Chapter 463: The Jealous Wusun Princess (Part 2)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Tears welled up in the Wusun Princess’s eyes. She turned away to wipe the corners of her eyes and smiled, “Teacher, you’re really kind.” Being alone in a foreign land for so long without encountering any pleasant days, but having an acquaintance who would immediately come to see her upon hearing about her situation, what could be more touching than this?
Teacher Lin had gone to Wusun a few years ago. It was said that he was a renowned master of the pipa, but he was heartbroken when his beloved wife passed away. In order to fulfill his wife’s dream of traveling the world, he left his hometown with his wife’s ashes and wandered around, traveling all over the place, eventually arriving in Wusun.
He set up a small tent outside the camp, living alone, only occasionally exchanging tea leaves and salt with them for some goat milk, mutton, fur, and other things. However, he could play the most melodious leaf flute and perform the most beautiful music with various strange instruments. She had also heard him sing, with the best voice in the world, unmatched by anyone.
The Wusun people naturally had their guard up against the Han people. If Teacher Lin hadn’t saved her youngest brother, they wouldn’t have accepted him.
She persuaded him persistently and finally got Teacher Lin to agree to teach her the pipa because she thought that a beautiful woman holding a pipa, playing and singing softly, would be completely different from the bold and unrestrained style of the grasslands. But Teacher Lin said her conditions weren’t good enough. He taught her to play the flute instead, and she learned it well. At the same time, she also learned some Mandarin from Teacher Lin. Although she wasn’t fluent, she could understand what the Han people were saying.
Meeting old acquaintances in a foreign land was one of life’s three greatest joys. The Wusun Princess had been lonely for a long time and wanted to talk to someone familiar and trustworthy. She invited Teacher Lin again, “If you have no other plans, please come to stay with us. Our Highness will definitely welcome you.”
Teacher Lin smiled and declined, “Thank you, but the mansion has strict rules, and I’m used to living freely. If you don’t mind, please come inside for a cup of hot tea, and we can catch up.”
The Wusun Princess didn’t refuse again and followed Teacher Lin into a nearby small shop.
A red clay stove, fragrant milk tea, a few simple but fresh hot pastries, just like the hospitality in the small tent back then. The Wusun Princess took a sip of milk tea, and the familiar taste of home instantly made her burst into tears. She choked up and couldn’t speak, “Teacher, I feel so wronged.”
Teacher Lin sighed and picked up a piece of hot pastry for her, “Eat, you’ve been running around on the streets at this hour, you must be hungry. Eat first.”
The Wusun Princess, with tears in her eyes, quickly filled her stomach with milk tea and pastries, and her mood improved a lot. She began to tell Teacher Lin about her experiences over the past year. When she talked about Linan Wang Yuwen You and the disappearance of Jiang Shanshan, she couldn’t help but complain, “I used to think Jiang Shanshan was a good friend. She said she had no relationship with our prince, that it was someone else’s deliberate framing. As long as I helped her, the rumors would naturally be debunked. I was grateful for her help before and agreed to her plea, but who knew it would turn into this? If I hadn’t agreed to help her, the trouble wouldn’t have come to our mansion.”
Teacher Lin listened quietly and then said, “Maybe, something did happen in your mansion? Otherwise, how could a female corpse resembling her be found in your mansion’s lotus pond? There’s a problem with this itself.”
The Wusun Princess stubbornly said, “Even if something did happen in our mansion, it should be related to Fu Mingzhu. She left the banquet halfway through, and our Highness said she went to Jingting Pavilion by the lotus pond. Jiang Shanshan must have been harmed by her.”
Teacher Lin sighed, “It couldn’t be her.”
The Wusun Princess immediately disagreed, “Why not? You haven’t even seen her! She’s notorious for being ruthless and fierce, especially towards Jiang Shanshan. She has humiliated Jiang Shanshan countless times, and it’s no secret in the capital. Maybe that day, Jiang Shanshan provoked her again, and she accidentally killed her. She could have done it and covered it up.”
Teacher Lin said, “I do know her. She was my student. Before your teacher’s wife passed away, I taught her the pipa for several years. She was very talented in this area, a very good student. Humiliating people face to face is her style, but she wouldn’t do something like secretly killing someone. She’s straightforward and upright.”
Why did everyone think Fu Mingzhu was good? Her husband was like that, and her most respected teacher was like that too. The Wusun Princess’s jealousy couldn’t help but arise, but she pretended to believe Teacher Lin’s words because she didn’t want Teacher Lin to dislike her because of this. She was too lonely and it was so difficult to find someone to talk to.
“Tell me what you know, maybe I can help you find that missing Second Miss Jiang, so your Highness can go home, and you don’t have to be out on the streets so late.” Teacher Lin gently encouraged her, “You really do not have it easy. Others have parents and siblings to rely on, but your parents and relatives are far away, and no one can help you.”
The Wusun Princess almost burst into tears with pain, but she held back and told Teacher Lin everything she knew. Teacher Lin fell into thought, and in the dim light, his eyes were deep and cold, very unfamiliar.
“Teacher?” The Wusun Princess was startled, and she called out to him anxiously.
“Oh… I remembered something, lost in thought.” Teacher Lin apologized with a smile, “According to what you said, Linan Wang and Jiang Shanshan should not have any private affair. Even if they had any dealings, it should be for other reasons. Don’t worry too much. Where has Linan Wang been most frequently these days? Do you know?”
The Wusun Princess felt extremely embarrassed. “I’m not very familiar with the situation in the mansion… and I don’t want to keep asking him all the time. I just remember on the night of the wedding, he delayed entering the bridal chamber for a long time. These days, he’s often in the study handling affairs…”
Teacher Lin said, “There are indeed many things occurring in the prince’s mansion, especially since you haven’t taken over yet, he’s even more worried. You need to pay more attention and take over the affairs of the mansion sooner. Since Fu Mingzhu refuses to see you, don’t worry. Someone will eventually go to her to understand the situation. Well, it’s late now, go back.”
“But I still want to talk to Teacher. again…” The Wusun Princess didn’t want to leave, looking at Teacher Lin earnestly.
Teacher Lin smiled gently and warmly, quietly pointing to the Momo standing outside the door, whispering, “Later. The customs here are different from those of Wusun. Haven’t you seen the Momos faces turning green? You’re still a new bride, and it’s better to listen to Teacher Lin and be careful.”
“After talking to Teacher today, I feel much better.” Reluctantly, the Wusun Princess said, “Where should I find Teacher if I want to talk to him again in the future?”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
