Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C042

Mei Wuxia forced herself to remain calm.

In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through her mind, but on the surface, apart from that surprised utterance of ‘Commandery Princess,’ she revealed nothing else.

"What? Is Third Miss Mei so surprised to see me?"

Mei Wuxia hastily smiled and said, "It's not surprise, but rather, having not seen the Commandery Princess for many days, I find that Your Highness has become even more radiant and beautiful."

Commandery Princess Minghui seemed very amused, looking at Zhao Lanzhi and Chen Yueyi, she said with a smile, "This Third Miss Mei, her words are truly sweet. No wonder I've been thinking of her. It was not easy to leave the palace, and I immediately thought of her."

Zhao Lanzhi only smiled and remained silent. Chen Yueyi, however, felt a little uncomfortable. She felt that Mei Wuxia's words just now had a strong flavor of currying favor. She had never seen this side of Wuxia before, and it felt as if she was deliberately trying to ingratiate herself with Commandery Princess Minghui.

Seeing everyone smiling, and hearing Commandery Princess Minghui speak so warmly, Mei Wuxia couldn't help but wonder if she was overthinking things. Perhaps Commandery Princess Minghui didn't object to marrying Sun Shixian, or perhaps she simply didn't have the mind to understand those matters?

Unable to find an answer for the moment, she could only tentatively exchange pleasantries with Commandery Princess Minghui.

"The Empress Dowager has always been very strict with me. If it weren't for my saying that I wanted to go home to see about the preparations for my dowry, I probably wouldn't have been able to come out. But it will be better in the future, it will be much easier to leave the palace. I have few friends, and Lanzhi is not always free to accompany me. If Lanzhi is not free the next time I leave the palace, I will come find you, Wuxia. You must not refuse me."

Mei Wuxia quickly said, "How could that be? Your Highness is welcome to come find me whenever you are free. I usually have nothing to do at home."

Commandery Princess Minghui smiled and took her hand, saying, "I knew it, we are destined to get along. I could tell last time." She then added, "Wasn't your third younger sister missing last time? Was she found later?"

Mei Wuxia's eyes flickered, and she complained, seemingly truthfully, "She was found. Your Highness does not know, my third younger sister..." As she spoke, she sighed, looking somewhat embarrassed to speak.

This immediately piqued Commandery Princess Minghui's interest, and she quickly asked, "What happened?"

Mei Wuxia then smiled and said, "Actually, it's nothing much. My third younger sister has always been careless in her affairs. Do you know what happened that day? She actually sprained her ankle in the garden and happened to be seen by Prince Wei. Your Highness also knows that my third younger sister has a marriage agreement with Prince Wei. In the end, when we found my third younger sister, she was actually sitting in Prince Wei's carriage. We searched for her for so long, thinking she was lost."

"So that's how it was. Then Third Miss Mei is quite lucky. How could it be such a coincidence that she met Prince Wei?"

"Indeed, I also think my third younger sister is lucky." As she spoke, Mei Wuxia changed the topic, "My third younger sister has had a good life since she was little. When we are a little older, our families still have to worry about our marriages, but my third younger sister has had a marriage agreement with Prince Wei since she was young. The palace issued an imperial decree to bestow the marriage a while ago, which was so glorious, and immediately made her different from us sisters."

Mei Wuxia said a lot, deliberately picking out the recent events that had happened in her family, emphasizing that the palace had sent people to serve her, and also mentioning the scene on the day the Ministry of Rites sent the betrothal gifts.

Seeing that Commandery Princess Minghui's smile had stiffened, and that her eyes revealed a hint of jealousy, she felt a little relieved.

People are like this. Once they have some shameful thoughts, if someone is even more shameful than themselves, they will naturally be happy to watch other people's drama. Mei Wuxia deliberately picked on Mei Wushuang's affairs to talk about, making Commandery Princess Minghui grind her teeth in secret, and it was clear that she could no longer maintain her superficial composure.

"Wuxia!" Chen Yueyi suddenly said.

Mei Wuxia turned back in surprise, "Yueyi?"

"I have something to say to you, come out with me for a moment." After saying that, Chen Yueyi explained to Commandery Princess Minghui and Zhao Lanzhi that she had forgotten to tell Mei Wuxia something last time.

The two went outside the door, and Chen Yueyi restrained the smile on her face.

