Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C061

Wushuang placed a coiled dragon dish for Prince Wei.

The so-called coiled dragon dish was a type of imperial cuisine, made by mincing pork and fish into a filling, wrapping it in egg skin, steaming it in a steamer, letting it cool, slicing it, and then drizzling it with a special broth.

The flavor was fresh and not greasy, known for its "eating meat without seeing meat," and it was one of Prince Wei's favorite dishes.

There were two dishes near Wushuang, one was tiger skin meat, and the other was West Lake's beauty's tongue, both of which Ji Yang liked. Little did she know that in order to conceal the abnormality of Prince Wei, each time Fusheng arranged the meals, he would pick dishes that both of them liked, not missing a single one. Yet, Wushuang bypassed these two dishes and placed the coiled dragon dish for him, which could not help but deepen the color in Prince Wei's eyes.

However, Prince Wei had long been aware that she could distinguish him, the only thing that surprised him was, why did she know which dishes he liked?

Having taken the first step, Wushuang felt much more natural.

Although she was not familiar with Prince Wei, based on their interactions in two lifetimes, he was a decent person and a steady one. He knew that she already knew, and since he did not intend to expose it, it meant that he was willing to continue maintaining this tacit understanding.

Thinking this way, Wushuang could not help but relax a lot. Thinking that she would return to her maiden home the day after tomorrow, she spoke to Prince Wei about the matter.

"The return gifts have already been prepared by the servants, this Prince will accompany you back then."

Wushuang thought that with Ji Yang's personality, he was indeed impatient with chattering and going through the motions, just like how he was impatient with attending court and handling political affairs in his previous life. These were all Prince Wei's responsibilities.

Thinking of this, Wushuang could not help but feel a little guilty.

"Then this concubine will wait for Your Highness then."

After finishing the meal, Prince Wei did not leave, but went to sit on the Arhat bed in the side room.

The servants quietly cleared away the dishes and bowls. Wushuang did not know what to say to him for a moment, so she stood up and went to the tea room under the pretext of making tea for him.

The tea that Prince Wei usually drank had already been delivered, stored in a small black wooden canister.

Water was being heated on the wind stove, the water had not yet boiled, and white smoke was coming out of the spout.

Wushuang stared blankly at the white smoke, lost in thought.

"Princess Consort, why don't you go first, and this servant will bring it over after it's brewed?" Linglong said.

Wushuang came back to her senses: "The water is about to boil, I'll wait a little longer."

The tea leaves were placed in the teacup, boiling water was poured in, and then the lid was placed on the teacup. The tea was brewed. The whole process hardly required Wushuang to do anything, she just watched from the side.

After a short while, she led Linglong, who was carrying a tray, back to the side room.

Seeing her come in, Prince Wei, who was holding a scroll and reading, looked up at her.

Seeing the book he was holding, Wushuang was stunned for a moment, just like when she went to make tea and Linglong told her which canister contained the tea His Highness liked to drink. This Luanxiang Courtyard was not only the Princess Consort's residence, but also their new room, and at the same time, his residence, so it was understandable that his books and tea were placed here.

In fact, there were even many of his clothes placed here.

For some inexplicable reason, Wushuang felt a little flustered. She had originally wanted to personally serve him tea, but who knew that she had been distracted and did not hold it properly, scalding her hand and making her quickly pull it back.

Fortunately, she did not spill the teacup. Wushuang was still feeling relieved when her hand was suddenly grabbed.

"Who told you to do it yourself? There are so many servants, they are not dead."

Upon hearing these words, Linglong and Mingyue hurriedly knelt down.

This was the first time Wushuang had seen Prince Wei angry. Actually, he was not angry, but when his face darkened, it made people unable to help but feel afraid.

She was also frightened, feeling a little wronged and flustered, tears uncontrollably filling her eyes: "I just wanted to serve Your Highness tea..."

Prince Wei glanced at her, then at her hand. "Is the ointment I gave you last time still there?"

"Yes, it is, yes it is."

Meifang hurried to fetch the ointment.

Prince Wei took it, had Wushuang sit opposite him, took her hand, and with his fingertip, scooped a little ointment, applying it to the reddened area where she had been burned.

The place she had been burned was precisely her fingertip, his fingertip touching hers, and then gently circling over it.

