Qian Xingzhi had completely forgotten the wedding rituals, and the two didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky.
With no elders in the household, there was no one to serve.
With Liang Luming covering for her, even though there were now more maids and servants in the mansion, Qian Xingzhi didn't have to worry about exposing her identity.
By lunchtime, Yin Tan arrived hurriedly. His face was embarrassed, as if he was anxious and regretful for missing his master's important life event. "Master, I did not..."
Seeing that he came empty-handed, clearly not to congratulate her on her marriage, and that he was now fidgeting anxiously, Qian Xingzhi took the initiative to ask: "It's fine, you don't need to explain. Is there something urgent?"
"Exactly," Yin Tan tried to calm himself. "These past few days, rumors that the Seventh Prince is overpowering the Eastern Palace have been rampant. I was not detected, but the Third Prince has been drinking and reveling with others, often speaking wildly. His words even involve you, Master. I'm afraid it's not good."
Qian Xingzhi held her forehead. What kind of divine beings were Jun Anche and Consort Yan to raise such an extraordinary fool?
"What did he say?" Qian Xingzhi sighed. "Anything serious enough to cost someone their head?"
Yan Zhaoshuang had once praised him too highly. When the Third Prince was drunk, he could leak the news of his affair with His Majesty's consort that produced the Tenth Princess to a male actor. If someone managed to pry information out of him one day, saying something stupid like "Qian Xingzhi calculated that I am the future Son of Heaven," even ten heads wouldn't be enough to save Qian Xingzhi.
"...Yes," Yin Tan felt his mouth go dry. "I occasionally work at a tavern now. The place is remote, but the third-floor private rooms are extremely luxurious and usually not open to guests. Today, however, several distinguished guests arrived, and the entire building was heavily guarded. I wasn't qualified to approach the third floor, but I happened to overhear a conversation."
He paused, took the tea Qian Xingzhi handed him, drank it in one gulp, and continued: "One distinguished guest said that the Governor of Suzhou had gotten himself into big trouble, and the news was temporarily blocked from reaching His Majesty. Then another guest said that you, Master, had once warned the Governor of Suzhou, and it turned out to be true."
Qian Xingzhi immediately recalled the trouble she had encountered in Suzhou and how she had bluffed the Governor of Suzhou. Given the extravagance in the Governor's household, it was no surprise he had embezzled a fortune. The only problem was that Qian Xingzhi's prediction had been too accurate, making it seem mysterious.
"Then I heard the Third Prince praising you for your extraordinary ability to read people and predict fates, saying you had once stated that he would achieve great things in the future—"
This fool! Although Qian Xingzhi was furious, she knew it had already happened. She could only try to think of a countermeasure in case the matter was exposed.
Yin Tan had served Bai Sen at Full Moon Tower for a long time, so he could easily recognize the Third Prince's tone. She was willing to believe this information.
At that banquet in Suzhou, besides the Governor and herself, there were also Lu Yu, the General of the Northern Frontier, and Wei Yang, the Governor of Nanchuan. The General of the Northern Frontier had already left for the Northern Frontier and usually didn't bother with court affairs, let alone those of Suzhou. Although Nanchuan was gradually getting back on track, official duties had not become any lighter. It was unlikely Wei Yang had the leisure to gossip like this.
Who could have quietly leaked this news to the Third Prince when even His Majesty hadn't learned of it yet, with the information blocked? That person not only knew the Governor of Suzhou's movements but was also one of those in the know that night.
What exactly was Lu Yu trying to do? Qian Xingzhi had no idea. Take revenge? Perhaps. She had probed him many times before, and he had never denied that explanation, but he had never revealed any other purpose either.
Why was the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau the key to what Lu Yu called his plan? And why did he have to walk a path of universal condemnation and certain death?
But if it was indeed someone arranged by Lu Yu, she didn't need to worry too much about the consequences of this information getting out. First, it wasn't a big deal for Lu Yu to know how she had fooled the Third Prince. Second, Lu Yu still needed her to do things and would naturally control the leak of this information.
To verify her hypothesis, she would have to seek confirmation from the person involved. But would Lu Yu tell her?
She had to go see Lu Yu and try.
"Don't panic. You did well," Qian Xingzhi reassured Yin Tan. "Just keep being careful for me like this. There's a good private school south of the city. I've already arranged for you. From now on, go study there at a set time each day."
At a time like this, how could the master still be thinking about this? Yin Tan grew anxious. "Master, getting involved in the struggle for the crown is already extremely dangerous. If you let this matter fester and His Majesty finds out due to some mistake, disaster will truly strike."
Qian Xingzhi patted his head. "It's good that you're cautious, but don't worry. I'll handle this today. Go on."
Only then did Yin Tan thank her and withdraw.
How was she going to see Lu Yu? Asking him to climb over the wall for a secret meeting at night was no longer feasible. Not only did the household have an additional wife, but there were also more maids and servants. However, Qian Xingzhi didn't want to send Yuan Mo to deliver a message. She wanted to talk face to face with Lu Yu and make things clear.
Just as she was pondering, Liang Luming called out to her: "Does what you said last night still count?"
Qian Xingzhi scratched her head. "I'll keep every promise I made to you. But which one are you referring to?"
Liang Luming lifted her chin, and Qian Xingzhi thought she looked like a proud little peacock. "A few of my former 'close friends' from the boudoir have invited me to pick out the latest rouge and fabric patterns. Didn't you say something about showing them up? Will you come with me?"