"Yueyi, what do you want to say? Is there something you can't let Commandery Princess Minghui and the others know?" Mei Wuxia asked, feigning intimacy.

Chen Yueyi frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Wuxia, I didn't believe what they said about you last time. But you spoke about Wushuang's affairs in front of Commandery Princess Minghui, and said so much, I..."

She even suspected that Wuxia knew that Commandery Princess Minghui had some thoughts about Prince Wei before, and that was why she deliberately said so much, just to provoke Commandery Princess Minghui to be jealous of Wushuang?

But then she thought, Wuxia shouldn't know about this, so how could she have done it on purpose? But she always had this feeling, and also the words that Wuxia had said to flatter Commandery Princess Minghui just now, all of these made her feel very uncomfortable.

In her heart, Wuxia should be a woman as light as a chrysanthemum, and should not be associated with currying favor and ingratiation. Wuxia was really making her more and more unable to understand.

Mei Wuxia said in confusion, "Yueyi, what's wrong with me talking about Wushuang's affairs? It was only because Commandery Princess Minghui asked that I spoke. If she asked me and I didn't say anything, wouldn't that be impolite?"

Chen Yueyi didn't know what to say, and could only say dejectedly, "Whatever you want. This interruption has made me forget what I wanted to say. You go back in, my mother is still looking for me, I have to go."

She left in haste, while Mei Wuxia pursed her lips, watching her retreating figure.

Even you are speaking up for Mei Wushuang?

***

After the two had left, Zhao Lanzhi couldn't help but ask, "Minghui, is this really alright?"

"What's not alright? Lanzhi, have you forgotten who caused you to be reprimanded at home? If I hadn't gone to find you, you probably still wouldn't be able to leave your house. And who forced me to be betrothed to Sun Shixian? It's all because of her!" Commandery Princess Minghui's face revealed a ruthless expression. 

"If it weren't for her, none of this would have happened. She used the two of us as pawns, and after the trouble, she hid herself. How can there be such a good thing in this world?"

"But…"

"No buts! I am in this state because of her. I absolutely will not marry Sun Shixian!" After a pause, Commandery Princess Minghui continued, "Look at the words she just said, still trying to use me as a pawn, making me go against Mei Wushuang, even dragging Prince Wei into it. She is so vicious and insidious, and you're still speaking up for her?"

"I'm not exactly speaking up for her..." Zhao Lanzhi sighed, and said no more.

Commandery Princess Minghui added, "Anyway, remember, don't let anything slip in front of your cousin. Your cousin is on good terms with her, who knows who she'll side with."

"I understand," Zhao Lanzhi nodded.

After a while, Mei Wuxia entered.

Zhao Lanzhi asked, "Where is Yueyi?"

"She said her mother needed her for something and had to go over there first."

***

That day, Mei Wuxia and Commandery Princess Minghui spent a very pleasant time together.

Although she still harbored some wariness, after several probes, Commandery Princess Minghui even brought up her marriage to Sun Shixian, and even said that the Chang family was already preparing her dowry. She spoke with such logic and reason that Mei Wuxia could not help but believe her.

She thought, perhaps she had been overthinking things. As for why Commandery Princess Minghui had sought her out, it was false to say she had no friends. She wanted to use her to gather information about Mei Wushuang and find an opportunity to deal with her, that was the truth.

A spear delivered to her door, why not use it?

Moreover, befriending Commandery Princess Minghui had too many benefits for her, a matter with multiple advantages, Mei Wuxia naturally would not refuse.

***

These past few days had kept Wushuang extremely busy. Now that she finally had some free time, she could finally steal a moment of leisure.

Mei Chang came to talk to her, specifically mentioning Mei Wuxia's recent activities.

Despite how closely Mei Xishuang and her sister had been trying to curry favor with Wushuang recently, Mei Chang did not take them seriously at all. They were a step too late, and her usefulness to Wushuang was not just on the surface.

"Her skin is quite thick, not afraid of what others might say. I thought she would at least hide at home for a while," Wushuang said.

"What is there to be afraid of others saying? She is the oldest among us, she has to be anxious," Mei Chang spat out a grape skin, saying, "These iced grapes are delicious. Your life is becoming more and more extravagant."

She revealed a resentful expression. No other reason, these past few days, Wushuang's room had gained an ice basin. Not only an ice basin, but also a hand-cranked fan.

