Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C068

After Prince Wei left, Wushuang slept for the entire afternoon.

Upon waking, a message arrived from the study.

It said that Li Xin had a concubine who had served in his household for many years, older than Li Xin himself, arranged by Li Xin's mother when she was still alive. She had remained without favor or offspring for years. As for Chen Jin, because Earl Yongcheng's family was notoriously chaotic, Chen Jin was rarely at home, had not taken a concubine, nor had any bed warming maids.

In truth, to Wushuang's eyes, neither of these two were ideal choices, but she also knew that, given Mei Chang and Mei E's circumstances, it was unlikely they would find anyone better.

Those of similar age were mostly from families with many siblings, with parents-in-law above them. They could not manage their own households or make their own decisions. Their husbands' futures were uncertain, and they relied on their families for support. There was no telling what kind of lives they would lead in the future.

Although these two each had their own flaws, at least their futures were clear. One was able to sit in the position of deputy Commander of the Five Cities Military Commission, clearly not an ordinary person. The other, although born of a concubine and from a troubled family, was able to sit in the position of a commander in the Shenji Camp. Since Prince Wei said his future was limitless, he should not be speaking without basis.

Wushuang knew that she could not make decisions for others, and this matter had been delayed for too long. Whether it would succeed or not depended on Mei Chang and Mei E's agreement.

Seeing that it was not yet dark, she sent word to the Marquis Changyang's mansion, expecting that Mei Chang and Mei E would come to her tomorrow.

The next day, early in the morning, it suddenly began to snow. Fine, dense snowflakes fell from the sky. Although they melted into water the moment they touched the ground, the snow was heavy, and a layer of white gradually accumulated on the eaves.

Mei E and Mei Chang arrived in a carriage, both wrapped in thick cloaks, their small faces flushed red from the cold when they entered.

Wushuang said with some guilt, "I did not expect it to snow today. I had intended to send someone to tell you to come another day, but I was afraid you had already left."

Mei Chang and Mei E, with the help of their maids, removed their cloaks.

"It's not as if one cannot go out just because it's snowing. I was feeling stifled at home anyway, so coming out is like a change of pace," Mei Chang said, not minding at all.

The two followed Wushuang into the side room, and a wave of warmth washed over them.

Mei E said, "Third Sister, your room is so warm. The floor is warm; is it heated by a ground dragon?"

Wushuang nodded.

The two looked at the large red carpet on the floor, which was embroidered with many auspicious patterns in gold thread. It felt dense and solid under their feet. If not for the maids nearby, they would have really wanted to reach out and touch how warm the floor was.

Mei Chang said enviously, "It's still warm here. You don't know how especially cold it is this year. My room isn't even warm with a charcoal brazier."

Mei E then shrank her hands into her sleeves, but no matter how much she hid them, Wushuang still saw the red marks on her hands from the cold, and could not help but sigh.

The maids served tea, and then brought over pastries and fruits.

Mei Chang and Mei E held the tea and drank it, their bodies instantly warming from the inside out. They could not help but lean back against the vermilion and gold python-patterned backrests, and relaxed a lot.

Wushuang dismissed all the maids, leaving only Xiaohong and Meifang to serve. Then, without any beating around the bush, she spoke about the general situations of Li Xin and Chen Jin, not hiding any of the advantages or disadvantages.

The matter they had been anticipating had suddenly arrived before them, and both were clearly a little bewildered at first. It was not until Wushuang said, "Don't rush, think slowly. If you really can't make up your minds, go back and ask your aunts."

"Third Sister, did you say that His Highness Prince Wei said that Chen Jin's future is limitless?"

Wushuang nodded. She had not concealed any of Prince Wei's evaluations of the two men.

Mei Chang gritted her teeth and said, "Third Sister, do you think this will work? I'll go back and discuss it with my aunt. Also, I think it would be better if I could meet him."

"Meet him?"

Although the social customs of the time were strict, slightly more open-minded families would not let their children marry blindly. Either their fathers or elder brothers would invite the prospective groom to their home as a guest, allowing their daughters to take a look through a screen, or they would find a crowded place where they could catch a glimpse of each other from afar.

