Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C030

In a flower hall on the south side of the Qushui Tower, Zhou Dang was speaking with Prince Wei.

"So, you're just going to leave them there and ignore them?"

"Since they enjoy overthinking, let them continue to overthink," Prince Wei said indifferently, taking a sip of his tea.

Zhou Dang understood Prince Wei's meaning. Prince Wei had come here with no other intention, but Marquis Xuanping was fond of being presumptuous. Speaking of which, this was also his fault. If he hadn't said that extra word, this situation wouldn't have arisen.

It was estimated that Marquis Xuanping had pondered for a long time before selecting these few people. On the surface, it seemed quite serious, but in reality, apart from that Second Zhao, they were all insignificant juniors from various families. Anyone with discerning eyes would understand.

"I should still go and make an appearance on your behalf. You've just returned to the capital; it's not appropriate to make the scene too awkward," Zhou Dang said, standing up. Prince Wei said nothing, so Zhou Dang went down.

After Zhou Dang left, Prince Wei snorted slightly in annoyance in his heart.

'You influence me, following Zhou Dang to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion, and also specifically naming a junior from the Zhao family, what is your intention?'

No one spoke in his mind, but a sense of smugness emerged, which made Prince Wei frown again.

[Is it because of her?]

Still, no one paid him any attention.

Prince Wei couldn't help but recall the events of the past few days. For several days in a row, he would wake up every morning to find an extra person in his arms.

He thought it was to see him make a fool of himself, so he didn't think much of it. Later, one night, he pretended to be asleep, but was not actually in a deep sleep, and discovered that he couldn't sense what was happening outside at all. He then knew that Ji Yang had shielded him.

It was like before, when the two of them would shield the other to combat headaches, ensuring that one person could replenish their energy. For the sake of convenience, he was usually the one who entered a deep sleep. But only now did he realize that this action had lingering problems. Like now, he didn't know what was happening outside at all, only vaguely knowing that he was with her.

And this time, coming to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion, and specifically naming Second Zhao to accompany him, even though he was the one outside, he was influenced by him, saying abrupt words, and he didn't even know why, only vaguely feeling that it was related to her.

Prince Wei had always overlooked one thing. Although Ji Yang was also him, the two were two different personalities, with different thoughts.

It wasn't obvious when they were at the border, also because the two of them had already exhausted countless efforts to combat the headaches. He had to command the army and also expend some effort, so naturally, he had no time to think about other things. But since returning to the capital, as Ji Yang ran to the Marquis Changyang's mansion every night, while the headaches gradually weakened, the other party also became more and more out of control.

Now, he had even learned to do things behind his back and was trying to influence his thoughts.

[I have no intention of breaking off the engagement and marrying someone else. Don't do anything foolish.]

[You better not.]

Prince Wei didn't speak again. Just then, Zhou Dang came in, and the two didn't continue the conversation.

***

In the flower hall, Commandery Princess Minghui finally looked directly at Mei Wuxia.

"You are called Mei Wuxia?"

Mei Wuxia stood below, respectfully and humbly saying, "Yes, Commandery Princess."

"This Commandery Princess is very curious, why do you want to help me?" When she said 'help,' Commandery Princess Minghui deliberately emphasized her tone, "This Commandery Princess thought that when people do evil, they always try to conceal it somewhat, but you're good, not concealing it at all."

This was not the first time Mei Wuxia had been obsequious to someone. In fact, she didn't think there was anything wrong with being obsequious to people of higher status than herself, but this time was the most uncomfortable.

She had to grit her teeth, her heart bleeding, to maintain her humility, because she knew that only in this way could she gain the trust of others.

So she cried, crying very aggrievedly.

"Actually, I didn't want to either, but the Commandery Princess certainly can't understand my plight. Jealousy is human nature, but I have never thought of harming anyone. It's just that my grandmother…"

She repeated what she had said to Chen Yueyi before, emphasizing that she was taking the blame for her grandmother, but had nowhere to seek justice.

"Once a woman's reputation is ruined, it is over. Now, everyone is rejecting me, calling me a malicious woman. Therefore, rather than saying I am helping the commandery princess, it is more accurate to say I am helping myself. I only hope that after the commandery princess achieves her desires, she can give me a hand. I do not ask for much, only to find a marriage that is reasonably satisfactory, and not be delayed."

Commandery Princess Minghui and Zhao Lanzhi exchanged glances.

Judging from what Mei Wuxia said, her arguments were reasonable and logical, yet they gave one a strange feeling, as if she was forced to harm others?

