When she left, the noise started up inside the inner court, all the people started to whispering, unable to understand what sort of imperial decree Emperor Yu Qian had issued, whether he had decided to employ the members of Wen family again or he had other intentions, Wen family was originally the most influential family in literature, when the members of Wen family walked out of the house they had their bodies all covered with the fragrance of the books and wisdom, even many students of the Hanlin Imperial Institute had considered the members of Wen family as their teachers, this family possessed a very huge powerful influence, as a result Imperial Tutor Wen had chosen to step out of the royal court, in this way it will lessen the suspicions in the emperor's heart, allowing the members of Wen family to live peacefully with their lives.
But now that Imperial Tutor Wen had recently passed away, the imperial decree of Emperor Yu Qian closely followed, whether it is good or bad, it was really unpredictable!
“Did the Empress Dowager summon you inside the palace?” This time, Gu Lao Tai Jun asked Yun Qian Meng in a low voice, her flickered with unconcealable worry.
Yun Qian Meng seemed not to care as she laughed, then she replied “Yes! The Empress Dowager is actually worried about the marriage of my cousin!”
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s explanation, Gu Lao Tai Jun’s eyes seemed a bit unhappy, and with her being unhappy it was naturally not because Yun Qian Meng, soon after Yun Qian Meng heard Gu Lao Tai Jun suppressed down her anger as she said in a lowered voice “It must be hard on you!”
Seeing Gu Lao Tai Jun asking her like that, perhaps she already knew the things that the Empress Dowager had told her, unexpectedly Gu Lao Tai Jun was quite updated with the news despite all her devotions to the Buddha.
Yun Qian Meng knew it by heart that the Empress Dowager’s relationship with Fu Guo Gong Fu had drifted farther and farther away, if the Empress Dowager was to remain like that, perhaps she will soon split off from her family.
After a while, sighing sounds echoed one by one from the courtyard, Jiang Mama who was serving Yuan De Tai Fei walked inside the hall, facing all the people she saluted and said “Tai Fei, an imperial decree has been issued by His Majesty, honoring Imperial Tutor Wen’s eldest grandson born from the first wife as the teacher of the Crown Prince, moreover the funeral of Imperial Tutor will proceed with the ceremony of that of a prince!”
After hearing these words, all the people were greatly surprised.
Indeed Emperor Yu Qian had started to reemploy Wen family, he had actually crossed over the initial lineup to employ Wen Xie as the junior teacher of the Crown Prince, such kind of honor, only a few people was able to achieve it since the ancient times.
And the funeral of Imperial Tutor Wen to proceed following the ceremony of the prince, it had invisibly uplifted Wen family’s prestige in the imperial court, causing those who opposed Wen Xie for being appointed despite the initial lineup to shut their mouths!
But, with this kind of imperial decree, as for Wen family which had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, perhaps it will not be a good thing!
“Since that is the case, then let us all go home now!” Hearing the answer that she had been waiting for a long time, Yuan De Tai Fei stood up, under the assistance of Jiang Mama, they walked out of the women’s courtyard.
All the people stood up and saluted, respectfully sending off this honorable Tai Fei.
Gu Lao Tai Jun along with Chen Lao Tai Jun and Jiang Lao Tai Jun engaged in a few chats, then the three of them stood up and left Wen Fu.
“Meng’er, today is the second day of new year, following the tradition, Fei Yang should be the one accompanying you on your way back to Yun Xiang Fu, but unfortunately Fei Yang is out of the capital, I have instructed the servants to prepare some things for you, you must bring them to Yun Xiang Fu, don’t be angry because Fei Yang is not around, okay?” This time, Madame Xie approached, sounding worried as she spoke.
Yun Qian Meng smiled as she looked at her, she slowly digested the words that came out from Madame Xie’s mouth, soon after she smiled even brighter, feeling grateful she said “You are very thoughtful, Er Niang! It was an official business that made my husband leave the capital, how can Meng’er get angry because of this matter! But I might not be able to visit grandpa and father today, please send my regards to them, Er Niang.”
