Chapter 098: The Young Master

Jiang Xuening left.

Before leaving, she didn’t forget to turn back and take the pouch Xie Wei had placed on the table.

Lu Xian stood outside, rubbing his chin and pondering for a long time before walking in. “Oh my, why is there a temper tantrum now?”

Xie Wei sat at the table, closing his eyes. Only then did the world’s clamor completely retreat from his mind.

Enough had happened today.

Lu Xian had been in the residence since the morning, listening to the commotion next door, so how could he not know what had happened? Although he had no connection with the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, he could sympathize and sigh, but he could also view the matter very calmly—

A matter that was advantageous to them.

To some extent, he hoped Xie Wei would be as calm as he was, but he didn’t dare say it out loud.

Xie Wei didn’t speak for a long time.

Lu Xian pondered, unsure how to start.

After a while, Xie Wei called out, “Dao Qin.”

From a dark corner outside, Dao Qin silently walked in, looking at Xie Wei. “Sir?”

Xie Wei’s gaze was extremely calm. “Find out where Gongyi Cheng is and invite him to the residence for a discussion.”

Invite Gongyi Cheng?!

Lu Xian suddenly felt nervous, sensing a strange danger in Xie Wei’s words. He couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you and he always minding your own business?”

Xie Wei ignored him, paused, and then said, “Afterward, find Dingfei as well.”

Now it was Dao Qin’s turn to be surprised.

Xie Wei sat motionless, his thoughts unknown, only saying, “It’s time to use him.”

*

In the pleasure quarters, the most famous place in the capital was Zui Le Fang. At night, it was a place of dazzling lights, clinking glasses, and the sound of silk and bamboo, a paradise of indulgence and a money pit.

But it was now midday.

The streets, quiet after the snowfall, occasionally saw servants and maids running errands for the girls, hurrying with umbrellas, leaving a trail of footprints, and knocking on the back doors of various brothels.

In the room of Hongjian, a girl at Zui Le Fang, a thick mink fur covered a soft couch, and the pink gauze curtains were fragrant and softly draped to the ground. Two exquisite robes were scattered on the rosewood footstool.

A long sword, still in its scabbard, was slanted in a painting cylinder.

Outside, a maid spilled tea while serving, provoking the sharp scolding of the madam, finally waking the person lazily sleeping on the soft couch.

A strong, muscular arm emerged from the warm brocade quilt, and the man lying lazily on the soft couch slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of charming, amorous peach blossom eyes, with a hint of roguish charm in his gaze.

He stared at the daylight streaming in through the window for a long time.

Hongjian, the girl beside him, had already woken up and was now snuggling against him, gently laughing, “You sleep well, young master.”

The leading lady of Zui Le Fang, Hongjian, was exceptionally beautiful. At this moment, she lay bare by his side, her soft, inviting form brushing lightly against him, stirring a quiet ripple in his heart.

The man withdrew his gaze to look at her, and soon they were entwined again in a passionate embrace.

Their indulgence in physical pleasure was unabashed, a complete surrender to the senses.

Not until Hongjian, overwhelmed and trembling, began sobbing softly, did he finally relent. As he lay back, sweat trickled down his face, dampening his prominent Adam’s apple, accompanied by a low, teasing sigh.

When it was over, he took a moment to catch his breath, then rose from the soft couch, picking up the scattered clothes at the footrest and dressing himself.

At this point, it became apparent how tall and well-built the young man was. The muscles of his arms and torso were defined, exuding strength. Tightening the leather belt around his waist gave him an air of vitality, and his disheveled chest, exposed beneath his half-fastened shirt, glistened with sweat, enough to make anyone blush.

Hongjian, her body soft and languid, propped herself up with one arm to glance at the generous patron of the previous night. Feeling a pang of reluctance, she asked, slightly sourly, “Won’t you stay a few more days, my lord?”

The young man shook out his outer robe, his expression brimming with nonchalance and charm.

He glanced back at her. “Stay too long in the capital, in the same place, and trouble’s bound to come knocking.”

Hongjian was puzzled. “Did you commit a crime or kill someone?”

