The Anarchic Consort c1-1376
Page 86
He thought that a fourteen year old girl who hadn't even entered the palace wasn't worth his vigilance and that some casual statements from him was enough to deal with her.
Yet now!
He suddenly fell into a position where he could neither advance nor retreat.
If they were to leave, this Wei Wei's attitude insisted that if he didn't get in, she wouldn't go. Truly, he'd seen so many Young Ladies from noble families before, yet he'd never seen such a fearless one.
Don't look down on him as a little eunuch, the numbers of young ladies from influential families who fawned on him weren't few. Even if their family backgrounds were impressive, they still needed to give him some face.
Yet she, don't even mention giving him face. She's so rampant she's like a ruffian, and also didn't care about her own reputation.
If they still didn't leave, Eunuch Sun undoubtedly will send someone to ask. When that time comes, the matter about the wheel quite possibly would be discovered. Based on Eunuch Sun's lengthy experience in the palace, the matter of him receiving bribes would most likely be exposed.
The problem was even if he wanted to give Wei Wei another carriage, there no longer was enough time to do so. Most of the imperial guards had already left, following them would be the student's carriages. If they didn't leave on schedule, the person taking the blame in the end would still be him!
Compared to the little eunuch, who's perspiring a head full of cold sweat, Wei Wei appeared exceptionally relaxed. She languidly looked behind her and leaned her back against a tree, crossed her arms in front of her, and watched this scene. The smiling expression on her face was very obvious.
The little eunuch finally realized what's going on.
What she said about pulling him onto the carriage with her was only blather.
She's just waiting for the time to come, for the impatient Eunuch Sun to come over and investigate her!
No, not to investigate her…..but to investigate him!
The little eunuch's back shook, his pupils dilated as a feeling of unprecedented ice-coldness engulfed his entire body. This, this girl, she'd known early on that the wheel was his handiwork!
"Eunuch." Wei Wei blew on her fingers and smiled lightly. "Did the Helian family give away a lot of money?"
The little eunuch's lips quivered, he seemed to have been hacked open, his fingers also started to tremble. "What's Miss Helian saying. I'm unable to make sense of anything."
"Really?" Wei Wei closed her eyes, clearly resting. "Then let's wait until Eunuch Sun come to inquire. The questions he asks, you'll understand for certain."
In a split second, even the smiling expression on the corners of the little eunuch's mouth became stiff, as he lifted his head and looked at the smile at the side of Wei Wei's mouth, just like one seen on a fiend who'd just emerged from hell.
He no longer dared to regard her as a fourteen, fifteen year old girl who didn't know anything.
He even somewhat regret having received that money.
He absolutely couldn't wait until Eunuch Sun came. If it's Eunuch Sun who came to investigate, he undoubtedly will draw out that madam at the back...
Chapter 178 - Have Wei Wei Die
"Miss Helian, how about you ride a horse?" The little eunuch stubbornly propped up a smiling expression. "This slave even prepared a horse here."
Wei Wei smiled. "You'll have me, a young lady yet to marry, ride a horse and show my face in public, that's not too convenient."
Little eunuch:...
Wasn't she using the words he uttered just now to stop up his mouth!
Moreover, when did she care about these kind of things like whether she was married or not!
She clearly didn't want to go!
The little eunuch felt that his was an unprecedented thorny problem. The little eunuch before him had already set off and he looked back this way with the intent of having him hurry and catch up.
Clearly, Wei Wei didn't even want to move a muscle. The little eunuch thought that this time, he's truly done for. If this matter was leaked, Eunuch Sun didn't even need to investigate, that madam would even take care of things herself.
After all, only dead men tell no tales.
Just when the little eunuch reached the end of his ropes, a horse carriage suddenly stopped by his side. "What's going on? Is there something wrong with Sister Wei Wei's carriage?"
People from the upper class were like that. Clearly, two people had merely seen each other a few times, yet could already call each other 'sisters'.
