Chapter 242: Chapter 243 - Both Waiting And Not Waiting Are Desperate

Jian Xubai soon came over with Jinxun. When he entered the room, Song Yixiao winked at the maids to leave. With that, she handed the box to Jian Xubai, whispering, “This is what Xu Ming left just now. He said it’s a part of the Dowager Consort’s dowry.”

“Why did he give you this?” Jian Xubai knew the whole story well. In order to cover the fact he knew what his mother-in-law did, he pretended to be surprised, “Does he have any requests?”

“I think so too!” Just as Song Yixiao was worrying about how to convince him, his words gave her an inspiration. She made use of the opportunity and said, “He said the Dowager Consort took me as her granddaughter when she was alive. And the Dowager Consort said herself that after she died, I can share her dowry, because of which, Prince of Hengshan ordered him to send it to me. But you know, although the Dowager Consort was not hard on me, she was neither close to me. How could she have such words in this condition? So, I wonder if this is a cover.”

Jian Xubai muttered, “A cover?”

“I guess Prince of Hengshan wants to give this box to Lu Guanlun and Xue’e.” Song Yixiao stated her “reasoning”, “It’s just that Lu Guanlun has been adopted by Marquis Zhaode. Although Marquis Zhaode is a descendant of the late Prince of Hengshan, he was not born by the Dowager Consort. So Marquis Zhaode’s sons are not qualified to share the Dowager Consort’s dowry. Yet, Lu Guanlun is the legitimate grandson of the Dowager Consort by blood and the most favorite one of the Dowager Consort. Now that the Dowager Consort is gone, it’s really embarrassing not to give him the Dowager Consort’s remains!”

“So, you are going to give this box to Lu Guanlun and his wife?” Jian Xubai understood what she meant. He thought before continuing, “It’s okay. No matter what Prince of Hengshan means, we don’t lack such things. But from the moment Lu Guanlun was adopted, he moved out of the prince’s mansion, and lived in the manor outside the capital. After all, it’s the Dowager Consort’s remains. It’s inconvenient for you to send it there in person, and it’s not solemn to let the servant do it. How about entrusting it to Xuepei? He is Lu Guanlun’s brother-in-law, and also the Dowager Consort’s grandson. If he sends a servant to do it, it will be reasonable.”

The reason why Lu Guanlun and his wife went outside the capital was that Lu Guanlun was too sad about the death of the Dowager Consort, which ruined his health. The imperial physician suggested him to go there to recuperate. Naturally, Yuan Xue’e had to accompany Lu Guanlun.

Song Yixiao didn’t know how to face these two people just in time. After hearing his words, she nodded, “I will go to Marquis Boling’s mansion tomorrow.”

Although Yuan Xue’e had been married and was no longer in the Marquis’s mansion, everyone knew that the two families of Jian Xubai and Yuan Xuepei had intimate relationship. And Yuan Xuepei was now a disabled person. She was not afraid of arousing any gossip as she went to have a talk with Yuan Xuepei aboveboard in the daytime.

The thing had settled. After ensuring there was nothing else, Jian Xubai went back to the study and continued to work. This night, Jinguo Grand Princess sent Jiayue to deliver the bowl of longevity noodles. The couple enjoyed it together, and that was how Jian Xubai spent his birthday this year.

On the ninth day of the second lunar month, because of the accident of Prince of Yi, Jian Xubai only took a salted crispy chicken back after work for Song Yixiao’s birthday. She felt nothing about it at that time. However, this time, upset swept over her mind because of her husband’s birthday passing like this.

She knew Jian Xubai had been living a rich life since young and he didn’t need a grand banquet on his birthday, yet, she still felt that he had been wronged.

“Maybe this is the saying–love will come in time?” She thought that in the first lunar month when they talked about their birthdays, Jian Xubai insisted on holding a grand banquet for her. Song Yixiao felt both sweet and speechless. She thought secretly, “If it were on the time we just got married, I would be very happy to hear the news about not holding a birthday banquet for him!”

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help turning her head and nibbling on Jian Xubai’s shoulder.

Jian Xubai didn’t wake up, but instinctively tightened around Song Yixiao’s waist.

The next day, as usual, she got up two hours later than Jian Xubai. After dealing with some house affairs, it was nearly the right time. With that, she ordered the servants to prepare a carriage and then headed to Marquis Boling’s mansion.

Yuan Xuepei was puzzled about her arrival. After knowing her intention, he didn’t express any opinions, but asked, “Could you please show me the box?”

