difficulty at hand. He stood there, frowning and walking round in circles. In the end, he seemed to have made up his mind. He hurried outside the courtyard and even deserted his duty of keeping the door.
“Miss, there’s something fishy about that eunuch.” Jin Ling saw that the eunuch hesitated for a long time before he hurriedly left. She then uttered those words to Wei Yuewu, who was sitting at the table.
“Let’s leave this place now.” Wei Yuewu nodded, stood up, and said decisively.
“But, Miss, your clothes…” Jin Ling looked at Wei Yuewu’s blood-stained sleeve that was indeed unsightly.
“No problem with that. We’ll head in the direction of our carriage. We should meet the palace maid who is supposed to bring me the clothes. I’ll just change in our carriage if there’s no other place available.” Wei Yuewu’s eyes flashed with coldness. She was too unfamiliar with the palace and ignorant of too many things here, so she must be more careful.
The eunuch behaved too strangely, which made her feel even more uneasy.
When he heard that she was “Sixth Miss Wei”, she caught a trace of shock flashing through his eyes. She didn’t think that even a eunuch who had been living in the palace would know her, a young lady from the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang who was obscure and a new comer in the capital.
Moreover, he did not ask from which mansion she came, but spoke in a rather flattering way toward her.
Everything showed that something was going on. Now she was resting inside, the eunuch even abandoned his duty of keeping the door. If someone claimed nothing was going on, Wei Yuewu would never believe it.
And of course, the other thing suspicious was the tranquilizing scent. If she wasn’t mistaken, the fragrance was mixed with another medicinal smell, which was very faint. However, since she had received special training from her granny, she was able to distinguish it even if the smell was fainter…
“Yes, miss.” Jin Ling also knew that the situation was special and she could not hesitate at this moment, so she nodded immediately.
After they walked out, Wei Yuewu suddenly stopped and returned to the table. She took out a pair of scissors from the sewing basket on the side and cut off the bloodstained cuff. A strip of sleeve with blood stains fluttered down slowly.
“Jin Ling, put the sleeve beneath the door when we go out.” Wei Yuewu handed the sleeve to Jin Ling.
“Miss…” Jin Ling didn’t understand Wei Yuewu’s meaning and asked in surprise.
“Just put it there. It may be a precautionary move. I’ll see if anyone will come over.” Wei Yuewu looked at the bloodstained cuff and revealed a cold smile at the corner of her lips. It seemed that there were quite a few people plotting against her in the palace today.
Ever since she came to the capital, it was as if she had entered a quagmire. In a situation where she couldn’t figure out what was going on, she must be cautious with every step she took…
Jin Ling nodded and helped Wei Yuewu out of the room. She carefully put the bloodstained sleeve beneath the door and made it look like the sleeve was accidentally caught by the door so that a part of it was left outside the door.
When she walked out of the courtyard, Wei Yuewu did not leave right away. Instead, she went with Jin Ling to a platform on a small artificial hill on the left.
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