Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C052

In truth, before Mei Wuxia sought out Prince Wei, Mei Zong had approached Prince Wei once.

Besides explaining the current situation and the Mei family's helplessness, he also presented Prince Wei with something—a forged letter from the great aunt.

In the letter, the great aunt stated that she had learned her granddaughter had another love interest. Considering Prince Wei's dignity, she declared that if Prince Wei was dissatisfied, he could change the betrothal to Mei Wuxia, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Mei family.

Along with the letter, there was also an old object—Prince Wei's jade pendant.

That year, this jade pendant was sent back with Wushuang by Fusheng. Prince Wei had intended it as proof, but Wushuang was seriously ill at the time, and the great aunt was far away at the estate, so the jade pendant fell into the hands of the main branch.

Even so, Prince Wei did not agree at the time. It was only after that that Mei Wuxia sought out Prince Wei.

What exactly the two said, others did not know. In any case, after this, Prince Wei had entered the palace to request an imperial decree for the marriage, and the betrothed was changed from Mei Wushuang to Mei Wuxia.

And for many in the capital who were unaware of the truth, they believed that from the beginning, the one betrothed to Prince Wei was Mei Wuxia, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Mei family, and did not know there was also a Mei Wushuang.

***

Wushuang did not know all of this, but it did not hinder her from guessing.

She asked, "Then, when you schemed against me, wanting to ruin my reputation at Sun Shixian's hands, what made you think that Prince Wei would change the betrothal to you afterward?"

Mei Wuxia hesitated for a moment, then said, "I had someone forge a letter from the great aunt, and also a jade pendant of Prince Wei's."

"A jade pendant?"

"It was left on you when Prince Wei had someone send you back to the capital that year, but I secretly took it."

This time, Mei Wuxia seemed to have given up all pretense, and actually said everything.

Even Cao shi did not know about this jade pendant. How old was Mei Wuxia then? Seven years old? She saw that her cousin had a precious jade pendant, and secretly had taken it.

Wushuang, upon hearing this, was furious and immediately asked, "Where is it?"

Mei Wuxia was actually prepared, and took out a jade pendant from her bosom. Linglong received it and handed it to Wushuang.

It was a white jade coiling dragon pendant.

A dragon, even a coiling dragon, was not something ordinary people could use. So, Mei Wuxia, even when she was so young, knew this was a good thing? No wonder she was so fixated on plotting for her marriage.

Wushuang felt a chill just thinking about it. And regarding this jade pendant, she also remembered something. In her previous life, Emperor Qianwu had asked her about a jade pendant, but she had no idea what jade pendant he was talking about. She was also a little afraid of him, so she had just vaguely brushed it off. It turned out it was this.

Was this considered a token of their love?

For a moment, Wushuang's heart was both sour and sweet, and a little astringent. She had not expected that he had used something to betroth her so early, but thinking that this thing had been in Mei Wuxia's possession for two lifetimes, and was only now returned, she felt resentful.

"Even if you return it to me, I won't help you. This was originally mine," she said irritably.

"You won't help me, but you can help me pass a message to Prince Wei. I think he would definitely be willing to plant a spy at Prince Qin's side."

Wushuang sneered, "Mei Wuxia, do you think I'm stupid? You married Sun Shixian, becoming the shizi's wife of the Marquis Wuxiang's mansion. Would you help Prince Wei? You would only side with your husband, your husband's family, and your children."

In fact, Wushuang's thinking was not wrong, but she did not expect that these words would provoke Mei Wuxia's resistance. At that moment, her face was distorted, and her expression was frighteningly gloomy.

"I won't! Whether you believe it or not, I only want to take revenge on them now!"

As for who "them" referred to, Mei Wuxia did not say, but Wushuang guessed it might also include Commandery Princess Minghui. Afterward, Mei Wuxia left, still returning in the rain. But after she left, Wushuang felt somewhat restless.

She was always the kind of person who could not hold things in her heart. Especially since there was another matter. That day, after returning from the Princess's mansion, she had met Ji Yang once. He had said that he had some matters recently and might not come to see her for a while.

Wushuang did not say anything on the surface, but she knew in her heart that it must be related to his illness. His illness was definitely more than just the headaches he showed on the surface, but there was nothing she could do to help.

Her heart was already preoccupied with Ji Yang, and now Mei Wuxia was asking her to pass on a message. Should she relay it or not? And to whom? Could she even see Ji Yang, or should she seek out Prince Wei?

Wushuang's mind was a muddle. Linglong, seeing her face clouded with worry, assumed she was troubled by Mei Wuxia's matter and offered, "Miss need not fret. After all, everything depends on His Highness's will. Why not have this servant send a message to the Prince's mansion? Let His Highness decide how to proceed."

This was a good idea. She might not be as clever as Mei Wuxia, but it was enough if someone else was. And Mei Wuxia's true face had long been exposed before Prince Wei/Ji Yang. With his intellect, he would not be deceived by her and would have means to control her.

