42: Chapter 42 Beautiful women have always had tragic fates (13)

13

Not long after the Lantern Festival, it was New Year's Eve.

Wan Mingzhu came to Wanlin Pavilion early in the morning to find Sister Yan, inviting her to the Wan family for New Year's Eve dinner and to celebrate the New Year.

Zhao Yan was drawing clothing patterns at the desk, while Wan Mingzhu circled around her from left to right, telling her about the customs and festivities of the New Year here.

When she finished a drawing, she placed the brush on the inkstone and said softly, "I'm not going. My family will come to see me in the next two days."

"Ah? Is it people from the Bai Clan?" Wan Mingzhu's eyes widened. The news of Sister Yan's overwhelming victory against that person in the training grounds' formation competition had already spread. It was said that the soldiers and everyone else present were captivated by Sister Yan's valiant and heroic posture. Afterward, she even got angry with Sister Yan; how could she have missed such a proud scene!

Zhao Yan gave a faint smile and didn't answer her, which in Wan Mingzhu's eyes was a definite yes.

Wei Qingli came to bid her farewell on the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month. As the Prince of East Lake, there were still many political matters in the East Lake court that required his decision. Even though he knew she would certainly refuse, he still invited her to East Lake for the New Year.

Zhao Yan shook her head and refused.

As Wei Qingli turned to leave, he gazed at her deeply, as if wanting to engrave her into the depths of his eyes.

"I know you fear the cold. Wait for me. Every year from now on, I will spend the New Year with you in the Jiangnan Royal Palace."

After he left, Zhao Yan carefully savored the meaning of his words and suddenly laughed.

Wei Qingli, is your ambition finally going to be exposed? Don't say you're doing this for me. Has the prosperity of Jiangnan not dazzled your eyes? Do you really want to take it for yourself?

Ming Xia, Bai Ke, and TextInput: arrived at the Fuji Rice and Grain Store on the afternoon of New Year's Eve.

Ming Xia brought a bunch of semi-prepared foods, all of which were Zhao Yan's favorites. Bai Ke and TextInput: were still the same, bickering and playing around. Bai Ke was making a fuss while Hong Yun laughed. TextInput: looked at the two of them, the corners of his usually expressionless face curling up unconsciously. Zhao Yan felt a sense of daze, as if time were standing still in peace.

"Young Master, Bai Ke stole the taro ball milk tea I prepared for you again!" Ming Xia stamped her feet in annoyance.

"Ming Xia, you're wrong about that. I'm not stealing the Young Master's portion; I'm testing it for poison. Are you not moved by such a loyal subordinate, Young Master?" Bai Ke took a large gulp. It was simply too fragrant and sweet. He had never tasted such a delicacy in his past eighteen years.

Before the Young Master came, he faced Commander Fu's scruffy face every day. Aside from training, it was training to the death. Food was only for filling the stomach. Day after day, year after year—his eighteen years! They were ultimately wasted on that old man.

Ming Xia didn't listen to his nonsense and tried to hit him with a soup spoon, but he was agile and she couldn't touch him at all, only making herself breathless from the effort.

"TextInput:, help me catch him!"

"TextInput:, don't, don't! Don't listen to the little girl Ming Xia. We're life-and-death brothers."

"Sorry, life-and-death brother, Ming Xia is the one cooking the New Year's Eve dinner tonight." The meaning was obvious: if I offend you, I offend you; your life is as insignificant as grass. But if I offend Ming Xia, it's hard to say if I'll even get to eat dinner.

Without a word, TextInput: defected without hesitation, leaping forward to catch him.

Just as Bai Ke was about to use his lightness skill, he was yanked down by TextInput:.

Seeing that the little girl Ming Xia really dared to hit his head with a spoon, Bai Ke ducked and nimbly hid behind Zhao Yan, using her as a shield while making faces at Ming Xia from time to time.

Ming Xia was so angry she put her hands on her hips. She wanted to hit him but was afraid of accidentally hurting the Young Master.

When Li Nanxi was led into the backyard of the Fuji Rice and Grain Store, he saw such a lively and bustling scene; the loneliness he had expected was not there.

He heard that Wei Qingli had left alone a few days ago and couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Today, he hadn't even had time to change out of his court robes before bringing people to find her.

He originally thought that since the New Year was approaching, the shop assistants would probably go home, leaving her alone and lonely in Jiangnan with just a small guard. If he invited her to the palace to watch fireworks and spend New Year's Eve together, it wouldn't be considered inappropriate.

