Chapter 67 – An Elegant Taste? Who Was Battling With Whom?
Even though the young ladies present were all weak girls, their families were closely related to the Imperial Court. The implication of this ceremony might not strike them at first, but under such a heavy atmosphere, how would they fail to realize it?
It was actually very humiliating for the Third Princess to play the qin to welcome the heir-apparent.
She was a most distinguished princess, yet she had to play a welcoming tune to Yan Huaijing.
However, Wei Yuewu was thinking of another prospect: the Third Princess, with her status, would at most feel aggrieved at playing the qin here, but what if she was the one who had to play the qin?
She silently pressed the wound on her wrist, her eyes dark and cold. It was very painful there, so painful that it felt as if the wound had been burning with fire. The pain strongly reminded Wei Yuewu that she was only one step away from sitting there playing the qin.
If she had played the qin, what would happen to her after she went back, not to mention the humiliation? What would people think of her? They would only say that she intentionally flattered Yan Huaijing and that she took the opportunity of playing the qin from the Third Princess on such an occasion in order to attract the attention of the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State. And suppose the Third Princess made known her helplessness at a suitable moment later?
In that case, her reputation would be completely ruined.
This kind of reputation was different from her former one for “being untalented and plain-looking.” The previous rumors were actually very easy to get rid of since the truth was there. However, if this kind of reputation was spread about her, the best ending for her would be to become a concubine of Yan Huaijing.
If her father did not defend her, she would even have to redeem herself by committing suicide. After all, the so-called offering of prisoners was a humiliating event in the eyes of many people.
Then what would be the use of her identity as the first daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang?
So many people were watching on this occasion. This was not like a private talk of aristocratic young ladies. It could be said that if she took a wrong step, she would fall into a deadly dilemma, a trap that the Crown Prince and the Third Princess in front of her had inadvertently set for her.
“Thank you for your work, Your Heir-apparent.” Wen Tianyao seemed to have collected himself. He smiled, walked out of the tent politely and motioned for Yan Huaijing to stand up.
Yan Huaijing then lifted his body and bowed to the Third Princess on the side. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“No problem!” The Third Princess took her hands away from the strings and lowered her head slightly to an angle from which people could happen to see her aggrieved expression. Everyone would feel that the Third Princess was forced to play the qin.
Moreover, her appearance of quiet resignation looked indeed pitiful. If the princesses of the royal family had to suffer grievances in state affairs, what could the aristocratic young ladies do in a case like this? Therefore, many young ladies looked at the Third Princess with sympathy.
Sure enough, the Third Princess was the most considerate princess in the royal family.
After the Crown Prince took Yan Huaijing to the tent, the group of young ladies kneeling outside stood up. Though they knew that Yan Huaijing was in the small tent, they did not dare to get too close at this time. The scene just now had made them realize that today’s event was not just about romance and enjoyment of the scenery.
Wei Yan stood outside the tent and glanced at the vague figure of Wei Yuewu in the tent. She still did not dare to come close after thinking for a while. However, she gloated that Wei Yuewu seemed to be in an awkward situation. She had noticed the blood stains on Wei Yuewu’s dress and there seemed to be quite a few of them.
The more trouble Wei Yuewu caused now, the better. Wei Yan would be very happy if Wei Yuewu died now, though she would feel a little regretful that she did not personally kill Wei Yuewu. Although she could not make Wei Yuewu die in a cheap and humble manner, it made her feel good to get rid of this big worrisome trouble.
Wei Yan thought for a moment and turned to leave.
Wei Yan was not the only one who saw the blood marks on Wei Yuewu’s dress. At that time, the blood sprayed out so quickly from her wrist that several spots on her dress were stained. When Yan Huaijing followed Wen Tianyao in, a trace of darkness flashed through his smiling handsome eyes. He then stopped in front of Wei Yuewu.
Wei Yuewu stood up under Jin Ling’s help, but she was unable to leave at this moment. She had no choice but to retreat to a corner, hoping that the heir-apparent did not see her. Speaking of which, the Third Princess was hostile to her because this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State had repeatedly showed intimacy towards her!
This heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State was indeed a big source of trouble and he was also very dangerous.
With many things to attend to, how would Wei Yuewu dare to get involved in other troubles? Nevertheless, she would not back off when trouble came to her.
“Sixth Miss Wei?” A faint, clear voice in a gentle tone reached her ears. Obviously, this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State wasn’t sharing the same thought with Wei Yuewu.
“Greetings, Your Heir-apparent.” Wei Yuewu lowered her head and curtsied.
“Why are you here, Sixth Miss Wei? Could… it be that it was you who were supposed to play for me?” Yan Huaijing asked with a smile.
At this moment, Wei Yuewu could sense the overwhelming air of a noble young master from him without raising her head. Even though he was smiling and had such elegance as to make people feel as if they were bathed in spring breeze, his inborn noble and powerful aura was enough to press people to lower their heads.
The tent suddenly quieted down. Even the Crown Prince and the Third Princess stopped and looked at Wei Yuewu.
