Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C034

Commandery Princess Minghui was clearly bewildered by the Empress Dowager's words. What heavy illness, on the verge of death, beaten into idiocy, beaten into a cripple?

The Empress Dowager had not felt so powerless in many years. "If the Sun family does not intend to let you off, they will surely create a scene and feign pitifulness. At that time, you will have to compensate the Sun family..."

"But it was Mei Wushuang who injured Sun Shixian!"

"Who injured him is not important, but the scheme was of your design. You are not familiar with Marquis Xuanping's mansion. This time, without help, you certainly could not have accomplished this. Was it that girl from the Zhao family who helped you? You certainly did not expect things to escalate like this. Have you cleaned your hands? Have you hidden your tracks? The world is not lacking in discerning eyes, but now no one cares about such trivial matters. What is important is what Prince Qin, Prince Jin, and the Emperor will think…"

The Empress Dowager was already too weary to speak further. She could see that Commandery Princess Minghui had not understood at all.

When a child is doted upon, they are always perfect in every way, but when they truly encounter trouble, one discovers how useless they are. Yet, she was the one who spoiled her. Now, it was too late to say anything; she could only take things one step at a time.

Commandery Princess Minghui cried, "The scheme wasn't mine either, it was Mei Wuxia's..." She grasped at this like a drowning person clutching at a straw, frantically speaking of Mei Wuxia's wrongdoings. "It was Mei Wushuang's eldest sister, Mei Wuxia. She harbors extreme hatred for Mei Wushuang, which is why she came to find me. This plan was all her idea. She said..."

"Then why was Sun Shixian chosen?"

Commandery Princess Minghui revealed a guilty look. "Because..."

The Empress Dowager no longer wished to hear the reason. She knew what had happened without needing to hear it. "Even if someone else offered the plan, it was you who had it carried out. You chose Sun Shixian, and the traces you left behind are naturally yours."

The Empress Dowager summoned a palace maid and said, "These next few days, do not allow the Commandery Princess to leave her bedchamber."

After the palace maid acknowledged, the Empress Dowager left, utterly exhausted.

***

In Zichen Hall, Emperor Taihe had naturally also received the news.

However, the way an emperor viewed matters was destined to be different from those below him. In this matter, he only saw Prince Qin, Prince Jin, and at most, Commandery Princess Minghui and the Empress Dowager. Oh, and Prince Wei was also there.

Just as Emperor Taihe was speculating about what Prince Wei was doing at Marquis Xuanping's mansion, Prince Wei arrived.

Emperor Taihe deliberately did not see him, only having someone lead him to a side hall for tea. After he finished reviewing a stack of memorials, he inquired, and Prince Wei was still drinking tea, not revealing any sign of anxiety, as steady as Mount Tai.

Emperor Taihe suddenly realized that perhaps, in terms of composure, he was no longer a match for this son.

He suddenly felt a sense of melancholy and had the eunuch summon Prince Wei.

"Is this your doing?"

In truth, it was not difficult to see through this matter. One only needed to know that someone was missing. Knowing who was missing, and knowing that Prince Wei was also there, many questions would naturally be resolved.

Facing Emperor Taihe's questioning, Prince Wei did not conceal anything. "It was a last resort."

Why a last resort? A dignified prince, the dignified Prince Wei, what could be a last resort?

Emperor Taihe could not help but think a great deal. He also thought that this was probably the third time Prince Wei was 'about to' marry, and this time, the trouble had started before the wedding.

It had to be said that Prince Wei understood Emperor Taihe very well. Some things did not need to be said too much, because people usually thought for themselves, and they only believed what they themselves thought.

Emperor Taihe pondered, "This matter is Minghui's fault. I should not have given her the opportunity to overthink. It is also that the Empress Dowager is getting on in years. It is rare for her to speak up, and I could not directly contradict her."

Prince Wei did not speak.

He stood there with his eyes half-lowered, as if nothing could shake his composure, as if the sky falling outside had nothing to do with him.

This detached figure, like dust, overlapped with the figure of that thin, young boy from many years ago, and then overlapped with that rebellious, stubborn, and extreme woman.

