Changying The Lady

The Wei Family had entertained Deng Zongqi and his companions with great hospitality. Having heard that Duanmu Wuyou was staying with Zhong Jie in the inn, the Wei Family asked someone to bring them food and wine.

In order to express how much he cared for his granddaughter, Wei Huan attended the dinner. He and Old Madam Song sincerely thanked Deng Zongqi again and provided him generous gifts. Deng Zongqi immediately stood up and thanked for their kindness, but he refused to take the gifts. The Wei Family sought ways to return Deng Zongqi"s kindness, but Deng Zongqi bestowed favor without expecting repayment. They had argued for a while before Song Zaitian mediated, which resulted in Deng Zongqi accepting half of the gifts.

After Deng Zongqi accepted the gifts, the members of the Wei Family felt relief—they owed him nothing now. Although Wei Family and Song Family had secretly agreed to join hands with Deng Zongqi, their convention was under the rose. On the overt side, Wei Changying, the only lineal granddaughter of the Wei Family, was saved by Deng Zongqi. If they didn"t repay him, Wei Changying would be regarded as a heartless person. Also, it would cause more trouble if they didn"t repay him immediately.

After that, Wei Huan made an excuse to leave and drank a full cup of wine. After all, he was of high rank in the family. If Old Madam Song didn"t request, he wouldn"t attend such a banquet, which was aimed to entertain the grandchildren. Even if Deng Zongqi had saved Wei Changying, it was proper enough to let Wei Shengnian attend the dinner, for Wei Zhenghong was sick, and Wei Changfeng was too young. As Wei Changying"s grandfather, he had thanked Deng Zongqi personally, which was enough for Deng Zongqi"s face and Wei Changying"s dignity. Therefore, he didn"t feel like dealing with them any longer.

After he had left, Old Madam Song, who had also fulfilled her responsibility as an elder, left with an excuse that she didn"t want to bother the young people.

The two elders left at the right time, and the atmosphere became casual instead of cold and cheerless.

Wei Changfeng clapped his hands and ordered the servants to bring the dancers in. As Wei Family"s dancers, they were all beautiful and elegant. Their dance and songs made the people in the hall excited.

While the people appreciated the performance, Wei Changfeng asked Deng Zongqi to stay in Fengzhou for several days so the Wei Family could do the honors. Of course, Deng Zongqi refused to stay, and Gu Yiran and Liu Xixun said that they hoped they could return to the capital as soon as possible. The Wei Family had asked Wei Changfeng to persuade the guests to stay, and it was not because that Wei Huan and Old Madam Song didn"t want to do so, but it was not proper for them to do this. If Deng Zongqi refused to stay, they would be embarra.s.sed; if he agreed, they would feel guilty for making Deng Zongqi feel vexed.

Therefore, Deng Zongqi would feel better when he refused to stay if Wei Changfeng proposed it.

Gu Yiran and Liu Xixun could help Deng Zongqi during the banquet, but Wei Changfeng also had his helper. Although Wei Gaochuan was not good at studying, as long as his grandfather wasn"t at the scene, he could be a smart talker. However, Gu Yiran and his companions were determined to continue their journey, and they decided to leave soon after the banquet was over because Duanmu Wuyou was waiting for them. Seeing that Wei Changfeng and Wei Gaochuan didn"t succeed in persuading Deng Zongqi and the others, Song Zaitian came to help to effect a compromise.

After talking for a while, the people began to get familiar with each other. Because they were all born in distinguished families, they had recited the genealogies of every n.o.ble family since they were small. After a while, they sorted out the complex relationships between them and their families and began to fraternize with each other. Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Song Zaitian re-mentioned the topic and said, “I know that you don"t want to disobey the imperial command, but it"s still a month before Lady Zhong"s birthday, so you"ll have enough time to arrive in the capital from here. Even if you don"t stay for a long time, staying here for a day or two doesn"t matter.”

Without surprise, Deng Zongqi and Gu Yiran refused again.

Song Zaitian said, “To be honest, my sister and I are planning to return to the capital recently. If you don"t mind, we would like to go with you.”

