Chapter 87

This time, Zhao Jie had come here to see Duke Ying because of the engagement between Wei Luo and Count Zhong Yi’s grandson.

An hour ago, he and Duke Ying were sitting inside a room and seemingly playing xiangqi (Note: Chinese chess). In actuality, they were discussing business matters.

Zhao Jie took out a black chess piece from the chess box and put it in the center of the chessboard. His phoenix eyes were controlled and his bearing was calm. He slowly said, “Not long ago, this prince received some news. Presumably, Duke Ying also already knows.”

Duke Ying Wei Zhang Chun nodded, then he closely followed behind by placing down a white chess piece. “Yes, I heard the news before Your Highness came back to the capital. How are Your Highness’s injuries? Are they a significance hindrance?”

For Prince Jing to be wounded, it wasn’t a trifling matter. In addition, since Zhao Jie didn’t try to conceal this news, everyone in the capital knew that Zhao Jie had been seriously injured on the way back to the capital by the next day. Duke Ying had originally intended to go to Prince Jing’s residence to see how he was doing. However, if Emperor Chong Zhen learned about this visit, he would become suspicious. So after thinking about it, he didn’t have any alternatives and could only drop the idea of visiting.

The two of them didn’t meet until today. Zhao Jie paid a visit to Duke Ying under the excuse of “coincidentally passing by and comparing notes on chess skills”.

Zhao Jie wasn’t hampered or anxious. He played around with a black chess piece by twisting it in his hand. A long time later, he finally said, “Does Duke Ying know who wanted to take this prince’s life.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Wei Zhang Chun had previously thought about this question. Now that Zhao Jie was asking him, he pondered for a moment and said, “Could it be related to the sixth prince?”

At this juncture, the only person that would attack Zhao Jie was sixth prince Zhao Zhang. This time, when Zhao Jie went to Shanxi for the disaster relief, he had performed this assignment wonderfully. Emperor Chong Zhen would definitely praise him and bestow a reward. This result was undoubtedly dangerous to Zhao Zhang. Zhao Zhang harbored bad thoughts, so it wasn’t impossible that he would take this opportunity to move against Zhao Jie.

Zhao Jie chuckled and didn’t express an opinion. He put down the chess piece and said, “It is indeed related to him. Although old sixth’s name was used, other people were behind this attack.”

Zhao Jie understood Zhao Zhang too well. Zhao Zhang was small-minded. Unless, he was forced to a path of no retreat, he wouldn’t be this impulsive and do something that would be easily found out. Mostly likely, he didn’t order this and was only a spectator.

Wei Zhang Chun took off the cover on the teacup with a blue chrysanthemum petal design, drank a mouthful of tea, and asked, “Who is the prince referring to?”

He smiled and calmly said, “Prince Ru Yang Li Zhi Liang.”

Prince Ru Yang was an impulsive person with a straightforward mind. To say it more harshly, he was a person that only had a matured body. His mind was simple. He must have heard that Li Song’s broken wrist was related to Zhao Jie. Harboring resentment, he looked for an opportunity to avenge his son. Unfortunately, he didn’t succeed. There were too many gaps in his plan. Zhao Jie had sent people to secretly investigate him and knew that he was definitely involved with this matter.

He had thought thirty to fifty people would be able to take Zhao Jie’s life. He had underestimated Zhao Jie too much.

Hearing this, Wei Zhang Chun suddenly realized the truth. Instead of showing panic and fear, he bluntly asked, “How will the prince deal with him?”

Zhao Jie supported his chin with one hand and the other hand unhurriedly whirled around the teacup with a blue chrysanthemum petal design. His phoenix eyes were deep and his lips curved up into a smile, “I already executed the overall plan. To help this prince, Duke Ying only needs to step forward when the time comes…” He picked up a black chess piece and put it down to block off the white pieces’ escape route. “And old sixth’s chess piece will become useless.”

Duke Ying’s countenance was solemn, “On the basis of the prince’s orders, this official will definitely do my best to help.”

After finishing their discussion of official business, Zhao Jie played a game of chess with Duke Ying. When the final chess piece was placed down, he casually asked, “If this prince didn’t remember incorrectly, your family’s fourth miss has an engagement with someone from Count Zhong Yi’s family?”

Duke Ying nodded. He didn’t conceal anything. “My granddaughter Ah Luo was engaged to Song Hui when her mother was pregnant. Now, they’ve both grown up. Presumably, they’ll be getting married soon.”

Zhao Jie’s emotions couldn’t be seen on his face. He didn’t reply for a moment.