The young man chuckled, draping the robe over his shoulders. The dark blue fabric bore snow-white ink-splash patterns, giving him an air of unrestrained elegance. “Not yet. What, reluctant to part with me?”

Hongjian pouted playfully. “They say courtesans are heartless, but in truth, it’s men like you who are the most heartless—leaving after sharing a bed.”

He tied up his hair with an ivory hairpin but then walked back toward the soft couch.

The pink gauze curtains fluttered as he lifted them gently, their soft folds swirling in the air.

A stray fold of gauze caught the wind and fell across Hongjian’s face. He leaned down, kissing her moist, fragrant lips through the hazy fabric with a devilish smile. “If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I’ve gone to ‘Ten-Year Brew’ in the eastern part of the city to drink. Understand?”

With that, he turned, taking the sword from the painted cylinder nearby. Instead of using the door, he pushed the window open and leaped out.

Outside, snow blanketed the world in endless white.

As the window opened, a gust of cold wind rushed in, swirling through the room.

Through the layer of pink gauze, Hongjian’s gaze lingered. Despite being accustomed to the dealings of the pleasure quarters, she couldn’t help but gently brush her lips with her fingertips, her heart still fluttering from that fleeting kiss. Even though he had left, she continued staring dazedly at the window, lost in thought.

---

Jiang Xuening had arrived with Zhou Baoying, but upon returning to the palace, Zhou Baoying had been summoned away by Xiao Shu and the others, leaving Jiang Xuening alone.

Clutching the pouch of pine nuts Yan Lin had given her, she sat blankly for a long while.

Her mind was consumed by the words Xie Wei had spoken earlier. Yet, having just returned to life, she could only recall the fear she felt when facing him. She had been too preoccupied with the suspicion that he might kill her to notice much else.

Try as she might to think deeply, she could not make sense of it.

After a while, she furrowed her brows and shook her head with a sudden realization: Why was she thinking about Xie Wei? Whatever he had said in the past, his words earlier seemed to suggest that he would no longer harm her. Besides, even if she had a hundred times the courage, she wouldn’t dare to betray him and invite trouble upon herself.

By that reasoning, she was safe now.

Jiang Xuening chuckled softly, shaking her head.

Despite the weight of the troubles surrounding the Yongyi Marquisate, she found a small moment of lightness in the cracks of her heavy thoughts.

The carriage was stiflingly quiet.

She gently lifted the curtain by the window, letting the biting northern wind brush against her cheeks. The icy sensation sent a shiver through her, and she exhaled deeply.

The streets outside were deserted.

Most shops were closed.

She gazed outside for a while, breathing in the cold air, before letting the curtain fall back down. Yet, just as the curtain fell, a tall white horse galloped past her carriage through the snow.

The rider, with a sword at his waist and a dark blue robe billowing in the wind, exuded an unrestrained, carefree air. In that fleeting moment, his sharp, handsome profile caught her eye.

Xiao Dingfei?!

The instant the curtain dropped, Jiang Xuening’s long-buried memories were suddenly triggered, flashing vividly in her mind like lightning. She immediately lifted the curtain again to look, but the horse had already disappeared into the distance.

In the blink of an eye, there was no trace of the rider or the horse.

Doubt crept in: Was it just her imagination? In her previous life, this “Heir Apparent Dingfei” only appeared in the capital after Shen Lang’s death and Shen Jie ascended the throne, returning to the Xiao family. How could he appear in the capital so early in this life? She must have been mistaken.

Slowly, she let the curtain fall back down. But a sudden thought crossed her mind: That man was a genuine scoundrel. If she could find him early and send him back to the Xiao family to freeload, it would surely plunge the entire family into chaos, leaving them utterly exasperated.

The journey from the Yongyi Marquisate to the palace was not long. Before she knew it, they had arrived.

With the crisis in the Yongyi Marquisate, a cold and oppressive atmosphere pervaded the entire imperial palace.

Even Yangzhi Zhai felt quieter than usual.

At the Marquis Yongyi’s coming-of-age ceremony, all the companions present had witnessed the incident. This time was completely different from the minor squabbles of young ladies in the past—Jiang Xuening had openly sided with the Marquis’s family and even dared to strike at a young master of the Xiao family. It was tantamount to declaring enmity with Xiao Shu. Even Fang Miao, who had always been somewhat close to her, found it difficult to speak with her now. As for Chen Shuyi and Yao Xi, her adversaries, they didn’t need to take any action; they simply watched from the sidelines, waiting for her misfortune. Occasionally, they would seize the chance to make snide remarks.

