Inside the Yingxue Pavilion of the Liang State Duke’s Mansion,
Shen Jiaxue applied a thick layer of scar-removing cream to her face as Xia Yun vividly described the major events that had just occurred in the capital.
“…This servant saw that the young master’s face had turned green. He must have been angered by that little bitch Jiang. It’s just two carriages of dowry, our young master is now working in the Ministry of Rites, who would care about those ugly girls? But she went to the yamen to confront our young master in such a grand manner, making him lose face completely.”
As early as when Xia Yun said that the Wei family wanted Jiang Lanyue to return as a concubine, Shen Jiaxue’s face had darkened. She suddenly recalled that day at Hanshan Temple, with Jiang Lanyue, whose beauty was so alluring that it made people hate her.
Her beautiful eyes turning sinister in an instant, her face filled with disgust as she said, “Truly a vixen! Aunt Wei was kind enough to look after her, but it was misinterpreted as wanting her to be a concubine. She even turned around and confronted Wei Lang, making him a laughingstock.”
“It’s just two boxes of dowry, not even enough for two days’ expenses for our Duke’s mansion. Xia Yun, go to my private treasury and take some silver to the Wei mansion.”
“Now that Wei Lang is being slandered by this vixen, it’s my chance to win favor. Offering help in times of need is most valuable. I want to show the Wei mansion who is truly the most suitable to be the mistress of the Wei family!”
Xia Yun smiled and agreed, turning and leaving the house. Seeing Chunyu kneeling and wiping the floor in the outer room, a hint of smugness flashed in her eyes.
Now she was the most favored head maid of Yingxue Pavilion. Chunyu had failed to protect her mistress and had been demoted to a lowly maid.
“Hmph! Some people can just sweep the streets for the rest of their lives!”
Xia Yun turned and left, not noticing Chunyu’s mocking smile: “Just you wait and see, you won’t even know how you died.”
Anyone who gets involved with this young lady’s temper is doomed.
…
Jiang Lanyue and the others had just left the city gate when they were caught up by the Mu family’s carriage.
Uncle Zhong cautiously sized up the newcomers, but the coachman opposite him recognized Dazhuang at first glance.
“Young man, do you remember me? You saved me and my young lady on the hillside of Hanshan Temple.”
Dazhuang squinted at them for a while, then suddenly exclaimed with delight, “Yes, I remember you! What brings you here?”
The coachman explained his purpose, and Jiang Lanyue was somewhat surprised. She opened the carriage window to look across, only to see that the person opposite had also opened their window.
Mu Jiaojiao waved happily, “My benefactor sister, it’s me!”
Jiang Lanyue smiled and nodded, slowly getting out of the carriage.
Mu Jiaojiao ran over and affectionately took Jiang Lanyue’s hand, rattling off a string of words like a sieve.
“…If it weren’t for you saving me, sister, I might have been killed or crippled by Mingzhu. How could I be alive and kicking like this now?”
Jiang Lanyue recalled with lingering fear. The courage she had mustered to save her was only because of her past life.
Looking at the vibrant Mu Jiaojiao before her, a warmth swept through her withered and cold heart.
“It’s good that Miss Mu is alright. One must always be wary of others, even close ones.”
Her experience was the best example.
Seeing Jiang Lanyue’s low spirits, Mu Jiaojiao pursed her lips, her face showing heartache.
“Just now… I saw everything. Sister, don’t be sad for that heartless man. You are so good, you deserve the best man in the world.”
Jiang Lanyue chuckled and shook her head, knowing that she had misunderstood, but she didn’t want to waste words explaining, and changed the subject.
“Since Miss Mu has already decided to break off the engagement, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later, lest things change.”
In her past life, Prince Ke ascended the throne with the support of the Mu family’s wealth. In this life, she unintentionally saved Mu Jiaojiao, causing discord within the Mu family.
The head of the Mu family, Mu Jiaojiao’s father, held immense power within the family. The two branches of the Mu family were now sworn enemies, and even if Mu Mingzhu married into the Prince Ke’s household, she would have no financial support.