However, it must be said that her proposal greatly moved Commandery Princess Minghui. It was a visible stirring in Zhao Lanzhi, and because of this, Zhao Lanzhi hesitated to speak.

"If we arrange things as you say, this matter will succeed?" It was so simple that Commandery Princess Minghui found it unbelievable.

Mei Wuxia lowered her head and said, "In such a scene, with so many people and so many mouths, if something goes wrong, it cannot be contained. Once her reputation is ruined, she can only marry the man who ruined her honor. In this way, the commandery princess can achieve her wish. Surely, the imperial family would not want Prince Wei to marry a woman whose reputation is ruined."

"Wait a moment, let me think."

Zhao Lanzhi could not help but say, "Minghui!"

Commandery Princess Minghui raised her hand to interrupt her, feigning a thoughtful expression.

Seeing this, Mei Wuxia nervously licked her lips and said again, "Commandery Princess, opportunity knocks but once. My third sister does not usually go out."

Zhao Lanzhi frowned and said, "You say you are forced to do this, yet you harm others with such confidence. It seems that Eldest Miss Mei is not as virtuous as the rumors say."

Mei Wuxia covered her face and cried, "It is truly unavoidable, but if one does not act for oneself, heaven and earth will punish them. I only want to save myself."

Yes, if one does not act for oneself, Commandery Princess Minghui suddenly sat up straight.

"Do as you say. Lanzhi, you help me."

"Minghui!"

Commandery Princess Minghui pulled Zhao Lanzhi into the inner room.

"Lanzhi, this time, no matter what, you must help me."

"But Minghui, Third Miss Mei is innocent, why must you harm her?"

"If I could, I wouldn't want to," Commandery Princess Minghui finally revealed a look of dejection, "Before, I went to beg the Empress Dowager, and she finally agreed to speak to His Majesty on my behalf. However, His Majesty did not agree, still saying he would consider Prince Wei's wishes. But these past few days, there has been no movement at all, indicating that the chances of success are slim. I can only resort to other methods."

"You don't know, His Majesty feels guilty towards Prince Wei because his previous two princesses consort died unjustly. This time, His Majesty cannot force Prince Wei. And I know Prince Wei's character, although he appears cold, he is actually sentimental and will not easily break a promise. Therefore, only if something goes wrong on the Mei family's side can my plan succeed."

Commandery Princess Minghui spoke quickly and fluently, seemingly unconcerned about harming others to achieve her own goals. She even couldn't help but wonder if her sudden, almost obsessive, desire to see Mei Wushuang was a premonition that there would be an opportunity here?

"Moreover, I am not harming her. I am just changing her marriage partner. Anyway, she does not necessarily have to marry Prince Wei. Changing to another is nothing." The more she spoke, the more confident she became.

"Then who do you plan to change her to?"

"What do you think of the shizi of Marquis Wuxiang?"

This shizi of Marquis Wuxiang was none other than Noble Consort Sun's own nephew, named Sun Shixian. He was also a prominent figure in the capital, known for his dissolute and unrestrained ways.

But if a man is not dissolute in his youth, he is wasting his life. Which man is not dissolute? The key is to have a good family background. Sun Shixian was the only son of Marquis Wuxiang, his aunt was a Noble Consort, and his cousin was Prince Qin. His family background could be described as illustrious. If it were not for his reputation for being dissolute and his insistence on marrying an unparalleled beauty, he would not be unmarried to this day. If Mei Wushuang could marry him, it could be considered a stroke of good fortune.

Zhao Lanzhi saw that Commandery Princess Minghui spoke so eloquently, as if Sun Shixian was a treasure, but she knew that Sun Shixian's dissoluteness was not just dissoluteness, but debauchery. He had been involved in several scandals with married women, to the point that Noble Consort Sun had to come out to clean up his messes.

And for the past half year, Sun Shixian had been obsessed with marrying Minghui, causing Minghui a great headache. She had not expected that Minghui's arrangement would kill two birds with one stone.

Zhao Lanzhi was somewhat moved, but she did not say anything. She knew Commandery Princess Minghui's character. Once she made up her mind, she would absolutely not listen to anyone's advice, and she could only help her.

The two of them went out together. Seeing Commandery Princess Minghui's expression, Mei Wuxia knew that the matter was settled.

***

The noble ladies' banquet was set in the garden, and did not moved to the front.

Besides the Yuebi Tower, several nearby flower halls were also set with tables. All were for the young ladies, and being placed together was much more comfortable than being with the elders at the front.

Everyone ate, drank, and laughed merrily. When the mood struck, some even played drinking games.

