Chapter 141 (1/2)
Chapter 141: Truth behind the Casual Words
The next morning, Jun Huang went to Prince Chen Manor. The page boy greeted her at the door, and the housekeeper stopped to welcome her as well. It was unusual for a strategist to garner so much respect from the servants.
”Here for the prince, gentleman Feng?” asked the housekeeper.
Jun Huang nodded with her eyes lowered. ”Yes. I hope the housekeeper can tell me where the prince is.”
”The prince is in the garden. Gentleman Feng may go ahead.”
”Much appreciated,” Jun Huang said with a smile. She cupped her hands at the housekeeper before making her way to the garden. Her turquoise robe brushed against the green shoots under her feet. Morning dew left dark patches on the fabric.
Even though Qi Chen was now familiar with how Jun Huang looked, he still couldn't help but be struck by her elegance every time he saw her.
”What has Your Highness asked me to be here for?” Jun Huang asked with a smile.
Qi Chen invited Jun Huang to take a seat before saying, ”Does Brother Feng know that Royal Father has arranged a marriage between Wan'er and the top scholar?”
Jun Huang nodded. ”Princess Wan'er is a G.o.ddess among women. It is worth celebrating for her to find a good husband.”
Qi Chen nodded in agreement. ”Zhang Yuan is someone with real talent, and he seems like the honest type. I don't think he will wrong Wan'er. There are two things I asked you here for. First is to discuss with you if we should recruit Zhang Yuan. Second is to ask you if you are willing to take charge of Wan'er's wedding. There are many preparations to be made. You already have experience in holding a wedding. What do you think?”
”Zhang Yuan is going to marry Princess Wan'er. He will fall into place without us doing anything. As for the wedding, if Your Highness is willing to place your trust in me, this gentleman is more than willing to take the responsibility.” Jun Huang glossed over the issue with Zhang Yuan's allegiance. As for Wan'er's wedding, Jun Huang did believe that she should help. She could not reciprocate Wan'er's feelings, and she had hurt Wan'er because of the circ.u.mstances preventing her from telling the truth.
Jun Huang left after talking to Qi Chen for a few more minutes. She decided to visit Zhang Yuan back at her place. It made sense that she should congratulate Zhang Yuan in person.
She happened to run into Zhang Yuan at the door. Zhang Yuan knew Jun Huang had been staying in Prince Nan Manor. He was therefore a little surprised by her presence. He ran up to her with a smile he couldn't hide even if he had wanted to.
”Congratulation,” Jun Huang said in a teasing tone, her lips curved into a faint smile.
Zhang Yuan blushed. He cleared his throat and said, ”Is the gentleman back for something urgent?”
Jun Huang shook her head and led Zhang Yuan to the garden. Zhang Yuan fell into steps a little behind her, waiting for her to get into business. After the time for a pot of tea to brew, Jun Huang said, ”The situation in the court has become clearer now. Since you are going to marry Princess Wan'er, you have to make up your mind about Qi Chen. I'm not sure what your goal is, but…”
”Gentleman Feng is being needlessly formal with me,” Zhang Yuan hurriedly said, worried that Jun Huang would misunderstand where his loyalty lay. ”This gentleman has never forgotten how gentleman Feng helped me out of my misery. You are my Bo Le. If not for you, I would still be a secret kept in the corner of a dark room. I wouldn't be able to earn a spot on the list of top scholars, and I wouldn't have a chance to meet Princess Wan'er, let alone to marry her. I will never forget what you have done for me. The gentleman can be sure of my loyalty.”
Jun Huang let out a relieved sigh. It was fortunate that Zhang Yuan wasn't someone who blindly sought out power and fortune. She spent some more time talking to Zhang Yuan before bidding him farewell. She had a wedding to prepare for.
Before she left, she took a piece of blood jade off her waist and handed it to Zhang Yuan with a small smile. ”I've left my room in a hurry today, and I wasn't sure what I should give you as a gift. If you are willing, please accept this.”
Zhang Yuan was going to turn her down, but he couldn't possibly do so after hearing what Jun Huang had said. He took the jade and thanked her before carefully putting the jade away.
It was a sunny day. Jun Huang reminded him, ”Princess Wan'er is a young woman after all. If you have time today, visit her and take her on a walk. She will be appreciate the gesture.”
”Gentleman Feng is right.”
Once Jun Huang had left, Zhang Yuan went to the princess's manor, which had been vacant until Wan'er moved in after the emperor arranged the marriage. She would stay there until the wedding.
In order to make Wan'er give up on Jun Huang once and for all, Qi Chen ordered a man to tell Wan'er that her wedding would be arranged by Jun Huang. What little hope left in her heart that Jun Huang might have a change of heart was quickly distinguished. She didn't expect Jun Huang to deal her this final blow.
Wan'er had thrown away her reservations and put aside her pride as a woman, and yet she wasn't able to get Jun Huang to stop and look at her properly. She didn't resent Jun Huang for that, but she was regretful that all her affection had been in vain.