Chapter 212: Chapter 198: Stirring Up Trouble (Third Update)

Aside from a spot in Hongwen Academy, Emperor Guangxi also assigned a carriage for Song Wei.

When Song Wei left the palace, people from the Princess Mansion were waiting for him at the Imperial City Gate.

The person waiting was a young eunuch. When he saw Song Wei, he handed over the supplements that the Eldest Princess had specially prepared for him, “The Eldest Princess said that Mr. Song left in a hurry earlier and forgot to bring anything, so she asked me to deliver these to you.”

After a pause, he added, “The Eldest Princess also said not to forget the matter Mr. Song promised her.”

Song Wei nodded, “Thank you for coming all the way. Please convey to the Eldest Princess that I will keep my promise.”

The young eunuch nodded with satisfaction.

When Song Wei returned home, Song Fang had just entered the door. She turned and saw a brand-new, majestic carriage parked outside the courtyard gate. Initially, she thought her third brother had gone to the Princess Mansion to deliver gifts, and they had arranged for someone to send him back. But then the driver addressed Song Wei as “Master” and asked how to settle the horses after unloading the carriage.

Song Fang was stunned, standing motionless.

Song Wei took out the gifts sent by the Eldest Princess, a dozen or so large and small gift boxes.

Seeing Song Fang standing dumbfounded in the courtyard, he handed the items to her.

Song Fang gathered her thoughts with difficulty, her eyes still fixed in a daze on the carriage outside, murmuring, “Third Brother, is that your carriage?”

Song Wei nodded, “I handled a matter for the Emperor, and he had this carriage arranged.”

“And these items…”

Song Fang looked down at the beautifully packaged boxes in her hands.

“They are also gifts from the Emperor.”

“So, does this mean our family will have its own carriage from now on?” Song Fang’s small face showed uncontainable excitement.

Though she was used to being a Young Madam in the General Mansion, with everything taken care of, none of it truly belonged to her, so there wasn’t much sentiment involved.

Now, seeing her third brother earn the first carriage with his own abilities, a proud feeling of honor quickly grew within her.

Seeing her joy, Song Wei’s lips slightly lifted, “Move the items inside, and prepare a stable.”

“Sure!” Song Fang hugged the box tightly and stepped into the main house.

Wen Wan noticed and asked where the items came from. Song Fang replied mysteriously, “Guess?”

Wen Wan thought for a moment and said, “Your husband went to the Princess Mansion today to handle matters for the Emperor. It seems the task is complete, and these are rewards from the Emperor.”

Song Fang was a little surprised, “Little Sister-in-law, you even know that?”

Wen Wan only smiled without speaking.

“It really is a reward from the Emperor.” Song Fang spoke while placing the gift boxes on the table, then pointed outside, “Not only that, the Emperor also bestowed a carriage upon Third Brother. It’s so grand. Little Sister-in-law, would you like to go see it?”

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan couldn’t help but glance toward the door.

Song Wei had already walked in slowly. As he moved against the sunlight outside, his tall figure seemed to carry a faint, intoxicating aura.

Getting closer, Wen Wan noticed his gentle smile directed at her, causing a hidden ripple of emotion in her heart.

Song Fang probably sensed the subtle exchange between her third brother and sister-in-law, so she discreetly left to organize the stable.

Granny Song was holding Jinbao as she returned from Aunt Xie’s house next door. From afar, she saw a carriage parked in front of her house, with the driver seemingly unloading the carriage.

Granny Song’s heart jumped, and she walked forward a few steps asking, “Brother, did you come to the wrong place?”

The driver had just arrived and didn’t realize she was the Song family’s elderly lady, so he simply said, “Mr. Song previously instructed me to unload the carriage here, so this is definitely the place.”

With Granny Song’s bewildered expression, the driver adeptly untied the rope on the horse and asked Song Fang, who had just come out, how to settle them.

Seeing her mother’s reaction, Song Fang knew she was shocked, and she smiled as she went forward to explain, “Third Brother said this carriage was personally arranged by the Emperor, and from now on, the driver will also belong to our family.”

Granny Song felt as if she was dreaming, “Dear me, it’s a gift from the Emperor?”

“That’s right.” Song Fang was full of pride, “Mother, isn’t Third Brother amazing? He’s just entered the officialdom, and he’s already gained the Emperor’s favor. From now on, when we need to travel far, we won’t have to spend money hiring a carriage. We have our own and can go wherever we like.”

“It’s good indeed.” Granny Song said worriedly, “But your third brother has only been in officialdom for how long? How can he have come in contact with the Emperor? I’m worried he might take a wrong path.”

“Oh dear, the worries you have. Third Brother, with that unyielding personality of his that wouldn’t bow even if lightning struck him, could he take any wrong path?”

“Well, that’s true.” After her daughter’s words, Granny Song immediately felt her worries might be unnecessary.

