Chapter 409: Confronting Jiang Shanshan (Part Two)
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Mingzhu heard that the person who really wanted to see her was Jiang Shanshan, and couldn’t help but smile, “She wants to see me? Alright, let her in.”
She and Jiang Shanshan would have a showdown sooner or later. Since the day she produced the Drip Dew Pot, she had been waiting for Jiang Shanshan to come knocking. Because she knew very well that the pot was indeed made by Jiang Shanshan herself. Jiang Shanshan must be very dissatisfied and wanted clarification, so she had to come to her. And she wasn’t afraid of Jiang Shanshan.
Mingzhu had seen the Jiang sisters at the Fanying Hall. She deliberately took nearly an hour to stroll over, and at that time, the Jiang sisters were sitting with their own thoughts, without any communication between them.
Jiang Linlin was the first to stand up and salute Mingzhu, while Jiang Shanshan did so reluctantly, with a hidden resentment in her eyes, accompanied by an air of arrogance.
Mingzhu calmly accepted their greetings, lazily smiling, “Please sit. I heard you wanted to see me. Is there something you need?”
“More accurately, it’s me who wants to see you.” Jiang Shanshan had carefully dressed up, but no amount of makeup could conceal the bruises under her eyes. Her lips were slightly swollen, as if she had been beaten. She tilted her head up, lifting her chin, unwilling to lose her composure in front of Mingzhu.
Jiang Linlin hurriedly intercepted Jiang Shanshan, smiling, “Sorry to bother Your Highness. It’s my younger sister who’s a bit upset. She insisted on seeing Your Highness and having a few words. As her older sister, I’m worried she might make a scene, so I had to accompany her.”
Mingzhu discerned Jiang Linlin’s excuse and understood why Jiang Shanshan had her married sister accompany her. Jiang Shanshan was afraid of being detained and losing her life because of her, so she wanted to use the power of Wu Guo Gong to avoid trouble. It was really pitiful. Shouldn’t it be more appropriate for her elder brother and sister-in-law to accompany her? It’s even fallen to the point where she has to rely on her married sister. It’s evident that Jiang Shanshan’s days at home were not easy.
Mingzhu felt quite pleased. She insincerely said, “It’s a pity I don’t have a sister, otherwise, I would definitely treat her like this.”
Jiang Shanshan wasn’t interested in bantering with Mingzhu. She directly made her request, “I have a few words I want to say privately to Wangfei. Please dismiss the attendants.”
Zheng Momo and the others immediately changed their expressions. This was too dangerous! Jiang Shanshan probably hated Wangfei the most now. Allowing her to be alone with Wangfei was akin to pushing Wangfei off a cliff.
Mingzhu propped her chin with her hand, curiously looking at Jiang Shanshan. “Why do you think I would agree to you?”
Jiang Shanshan grinned, “Are you afraid? Based on your courage, are you even worthy?”
Although Jiang Shanshan’s words weren’t explicit, Mingzhu understood her meaning. Jiang Shanshan was implying that she lacked the courage and wasn’t worthy of Yuwen Chu, nor of being Ying Wangfei.
Mingzhu smiled, “How do you know I’m not afraid?” With a wave of her hand, she signaled Zheng Momo and the others to step back.
Zheng Momo anxiously said, “Your Highness, don’t fall for her provocations! Who are you, and who is she? Why bother touching jade with clay?”
Mingzhu’s face darkened. “I told you to step back!” This wasn’t out of spite but a contest between her and Jiang Shanshan, unrelated to family background, appearance, or age, but a confrontation of character, courage, determination, and willpower. Since she had decided to walk this path, she was prepared for it. If she couldn’t handle a mere Jiang Shanshan, how could she handle others?
With no other choice, Zheng Momo and the others retreated. However, because of their concerns, Donghui stayed by the door, instructed by Zheng Momo, “Keep a close eye. If anything seems amiss, rush over, don’t hesitate to injure her. His Highness and Wangfei will support you.”
Donghui acknowledged and stood guard at the door like a door god.
Jiang Linlin was a little scared, hesitating to leave. She softly advised Jiang Shanshan, “Second Little sister, you need to think this through. Don’t act impulsively. Let’s talk things out.”
Jiang Shanshan impatiently replied, “Sister, please leave. I know what I’m doing.”
With no other choice, Jiang Linlin also stepped out. Due to the same concerns as Zheng Momo, she didn’t go far but stood by the door, listening intently to what Mingzhu and Jiang Shanshan were saying.
The door of the Fanying Hall was wide open, allowing the cold wind from outside to blow in, dispersing the warmth inside in an instant. However, neither Mingzhu nor Jiang Shanshan felt cold. Both of them felt a fire burning in their hearts—hatred.
Jiang Shanshan spoke first, “Fu Mingzhu, you’ve gone too far.”
Mingzhu lightly chuckled, “Treat others as you want to be treated.” Who had gone too far? In her previous life, she had never wronged Jiang Shanshan, yet Jiang Shanshan had caused her family’s downfall. After her rebirth, she hadn’t wronged Jiang Shanshan either, but Jiang Shanshan repeatedly provoked and framed her. If she didn’t fight back, she wouldn’t be Fu Mingzhu. If she didn’t fight back, her rebirth would have been in vain.
Jiang Shanshan gritted her teeth, “We’re from the same root, why hurt each other so?”
Mingzhu didn’t react immediately. What did she mean by that? Who was she referring to as being from the same root as her? It was nonsensical!
Seeing Mingzhu silent, Jiang Shanshan continued, “I know your secret!” She spoke quietly, but her eyes carried an intimidating fierceness and inscrutability.
Mingzhu instinctively tightened her grip on her handkerchief, but it was only for a moment. She relaxed soon after. What secret did she have? She had never revealed it. Who could know? Just based on speculation? Certainly not. Even the clever Yuwen Chu couldn’t guess it. What was a mere Jiang Shanshan? She smiled ambiguously at Jiang Shanshan. “Everyone has secrets. Let’s hear it.”
Jiang Shanshan, with a sinister tone, said, “I once thought I was the only one who knew the secret of the Tajji Pot. But you also know it, so I know your secret too. Will you still deny it? Fu Mingzhu!”
What was the Tajji Pot? Mingzhu thought for a moment, guessing that Jiang Shanshan was probably referring to the Drip Dew Pot. So the Drip Dew Pot was also called the Tajji Pot. What a strange name. It didn’t sound like a normal name that locals would give it. It sounded more like a weird name from overseas. So, Jiang Shanshan knew how to make transparent and delicate glass products and incendiary devices, as well as the Tajji Pot and bed crossbows, was fluent in Wusun language… Could it be that she had experienced strange things like her? But evidently, Jiang Shanshan’s experiences were far more complicated than hers.
Jiang Shanshan saw Mingzhu bow her head in thought and not speak, thinking she had caught Mingzhu’s weak spot, and became even more proud. “Why didn’t you say it earlier? As long as we join forces, who in this world could be our opponent?”
If they joined forces, no one in this world could be their opponent? Mingzhu almost laughed out loud. How arrogant could she be! Did she think the world could be changed with just a few advanced items? Who gave her such confidence?
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