The wine was fruit wine, slightly sweet and not intoxicating. Wushuang drank two cups, and Mei Chang and Mei E also drank quite a bit. They seemed very happy, but Mei Wuxia kept a sullen face, her displeasure visible to the naked eye.

After the banquet, the servants cleared away the remains, while the noble ladies scattered to chat, or strolled in the garden, waiting for the front banquet to end. However, it was still early, as the elders always had more social engagements than the younger generation, and sometimes it was not impossible for them to linger until evening.

Mei E and Mei Chang were called away. Earlier, they had made the acquaintance of one or two like-minded girls. They called for Wushuang, but Wushuang did not go. She was always too lazy to move after a meal, so she found a secluded place to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Wushuang felt somewhat drowsy. She had a habit of taking a nap after lunch, and perhaps the fruit wine she had drunk had some effect, making her feel languid. She did not fall asleep, but was merely a little muddled.

While she was in this daze, a servant suddenly appeared before her, calling her name.

This person looked flustered. Upon seeing her open her eyes, she hurriedly said, "Third Miss Mei, your Second Miss has fallen down the stairs and injured her leg. Please come with me to see her."

"Injured her leg? How did she injure her leg?"

"This servant does not know. It seems she had a conflict with a young lady from another family."

Mei Chang's temper was indeed not very good, and her personality was impulsive. If someone mocked her, it was very possible that she would get into a conflict with them.

Wushuang did not have time to think it over carefully, and hurriedly stood up, following the maid.

"Where is she?"

"The servants have already helped her to a quiet room, and have sent for a physician and Sixth Miss. But Second Miss Mei said she wanted to see you and Fifth Miss Mei, so she sent this servant to invite you."

The two walked and talked. What the maid said was logical and reasonable, and Wushuang did not suspect her at all, following her all the way.

Gradually, the surrounding scenery became more and more unfamiliar. Although Wushuang had been to Marquis Xuanping's mansion many times, each time she mainly stayed in one area, and had not been to all the places. However, she recognized that they were still in the garden.

Arriving at a two-story small building, the maid breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "We're here. Third Miss, please follow this servant inside."

Upon entering the small building, she found it to be very quiet.

Logically, if Mei Chang had broken her leg and caused such a commotion, it should not be so quiet. There should be one or two servants guarding her, and a physician had been called. Could it be that the physician had not yet arrived?

"It's right here."

Reaching the door of an inner room, the maid pushed it open. Directly in front of the door was a screen, and the bed was hidden behind it. However, it was clear that this was a place for guests to take a short rest.

Wushuang did not go inside, because it was too quiet, abnormally so. She was still looking around when she was pushed, falling to the ground. Immediately after, the sound of a door closing came from behind her. She hurriedly turned to look, and saw that the maid had actually closed the door from the outside.

And judging by the sound, she had also locked the door from the outside.

Wushuang's heart sank, but when she rushed to the door, it was already locked. After locking the door, the maid hurriedly left. She pounded on the door several times, but no one paid her any attention.

She had no choice but to look behind the screen. At this moment, it seemed that her pounding on the door had startled someone in the room, and the person let out a groan.

Passing the screen, the person came into her view.

It was a young man wearing luxurious clothing. He seemed to be drunk, his cheeks and eye sockets very red. He was currently holding his forehead and looking at her.

After seeing her, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he called out, "Beauty..."

As he spoke, he stumbled towards her.

Wushuang knew she had fallen into a trap, and this was the greatest crisis she had yet encountered.

She did not know who had plotted against her, but she knew that it would likely not be long—perhaps after this man embraced her, or after something irreparable occurred—before someone would burst in and expose everything.

In her previous life, she had used such a scheme against Zhao Jianzhi; she had not expected that now the tables would be turned on her.

She could not panic. Wushuang retreated step by step, her peripheral vision sweeping behind her. She changed direction, retreating diagonally.

The man appeared to be drunk, yet his steps were not slow at all. He quickly reached Wushuang and forced her into a corner.

"My beauty," he slurred, "who sent you to serve this shizi? If you serve this shizi well, this shizi will certainly not mistreat you…"

He spoke unclearly, his hands moving on Wushuang, reaching to embrace her. The stench of alcohol wafted towards Wushuang, making her want to retch, but she endured it, all the while silently reaching for something behind her.

Just as the man was about to kiss Wushuang's neck, a 'thud' was heard. Wushuang had struck his head with the vase in her hand.

The vase was quite sturdy; even after such an impact, it did not shatter. Seeing that he was still standing, Wushuang steeled her heart and struck his head again, and again.

Finally, the man fell.

The vase finally shattered.