Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C072

"Your technique is becoming more and more refined," Prince Wei said.

Previously, Song You still needed to borrow some objects, but now he can achieve his goal with just a single thread.

Song You gave a wry smile, "The Princess Consort's status is different from others, I am only painstakingly arranging this to cater to Your Highness's request for a pulse reading."

After a pause, he added, "There are only two quarters of an hour, Your Highness must remember not to exceed it."

Prince Wei understood this matter, he nodded slightly, and Song You quietly left the room.

***

Wushuang walked in a patch of darkness.

She couldn't figure out where she was.

Only after walking and looking around did she realize that she had walked to Rouyi Hall.

The hall was empty, the night wind gently blowing the gauze curtains that filled the room, causing them to dance with the wind.

A faint fragrance entered her nose, and she followed the scent, walking further inside, vaguely hearing some sounds. She suddenly realized that this was the sleeping quarters of Rouyi Hall, and this place seemed very familiar to her.

But why was she familiar with it?

She was clearly the daughter of a concubine in the Marquis's household, and because she had done something wrong, she was deeply loathed by her husband. The Zhao family was a ducal family, and the women of the family entered the palace quite often, but she was not among them. In the Zhao family, she only held the title of Second Madam Zhao.

No, she remembered that she had been brought into the palace by her mother-in-law, Chen shi, but she had no memory of which time it was, or what had happened during that time.

Her head ached from thinking, but she couldn't control her footsteps.

Getting closer and closer, she finally understood where the noise she had heard earlier was coming from, it was clearly from the bed.

Layer upon layer of thin gauze curtains blocked the view behind them, but the sound became clearer, it seemed like a woman was crying, but upon closer listening, it wasn't crying, the sound was like a suppressed pain, yet gentle and charming, carrying an indescribable stickiness, as if there was a lot of honey hidden inside, and if you poked it with your finger, countless honey would flow out.

Intermingled with it was a man's low voice.

That voice was strained to the extreme.

"Tell me, who am I?"

"You...you are His Majesty, no, you are...you are Ji…"

The wind lifted the curtains, causing the thin gauze to sway with the wind, and the scene behind it became faintly visible.

Wushuang's whole body stiffened, filled with shame. Why would she dream of such a scene? She vaguely felt that these two voices were familiar, but she couldn't remember who they were for a moment.

Just then, the wind lifted a corner of the gauze curtain, revealing the beauty's face behind the curtain.

Her dark hair was scattered on the bed, her face flushed, her eyes tightly closed, there seemed to be tear stains at the corners of her eyes, her expression seemed somewhat painful, yet also very joyful...

That face, was it her?!!

Wushuang's whole body trembled, she remembered.

She was Mei Wushuang, Zhao Jianzhi's wife, and also Lady Fengtian.

***

The oil lamps in the room had all been extinguished, only one candle stand was still lit, emitting a dim yellow light.

But it could not reach here, plunging this place into a dim darkness.

Prince Wei wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, his brow furrowed tightly.

Though some of the things she spoke of were unexpected, they did not cause him astonishment; it was merely that the matters he heard completely exceeded his expectations.

He thought, in her previous life, she must have still married him.

Prince Wei was aware of his own nature; even without that prior encounter, he was already inclined to agree to the marriage. Moreover, at his age, it was time for him to wed. Rather than taking a wife whose background was unknown, it was better to choose someone of simple origins. Her birth was of no consequence to him.

He had not anticipated that a woman would alter everything. Her troublesome eldest sister had still made her move. Without his assistance, her fate had undergone a cataclysmic change this time.

She did not speak much about the events after marrying into the Zhao family. It seemed those days were like a stagnant pool. Instead, she spoke more about the events after meeting him.

"Ji lang*, Emperor Qianwu?"

TN: the lang of langjun, another term for one's husband

No wonder she could distinguish between the two men. No wonder she always avoided being close to him. No wonder…

He must be the Emperor she spoke of, and Ji lang was ‘him.’ The closeness and distance were clear at a glance. Everything was now explained.

Her words aligned with her previous life's experiences. A woman confined to the inner quarters, she was ignorant of the court's movements. She only knew that the Zhao family had chosen the wrong side. Therefore, the Zhao family's matriarch, heeding Consort Hui's words, had brought her into the palace and arranged for her to appear before him, intending to vex the Empress.

She knew little else.

Prince Wei even suspected that he was using the court as an excuse, when what he truly wanted to know was about his and her affairs in their previous lives.

If she was a person of two lives, then he must have been present in her previous life. What was the situation between them then? Was it still like it was now? Or had there been other changes…

Alas, her heart only held her ‘Ji lang.’ He was merely the Emperor she avoided.