Wei Changfeng smiled and said, “Exactly. Song Zaitian and Song Zaishui are about to return to the capital these days. I guess that you have heard that several months before, my grandfather and the vice-governor Song Han have suppressed the bandits on Fengqi mountain. Although they succeeded, they returned in a hurry because of the case in Liao City, which gave a chance to the rest of the bandits to escape into the mountain. Therefore, my grandparents are worried about Song Zaitian and Song Zaishui"s safety on their way to the capital, but my father is ill, and my uncle is busy. As for me, I am too young to convoy them. If they can go with you, the elders can rest a.s.sured…. I saw that there are females among the members of the Zhong Family. Maybe it"s not convenient for you to take care of them. If Song Zaishui joins you, she can help you take care of the ladies, which is better for them.”

He then said, “Although Fengzhou is not as flourishing as the capital, it has some famous spots. If you are not interested in them, we have some ancient books here….”

When he talked about the famous spots, Gu Yiran was about to refuse; but when he mentioned the ancient books, both Gu Yiran and Deng Zongqi"s eyes brightened, and even Liu Xixun began to look forward to them. The Wei Family in Fengzhou had cultivated numerous literati and famous scholars, and Wei Boyu was just one of them. However, it was a great temptation for them to have a chance to appreciate the authentic work of “The Little Bamboo Hill”.

Although they had entered the Standby Guard, and they intended to become military officers in the future, they were influenced by their family background so much that they loved to appreciate artworks.

Also, Wei Changfeng had only asked them to stay for two days…, or three days at most. Since they had half a month of leisure time, it wouldn"t matter if they arrived in the capital two or three days later than the scheduled time. After all, it was worthwhile to have a look at the authentic work of “The Little Bamboo Hill”.

Even Gu Yiran, who had promised Zhong Jie that he would return to the inn as soon as the banquet was over, began to change his mind. He said, “Since you have invited us so sincerely, we will be too impolite if we refuse you. But we really can"t disobey the imperial command, and Lady Zhong"s siblings are longing to see her, so we can"t stay for too long.”

Wei Changfeng smiled and said, “Last time you have said that His Majesty means to let them gather on Lady Zhong"s birthday. Even if you arrive in the capital before time, they can"t meet each other anyway…. What"s more, how dare I let you disobey the Emperor"s decree?”

Gu Yiran was the leader of the four Standby Guards, so as long as he agreed, Deng Zongqi and Liu Xixun would agree. However, Liu Xixun hesitated for a while and asked Wei Changfeng when he would show them the authentic work of “The Little Bamboo Hill”. Wei Changfeng thought that Liu Xixun doubted whether he would keep his promise. When Wei Changfeng was about to explain, Liu Xixun noticed that Wei Changfeng had misunderstood him. He said immediately, “I didn"t have a plan to bother my nineteenth aunt. But now that we are going to stay for two days, I must visit her, so….”

Wei Changfeng didn"t realize who Liu Xixun was talking about until he had thought for a while—Liu Xixun was talking about his aunt little Mrs. Liu, the wife of Duke Jingping"s royal heir. As Liu Xixun had said, he was executing the imperial command, so if he was just pa.s.sing by Fengzhou, he needn"t visit the little Mrs. Liu. Now that they had decided to stay here for two days, he should visit her, even if he and the little Mrs. Liu did not belong to one branch.

When Gu Yiran was emphasizing that they could only stay for two or three days, Liu Xixun was worrying that Wei Changfeng would show others the authentic work of “The Little Bamboo Hill” when he visited Duke Jingping. That was why he asked Wei Changfeng about it.

After knowing what he meant, Wei Changfeng smiled and said, “No worries. Since you like Mr. Bamboo Hill"s masterpiece so much, how can I forget you?”

Then the people decided to stay in Fengzhou for three days—including today. After the banquet, they took actions separately: Gu Yiran went back to the inn in order to explain to Duanmu Wuyou and tell Zhong Jie that they were going to stay for three days; Wei Changfeng ordered someone to go to Duke Jingping"s mansion to inform little Mrs. Liu that Liu Xixun would visit her. As to Song Zaitian and Song Zaishui, they were busy packing their luggage and preparing for their journey back to the capital.

Three days pa.s.sed.

On the day they were going to leave, Song Zaishui got up early and said goodbye to the elders in the Wei Family. Wei Changying"s eyes were full of tears when she helped Song Zaishui onto the carriage. They had only got along with each other for several months, and they had different personalities, which would sometimes p.i.s.s each other off. But maybe it was because they both had no lineal sisters. They treated each other like real sisters.

Song Zaishui was going to depart for the capital now, and many things would happen on her way. Even if the elders had planned personally, something might happen beyond expectations. Therefore, Wei Changying was worried and was loath to part with Song Zaishui.

