Chapter 50: Setting a Trap - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 50: Setting a Trap
The Crown Prince had sent several invitations, but they were all declined by Xiao Tingyi citing health reasons. His sudden appearance at the Wei residence today made the Crown Prince somewhat uneasy. However, seeing that Duke Wei's expression didn't show any signs of satisfaction, he couldn't guess whether the two had reached any agreement.
So he tentatively asked, "Uncle, are you here today for the engagement of the Ninth Prince and Miss Wei?"
The decree for the betrothal had been issued and would soon be sent to the Wei residence.
Those present were all already aware of this news, so no one was surprised.
"I've recently acquired a chessboard made of warm jade. I've come to have a look." replied Prince Xiao Tingyi casually.
Not here to offer congratulations, that's good.
The Crown Prince relaxed his worried expression and tried to ingratiate himself, "I've heard that Uncle likes to collect various types of chessboards. My mansion has just received a magnetic chessboard made of meteoric iron which is quite interesting. If Uncle is interested, I can personally deliver it to your residence at a later date. What do you think?"
Again? Yang Zhao, who was accompanying them remained calm on the surface but inwardly scoffed at these royal relatives.
If it weren't for their prince wielding military power, would these so-called nephews and nieces even spare him a glance?
Suppressing his disdain, he followed Xiao Tingyi without making any response.
Xiao Tingyi glanced meaningfully at the Crown Prince and said lightly, "I'm interested."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow. Was that an acceptance or a refusal? He couldn't judge for the moment. However, the Ninth Prince, who disliked such hypocritical scenes, interrupted.
"Grandfather, I heard that there's plenty of fine wine stored in the mansion. I came today to taste it, especially the Drunken Soul wine. I've heard of it but never had the chance to taste it."
Changing the subject, the Crown Prince didn't pursue further questioning.
The Sixth Prince was always conciliatory. As a prince without much power from his mother's family and not favored by the emperor, he naturally had to go along with what was said.
"I've heard that there are only ten barrels of Drunken Soul wine in existence. It was brewed by the wine sage Du Zhuo from the former dynasty. If I can taste it today, it would be my good fortune."
His tone was as gentle as a breeze, which eased the tension in the atmosphere.
Wei Lanxuan was startled to see her grandfather bring the Prince to the pavilion. She felt somewhat nervous.
A few days ago, her grandfather had a long conversation with her.
Both the Wen and Liang families were now under the influence of the Duke of Wei. Naturally, their daughters would also be married to enhance the power of the Ninth Prince's faction.
So today, the two girls were dressed in a grand manner, and among the guests invited were their prospective marriage partners.
But suddenly, her grandfather had invited this person. Could it be that he wanted to divert the attention of Wen Yuwei or Liang Luo onto him?
Thinking of this, Wei Lanxuan said, "Excuse me, Uncle and Your Highnesses, please wait a moment. I'll go fetch the wine."
After speaking, she exchanged a glance with Duke Wei, nodded and then bowed before leaving the pavilion.
Wen Yuwei didn't expect to see the Prince here on such an occasion. She felt excited and a little shy.
Even though he was not destined to live long, she didn't care. She was just a pawn for political marriage. Since she had to marry, why not marry someone with power and status?
Thinking that Wei Lanxuan and others were so respectful to him, if she could become the Prince's consort, she might become the focus of attention in the future, and others might even flatter her.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt relieved. Looking at the Prince, her eyes were filled with fiery passion.
Not long after leaving the pavilion, Wei Lanxuan's maid, Yue Jian, looked around to make sure no one was there and whispered in her ear.
"Liang Gongzi has been sent back to his room. Miss, there's no need to worry."
Worry? Wei Lanxuan smiled bitterly. With what identity could they worry about each other?
One was soon to be the son-in-law of the Xu family and the other was a pawn for marriage into the royal family. Any affection they had could only be buried deep in their hearts, becoming bitter memories of the past.
"The decree for the betrothal will be sent soon. In the future, I and he will have our own paths to follow. Let bygones be bygones. Don't mention it again. And you, be careful not to give anyone a handle."
"I understand." Yue Jian replied.
Yue Jian understood the feelings between the two, but she also knew that this affection could not see the light of day. Otherwise, she, as the messenger passing on their messages, would be the first to suffer. So she kept her mouth shut and didn't say a word.
The two master and servant walked towards the pavilion. Just as they passed by a fake mountain, they saw Bai Sihan's figure sneaking around and hurriedly heading towards the Mu Feng Pavilion.
Feeling somewhat suspicious, Wei Lanxuan wondered why this servant girl was behaving so conspicuously. Was she trying to climb up the social ladder by cozying up to her? Wei Lanxuan wanted to see which young master of the mansion she was trying to win over this time!
So she signaled to Yue Jian to slow down and the two silently followed.
In the Mu Feng Pavilion, there was indeed a tall man standing.
Dressed in a water-green long robe and a silver-gray cloak, he looked elegant and refined.
Bai Sihan saw his figure and felt secretly delighted. Surely Young Master Wen was interested in her too, otherwise, why would they have just parted ways and now someone secretly summoned her to meet him? He must have taken a liking to her!
Filled with joy, she didn't realize that the person wasn't Wen Mengsheng but should have been resting in his room—Liang Gongzi.
The two men had similar figures and the cloaks they were wearing today were of similar colors. Bai Sihan didn't notice it clearly but Yue Jian did.
She exclaimed softly, "Miss, it's Liang Gongzi!"
"What! How could he be here!"
Yue Jian was surprised, but she didn't know why.
Wei Lanxuan was burning with anger. Without figuring out the reason, she immediately accused the two of secretly meeting and passing things between them.
That Liang Gongzi had acted so bitter at the banquet, making her heart ache. She even felt that life was unfair. Why did they have to marry others by mistake? She didn't expect it to be Prince Xiao Tingyi's idea and not Wen Mengsheng's at all!
Ignoring them, these two people met secretly behind the scenes!
Could it be a case of 'openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang'? Did they want to find pleasure elsewhere since they had no chance here?
The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't let it go. Holding up her skirt, she hurried towards the Mu Feng Pavilion with a hint of catching the adulterers in her demeanor.
But unexpectedly, she accidentally stepped on dry twigs and leaves on the ground. Her foot slipped, and with a splash, she fell into the nearby pond, pulling Yue Jian in with her.
"Help! Help!"
Both of them couldn't swim and their thick winter clothes made it difficult for them to struggle in the water.
In the Mu Feng Pavilion, Liang Gongzi's expression was gloomy. The thought of the woman he admired about to become someone else's wife filled him with unbearable pain.
He had mentioned to his father that he wanted to cancel the marriage with the Xu family. But before he could give his reasons, his father shouted at him and even put him under house arrest for half a month.
His father kept mentioning his deceased mother, as if she couldn't rest in peace if he didn't marry into the Xu family.