Wushuang knew that many wealthy families at the time would take advantage of outings or trips to temples to burn incense and worship Buddha, allowing their children to see each other. This was commonly known as "face-reading." She suggested that they do it this way, but she would have to speak to Prince Wei about it.

Mei Chang said gratefully, "Thank you, Third Sister, for worrying so much about me and Fifth Sister."

"Don't say such things. I also hope that you can marry into good families and live smoothly and peacefully in the future."

It was largely due to the misfortunes of her previous marriage, and being from the same family, suffering the same difficulties, that Wushuang felt a particular empathy for Mei Chang and Mei E. This was likely why she was willing to help them time and again.

"My thoughts are the same as Second Sister's. It's just, I wonder if meeting in private would be somewhat improper?" Compared to Mei Chang, Mei E was a bit more timid.

"What's improper about it? As long as you're not shy, will those men be shy? It's just a look, no one loses anything. If they don't fancy us, they can reject us directly, saving us from becoming a resentful couple," Mei Chang said.

The matter was settled thus. As for when they could meet, they would have to wait for news from Wushuang's side.

Since they were discussing marriage, while chatting later, Mei Chang also spoke of recent events concerning Mei Wuxia.

Previously, when Wushuang returned to her maiden home, she learned that a pregnant woman had gone to the Sun family, claiming the child in her belly was Sun Shixian's. Cao shi had gone to the Sun family to make a scene, but it was useless. She could only grit her teeth and allow the woman to enter the household.

Now, new developments had arisen. The woman's child had actually been lost. It had been a six-month-old fetus, already formed, and said to be a male. This had caused the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang great heartache, and she vented all her anger on Mei Wuxia.

Originally, the Mei family was unaware of this. A few days ago, it was said that Mei Wuxia had fallen ill. Cao shi went to visit her, and it was only after she returned that the family learned of this matter. It was suspected that the Madam of Marquis Wuxiang believed Mei Wuxia was responsible, but she had not caught her in the act. However, for a powerful person, if they believe you did it, then you did it, no evidence needed. Thus, while Mei Wuxia was attending to her mother-in-law, she herself also fell ill in bed due to being 'too exhausted' and catching a cold.

Wushuang listened, sighing repeatedly. Originally, she had been worried that Mei Wuxia would harm her again from behind the scenes, but now it seemed she was barely able to take care of herself, let alone harm others.

The three chatted idly. Wushuang's courtyard rarely saw visitors, making this a rare occasion of liveliness.

Originally, Mei Chang and Mei E were in a hurry to return, not even wanting to have lunch, likely eager to discuss matters with their respective aunts. It was Wushuang who kept them, and only after they had eaten did they leave.

At noon, Prince Wei did not come, likely knowing she had guests. But even though he did not come, Wushuang had something to discuss with him. Originally, Wushuang hesitated, thinking she might wait until he came, but who knew that by the afternoon, the snow had stopped.

Wushuang had never been one to hold things in her heart. Besides, she did not know the male side's intentions regarding the meeting, so it was better to settle it sooner rather than later. Even if it did not work out, she could give Mei Chang and Mei E news. Thus, after thinking it over, she decided to go to the study.

The study during the day was completely different from the study at night. One could clearly see that there were layers of guards both outside and inside the courtyard.

Hearing that she had arrived, Fusheng came out to greet her. However, Wushuang's timing was not good. Prince Wei had someone in his study, so Fusheng planned to invite her to sit in the east wing for a while, and then go in after the matter was discussed.

Who knew that when Wushuang went in, she would see several people coming out of Prince Wei's study.

"Princess Consort."

Some clasped their fists, others bowed, their greetings differing according to their civil or military status.

Wushuang lowered her eyes and nodded, not speaking to them, and passed by them.

A man with a full beard and a robust figure said, "That's our Princess Consort? She looks so young."

A scholar beside him, who even in the dead of winter held a fan, fanned himself and said, "Young she may be, but she is still the Princess Consort."

Another person shook his head and praised, "An old husband and a young wife, His Highness is truly blessed."

A tall, burly man said, "You all better shut your mouths, be careful His Highness hears you."