Just as it was in this life.

Prince Wei slowly tightened his hand.

***

Wushuang awoke.

Upon waking, she discovered that the oil lamps had all been extinguished. The silk thread on her wrist had also been removed. She was still sitting in that chair, with Prince Wei seated beside her.

"You fell asleep."

"How did I fall asleep?"

Wushuang rubbed her forehead. She did not feel anything unusual, as if she had merely woken from a nap. However, that dream left her slightly unsettled.

Why would she have such a dream?

She had no memory of the scenes in this dream. It seemed that such a thing had not happened in her previous life. Yet, why would she have such a dream? And in the dream, he was so… interrogating her…

"Is the pulse-taking finished?"

Prince Wei slightly nodded, saying, "Your body is still considered healthy, just a bit deficient in qi. Have the kitchen prepare more medicinal cuisine for you."

The two of them left the Song residence and returned to the Prince's mansion by carriage.

On the way, Wushuang noticed a slight abnormality in Prince Wei, but the feeling was very faint. She looked at Prince Wei, who seemed no different than usual, and thought it was her imagination.

In the following days, life passed uneventfully.

The Mei family sent a message to Wushuang, saying that the Earl Yongcheng's family and the Li family had both sent people to their door. Cao shi seemed somewhat unwilling, but because Chen Jin and Li Xin had both been given guidance, the two directly sought out Mei Zong.

Mei Zong was already troubled by Mei Chang's marriage. Upon hearing that these two marriages were arranged by Prince Wei's mansion, with Marquis Huaiyin's shizi acting as the matchmaker, he naturally had no objections.

Therefore, Cao shi's unwillingness was useless. Aunt Zhao and aunt Chen, having finally found a prospect for their daughters' marriages, naturally would not allow anyone to sabotage it. The two of them worked hard to persuade Mei Zong. It was said that the third branch had also helped. In short, the matter progressed extremely smoothly. It was said that in a few days, the two families would come to propose marriage.

Aunt Zhao and Aunt Chen greatly wished to thank Wushuang, but due to their insufficient status and inability to leave their residences, they could only express their gratitude through letters.

With this, Wushuang finally set aside a matter that had weighed on her heart.

Unbeknownst to Wushuang, in a corner hidden from her sight, someone was attempting to seduce Prince Wei, alas, having chosen the wrong time.

Xi Rong reasoned that during the day, with many people around, it was inconvenient for her to enter the study. And each time Prince Wei went out, he was accompanied by many people. It was said that every night, Prince Wei would go to Xiangluan Courtyard, at which time he would not have attendants by his side. After much deliberation, Xi Rong chose this time.

However, she had not anticipated that when she, shivering from the cold, finally managed to intercept Prince Wei, she would be met with a kick that sent her flying.

Ji Yang only saw a woman, acting furtively, glancing this way, then lunging towards him.

Immediately, he delivered a kick, sending the person flying.

His strength was not light; Xi Rong was kicked so hard she spat blood, while he, without even a sideways glance, proceeded towards Xiangluan Courtyard.

It was Fulai who stepped forward to clean up the mess. He personally escorted Xi Rong back, and under the pretext of spying on His Highness's movements, he investigated all the servants in the back courtyard.

This included those who had leaked information to Xi Rong and those who had relayed messages to her, which naturally implicated auntie Shuyu. The servants below, unprepared for such a severe response from above, quickly implicated Shuyu with just a few words.

Fulai said with earnest sincerity, "Shuyu, you are also an elder here, how could you commit such an inconceivable error? Whether in the palace or outside, spying on the movements of one's master is a grave offense!"

Shuyu's face was ashen, unable to utter a single word.

It was not that she was unaware, but she had not expected Prince Wei to punish her for such a minor matter.

Fulai sighed and waved his hand, "Send her away."

***

Shuyu and Xi Rong were sent back to the Xi family.

As for Xi Rong's maid, Chun'er, she seemed to have been forgotten by the two at this time. After a few days, when the two remembered Chun'er, they did not dare to go to the gates of Prince Wei's mansion to ask for her.

They were unaware that Chun'er was actually a spy. Fulai, through Chun'er, had dug out two more deeply buried nails from Prince Wei's mansion. Although these two nails were both in peripheral positions, and for the time being were only passing messages and had not done anything else, being able to pull one out was one less. If they continued to clean up like this, the nails in Prince Wei's mansion would only become fewer and fewer, until one day they would disappear completely.

At the same time, Wushuang also truly noticed that Prince Wei was somewhat different.

But if she were to say exactly where he was different, she could not put it into words.

