Lovable Beauty

“While His Royal Highness Prince Qin was comatose, Princess Consort Qin, hopelessly in love with the prince, wholeheartedly used her lifespan to awaken her husband. The Heavens were moved by her sincerity and allowed His Highness to come back to life. It is a pity that Princess Qin passed away… His Highness was quite touched after waking up and regretted his past scorn for the princess consort’s appearance, so he took the initiative to beg the Emperor to allow him not to marry again in this lifetime…”

In the spacious private room, Mr. Hu’s voice was up and down in cadence, as if he saw, with his own eyes, Princess Qin kneeling and praying before her husband’s bed and the loneliness of Prince Qin as mourned for his dead wife.

It’s a pity that what he said was so touching, but even the youngest lady Xie Lanyin didn’t believe any of it, let alone Jiang Huaizhou and Xie Lanqiao.

“One life for another life—does the Old Gentleman really believe it?” Xie Lanyin questioned softly, “If the Heavens are so easily moved, there wouldn’t be so many natural disasters and human misfortunes in the world.”

Mr. Hu smiled frankly, “We only talk about matters of the Imperial family for fun. Young Master may not believe it, but there are some who do. However, the request from His Royal Highness Prince Qin is absolutely true. The imperial edict has been issued, and His Royal Highness can only marry a side consort* and take on concubines. No matter how good the title of side consort is, it’s still only a concubine. I heard that many noble ladies in the capital admired His Royal Highness, and scrambled to marry him, but after this incident came out, nothing came of it.”

Xie Lanyin approved of this.

No matter how good the prince was, if she could only be a concubine, she would refuse to marry, not to mention that Prince Qin’s marriage was truly quite odd. Why would a dignified prince beg not to marry for the sake of an ugly girl who he didn’t share any mutual affection with? Xie Lanyin was doubtful. If Prince Qin didn’t ask for an edict, it could only mean that it was the Emperor’s wish. When his Imperial Father didn’t want his son to marry a wife and sent his son to the border, it was apparent how much the Emperor disliked Prince Qin. It was obvious there was no future for him. Who would willingly become a concubine? Perhaps young ladies from minor families would care for it, for the fortune it will bring them, but young ladies from noble families wouldn’t be willing.

Her grandfather was a third-rank military general, and her father was only a fifth-rank. Xie Lanyin didn’t consider herself a noble lady, but she has been pampered by her parents like a treasure since she was a child. Why should demean herself by becoming a concubine?

In the love between young people, young ladies naturally hoped that their future husband was a gentle and affectionate man with good looks and some family background. When she learned that Prince Qin came to Xi’an, Xie Lanyin actually had a little hope in her heart, but now that she knew the details of Prince Qin, Xie Lanyin no longer had any expectations for Prince Qin.

After telling the story, Mr. Hu took the reward from Jiang Huaizhou and withdrew.

Jiang Huaizhou looked at the man next to him, and just as he was about to find a tactful excuse to say goodbye, Xiao Yuan said first, “I too have heard of His Royal Highness Prince Qin’s affairs and even heard that the Emperor has never been fond of his eldest son, so he sent Prince Qin to Xi’an to borrow Pingxi Hou’s hand to suppress Prince Qin. What do you think of this, Third Young Master?”

His eyes were calm and seemed to have a deeper meaning. Jiang Huaizhou was startled.

The Jiang family was well-informed. After returning home, his father called the three brothers over and told them to act safely and not to get involved in the open and secret struggle between Prince Qin and Marquis Pingxi. Only a few people know about this inside story. For Young Master Yuan to be able to say what he said, it was obvious he was very insightful, but it was most taboo to exchange deep words in a shallow friendship while outside. Jiang Huaizhou didn’t understand why he wanted to mention it to him.

Was it a reminder, or a probe?

If it was the former, their friendship hasn’t reached that level. If it was a probe, which side was he?

Not that Jiang Huaizhou was arrogant, though the Jiang family was only into business, if the two sides really came to blows, the Jiang family was definitely worth fighting for.