Wei Wei looked up and turned towards the person talking. That's a young lady from the Good Compound, a rather pretty daughter from a small family. Her father had just been promoted to the capitol, and could be considered to be sailing smoothly right now. But seriously speaking, within this group of students, her background didn't amount to much. Not only that, she didn't have any talent for martial qi, nor participated in the competition this time. To accompany them to Hidden Spirit Shrine like this was really somewhat surprising.
Wei Wei's eyes flashed, smiling levelly. "There indeed was a problem, the wheel on the carriage is pretty old, so we're waiting for Eunuch Sun to come over and take care of it."
"The wheel's worn out?" That young girl knit her brows and took a glance at Wei Wei, apparently wanting to say something, but hesitated before continuing. "If Sister Wei Wei doesn't mind, then let's sit in the same carriage with me. On the road there, the two of us can chat and relieve our boredom."
Wei Wei's eyebrows rose and was going to refuse.
That young girl meticulously looked at the wheel again before she said ambiguously. "It just so happened that I have a something to warn Younger Sister to be careful of."
"Oh?" Wei Wei pondered as her corners of her mouth moved. "I'll trouble Sister Chen, then."
"What trouble is there to mention, as long as you don't mind, sister will be feel delighted." After saying this, Chen Wen Wan turned towards the maid standing outside and glanced at her. "Hurry up and help Sister Wei Wei get up here."
But Wei Wei already came forward in large strides. "There's no need, I can help myself."
"Younger Sister's so skillful." Chen Wen Wan lightly smiled while waving the fan in her hands. Her each and every move was picture perfect.
Wei Wei sat by her side, smiled shallowly, and didn't say anything else.
Chen Wen Wan looked outside the carriage. Intentionally or otherwise, her gaze fell on that little eunuch, and glanced over that way before letting down the curtain, speaking in a quiet voice. "Let's go, don't delay."
"Yes." The horse whip raised gently, the wheels made an impression as they crossed over the mud beneath the rain water.
The little eunuch stood at a concealed location, his facial expression imperceptible. It could only faintly be felt that he breathed out in relief.
Having the imperial guards open a path for them, the horse carriages in the rear got going, much more securely than usual.
In addition, all of these horse carriages were the ones Retired Emperor personally had people prepare. Sitting in them felt very comfortable. Inside, there's even a small rectangular table on which was arranged a small teapot as well as dried fruits.
The more one looked, the more it resembled an outing. Wei Wei casually poured herself some tea. What's best about going on a mountain road was that it wasn't too hot, as a breeze blew gently, and beautiful scenery could be observed everywhere.
Wei Wei had just taken a sip of tea, when Chen Wen Wan sitting by her side looked left and right, then meaningfully s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath, as if she'd made a big decision before she leaned over by the side of her ear to say. "This carriage was altered by Sister Jiao Er and her people."
Wei Wei's fingers playing with the porcelain cup paused, and her brows jumped. "How did Older Sister know?"
I arrived early today, and personally saw it." After Chen Wen Wan finished speaking, she let out a very long sigh. "From the looks of it, Sister Jiao Er can't tolerate y
ou."
Wei Wei smilingly said. "Since this is the case, why didn't sister tell Eunuch Sun, instead of telling me?"
"Sister, ah, do you truly not know, or are you pretending to not understand." Chen Wen Wan grabbed a piece of cake. "Sister Jiao Er is someone who can't be provoked at White Academy. She has the support of the four great clans. It doesn't matter what Third Prince's attitude is, Retired Emperor still hopes that the person to take Third Prince's Consort position will be Sister Jiao Er. Eunuch Sun is someone who serves Third Prince. How could he look for trouble with his future master. Even if I were to speak to him, what good would it do. At that time, maybe I'd even be kicked out of the academy."
Wei Wei laughed again. "What I'm hearing from Sister seems to suggest swallowing this grievance."
"Sure enough, Sister is really smart." Chen Wen Wan smiled again and said meaningfully. "At this point, even if we have no animosity and no complaints, as long as we possessed good looks, and have an opportunity to get close to His Highness, we'd still be targeted and pushed aside! It's just that, we're only small players. But Sister, having been targeted by people, have you not thought of any countermeasures?"
