Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C018

"How would she think? What could she think? How dare she think?!"

Old Madam's demeanor clearly indicated she didn't care about Wushuang's thoughts.

In truth, the first branch of the family had always believed they held Wushuang in their grasp, convinced she couldn't escape their clutches. The Old Madam, with her domineering nature, had been more lenient in the past, but in recent years, she had grown weary of pretense. Only because Prince Wei had sent word did she show Wushuang any semblance of kindness.

She was willing to maintain a facade of 'harmony' because she had her eyes on the second branch's assets. Now that the great aunt was gone, the whereabouts of the second branch's wealth remained unknown. Given the Old Madam's temperament, it was no surprise she wouldn't hesitate to seize it.

If it were any other matter, Mei Wuxia would never dare to challenge her grandmother's authority, but this time, she couldn't.

She had spent these past days diligently ingratiating herself with Wushuang, all for her own agenda, and she wouldn't allow anyone to disrupt her plans.

"But Grandmother, you mustn't forget about that marriage," Mei Wuxia said softly. "Third Sister and the great aunt, despite not being closely related, still shared blood. While some oversights could be explained away, digging up a grave and opening a coffin is simply too shocking. It's hard to say what she might think."

"It was merely a possibility, a remote one at that. There's no need to create unnecessary trouble." Mei Wuxia, who was usually calm and composed, never vying for attention, finally revealed her anxiety.

"Grandmother, that matter is the key. Once it's settled, you can vent your anger however you please. Finding the items is the priority. Why bother getting worked up over a dead person? I believe the chances of finding it within this mansion are higher than in the grave."

After hearing these words, the Old Madam realized she had been too impulsive.

Yes, why should she be angry with a dead person? She had lived a lonely life, while Old Madam was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. There was no need to be angry with her.

The eldest girl was right. It was impossible for the object to be hidden in the coffin. The problem wasn't with the dead person, as the funeral arrangements were handled by the living. The issue lay with the living.

Lamei had run away, and she was the most suspicious. Perhaps she had left her family at the Marquis's mansion, and they were all working together to deceive everyone. Others were also suspect, but they hadn't left the mansion. If they searched the entire place, nothing could be hidden.

The most important thing was the eldest daughter's marriage. If it could be arranged...

In truth, aside from the great aunt's involvement, Old Madam didn't really suspect Wushuang. After all, this granddaughter had always been obedient and compliant.

"Then search everyone's quarters first," Old Madam instructed.

"What about Third Sister's room?"

Hearing Mei Wuxia's words, Old Madam felt a pang of discomfort. Was the eldest daughter treating her like a senile old woman, reminding her over and over again what she could and couldn't do?

But remembering her granddaughter was acting for the sake of the Marquis's mansion, she suppressed her temper and said, "There's no need to disturb Third Girl."

***

The Old Madam ordered her servants to split into groups and search every room, except for hers and the two young ladies' quarters.

The capable servants and mamas immediately set off. Qian Si and Granny Chen, still under suspicion, were kept in the main room for safety.

Unfortunately, an unexpected incident occurred. This residence wasn't solely occupied by the Marquis Changyang's family; Prince Wei's entourage was also staying there.

The servants who were tasked with the search were a later batch, unaware of the guests' presence. They inadvertently crossed the boundary and entered the small courtyard where Prince Wei's group was staying. Prince Wei's guards promptly repelled them, but the incident reached Old Madam's ears.

As long as they couldn't find Nanny Zhao, their own suspicions wouldn't be cleared, and their future would be bleak. Qian Si, hoping to redeem himself, spoke about the guests who were staying there and shared his suspicions.

He mentioned that he had previously suspected these people because their arrival to seek shelter from the rain was too coincidental.

Nanny Zhao, known for her domineering nature, had insisted on letting her own people move to the more remote and dilapidated back courtyard, despite the lack of space, and had given the guests the more comfortable rear wing.

Nanny Zhao was just a woman, and without help, it was impossible for her to hide so meticulously or to run far. They had searched the entire estate, except for the guests' quarters.

To further prove his point, he added that the guests had remained secluded in their quarters for the past few days, and anyone who accidentally approached the small courtyard was met with reprimands.

The Old Madam, upon hearing this, found the guests' behavior suspicious.

Actually, Old Madam had learned about the presence of the Marquis of Huaiyin's family yesterday. She had heard they were still there and had considered that, out of courtesy, they should pay her a visit, given her seniority. She had also heard they had gone to offer incense to the great aunt.

But there was no response.

Old Madam was already feeling unwell, and these two incidents combined were too much for her to bear. She beckoned Qian Si closer and gave him a few instructions.

In truth, Old Madam was quite cautious in her actions. She merely asked Qian Si to inquire which member of the Marquis Huaiyin's household was staying there. It was a subtle reminder, a way of saying, "If you have any manners, you should come and pay your respects to this elder upon learning of her arrival, and reveal your identity."

Qian Si, eager to atone for his transgression, immediately went to find them. However, before he even reached the courtyard gate, he was stopped and questioned about his business. He simply repeated what he had been told.

The Black Armor Army had been with Prince Wei for many years, capable of fighting on the battlefield and protecting the Prince's safety. They were the elite of the elite. Seeing this short, scrawny servant implying that Prince Wei should go and pay his respects to some unknown old woman, one of the guards, who seemed to be their leader, burst into laughter.

"You blind fool! What is your master's status? You dare ask the master to pay his respects to her? She should be the one paying her respects to our master!"

