Chapter 49

The woman was standing underneath a plum tree in the painting. Her calm and beautiful figure was wearing a crimson cloak with golden embroidery and a peony pattern. The white snow was boundless behind her. She was standing on her tiptoes to gently smell the plum flowers and only the side of her beautiful smiling face was shown. That face was very similar to Wei Luo’s. The nose and mouth shapes were more or less the same. The only difference was that she was gentle and refined and Wei Luo was lively and deviously intelligent.

Wei Luo realized who this woman was in a split second. And it was exactly because of this that she became angry.

He readily arranged an engagement for Chang Hong and punished Chang Hong with kneeling in the ancestral hall just because Chang Hong didn’t agree, while he was here fondly reflecting past memories and looking at Jiang Miao Lan’s portrait. What was his meaning? It couldn’t be that Chang Hong’s marriage was Jiang Miao Lan’s last wish?

Wei Kun became aware of her presence. After his moment of surprise, he didn’t forget to roll up the painting so that she couldn’t look at it. “Ah Luo, why did you come here? Why didn’t you say anything when you came inside?”

Unfortunately, she had already seen everything that she should.

Wei Luo stayed a few steps away from him. She pursed her lips and stared at him. After a while, she finally said, “I heard that daddy wanted to arrange an engagement for Chang Hong and that the other person is Prince Ru Yang’s daughter, Li Xiang?”

Wei Kun tied up the painting with red silk and settled himself before saying, “Exactly. After I have carefully deliberated that since House Li’s Miss and Chang Hong’s age are similar and our families are well matched in social status, I wanted to arrange the engagement now. It won’t be too late for them to marry in another two years.

Wei Luo didn’t say anything.

He added, “Did Chang Hong say this to you? That’s perfect. Help me persuade him to not be so persistent in his own views… “

“Daddy!” Wei Luo interrupted his words with a rarely heard harsh voice. “Did you forget that time when Li Song pushed Chang Hong into the lake? From that time onwards, Duke Ying’s family had enmity towards Prince Ru Yang’s family. Do you think that if Chang Hong marries Li Xiang, the two families will shake hands and dispel their former hostility?

Wei Kun had been choked off by her words. He wanted to refute, but he also had difficult to accept pain from being punctured in his heart.

The reason that Prince Ru Yang suggested this engagement was indeed this reason. During the past several years, Duke Ying’s family had supported and served Prince Jing. Zhao Jie had also gained a lot of prestige in the imperial court. It wouldn’t be much longer until Emperor Chong Zhen abdicated. When this happened, the country would be Zhao Jie’s. Prince Ru Yang had already seen that this wouldn’t be good for him and wanted to find an escape route for himself. He wanted to marry his daughter in Duke Ying’s family so that at least he could preserve his daughter’s life and possibly save himself.

As for why Wei Kun agreed, he owed Princess Gao Yang Zhang* a debt of gratitude.

* (Note: She’s Prince Ru Yang’s wife, Li Song and Li Xiang’s mother, and the emperor’s sister.)

Princess Gao Yang Zhang had read his essays, greatly admired his literary talent, and had wanted to be friends with him. At that time, he already had feelings of love towards Jiang Miao Lan, so he had tactfully declined the princess’s patronage. Later on, when he wanted to marry Jiang Miao Lan and Duke Ying and his wife wouldn’t agree, Princess Gao Yang Zhang had come forward to persuade his parents and this was why they relented.

If he had Chang Hong marrying Li Xiang now, it would be considered returning her kind favor.

He said with a straight face, “What nonsense. How could you speak to your daddy like this? Would daddy harm Chang Hong? What’s so wrong with House Li’s Miss that both of you are in a rush to reject her?”

Naturally, Wei Luo couldn’t mention the things that had happened in her previous life. She clenched her fist and slowly said, “Li Xiang’s older brother acted improperly towards me during Spring Lantern Festival. As a daughter of a family that brings up their children with that type of moral conduct, Li Xiang would naturally not be very good either.”

Wei Kun’s face changed and he immediately slapped the table. He loved his daughter dearly after all. “Is this really true?”

Wei Luo expressionlessly nodded.

To stop Chang Hong’s engagement, why wouldn’t she use Li Song as an excuse? Besides, her words weren’t completely false. Although there were many people that day, it wouldn’t have been impossible for him to avoid touching her. Instead, he didn’t move the slightest bit and closely stuck to her. It was clearly intentional. Also, she wasn’t afraid of damaging her reputation. Wei Kun loved her dearly and wouldn’t mention this to anyone else. As long as he gave up on his idea of becoming a family through marriage with House Li, it wasn’t a big deal to let him misunderstand.

As expected, Wei Kun stood up from his rosewood chair with a serious expression and seemed as if he was contemplating.

