freenovelworld Chapter 166 Talking About People Behind Their Backs
Chapter 166 Talking About People Behind Their Backs
The paper was very simple, with no seal. The characters were thin and not Ning Zhi's handwriting.
Even if someone else saw it, they wouldn't be able to guess who wrote the letter.
But Jiang Mian knew that Ning Zhi also knew how to write this character.
She used to have terrible handwriting, which angered her teacher so much that he threw down his pen.
Later, Ning Zhi personally taught her, and that's how she wrote it.
Jiang Wan ran her fingers over the letter, thinking—
Yuanri......North entrance of Hualing Street......
Is Ning Zhi planning to meet her there?
Why not have the Grand Tutor deliver it, but instead have Wen Qian, who is confined to the palace, deliver the message?
Judging from Duan Zhian's reaction just now, he should also be unaware that Wen Qian had come to deliver this letter.
It seems that Duan Zhi'an did not want the two of them to meet, which is why Ning Zhi did it so discreetly.
But Yuanri...
She promised Xiao Hengzhi that they would celebrate her birthday together...
"Sister Wan?"
Jiang did not respond.
"Sister Wan?"
Wen Qian grabbed her arm, and only then did she realize what was happening.
"Ah? Oh, it's nothing, I was just thinking about something."
Seeing her so preoccupied, Wen Qian couldn't help but ask, "I heard that Third Sister is going to marry into the Prince's Mansion. She has a quick temper, and I'm afraid she won't get along with you. The General's Mansion is still under renovation. If you don't want to stay in the Prince's Mansion, why not go to the Prince's Mansion first..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door to the warm chamber was pushed open.
A chill swept in from outside, swirling around a section of a pink cloak.
"So that's why you hid in this room as soon as you arrived. You were gossiping about people behind their backs."
The sweet voice, accompanied by the cold wind, was sharp and piercing.
The two looked over at the sound and saw that it was Wen Yin.
Jiang Mian laughed and said, "We are chatting openly and honestly in the house, unlike some people who eavesdrop."
Wen Yin knew she couldn't win an argument with her, so she didn't intend to confront her directly.
She turned to look at Wen Qian.
"Fifth Sister, I just heard you say that you had a letter to deliver to her. Whose letter was it?"
"Yes......"
"When will there be any news?" Jiang Mian interrupted, "Miss Wen must have misheard."
Wen Yin scoffed, "It's probably a letter sent by one of your lovers outside."
She tossed her hair and chuckled, "Let me give you a piece of advice: don't think that just because you have the prince's favor, you can act recklessly. Once I marry the prince, if you want to stay in the manor, you'll have to listen to me."
Jiang Mian said, "You're overthinking it. I'll move out once the General's Mansion is finished being renovated. Besides, I'd like to stay at an inn for a while, but the Prince won't allow it, so there's nothing I can do."
Wen Yin was so angry she gritted her teeth, barely suppressing her rage: "You'd better really think that way!" She then glared at Wen Qian, "And you, the Emperor has confined you to the palace, yet you dared to leave without permission. Doesn't that count as disobeying the imperial decree, Fifth Sister?"
Wen Qian was startled by her words and remained silent, clutching her sleeves.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside.
Duan Zhian strode in, his eyes filled with an unusual murderous intent.
"Whether it's defying the imperial decree or not, your word is probably not enough."
Wen Yin suddenly took a step back, lowered her head, and stammered, "Greetings...Greetings, Grand Tutor..."
Duan Zhi'an glanced at her and said lightly, "His Majesty has already ordered me to settle the Crown Princess, so her whereabouts are naturally up to me. Are you perhaps implying that I have disobeyed the imperial decree?"
Wen Yin hurriedly explained, "No, no, no... I absolutely did not mean that..."
"So you're teaching me how to do things?"
"No, no... Grand Tutor... I misspoke just now, please don't take offense..."
Duan Zhi'an spoke again: "Today, the two people in this room are the heir apparent of the Marquis of Pingnan's mansion and the eldest daughter of the General's mansion. You have no right to advise them. Are you really so sure that they can marry into the Prince of Beiqin's mansion? In this world, the outcome is never clear until the very last moment."
"Yes......"
Wen Yin's forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and she dared not raise her head.
Jiang Mian, who was standing to the side, also breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't know if Duan Zhian had heard the message.
Duan Zhian glanced at everyone, all of whom had their heads down.
Wen Qian also looked like she had done something wrong.
He approached and said, "I brought you out, and no one will say anything. Where else do you want to go? Have as much fun as you want today."
Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
Judging from his appearance, he probably didn't hear about the letter.
Wen Qian turned her head and asked, "Sister Man, would you like to go out for a walk today to clear your head?"
Today was a rare sunny day, and she had been wanting to go out for a walk.
She nodded: "Let's go for a walk in the streets together."
"Great!" Wen Qian smiled broadly. "Tomorrow is New Year's Day, the streets will definitely be very lively."
The group went out together and had just reached the gate of the mansion.
The sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, breaking the tranquility of the streets and alleys.
The horse neighed loudly and came to a stop in front of the mansion gate.
The rider on horseback was dressed in dark riding attire, with a few snowflakes still clinging to his cloak.
Jiang Wan was slightly taken aback: "Didn't Your Highness have something to attend to? Why are you back so soon?"
Xiao Hengzhi did not answer.
His gaze passed over her and landed on Duan Zhi'an behind her: "Grand Tutor, you seem to have a lot of free time. Why are you here at my residence again? You're like a persistent ghost."
Duan Zhi'an replied with a faint smile, "Qianqian wanted to visit Miss Jiang, so I brought her along. What, Your Highness doesn't welcome her?"
Xiao Hengzhi glanced at Wen Qian.
Wen Qian was already afraid of him, and now that he was still sitting on horseback, he looked even taller and more imposing. She subconsciously shrank back behind Jiang Mian.
Duan Zhi'an stepped forward to block her way and said to Xiao Hengzhi, "Please allow us passage, Your Highness. We were just about to leave the manor."
Xiao Hengzhi glanced at Jiang Mian and said to Duan Zhian, "Grand Tutor, have you come to my palace specifically to take someone away?"
"Your Highness is too kind. I, Duan, have no right to promote anyone on Your Highness's territory."
Jiang Mian then spoke up: "Your Highness, please don't overthink it. It's rare for Qianqian to leave the palace today, and I just wanted to go for a walk with her."
Xiao Hengzhi dismounted and said, "In that case, I will go with you."
Upon hearing this, both Jiang Mian and Wen Qian frowned.
Jiang Mian was unwilling, while Wen Qian was afraid.
Duan Zhi'an smiled gently and said, "Alright, with the prince accompanying us, the journey will be safe."
“Uncle…” Wen Qian tugged at his sleeve with some concern.
Duan Zhian reassured him softly, "Don't be afraid, just come with me. You can treat him as a guard."
These words drifted lightly into Jiang Mian's ears.
She was slightly surprised. In such a short time, how had Duan Zhi'an and Xiao Hengzhi become so close that they could joke around like this?
Without thinking much, she stepped outside.
Seeing that the group was about to walk away.
Wen Yin quickly ran forward.
"Your Highness!" she called out, "Yin'er also wants to be with Your Highness..."
She stood there looking aggrieved, gazing at him with affectionate eyes.
But without turning his head, he tossed out a sentence: "It's freezing outside, you should stay at home."