Linglong went to send the message. Wushuang did not know how she did it. She had thought a reply might not come until tomorrow, but who knew that a response arrived within half an hour, saying that someone had been sent to fetch Wushuang.

It was still raining outside, but the downpour had lessened to a fine drizzle.

Wushuang draped a cloak over herself, had Linglong hold an umbrella, and went to the back gate with only her and Meifang.

A carriage was waiting outside the back gate. It was not the one Prince Wei usually used, but a very ordinary, flat-topped carriage with blue curtains.

Wushuang was puzzled. She got into the carriage, and it began to move. At first, Wushuang was still alert, looking out the window to recognize the route, but as she looked, she became confused and stopped paying attention.

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage entered a private residence that looked unremarkable from the outside.

Someone came to help Wushuang out of the carriage. They had prepared a small sedan chair, carried by four strong chamberlains, who conveyed Wushuang inside.

The sedan chair stopped in front of a house. Wushuang saw Fusheng under the eaves outside.

She got out of the sedan chair and ascended the steps. Apart from a few raindrops that had splashed on her shoes when she left Marquis Changyang's mansion, she had not been touched by the rain.

"Chamberlain Fu."

Fusheng nodded and smiled, "His Highness is waiting for Miss inside."

She went inside and walked further in. Wushuang saw Prince Wei reclining on a chaise lounge.

It seemed that because he did not have to meet outsiders, Prince Wei was dressed more casually. He wore a wide-sleeved robe of pale blue, his hair was tied up in a bun, but he did not wear a crown.

Seeing her enter, he raised his eyes and glanced at her.

For a moment, Wushuang could not tell if this was Ji Yang or Prince Wei.

From his casual attire, it seemed to be Ji Yang. But the so-called casualness was in comparison to Prince Wei's usual formal attire. Yet, this was not an appearance that could not be seen by others. His reclining posture, instead of sitting upright, was simply because she rarely saw Prince Wei in private. Who knew what Prince Wei was like in private?

Time did not allow her to think further. She quickly said, "Your Highness."

Prince Wei hummed in acknowledgement and sat up.

Seeing him like this, Wushuang was seventy percent sure this was Prince Wei. So where was Ji Yang?

Her heart was burning with anxiety, but she could not ask directly. She could only continue to play dumb. Anyway, she would just act as she usually did when she was with Ji Yang. She stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, where have you been these past few days?"

"Did you miss this Prince?"

Wushuang felt her scalp tingle. She could not help but guess again in her heart. These words were not something Prince Wei would say. Could it be Ji Yang? She could only respond to all changes with constancy, blushing with shyness, "How can Your Highness speak like that?"

"Then how does this Prince usually speak to you?"

"This…"

Perhaps feeling that it was inconvenient for her to stand while he sat, Prince Wei pulled her onto his lap. Wushuang did not know where to put her hands and feet, and unconsciously began to smooth her skirt.

"What is it? You were not shy at night, so why are you shy now?"

Wushuang paused, then whispered, "It is daytime now, in broad daylight..."

"Then, are you saying that as long as it is night, this Prince can do whatever he wishes to you?"

His narrow eyes were half-closed, the thick lashes at their ends drooping slightly. Wushuang's heart pounded erratically, a flutter of panic. This was definitely Prince Wei, certainly not Ji Yang.

"What does Your Highness wish to do to me?" she asked, trembling.

"This Prince has a slight headache. Keep me company for a while as I sleep."

Prince Wei suddenly stood up, pulling Wushuang towards the inner chamber.

Usually, whenever Ji Yang came, Wushuang was already asleep. But now, in broad daylight, Wushuang was still wearing her clothes and cloak. Wushuang watched as Prince Wei removed his outer robe and went to the couch, then turned back to look at her, and the hairs on her body stood on end.

"Your Highness…"

"Take off your outer garment and come lie down with this Prince for a while."

At this moment, Prince Wei, sitting on the bed and beckoning to her, undoubtedly became a bewitching demon in Wushuang's eyes. One side was a pleasing sight, the other was heart-stopping.

To retreat would expose that she knew things she shouldn't, and at that time, she would have no way to explain herself clearly. To advance was to walk straight into a trap.

Wushuang always felt that Prince Wei knew that she knew.

But he had no proof, did he? Nor had he questioned her directly. Perhaps he was still testing her.

Based on this reasoning, Wushuang loosened her grip on her cloak and began to untie its fastenings. Then, thinking that he had only said to remove her outer garment, and the cloak was also an outer garment, she pretended to be confused and went over to him wearing her outer garment.

"Do you usually sleep wearing your outer garment?"

"Uh, of course not!"

Wushuang steeled her heart once more, untied her waistband, and removed her outer garment and skirt.

But now it was summer, and once her outer garment and skirt were removed, she was left with only a dudou and a thin gauze pair of trousers. Outside the dudou, there was a half-sleeved jacket, but this pink half-sleeved jacket was made of extremely thin material. It seemed to conceal the dudou, but only covered half of it. This kind of veiled appearance was even more alluring.