Unexpectedly, he saw quite a few people in the yard, and it was very lively. Something was cooking on the stove, white smoke curled from the chimney, the air was filled with fragrance, and the atmosphere of the New Year was everywhere.

However, this joy and relaxation immediately vanished when they saw him and the personal guard behind him.

Li Nanxi looked at this group of people, whose expressions changed faster than mask-changing actors, and felt a bit awkward. He rubbed his nose and forced a smile as he walked up to Zhao Yan. "I thought everyone in the shop had gone home for the New Year and that you might be a bit lonely, so I wanted to invite you to the palace to watch fireworks."

Zhao Yan smiled politely. "Thank you for your concern, Prince. My family has arrived, so I won't be lonely."

Li Nanxi's gaze fixed on the two people behind her.

Bai Ke wasn't shy either. He casually flicked his long hair and greeted, "Hello, Prince! Why didn't I see that Miss Bai and the King of West Chu today?"

Li Nanxi immediately remembered this person!

Seeing the change in Li Nanxi's expression, Zhao Yan glanced helplessly at Bai Ke and said, "I apologize to the Prince on behalf of Bai Ke and TextInput:. They weren't trying to oppose you back then. I heard that a Saintess of the Bai Clan had appeared near West Chu, and they were following Bai Qingxue on my orders. On the way, Bai Ke's playful nature took over, and perhaps unable to stand someone impersonating the Bai Clan, he played a few tricks on Bai Qingxue. It wasn't directed at you."

Li Nanxi: ...

The history Li Nanxi most wanted to erase now was the two years he spent following Bai Qingxue every day, constantly presenting treasures to her just to win a single glance.

Thinking of the foolish things he did during those two years, it was as if he had been possessed. He had even wondered if he truly liked Bai Qingxue rather than just her status. But now, he understood that he didn't like her as a person; it was purely because of her identity.

As soon as Bai Zhaoyan appeared, the light in his eyes was lit up. Especially seeing her imposing manner when breaking the formation at the training grounds, his heart raced uncontrollably.

The more he didn't want people to know about him running after Bai Qingxue during those two years, the more he especially didn't want her to know.

But it just so happened she already knew, which made him feel incredibly awkward.

"Cough... it's fine." Li Nanxi changed the subject. "Miss Bai, can we speak privately?"

Zhao Yan was puzzled. She didn't think she had anything to say to him, but given his status as the Prince of Jiangnan, she nodded and followed him out of the Fuji Rice and Grain Store to stroll casually on the street.

There weren't many people on the street. It was already nearing evening, and most families were probably busy reuniting at home.

After walking for a while, Zhao Yan saw that he still had no intention of speaking, so she stopped. "It's getting late. If the Prince has something to say, please go ahead."

Li Nanxi took a brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to her. "I saw that you liked this soft jade before, so consider it a New Year's gift."

Where did he see that she liked it? Could it be because she picked it up, looked at it, and then put it back?

Besides, this was originally her thing. He forced her to give it up and was now giving it back to her?

Zhao Yan looked up, casting a meaningful gaze at him. "Prince Li, are you serious?"

Li Nanxi instinctively felt something was off with her tone, but he still nodded.

"Heh... I did like it before, but now—" Zhao Yan's gaze swept coldly over the brocade box before fixing on him. "The Prince should keep it. Since it was so hard to obtain this soft jade, how can you bear to give it away? Even if you were to give it, it shouldn't be to me."

Li Nanxi only thought she felt uncomfortable because she heard about his confession to Bai Qingxue, and he quickly explained, "I was also deceived by her... She always told me she liked this and that..."

"Deceived you of what? Deceived you into thinking she was from the Bai Clan? So, the Prince is giving it to me now because you know I am the real member of the Bai Clan? Has Miss Bai Qingxue lost her value?"

Even though Li Nanxi didn't think he was clumsy with words, he found it difficult to argue at this moment.

If he nodded in agreement, wouldn't that make him seem like someone who prioritized profit above all else, valuing her only because of her identity? If he said no, could he say he fell in love with her at first sight, and his heart was set on her, truly wanting to bring the best things to her? In just a few days, having only met a few times and barely spoken, saying he was devoted to her—how would that be any different from being a lecher in her eyes?

Although he usually appeared as a dashing and unrestrained playboy, he now hated that image. Even if he expressed his feelings for her, she probably wouldn't believe him.

"This rare soft jade, the Prince should keep it for himself." Turning around, the smile on Zhao Yan's face vanished as she left.