Just like before, every time the two of them were together, the pressure in Prince Wei's gaze made her flustered, shy, wanting to hide, wanting to escape. This time, it was the same very ethereal feeling. She could not clearly define it, yet she just felt that Prince Wei was different from before.

Exactly where was he different?

Prince Wei still came for the midday meal, and sometimes for the evening meal. If he was busy, he would not come, and each time he did not come, he would have someone send her a message.

He did not lose his temper with her, not even a harsh word. Yet, what exactly was different?

Wushuang felt that she should breathe a sigh of relief, but that breath, once released, was followed by an unspeakable feeling. That feeling accumulated a little each time she saw him, gradually turning into a kind of grievance.

Wushuang did not know what she was feeling aggrieved about.

Yes, what was she feeling aggrieved about?

***

Every year, as winter approached, the imperial family would hold a winter hunt.

As the ancient saying goes: "Spring hunt, summer seedling, autumn harvest, winter hunt, the four seasons go to the outskirts, to show martial prowess to the world."

The Great Liang's dominion was originally won on horseback. Having learned from the past, and taking heed of the previous dynasty's disaster brought on by emphasizing literature over martial arts, not only did the court strive to maintain a balance between civil and military officials, but successive emperors also valued martial prowess. The common people also held martial arts in high regard, and did not consider it shameful to only practice martial arts and not study books.

Each time the imperial family held a winter hunt, it was a grand affair. Not only did princes and imperial relatives participate, but some meritorious ministers were also among the invited. The promising young men from various families would also participate, hoping to catch the Emperor's eye and secure a future.

After all, even if their fathers and grandfathers held titles and official positions, those belonged to their fathers and grandfathers. Among the many sons of each family, except for the eldest legitimate son who could inherit the title, the others had to rely on their own efforts to make a name for themselves. If a shortcut was presented, they would naturally not let it go. Moreover, if one could win first place in the winter hunt, it would not only secure a future, but also bring fame throughout the land.

Prince Wei's mansion was also among those invited. In previous years, Prince Wei did not attend because he was at the border. This year, he happened to be present, so he could not refuse.

Besides the men and boys, the female family members of each household could also attend. Some families would even bring their more favored daughters. The reason for this was self-evident, and everyone knew it well.

After receiving the news, Wushuang began to instruct her maids to prepare her luggage.

The Mount Xiang hunt would last for half a month. Even though there was an imperial villa in Mount Xiang, clothing and personal items still needed to be brought.

Linglong made a list, writing down Wushuang's daily necessities and the clothing and jewelry to be brought. She then gave it to Wushuang to make additions and deletions. Wushuang naturally thought of Prince Wei, wondering if his luggage would be packed by her or by the study.

She sent someone to ask Fusheng, and Fusheng replied that His Highness had said to let the Princess Consort pack it.

If Wushuang was to pack it, there would be much more to do. She spent an entire day making a list. Not feeling at ease, she had someone take it to Fusheng to look over. However, Fusheng said that he could not make decisions for His Highness, and that the list still had to be seen by His Highness.

Wushuang had no choice but to go to the study to find Prince Wei.

After looking at the list, Prince Wei did not say anything, only coldly mentioning a few items.

Wushuang realized at once that she had indeed been negligent.

These few items looked inconspicuous, but they were truly indispensable. Afraid that she would forget after returning, she borrowed Prince Wei's brush and ink to write them on the list.

As she wrote, a sense of stifled grievance welled up in her heart. Tears fell drop by drop, wetting the words she had just written, causing the ink to bleed on the paper.

Prince Wei looked at the paper stained with tears, his jaw tightening.

"Why are you crying?"

She hurriedly wiped her face with her sleeve, and said in a low voice, "I'm not crying."

But the more she wiped, the more tears fell, and the more aggrieved she felt. She even began to tremble as she cried. Prince Wei pulled her in front of him, one hand pinching her chin, lifting her face.

"You are fond of him, always pretending to be foolish with this Prince, unwilling for this Prince to be close to you. Now that this Prince is cold to you, you feel aggrieved. What is there for you to feel aggrieved about?"

Wushuang finally understood what she was feeling aggrieved about.

Because Prince Wei was cold to her, she felt aggrieved in her heart. However, she dared not believe that she would feel aggrieved because of this, so she could not figure out where that sense of grievance came from.

"I…"

"What do you want this Prince to do with you?" This sentence was exceptionally complex due to the many emotions it carried: resentment, annoyance, helplessness...

He lowered his head and kissed her. This time, there was no coercion, and she did not refuse. However, her tears did not stop.

Prince Wei slowly stiffened and released her.

He took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped her tears, "Stop crying, you should go back."

Wushuang stood stiffly, and after a long while, she lowered her head and left.