Prince Wei felt a strange resentment in his heart. She was obedient to 'him', probably telling him all her innermost thoughts, yet she was so dishonest with him. To placate him, she was sacrificing so much.

He reached out and pulled her up, and Wushuang was so startled that she almost cried out. Prince Wei held her in his arms, and said as if nothing had happened, "What's wrong with you today? So easily startled."

"I…"

Could Wushuang say that after taking off her clothes, she realized the awkwardness of not having a sleeping gown? Although sleeping gowns were also thin, at least they were not see-through, and she was now like this...

She was both ashamed and indignant. Her heart was anxious for Ji Yang, and she was also thinking about the things Mei Wuxia had said. And with Prince Wei forcing her like this, she couldn't help but feel a surge of sorrow and curled up, crying.

Seeing that he had forced her to tears, Prince Wei's face completely stiffened.

"Why are you crying? This Prince hasn't bullied you."

Wushuang only lowered her head and cried, not saying a word, looking extremely pitiful.

Prince Wei released her, thought for a moment, and handed her a piece of clothing, saying, "Right, what did you want to see this Prince about?"

Wushuang took the clothing and wrapped herself in it, while sobbing, "It's about Mei Wuxia..."

She roughly explained the matter, concealing the things she had thought about from her previous life.

Prince Wei thought for a moment, and said, "Actually, if she wants to win the position of principal wife, she doesn't need this Prince to take action. Someone has already made a move."

Wushuang looked over, no longer caring about crying.

"Prince Jin does not wish for Prince Qin's people to marry Commandery Princess Minghui."

So it was Prince Jin who made a move, then—

"Then, regarding her offer to act as an informant for Your Highness, what are Your Highness's thoughts?"

"Whether or not she serves as an informant is of little consequence. However, your eldest sister is deeply scheming and also seeks revenge against the Sun family and Commandery Princess Minghui. She is not a bad pawn to use."

Wushuang said with slight worry, "What if she achieves her goals and then reneges on her agreement?"

Prince Wei raised his eyes to look at Wushuang and said, "It is not as if there is no way to control her. We can feed her a Southern Barbarian witch's medicine. She will need an antidote every month. If she does not receive the antidote, she will die with blood flowing from all seven orifices. She would not dare to play any tricks."

Prince Wei had been stationed at the border for many years, and not just the northern border. He had also led troops to fight the Southern Barbarians, so naturally, he possessed secret medicines unknown to ordinary people of the Central Plains.

"It seems Your Highness intends to use her as an informant?" Wushuang asked, her tone somewhat complex.

"Her schemes are no less than those of some men. It would not be bad to have her cause trouble for the Sun family." Most importantly, Prince Wei felt that such a person could not be kept near Wushuang. Mei Wuxia, neither dead nor married out, still had this connection with Wushuang. Rather than letting her scheme against her younger cousin, it would be better to send her out to harm others.

"Since Your Highness believes it is best to do so, then let it be done."

The matter was settled. Seeing that Prince Wei's expression was as usual and that he did not do anything out of the ordinary, Wushuang calmed down slightly. She could not help but think of Ji Yang's matter again.

"Your Highness, you have not sought me out these past few days. What have you been doing?"

Prince Wei lowered his head to look at her. Seeing her unusually obedient, yet with worry and anxiety hidden in her eyes, his gaze inexplicably dimmed. His tone was somewhat complex as he said, "This Prince sought out a renowned physician to treat my headaches. I have been here these past few days."

So he was actually hiding here to treat his illness?

"Is that physician effective? Has Your Highness's headache improved?"

"It is better than nothing. The course of treatment is not yet complete, so whether it is effective, this Prince does not yet know. However, you need not worry. In a few days, this Prince will go see you."

Wushuang thought, Prince Wei should not be lying to her, right? Yet, his saying that he would see her in a few days indicated that Ji Yang should be fine. But why did he say he would see her in a few days?

Could it be that he was afraid she would worry and was deliberately hinting at her?

For a moment, Wushuang's mood was extremely strange.

She knew that Prince Wei knew that she knew, and Prince Wei also knew that she already knew, but due to their own reasons, neither of them was willing to be frank with the other. Instead, they were putting on a performance.

Wushuang also thought that if Ji Yang was not well, Prince Wei must not be well either. Prince Wei had specifically called for her to come, most likely because his headache was unbearable.

She did not want to be close to Prince Wei, especially after his actions just now had frightened her. However, she also thought that his body was also Ji Yang's. Thinking of helping Prince Wei alleviate his pain was also helping Ji Yang. She hesitated for a moment and then proactively offered to help him with a massage.

Prince Wei remained noncommittal.

Wushuang then took the opportunity to put on her clothes. She then called Prince Wei to the couch, deliberately acting as if she usually relieved Ji Yang's headaches in this way, and began to massage his head.

After the session, both of them were in complex moods.

Seeing that it was getting late, Prince Wei ordered someone to send Wushuang back. As Wushuang was leaving, she received a small bottle. Inside the bottle was the witch's medicine to be given to Mei Wuxia.