The chances of the tyrant being overthrown would be significantly reduced, and her protection would last longer.
Mu Jiaojiao thought Jiang Lanyue was worried about her and nodded happily. Noticing her pale face, she said anxiously,
“Look at my stupid brain! Sister, you’re still sick. Go home quickly! I’ll come see you again tomorrow!”
She did want to invite Sister Jiang to stay at the mansion, but her sister’s current status was too sensitive, and going might cause gossip.
The two said goodbye and arranged to visit the next day. Jiang Lanyue was happy to agree; she had no connections or influence in the capital, and befriending the Mu family would be beneficial to her.
Inside the Wei mansion, everyone was in a state of panic. The head of the family returned from his official duties and threw a tantrum. The old lady, disregarding all decorum, threw a tantrum, and the servants didn’t dare breathe too loudly.
Suddenly, the steward came to report that the Duke of Liang’s mansion had sent someone with gifts. Wei Chi looked puzzled, but upon arriving, he learned that it was Shen Jiaxue who was subsidizing him with silver. Everyone in the Wei household was overjoyed; their monthly allowances hadn’t even been paid yet.
Wei Chi accepted the gifts with a gloomy face, secretly resentful. The Duke of Liang’s mansion was openly slapping him in the face.
First, he was accused of coveting his ex-wife’s dowry, and then his future in-laws sent hi m so much silver.
What did they take him for?
The steward cautiously glanced at Wei Chi, noticing his unpleasant expression, and asked nervously, “Master, should this silver be kept to repay Miss Shen later, or put into the treasury for household expenses?”
Wei Chi clenched his fists, cracking them, feeling deeply humiliated, and gritted his teeth, saying, “Put into the treasury.”
“Yes,” the steward replied, bowing his head, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. A third
-place scholar, huh? Wanting everything, a gigolo who lives off a woman.
The commotion in the storeroom startled Wei’s mother and Wei Wan’er at Ciyuan. After inquiring, Wei’s mother beamed with joy.
“Good, good, good! My future daughter-in-law is sensible. I’ll treat her like my own daughter after she marries into the family.”
Wei Wan’er pulled her mother aside to find out the details. After learning the whole story, she realized that her brother had climbed up the social ladder by marrying into the Liang State Duke’s family.
She was overjoyed and smiled charmingly, “Then I’ll have the Duke’s daughter as my sister-in-law!”
Wei’s mother straightened her back and said proudly, “Otherwise, do you think I would allow your brother to divorce Jiang Shi? That’s the Duke’s family, a noble family in the capital. How can Jiang Shi, an orphan girl who’s not worth mentioning, compare?”
“That’s right! Our brother is so good, he naturally deserves a noble lady. Mother, you can wait and enjoy your good fortune…”
The mother and daughter were dreaming of their bright future when an uninvited guest arrived outside the mansion.
Upon learning of the arrival of someone from the palace, Wei Chi’s lips curled into a smile. Could it be that His Majesty had reinstated him to his former position as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy?
“Quickly, invite him in!”
Upon reaching the front hall, Wei Chi politely addressed the eunuch delivering the imperial decree. The eunuch smiled coldly.
“Lord Wei, His Majesty has decreed: Wei Chi’s conduct is flawed, and he is unfit for the task. His title of Tan Hua (third-ranked scholar) is revoked, and he is demoted to a second-class Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination).”
Wei Chi’s smile froze, as if he had been doused with cold water, shocked and incredulous.
“Eunuch, what have I done wrong that His Majesty wants to revoke my title?”
Throughout history, Wei Chi had never heard of a Tan Hua title being revoked and reduced to a second-class Jinshi. Was this emperor out of his mind?
The eunuch smiled amicably, then shook his head coldly: “This servant is only here on imperial orders. How could we possibly fathom His Majesty’s thoughts?” ”
Lord Wei, perhaps you should consider carefully whether you have done something wrong recently and incurred His Majesty’s wrath.”
With this simple reminder, the eunuch, holding his pinky finger, left, not even bothering to accept the reward offered by the steward.