"Hey, you little brat, you're making fun of me again." She said, scratching at Zhang Xiang's body, making everyone in the room laugh non-stop.
Even the usually seasoned Zhu Chuan was amused and covered his mouth, laughing as he said, "Alright, alright, if you keep making a fuss like this, you might not be able to leave the house today."
Jiang Yuan had met Li Qingping before, but seeing her again, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Qingping—what a refined and elegant name, yet this county princess lived such a passionate and unrestrained life. Her dazzling crimson attire, seen from afar, resembled a blazing flame.
"You must be Jiang Yuan." Li Qingping looked her over curiously. "I heard that your father was the first minister to surrender to my emperor uncle."
Li Qingping's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. At least the surrounding chatter subsided, replaced by subtle observations and whispers. Zhu Chuan remained oblivious to his surroundings, while Bi Fan gritted her teeth, suppressing her dissatisfaction as she remembered this was the princess's residence, her face turning red with suppressed anger.
Li Qingping found this rather irritating and couldn't help but curl his lip, "Oh, look at how this maid is gritting her teeth, can't we even say anything to her?"
Seeing this, Jiang Yuan quickly stepped forward to block Bi Fan and gave Li Qingping a side bow. "Your Highness is too kind. My maid is growing her real teeth these past few days, that's why she looks like this." As she spoke, her eyes curved into a smile. "I've long heard that the corridors of the Princess's residence are filled with exquisite beauty, and this girl is one of my favorites, so I brought her here to see her. I didn't expect it to cause Your Highness to misunderstand. Your Highness is magnanimous and will naturally not hold a grudge against a mere maid." As she spoke, she tapped Bi Fan's forehead. "Hurry up and apologize to Your Highness."
Although Bi Fan was straightforward, she was also quick-witted. She immediately knelt down and said, "This servant has never seen such a magnificent courtyard before, and I have been suffering from a toothache these past few days, so I was a little rude. I hope the county princess will forgive me."
The two women were talking back and forth, leaving Li Qingping speechless for a moment. If he really argued with this girl, wouldn't he seem petty? So he waved his hand impatiently, "Get up, get up. I didn't say anything, did I?"
"Thank you, County Princess." Bi Fan quickly kowtowed twice and retreated behind Jiang Yuan.
"You still haven't answered me." Li Qingping was stubborn and insisted on getting to the bottom of it.
Jiang Yuan's initial idea of being sisters in adversity was immediately dispelled by Li Qingping's relentless questioning. How stupid could this county princess be? Her own uncle had started a rebellion, and while others would have buried him as deep as possible, she actually dared to question him.
Jiang Yuan dared not discuss the matter, and could only say, "His Majesty is diligent in governing and loves the people, and personally attends to all matters. Father will surely follow such a wise ruler wholeheartedly."
"My uncle lives far away in Moze, how did your father know..."
"Qingping!" A stern female voice interrupted Li Qingping's questioning. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
Jiang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but look in the direction of the sound. But after just one glance, her polite smile froze on her face.
Standing next to the elegantly dressed woman was Song Yansi. His hair was simply tied up, and his narrow eyes softened considerably with a smile. A faint smile played on his lips, but the aura emanating from him made Jiang Yuan feel somewhat breathless.
Li Qingping glanced at her quickly, then ran towards Princess Yijia, her fiery red skirt stinging Jiang Yuan's eyes.
“Mother, Brother Zhongli.” Li Qingping pointed to the obsequious Jiang Yuan behind him and wrinkled his nose at them. “I was just joking with Miss Jiang.”
"Is this something to joke about?" Yi Jia saw her run over, reached out and tapped her forehead, then took Qingping's hand and walked to Jiang Yuan, saying softly, "Qingping has been spoiled by me since she was a child, Miss Jiang is making fun of her."
"The county princess is charming and lovely, with a straightforward personality, which makes me quite envious." Jiang Yuan naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to take advantage of her. She is the emperor's sister, and what is she? Just an ant. Her tone naturally carried a hint of awe, and she seemed to genuinely envy her.
