Chapter 127: Alliance
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The visitor walked to the light and gently removed the hood, revealing a beautiful, fair face. She greeted him with a graceful bow, “Jiang Shanshan greets Your Highness.”
It wasn’t Fu Mingzhu. Yuwen You was extremely disappointed, then secretly sneered. He had gone mad. Fu Mingzhu had already cut ties with him, so why would she come to visit him in the middle of the night? Feeling upset, his tone wasn’t pleasant, “Why did Second Miss Jiang come here? Aren’t you afraid of causing trouble or spreading rumors?”
Jiang Shanshan calmly stood up, smiling faintly, “Others may not know who Your Highness is, but I do. Intelligent, brave, and talented, these were the late Emperor’s words, which I still remember.”
The late Emperor’s praise was like yesterday’s news. At that time, his father favored him, so everyone praised him, and he really thought highly of himself. It wasn’t until he fell out of favor that he realized those people were just praising his father’s favor, not him as a person.
Yuwen You felt desolate, then sneered, “It’s rare that you still remember these words. So, did you come to visit in the dead of night because you admire my talent, or is it because you want to express your feelings to this poor soul?”
Jiang Shanshan listened to his sarcastic words without embarrassment, smiling gently, “Your Highness has a good temperament. Even in such a predicament, you can still joke. I admire that.”
Indeed, it was admirable. If it were Fu Mingzhu, hearing such a joke, she would probably have glared and cursed at him. Jiang Shanshan’s mature and experienced demeanor skillfully brushed past the awkwardness. Truly, appearances can be deceiving. This renowned talented woman from the capital was unexpected. Yuwen You became a bit interested, “What are you here for?”
Jiang Shanshan glanced at the chair beside her, “Is this how Your Highness treats guests?”
Yuwen You gestured to her, “Is it improper for a lady to visit a man privately at night? Am I lacking in grace by not allowing you to sit and chat?”
His words were harsh, and Jiang Shanshan couldn’t help but feel annoyed. She thought to herself that such unpleasantness would only be appreciated by someone like Fu Mingzhu. However, she didn’t show any dissatisfaction on her face, and instead smiled gently, “Your Highness is straightforward, just like Sister Mingzhu.”
Yuwen You sneered, “She is herself, and I am myself. Don’t compare me to her. What do you want to say? If you keep beating around the bush, I’ll have someone go to the Marquis Changxing’s Mansion to seek marriage.”
Jiang Shanshan smiled, “Having more friends means having more paths. Although Your Highness is a nobleman, you also need friends. Why rush to push away a friend?”
Yuwen You pondered for a moment and guessed her intentions. He smiled coldly, “Whether someone is a friend or an enemy is not always clear.”
“Of course, friends are not determined by just words. Since I dare to call myself a friend, I have my reasons.” Seeing Yuwen You’s silence, she continued, “Your Highness has offended the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and the Great Empress Dowager may not necessarily be pleased. Ying Wang also resents your interference. With internal and external troubles, what are your plans?”
“Since you asked this, you must have come prepared. Speak.” Yuwen You narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Jiang Shanshan.
Honestly, Jiang Shanshan’s appearance was not as stunning as Fu Mingzhu’s, but she was still beautiful, with an outstanding temperament. Moreover, her gentle and dignified demeanor was what the noblewomen of the capital admired most. However, such duplicity meant that even if he married her, she wouldn’t be easy to get along with. He would have to be cautious at all times; otherwise, he might not survive being manipulated by her.
Jiang Shanshan didn’t know what Yuwen You was thinking. She just smiled and said, “I, like Your Highness, am a person who has fallen to the ends of the earth. I can sympathize with Your Highness’s feelings. When I heard about Your Highness’s trouble today, I waited outside the palace for a long time, thinking that even if I couldn’t help much, it would be good to say a few words. Unfortunately, I am just a woman with little influence, unable to help you… So, I had to rely on Princess Wusun’s favor and asked her to speak a word for you in front of the Empress Dowager. Just now, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has already understood your feelings and asked the emperor to pardon your offense.”
“What?” Yuwen You woke up alert. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Jiang Shanshan’s smile never left her face. “The Princess of Wusun needs a husband, but all the princes want to avoid suspicion and don’t want to be constrained by it. I think this is a great opportunity. Your Highness, don’t you want to give it a try?”
Yuwen You remained silent, just staring at Jiang Shanshan.
Jiang Shanshan met his gaze without backing down, lowering her voice, “Think about it, your situation is already so difficult. Even if you marry the Princess of Wusun, things can’t get much worse, but you’ll gain an extra lifeline. If you have any problems, the Wusun side will have to have a say. Wusun Wang is ambitious and loyal; wouldn’t that give you another option?”
Is escaping through marriage with a woman the only pitiful option left? Yuwen You closed his eyes desolately and said softly, “Fu Mingzhu is on high alert. How could she give me this opportunity?”
Jiang Shanshan chuckled, “Since I dare to speak, I have my ways. It depends on whether Your Highness is willing to befriend me.”
Yuwen You replied woodenly, “Go on.”
“All your troubles stem from Fu Mingzhu. I was originally just a woman with no ambitions, deeply in love with someone, my only wish was to watch the flowers bloom and wither together with that person. But even this simple wish was mercilessly taken away from me. I’m not willing.” Jiang Shanshan glanced at Yuwen You and continued in a deep voice, “Actually, I know that Your Highness also loves that person in your heart. Even if you don’t care about the betrayal of your loved one, shouldn’t you think about whether the prosperity and glory of the Yuwen clan should be manipulated by the powerful officials and in-laws? If one day this country no longer belongs to the Yuwen clan but is renamed as the Fu clan, how will you face the late Emperor?”
Yuwen You’s heart pounded, but he said fiercely, “You have a lot of nerve to dare to meddle in politics and sow discord! Do you find life too boring?”
Jiang Shanshan wasn’t afraid, she smiled gracefully, “Your Highness doesn’t believe me? I won’t say more. The Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion still has a few reliable friends. If Your Highness needs them, they can be at your service at any time.” With that, she slightly bent her knees. “I take my leave.” She then retreated, confident that Yuwen You was at a dead end and wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
As expected, just as she counted to three, she heard Yuwen You speak up.
Yuwen You said, “Since you want to befriend me, you need to show some sincerity. Let me see the decree from the Emperor absolving me of guilt before we talk further.”
Jiang Shanshan smiled gently and humbly, “Please wait for good news.”
“What do you want?” Yuwen You looked at Jiang Shanshan’s charming face, feeling a strange sense of unease, as if there was a terrifying soul hiding beneath that beautiful exterior.
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