Emperor Taihe suddenly recalled that this son was once his most beloved son, but an emperor could not allow even the slightest favoritism. Whoever was favored would become the target of everyone's attacks.

The days of being the target of everyone's attacks were usually not easy.

And in those years, she was also the target of everyone's criticism, but at that time, he did not understand. He thought that if he liked a woman, he should give her the best, but he never expected...

He suddenly waved his hand, somewhat wearily, and said, "Enough, the imperial decree for the marriage will be issued tomorrow. You may return."

Prince Wei bowed and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor. This son takes his leave."

As Prince Wei retreated, Emperor Taihe suddenly called out to him again, "You are not young anymore, and it is time you had an heir. After the grand wedding, live well with your Princess Consort and give birth to two little ones soon."

Prince Wei stiffened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Only when he reached the door did he think, children?

***

Mei Wuxia returned to her room and only then felt utterly exhausted.

She collapsed onto the bed. None of the maids dared to utter a sound. Hupo came forward, squatted down to remove her shoes, and then placed her legs on the bed.

The quiet did not last long. Soon, they heard the maids calling out, 'Madam,' and after a flurry of hurried footsteps, Cao shi entered.

Seeing her daughter slumped on the bed, she was somewhat surprised. She sat down on the edge of the bed and impatiently shook Mei Wuxia, saying, "What exactly happened today?"

In fact, what had spread among the noble young ladies would not have escaped the notice of the noble ladies. At first, it was still alright, but as the banquet was about to begin, Cao shi noticed that others were looking at her strangely.

She could not ask directly, so she could only endure it. After the banquet, she sought out a relative from her maiden family to inquire, and only then did she learn what had happened.

A thousand impulses to question and interrogate her daughter surged within her, but she suppressed them all. So many madams and ladies were watching. The younger generation was one thing, but if she were to lose her composure, the impact would be too great.

Therefore, Cao shi could only endure it, enduring until she returned home.

Mei Wuxia sat up and recounted the matter exactly as it had happened. Cao shi did not notice that her daughter was acting somewhat strangely today, and said, both angry and anxious, "What is Third Miss trying to do? Is she trying to turn the world upside down!"

Then she thought again, this matter was not said by Third Miss, but was a coincidence that they had encountered a noble lady who happened to know Master Qin.

Yes, this was what was strange about Mei Wuxia. This time, she had not embellished the story at all. If Cao shi were more perceptive, she would have noticed her daughter's strangeness, because the usual smile on Mei Wuxia's face was gone.

"How could this be!" Cao shi paced anxiously in front of the bed.

Mei Wuxia sat there, watching all of this indifferently.

Cao shi turned back and said a few more words about what to do, hitting Mei Wuxia twice, "You dead girl, it's already like this and you can still sit still. Quickly think of a solution."

Mei Wuxia's mind suddenly recalled a sentence that Old Madam Mei had once said: Your parents are useless!

"If you don't think of a solution, your reputation will be completely ruined, and I will also be implicated. If our reputations are ruined, how will we face others in the future?"

"So I pushed the matter to Grandmother. Whether anyone believes it or not is still unknown."

Cao shi was so shocked that she almost jumped up, "Eldest Girl, how could you dare? But this is indeed a solution, but even if this solution works, if your grandmother finds out in the future..."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

At this moment, Cao shi finally noticed that something was wrong with Mei Wuxia.

"Wuxia, you…"

"Mother, can you let me have some peace? Things are already like this. I don't know what to do. You were the one who brought this up in the first place, and Grandmother agreed. Now you're making me bear all the responsibility, and then asking me what to do. How would I know what to do? Do whatever you want!"

What she was worried about now was not these trivial matters, but Commandery Princess Minghui, and Prince Wei, as well as her own future.

Mei Wuxia even thought that if Prince Wei truly understood everything, her desire to become Prince Wei's Princess Consort would naturally be impossible. If she let her mother know about this, she would not know what to do, and she would probably blame her again, wouldn't she?

Cao shi, seeing her daughter's sudden outburst, was momentarily stunned.

