The door opened, and Du Lao paused slightly.
Nan Shiying, draped in a fur coat, sat by the fireplace in the corridor directly opposite the study. The snow had stopped for half a day, and now it had started again, accompanied by a light drizzle that fell on the steps, the eaves, and the treetops. Some raindrops hit the ground, others splattered and bounced back, making sounds like rain on plantain leaves.
Ji Jinmo looked through the open doorway, his previously still gaze suddenly alight with a different kind of brilliance.
Hearing the movement behind him, Du Lao clicked his back teeth with annoyance.
Seeing Du Lao emerge, Nan Shiying tightened her coat and stepped into the rain and snow. She walked to the study door, stamped her feet, and shook off the accumulated snow.
She glanced inside, then stepped back, afraid of letting the cold air into the room.
"How is he?" Nan Shiying asked.
"He won't die," Du Lao shot her an exasperated glance. After a moment's thought, he moved aside, glanced at Ji Jinmo, and then said to Nan Shiying, "As for the specifics, you can ask him yourself."
"No need."
Nan Shiying wrapped her coat tighter, refusing Du Lao's suggestion.
"As long as he won't die!"
Her expression was somewhat indifferent, her voice carrying a trace of the snow's chill.
Du Lao couldn't help but scoff.
If she truly didn't care, why would she be out here freezing in the middle of the night instead of sleeping!
Nan Shiying ignored Du Lao and said to Xuan Shisan, "Arrange a place for this old man to stay. I'm leaving."
With that, she didn't even glance at Ji Jinmo again. She turned and stepped back into the rain and snow, her figure disappearing into the dim moonlight.
Du Lao turned and looked at Ji Jinmo, "You two are exactly the same!"
Neither asked if the other didn't speak, both trusting and respecting each other, deliberately acting aloof despite caring.
Du Lao couldn't help but wonder if they would still maintain this distant, unyielding stance even after he was gone.
No, he had to find a way!
Ji Jinmo smiled imperceptibly, unfazed by Du Lao's teasing. He simply said to him, "I'll trouble you for these coming days, Du Lao."
Du Lao waved his hand, "No need for politeness. I just need to trouble the Prince to look after those brats on Sishui Street for me during this time."
"Of course, Du Lao can rest assured."
Xuan Shisan tidied up the guest room and led Du Lao downstairs to rest.
Miao Jiang Yin clan!
Ji Jinmo rolled up his sleeve, looking at the red line that was about to climb his elbow. His phoenix eyes held a hidden coldness that seemed capable of consuming the entire stormy snow.
So, who was the one who had placed the蛊 on her!
...
The banquet at the Nan Residence did not select a suitable husband for the Princess of Dali. Ji Hong had to choose from the eligible young men.
The legitimate son of the contemporary Marquis of Xunyang, Zhang Silang.
Upon hearing this selection, everyone finally relaxed, relieved that they had not been chosen, and felt a schadenfreude of deep sympathy.
The current Marquis of Xunyang was not well-known, but the old Marquis had served three dynasties. When the former emperor was still on the throne, the Marquis of Xunyang was appointed Prime Minister, and his talented descendants were spread throughout the central government. However, after the former emperor's death and the ascension of the current emperor, the old Marquis requested to step down, allowing Nan Chaoyin to take his place.
As for the members of the Marquis of Xunyang's household, they were soon withdrawn from the center of power and dispersed to various locations.
There were rumors that the old Marquis had secretly pledged allegiance to Prince Regent Ji Jinmo, which was why he was feared by the Emperor and had his powers curtailed. Now, it seemed, these rumors might not be baseless. Although there were not many eligible young men in Lin Yuan's capital, among all the choices, why choose this particular one?
Was this an attempt to further weaken the influence of the Marquis of Xunyang's household? To deny the legitimate son of the Marquis of Xunyang any opportunity to interfere in court affairs?
If this was the case, then the Emperor's move was indeed ruthless.
Zhang Silang?
The one from the Marquis of Xunyang's household?
The Dali envoy sat opposite the Dali Princess. Zhang Silang was somewhat unfamiliar, but after all, he was merely the legitimate son of a marquisate. Was the Emperor of Lin Yuan trying to dismiss their princess with just the legitimate son of a marquisate? This was simply too much!
"Princess, these Lin Yuan people are truly detestable!"
Envoy Qin was filled with indignation, his gaze as dark as a poisonous snake. The Dali Princess, however, remained unperturbed. Although Zhang Silang was not well-known, the Marquis of Xunyang's household had a strict family tradition. He was said to be straightforward and upright, with a somewhat stubborn personality, but he was not known to frequent places of ill repute. Marrying him might not be a bad choice.
"Envoy Qin, why be so angry? Ultimately, I am merely a tool sent by my father to appease Ji Jinmo. It's not Lin Yuan who wants me, but my father who wants to give me away. In that case, why should we care if others value me or not?"
The Dali Princess's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. After all, Envoy Qin was merely venting his powerlessness. Besides complaining to her, what could he do? He didn't dare to ask Ji Hong to retract the decree. Instead of getting angry and complaining to her here, he might as well write a memorial and send it back to Dali by swift horse.
"Princess, how dare you be so presumptuous and speak ill of the sovereign! Do you know the gravity of such a crime!"
Envoy Qin stood up indignantly, his gaze fixed on the Dali Princess as if spitting fire, wishing to burn away her rebellious words with a raging inferno, preferably turning her to ashes as well!
The Dali Princess slightly raised her eyelids and cast a casual glance at Envoy Qin. Her enchanting eyes seemed to harbor immense malice, and with just one glance, Envoy Qin froze on the spot, feeling a chill run through his entire body.
"If Envoy Qin has nothing else, please withdraw. I am tired," the Dali Princess adjusted her hairpiece, covered her mouth, and yawned, her languor exuding an indescribable noble grace.
Looking at the Dali Princess like this, Envoy Qin belatedly remembered that she was no ordinary person. Her coming for a marriage alliance was likely a joint effort by the various princes to set aside their differences. If she were a man, the other princes would likely have no chance.
During this period, she had been too gentle, her presence too low-key, so low-key that he had forgotten how formidable she was.
Recalling her methods in Dali, Envoy Qin shivered violently, not daring to say another word before bowing and retreating.
Bao Lan clicked her tongue with disdain and cursed, "What sort of thing dares to act so arrogantly in front of our Princess? Bah!"
"That's enough, Bao Lan."
The Dali Princess stopped her gossipy maid, smiling and shaking her head. "It's time to prepare. Since the Emperor of Lin Yuan has already chosen a husband for me, the palace banquet will likely be within these two days."