His movements were very light, as if afraid of hurting her. Wushuang looked down, inexplicably feeling her face flush. Her fingertip, which had felt fiery hot, no longer hurt. It felt cool and comfortable, but Prince Wei's actions made her want to pull her hand back.

She suddenly realized that this was the third time Prince Wei had applied medicine for her. The first time was when her foot was injured, and the second was at the princess's villa.

Thinking of that time, Wushuang felt even more uneasy. Just as she was about to speak and say it was fine, Prince Wei withdrew his hand.

"It shouldn't blister."

Wushuang took her hand back, lowering her head and humming in agreement.

Prince Wei stood up. "I'm going to the study."

Wushuang followed suit, standing up and seeing him to the door.

"Your Highness…"

Prince Wei turned and reached out, caressing her cheek.

Wushuang was startled, but did not dodge, only looking at him with some confusion. "Your Highness?"

"You sighed in relief, why did you sigh in relief?" Without waiting for her answer, he withdrew his hand. "The Princess Consort need not see this Prince off, this Prince will return shortly."

These words were very intimate. The servants who heard them understood. It turned out that the Princess Consort was reluctant to part with His Highness. But that was to be expected, it was only the first day of their marriage. Only Wushuang understood Prince Wei's meaning.

She watched Prince Wei leave.

Watching his figure disappear into the darkness, Wushuang couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

These past two days, Wushuang had been very busy. On one hand, Ji Yang was pestering her with his wild antics, and on the other, she was learning to get along with Prince Wei. She felt as if she had only blinked, and it was already the day for her to return to her maiden home.

On that day, Wushuang and Prince Wei rode in a carriage back to the Marquis Changyang's mansion.

The carriage had not yet reached the gate when they saw servants waiting there. Seeing the carriage from afar, they turned and ran into the mansion. By the time the carriage stopped at the gate, many people were standing there.

There was Mei Zong and Cao shi, the couple from the third branch, as well as Mei Ying and Zhang shi, and Mei Chang and Mei E, and Aunt Zhao was also there.

Once inside, according to custom, the men spoke in one place, and the women in another. This was also an opportunity for the newly married bride to tell her family whether she was doing well after marrying.

When they separated, Wushuang hesitated, unable to resist glancing at Prince Wei.

She was afraid that Mei Zong and the others might say something they shouldn't to Prince Wei, or that Prince Wei might not be used to this kind of scene. After all, whether it was Prince Wei or the previous Emperor Qianwu, she felt that they had nothing to do with this kind of 'son-in-law returning home' scene.

She looked again and again at Prince Wei's face, but there was no impatience. On the contrary, he seemed to be listening attentively to Mei Zong's words.

Seeing her gaze, Sun shi said with a smile, "Alright, don't be so reluctant to part with your husband. No one will eat him. It's only a short while apart. It's really different after getting married, your mind is completely focused on your husband."

Sun shi had only intended to make a playful remark to please, but she had unexpectedly made Wushuang's face turn bright red.

Prince Wei glanced over here. Wushuang guessed that he must have heard, because he looked at her particularly, which made her face flush even more.

Surrounded by a throng of women and children, Wushuang went to the rear.

She had never had much to say to Cao shi, but with Sun shi smoothing things over, the atmosphere was not awkward.

No one asked if Wushuang was doing well, or if Prince Wei treated her well, because it was plain to see that Wushuang's complexion was excellent. Moreover, the grand wedding had clearly shown how much the Prince Wei's mansion valued her, so how could she possibly be unhappy after being married in such a manner?

Sun shi showered her with envious words, saying that Wushuang was blessed with good fortune, having her marriage settled so early, and to such a good match, it was simply a life blessed by fate.

Cao shi sat to one side, her expression not very good. Wushuang could tell it wasn't directed at her, so what was the matter?

It was only later, when Mei Chang and Mei E pulled her aside to speak privately, that she learned what had happened.

It turned out that the Marquis Wuxiang's mansion had been embroiled in an absurd affair these past two days. A woman with a large belly had come to their door, claiming that the child in her womb was Sun Shixian's. No one knew the exact circumstances, but it had caused a great uproar, and many outside knew about it, naturally including Cao shi.

Upon hearing this, Cao shi had gone to the Marquis Wuxiang's mansion, but it was of no use. It was said that the Sun family had already decided to keep the woman, saying that Sun Shixian was not young and still had no children, and that the child might very well be a boy.