“There are such rumors going around?” Jiang Huaizhou’s expression turned serious. He looked at the wall, and made a silencing gesture to Xiao Yuan, “I have never understood the important affairs of the court. I only heard Prince Qin hasn’t seen anyone since he arrived. Whether it is because of physical discomfort or other secrets, we wouldn’t know.”

If it’s a reminder, he too has leaked some information. If it’s a probe, as the other party’s position was unclear, he was equally ambiguous and will not offend anyone.

Xiao Yuan looked at the rich young master in front of him who was only a year younger than him, chuckled, and stood saying, “The third young master and I think alike. What happens in the officialdom has nothing to do with us businessmen. This is Yuan’s first time in Xi’an. In the future, I may have some business contact with the Jiang family. I hope Third Young Master will offer some support then.

“Brother Yuan, you are welcome,” Jiang Huaizhou quickly returned courtesy, “It’s fate we ran into each other. If Brother Yuan has anything you need help with in the future, feel free to come to me.

Xiao Yuan nodded, and then nodded to the two sisters, “There are still some affairs to handle at home, so Yuan will leave first. I will invite Third Young Master for dinner another day.”

Jiang Huaizhou readily agreed and led his cousins down to see him off.

Ge Jin and Lu Jun have been waiting outside. Finally, the show ended, Lu Jun stood by his master’s side. Ge Jin went into the private room to take the birdcage and came out, walking behind the Xie family sisters.

After leaving the Bright Moon Inn, they saw the Jiang family’s carriage had also arrived. It was rushed over by Chang’an after he went back to the manor.

Xiao Yuan ceremoniously fisted his hands in farewell, “May we meet again.”

Jiang Huaizhou took the lead to give his regards.

Xiao Yuan got into the carriage first, and when the curtain came down, his gaze passed over the shortest girl outside and was instantly blocked by the curtain.

Xie Lanyin didn’t notice it. After getting into their own carriage, she recalled the man’s noble demeanor, and she looked at her cousin inquiringly, “This Young Master Yuan is really strange. What he said to you in the private room, was he implying at something?”

“Really?” Jiang Huaizhou raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then said in a relaxed tone: “Who cares what his origins? It has nothing to do with us. Lanyin doesn’t need to think about it. What about it? Does your forehead still hurt?” Their younger sisters should remain carefree. He didn’t want them to get involved in external affairs, especially government affairs.

Speaking of the wound, Xie Lanyin smiled, took out the celadon porcelain bottle from the cuff, and sighed: “This jade lotus cream is very useful. Third Cousin, smell it. What’s in it? We can use it ourselves.” Father and Elder Sister were in the army, so it was inevitable that they would be injured.  They needed this kind of medicine the most.

Jiang Huaizhou was proficient in perfumes and also had a lot of research on medicinal herbs. When he opened the porcelain bottle and smelled it, his brows gradually frowned, “Just now I can distinguish seven to eight kinds. If I were to identify all the herbs and attempt to formulate it, it would take at least several months.”

“Forget it, we’ll be leaving at the end of the month, and I don’t have time to wait for you.” Since he was so unsure, Xie Lanyin reached out to grab the porcelain bottle back.

Jiang Huaizhou didn’t let go and said in bewilderment: “You can leave if you want. I’ll send you a box once I formulate it, is that good?”

“What if you can’t formulate it?” Xie Lanyin looked at him suspiciously. “I only have this bottle in my hand. Where can I find it if you ruined this one? If it was perfume, I’d believe in you, but this medicinal cream, humph, I’d rather keep this bottle.”

His little cousin actually questioned his ability. Jiang Huaizhou was not happy. He turned the porcelain bottle in his hand, stared at her, and said: “My my, you treasure this bottle of ointment so much, Lanyin must have taken a fancy to that Young Master Yuan, right? Want to keep the bottle as a keepsake? Tsk tsk, Lanyin really has a good eye. Mr. Yuan looks like Pan’an*…”

“You talk nonsense!” He was such a rogue! Xie Lanyin blushed angrily. She wasn’t a perv. How could she be moved by the other party’s good looks?

