Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C050

Truly, never had she seen such a way of handling matters!

When Cao shi learned from the servants of the Princess's mansion that the Marquis Wuxiang's residence had indeed sent people, but had taken Sun Shixian away, having just left, without even asking about their side, she was about to explode with rage.

According to her nature, she should have repeated her old trick and gone to the Princess's mansion, but thinking of what the female official had said earlier, she could only resentfully endure it.

When she returned to that room, Cao shi's anger erupted completely.

She cursed the Marquis Wuxiang's residence, cursed Sun Shixian, cursed Mei Wuxia, and most of all, she cursed Mei Wuxia, cursing her for being so useless, for being so stupid.

Listening to her, Wushuang got the impression that she thought Mei Wuxia had willingly seduced Sun Shixian. But looking at Mei Wuxia's face and expression, it was impossible that she had done it willingly. Why couldn't Cao shi, her own mother, see that? Perhaps in her eyes, her daughter was the kind of person who would use any means to get a good marriage?

Anyway, Wushuang couldn't understand what Cao shi was thinking. She was very tired now and wanted to go back to sleep. Moreover, staying here was useless; hadn't the person involved already run away?

She stood up, and just then, a chamberlain came, saying that Prince Wei was looking for her. She used this as an excuse to leave, hinting to Mei Chang and the others before she left that they should suggest returning.

When Wushuang went out, she saw Prince Wei standing with his hands clasped behind his back under the moonlight.

Only the time was different, the atmosphere was different, and people's states of mind were different.

"This Prince will escort you back."

"At Her Highness the Princess's place, did nothing untoward happen?"

The two voices spoke almost simultaneously. Wushuang was afraid that Prince Wei had gone and clashed with Prince Qin, or that Princess Changhe had some connection with Prince Qin, and the two of them had joined forces to trick Prince Wei.

Prince Wei only needed to look at her eyes to know that her little head was overthinking again.

"Nothing happened. Prince Qin has already left."

Seeming to feel that this explanation was not clear enough, he paused and added, 'My aunt has a gentle nature and has watched this Prince grow up since childhood.'

At first, when she heard the word 'aunt,' Wushuang didn't quite react, but she quickly understood who it was. This meant that Princess Changhe was one of their own and wouldn't speak up for Prince Qin?

Her eyes shone brightly.

Prince Wei was silent for a moment, then said, "This matter is of no hindrance. This Prince will not suffer a loss, so you need not worry."

After saying this, Wushuang was not affected, only nodding her head. Prince Wei, however, was somewhat taken aback that he had actually said such words. He coughed twice, covering his mouth with his fist, and changed the subject, saying, "By the way, how was your eldest sister's matter handled?"

Actually, without hearing the details, Prince Wei knew that her fate would not be good after hearing that this woman had had an accident.

These noble ladies of prominent families always think that after learning a few tricks in those small residences and seeing a bit of the world, they can act recklessly and dare to scheme against anyone. Little do they know that for those who come from the palace, even someone as foolish as Commandery Princess Minghui, if they truly become serious, a mere flick of a finger is enough to make them suffer eternal damnation.

Wushuang described the general situation and added, "The people of the Marquis Wuxiang's residence really don't act with integrity."

She wasn't standing up for Mei Wuxia, but the way the Sun family was handling things was disgusting, and judging by the situation, they clearly didn't intend to acknowledge it. Mei Wuxia's future was bleak.

"Then what are your plans?"

Wushuang was stunned and looked at Prince Wei, her eyes full of confusion.

Prince Wei thought for a moment and said, "If you don't want to interfere, given the Sun family's character, they will definitely try to deny it. The Sun family doesn't want to anger the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, nor are they willing to give up the marriage with Commandery Princess Minghui."

"But Commandery Princess Minghui doesn't think so, does she?" If Commandery Princess Minghui was truly willing to marry Sun Shixian, she wouldn't have orchestrated this.

Prince Wei said with a hint of deeper meaning, "But her strength alone is not enough."

This time, Wushuang understood. Prince Wei meant that regardless of whether Commandery Princess Minghui was willing or not, she was already in the game with the Empress Dowager's power, which was not enough to overturn the forces of Prince Qin, Noble Consort Sun, and the Marquis Wuxiang's residence. At this time, external force was needed, and Prince Wei could become that external force.

"Then, what is Your Highness's meaning?"

"It depends on whether you wish to seek revenge on her, or to lend her a hand."

His meaning was that he could, for her sake, choose to act or not to act? Wushuang felt a little strange. What did Prince Wei mean by this? Why would he do so much for her?

She didn't have time to think it through, and said, "I don't want to seek revenge on her, nor do I want to help her. Whether she fares well or ill is of no concern to me."

Prince Wei pondered, "As you wish. However, this Prince estimates that this matter cannot possibly be unrelated to you."

Wushuang was puzzled again. What was this riddle?

Prince Wei was habitually a man of few explanations, a fact known to his subordinates and advisors. Yet, when facing her, he was uncharacteristically patient, slowly explaining, "After all, there is this relationship. Her parents will likely use you as a threat when negotiating with the Sun family."

Could it be done like that?

It certainly could be done like that. After all, the title of 'Prince Wei's Consort's elder sister' could still be used, especially since the Marquis Changyang's mansion had no external forces to rely on. It would be no surprise if they used it; it would be strange if they didn't.