Her daughter had only been married for a little over a month, and already such a thing had happened. Before a legitimate son was even born, they had brought in a wild child from who-knows-where. How could Cao shi possibly look happy?

"So, Mei Wuxia allowed that woman to enter the household?"

"I imagine she was unwilling, but Mother went, and they paid her no heed. They are determined to have that child, and I think Eldest Sister has no choice but to accept it," Mei E said tactfully.

Mei Chang, who was beside her, looked utterly dejected, and said, "I've come to understand that climbing the high branches isn't so easy. If your family background isn't strong, and no one is there to support you, and you happen to encounter an absurd husband's family, who knows how you'll live in the future."

Having said that, she seemed to realize that her words might have included Wushuang, so she quickly added, "Third Sister, I'm not talking about you. Your situation is different, after all, you have the connection with Great Uncle, and His Highness Prince Wei doesn't seem like the kind of person who is unreasonable. I'm just lamenting my own situation."

Mei E nodded in agreement, it seemed that both of them felt the same way.

Yes, who wouldn't want to marry into a high-ranking family? But with all these incidents, the two of them, even though their marriages were not yet settled, had already begun to feel fear.

"I've thought it through. I can't rely on the family here. My marriage can only depend on you, Third Sister."

Mei Chang looked over, her expression suddenly becoming serious, "Although that previous marriage proposal was ruined by my aunt and me, who knows if, when she is free, she might set her sights on me again. My aunt and I have no connections. I am a concubine's daughter. Even if I make a few friends outside, they would never let their own brother marry me."

"Third Sister, don't think I'm trying to rely on you. We are sisters after all, blood is thicker than water. I'll be frank today, I want to ask His Highness Prince Wei to help me find a marriage."

"I don't expect to marry into some high-ranking family. You can ask your man if he has any suitable people under him, or people he can use, and find one for me. I'll marry him. With my looks and our relationship, it won't be difficult to marry. Even if it's to help you, to help Prince Wei gather support, at least if something happens in the future, there will be someone to back me up."

Wushuang was momentarily stunned by this string of words.

But looking at the expectant gaze from Mei E, she suspected that Mei Chang's words were something the two of them had discussed beforehand, and it was even more likely that it was something Aunt Zhao and Aunt Chen had discussed beforehand.

They probably also understood that relying solely on themselves, they were like fish trapped in stagnant water, their futures uncertain. Even if she helped them find a good marriage, what about the future?

The Marquis Changyang's family status was what it was. Even Mei Wuxia, the legitimate daughter, was suffering like this after marrying out, let alone a concubine's daughter.

It was better to tie themselves completely to her. Mei Chang's words clearly indicated that she intended to marry out to help Prince Wei gather support. With Mei Chang and Mei E's experience, they could not have said such things, nor could they have thought of such a method.

Just as Wushuang was about to speak, Sun shi entered, and she could only put the matter aside for the time being.

Sun shi entered to call them to eat.

When a bride returns to her maiden home three days after the wedding, her family naturally must prepare a feast to entertain the newlyweds.

The feasts for the men and women were set in the same place, but separated by a room, which was not considered impolite. Wushuang and her side finished eating first. After drinking tea and chatting for a while, the men's side finished.

Prince Wei seemed to have drunk some wine. Wushuang noticed that although his face was not red, the corners of his eyes were a bit flushed.

After the meal, they could not return home immediately. According to the customs of the time, they had to stay until the afternoon. Considering that Prince Wei had drunk wine, Mei Zong personally arranged for someone to lead Wushuang and Prince Wei back to the Ruyi Pavilion for a short rest.

Upon arriving, someone brought sobering tea, and also prepared hot water and clean cloths.

After putting down the items, the servants all filed out, leaving only Wushuang and Prince Wei in the room. Wushuang saw Prince Wei sitting there, supporting his forehead. After thinking for a moment, she went to soak a cloth in hot water, wrung it out, and took it to him.

"Your Highness, wipe your face, and then drink the sobering tea, and you will feel more comfortable."

Although Prince Wei did not speak, he sat up straight and turned his face towards her.

Wushuang did not understand at first, but she quickly realized that usually Fusheng served Prince Wei when he washed his face and hands, but Fusheng had already gone out.

She hesitated for a moment, then took the cloth and moved closer.