Qian Xingzhi quickly replied: "Of course I will. Coincidentally, I have some business to attend to. I'll help you out first."
She called Yuan Mo and instructed him to inform Lu Yu that if he was free, they could "bump into each other" at the teahouse later.
The group "marched out" with determination. Liang Luming seemed very confident in Qian Xingzhi, fully believing she could salvage her dignity in front of those few.
Entering the shop, the young ladies gathered around.
"Our heartfelt congratulations to the talented Liang!"
"Oh, look! Didn't I say? They truly are a perfect match!"
"Luming, you are truly blessed!"
Liang Luming smiled without sincerity. Their congratulatory words sounded fine at first, but paired with their teasing expressions and insinuating tones, the insincerity became apparent after a moment's reflection.
Under normal circumstances, if they truly cared for Liang Luming, they would have at least subjected Qian Xingzhi to some "interrogation." Given Liang Luming's family background, beauty, and talent, she could have been a princess consort. Yet she had married Qian Xingzhi. How could they say "perfect match" or "blessed"? At the very least, they should have teased that Qian Xingzhi had hit the jackpot.
If Qian Xingzhi had been Liang Luming's close friend and Liang Luming had married a prince consort, Qian Xingzhi would still have found faults, afraid that she might be wronged.
Liang Luming calmly introduced each of them to Qian Xingzhi. They all came from prominent families, and she didn't know what grudge they held to want to see her humiliated.
Qian Xingzhi acknowledged them one by one and then calmly began to "counterattack": "Ladies, you are mistaken. My wife marrying me is truly a humiliation for her. I must have cultivated good karma for several lifetimes to have such overwhelming luck today. There is no better wife in the world."
This speech made Liang Luming's face flush red, and the ladies who had come to laugh were left stunned.
Wei Yang's youngest sister was also among them. Seeing Qian Xingzhi defend Liang Luming so fiercely, she unwillingly spoke up again: "Lord Qian, why be so modest? I think Luming is the one who is truly blessed. We don't have such good fortune."
Don't they ever use their brains? Even if Qian Xingzhi and Liang Luming were truly at odds, would she dare to disrespect a daughter of the Liang family in public?
Since they refused to let go, Qian Xingzhi would have to drop a bombshell: "That's true. My wife doesn't have to serve her in-laws. From now on, she will have the final say in the Qian Mansion. Even if she wants to pluck the moon, I'll get it for her. But you, miss, will probably have to serve your in-laws and husband in the future. Compared to my wife, you'll definitely live a bitter life."
Miss Wei was dumbfounded and blurted out without thinking: "So Luming doesn't have to serve you?"
Qian Xingzhi widened her eyes in surprise: "How could that be? I am deeply devoted to my wife. How could I ask her to serve me?"
Before the young ladies could respond, Qian Xingzhi took Liang Luming's hand: "Wife, which ones do you want? Pack them all up."
Liang Luming felt dizzy, as if her mind hadn't caught up with Qian Xingzhi's words. She nodded woodenly in agreement. Qian Xingzhi led her to another area to browse. Before walking away, she turned back and glanced at the stunned noble ladies: "None of you have the final say in your own marriages, so why be so unyielding? In families of power and wealth, true feelings are the hardest to come by. I advise you to be mindful."
The shopkeeper came over, and Qian Xingzhi indeed had all the newest and most suitable items for Liang Luming wrapped up.
"Why spend so much?" Liang Luming felt a pang of regret for the money. "I just came to watch the show. I've already had my fun. I don't need to buy so much."
Qian Xingzhi patted her back reassuringly: "It's our wedding. A little celebration is in order. Besides, I can use them too. When you have time, dress me up. Let me see your skill."
Liang Luming shed her usual cold exterior and smiled sweetly: "Alright, alright. I'll make sure our Lord Qian is transformed."
These flirtatious gestures must have tasted bitter to the young ladies watching.
Across the street, the viewer on the second floor of the teahouse grew darker in expression with each passing moment.
Did Qian Xingzhi call him over just to make him watch her being sweet and lovey-dovey with her new wife? Hand-holding, back-patting, endless confessions of love—he had never seen Qian Xingzhi so affectionate before.
It was obvious that Qian Xingzhi was putting on a show for Liang Luming's sake. What, after one night of passion, had she fallen head over heels and forgotten which way was up?
Yuan Bai took in the scene through Lu Yu's cold gaze and broke out in a cold sweat for Qian Xingzhi. If his master discovered that Qian Xingzhi had gotten involved with someone else, what kind of death would await her? No, no! Why did he have such absurd thoughts again? He had been punished severely last time; he needed to remember that lesson.
"What a coincidence today. Go, invite Lord Qian over for tea."
Lu Yu seemed very calm, as if his heart was unruffled.
But he knew very well that he had practically gritted his teeth to say those words.
Thinking back now, how utterly narcissistic he had been to assume that Qian Xingzhi was interested in him! Who knew if Qian Xingzhi wasn't secretly scheming, deliberately buying that book to mock him? Perhaps she had never cared for him at all, merely playing with his goodwill to improve her own situation!
Now she was even flirting left and right without being clear with him, causing him to worry and fuss, even feeling sorry for her being forced into marriage—truly a masterful move!
What was he so angry about?
He simply detested people who were fickle and flirtatious, that was all. It had to be that.