Rui Wang Estate, in the main hall of the main compound...
"Why is Chen Wang suddenly changing his mind?" When the report reaches the Marshal's ears, he imdiately asked his source about the young general's sudden decision to join the convoy going to the east region.
Seated in front of him, Rui Wang creased his brow and also perked his ears to listen to what the ssenger would say.
The masked man kneeling before the two said, "Grand Marshal, Your Highness Rui Wang, according to the hearsays, it's the newly appointed Lady of Ping'An who wanted to go with the expedition. It's been said the lady is confident of her dical skills and wants to contribute to the empire, therefore, she volunteered herself. Chen Wang only agreed to go after being persuaded by her to co with them and help General Tao to ensure there will be no mishaps to the mbers of the excursion."
The Emperor's most favorite son snorted at the side, bringing down the cup of tea in his hand to the elegant patterned wooden table. The narrow slits of his eyes made the handso but arrogant-looking prince more conceited when he looked at Jiang Ke and comnted, "Look here, my father-in-law the Grand Marshal. The opponent who set fire in your courtyard yesterday is such a foolish man. Wherever the woman he fancies goes, he goes. Such a simple-minded opponent managed to reduce one of your manors into heaps of ashes?"
The Marshal waved a hand at his subordinate. Only after the man bowed and excused himself from them did he reply to Rui Wang with utter seriousness in his face.
"Your Highness. This one has no choice but to be blunt with you. I visited Your Highness to warn you about Chen Wang. Please don't slight him nor underestimate him just because he had stayed longer outside of the capital than anybody else. You were also at the court earlier and saw what he could do."
Rui Wang's eyes were watching the ripples on the tea. When he heard the older man's words, a corner of his lips rose, his laughing eyes hiding so disdain, "Grand Marshal, are you referring to how he played with words in front of Father Emperor against you?"
The Marshal's heart grew cold upon realizing that the man before him was really too stupid and too arrogant. Nonetheless, since he was already in Rui Wang's camp, he suppressed the urge to break the nearest furniture, and patiently explained,
"Your Highness. Please be reminded that Lu Ling is the head of the neutral side. However, when the Emperor earlier is heavily questioning the second prince about how he managed to get a hold of sothing even the Emperor had not heard of yet, the people from the neutral faction all went forward to say a few good words in Hai Wang's favor."
It was impressive that even though Jiang Ke was in the middle of a glaring contest with Jiang Li earlier, he still managed to observe that. In reality, this information gave him quite a shock. He was alard. Nevertheless, he still managed to give the people around the idea that he didn't see the signs. Now, he was reminding his patron since for him, the old fogies of the neutral faction siding with sobody was a big issue.
Unfortunately...
Rui wang only replied, "Oh? Those few ministers?"
The prince raised his head and looked at his worrywart father-in-law with an expression asking, 'What of it?'
Apparently, the most favored son of the Emperor did not put much thoughts into it. He was not that bothered. As soone already secretly penned by his father the Emperor as heir, why would he?
This was showing on Rui Wang's face. And Jiang Ke saw this. He believed Rui Wang should at least do sothing. But since the other was clearly planning not to, he felt like the most idiotic thing he did in his entire life, apart from falling for Chen Wang's trap yesterday, was siding this damnable prince who would most likely die due to his arrogance before he could ascend the throne.
...
On the other side of the city, in the house next to Chen Wang Residence, Jiang Ying Yue was talking to her maids, discussing with them what their arrangents in the upcoming expedition would be.
Beforehand, she had been inford about the matter. It was Jiang Li himself who jumped over the wall separating their houses to tell her of this. Since she knew she would be posturing as a dic, she had her servants go to the different clinics to purchase all that she would be needing to play the part.
"Thankfully, I have just arrived in the capital. Given this reason, those who would hear about ordering my people to buy so necessities should not suspect ," she muttered to herself as she watched the servants hauled boxes after boxes of herbs and dicine in the courtyard.
When she sent Xiao Lu next door to deliver a ssage to Chen Wang, she was also thanking her lucky stars that she was taught so basic dical knowledge by that old witch.
Jiang Ying Yue thought of that person, was she doing okay at the borders by herself?
"Young Miss, we have everything sorted out," reported Xiao Lu at her. She remained staring out the west window, watching the setting sun.
"Xiao Lu." Jiang Ying Yue called out to the maid standing respectfully behind her. Her voice was as clear and soothing as the wind, hence the hint of sadness in it couldn't be hidden. "Like His Highness, you're aware of what I really am, what I went through, and what I will be doing in that place. So please tell your honest opinion. Do you think that what I am currently planning to do is wrong?"
Her sudden question made the other girl's eyes widened. After making sure there were no extra ears around, Xiao Lu hesitantly opened her mouth to ask, "Young Miss... I heard that Rui Wang is one of those in charge, is it about him?"
Jiang Ying Yue kept her silence. The servant didn't dare say her opinion too. She was not Mao Hong who could openly utter bad things about the royalties.
Ti passed but the villainess did not speak anymore, seemingly lost in her thoughts. She reminisced everything she experienced since the day her mother died and her father sohow beca sobody else. All that played in her mind were unpleasant images... rare were the good ones.
Even if she was now under Jiang Li's wings and basking in his warmth and care, the dark mories wouldn't go away, sa with her heart that kept shouting for sothing. Revenge.
This trip to the region that would be struck by famine and drought would be her greatest opportunity. She was in awe how Lu Ling realized her thirst for justice and truth more than anyone else, but since he gave this chance to her, she wouldn't let it pass!
She smiled as she engraved the red skies and floating clouds in her mind.
Right now, nobody looking at her expression should be able to tell that deep inside her, she was vowing to push those two, Rui Wang and his wang fei, down the abyss. To let them taste what true despair was, the kind of despair at least three tis greater than what she went through before.
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