Indeed, it was she who initially proposed it. Yet, Cao shi still remembered that her daughter, barely showing the first signs of womanhood, had said to her that Grandmother most detested alluring women. Third Sister, at such a young age, already possessed a bewitching air. Out of a desire to please her mother-in-law, she had suggested finding the strictest master to discipline Third Girl properly.

The matter was indeed her proposal, yet hearing her daughter speak thus, she felt a sudden unease in her heart. But then she thought that Wuxia had suffered such an ordeal today, and was surely vexed, hence her words.

"If you are weary, then rest for a while. Mother will not disturb you further."

Seeing that her daughter did not, as was her custom, smile and see her out, Cao shi dejectedly left on her own.

Mei Wuxia fell back again, lying askew, her gaze fixed on a single point.

"She was never so attentive to me before. She valued Eldest Brother the most. In truth, she still values Eldest Brother, yet she seeks my counsel in all matters. Eldest Brother has been ruined by her pampering. And Grandmother, I was never her most favored granddaughter either…"

Hupo choked back a sob, "Miss, if you are tired, then sleep for a while. Do not dwell on these matters any longer."

Tired? She had always been tired. Her parents were useless, her mother was suppressed by a concubine and could not raise her head. If she had not stood up for herself, she would have been devoured long ago. In this vast mansion, only her maids truly felt her weariness.

She was indeed weary. She even wished to sleep and think about these matters later, yet she could not fall asleep no matter what.

***

That night, more than just one or two found sleep elusive.

After Wushuang returned, she had been listless.

Previously, after her return, Mei Chang and Mei E had taken the opportunity to visit her, telling her of Mei Wuxia’s series of actions during the time she was missing.

They said that Mei Wuxia had used the opportunity to search for her, making her disappearance known to many. Although the two of them did not understand what had happened, they knew to search secretly. Yet, Mei Wuxia had gone to Chen Yueyi, and later, many people knew.

Wushuang could not say anything to them, and could only repeat the explanation Prince Wei had given to the public. Mei Chang and Mei E knew that she was injured and needed rest, and after speaking, they did not linger and left.

Only then did Wushuang feel a lingering fear.

She had thought she understood Mei Wuxia, but in reality, she had underestimated her. She had thought that Mei Wuxia, having suffered such a calamity, would be utterly flustered. Yet, she had not expected that she could, even in a disadvantageous position, still bewitch the newly appeared Commandery Princess Minghui, and devise this series of schemes to harm her, even if one plan failed, she would create another, determined to cut off her path of retreat.

Therefore, this time, she was not wronged. Underestimating her enemy was risking her own life.

This time, Prince Wei was there, and Prince Wei had helped her smooth over the aftermath. But what if Prince Wei was not there one day? With her meager means against Mei Wuxia, she would likely be devoured whole.

Fortunately, this time, it could be considered to have truly allowed Prince Wei to see what kind of person Mei Wuxia was. Surely, no matter what means she had, Prince Wei would not believe her. Her desire to steal her marriage was absolutely impossible now.

"Miss, you should not think too much. From tomorrow onwards, no matter where you go, Meifang and I will surely be by your side. Such things will definitely not happen again," Xiaohong advised.

Meifang nodded repeatedly. Wushuang was amused, "Actually, I am not thinking too much. I am just thinking that I am still too foolish. Today, I was just a little bit away..."

Previously, after Wushuang returned, she had told her two maids about the general events of the day, so Xiaohong also knew what had happened.

"Actually, Miss, you should not belittle yourself. You were brave enough to knock the other person unconscious and run away, which is already very impressive. I believe that many people would not be able to do what you did if they encountered such a thing. Even if Prince Wei was not there today, after you ran away, the situation was already mostly broken. At most, the follow-up would be troublesome."

"Moreover, it is not you who is at fault, but the one who harmed you. Perhaps you are agonizing over your lack of cleverness, while Eldest Miss is agonizing over what to do tomorrow. If this servant is not mistaken, that Commandery Princess, after returning, will surely not let Eldest Miss off."

"That should not be the case, right? Wasn't it Mei Wuxia who gave her the idea? They are in cahoots."

"But Miss, do not forget, after people encounter trouble, they usually do not admit their own mistakes, and will surely shift the blame to others."