After speaking, Yun Qian Meng lifted her eyes and took a glance at the Xie sisters, then she got up and bid her farewell to all the ladies, leading Yuan Dong and Mu Chun as they stepped out of the hall, after saying goodbye to all the ladies of Wen family, she sat inside her own horse carriage.
“Xiaojie, which Xiang Fu are we heading to right now?” Mu Chun was closely guarding beside Yun Qian Meng, obviously she heard what Er Furen had said earlier.
“Xi Lin, let's go to Yun Xiang Fu!” Seeing the gifts were already piled up inside the horse carriage, Yun Qian Meng couldn't help but admire Madame Xie’s smooth behavior, perhaps by the time she arrived at the gates of Wen Fu earlier, Madame Xie’s people had already brought these things inside her horse carriage.
But, Madame Xie’s actions today really made Yun Qian Meng curious. In front of every influential family, how could someone be busy introducing her own nieces to other people while ignoring her own daughter?
“Furen, we have arrived at Yun Xiang Fu!” Xi Lin’s driving skills were great, he was always being able to use the quickest and the most stable way to send someone to his destination, perhaps this was the reason why Chu Fei Yang had allowed him to stay beside him.
Yun Qian Meng allowed the yatou to bring all the colored gifts down the horse carriage, seeing the eldest xioajie master returned home, the new steward of Yun Xiang Fu immediately ordered people to open the main gate, then greeted Yun Qian Meng while she entered the Xiang Fu.
“Great to see you, da xioajie!” Liu Han Yu who had heard the news immediately led Yun Yan out as they appeared in front of Yun Qian Meng.
“Where's Father?” Yun Qian Meng gestured Mu Chun and the others to hand over the gifts to the steward. She then observed Liu Han Yu and Yun Yan’s facial complexion, seeing the two of them doing fine, she smiled as she asked.
“Xiang Ye had just came home from Wen Fu, he is now changing his clothes in his study room. Da xiaojie, did you also come from Wen Fu?” Looking at Yun Qian Meng’s gorgeous dress, Liu Han Yu asked with a bit uncertainty.
Yun Qian Meng gently nodded her head, earlier inside the horse carriage, she had already took off the mourning dress, so as to avoid being nitpicked by other people.
“I’ll proceed to the guest hall, please do inform my father, Yi Niang!” While speaking, Yun Qian Meng walked towards the direction of the guest hall.
“Ah……” During this time, a white figure came rushing directly towards Yun Qian Meng.
Yuan Dong immediately dodged herself protecting in front of Yun Qian Meng, single-handedly turned the attacker's hand behind the back, making the person unable to make a move.
All the people looked, seeing Liu Han Yu’s face immediately turned serious, pointing at the servant girls and women who came running behind as she cursed “How did you look after her? Why did you allow the er xiaojie master to run out from Feng He Yuan?”
Being reminded by Liu Han Yu, Yun Qian Meng lowered down her head and looked at the person being forced to kneel down on the ground by Yuan Dong. She was only wearing white undergarments, both bare feet were standing on the snowy ground, this time her long hair was scattered around and messy covering her face, without being reminded by Liu Han Yu, she couldn't even recognize Yun Ruo Xue.
“It's nubi’s fault, please forgive us, da xiaojie!” The Mama who was following behind Yun Ruo Xue immediately knelt down, her whole body trembling as she asked for forgiveness.
But aside from struggling to break free, Yun Ruo Xue’s mouth was actually mumbling something, she even lowered down her head to eat the white snow on the ground!
Based on the situation, Yun Qian Meng knitted her brows as she looked at that old woman, in a serious voice she asked “What happened to the er xiaojie?”
The Mama had never expected the eldest young lady master who had never gotten along well with Yun Ruo Xue would suddenly get concerned with the second young lady master, suddenly she got surprised, afterwards she spoke “Da xaojie, after er xioajie went through that situation, she has always behaved this way.”