Since returning to the palace from the Marquis’s residence, Shen Zhiyi had not attended classes.

No one knew if she had been punished again.

As a result, classes in Fengchen Hall had been suspended for several days as well. After all, with the Princess Royal absent, were the instructors supposed to teach the companions?

Jiang Xuening didn’t care much about how others treated her. Upon returning to the palace, she was preoccupied with the safety of the Marquis Yongyi’s household and concerned about Shen Zhiyi’s situation. Her anxiety made it hard to eat or sleep.

Once, while passing by, she overheard someone mention that Zheng Bao was no longer serving in Kunning Palace.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, she secretly arranged to meet Zheng Bao under the pretense of a trivial errand to ask about the situation.

Zheng Bao was now serving in the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs and had changed into new attire that complemented his already handsome features, making him even more striking. Standing under the palace walls, he said to Jiang Xuening, “Even if you hadn’t sought me out, I would’ve come to find you, Second Miss.”

Jiang Xuening frowned, puzzled.

Zheng Bao smiled. “Regarding your family’s affairs, I must thank Lord Jiang for mediating on your behalf.”

Only then did Jiang Xuening recall that during the coming-of-age ceremony, she had indeed spoken to Jiang Boyou about this. She hadn’t expected it to be resolved so quickly. Perhaps Jiang Boyou was worried about her being isolated and unsupported in the palace during such turbulent times.

Her feelings were mixed.

Still, she didn’t take credit for it and simply replied calmly, “It was mutually beneficial. How are things with the Marquis’s household now?”

As someone serving directly before the emperor, Zheng Bao was well-informed. “The court has been debating the matter for days, causing quite a stir. Regarding the Grand Council seal, Minister Chu Xiyi was so enraged that he fell ill and was subsequently dismissed from his position by the emperor. The newly appointed Grand Councillor is a close confidant of His Majesty. The confiscation of the Marquis’s household and the inventorying of their belongings will take some time to conclude—it might even drag on until after the new year.”

In her previous life, it had indeed taken nearly two months to resolve.

Jiang Xuening felt a lingering sense of unease and asked, “What about Her Highness, the Princess?”

Zheng Bao replied, “You know Her Highness’s temper. When the Empress Dowager summoned her back to the palace, it was to reprimand her. However, after returning, Her Highness went straight to Qianqing Palace and caused an uproar, questioning His Majesty. This infuriated the emperor, who personally ordered her confinement in the palace. Still, as His Majesty’s own sister, she’ll be fine. You needn’t worry.”

“Not worry?”

How could she not worry?

Jiang Xuening let out a bitter laugh and said, “I see. Thank you.”

The palace is now filled with tension and fear. Everyone is on edge because of the case involving the jade ruyi from the Imperial Household Department. People are afraid of being associated with treason and dare not leave their homes without reason.

Jiang Xuening saw that Zheng Bao was also taking a risk.

After asking her question, she was ready to leave. In the afternoon, Empress Dowager Xiao had summoned a group of concubines and the companions from Yangzhi Zhai to admire the plum blossoms and snow. Everyone was preparing for this event, and if she returned late, it would arouse suspicion.

Unexpectedly, just as she was about to leave, Zheng Bao called out to her, “Second Miss…”

Jiang Xuening turned around, “What is it?”

Zheng Bao hesitated for a long time before finally reminding her, “If you can’t avoid going to admire the plum blossoms and snow this afternoon, it’s best to stay away from Consort Wen of the Puxiang Hall.”

Zheng Bao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. “If you can’t avoid attending the plum viewing, it would be best to stay away from Consort Wen of Puxiang Hall.”

Jiang Xuening froze.

She wanted to ask more.

But Zheng Bao said no more. He bowed deeply to her, then walked away along the palace wall.

Jiang Xuening was stunned.

She wanted to ask more questions.

But Zheng Bao said no more, bowed to her, and walked away from the palace wall.