However, Song Zaishui looked excited and was eagerly looking forward to her departure because she wanted to cancel her engagement as soon as possible. Seeing Wei Changying sad, Song Zaishui patted Wei Changying on her back and said, “You are so silly, do you think I"m the only one who needs to go to the capital? Don"t forget that you are going there after half a year. I hope you won"t cold-shoulder your abandoned cousin and reject me when I come to you!”

“If such a talented person like you were abandoned, I couldn"t even live on!” Wei Changying was stunned. She then said shyly, “Well, I wish you all the best and hope your dreams come true!”

Song Zaishui smiled and clapped with joy as she said, “Of course!” She then turned her eyes and whispered to Wei Changying, “Rest a.s.sured! After I arrive in the capital, I will try to ask about Shen Cangfeng"s personality! If anyone dares take a fancy to him, no matter she is his concubine or lover…, I will let them know what I"ve learned these years! Whoever dares disrupt your marriage will be schemed by me!”

Wei Changying was stunned when she heard Song Zaishui"s words. She then said fiercely, “Don"t worry. Are we such easily bullied people? If he has concubines or lovers, you don"t need to deal with them personally. Just tell me who they are as soon as I arrive in the capital, and I will break their legs one by one!”

“No problem!” Song Zaishui waved her fists as she said. It was rare to see Song Zaishui being as vigorous as Wei Changying. She then said cheerfully, “See you in the capital!”

Hearing what Song Zaishui had said, Wei Changying was not sad anymore. She nodded and said sincerely, “See you in the capital!” She then shook her hands with Song Zaishui. At the moment when Wei Changying left the carriage, she turned and looked at her cousin Song Zaishui whose eyes were filled with hope. She then closed the curtain reluctantly.

At this moment, Wei Changying was no longer afraid of going to the capital, the place which was far from Fengzhou and was unfamiliar to her. In the capital, although she was unfamiliar with her second uncle and her aunt, at least she was familiar with Song Zaishui….

—It should have been a perfect goodbye.

However, someone interrupted them. Madam Song, who had finished her work in a hurry and came over in order to watch her niece leave, was confused when she saw her daughter hop off the carriage. She said, “Why do you come off now? Didn"t you say that you are going to see Song Zaishui off at the pavilion outside the city?” Wei Changying had begged Old Madam Song for almost an hour before Old Madam Song finally agreed. After all, she was injured and was nearly hurt by a snake last time on the Little Bamboo Hill, so Old Madam Song didn"t intend to let Wei Changying leave the mansion before she got married.

“….” Wei Changying almost tripped when she got off the carriage. She froze for a while before she became embarra.s.sed in front of the maidservants who were sn.i.g.g.e.ring with their hands covering their mouths. “It"s all your fault!” She said, “I was just talking with you. Why do you say goodbye to me? I thought I should get off when you said ‘see you in the capital"!”

Song Zaishui laughed so much that her tears came out, and she nearly rolled off from her seat. “Why would you ask me? I saw you were about to cry, so I comforted you out of care. And then you said, ‘wish you all the best and hope your dreams come true"! I was just replying to you.”

Now, Madam Song finally understood what had happened. She was amused and pointed to Wei Changying"s forehead as she said, “Oh, you! Don"t try to blame your cousin! You deserve it!” She then smiled and said, “Now, hop on. Zaitian and Changfeng are ready. It"s Ok to let your brothers wait for you, but Mr. Deng is waiting too! Don"t let others wait for too long. Hop on quickly!”

Wei Changying put her hand on her forehead with depression and went onto the carriage as she said, “Yes.” Seeing that Song Zaishui was still laughing, Wei Changying said, “What a bad cousin! You are not cute anymore!”

Song Zaishui replied frivolously, “Oh, really? I think you are more and more lovely. When Shen Cangfeng comes to marry you next year, he will be so obsessed by you that you can make him obedient without beating him!”

“….” Wei Changying was speechless again. She thought for a while and then threw herself into Song Zaishui"s arms. She said with a fierce expression, “You always talk about Shen Cangfeng! I"ll remember what you"ve said! I will do the same thing to you someday!”

Song Zaishui pushed her away and said, “Don"t touch my hair clasp…. Ouch, you moved it! You always fight when you lose in a quarrel. Don"t you feel ashamed? A gentleman uses his tongue but not his fists!”

“I"m not a gentleman. I"m a lady!” Wei Changying said confidently, “You can"t stop me from hitting you when I lose the quarrel!”