Wei Luo thought about it and then she said, “Chang Hong hasn’t even seen Li Xiang’s face. It would be too careless and hasty to arrange their engagement this way. There’ll be a hunting ceremony soon. Fifth prince had invited Chang Hong to go with him and Li Xiang will probably go there with Li Song. It wouldn’t be too late to decide after they meet each other and see if they get along with each other first.”

As she said the following words, her eyes showed sorrow, “Why is daddy in a rush over this? I’m the same age as Chang Hong. If you’re in a rush to arrange his marriage, are you also planning on marrying me out soon too? What have we done to make you dissatisfied with us?”

A daughter wasn’t the same as a son. A daughter should be pampered and spoiled. Wei Kun had always loved Wei Luo more dearly than Chang Hong. Seeing her feeling hurt, he immediately mollified his expression, “When have I ever said such a thing? Even if I arrange an engagement for Wei Chang Hong now, a few years still have to pass before they marry…” As he said this, he sighed.

He somewhat helplessly continued, “Fine, we’ll do what you said. I’ll make the final decision after the hunting ceremony. At that time, you two will have to tell me what’s wrong with Li Xiang in detail.”

Wei Luo responded in agreement. Before she left, she secretly glanced at the painting near his hand. Her eyes flashed with preoccupation of her thoughts. Soon after, she turned around and left the study.

The edges of that painting had already turned yellow and were breaking down. Did he often take it out to look at it? That woman had abandoned him a long time ago. Why did he still keep that painting?

Wei Luo went to the ancestral hall after she left the study.

She told Chang Hong what had happened. Chang Hong could only nod and agree to go to the hunting ceremony.

Wei Luo reassured him, “You only need behave like your normal self. Don’t pay attention to Li Xiang no matter what she does.”

As for Li Xiang, she had too many weak points that Wei Luo could use against her. In her previous life, it was only because she wasn’t at Duke Ying’s residence and couldn’t do anything to Li Xiang. In this lifetime, Wei Luo only needed to use a little bit of energy to expose Li Xiang’s true nature in front of everyone. At that time, she wouldn’t even need to say anything and Wei Kun would refuse this arranged marriage.

And so, she still had to go to hunting ceremony even though she didn’t want to attend.

——–

There were still four or five more days until the hunting ceremony.

Early in the morning, Wei Luo was sitting on the couch in the southern side of the room and reading “Fan Yan Yi Shu” while absent-mindedly think about what had happened yesterday.

(Note:”Fan Yan Yi Shu” is a very arduous philosophical book.)

A servant girl came inside and said, “Miss, someone from the place has invited you.”

Wei Luo put down her book and looked at her, “Who is it?”

The servant girl fidgeted her hands and uneasily said, “It seems that its Princess Tianji’s servant.”

She was very surprised. Was Zhao Liuli looking for her because she had an urgent matter? But, why didn’t she mention this in advance? She thought that Liuli had invited her to enter the palace, so she changed into a cherry blossom colored outfit that was embroidered with peony flower pattern and walked outside.

When she arrived at the entrance to Duke Ying’s residence, there was indeed a carriage with a domed umbrella-like roof and eight treasures design.

In front of the carriage, there were two mamas dressed in simple clothing. There usually wasn’t such a grand gesture when she went to the palace. She couldn’t avoid feeling more alert and sensitive. She stepped on the pedal to enter the carriage.

Just as she held the golden embroidered curtain open, she heard an excited voice from inside, “Ah Luo, come inside quickly.”

(Note: In all fairness, parents decided marriage in ancient times. But, I still feel so satisfied when Ah Luo silently calls out Wei Kun’s hypocritical actions. How does he not see how hypocritical his actions are in forcing his son to marry someone he doesn’t like when the very favor he’s trying to return is that he got to marry the person he liked?)

Zhao Liuli was sitting inside the carriage. She had replaced her luxurious clothing with the clothing that a girl from an ordinary family would wear and had her hair in a simple bun. She was wearing a white silk jacket, a yellow goose skirt, and an ink-colored cloak. Although her clothes were simple, the aura around her was the same.

Still surprised, Wei Luo sat down next to her. She incredulously asked, “Why are you here? Did the empress allow you to leave the palace?”

She happily nodded as if she were a canary that had just been let out of her cage, “Big brother saw that I was bored of being shut inside the palace every day and felt that I was too pitiful, so he pleaded with imperial mother for me and also said that he would order guards to protect me the entire way. Imperial mother finally reluctantly agreed.”

She was in high spirits and raised a finger as she said, “I can only leave the palace for one day. I heard that “Male Phoenix Seeking Female Phoenix” was being performed outside the palace. Let go there together to listen okay?”

This was the first time she left the palace. It would be a novel experience no matter what she saw. She didn’t know what was outside; much less what was the new thing to do. She often listened to musicals inside the palace, so she wanted to see the differences between musicals that were held inside and outside the palace. This was why she wanted to go with Wei Luo to listen to the musical.