Wei Zhang Chun thought he was only casually asking and was about to move onto another topic. Unexpectedly, in an icy tone, Zhao Jie said, “Duke Ying is probably clearer about the relationship between Count Zhong Yi and Zhao Zhang than this prince. If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?* Has Duke Ying thought about what would happen to Fourth Miss after she gets married to Song Hui?”

* (Note: Idiom that means if something’s basis for survival is gone, then it can’t continue to exist.)

Wei Zhang Chun showed a startled expression.

Zhao Jie looked down and coincidentally saw the faint scar on his wrist. Too much time had passed. It had long faded from the original vivid mark, but it still didn’t completely disappear. “Ah Luo is an intelligent and clever girl. On behalf of her close relationship with my younger sister, this prince had said a few extra words and hopes that Duke Ying will carefully reconsider this marriage.”

Wei Zhang Chun’s expression froze. He had to admit there was a logic to Zhao Jie’s words, especially the words “If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?”.

Duke Ying loved Wei Luo dearly. He naturally didn’t want to put her in a difficult position between the two families and have to live in an abyss of suffering. But, if he really wanted to cancel the engagement, it wasn’t easy. Duke Ying said, “The prince’s words are logical, but this engagement has already existed for so long. If we suddenly break our promise, other people will think this family doesn’t keep their words…”

Zhao Jie’s finger touched the chess box and his lips slowly showed a trace of a smile, “Duke Ying has misunderstood this prince’s intentions. This prince has only asked you to reconsider and hasn’t asked you to cancel the engagement. It wouldn’t be impossible to have Count Zhong Yi’s family break the promise.”

Count Zhong Yi’s family was gradually declining. Each day was worse than the day before. If they didn’t have Noble Consort Ning and Zhao Zhang supporting them, no one would care enough to ask about them. Fortunately, in this generation they had Song Hui who had scored second place in the court examination. If his official career went smoothly, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to bring honor to his family. Song Hui had feelings for Wei Luo. To have him willingly cancel the engagement, it wouldn’t be easy… Then, he could only take an alternative route by targeting his parents.

Zhao Jie already had a plan for canceling the engagement, but he didn’t mention this to Duke Ying. He stood up, pushed open the doors, walked outside, and said, “Before this prince left the palace, Liuli asked this prince to pass on a message to Fourth Miss. Where would she usually be at this time?”

Wei Zhang Chun followed him out and said, “Prince, wait here. I’ll have the servants bring Ah Luo here.”

Zhao Jie paused, then he said, “No need. I’ll personally go over there.”

This was how he came to see the scene in front of him.

Zhao Jie’s eyebrows were stormy and the air became chilly. A bottomless pair of dark eyes stared at Song Hui. Without saying anything, the pressure used to hold Song Hui’s hand involuntarily increased.

Duke Ying came forward, furrowed his eyebrows, and asked, “What happened? Ah Luo, what did you say to House Song’s heir?”

From behind, he could only see that the two people had been standing very close. Song Hui was tightly holding Wei Luo’s hand and Wei Luo couldn’t break free. It seemed that something had happened between them. When Zhao Jie stepped forward to stop them, Duke Ying didn’t notice anything was strange. Instead, he felt somewhat grateful.

Song Hui directly looked at Zhao Jie, then he looked at Wei Luo who was behind him. The desolate and injured feeling he had in his eyes disappeared in flash. He immediately lowered his head, let go of Wei Luo’s hand, retreated two steps, saluted Duke Ying, and sincerely said, “This younger generation has acted rudely towards younger sister Ah Luo. Please forgive me Duke Ying.”

Song Hui had always been seen as a young man who had a sense of propriety and rarely acted rashly like today. Duke Ying was slightly displeased, but he didn’t say anything to make it difficult for from. He only quietly said, “Although you’re engaged to Ah Luo, you still shouldn’t be too close to her. Don’t display this type of behavior again.”

Song Hui didn’t explain what had happened. Instead, he showed an apologetic attitude and said, “Yes, Song Hui will obey your edification.”

Duke Ying grudgingly nodded and looked at Zhao Jie, “What message did Prince Jing want to pass along to Ah Luo?”

Zhao Jie turned around and walked a few steps away from Wei Luo to give a proper appearance. Perhaps, the anger in his heart wasn’t quelled yet, so his voice was slightly cold as he said, “Next month, Liuli will leave the capital to go to Zi Yu Manor for a summer holiday. She especially invites Fourth Miss to go there with her.”