Perhaps it was Jiang Yuan's sincere tone that made Princess Yijia burst out laughing, "You're quite an interesting girl."
Interesting? What's interesting? What's interesting about it? Jiang Yuan certainly wouldn't ask. After rolling her eyes a thousand times in her mind, she raised her head, her eyes curving into crescents, revealing the most perfect smile, her pearly teeth appearing even whiter in the sunlight. "Thank you for your praise, Princess."
Princess Yijia had admired Jiang Yuan in her previous life, so her impression of him in this life was naturally not much worse. Sure enough, Princess Yijia nodded in satisfaction and turned to Song Yansi with a smile, "Zhongli, you see, it was the right decision to come today."
"Indeed, it has been a long time since Zhongli has seen His Highness so cheerful." A voice came from beside him, gentle as a spring breeze, making one feel completely unguarded. "Miss Jiang, we meet again."
These words were like a bolt from the blue for Jiang Yuan. She looked up at Song Yansi in surprise. In her eyes, that smile was a poisoned dagger, a dangerous signal.
"Does Brother Zhongli recognize Jiang Yuan?" Li Qingping's voice suddenly rose, startling Jiang Yuan. The young ladies of official families who had been quietly listening to the princess's conversation with her also began to stir, whispering among themselves. Jiang Yuan wished she could strangle Li Qingping on the spot.
Song Yansi smiled slightly, and his next words caused not only Jiang Yuan but also Princess Yijia to gasp, "Miss Jiang once saved Zhong Li's life." He then nodded his heart, "She used a merman to protect my bloodline."
Jiang Yuan's mind went blank on the spot. The reason why fish-men are called fish-men is because they are as precious and rare as the tears of mermaids. They are treasures passed down through generations. Not to mention casual acquaintances, even close friends might not be willing to give them away.
What does it mean that he said it so openly?!
Chapter 11 Smoke and Clouds Obscuring the Moon
Princess Yijia glanced at Jiang Yuan, who seemed terrified, and then at Song Yanji, who had a gentle expression, and said quietly, "I was unaware of this relationship."
Princess Yijia's words were undoubtedly a blow to Jiang Yuan. This matter could be a big deal or a small deal. Jiang Yuan broke out in a cold sweat. If this matter were confirmed in a muddled way, she would not be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River. If something were to spread, who would dare to marry her? Where would the Jiang family's reputation be?
Not only Jiang Yuan, but Zhu Chuan and Bi Fan were also terrified. If things went wrong, their young lady's reputation would be completely ruined. Their young lady had kindly saved him, and this was how he repaid her? Bi Fan tugged at Zhu Chuan's sleeve, her voice barely a whisper, "That Song fellow is shameless!"
Jiang Yuan gently ran her fingers through her hair, the fragments of thought flashing through her mind quickly forming words as she spoke, each word distinct, "Lieutenant Song was a pillar of the nation, yet he encountered villains and met with misfortune. That day, I went to the temple with my family to pray for blessings, and on the way back, I found the Lieutenant lying in a pool of blood. My father said that although merfolk are rare, they are worthless compared to a life, which is why I gave them to the General." The surrounding voices gradually subsided, and Jiang Yuan continued, her tone tinged with gratitude, "I never expected that General Song would remember this matter so well. On the eighth day, he even saved my father's life because of it, and later, when my father spoke of it with me, he praised the Lieutenant's benevolence and righteousness."
This statement was so perfectly crafted yet it absolved Jiang Yuan of any responsibility, and it was so truthful that even Song Yanji couldn't refute it. Jiang Yuan was stating the facts, but he deliberately missed the point. As for whether Jiang Zhongsi actually said these things, who but Jiang Yuan could know? Anyway, it was true.
Jiang Yuan smiled at Song Yansi, but her eyes were so cold they seemed to shatter into ice shards. She didn't believe Song Yansi could tell her about being kidnapped that night. If it were anyone else, Jiang Yuan might not have dared to gamble, but the one he let go was Meng Xizhi.
He can control her weaknesses, but don't forget, she also holds his weaknesses in her hands.