Wei Luo nodded her head to show her agreement.

——–

The carriage traveled through the capital. After it passed several streets, it finally stopped at Rong Chun Fang’s entrance.

Rong Chun Fang was a place dedicated to listening to musicals. The first floor was the lobby and had several dozen chairs for the audience. The second floor consisted of private rooms used by high officials and the nobility. While listening to the musicals, they would be able to order pots of fragrant tea and a few plates of snacks. The second floor was also more peaceful and stylish than the first floor.

Zhao Liuli seemed as if she had reserved the room in advance. She followed the mama up the stairs to an elegant room, pushed open the sliding door, and smilingly said, “Older brother, we’re here.”

Wei Luo had followed behind her. She froze for a moment when she heard Liuli’s words and discovered there was already a person sitting in the private room.

Zhao Jie was sitting behind a small red sandalwood table carved with clouds. He was wearing a dark black robe with stylized lotuses pattern. He had been calmly pouring tea into white glazed teacups decorated with azaleas. Hearing Liuli’s words, he put down the porcelain teapot and looked up to see Wei Luo in the back. His lips curled up and he said, “Sit down.”

Wei Luo sat down near Zhao Liuli. When Zhao Liuli had said she wanted to come here to listen to “Male Phoenix Seeking Female Phoenix”, she thought it would only be the two of them. She didn’t expect that Zhao Jie would also be here.

Why didn’t Liuli mention that Zhao Jie would be here?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

While she was looking down, a teacup suddenly appeared before her. Zhao Jie had pushed the white glazed teacup in front of her. He propped up his chin and said, “Liuli wanted to leave the palace. Imperial mother would only agree if this prince personally accompanied Liuli. And Liuli couldn’t bear to come here without you. So halfway here, she changed directions to go to Duke Ying’s residence to invite you to come here. This prince came here to wait first.”

His explanation was reasonable. Wei Luo felt relieved. She looked up with a smile and said, “Since Liuli invited me, how could I not come? Thank you older brother Prince Jing for the tea.”

Zhao Jie curved his lips and didn’t continue the conversation.

The music soon started on the stage. The heavy curtains were opened and “Male Phoenix Seeking Female Phoenix” started. Zhao Liuli held both of her cheeks and steadily stared at the actors on the stage with keen interest. Everyone was listening to the musical, but Wei Luo was lost in her thoughts and looking down. First, she didn’t really like listening to musicals. Second, she was thinking about Chang Hong’s marriage. The hunting ceremony would begin soon. How could she have Chang Hong reject this marriage in a logical manner?

She didn’t listen to what was being sung on the stage. Her pink lips were pursed. She lowered her head to drink a sip of tea. The light taste of the tea caused people to feel carefree and relaxed when they drank it. As she continued drinking, she continued thinking.

Zhao Jie stared at her. There seemed to be something wrong with her today. He didn’t know what she was thinking about. He couldn’t tell even after looking at her for a while.

What was she thinking about? Or, whom was she thinking about?

A touch of darkness flashed through Zhao Jie’s eyes and quickly disappeared unseen.

Zhao Liuli still wished to continue after the play finished. She and Wei Luo walked out of Rong Chun Fang’s entrance together. Seeing that a stall ahead of them was selling fried sweet rice dumplings, her eyes immediately brightened. Since the time that Wei Luo mentioned this item, she had been constantly thinking about it. She hadn’t expected that there would be people selling this snack after Spring Lantern Festival. She hopefully looked at Zhao Jie, who was behind then, and pointed to the front, “Older brother, I want to eat that…”

Zhao Jie looked in that direction and quietly said, “You can go. Have Yang Zhen go with you.”

She happily nodded. She pulled Yang Zhen, who was at their side, to walk over there.

Wei Luo stood in place and waited for them.

Zhao Jie stared at her and slowly called out, “Ah Luo.”

She tilted her head to look at him.

Zhao Jie’s dark eyes were calm and gentle. As he was about to open his mouth, he heard a person call him, “Older cousin Jing?”

He looked back and saw that Gao Dan Yang was only a few steps away. She was wearing a green crepe jacket and a white silk skirt. She had also come here to listen to musicals with her younger sister, Gao Qing Yang. She saw Zhao Jie’s back, but she wasn’t sure if it was him, so she had called out. After Zhao Jie had turned around, her bright eyes had curved in a smile.

Her delicate and pretty face showed a surprised smile, “It’s really you. I didn’t expect that older cousin Jing would also come here to listen to musicals. I heard from father that you had returned from Binzhou, but I didn’t have any opportunities to meet you since your return.” After she said this, she paused and looked behind him, “Whom did you come here with? I seemed to have seen Liuli a few moments ago. Where did she go?”

Zhao Jie’s eyebrows furrowed. He followed her gaze and looked behind himself.

There wasn’t anyone behind him. Wei Luo had already disappeared.