After returning to the backyard of the Fuji Rice and Grain Store, several people were already waiting for her, especially Bai Ke, who could be described as waiting with eager anticipation for the Young Master to return and start the feast.

"Knock, knock—" The door was knocked on again.

Bai Ke was driven to distraction; who was delaying him from eating again!

Hong Yun opened the door, and a person dressed in ordinary civilian clothes handed her a letter and a brocade box with both hands.

Though he looked ordinary, he might not be; Hong Yun stared at him warily. His breathing was steady and extremely light, marking him as a trained martial artist at a glance.

"This is from my master for Miss Zhao Yan. Master said he very much wanted to spend New Year's Eve with Miss Zhao Yan, but unfortunately... he couldn't get away. Miss Zhao Yan will understand upon seeing the letter. Also, regarding the gifts Miss Zhao Yan sent, Master asked me to convey that he likes them very much."

Hong Yun initially thought it was Wei Qingli, but upon hearing the second half of the sentence, she knew it wasn't. How could her Young Master possibly send a New Year's gift to Wei Qingli? He could only dream.

Having delivered the items, the man bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Zhao Yan took the brocade box and opened it, her eyes lighting up slightly—it was an incredibly exquisite dagger. The handle was inlaid with seven types of gemstones: amber, agate, jasper, pearl, platinum, and real diamonds, arranged like the Seven Stars.

She opened the letter, scanned it quickly, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curled upward.

Zhao Yan reached out to take the dagger from the brocade box, playing with it in her palm. This was the legendary Seven-Star Dagger, rumored to be able to cut through gold and jade and slice through iron like mud. She suddenly struck at the corner of the table, and the solid wood corner was instantly sliced off like tofu.

"Good heavens!" Bai Ke was startled, his eyes widening. "Who would send such a brutal gift? It's unlucky, so unlucky."

Zhao Yan laughed instead, her eyes filled with pleasure. "The little guy was thoughtful."

"Is it that young master from the Xiao Clan?" Bai Ke asked.

Zhao Yan nodded.

"The dagger is a good dagger, but Young Master, you sent him so many things, and he only sent you a dagger? That's a bit too stingy." Bai Ke felt somewhat indignant on behalf of his master.

The New Year's gift the Young Master gave to the young master of the Xiao Clan had been personally escorted by him and TextInput:; they had set out from the graveyard, headed straight for Wuzhong, and only then met up in Jiangnan.

A large chest of gold and silver jewelry, actual gold and silver—the Young Master's generosity was simply too lavish!

He silently wanted to ask: Young Master, do you still need a younger brother?

Zhao Yan smiled nonchalantly and said, "The reason I sent those mundane items is because they are what he needs most right now. His situation in the palace is difficult; whether it's wining over people or sending them to do tasks, everything requires money for lubrication. My ability to send people to his side is limited; he needs to cultivate his own influence within the Wuzhong imperial court. Otherwise, he will always be living under my wing and will never grow up."

"And this iron-slicing dagger he sent me—" Zhao Yan toyed with the dagger, genuinely liking it, "—is likely the best thing he could offer within his capabilities. It's convenient for me to carry, and at a critical moment, it might even protect me."

Since their last parting in Wuzhong, she and Xiao Mu had maintained contact. Information about her transit point in Jiangnan, the Fuji Rice and Grain Store, had also been passed to him one by one.

The little guy told her in his letter that he had been secretly learning martial arts from a master over the past few months. He had practiced martial arts before the incident, but after the changes occurred, it was delayed. Now that he had picked it up again, he was very confident.

After the second young master, Xiao Yi, was carried back last time, Xiao Mu had also been beaten with planks by a furious Xiao Chengyuan and then placed in confinement, which was why he hadn't been able to write to her.

Fortunately, however, Physician Qin had already infiltrated the Imperial Academy of Medicine and was now looking after him in secret.

The little guy said in the letter that the Xiao Clan's feng shui had been quite bad over these past few months. Even through the stationery, she could feel his smug, praise-seeking state of mind.

First, after the second young master Xiao Yi recovered, he unfortunately contracted a venereal disease during his frequent visits to brothels. Now he was bedridden and didn't have many days left to live. The Third Young Master went out hunting and, through a moment of carelessness, had his right leg trampled and broken by a frenzied horse. He wouldn't stay quiet while recovering, so even if he healed now, he would be a cripple.

He turned a deaf ear to outside affairs and quietly remained a 'nobody' in the Cold Palace, which instead caught the attention of his cold-blooded father. Of course, he mostly suspected that Xiao Chengyuan only noticed him after his other two sons were ruined, realizing that only the eldest son and this 'wicked son' were left.