While speaking, that Mama’s eyes flashed, her seemed to harbor a bit resentment as she shot a glance at Yun Ruo Xue who was still behaving in a crazy way.
Yun Qian Meng saw the Mama’s expression, she immediately glanced at Ying Qiu. Ying Qiu immediately went ahead and lifted up Yun Ruo Xue’s hand to carefully take the pulse, after a long while she released Yun Ruo Xue, her eyes hang low as she replied “Furen, everything is normal for the er xiaojie, she has not gone mentally ill!”
“Are you still trying to pretend?” Yun Qian Meng’s cold eyes shot a glance at Yun Ruo Xue’s back, saying these words in an extremely cold manner.
Yun Ruo Xue seemed as if she did not hear Yun Qian Meng’s interrogation, she was still playing joyfully, but Yun Qian Meng was not anxious. She didn't allow that Mama to stand up, and she did not allow Yuan Dong to release Yun Ruo Xue, but instead she whispered a few words beside Yuan Dong’s ears, then bringing along the other servant girls with her, they walked towards the direction of the guest hall……
Hearing the steward informed him of Yun Qian Meng’s return, Yun Xuan Zhi immediately changed his direction. He originally intended to go to Fu Liu Yuan, but instead he directly proceeded to the guest hall.
“Father, your daughter is here to see you!” Seeing Yun Xuan Zhi stepped inside the guest hall, Yun Qian Meng slowly stood up, giving him an absolutely standard salute.
“Let your father take a good look at you!” Yun Xuan Zhi was actually quite enthusiastic, with a few steps he appeared in front of Yun Qian Meng, both eyes smiling as he observed Yun Qian Meng, then he nodded his head in satisfaction “Your facial color is quite good, that truly makes your father feel relieved!”
Now that the bad thing had happened to Yun Ruo Xue, and Yun Yan was not that famous in the capital, Yun Xuan Zhi naturally looked high on Yun Qian Meng. And with Chu Pei’s return to the capital this time he might stay as an official inside the capital, with this Chu family’s power had became even more stronger.
And hearing Yun Xuan Zhi speaking like this, Yun Qian Meng’s heart secretly sneered. She was not able to rest well for the past two days, her meals were not fixed, but Yun Xuan Zhi was talking nonsense with eyes widely opened, which was actually quite funny.
“Father, your face is also looking good! In this way, your daughter will feel relieved in Chu Xiang Fu. But today after seeing my second sister, my heart felt somehow worried!” While speaking, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes turned dimmer, seemingly as if she was quite worried about Yun Ruo Xue.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng mentioned the name that he hated to hear the most, Yun Xuan Zhi’s brows slightly wrinkled. His eyes flickered with disgust, without any choice he sat down and spoke “All these things she had inflicted them onto herself! As her father I didn't drive her out of Xiang Fu, because I cared about our relationship as father and daughter!”
“Father, you said it right! But Er Mei should not always stay inside Xiang Fu, as time goes by, it will inevitably cause people to criticize her! Father, it will be better for you to look for an honest and reliable person, then allow Er Mei to get married. In this way, she will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life!”
“Oh? Do you have someone in your mind, Meng’er?” Hearing Yun Qian Meng mentioning about it, Yun Xuan Zhi’s heart became active, his eyes looked at Yun Qian Meng with hope!
If Yun Xiang Fu and Chu Xiang Fu had came forward at the same time, perhaps Ruo Xue still had a bit of usage for them. After all, who would dare to offend the two left and right prime ministers, moreover behind them there's still the presence of Chu Wang Fu.
Yun Qian Meng’s eyes lightly glanced outside the door, slightly increasing her voice “Since Er Mei had already become like this, marrying into a family of an official will be impossible! And usually they were extremely strict considering a woman's purity, I’m afraid, in the worst case, Er Mei will have to become a Yi Niang. After all, for the first wife they considered one’s purity, but as for the position of Yi Niang there were no limitations. Or maybe, Er Mei will marry into an ordinary family, perhaps……”
“Yun Qian Meng, you bitch, I’m not through with you!” Before Yun Qian Meng finished making her suggestions, Yun Ruo Xue’s loud cursing voice echoed from the outside.