"What countermeasures?" Following the other party's words, on Wei Wei's face was a smile that's not a smile.
Chen Wen Wan looked carefully all around. After she was certain the carriage windows have all been closed, she then secretly spoke in a quiet voice. "I actually have a way."
"What way?" Wei Wei correspondingly also lowered her body.
Chen Wen Wan hesitated a bit, pausing after each word. "This time, we're actually burning incense at Hidden Spirit Shrine because there's a flood in the South. Retired Emperor wanted to go to pray for blessings. If someone among us were to do anything wrong, we'll definitely suffer a worse punishment than usual. Why don't sister use this opportunity to fight for yourself."
"Fight for myself?" Wei Wei seemed to have a bit of trouble making sense of what she's hearing.
Chen Wen Wan's gaze was clear. "Every year, after the event at HIdden Spirit Shrine, Retired Emperor always commanded the students to accompany his old person to walk up to an ancient pavilion around there. At that time, Sister only need to take this thing and place it on the body of the one you want to deal with. After that, I only need to bump against her body and we'll succeed."
"What's this?" Wei Wei took the yellow package that Chen Wen Wan handed over, her eyes narrowing.
Chen Wen Wan's voice lowered. "Witch wood. It's a very evil thing!"
Ba bump...
Again, a broken piece of wood was beneath the wheel.
Wei Wei's body swayed along with the carriage shaking and her fingers stopped. "Why does sister want to help me in this way?"
"If I hadn't suffered being pushed aside so fiercely, I also wouldn't have come up with this idea." Chen Wen Wan lowered her head and let out a very long sigh. "Sometimes people just don't have the freedom to act independently. Who told us to be born from poor backgrounds. By trying to get ahead a little we end up as a target for people. I just don't want to continue living like this anymore."
Chapter 179 - Getting Close to Wei Wei
Helian Wei Wei looked down. "Then when should this witch wood be used."
"Younger Sister don't need to worry about this." A light quickly flashed within Chen Wen Wan's eyes. When we arrive at Hidden Spirit Shrine, there'll naturally be an arrangement for the students to rest. When the young ladies go to relieve themselves, before they go for a stroll, Younger Sister only need to take advantage of the time Retired Emperor lights the incense and place this thing on that person's body. That'll do."
Wei Wei slightly creased her brows. "In case I'm discovered, what should I do?"
"Younger Sister, don't worry, with me as a screen, no one will see it." Chen Wen Wan spoke with a spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice, the tone of her voice even carried a slight implication of urging her on.
Wei Wei looked pensive as she smiled. "OK, then let's just try according to Older Sister's method." Since somebody dug a pit to have her jump, if she didn't go explore, wouldn't that be such a pity.
It's just that when it came time for the bird to catch the soft-shelled turtle, she's afraid that someone else will...
....
The horse carriage already traveled for about eight hours, and finally took a midway rest.
Everybody continued to sit in their respective seats. The sons of nobility sat directly in front and drank water as they chat. Their demeanor and graceful appearance made several young ladies dressed in their long dresses giggle, one after another.
In contrast to the men's joy and harmony, the women were obviously divided into factions.
No one was willing to sit together with Wei Wei, even though she publicly became the armament champion before numerous people. However, from the girls' perspective, without power, without influence, and even without good looks, she simply wasn't in the position to sit and drink tea with them.
The maids served them with utmost care, and brought the osmanthus and lotus seed soup that they'd previously prepared, took out a wooden box, and bit by bit poured it into a bowls. It was previously iced and most suitable for drinking on a journey.
Helian Jiao Er received a bowl and instructed her maid. "Also bring to the other two sisters for them to have a taste. Although this isn't some precious item, it'll work to quench their thirst."
"This iced and cold feeling really is not bad."The Liang family's young lady drank a mouthful delicately, using her handkerchief to dab the corners of her mouth. After seeing Wei Wei across from them eating a steamed bun, she very disdainfully curled her lips. "Some people are truly backward, what kind of place is this, to be eating steamed buns and stewed beef.