“I wanted to listen to Her Highness playing the qin, but fell accidentally when I walked to the qin stand. I’ve embarrassed myself before you, Your Heir-apparent.” Wei Yuewu said softly.
Her eyes swept across the stand. Although that place had been tidied up, blood was left undealt due to the lack of time. Now it was very conspicuous in front of the stand. With her wrist wrapped up, it was impossible for Wei Yuewu to hide it even if she wanted to.
“Sixth Miss Wei, you must have been in a good mood so that you went to the qin stand to listen to Her Highness playing. I incorrectly thought that you fell because you wanted to play for me. I’m sorry for my imprudence.” Yan Huaijing stared at Wei Yuewu motionlessly for a moment. After a while, he smiled faintly and turned his head to the Crown Prince Wen Tianyao.
“Your Royal Highness, Sixth Miss Wei and I are old acquaintances. Let’s invite her to sit with us!”
Wei Yuewu’s body stiffened. She jerked her head up and deliberately leaned against Jin Ling in an extremely weak manner. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Heir-apparent. I’m… afraid I don’t have the strength…”
She smiled bitterly. Her originally pale face looked increasingly feeble. She knew clearly that in this situation, they must be going to discuss state affairs. If she was involved, she would definitely provoke the Crown Prince, especially when the Crown Prince was on the weak side.
She was merely an unfavored daughter of the insignificant mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. How would she dare to provoke the Crown Prince? Wei Yuewu wondered what this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State was thinking of. He had tried to drag her into trouble again and again.
It was OK that he was not afraid of provoking the Crown Prince and even asked the Third Princess to play the qin for the prisoner-offering event. However, it wasn’t OK for her. Her status was far inferior to that of the Crown Prince and the Third Princess.
Her watery eyes beneath her long eyelashes met his deep, clear eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything. She blinked her eyes and drooped her eyelids to hide the trace of shock and anger in her eyes.
“If so, you might as well go back for a rest. Someone, send Sixth Miss Wei to the palace.” As they looked each other, Yan Huaijing cast a leisurely, bright smile at Wei Yuewu.
This person seemed to be as ethereal as an immortal at all times. Even in the present serious situation, he still looked bright and clear as a full moon, as if he hadn’t been tainted with any bit of dust. As for the matter of sending Wei Yuewu back, he uttered it so righteously as if it was absolutely proper.
He didn’t seem to notice that as the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State, he didn’t have much to do with Wei Yuewu, the sixth young lady of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. It was very inappropriate for him to ask someone to send Wei Yuewu to the palace. Besides, with the Crown Prince and the Third Princess here, was it appropriate for him, the guest, to usurp the role of the hosts?
Nevertheless, with his eyes so clear and his manner so unworldly, no one would think that he had any inappropriate feeling for Wei Yuewu.
“Third Younger Sister, you accompany Sixth Miss Wei back to the palace first. Sixth Miss Wei was seriously injured. Let her take a rest after you return to the palace.” Wen Tianyao had been quietly watching Yan Huaijing and Wei Yuewu talking. At this moment, he suddenly smiled and said those words to the Third Princess.
“Yes, Eldest Brother.” The Third Princess nodded meekly and turned to Wei Yuewu. She then asked with a tender expression, “Sixth Miss Wei, can you walk? Do you want me to help you?”
“Thank you, Your Highness. I’m fine.” Wei Yuewu shook her head. How would she dare to let the Third Princess help her out of the tent?
She respectfully curtsied to the Crown Prince and Yan Huaijing. With the help of Jin Ling, she went out with the Third Princess. The Third Princess called a carriage over. Wei Yuewu boarded the carriage with her and left the hillside for the palace.
The aristocratic young ladies, although they were far away from the tent, were still paying attention to the things here. Seeing that Wei Yuewu and the Third Princess went out together and got into the carriage and drove away, all of them were puzzled. When Wei Yan saw Wei Yuewu coming out with the Third Princess on seemingly friendly terms, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes.
“Her Highness is really kind. Respectable princess as she is, she treats the daughter of an official so generously. It’s really a rare quality among princesses.” Inside the tent, Yan Huaijing smiled leisurely and uttered those words to Wen Tianyao as he watched the two figures leaving.
Wen Tianyao’s expression froze. Somehow he remembered how delighted the Third Princess was when she heard that Wei Yuewu was going to play the qin. His eyes flashed with a trace of thoughtfulness, but his face did not reveal anything. He nodded with a smile. “Third Younger Sister is always kind. She won’t be harsh to anyone, whether they are aristocratic young ladies, palace maids or eunuchs.”
“The Third Princess has the best reputation and she is a beauty. Indeed she’s really admirable. I heard that the heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State hasn’t been married yet. What do you think, Your Royal Highness?” Yan Huaijing smiled and asked meaningfully.
At this time, the two of them had sat down at the table in the middle of the tent. On the long-stretched oblong table that was much bigger than the average size, there was a map that gave detailed geographic information of Zhongshan Country. Around the country were the four dukedoms that were connected by small vassal states.
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