Hearing Yun Ruo Xue had ‘suddenly’ returned to normal, Yun Qian Meng sneered, and Yun Xuan Zhi face with a bit stunned, perhaps he never expected Yun Ruo Xue to be outside of the door at this time.
And before Yun Xuan Zhi could manage to react, the main gate was suddenly being kicked open, Yun Ruo Xue came rushing inside in a confused manner, lifting up her hand she was about to beat Yun Qian Meng……
Yuan Dong who came afterwards could not allow Yun Ruo Xue’s hand to land on Yun Qian Meng, she slightly lifted her feet in the dead end of Yun Xuan Zhi’s line of sight, Yun Ruo Xue suddenly lost her balance, directly falling back to the other side, her hand directly beaten the top of the desk, her hands were pulling the brocade tablecloth……
‘Hwa la la……” All the teapots and teacups suddenly fell to the entire floor, producing beat by beat of ear-splitting sounds, but it made Yun Xuan Zhi’s face turned red with anger, with one finger pointed at Yun Ruo Xue, unable to say any words further.
“Please don't be angry, Father, Er Mei didn't mean it! Earlier on the way here, Meng’er heard the Mama who was taking care of Er Mei mentioned that, now that Er Mei is mentally ill, it is quite normal to have such strange actions! Father should not get angry at Er Mei!” Yun Qian Meng allowed Yuan Dong to ‘kindly’ assist Yun Ruo Xue, then she herself was appeasing Yun Xuan Zhi.
“Where is there any ounce of your appearance as a xiaojie of Yun Xiang Fu? Where is your usual reserved behavior? You had actually ran out of your room not wearing any decent clothes, I really can't afford to have such kind of daughter!” Yun Xuan Zhi had came along, pointing at Yun Ruo Xue’s nose while he scolded her.
During the recent days, thinking about the humiliation that Yun Ruo Xue had suffered, he had tolerated many of her strange behaviors, but today she had actually made him lose his face in front of Yun Qian Meng. Apparently, he had overly spoiled Yun Ruo Xue, making her becoming more rude.
And after hearing Yun Xuan Zhi’s words, Yun Ruo Xue’s face suddenly turned deathly pale. The tears in her eyes suddenly fell down, then she roared “If it wasn't for this slut, how can I become like this? Daddy, I am Chen Wang’s who was married formally into Chen Wang Fu with eight big palanquins, how could you prefer this slut over me? When mother was still alive, have you treated me like this? I don’t like that……”
Yun Xuan Zhi’s anger was already in the brink of erupting, yet Yun Ruo Xue fearlessly mentioned about Su Qing. It had even more intensified Yun Xuan Zhi’s anger, without saying anything he gave her a big slap on the face, afterwards he roared at Liu Han Yu “Now we will ask them to send you off, whether you will become concubine or slave, it will be unrelated to Yun Xiang Fu, my Yun Xiang Fu is too small, I couldn't afford to shelter a person like you!”
While speaking, Yun Xuan Zhi refused to look at Yun Ruo Xue, without further words he turned around to calm down the anger in his heart.
And Yun Ruo Xue was about to curse again, yet Yuan Dong had hit a pressure point in her body. She could only stare at Yun Qian Meng. Yun Qian Meng naturally did not take things from a person she did not care about to hear. But, regarding Yun Ruo Xue, Yun Qian Meng could not help but shake her head. If she was smarter, she would not have fallen into this kind of situation. Based on Yun Xuan Zhi’s love for her during the former days, even if he was to support her during her entire life, Yun Xuan Zhi will never complain about it. But now that the situation had turned to the worst with the father and daughter being hostile to each other, in the future if she suffered any hardships in the family of her husband, no one will ever defend for her.