"Is that so?" Princess Yijia asked curiously, somewhat puzzled.
Song Yansi looked at Jiang Yuan, still maintaining a gentle demeanor, "Just as Miss Jiang said."
"You silly child." Princess Yijia breathed a sigh of relief, scolded Song Yansi, turned around and took Jiang Yuan's hand in her palm. Her palm was cold, and she could tell that she had been frightened, so she patted it twice as a comforting gesture. "Zhongli always says only half of what he means, don't mind it."
Jiang Yuan's anger surged. What if she hadn't explained? Instead, she was dismissed with a simple "Don't mind it." She was furious inside, but on the surface, she still put on a charmingly innocent look, "It's alright."
Princess Yijia couldn't keep her any longer. "This garden is modeled after the legendary Sacred Spring Garden. Go and have a good look around. There are maids everywhere in the mansion, so don't worry about getting lost."
"Thank you, Princess." Jiang Yuan knelt in greeting before slowly departing with the vermilion boat and green sails.
Once Jiang Yuan was out of sight, Princess Yijia reprimanded her with a stern face, "You two are just making a fool of yourselves."
Li Qingping stuck out his tongue and dashed off towards the young lady of the Xie family.
Song Yansi was left chuckling at Princess Yijia. Song Yansi was so handsome that just looking at him calmed Princess Yijia down considerably. She could only wave her hand and say, "Go on, the prince consort is probably getting impatient waiting for you to play chess in the study. You two are all such a worry."
The ice on the lake has not yet melted, but the trees in the garden are already lush and verdant, which must have taken a lot of effort.
Jiang Yuan still doesn't know why Li Qingping sent her this invitation. It's clear he didn't want to befriend her. Aside from being a little difficult at first, he didn't seem to want to make things too hard for her afterwards.
Jiang Yuan walked for a while, feeling somewhat tired, so she sat down on a rock by the lake. She needed time to process what had happened that day. Bi Fan and Zhu Chuan stood not far away; Jiang Yuan remained silent, and they dared not utter a sound either.
Suddenly, a steaming hand warmer appeared before her. Jiang Yuan instinctively reached out to take it, but just as her fingers were about to touch the hand warmer, she snapped back to reality, her sharp gaze turning to the person beside her, a cold smile playing on her lips. "What is it, Lieutenant?"
"It's nothing, I just came to keep you company since you were alone, Miss." Wearing a white fox fur coat and a black leopard quiver, Song Yanji was as extravagant as ever. How ruthless must a man like him, who was so wasteful, have endured the poverty of the Northern Desert and the desolation of the borderlands, and risen through the ranks by fighting his way up from the battlefield?
"Where are Zhu Chuan and Bi Fan?" Jiang Yuan didn't want to talk to him, but since neither of them had appeared, she knew that he was the one who had done it.
"They're probably still sleeping now." Song Yansi winked at her and smiled. "I was worried they'd get cold, so I gave them hand warmers." As he spoke, he handed the small iron ball in his hand to Jiang Yuan.
As soon as she felt a warmth in her hand, Jiang Yuan unconsciously looked down at it. Hundreds of butterflies were carved on the dark gray furnace wall, each one small and clustered together, fitting perfectly in her palm.
Jiang Yuan suddenly thought of her past life. On that day, at the banquet in the palace, she dressed very lightly to look beautiful. Just like today, Song Yanji handed her a hand warmer. She remembered that he smiled so beautifully that day, like the spring sun, making her feel warm even in winter.
Her heart sank, and the hand warmer in her palm was so hot that she could barely hold it. Jiang Yuan turned around quickly and threw it at the lake with all her might. The hand warmer smashed a piece of the lake surface that was covered with a thin layer of ice.
The shadows of the trees swayed, and the emerald green branches looked out of place in the bleak cold wind. Song Yanji was not angered by Jiang Yuan's actions. Instead, his eyes were calm and his voice sounded a little regretful, "What a pity for this excellent chef."