The guard was about to berate Qian Si further, but sensing movement from the courtyard, he knew his master was coming out. With a wave of his hand, he sent Qian Si sprawling.

"Get out of the way! We are about to leave, don't bother us!"

Qian Si was dizzy from the fall. When he finally managed to scramble to his feet, he saw a group of guards surrounding a figure, a young man from a distance.

Qian Si, having suffered such a humiliation, was filled with resentment.

He immediately ran back and complained bitterly, describing how arrogant and unreasonable the people from the Marquis Huaiyin's household were, even demanding that Old Madam go and pay her respects to them.

The Old Madam was accustomed to having her own way.

Although the Marquis Changyang's household had fallen into decline, her maternal family, the Marquis Rongchang, was still influential. Therefore, when Old Madam traveled, most people, out of respect for the two marquisates, treated her with deference.

She had assumed the other party was a young man, but this young man was so arrogant, so audacious, that he dared to demand that she, a woman of her age, go and pay her respects to him?

Coupled with the frustration of not getting what she had desired for so long, and the series of unfortunate events that had followed, Old Madam's patience had reached its limit. Anger surged within her, and she declared that she would go and see for herself who this audacious young man was.

Mei Wuxia tried to dissuade her, but Old Madam, wielding her ebony walking stick, was escorted by a throng of maids and grannies, and marched towards the source of the commotion.

Meanwhile, outside the residence, Prince Wei and his entourage were ready to depart.

Two carriages were at the center, flanked by twenty-odd light cavalry.

At that moment, a group of people emerged from the residence.

The Old Madam stood on the steps, her hands resting on her ebony walking stick, her chin held high. Behind her stood a retinue of maids and grannies in colorful attire, along with seven or eight servants.

"Who is in the carriage? Has your family not taught you the proper etiquette when traveling? You have been staying here for days, and now you are leaving without even thanking your host?"

For a moment, there was silence.

The twenty-odd guards, their horses, the coachmen, and even the horses pulling the carriages, all turned to look.

In her anger, Old Madam's mouth moved faster than her brain. After she spoke, she finally took in the appearance of these people, their attire, and the horses they rode.

The horses they rode were war steeds, even the two carriages, pulled by two horses each, were drawn by war steeds.

Old Madam was not without discernment. She could see that this was no ordinary retinue for the Marquis Huaiyin's household. So who was in the carriage?

Just as Old Madam found herself in a predicament, unable to retreat or advance, someone emerged from the front carriage.

The man was clad in a sky-blue round-necked tunic with copper coin patterns. He was slender, his face smooth and beardless, and his smile preceded his words. Standing on the carriage step, he bowed slightly towards Old Madam. "It's been many years. The Old Madam is still as spirited as ever. Do you still remember this one?"

At the sound of "this one," Old Madam instinctively recoiled. She squinted at the man from afar, finding him vaguely familiar.

In the next instant, Old Madam remembered who he was.

It was truly not her fault for having such a good memory. At that time, two pieces of bad news had struck the Marquis Mansion in quick succession. While they were bad news for others, they were all good news for her.

No matter how much she had loved him in the past, swearing to marry only him, after all those years, watching her husband be affectionate with another woman, her love had long turned to ashes.

Hadn't he always said his son was promising? Now that his promising son was dead, the title had fallen to her son. Just as the Old Madam was feeling triumphant, this very person had brought back the little bastard born of that other little bastard from the border.

The Third Prince was a prince, and his chamberlain was naturally extraordinary.

The chamberlain seemed afraid that she would mistreat the little bastard, repeatedly smiling and subtly reminding her, hinting at her. Just when she was feeling happy, someone suddenly cast a tight spell on her, and how could the Old Madam forget who Fusheng was?

If Chamberlain Fu is here, then in that carriage… is it Prince Wei?

In an instant, the Old Madam felt a cold sweat break out, her old face turning a mixture of green, red, and white, wishing she could faint right then and there.

Prince Wei was no longer the same. Now, he held the reins of 300,000 troops at the border, controlling half of Great Liang's military power. Even if his reputation was tarnished, it didn't matter. Even Emperor Taihe was wary of this son.

She had actually asked Prince Wei come to pay his respects to her?

***

Wushuang had arrived long ago.

Just as the Old Madam was making a grand entrance with her entourage, she had already received the news.

The Old Madam might not know the other person's identity, but Wushuang did.

She had also heard that the Old Madam was furious and intended to make the other person pay. Unable to resist the urge to watch the drama unfold, she had brought her maids and pretended to be worried, following behind.

She stood by the door, behind the group of maids and grannies, right by the entrance.

Through a layer of window gauze, Prince Wei caught a glimpse of the little girl hiding behind the door.

She was so small, standing by the door in dull grey clothes, peeking in. She should have been a beautiful little girl, but she was dressed like this.

Though he hadn't come out that day, he had seen her through Ji Yang's eyes. He hadn't met Mei Wushuang, but he had heard Fusheng describe her appearance. Her thick, brow-covering bangs were easy to recognize. He had reminded Ji Yang of her identity.

Seeing her eyes sparkle with interest, it was a stark contrast to the supposed meek and timid girl.

He recalled what Fusheng had said that day: "… her blood relatives are all gone, and the people around her are all untrustworthy… she has been bullied so much…"

Looking at the arrogant and clueless old woman outside the carriage, a flicker of displeasure crossed Prince Wei's eyes.