“Of course.” Song Yixiao knew Yuan Xue’e was the apple of Yuan Xuepei’s eyes. This was for Lu Guanlun and Yuan Xue’e, so he wouldn’t have any idea on the dowry. She emphasized again when she handed over the box, “This is the remains of Dowager Consort of Hengshan. I shouldn’t have taken it!”

She was reminding Yuan Xuepei that although it was for that couple, it was actually for Lu Guanlun, and he couldn’t give it to Yuan Xue’e as private money!

She was not on guard against Yuan Xue’e for Lu Guanlun. It was she who caused the adoption event. Although she did it out of good intentions, it still led to the fact that the Dowager Consort’s favorite legitimate grandson couldn’t even have the qualification to inherit her dowry after the Dowager Consort passed away. So she hoped the one who got the box was Lu Guanlun, but not Yuan Xue’e.

“If all the things in this box are changed into silver ingot, it will be more than 50,000 taels.” Yuan Xuepei had figured out what she meant. He sneered before opening the box. A thick stack of deeds was laid inside. He took them out and checked them one by one, after which, he closed his eyes for a moment and then opened, saying, “Are you sure you don’t want it?”

Song Yixiao was shocked of Prince of Hengshan’s generous gift. When she got married, her dowry only valued about 10,000 taels!

And since she got married, the assets Jian Xubai gave her to take care of, including the Duke of Yan’s mansion, were worth only 200,000 to 300,000 taels.

She originally thought that no matter how high the hush fee was given by Prince of Hengshan, it would be only a few thousand taels. Out of her expectation, it was ten times as much!

The amount far exceeded Song Yixiao’s expectation. She still shook her head, and said, “This belongs to the Dowager Consort. And you know, she didn’t like me. Prince of Hengshan gave it to me, but I know it’s actually for Lu Guanlun. Unfortunately, Lu Guanlun and Xue’e are not in the capital for the time being, and I can’t get away from my affairs to deliver it now. I can only entrust it to you!”

“You can cheat on Xubai, but not me!” Yuan Xuepei smiled sarcastically at her words. He continued, “Do you think I know nothing about the truth about Grandmother’s death? Uncle treats the box as a compensation for you on Grandmother’s behalf. But you say it’s for Guanlun! I don’t mean it, but I wonder how can such a person like Aunt Wei have a kind daughter like you.”

Song Yixiao was stunned for a while, and then said with a light smile, “Kind? Come on! If someone else thinks I’m kind, I won’t feel strange. But you… Didn’t you discuss with me about Zhiqin’s marriage not long ago? Why do you still think me kind?”

Yuan Xuepei compromised and wanted to bury the hatchet, because he was afraid of her means of dealing with Cui Jianlian and the others.

“If you were not kind to Zhiqin, I wouldn’t spend my energy to find a suitable mate for Zhiqin.” Yuan Xuepei smiled and said, “I regret that I didn’t give you some favors when you were depending on others for a living. Otherwise, I will definitely get your much return today.”

“I would rather not repay Lu Guanlun for the rest of my life.” Song Yixiao’s smile faded slightly after hearing that. She said calmly, “After all, whether you or Lu Guanlun are not average persons. Repaying either of you must be a tough job!”

Upon seeing this, Yuan Xuepei changed the topic sensibly, “I heard occasionally that Miss Jiang was ill a couple days ago, and the Jiang Family’s plan to arrange her marriage has to be shelved.”

“Didn’t you say that you have no feeling for Muting?” Song Yixiao asked in surprise when she heard this.

“Please don’t get me wrong!” Yuan Xuepei said gently, “You may don’t know that on the day of Xue’e’s wedding, after I negotiated with you, Miss Jiang returned back and said something. I didn’t understand her words well at that time. Now I hear that her marriage is delayed, I have a feeling that it may have something to do with me. Xue’e has been married and is not in the capital. I want to persuade Miss Jiang not to waste time for me, a disabled. But I can’t find a right person to deliver the words. It happens that you come here today. Could you please help?”

Song Yixiao was slightly surprised, “Muting went back that day? Yeah, I remember that Muting did go back after I returned for a while that day. Yet, she was in a very good mood, as if she had encountered something good?”

“Something good?” Yuan Xuepei frowned slightly. As if thinking of something, he continued, “Did she misunderstand me?”

“What do you mean?” Song Yixiao hurriedly asked.

Yuan Xuepei repeated the conversation between them at that time, pinching his eyebrows, and saying in distress, “Miss Jiang interrupted me in a hurry and left. I always think she is smart and can understand me. We don’t have that kind of fate!”

But as soon as you admitted that it would be sheer bliss if you could marry her, even if she knew you said it only out of manners, she wouldn’t notice your following words!

