readytorunbook Chapter 82 Exchanging Letters
Chapter 82 Exchanging Letters
Wen Qian was slightly taken aback, and after a moment she spoke: "Thank you, Uncle... I like it very much."
Duan Zhian chuckled and poured her more tea.
Jiang Mian curled her lips slightly and said with amusement, "Grand Tutor's thoughtfulness and consideration is quite unexpected."
Duan Zhian put down the teapot without saying a word.
Li Zhijing glanced sideways, concealing the glint in his eyes. Duan Zhian's actions made him vaguely displeased; after all, Wen Qian was the heir apparent's wife of the Marquis of Pingnan, his wife.
Duan Zhian was just an uncle with no blood relation; to put it bluntly, he was just a man trying to curry favor with his wife.
Even though he had no feelings for Wen Qian, the feeling of having his possession coveted made him very unhappy.
He said sarcastically, "Grand Tutor is, after all, an elder, and it is only right that he takes care of the younger generation."
It was a veiled and overt mockery of Duan Zhi'an's age, implying that his relationship with Wen Qian was merely one of seniority.
Duan Zhi'an raised an eyebrow, showing no intention of backing down: "Isn't the young master Miss Jiang's elder? Why is he taking such good care of her?"
These words left Li Zhijing speechless for a moment.
Jiang Wan glanced at the subtle atmosphere between the three of them and lightly pinched the letter on her sleeve.
She didn't come here to watch a show; she had serious business to attend to.
So he changed the subject, saying, "Alright, alright, since today is about choosing a residence for the Grand Tutor, does the Grand Tutor have one he likes?"
Duan Zhi'an composed himself and replied, "I've looked at several places. Duming Garden in the east is quite nice. I'll have the brokers go there to furnish it another day."
"Duming Garden?" Wen Qian asked doubtfully. "That house isn't very big. There are still a few spacious ones we haven't seen yet. Has Uncle already decided on it?"
Duan Zhian chuckled and said, "That place will do, it looks quiet."
Jiang Wan's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them. After all, she had dealt with Duan Zhi'an in her previous life, so she could guess a little of his thoughts.
They simply felt that Duming Garden was close to the Prince's residence, making it convenient to visit Wen Qian, and shamelessly claimed it was for peace and quiet.
If he really wanted peace and quiet, wouldn't his Grand Tutor's Hall be even more peaceful?
This little trick is probably only something Wen Qian wouldn't be able to see through.
After leaving the teahouse, Jiang Wan went over and handed the letter to Duan Zhi'an while he stood alone to the side.
"I left the palace in a hurry last time and didn't have time to say some things to Your Highness. I would like to ask the Grand Tutor to help me by sending a letter to Your Highness."
Her face was earnest, as if she was afraid that Duan Zhian would refuse.
After all, this person wouldn't help someone without a benefit in return, especially when it comes to matters related to the Crown Prince.
But to everyone's surprise, Duan Zhian agreed.
"His Highness also told me the other day that he wanted to have a chat with Miss Jiang, and we had a very pleasant conversation. In that case, I, Duan, will act as a messenger."
Jiang Mian said gratefully, "Thank you, Grand Tutor."
She didn't think much of it, only that Duan Zhi'an was in a good mood today.
Upon returning to the palace, Duan Zhi'an took the letter seriously and immediately sent it to the Crown Prince's palace.
At that time, Ning Zhi was being pestered by Chi Yu, who said that his family had specially acquired a batch of dazzling glass jewelry from the Western Regions, implying that he wanted to use it as part of her dowry.
He was bothered by it, yet had nowhere to hide.
Fortunately, Jiang Mian's letter arrived in time, and he took the opportunity to make an excuse to return to his study to handle state affairs, thus managing to extricate himself from the situation.
Chi Yu hurriedly stopped the messenger and asked, "Who sent the letter? Why is Your Highness in such a hurry?"
"Miss Chi, it was sent from the Grand Tutor's side, it seems to be a letter delivered on behalf of Miss Jiang."
"Did the Grand Tutor help Jiang Mian send a message?"
"Yes." The servant hurriedly withdrew.
Chi Yu clenched her fist and stomped her foot angrily.
It's Jiang Wan again. Last time, her cousin had a private conversation with her at Yunxiao Tower, and now even the Grand Tutor is helping her send a message.
Does this woman really want to step on her head?
She stormed out, heading straight for the Queen's palace.
Hearing her leave, Ning Zhi didn't get up to see her off, but instead eagerly opened Jiang Mian's letter.
However, after reading the contents of the letter, his expression changed several times.