"It's just a trinket, you can throw it away. If the lieutenant is reluctant, I'll buy you another one." Jiang Yuan had shared a bed with him for over a decade, so she naturally knew how to provoke him. Actually, Jiang Yuan had plenty of ways to please Song Yanji, but perhaps because she had done too many things to please him in her past life, she didn't even want to think about it in this life.
“Miss Jiang seems to be hostile towards me.” Song Yansi stared at the shattered lake surface, his expression indifferent as if nothing had happened.
This surprised Jiang Yuan. Seeing her wary yet curious gaze, Song Yansi smiled at her with a slight upturn of his lips, smoothed his white fox fur coat with a swift and elegant movement, and asked, "Am I wrong?"
"Perhaps I was born to be at odds with you, sir." Jiang Yuan stood beside him. Although the two were some distance apart, they looked surprisingly harmonious to others.
Li Qingping leaned over the wall, her feet planted on Cui Cui's shoulders. The little girl's face turned red from being stepped on, and she couldn't help but say, "Princess, have you seen enough? If we don't go back soon, the princess will send someone to look for us again."
"Shut up." Li Qingping didn't dare get too close, so he squinted and strained to get closer. "Cuicui, tonight you go and guard the gate and ask Brother Zhongli what he's up to!"
She had provoked her into posting an invitation to make things difficult for Jiang Yuan, and she had done it all. At first, she thought there was some kind of grudge between the two, but now it didn't seem like that at all. On the contrary, it seemed that Song Yansi had found the right opportunity to get close to Miss Jiang. Thinking of this, Li Qingping felt incredibly satisfied with her wisdom for the first time in her life.
The little maid at her feet was inwardly groaning. If she had the ability to get the truth out of Lord Song, would she still be being trampled underfoot by the county princess? Instead, the person who put so much pressure on her was acting like a little thief, spying on outsiders in her own garden!
Song Yansi's eyebrows twitched, and he turned to look at Li Qingping's hiding place, startling Li Qingping into shrinking his neck further in. Jiang Yuan followed his gaze and glanced back, subtly taking two steps back.
A gust of wind suddenly swept by, causing Jiang Yuan's skirt to sway and her hair to brush against her face, making her feel slightly itchy. She had no interest in staying in the cold wind to continue her pretentious banter with Song Yansi and prepared to leave. "Since there's nothing else, I won't disturb you from enjoying the beautiful scenery."
As Fang turned around, her wrist was grabbed by the person in front of her, causing Jiang Yuan to slip and fall. The moment she regained her balance, her nose bumped into a soft fur. A look of astonishment instantly appeared on her face. Almost instinctively, Jiang Yuan pushed the person away, and a complex and disgusted emotion was revealed in her eyes without any attempt to hide it.
The moment their eyes met, Jiang Yuan saw herself reflected in Song Yansi's eyes. He didn't look away, staring at her intently, as if trying to see through her. In an instant, Jiang Yuan regained her composure. She didn't believe Song Yansi couldn't sense her resistance; he was such a sensitive person. Jiang Yuan's heart pounded.
"Having finished her makeup, she stands in the spring breeze; her smile puts a hundred flowers to shame." Song Yansi withdrew his arm, his tone still calm, as if the little incident that had just happened was Jiang Yuan's illusion. As he spoke, he reached out and brushed a stray hair from Jiang Yuan's cheek with his fingers, carefully plucked a white fox fur from her hair, and then tucked it behind her ear. "I am the only one in the manor wearing a white fur coat. If others see it, they will misunderstand."
Jiang Yuan had a very difficult day. She felt that Song Yanji was testing her, and all of this was Meng Xizhi's fault! On the carriage back to the mansion, Bi Fan and Zhu Chuan knelt beside her with their heads bowed. They had been awakened by Jiang Yuan. Jiang Yuan glossed over what had happened in between, and the two of them were unaware of the details.
The carriage swayed incessantly, and the warmth of Song Yansi's fingers seemed to still linger on her face. Jiang Yuan slowly reached out and touched her cheek, then slapped herself hard across the face with such force and speed that Bi Fan was astonished.
"Miss!" Zhu Chuan quickly grabbed her hands.
The burning pain on her face paled in comparison to the ache in her heart, and Jiang Yuan couldn't help but want to laugh. So he had started plotting against her so early on.
She advances, he retreats; she retreats, he advances.
The slap she had just received completely calmed her down. She remembered that night at Guanyun Pavilion, the night breeze was gentle, and Song Yansi was hosting a banquet in the front hall to celebrate the birth of his third prince. For some reason, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt she had had enough of life that night and didn't want to live anymore. She drank a final cup of wine before leaping off Guanyun Pavilion. It was the first and only time since she entered the palace that she looked up at the night sky. The clouds obscured the moon, much like her life.
Chapter 12 A Handsome Young Man
Having learned from past mistakes, Jiang Yuan had done so much for him back then, yet Song Yanji didn't seem to reciprocate with much affection. Now that she was alive again, Jiang Yuan certainly wouldn't presume to believe that Song Yanji had fallen in love with her. If in her previous life Song Yanji was using her father's influence, then in this life, her father had become the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, but had lost his military power. What was he after treating her this way? Jiang Yuan racked her brains but couldn't figure it out.
"Miss!" As soon as they arrived at the Jiang residence, before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, Ping An rushed to the side of the carriage.
"What are you yelling about?" Bi Fan lifted the curtain and twisted Ping An's ear. "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"
Ping An winced in pain, rubbed his ear, glared at Bi Fan, and then looked at Jiang Yuan in the car, saying, "Miss, Master wants you to go to Fu Cui Yuan as soon as you get back."
Fu Cui Yuan was Madam Jiang's residence, and Jiang Yuan immediately became anxious, "Is Madam unwell?"
“No.” Ping An tried hard to recall, “When the master came out of the palace today, he didn’t look too well.”
What kind of trouble will happen in the palace this time?
Jiang Yuan certainly couldn't go to see Jiang Zhongsi looking like this, so she quickly had Zhu Chuan use the items in the carriage to help her redo her makeup. Only when the marks on her face were no longer visible did she gracefully get out of the carriage.
Halfway there, they ran into Lixiang, the head maid in their mother's room. Ping An, who was serving outside the courtyard, naturally knew less than Lixiang.
Jiang Yuan walked ahead without stopping, and asked Li Xiang behind him, "What exactly is the matter?"
“This servant is not quite sure either,” Lixiang replied, following behind Jiang Yuan. “When Madam sent this servant to call Miss, she said that Miss should decide for herself, so it seems that there is room for negotiation.”
Jiang Yuan was slightly taken aback, then stopped talking and buried himself in his work. This matter had actually been brought forward so long.
Jiang Yuan guessed correctly; Li Sheng was indeed about to begin selecting concubines. However, it was rather rushed for him to select concubines so soon after ascending the throne. A rough calculation showed that it was more than half a year earlier than in his previous life.
Madam Jiang pulled Jiang Yuan to sit beside her, the sandalwood incense in front of them emitting wisps of white smoke. "Yuan, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter."
Jiang Zhongsi, dressed in a dark long robe, looked somewhat complicated. “If you want to enter the palace, I will naturally take care of everything for you. If you don’t want to, there are some unmarried sons of officials in Lin’an, and I know a thing or two about some of them.”
Jiang Yuan stared at Jiang Zhongsi for a long time, then lowered her eyes slightly. She knew that her father's current situation was far worse than in her previous life. Li Sheng did not fully trust him, and her elder brother was about to return to Lin'an from Huaizhou. If Jiang Zhongsi had never considered sending her to the palace in her previous life, then in this life, her father had given her two choices.
In fact, for the sake of her brother's career, Jiang Yuan's entry into the palace was indeed a good choice. With her intelligence and methods, even though Jiang Li was of average talent, it would not be difficult for her to help her brother rise to prominence.
If it weren't for Song Yanji, Jiang Yuan, as a daughter of the Jiang family, might have chosen to enter the palace and stir up trouble. However, Song Yanji did exist in this world, and Jiang Yuan knew his fate and witnessed the destruction of the dynasty. She could outmaneuver the concubines in the harem, but she couldn't outmaneuver Song Yanji.