However, what's going on with the one with last name Chen. How could she go get mixed up with that country bumpkin."
Helian Jiao Er also turned towards Wei Wei's direction and took a glance, laughing along.
The young men at the other side naturally also noticed the activity over here.
After they finished drinking the first-rate Longjing tea received from their servants, they cast a glance in Wei Wei's direction from time to time, disdain very distinct on their faces.
"No wonder this ugly person doesn't suit graceful gatherings. No matter how strong she is, she's still a barbaric woman."
Several people laughed out loud, some even started joking. "Based on her looks, if delivered before grandfather's face, grandfather will still have to think about it."
"Ha ha ha Ha ha."
The young men's voices were very low, bystanders simply couldn't hear.
If Wei Wei really heard them, probably the person talking absolutely wouldn't have survived past the weekend.
What's more, they'd never have thought that one day, the person who they said they'd disdain to even touch, surprisingly will become the kind of stunning beauty in the capitol who'd take people's breath away. However, these things should be written about in the future. At present, Wei Wei still wore that slightly black face, and calmly bit into the steamed bun in her hand. Actually, her table manners were very good-looking, radiating a kind of heroic grace, wearing a smile that's not a smile, even while using the wooden chopsticks to place a piece of beef into her mouth. Her lunch box also looked really good. It's made of simple wood, but very good at maintaining heat. On one side was even a space to store fruits and vegetables, appearing very appetizing.
Don't know whether it's because it's too appetizing.
Words were suddenly heard by the side of her ear. "Hey, girl, what're you eating? I want to make an exchange with you."
Sitting by her side, Chen Wen Wan's hand holding the teacup paused.
As the tree's shadow swayed, she eventually saw clearly the appearance of the guy who's speaking. Her beautiful eyes opened wide, powdered lips pursed tightly, the hand gripping the handkerchief didn't know when it already became rigid. The fingernails pierced the handkerchief and even imprinted red traces ont
o the palm of her hand. Her heart actually beat wildly.
"My Lady..." Her personal maid tugged at her sleeves, as if to remind her to focus on the situation.
Chen Wen Wan finally seemed to recover, and breathed in deeply, nonchalantly using her sleeves to conceal the palm of her hands. When she looked up, she already became incomparably gentle. "Young Master Hei..."
Hei Ze 'mm'd once, his overbearing aura was difficult to cover up as he took large steps to cross her, then lowered his eyes to look at Wei Wei. "Girl, you didn't hear what I said, right?"
"What're you bringing to exchange with me?" Wei Wei calmly put down the chopsticks in her hand, without planning on taking Young Master Hei's intent seriously. Last time, during the competition, he even took advantage of her like they were childhood sweethearts or something. She'd simply had enough.
Hei Ze coveted the stewed beef he'd glimpsed at inside her lunchbox. "I'll use the swallow's nest soup made by my servant, it's still iced right now. I'll give all of it to you."
"Swallow's nest?" Wei Wei shrugged her shoulders in disinterest. "Swallow's saliva, you can leave for yourself to slowly enjoy."
Hei Ze glared at her for a bit. He originally gave voice in order to help her out of an embarrassing situation. This silly girl, why did she leave the house bringing such totally embarrassing foods. However, after looking at her lunchbox again, his saliva suddenly flowed out. When they enter the temple later, indeed, they wouldn't have meat to eat. Right now, he actually wanted to eat stewed beef to his heart's content. "Then what do you want in exchange for your lunchbox."
"I already ate half, you still want it?" Wei Wei glanced at Hei Ze's eyes, and knew that the other person fancied the meat in her box. She knew this partner of hers was a young master who couldn't live without meat and immediately laughed. "It's possible to have me give it to you. One thousand taels of silver."
Hei Ze didn't speak. On the contrary, the little servant by his side jumped. "One thousand taels of silver, you might as well directly rob us!"