If Third Son were indeed scheming, he wouldn’t have been so single-minded about collecting old items without defending himself vividly when scolded or beaten as a child.

——

After Song Wei left, the liveliness at the Princess Mansion continued.

As the eldest sister-in-law, Su Yi naturally accompanied her husband, Lu Pingzhou, at the birthday banquet.

Lu Pingzhou had been frail since childhood, and in recent years, his health had been deteriorating further. He stayed indoors all year without seeing sunlight, his skin showing an abnormal sickly pallor, and he kept a handkerchief nearby to cover his mouth when he coughed.

The appearance of this couple was not surprising to the Eldest Princess, who personally came up to greet them.

It was evident that Su Yi had carefully adorned herself before going out, dressed alluringly and elegantly. Even though she just assisted Lu Pingzhou inside, every movement exuded an indescribable seductive charm.

As she stood before the Eldest Princess, a faint fragrance wafted over.

The Eldest Princess usually preferred simplicity and understated elegance, and even at a birthday banquet, her clothing and jewelry were not overly extravagant. Smelling this scent, she discreetly frowned.

Su Yi despised Zhao Xunyin precisely for this reason: clearly a ruined shoe, yet pretending to be lofty to captivate her Brother Zhou.

Looking at the Eldest Princess, Su Yi’s expression was half-smiling, “You’ve always disliked lively gatherings, but this year you broke tradition and hosted a grand birthday banquet. Is there some happy event?”

The Eldest Princess gazed back at her, her expression hardly fluctuating, “Birthday banquets for Imperial Family princesses have always been grand. In previous years, I didn’t host them because I was being low-key. This year, hosting it grandly is quite natural. It has nothing to do with whether there’s a happy event. Hosting it grandly or not is entirely up to my whim.”

Su Yi’s face stiffened slightly.

Lu Pingzhou’s gaze fell on his own arm.

There, Su Yi’s fingers, which were supporting him, were noticeably tightening slowly.

Moving his gaze away discreetly, Lu Pingzhou naturally pushed Su Yi aside and looked at the Eldest Princess, “Where’s Second Brother? I haven’t been out for a while and would like to catch up with him.”

“The Prince Consort is over in the Warm Pavilion,” the Eldest Princess said, instructing someone to escort Lu Pingzhou over.

Upon hearing they were going to meet Lu Xingzhou, Su Yi quickly caught up with Lu Pingzhou and once again proactively assisted him, heading directly toward the Warm Pavilion.

A granny who had followed the Eldest Princess for many years noticed and furrowed her brows, “Isn’t the Princess afraid of letting the two of them meet the Prince Consort…”

The Eldest Princess smiled faintly, “If Su Yi truly had the ability to win over the Prince Consort, she wouldn’t have lost so completely nineteen years ago and become the Lu Family’s eldest daughter-in-law.”

——

Lu Xingzhou was in the Warm Pavilion entertaining a few friends when he heard the servants report that the family heads had arrived.

He didn’t have them brought inside directly but got up and walked out himself.

At a glance, he saw Su Yi assisting Lu Pingzhou standing not far away. He stepped forward, “Since Big Brother’s health isn’t good, why not stay home to recuperate? It’s cold today, and coming out in the wind might worsen it.”

Lu Pingzhou brought a handkerchief to his lips and coughed lightly, his breath slightly labored, “Seeking medical treatment hasn’t helped me; my health is just like this. Staying shut-in at home isn’t good, coming out for some fresh air feels nice.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “It’s crowded and noisy in the Warm Pavilion, I’ll arrange another room for Big Brother to rest.”

Lu Pingzhou nodded slightly, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

Lu Xingzhou quickly went personally to make arrangements.

Seeing this, Su Yi slowly released Lu Pingzhou’s arm, using the excuse of needing the toilet to leave, seemingly heading in another direction. But in reality, once out of Lu Pingzhou’s sight range, she immediately pursued Lu Xingzhou’s steps.

“Brother Zhou!”

Hearing the call from behind, Lu Xingzhou did not stop and continued walking forward.

Seeing he was ignoring her, Su Yi purposely raised her voice, “About the Eldest Princess’s secret, aren’t you interested in knowing?”

Lu Xingzhou was worried she might shout loudly, attracting more attention.

Today was Ah Yin’s birthday banquet; any disturbance would surely ruin Ah Yin’s reputation.

With no other choice, Lu Xingzhou halted his steps and turned back.

Su Yi smiled contentedly, quickly approaching him.

“Does Big Sister-in-law have something?”

Lu Xingzhou stepped back slightly, maintaining distance from her.

“Can’t I chat with you if there’s nothing?” Su Yi asked with a smile, the corners of her eyes and brows filled with allure.

“If Big Sister-in-law has forgotten her position as the Lu Family’s daughter-in-law, I don’t mind reminding you.”

Su Yi’s smile deepened, “Zhao Xunyin can engage with other men behind your back, so why are you so fixated on her alone?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingzhou’s expression slightly changed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep