Chapter 167

“What should we do? If Yan Huaijing was not blind, he would definitely see that you are much better than Fourth Younger Sister. With Fourth Younger Sister’s personality, even if there would be aristocratic young ladies as a part of her dowry, she wouldn’t be able to pick some good ones. She is not as magnanimous and gentle as you. Besides, Eldest Royal Brother likes you the most, doesn’t he?”

“But Fourth Younger Sister is Mother Empress’s own daughter. Mother Empress will definitely make Fourth Younger Sister the bride,” the Third Princess said worriedly.

“So what? Even though Mother Empress thinks that Fourth Younger Sister is perfect, grandfather may not agree. Why don’t we go to grandfather first?” the Fourth Prince nodded and suggested.

The Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Third Princess, and the Fourth Princess’s grandfather were of the same family. While Empress Tu and Zhaoyi Tu were both from the Grand Master Tu’s Mansion, and they were well-known ladies of the Tu family.

“Well… Alright then!” The Third Princess nodded and her eyes lit up.

Compared with the arrogant Fourth Princess, the Third Princess felt that her grandfather loved her more than the Fourth Princess. With the support of her grandfather, even the Empress would have to think twice before doing anything to her.

“What’s going on with Jing Wenyan?” The Third Princess suddenly remembered Jing Wenyan, whom Yan Huaijing had just praised highly, and somehow she felt a little annoyed in her heart.

“She’s just a daughter of some fallen duke. No matter how good she looks, it’s of no use!” The Fourth Prince said nonchalantly, “If you can tolerate her, maybe we can let her stay by your side?”

“No!” The Third Princess categorically refused. Even if she wanted a more advantageous group of young ladies to be a part of her dowry, she would not accept Jing Wenyan.

“Okay, if you don’t want her, then I can keep her in my mansion.” The Fourth Prince knew that the Third Princess would answer like this, so he said the above to her with a smile.

“Fourth Elder Brother, Eldest Royal Brother might have taken a fancy to her as well,” the Third Princess reminded him.

This made the Fourth Prince hesitate and lower his head resentfully. “We’ll see. Even though grandmother likes Jing Wenyan, she may not have any intentions of letting her enter Eldest Royal Brother’s Crown Prince’s Mansion.”

These words were quite meaningful, and for a moment, it quieted down in the carriage. The two of them sat there, brewing their own thoughts.

The Fourth Prince suddenly said after a long while, “How is the matter about Fourth Miss Wei going?”

“Humph, how did a lowly girl like her actually dare to make use of me!” The Third Princess snorted coldly, revealing anger on her face. She was always the one who schemed against others. Who would have thought that one day she would be schemed against by others?

Thinking back to how she had been questioned about her reputation, which she had earned through great efforts, for punishing that servant girl, and the main reason for that was the Wei family’s sisters, the Third Princess felt that they were getting more and more annoying.

“That maid has been sent to Eldest Royal Brother’s mansion, but I heard that she died halfway through. But no matter what, it was done by Wei Qiufu. She can’t slip out of her responsibility in it. Eldest Royal Brother won’t allow such a sinister woman to have the chance to enter the Crown Prince’s Mansion.”

“I really couldn’t tell that a usually gentle and broad-minded person like her would be so sinister. In order to become the Crown Prince’s Consort, she really could do anything. I wonder under what name Eldest Royal Brother would cancel her title as the consort.” The Fourth Prince clicked his tongue.

Even if someone testified, it was impossible for the Crown Prince to punish Wei Qiufu for a crime openly. He had to save some reputation for the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. After all, the Fourth Miss Wei was not the only unmarried young lady in the family.

“How is the preparation for your prayer ceremony going? Consort Mother hopes to settle the matter at the ceremony.”

“There’s more than a month left. Fourth Elder Brother, I’m not sure if I can…”

As they talked about this, the carriage headed straight for Grand Master Tu’s Mansion!

In the mansion of the Duke of Yan, Yan Huaijing stood up and walked out of the guest reception room with his hands behind his back.

The servants all made their ways for him, watching the immortal-like heir-apparent walk into the bamboo forest elegantly at the side. There was a three-storey bamboo tower there, which was Yan Huaijing’s favorite place to go.

In the depths of the bamboo forest, there seemed to be no one, but in fact, defences were set up everywhere.

“Make some trouble for Jing Wenyan. Don’t let her come and pester me so often.” His gentle and elegant voice was filled with ruthlessness and coldness.

Hearing that, the man who appeared from behind him was covered in cold sweat!

The beautiful and charming first beauty had truly provoked his heir-apparent. Looked like the Sixth Miss Wei truly occupied an extraordinary position in the heart of his heir-apparent.

He was really looking forward to the follow-up to this matter. From childhood until now, he had only seen others fall in love with his heir-apparent. He had never seen his heir-apparent fall in love with a girl before! Thinking of this, he felt as if his entire body was filled with excitement.

“Your Heir-apparent, she is the first beauty. Don’t you find it a pity to destroy the beauty by cruel means?” Suddenly, his head guard, Lin Fang, appeared from the forest.

“You like her?” Yan Huaijing was not surprised by his appearance at all. He glanced sideways at him and asked that with a smile.

“No… I don’t like her, I don’t dare!” Lin Fang waved his own hands hurriedly.

“Since you don’t like her, then why bother asking!” Yan Huaijing smiled.

“Yes, I understand!” Lin Fang said that while leaning over like an annoying gossiper. He had grown up with Yan Huaijing since he was young, so he didn’t have much scruples on manners when talking with him. He winked at him and continued with a smile, “What would you do about the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang?”

“Has Marquis Hua Yang arrived at the capital?” Yan Huaijing asked without turning back.

“He’s on his way and should be arriving soon! However, his old injuries from before recurred, so it might take him some time along the journey.” Lin Fang became serious when it came to proper business and reported to Yan Huaijing according to the information he received.

“Don’t take action to Mo Huating for now. Let’s see what he wants to do. An unimportant young master of an aristocratic family like him wants to rebel? I didn’t expect such a person to be left here,” Yan Huaijing said while pacing a few steps with his hands behind his back.

“I really didn’t expect him to have such a powerful family background. And I really couldn’t tell that he was such a buried talent,” Lin Fang said smilingly. This was something that no one had expected, not even his heir-apparent had guessed.

If it weren’t for the matter that the Sixth Miss Wei encountered the robbery and murder, and his heir-apparent asked him to investigate further, they would not discover the truth.

“Let them do the fight. We will only reach out to get what we need.” Yan Huaijing’s voice was cold and murderous.

“Yes, I understand.” Lin Fang also restrained the playful smile on his face and nodded. Then, he hesitantly said, “Wei Luowu’s birthday is coming. He is the Minister of Rites of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, but he is not planning to celebrate it in a high profile way. So he didn’t invite many guests. Your Heir-apparent, are we going to send him a congratulatory gift?”

“Prepare some gifts. Of course, I have to attend the banquet by the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. I believe that I will not be the only one who go there without being invited. I’ve heard that the Lord Minister likes jade utensils,” Yan Huaijing said in a flat tone. The corners of his good-looking lips curled into a charming smile, causing Lin Fang to be speechless. If his heir-apparent’s current expression were to be seen by those young ladies from aristocratic families, they would all be intoxicated again.

However, his heir-apparent had always been cold-hearted and heartless. Even if Jing Wenyan, the first beauty, was in front of him, the beauty’s tender and pitiful appearance would not touch him in the slightest.

He was really looking forward to the Sixth Miss Wei!

The Sixth Miss Wei, Wei Yuewu, whom he was looking forward to, was currently mixed in with the crowd. She was to receive the decree from the Empress with Madam Dowager.

The decree had only just arrived at the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. Madam Dowager gathered all the unmarried young ladies to receive the decree with Wei Luowu. At this time, only Wei Yuejiao, who had just arrived at the mansion, wasn’t present.

The eunuch who was sitting at the high seat was somewhat impatient, and his expression became even colder. He swept his gaze with displeasure towards Madam Dowager who was sitting at the side. He snorted coldly and was about to speak when he heard someone report at the door, “Third Miss is here!”

Everyone raised their heads together, and Wei Yuewu also raised her eyes. When she saw Wei Yuejiao clearly, she couldn’t help but gasp in a cold breath…

The Empress suddenly sent a decree to the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. Everyone in the mansion had their own speculations. Whether it was Wei Qiufu or Wei Yuewu, they both immediately came over after receiving the news.

However, Wei Yuejiao had clearly freshened up again and dressed up. On her head were ornaments made with pearls and jade, and the peal tassels fell down, decorating her cheeks. In the scene where everyone else was with simple hairpins, she looked especially eye-catching.

In Madam Dowager’s eyes flashed with displeasure.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the eunuch stood up and read the empress’ decree. Wei Yuewu and the other sisters knelt behind Madam Dowager and Second Master Wei Luowu and listened to the decree.

“By the empress’ decree: Marquis Hua Yang’s merits are outstanding, and the Wei family’s young ladies are both virtuous and talented. I hereby decree that the four young ladies enter the palace and pray for the country together with the Third Princess…”

The eunuch read the empress’ decree in a high pitch. After finishing that, he helped Madam Dowager up first, and then Wei Luowu and the others stood up.

Wei Yuewu keenly sensed a trace of envy and anger in Wei Luowu’s eyes. So this should be the reason why Wei Luowu wanted to join Mo Huating in the rebellion?

As brothers of the same family, Wei Luowu and his brother were equally outstanding. The title of Minister was even the head of the civil officials. Moreover, her Second Uncle did not rely on the power of the family. He had completely relied on his own strength and gotten the first place in the imperial competitive examination. Step by step, he climbed to his current position. He had a lot of ambition and worked hard, but in the Empress’ decree did not mention anything about him. Was it the Empress’ negligence, or did the empress really not care about Wei Luowu?

“Congratulations, Madam Dowager. The four ladies are fortunate enough to pray for the country together with the Third Princess. Such a blessing has never been given to anyone before.”

The eunuch said to Madam Dowager smilingly.

Nanny Hong was perceptive and gave him a pouch of money immediately. The eunuch shook the pouch in his hand and felt its weight, with the joy blooming on his face.

“Well… They are all accustomed to being rude and ungracious. Can they really do that?” Madam Dowager hesitantly looked at the four young ladies behind her.

She had thought highly of Wei Qiufu, but as the news of what happened in the Plum Blossom Nunnery spread, Madam Dowager, who was involved in the competition among concubines for a long time, was sure that Wei Qiufu had definitely done something dirty. Wei Qiufu was supposed to be selected steadily, but now things had become uncertain. Praying for the country with the princess, the four young ladies all had to stay in the palace and fast for ten days before the prayer ceremony.

The so-called “praying for the country” was actually a coming-of-age ceremony held for a princess who had reached the age of sixteen. When the young ladies of aristocratic families had reached the age of sixteen, they would reach the marriageable age. When a princess of the royal family turned sixteen, she was expected to express her concern about and gratitude to the country. Therefore, the ceremony was called “praying for the country.”

For those princesses who were favored, the ceremony would be grand, and they would invite a few young ladies of aristocratic families to join them. And those who were not favored would just pray for fortune in their own palaces with the help of servants.

Considering how much the Third Princess was favored, the prayer ceremony for her would be held in a big way no matter what.