"However, since you do not wish to interfere, then do not concern yourself with them."

Prince Wei concluded. Following this, he led Wushuang away from there. As the two of them boarded the carriage, Mei Zong and the others also emerged, along with Linglong and the rest.

The two groups of people, one in front and one behind, headed towards the Marquis Changyang's mansion. Upon reaching the gates of the mansion, the carriage stopped. Just as Wushuang was about to alight, her hand beneath her sleeve was suddenly grasped by Prince Wei.

She turned back in surprise.

In the dim carriage, only the faint moonlight filtering through the window provided illumination.

Prince Wei, without changing his expression, exerted a slight force with his large palm, naturally pulling her into his embrace.

"Let me see if your mouth is any better?"

Wushuang, who had instinctively wanted to struggle, froze upon hearing these words. Her heart was beating rapidly, yet she dared not raise her eyes to look at him, her lowered eyelashes trembling fiercely.

After a breath or two, his thumb landed on her lips.

Wushuang vaguely realized that her mouth no longer hurt. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "It should be much better, it doesn't... hurt... much..."

The last two words were spoken in a fragmented manner, because Prince Wei was actually gently rubbing her lips with the pad of his finger.

This action was far too ambiguous. At this moment, Wushuang felt a suffocating sensation, as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff.

"It is indeed much better," just as Wushuang's heart was about to stop beating, Prince Wei suddenly released her hand and said, "Take that medicine with you, and apply it twice more, it should be fine."

She responded with a flustered "Mm," and, lowering her head, hurriedly got out of the carriage.

At this time, those who were walking behind also arrived. After Linglong and Meifang alighted from their carriage, they quickly came over.

"Miss."

"Let's go in quickly."

Wushuang wondered, did Prince Wei know that she knew?

***

As the carriage curtain fell, the carriage returned to darkness.

Prince Wei rubbed his temples, thought for a moment, and then said, "Go to the Song family."

Previously, Ji Yang had lost control and injured her. Before losing consciousness, he had handed his body over to him, which was why he had come out afterwards. Until this moment, the person had not yet regained consciousness. Prince Wei had never encountered this situation before, and planned to go see Song You.

As for her, how did she know that he and Ji Yang were not the same person, and how did she distinguish between them? Prince Wei decided to put this matter aside for the time being.

That night, she was not the only one who could not sleep.

After Mei Zong and the others returned, Old Madam Mei and the couple from the third branch, who had been waiting for news at home, immediately came over. Wushuang, feeling utterly exhausted, returned to Ruyi Pavilion. Only the next day did she learn from Mei Chang and Mei E what had transpired the previous night.

In short, following Cao shi's great disturbance, the Old Madam also made a scene, scolding everyone thoroughly. After she finished scolding, she did not allow anyone to sleep, but instead gathered the entire family to think of a solution.

Since Mei Chang and Mei E were both from the main branch, they naturally could not escape. The couple from the third branch also stayed up most of the night with them.

Seeing Wushuang's refreshed appearance, Mei Chang, while yawning, continued to recount the subsequent events with jealousy in her eyes.

The rest, she did not even need to say, Wushuang already knew.

Early in the morning, the Old Madam had taken Cao shi to the Marquis Rongchang's mansion, presumably intending to have the Marquis Rongchang's family act as an intermediary, to see how to negotiate this matter with the Marquis Wuxiang's family.

Old Madam Mei was accustomed to acting arbitrarily. As far as Wushuang was concerned, this trip of hers would likely end without success, and she would very likely lose face greatly.

The facts proved that Wushuang's guess was correct, because after the Old Madam returned in the afternoon, it was said that she had thrown a tantrum in Changqing Hall, not only scolding her younger brother, Marquis Rongchang, for being useless, but also scolding the Sun family of the Marquis Wuxiang's mansion for being shameless.

But they were shameless, so what could you do?

Why did the Marquis Wuxiang's family dare to be so bold? Was it not because they had Noble Consort Sun behind them, and also Prince Qin? What did the Marquis Changyang's family have? Nothing at all.

No, the Marquis Changyang's family also had a Princess Consort Wei, although she had not yet married.

Thus, the subsequent developments indeed confirmed Prince Wei's words. Cao shi and Mei Zong once again went to the door of the Marquis Wuxiang's mansion. This time, they spoke using Wushuang's identity, stating outright that there was a Princess Consort in their family, and that Mei Wuxia was the Princess Consort Wei's elder sister. If the Sun family still refused to meet them, they would go before the Emperor to file a complaint.

It was said that only then did they meet the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang, but the Sun family did not budge. They only used the fact that Sun Shixian had already been betrothed as a reason, saying that there was no way to give Mei Wuxia any explanation. If Mei Wuxia truly wanted to marry into their family, she could only be a concubine.

Was Cao shi willing to let her daughter be a concubine?

Naturally, she was not willing. If she became a concubine, not only would Mei Wuxia never be able to hold her head high for the rest of her life, but she would also be unable to hold her head high. How would she face others in the future?

But the Sun family stubbornly clung to this, using the betrothal as an excuse. Could Cao shi say that she would ignore the betrothal? Naturally, she could not. Thus, the matter was deadlocked.