As for Heir Xiao Mu, it wasn't time to strike yet. Firstly, because Xiao Chengyuan's protection of him was very tight, and secondly, if three sons were ruined all at once, even someone as dull as Xiao Chengyuan would know something was wrong. Even without evidence, the fact that he would be the biggest beneficiary would be enough to cost him his life.

Xiao Chengyuan has now pulled him out of the Cold Palace and has recently allowed him to return to the study to continue his lessons.

Finally, he mentioned that all was well with him. Since Xiao Chengyuan had begun to value him more recently, he could no longer leave the palace at will for long periods; otherwise, he would have definitely come to Jiangnan to spend the New Year with her.

Although the letter was full of words of comfort about how well he was doing in Wuzhong, it only made one's heart ache more. Xiao Mu was only an eleven-year-old boy, yet he had already witnessed the coldness of the world, the malice of human hearts, and being deserted by all.

He spoke of his recent situation in the letter with such understatement, but she knew it wasn't as simple or easy as he claimed. Not to mention that those two sons of the Xiao Clan naturally had many guards, making it difficult to strike at them, and winning Xiao Chengyuan's trust to be released from the Cold Palace was even more difficult.

Did Xiao Chengyuan not know he was the culprit who killed her aunt? He knew, of course, and since Xiao Mu and her aunt had a deep bond, how could he feel at ease keeping such a threat by his side?

Xiao Mu must have put in a great deal of thought and effort behind the scenes to temporarily gain Xiao Chengyuan's trust.

The letter also mentioned that the news of Zhao Yan of the Bai Clan clearing the Bai Clan's name and breaking an extremely dangerous ancient formation under the witness of the Heir of Jiangnan, the Heir of East Lake, and the King of West Chu had reached Wuzhong. He was thrilled to hear it and wished he could brag to everyone that she was his sister! But he could only be silently proud in his heart, to the point that he was still too excited to sleep that night.

Silly boy, Zhao Yan chuckled softly.

However, since the news was traveling so fast and had already reached Wuzhong, it should soon reach Beichuan and Yandu, the capital of the Liang State.

They would likely have to move by March at the latest.

Yandu of the Liang State—that was the place she wanted to go most!

...

After the New Year, Zhao Yan continued her business with the Garment Workshop and the rice shop in Jiangnan, though her interactions with Wan Xianzhi became more frequent. This was partly due to Zhao Yan's deliberate efforts and partly because Wan Xianzhi catered to her interests.

The shops under her name and Wan Xianzhi's shops began some collaborations, and the shared interests made their relationship even closer. When dealing with smart people, there was no need for superfluous words.

Around February, news came from East Lake that the Prince of Donghu had abdicated to the Heir of East Lake, Wei Qingli, citing ill health.

The other four kings remained tight-lipped; it was only a matter of time before this Prince of Donghu stepped down. Years ago, the Heir of East Lake had already held the reins of power, and the entire East Lake followed only the Heir's orders. Therefore, the Prince of Donghu's abdication didn't have much impact on anyone.

But Zhao Yan possessed the memories of the original host's first life. Wei Qingli had only ascended the throne in the fifth year after the fall of the Liang State. At that time, the Prince of Donghu was already a several-hundred-pound man who could no longer move his limbs, had difficulty speaking, and drooled constantly. Even so, he was kept in the position of Prince of Donghu by Wei Qingli, who ordered people to force-feed him daily and use him to test the 'immortality pills' refined by Taoist priests.

Later, the Prince of Donghu finally died during a medicine test when the effects kicked in.

As for the rumors that Wei Qingli had murdered his brothers and mother, although the facts differed slightly from the rumors, they were nearly the same, except that Wei Qingli's methods were even more cruel.

As for why the Wisher fell in love with Wei Qingli, at first, it might have just been gratitude for his protection and unconditional trust in her; later, after learning about Wei Qingli's life story, she developed a sense of being kindred spirits.

Unfortunately, he didn't need her pity. Telling her the truth was merely to win her sympathy, making it easier for him to capture her heart and eventually use her as a tool to seize the world.

A sharp pain shot through her heart; it was the residual emotion of the original host.

Zhao Yan reached out and gently pressed against it, saying softly, "In this chaotic world, you were the most innocent and foolish one. They were all acting, but you took it seriously."

"Since it's all an act, why don't we see who acts better? My acting skills aren't half bad either."