Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 167 Spending the Night in the Snow

The group of people, each with their own thoughts, walked onto the street.

As the year draws to a close, the long street is already quite lively.

Red silk lanterns hung under the eaves of the shops on both sides, and the shouts of vendors rose and fell, selling New Year pictures, stove candy, and all kinds of auspicious items.

Pedestrians thronged the streets, their faces showing the relief of a busy year ahead.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of roasted nuts and sugar cakes.

Everywhere exudes a warm and festive atmosphere.

Jiang Mian and Wen Qian were gradually caught up in the lively atmosphere and stopped in front of a stall selling small tassels and velvet flowers, whispering as they selected them.

Duan Zhi'an and Xiao Hengzhi lagged a few steps behind, waiting at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

The two men were strikingly tall, and their mere presence drew glances from passing girls.

Xiao Heng's cold gaze swept over them, effectively scaring away those stares.

Duan Zhi'an teased, "Your Highness should tone down your fierceness a bit, lest you frighten people."

Xiao Hengzhi glanced at him and said, "Grand Tutor, you've condescended to come and help her relax today, surely not just to cheer her up?"

"His Highness must have done more than just stroll around town, setting aside important matters."

Xiao Hengzhi clicked his tongue lightly and said directly, "How is the matter I entrusted to the Grand Tutor progressing? If it drags on any longer, I will disregard all etiquette."

Duan Zhi'an raised an eyebrow: "What about the matter that Your Highness promised me? Is there any progress at the Pingnan Marquis's residence?"

The two argued fiercely, pressing each other about the progress of their work, yet neither was willing to give a single substantive answer.

After some back and forth, Xiao Hengzhi finally spoke first: "I went to the Pingnan Marquis's residence before dawn this morning to scout ahead, and I already have a pretty good idea of ​​what's going on."

Duan Zhi'an then smiled slightly: "Very good. The Empress Dowager will probably withdraw the marriage decree in the next few days. After the marriage decree is withdrawn, I ask Your Highness to keep your promise."

"Easier said than done. What if the Grand Tutor messes it up?"

Duan Zhi'an pondered for a moment: "Didn't Your Highness just say 'disregard etiquette'? If things go wrong, then Your Highness should take matters into your own hands. You should be quite adept at things like murder to silence witnesses."

"Kill her to silence her?" Xiao Hengzhi crossed his arms. "I'm not that stupid. If I kill Wen Yin at this critical juncture, everyone will suspect me."

"So, what does Your Highness mean?"

"What I meant by disregarding etiquette is this..."

He raised his hand and picked up a sachet.

Duan Zhi'an frowned upon seeing the embroidery and asked, "What does Your Highness mean by this?"

"I placed the same sachet at the Pingnan Marquis's residence today. If the Grand Tutor doesn't handle this matter quickly, and the Pingnan Marquis's family is wiped out, but a sachet unique to the Grand Tutor is found in their residence, the Grand Tutor will have no way to explain himself..."

Duan Zhian paused for a moment.

Xiao Hengzhi continued, "Now that the Crown Prince has surely developed a grudge against you, he might not necessarily help you." He paused, then added, "Oh, and by the way, there's your dear niece. I wonder if she'll believe you or hate you then..."

Duan Zhi'an clenched his fists, suppressing his displeasure: "Is this how Your Highness always orders people to do things, through coercion?"

"So what if it's coercion? As long as it works. Grand Tutor, you'd better hurry up, I can't wait much longer."

After he finished speaking, he walked towards Jiang Mian's direction.

Duan Zhian stared at his retreating figure, remaining silent for a long time.

The sky darkens quickly in winter.

Candles were lit in the streets, and red lanterns were also lit.

The group found an inn on the street and had dinner there.

As soon as I sat down, I heard a few people at the next table talking.

"Have you heard? Things aren't going well at Fengyu Pass! That new general the court sent probably won't last long..."

"Tsk, that's right! Swords have no eyes, it's hard to say whether they'll come back unscathed."

"Sigh, I heard that general volunteered to go to war to protect his wife? He's quite the devoted lover..."

"Madam? Who is that?"

"Who else could it be? It's that Wen family from before..."

A person next to him quickly interrupted in a low voice: "Shh—stop talking, it's bad luck to talk about the sins of a disgraced official, let's drink!"

"..."

Although the words were spoken softly, they clearly reached Wen Qian's ears.

She gripped her sleeves tightly, her eyes filled with panic and worry.

Upon seeing this, Duan Zhian frowned slightly and then beckoned to the waiter.

"Waiter, I've booked this place for today. I'd appreciate it if the other customers could do me a favor and eat somewhere else. Their bills will be on my tab."

The waiter looked troubled: "Sir, look at all these customers eating right now, how could I possibly have the ability to do that..."

Xiao Hengzhi placed two heavy silver ingots on the table: "Could you... possibly make an exception?"

The waiter looked at the gleaming silver.

He glanced at Xiao Hengzhi's demeanor.

He nodded and bowed hastily, "Yes! Yes! Please wait a moment, sir, I'll take care of it right away!"

After saying that, he ran off to clear the area.

Duan Zhian glanced at the guests leaving one after another and teased, "Your Highness is truly well-versed in the ways of the martial world, using money to pave the way."

Xiao Hengzhi drank his tea without responding.

After the meal, it was snowing heavily outside.

The snow on the ground was deep enough to cover ankles.

The road we came by had long been blocked by heavy snow and was difficult to recognize.

A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, swept towards my face, chilling me to the bone.

As soon as Wen Qian and Jiang Mian reached the door, they were startled by the biting cold air and their faces turned blue from the cold.

Xiao Hengzhi glanced at Duan Zhian and said sneer, "Grand Tutor, you're so meticulous in your actions, don't you even check the weather before you leave? You didn't even prepare a carriage."

Duan Zhi'an retorted sarcastically, "And how much better is Your Highness yourself?"

He looked at Wen Qian's thin figure shivering slightly in the cold wind and said, "The snow is too heavy, and there may be unexpected events on the road. Let's stay here for the night and go back tomorrow when the snow stops."

The waiter quickly greeted him: "Alright, sir, please come in!"

Xiao Hengzhi also turned his head: "It seems we can't go back today, waiter..."

"Your Highness!" Jiang Wan quickly said, "How about... how about we wait until the snow stops before returning to the manor?"

The waiter came over and said, "Oh dear, even though the snow has stopped, it will be difficult to walk for a while. Your health is delicate, so our inn's charcoal fire will certainly keep you warm."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian's heart tightened.

She has to see His Highness tomorrow.

If we stay here tonight and return to the manor with Xiao Hengzhi tomorrow, where will we find another opportunity?

Xiao Hengzhi leaned close to her ear and said softly, "Tomorrow is New Year's Day. Didn't you promise to stay by my side?"

Jiang Wanxin's heart skipped a beat.

Xiao Hengzhi was very perceptive; making another excuse would only arouse his suspicion.

After a moment's consideration, she said in a low voice, "...I'm just worried that I won't be used to being away from home. Never mind...I'll do as Your Highness arranges."

"Don't worry, our inn uses only the finest materials and silver-thread charcoal fire, which will ensure you sleep soundly!"

The waiter led the people upstairs while talking.