This fan had several fan blades assembled together, with a carved wooden box underneath. The wooden box had a copper crank. As long as someone gently turned the handle, the fan blades above would rotate, blowing out a cool breeze.

This thing was clearly made within the palace, not available outside. A few days ago, when Wushuang took it out, it had caused Mei E, Mei Chang, and others to be envious. Everyone who saw it for the first time had to try it out themselves. Later, they discovered that this thing had to be placed behind an ice mountain to achieve twice the effect with half the effort.

Others thought this was something sent during the betrothal gifts from the Ministry of Rites, but in reality, it was sent from Prince Wei's mansion. Not only were there the ice basin and hand-cranked fan, Wushuang did not mention that she also had an ivory mat on her bed.

This thing was much more precious than the ice basin and hand-cranked fan. It was said that due to the slow production and high skill requirements, perhaps only one was sent as tribute every few years. Even the palace did not have many of them.

"I can't give you the hand-cranked fan, but how about I have someone send you some ice every day?" Wushuang said.

Although the Marquis Changyang's mansion was a marquisate, Cao shi had always been frugal. They only had ice for the hottest month of the summer each year. At other times, there was absolutely no ice, and it was still used sparingly. The only places in the entire mansion where ice was not limited were Changqing Hall and Mei Zong's place. Even Cao shi herself was stingy with its use.

The ice Wushuang used was not from the mansion either. It was arranged by Granny Gong, said to be bought from the government-run ice storage. Because they used Prince Wei's note, it was equivalent to half-selling and half-giving. In fact, the ice used by Prince Wei's mansion was supplied by the palace ice cellars. Granny Gong had also asked Wushuang before deciding to buy from the government-run ice storage. There was no reason to get ice from Prince Wei's mansion.

"How could that be? Is what you have here enough? Besides, this stuff isn't easy to come by," Mei Chang said, her refusal not entirely resolute.

It wasn't that ice was expensive, but rather that most families had their own stores, and it was nearly impossible to buy it outside. Even if one could, it would cost a fortune. The official icehouses only supplied the various government offices and departments; ordinary people couldn't buy it.

Wushuang rolled her eyes at her, "Are you still being polite with me?"

Mei Chang immediately beamed, embracing her, "Third Sister is still the best."

"Stop being so saccharine. Aunt He has also helped me a lot, so just consider this my filial offering to her."

Given Wushuang's status, she naturally couldn't speak of filial offerings, but the way she phrased it made one feel very comfortable. At this moment, Mei Chang felt extremely at ease.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

"I'll tell Granny Gong later, and tomorrow we'll send some to Aunt Chen and Fifth Sister as well. This time, Madam has surprisingly not caused any trouble. I know that Aunt He and Aunt Chen both put in effort behind the scenes."

Mei Zong was not an insightful man. If he were truly so perceptive, what had he been doing all this time? It was all thanks to the sweet whispers of Aunt He and Aunt Chen.

Especially Aunt He, who used the Third Young Master as leverage, constantly instilling in Mei Zong the idea that 'the family has finally produced a Princess Consort, and in the future, the Third Young Master will rely on his Princess Consort elder sister to pave the way, so we must not let Madam ruin things.' It was because of this that Mei Zong had managed to restrain Cao shi several times, and even articulated the reasoning so clearly, speaking directly to Cao shi's heart.

He had also gone to Old Madam to warn her, which was why Old Madam had been so quiet lately.

Wushuang, though not a woman of many words, always remembered kindness. It was just a bit of ice, but it represented her sentiment, showing that she remembered and acknowledged their favor.

"If Fifth Sister knew, she would surely be happy. You don't know the kind of life Aunt Chen and Fifth Sister lead. My aunt is still alright because of my younger brother; Father visits her quite often, so that one doesn't dare to be openly harsh. But Aunt Chen is usually a silent type, and not as favored as Aunt Zhao. That one's bitterness is all directed towards Aunt Chen."

Wushuang couldn't interfere in such matters between wives and concubines, so she could only say, "When Fifth Sister becomes successful in the future, Aunt Chen's life will be better."

"Indeed, now Aunt Chen is only concerned about this."

Saying this, Mei Chang stood up and said, "Alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I have to go back. I'm always greedy for the coolness here, and I won't be able to sleep when I go back tonight."