Chapter 408: Confrontation with Jiang Shanshan (One)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
After a night of heavy snowfall, Lei Liu, the gatekeeper of Ying Wang Mansion, wearing a new cotton jacket, stood in front of the gate, exhaling white breath, while the steward responsible for purchasing, Lin Dayou, idly chatted, “The snow was heavy last night, but within half an hour, it piled up to about two inches thick. We started clearing the snow before the fourth watch, but no matter how much we cleared, it kept piling up again. It’s really exhausting.”
The snow was too bright, piercing Lin Dayou’s eyes into narrow slits, “Did it delay His Highness from going out?”
Lei Liu was very proud, “Naturally not. Our mansion emphasizes each person’s duties. Unless there’s a knife falling from the sky, we must do our own work well. If we don’t do well, we’ll leave, but if we do well, we’ll be rewarded.”
A distant sound of horseshoes came, and the two turned to look. They saw two carriages approaching Ying Wang Mansion from the street. The first carriage was very luxurious, with the emblem of the Wu Guo Gong engraved on it, and the person riding a horse beside the carriage was the eldest son of Wu Guo Gong, Qiu Jin.
Lin Dayou was puzzled, “Could it be coming to our mansion? Everyone knows that His Highness is in the yamen at this hour.”
Lei Liu, as the dedicated gatekeeper of Ying Wang Mansion, had a sharp eye and sensitive information. He said immediately, “It’s hard to say. This street is our mansion’s territory. Can’t you see the carriages? There are female relatives inside, probably coming to visit Wangfei. Wu Guo Gong’s eldest son is serving in Huangzhou, and he’s back in the capital for a job report this year.” At this point, he raised his eyebrows, his face showing a strange color, “Wait, isn’t Wu Guo Gong’s eldest son married to the eldest daughter of the Changxing Marquis Mansion?”
And the former fiancee of Ying Wang, Jiang Shanshan, was the second daughter of the Changxing Marquis Mansion. After the failed marriage, the two families were essentially at odds. Wu Guo Gong Shizi’s wife and Jiang Shanshan were sisters. It was impossible for them to visit Wangfei on purpose, right? Otherwise, it must be a provocation!
Lei Liu was a little nervous, but at the same time, he felt that his opportunity to make merit had arrived. There was no way. Nowadays, anyone who pleases Wangfei in the mansion either gets promoted or gets a raise. He also wanted to take advantage of Wangfei’s favor to make some money. After all, it was almost the New Year, and there were many places to spend money.
Wu Guo Gong’s eldest son and the two carriages continued to drive to the outside of Ying Wang Mansion. If it were someone else, Lei Liu would have eagerly rushed down to greet them, but because of the special identity of this guest, he decided to observe first.
The steward from Wu Guo Gong’s mansion came up to deliver a message, stating that their Shizi and wife had just returned from out of town and brought some local gifts for Ying Wang and Ying Wangfei.
“Oh, what a coincidence. Our Highness went to the yamen, and Wangfei is in seclusion. I’m not sure if it’s convenient or not. Let me go and ask.” Lei Liu, upholding the fine tradition of hospitality at Ying Wang Mansion, politely asked them to wait while he went to inquire, then went in to inform.
Mingzhu had just finished breakfast and was strolling in the corridor. When she heard that Wu Guo Gong’s Shizi and his wife had arrived, she smiled, “I have no dealings with them, and there’s nothing much to say even if we meet. But after all, he is the son of Wu Guo Gong. It wouldn’t be good to neglect the reputation of His Highness. Please ask Zhou Changshi to receive them in the guest hall when he’s available.”
Lei Liu immediately relayed the message, and Zhou Shuyi went out to greet the guests, politely expressing that Wangfei was in seclusion and couldn’t see outsiders, so he could only invite Wu Guo Gong’s Shizi and his wife to the guest hall for a cup of tea. If there were no urgent matters, they could come back another day.
Qiu Jin, Wu Guo Gong’s Shizi, felt somewhat embarrassed, only focusing on looking at the carriages. Zhou Shuyi saw this and knew that Qiu Jin probably wasn’t willingly making this trip. He probably wanted to meet Wangfei rather than Ying Wang. He pretended not to know and warmly said, “If the young master has any business, you can go to Court of the Imperial Clan to find our Wangye.” He didn’t even invite them in for tea.
Qiu Jin felt embarrassed and wanted to leave, but the curtain of the carriage was lifted from the inside, and Jiang Shanshan stuck her head out, gracefully nodding to Zhou Shuyi, “Zhou Changshi, long time no see. Please convey to Ying Wangfei for me. Actually, I want to see her.”
How could Wangfei see her! If he really let her in, wouldn’t that be asking for trouble? Zhou Shuyi smiled, “Unfortunately, our Wangfei is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed.”
Jiang Shanshan smiled gracefully, “Then please tell her that I know her secret. If she refuses to see me, I will go tell Ying Wang. I’ll wait for her here.”
Zhou Shuyi secretly felt shocked. What secret could Wangfei have that she wanted to tell Jiang Shanshan? And she dared to use it to blackmail people! After careful consideration, he smiled and said, “Second Miss Jiang, you’re joking. With what you just said, I dare not let you see our Wangfei. She is in seclusion, what if she gets startled?”
Jiang Shanshan’s eyes flashed with a hint of fierceness, “Zhou Changshi, I know you are deeply trusted and relied upon by Ying Wang, but in this matter, I’m sure you cannot decide for your Wangfei.”
Jiang Shanshan had always appeared gentle and graceful in front of everyone in Ying Wang Mansion, rarely showing such fierce and dominant behavior. It seemed that she had really been pushed too far and couldn’t help revealing her true self. Zhou Shuyi sighed inwardly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll go inform Wangfei, but whether she has time, that’s uncertain.”
Seeing Zhou Shuyi leave, Qiu Jin looked at Jiang Shanshan with dissatisfaction, then turned to his wife Jiang Linlin in the carriage and said, “It has come to this, what’s the point of lingering?”
He was very unhappy after hearing about Jiang Shanshan’s affair. He couldn’t understand why she refused to marry Yuwen Long. Refusing to be a dignified princess consort, she insisted on sticking her neck out to become Ying Wang’s concubine. Moreover, his father-in-law supported her. This family is simply ridiculous. He originally didn’t want to come at all today, but after repeated requests from his father-in-law and his wife’s pleading for a long time, he reluctantly came along. Now, feeling disregarded, he was really not happy at all.
Jiang Linlin, with a good temper, said, “Shanshan has her reasons. Haven’t we agreed? Whether it works out or not, let’s help her this time.” She glanced at Jiang Shanshan, hoping she would understand her meaning.
The idea that Yuwen Chu would become emperor seemed too ethereal to her. Even if her sister worked hard to become Ying Wang’s concubine, so what? Could she still compete with the vicious and domineering Fu Mingzhu? Look at how Fu Mingzhu bullied people. Yuwen Chu hadn’t cared at all. Because of Jiang Shanshan’s constant troubles, she couldn’t hold her head up high in her in-law’s house. If it weren’t for the sake of her father and siblings, she wouldn’t have come on this trip at all.
Jiang Shanshan understood her brother-in-law and sister’s words but pretended not to understand. Her repeated failures had greatly burdened the family, and it was normal for the family to have other ideas. She had to win a small battle first to strengthen their confidence.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