***

Prince Wei's study was indeed as warm as the Xiangluan Courtyard. Upon entering, a wave of heat rushed towards her.

Linglong helped Wushuang take off her cloak, and then did not follow her in, remaining outside.

Wushuang walked further in, soon arriving at a spacious hall.

Prince Wei's study had many bookshelves and cabinets. Some were placed against the walls, while others served as partitions. In the center was a large desk, upon which were placed a brush rack, inkstone, brush washer, paperweight, and other items. To the left of the desk was a large blue and white porcelain jar, filled with many painting scrolls. A large map hung on the north wall.

Prince Wei was wearing a long, wide-sleeved robe of dark cyan. Because he was in the mansion, he was not wearing a crown. His hair was tied back with a three-finger-thick brocade ribbon, adorned with a pigeon-egg-sized turquoise. When Wushuang arrived, he was standing in front of a bookshelf, reading something. Hearing footsteps, he looked over.

"Your Highness."

"What matter brings you to this Prince?"

Mei Wushuang felt inexplicably nervous, not daring to look directly at Prince Wei, and relayed the matter of Mei Chang and the other wishing to meet with him.

She thought herself to be quite composed, but in Prince Wei's eyes, it was clear that she was afraid of him.

Why was she afraid of him? It was not difficult to guess.

He had made his intentions clear, yet she still cowered like a quail, ignoring him completely. Prince Wei, with his pride, had already shown his weakness by going to her place for meals as if nothing had happened, but it seemed to have no effect.

She was like a snail; touch her antennae, and she would retreat into her shell.

Prince Wei felt a sudden surge of irritation, and his face turned cold.

After speaking, Wushuang did not receive a response from Prince Wei. She raised her eyes in surprise to look at him, only to see his cold, hard face, and her heart instantly trembled.

Prince Wei saw the tremor in her eyes, and the image of her crying every time surfaced in his mind, making him feel even more annoyed.

"You came to find this Prince, so why are you so fearful?"

"I'm not…"

His tone was not gentle, carrying a suppressed irritation.

"This Prince has a headache!"

She wrung her hands, timidly saying, "Then, may I help Your Highness massage it?"

Prince Wei did not speak, but instead went behind the desk and sat down.

Wushuang could not grasp his thoughts, and stood still until he gestured with his eyes, then she went behind Prince Wei's chair at the desk.

The chair was large, and Prince Wei was tall. Wushuang stood and raised her hands, just reaching his temples.

At first, she did not dare to use much force, only gently kneading, gradually increasing the pressure.

She could feel Prince Wei's tension gradually easing, and as he relaxed, she also breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, she completely forgot that in her previous life, she had often relaxed 'Ji Yang' in this way.

She did not know how much time had passed, but Wushuang felt a sudden thirst. This heated room was not good in that it easily caused thirst, requiring one to drink more water.

She had intended to endure it, but the more she thought about it, the thirstier she felt, and she could not help but say, "Your Highness, I am thirsty."

Wushuang wanted to call for someone to serve tea, but Prince Wei suddenly picked up a teacup that was placed nearby.

Was he letting her drink his tea?

His tea must have been sitting for a long time, perhaps it was already cold.

But Prince Wei was still holding out the cup, and she could not ignore him, so she went around to take the teacup. Only when she held it in her hands did she realize that the tea was still warm.

With the teacup in hand, she could not refuse to drink. Wushuang thought to herself, what direction was Prince Wei facing when he picked it up, and she wanted to choose the other side to drink from. But precisely because she thought too much, when she raised the teacup to her lips, she saw Prince Wei beside her seemingly watching her drink, and she immediately panicked.

It was clearly a simple act of drinking tea, but now it had become a matter of whether to drink or not.

She hurriedly took a sip, intending to stop there, but because she drank a little too quickly, the tea flowed down the corner of her mouth. She quickly put down the teacup and pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her mouth, but her wrist was suddenly grasped.

A thumb wearing a thumb ring wiped across her small chin, wet with tea, above which were her rosy lips. His fingertip moved back and forth below her lips, occasionally rubbing and kneading.

"Didn't you say you were thirsty? Why did you only take one sip?"