Chapter 248
Chapter 248
Surprise and doubt stirred in Zhao Wan’s eyes as she considered the matter. In the end, she walked up to Xia Ximo and asked, “You are General Xia’s daughter?”
Beneath the cloak, Xia Ximo merely gave a cool acknowledgment. “Yes.”
Not a word more.
Seeing her indifference and complete lack of any wish to curry favor, Zhao Wan was already displeased. She could not help asking, “Then is it true that you and Ren Fengjue were betrothed before birth?”
Before Xia Ximo could answer, Ren Fengjue stepped forward to speak for her.
“Of course it is true.”
Zhao Wan was at a loss for words.
Xia Ximo also raised her chin slightly and glanced at Ren Fengjue. She seemed about to say something, but held back.
The atmosphere abruptly turned strange.
Storm clouds gathered over Princess Fenghua’s face. A moment later, she suddenly raised her voice. “Guards!”
The nearest guard immediately stiffened and hurried forward. “Your orders, Princess?”
“Back to the residence!”
Under everyone’s surprised gaze, Zhao Wan stamped so hard that her little leather boot sank deep into the snow.
Oblivious to it, she swept up the hem of her clothes, turned, and left.
Yu Lang stared, then said quietly to Ren Fengjue, “It seems the princess is angry.”
Ren Fengjue was accustomed to this and did not care. “Let her be.”
But before long, several guards returned. “The princess says that since you have traveled from afar, she ought to receive you as your host. Please come to the princely residence.”
Everyone understood how forceful Princess Fenghua’s attitude was. It might sound like an invitation, but there was no room to refuse.
Ren Fengjue glanced at the situation at the gate. Not wishing to wait any longer, he nodded at once.
“Very well. It will be dark soon. Staying at the princely residence will be less trouble than anywhere else.”
With the guards of Prince Wu’s Mansion clearing the way, they entered Liangzhou City smoothly and went straight to the residence.
Throughout the journey, Yu Lang quietly told Yan Zhengchu stories of Prince Wu’s youth, in such vivid detail that he might have witnessed them himself.
Among them were more than a few romantic escapades.
Though his voice was low, Lord Ren still heard him and glanced over. “Vice Minister Yu’s storytelling could rival any professional in a teahouse or tavern.”
Only then did Yu Lang cover his mouth, not daring to continue.
Yan Zhengchu had been listening with great interest and could not help asking, “You said that besides Princess Consort Wu, Prince Wu married several secondary consorts and concubines. Yet you also said Princess Fenghua was his only child. That sounds very strange.”
Yu Lang was about to agree when Ren Fengjue interrupted him. “Those are private affairs of the princely household. You have seen the princess’s temper. These matters are taboo. Do not ask about them.”
At the Young Marquis’s words, both men fell awkwardly silent.
When the carriage reached Prince Wu’s Mansion, they got down.
The chief steward was waiting at the entrance with a group of servants. At first glance, it seemed they were being shown every possible courtesy.
Yet when Yan Zhengchu looked at the imposing residence behind them, he immediately frowned.
Yin qi filled the mansion. It clearly harbored a Yin Soul.
More than one, in fact.
He glanced at Xia Ximo, who happened to be looking at him as well. Their eyes met in silent understanding.
After they followed Steward Sun into the hall, maids immediately filed in with hot tea and delicate fruits and pastries for them.
But Steward Sun added that Princess Fenghua had soiled her clothes on the way back and was changing. It might be a while before she could see them.
They waited idly for almost an hour. It was completely dark outside, yet Zhao Wan had still not appeared. No one knew what she was up to.
Ever since entering the residence, Yan Zhengchu had been quietly working with his compass. By now, he had estimated the Yin Souls’ general location.
Unable to resist, he asked the steward, “Forgive the question, but has anything strange happened in the household recently?”
Steward Sun was all too familiar with this line.
Had it come from anyone else, he would have ignored it.
But this man had arrived with the Ren Family’s Young Marquis and deserved at least a little courtesy.
“How perceptive you are, Daoist Master.”
After offering the compliment, Steward Sun continued, “A thief entered the residence last night and stole some valuables from the treasury.”
Yan Zhengchu immediately said, “I do not mean anything involving people, but rather…”
Before he finished, an announcement suddenly came from outside. “The princess arrives!”
At the sound, Steward Sun immediately found an excuse to withdraw.
The others looked over and saw that Zhao Wan had indeed changed her entire outfit.
She wore a fox-fur cloak faced with figured satin over a gold-woven brocade jacket and skirt, with little deerskin boots on her feet.
Her clothes were still purple, but this time in a brighter shade of rosy violet.
Her hair and makeup had clearly received even more careful attention. She seemed determined to wear every beautiful, expensive ornament she possessed.
Surrounded by several maids, she entered the hall. In the lamplight, she was radiant, undeniably striking.
Everyone rose and bowed.
But Zhao Wan kept her eyes on Ren Fengjue, expecting to see amazement in his gaze the moment he looked at her.
Yet the Young Marquis’s face was calm, his eyes untroubled.
It was as though he could not see her beauty at all.
Displeasure stirred within Zhao Wan.
Then she instinctively glanced at Xia Ximo beside him and was slightly taken aback.
After entering the residence, Xia Ximo had removed the cloak, revealing her face. Though simply dressed, she could not conceal her natural beauty.
Zhao Wan had long heard that the general’s wife was beautiful. Even if her daughter was sickly, her looks could hardly be poor.
Seeing her now confirmed it.
The thought made Zhao Wan more uncomfortable. She deliberately went up to Ren Fengjue and asked, “Ren Fengjue, do I look good in this?”
Hearing this, Yu Lang could not suppress his laughter and nearly choked.
The Young Marquis’s expression did not change. He merely passed the question straight to Yu Lang. “What do you think, Vice Minister Yu?”
Startled, Yu Lang hurriedly lowered his eyes and offered a compliment. “You are naturally beautiful, Princess. Whatever you wear must look lovely.”
Zhao Wan did not appreciate it. “I asked you, not him.”
Only then did Ren Fengjue reply, “Even if I answered, Princess, you would not be satisfied.”
“…”
Zhao Wan knew perfectly well what he would say.
Back in the capital, she had dressed lavishly for every occasion to outshine her younger cousin, the princess.
The Empress Dowager had therefore scolded her for being too ostentatious.
She had hidden by a corner of the palace wall to cry. When Ren Fengjue passed, he had actually pretended not to see her.
Angry, Zhao Wan had rushed up to him, hoping for a little comfort or perhaps a compliment.
Instead, he had chosen precisely what she least wanted to hear. “The Empress Dowager has always disliked the palace women making too great a display. Did you not know that, Princess?”
Remembering this, Zhao Wan snorted softly. “I know what you want to say. But this is Liangzhou, not the imperial palace. I like making a display. Since I know you disapprove, I shall do it just to annoy you.”