Watching Yun Ruo Xue being dragged out forcefully, Yun Qian Meng’s both eyes turned bright and clear, her heart was surprisingly calmer than ever before.
The northern land scenery, with a thousand miles of ice, and ten thousand miles of snow floating around……
The further they proceeded northwards, the temperature got increasingly low, the wind and frost covered with small hails as they hit on a person's body and face, burning up a person's skin, looking ahead, the river was covered by ice for so many days, the scenery below was silver wrapped, holding the heart-chilling coldness.
Qi Ling’er and Hai Tian sitting inside their phoenix palanquins were able to keep themselves warm, and the people riding on the horseback had worn the huge cloak, to block off the huge snowfall that was falling down incessantly.
“There's one more day!” Hai Chen Xi had been calculating the days since they left the capital. Seeing the borderland between two countries getting closer, he said these words to remind Chu Fei Yang and Jiang Mu Chen, but when he opened his mouth to speak the cold wind went inside his belly, puffing out mouthfuls of white smoke, shrouded in front of his eyes then gradually disappeared in front of his eyes.
Despite the fact that Hai Chen Xi had grown up in Yang Ming Shan which had the lower temperature than all other places, but as compared to the current scenery, it simply had a huge difference!
When they came all the way here, aside from the first night at the capital which seemed quite noisy, after that no particular accident happened again.
The three of them had become more cautious, for the fear that there might be an even bigger ‘surprise’ waiting for them.
“I presume the three of you aren’t used to the climate in our northern country, right?” This time, Qi Jing Xuan was riding on the horseback as he approached, watching the three persons who seemed almost not saying anything, his eyes somehow mocked “I didn't know that the men of Western Chu were as delicate as the women, that was truly funny!”
“Few days ago the eldest prince remained quite silent, now that we are gradually approaching the Northern Qi, the eldest prince has become even more active. Apparently the eldest prince’s courage was also given by Northern Qi!” This time Chu Fei Yang spoke indifferently, his words were secretly criticizing Qi Jing Xuan for being a coward, only being able to speak out when he was standing on their own land.
“Chu Xiang truly has a clever tongue, no wonder Hai Jun Wang and Chen Wang are unwilling to speak with you!” Qi Jing Xuan was able to hear the cynical tone in Chu Fei Yang’s words, watching the three completely different expressions of the three persons before him, he started to provoke their internal conflict.
“You are wrong, eldest prince, how can men be like women who make idle gossip? It seems like the eldest prince is somehow different from an ordinary man!” This time, Jiang Mu Chen spoke indifferently, the ice formed in the corner of his eyes was even more bone-chilling than the snow of Northern Guo.
“On the contrary, I think the eldest prince is different from the little woman! But instead he is somehow similar to a woman who was already married, those women who had nothing to do but to provoke hostility among the people, which is truly annoying!” And Hai Chen Xi was not quite left behind, his wicked both eyes was staring back at Qi Jing Xuan’s gloomy expression, the corner of his mouth sneered as he spoke.
“Humph, it is quite rare for the three of you to agree with each other! But I have no idea how long this will last!” Qi Jing Xuan watched as he failed to provoke the hostility between these three but instead it had caused the three of them to face their common enemy. He was greatly angered, by this time they were still inside the territory of Western Chu, if he behaved badly he might break the peace treaty between the two countries, perhaps his father the emperor might put the blame on him including all Qi Jing Yuan’s faults.
Thinking about this, Qi Jing Xuan suddenly clamped his feet on the horse belly then run ahead to the front……
“Humph!” Three disdainful groaning sound echoed at the same time, and the three persons who agreed with each other earlier respectively looked at three different areas, then they continued to proceed ahead……
The sandstorm had swept by for a while, mixed with hail, the snowflakes directly rushed towards everybody, and the armed troops of both countries were already standing in front of the borderland of the two countries, waiting for them to arri