Wei Luo stood in place and considered. If Liuli wanted to go to a villa for a summer holiday, why was Zhao Jie the one telling her? However, this wasn’t the appropriate place to say these thoughts out loud. He wasn’t giving her a chance to refuse. After thinking it over, she said, “I’ll have to inconvenience older brother Prince Jing to tell her that I’ll go there with her when the time comes.”

Zhao Jie looked at her. He used have a smile in his eyes whenever he looked at her, but right now, there wasn’t the slightest trace of a smile in his eyes. After she thought about it, it was to be expected. He was injured and she didn’t visit him even once. His heart probably felt very bad?

But, she didn’t have any other options. Who told them to have a relationship that couldn’t be shown to others?

Zhao Jie looked away from her and quietly said, “If Fourth Miss agrees, then personally go to the palace now. Liuli has other words she wants to say to you.”

Wei Luo’s thought were sluggish as she said, “Go now?”

He looked down and said, “Yes, there’s a palace carriage outside the residence. Liuli has specially asked this prince to personally bring you to the palace.”

Wei Luo, “…”

Was this really Liuli’s idea? Or, was this his idea?

Wei Luo knew that she couldn’t refuse. She pursed her lips, nodded, and said, “Since it’s like that, older brother Prince Jing, wait a bit for me. I’ll come right back after changing my clothes.”

Because the temperature was too hot, she was currently wearing casual clothing. She was only wearing a thin, almost transparent short-sleeve top inside her outer robe. It was okay to wear this at home, but it wouldn’t be good to wear this outside. Who would have expected that after glancing at her, Zhao Jie would open his thin lips to offer his opinion, “No need to change. Just go like this.” His gaze lowered and he looked at her pomegranate skirt and shoes embroidered with golden begonia flowers. His tone was very meaningful as he said, “Liuli won’t mind.”

There was a serene and hidden emotion in his eyes. Wei Luo subconsciously took a step back and wanted to hide her shoes so that he couldn’t look, “Oh… Okay.”

In that case, she could only go the palace.

Duke Ying started to respectfully walk Prince Jing out of the residence. Wei Luo hesitated for a moment, then she followed along with Jin Lu and Bai Lan. When Wei Luo passed by Song Hui, she paused for a moment before continuing to straightforwardly walk away.

She was truly a cruel little girl. When she decided to draw a boundary, she wouldn’t even leave behind anything for delusions.

Song Hui slowly turned around and watched Wei Luo’s back as she walked further and further away. Her recent words hovered around his ears. It was impossible to get rid of them

She really wanted to end their engagement?

She was a little girl that he had watch grown up. He wanted to put her into the innermost center of his heart. Countless times, he had thought of ways to treat her well after they got married. He would care for her and love her. Nothing would come between them. Before, he wasn’t able to see her enough. After they were married, he could close the doors and properly look at her until he was satisfied. Unfortunately… she wouldn’t give him the opportunity.

——-

At Duke Ying’s residence’s entrance, a vermillion-lacquered, flat-roofed carriage slowly drove away in the direction of the palace.

Fifteen minutes later, the carriage suddenly stopped on the road.

Inside the carriage, Wei Luo’s mind cried out.

In the next moment, the deep black cloth curtain with golden embroidery was lifted from the outside. Zhao Jie’s navy blue robe with a python pattern appeared in her sight. She couldn’t help clenching her small fist. “Older brother Prince Jing…”

Zhao Jie’s gaze swept past her and towards Jin Lu and Bai Lan. He said, “Leave. This prince has words to say to your Miss.”

Jin Lu and Bai Lan’s faces showed their hesitation. If they left, only their Miss and Prince Jing would be inside the carriage. Prince Jing wouldn’t do anything to their Miss, right?

Wei Luo thought for a moment, then she said, “You can leave. I have some words to say to older brother Prince Jing. If anything happens, I’ll call you inside.”

Hearing these words, Jin Lu and Bai Lan left the carriage.

Zhao Jie bent down and went inside the carriage. Originally, the carriage wasn’t narrow. She didn’t why, but after he came inside, the carriage felt especially crowded. Perhaps, it was because his tall and straight body was right in front of her and made her feel an indescribable sense of oppression.

“Prince Jing…”

Before she could finish her words, the carriage’s curtain fell down and blocked the light from outside. The inside of the carriage instantly became dimmer.

Zhao Jie leaned over so that she was between him and the carriage wall. One hand was against the wall and the other hand was holding her little face. He held her mouth between his lips and stopped her words.