At first, he was puzzled, then his eyes darted around, and a smile appeared on his face. He then said, "Prepare the sedan chair. I will leave the palace immediately."
......
Jiang Li sat in the Yueming Pavilion for a long time.
She wore a thin veil over her face, revealing only her cold eyes. This was because the Xie family's rules for wives stipulated that the young mistress should not show her true face when going to the market.
Besides this, there were many other strict rules of etiquette that, like shackles, suffocated her.
If she resists, she will face more punishment: being punished with a ruler, forced to kneel, having her food withheld, and being humiliated by her mother-in-law's sarcastic remarks.
In order to live a better life, she had long since learned to endure, to the point that her bones felt weak.
Her only support was to wait for Jiang Wan to marry Xiao Hengzhi, after which she would become a commoner and use her title as the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion to suppress her.
But Xiao Hengzhi is actually the Empress Dowager's grandson? And he'll be granted the title of king soon?
When she heard the news, her vision went black, and she couldn't even catch her breath.
Why? !
Why is Jiang Mian so lucky?!
She should have been confined to the inner quarters of her home her whole life, a helpless commoner. How could she possibly become a princess?
The more she thought about it, the more she hated it. Her mind was filled with Jiang Wan's indifferent face, like thorns that pricked her all over.
She is not reconciled.
She absolutely could not watch Jiang Wan rise to prominence step by step, while she herself was trapped in the Xie family, having to be mindful of others' attitudes even when going out.
She was framed by Jiang Wan back then, and now she's determined to torment her a hundredfold, a thousandfold.
Moreover, how could Xiao Hengzhi possibly be the Empress Dowager's grandson?
A golden jade talisman? She didn't believe it.
That's why I specifically returned to the Jiang residence, wanting to verify things. But unexpectedly, I overheard her arguing with Xiao Hengzhi.
It seems that Jiang Mian has a letter to send to the Crown Prince.
She knew this was an opportunity... What if the letter fell into her hands? What if the Crown Prince saw the letter not from Jiang Wan, but from her, Jiang Li?
When the door to the private room opened, she knew her opportunity had arrived...
"Greetings, Your Highness." Jiang Li rose and bowed.
Ning Zhi saw that the person was wearing a veil and could not see their face. He did not know who they were, but since they could replace Jiang Mian's letter, they must be someone close to Jiang Mian and had ill intentions towards her.
But since she is a woman...
The only person he could think of was Jiang Mian's half-sister, who had married into the Xie family.
When she got married, it caused a huge uproar and was all over the city. Ning Zhi also knew that Jiang Mian and her half-sister did not have a good relationship.
But he pretended not to know and tentatively asked, "Young lady, you look unfamiliar, yet you act so boldly. Aren't you afraid that I've come here today with weapons to punish you?"
"Since I dare to act in this way, I am naturally prepared to fight to the death. But Your Highness might as well listen to what I have to say before making a decision."
Ning Zhi recalled what she had said in her letter—
"Young Master Xiao is not a member of the royal family. Yueminglou, 5-7 PM."
If this person is indeed Jiang Mian's half-sister, she might actually know something.
He asked with some skepticism, "Your letter says that Xiao Hengzhi is not the Empress Dowager's grandson. What evidence do you have?"
Jiang Li lowered her head and slowly said, "Your Highness, when Xiao Hengzhi was picked up by Madam Jiang, he was covered in wounds and had to be treated by doctors several times before he was saved. At that time, he took off his clothes, his whole body was wrapped in gauze, and all his belongings were placed in the servants' baskets."
As she finished speaking, she glanced at Ning Zhi's expression and continued, "I remember clearly... he only had one thing on him, and he definitely didn't have the gold thread jade talisman."
Ning Zhi paused slightly on the table with his index finger, chuckled, and said, "Times have changed. How can I believe you based on just a few words? This matter concerns the royal bloodline, and it cannot be changed with just a few words."
Jiang Li nodded slightly and said, "I know, that's why I made a special trip back to the Jiang residence yesterday. Heaven helped me, and I actually found that thing. Would Your Highness like to take a look?"
Jiang Li recalled that when she was young, she once heard Xiao Hengzhi say, "...this bead was brought from the place where he used to live, and it contains many bad memories."
So Jiang Mian took him to the jacaranda tree in the backyard, dug a hole for him, and let him bury his things in it, as if burying all the bad memories.
The two of them really did work there all day.
Fortunately, if the two of them hadn't foolishly buried the item underground, she wouldn't have found it so easily.
She felt that the thing must be related to Xiao Hengzhi's past.
Ning Zhi frowned and pondered for a moment, then asked, "Miss, it seems you won't be able to take out the item so easily. Are there any conditions?"