“Third Cousin.” Her younger sister was angry. Xie Lanqiao glared at their elder brother complainingly, “You have no filter. If this spreads, Auntie would be the first to punish you.”

His two cousins: one angry, the other casually threatened him. Jiang Huaizhou quickly apologized, and returned the porcelain bottle to his little cousin, “Fine fine, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t talk nonsense. Our Lanyin is still a child. You just like Third Cousin, don’t you?”

“Don’t be so cocky!” Xie Lanyin quickly snatched back the porcelain bottle, glared at him, and said, “As long as you are like this, you’re still not as pleasing as Eldest Cousin’s mustache!”

Jiang Huaizhou’s eyes widened exaggeratedly, rubbing the spot above his lips saying, “Are you serious? Looks like I’m going to grow a mustache too.”

He acted completely serious. Xie Lanyin burst out laughing as she imagined the two cousins standing together with the same mustaches.

His younger cousins were happy. Jiang Huaizhou was even more delighted than having prepared top-grade perfume. He asked in high spirits, “Shall we go shopping elsewhere?”

Xie Lanqiao looked at her sister with doting eyes.

Xie Lanyin raised the porcelain bottle in her hand to have a look and suggested: “Let’s go to the medical clinic. Maybe there may be someone who sells Jade Lotus cream.”

Jiang Huaizhou ordered Chang’an to go to the most prestigious medical clinic in the city.

***

The young ladies and gentlemen were carefree.  Meanwhile, in the Fang family, Xie Yao was lying on the bed. After all, she just had a miscarriage, losing some of her vitality, and looked sickly.

“Did they really say that?” She closed her eyes and asked Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu was very angry, and cursed bitterly: “She is shameless, and so are the maids around her. Who wouldn’t hide such immoral affairs? She has the nerve to come over to show off. All of them are little wrenches reincarnated…”

She was not reconciled—she was not reconciled to the fact that the young lady she raised herself lost to that kind of inferior rubbish!

Xie Yao also hated it, and she was not reconciled, but she was different from Nanny Liu, who only cursed behind people’s backs; she didn’t want to waste her breath; she just wanted to retaliate.

“Master went to the government office?” Xie Yao opened his eyes and asked calmly.

Nanny Liu nodded sullenly. Thinking that she wanted to confront Fang Ze, she persuaded her sadly, “Young lady, please take care of yourself. Divorce, if that’s your wish. We don’t have to suffer this grievance.” After learning that Fang Ze and Du Yinger have consummated, Nanny Liu gave up completely and changed back to the old title for Xie Yao.

Fang Ze wasn’t here…

Xie Yao looked at the canopy of the bed. Her eyes became more and more determined. She beckoned for Nanny Liu to come to her side, and whispered something.

Nanny Liu turned pale in shock, and shook her head furiously, “Young Lady, I know you hate her, and I would like no more than to skin her, but we can’t be impulsive. If he were to take this to court in a fit of anger…”

“Does he have the face to take it to court??” Xie Yao stared at Madam Liu, her eyes were bright and terrifying, “If he takes this to court, he’ll only expose the scandal in the family. He claims to be a dignified gentleman. Even if he has the Marquis backing him up and isn’t afraid of losing his position, will he let the whole city of people laugh at him for a woman who he already has a taste of?”

Nanny Liu was stunned.

Xie Yao smiled, “Let me tell you, he won’t. Du Yinger thinks she can be the wife of the magistrate after I leave? Today I’m going to make her admit defeat. Not only that, I want her to have a taste of being scorned by her cousin and let her experience her wonderful cousin’s betrayal and ruthlessness. In the end, I’m still the daughter of an official family. And her?”

Xie Yao didn’t say any more.

But Nanny Liu already understood. Her old eyes turned ruthless, “This old slave understands. I will carry it out!”