Song Yixiao sighed secretly and said, “These two days I will send a visiting card to the Jiang Family. By the way, just a few days after I went back that day, Muting’s sister-in-law, Madame Zhuge, came to me for her. She said she wanted me to persuade Muting. But I didn’t expect I haven’t fulfilled my promise until now.”

Being in a room for so long was not appropriate for a woman and a man. Moreover, their relationship was neither cold nor warm. After saying that, they said goodbye to each other.

Not until Song Yixiao returned to Duke of Yan’s mansion did she call Qiaoqin over and intend to send a visiting card to Jiang’s mansion. But just at this time, the doorman reported that Wei Yinlian was here.

“Invite her in!” Song Yixiao was a little surprised when she received the news. Since the death of Sikong Yiluo, Wei Yinlian had been greatly stimulated. Her characters didn’t change much, but she was not as lively as before, let alone dropping around. She must be here for something today.

She went to the second gate to welcome Wei Yinlian and lead her to the back hall. After sitting down, the maid served Wei Yinlian a cup of tea. They chatted for a while then, after which, Wei Yinlian said, “I come here today for Muting.”

Song Yixiao looked around after hearing the words. After everyone had left, she asked, “I just learned that Muting was sick, and I was planning to send someone to inquire in Jiang’s mansion that whether I can go to visit Muting. May I know what I can do for Muting?”

“Fortunately, I’m here now.” Wei Yinlian was a lot thinner than before, and there was a sense of depression between her pretty eyebrows. She whispered gently, “Otherwise, your man will go there in vain. Muting is going to the manor outside the capital to recuperate today. No one knows when she will come back!”

Song Yixiao felt surprised. She asked, “What’s wrong with her? Is it serious?”

“She just worried too much!” Wei Yinlian gave a melancholy smile and bluntly said, “The Jiang Family suspects that she adores Marquis Boling. And you are also responsible for this. So they don’t allow her to say goodbye to you before leaving. Please don’t have any grudges on them. They are for Muting.”

“I see.” Song Yixiao nodded, “This is human nature. Actually, I am not very optimistic about Muting and Marquis Boling.”

“Although her family didn’t guard against me, when I went to visit Muting, she can’t find anything to write down the messages. She could only ask me to pass on the messages to you. And please deliver them to Marquis Boling,” Wei Yinlian said. Seeing that Song Yixiao showed rejection, she hurriedly added, “At the beginning, I also thought it was improper. Besides the political differences between Marquis Boling and the Jiang Family, Marquis Boling’s disabled legs can be the biggest obstacle. I don’t want Muting to be encumbered by him in the future! But…”

There were tears in Wei Yinlian’s eyes. She lowered her eyelashes to hide her emotions, and then showed a sorrowful smile. She murmured, “But it’s just like that I know clearly I can’t marry Master Shaoge, I still hid in my room and cried all day after learning that Master Shaoge and the youngest daughter of Prince of Yi became engaged!”

She couldn’t hold back the tears any more. A drop of tears fell on the shallow light pink sleeve, tinting it with a shocking blood red, “Moreover, Muting is right. Marquis Boling is still single, and I got no news about him arranging his marriage recently, because of which, Muting finds an excuse to postpone her marriage. In the future, if the Crown Prince wins, as long as she persuades her family, she will get her wish!”

“Not like me, no matter whether it is the Crown Prince or Prince of Zhao wins, Master Shaoge and I are impossible to be together!”

The blood red on Wei Yinlian’s sleeve gradually expanded, but the flower of admiration in her heart that had not yet bloomed had withered. She choked and said, “So please give her a hand! Even if she regrets it in the future, at least for now, she is willing to wait for Marquis Boling!”

The girl raised her eyes with tears and looked at Song Yixiao imploringly, “At least, she has the hope of achieving her wish; unlike me, both waiting and not waiting are desperate!”

She was the Crown Princess’s younger sister and the aunt of the Commandery Prince Zhongling, while Su Shaoge was the empress’s nephew and the cousin of Prince of Zhao. If the Crown Prince won, the Su Family would not end up well; if the Crown Prince lost, the Wei Family would not get a good end, either.

Therefore, Jiang Muting could still gamble on her youth; but she could only silently endure the pain of love but cannot own. Watching the talented and handsome man become somebody else’s husband was the only thing she could do. From beginning to end, the relationship of them could only be concluded with one sentence, “It turns out to be Wei Pi’s sister.”

Song Yixiao kept silent for a long time before closing her eyes with a sigh, “Okay!”