You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 113 The Sickly Beauty

The coldness in her words made Liang Jiang instantly realize that she might have said something wrong.

After all, although Jian Shuyan is a good person, the two of them don't have any real feelings for each other. Now that they've been brought together, they must be a little unwilling in their hearts, right?

Moreover, the emperor's bestowal of a marriage was, to some extent, motivated by ulterior motives.

Since Weixi is far from the capital, the emperor should keep a close eye on Gu Xizhi at all times.

Jian Shuyan was well-read and highly educated, so she was naturally more intelligent than others.

She held the wine glass awkwardly and somewhat nervously, unsure whether she should drink it or not.

Xie Fubai, oblivious to her embarrassment, continued to tease, "Jian Shuyan is proud and arrogant, looking down on ordinary, vulgar men. Since the Emperor has bestowed this marriage upon her, she should at least be a principal wife, right?"

Gu Xizhi lowered her eyes, looking at the teacup in her hand, and said calmly, "Without the imperial decree, everything is subject to change."

Xie Fubai twitched the corners of his lips again, feigning ease: "This time it's probably a done deal, no matter how much Wan'er makes a fuss, it won't change anything."

Who is Wan'er? Liang Jiang immediately perked up her ears.

Childhood sweethearts, or a kept woman? Did Gu Xizhi already have someone she liked?
Gu Xizhi said in a displeased, deep voice, "You know I've been trying to avoid this matter like the plague."

Xie Fubai couldn't hide the bitterness on his face: "That's often how things are in this world. You may plant flowers with care, but they may not bloom; you may plant willows without care, and they may thrive. It's just a pity for Wan'er. If she hears this news, I'm afraid she will fall ill again."

Gu Xizhi stretched out her fingertips and furrowed her brow, slightly helpless and impatient: "After Wan'er went to Weixi, her health improved, but she still convulses when she cries, foams at the mouth, and her mouth and eyes are crooked, which is very dangerous."

Your aunt spoils her, and everything must be done to her liking, lest she fall ill. The Emperor is also somewhat concerned about this matter; although someone has been chosen, he has yet to issue an edict. So there is still a chance.”

Xie Fubai sighed: "The falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is heartless. This matter is all one-sided on Wan'er's part. You can't keep remaining unmarried for the rest of your life just because of her willfulness."

Jian Shuyan is a rare and wonderful girl. She and you, cousin, are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. If you miss this opportunity, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

"I'll take care of Wan'er. I'll talk to her and bring her back to the Marquis's residence so she won't cause you any trouble."

Through their conversation, Liang Jiang suddenly remembered someone.

Princess Xie Wan'er of the Marquis of Huaiyuan's mansion.

I heard that she admires Gu Xizhi and has long declared that she will marry no one but him. Since childhood, she has been very resistant to other women getting close to Gu Xizhi, otherwise she will either cry or make a scene.

I didn't hear any news about her during this trip back to the capital. So she went to Weixi with her aunt, the Dowager Consort?
No wonder the old lady of the Marquis's mansion looked gloomy and very displeased when the emperor selected Gu Xizhi for the imperial concubine selection.

Moreover, Xie Fubai had been speaking in a deliberately relaxed manner all day, but his smile seemed forced. Could it be that he was worried about Xie Wan'er?

When it cries, it seizures, foams at the mouth, and its mouth and eyes become crooked. Just thinking about it gives me a vivid image of an epileptic seizure.

Anyone who has witnessed this terrifying scene probably wouldn't dare to marry her.
Otherwise, if you pamper and coax them all the time, they'll just slap you if they're even slightly unhappy or jealous. They're even harder to please than your own mistress.

Liang Jiang's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Gu Xizhi.

No wonder he's getting on in years and still can't find a wife; apparently, someone's been clinging to him. Now, after a trip to the capital, he's finally won the heart of his beauty, but he's still on edge, fearing he might not be able to overcome her charms.

Was it really too early to congratulate myself?
For a moment, a look of schadenfreude appeared on his face when he suddenly heard Xie Fubai call his name.

"Miss Liang will surely have a good idea."

Liang Jiang then seemed to wake from a dream: "Ah? What good idea?"

Xie Fubai asked, "Is there any way to cure my little sister's illness?"

Liang Jiang was at a loss for words: "Illnesses are easy to treat, but mental illnesses are hard to cure. I can't really say." Gu Xizhi's illness would flare up whenever he got close to a woman, just like Old Madam Fang's crying, tantrums, and threats of suicide, which was deliberately feigned.

But then again, even a beautiful woman feigning illness should look like Xi Shi clutching her heart, evoking pity and sorrow. There's no need to ruin her image like this.

Therefore, this disease has an unknown cause and is difficult to treat.

"If my cousin brings Miss Jian back this time, I'm afraid Wan'er might do something rash."

Liang Jiang, without thinking, blurted out, "That's easy. Your Highness can just bring a few more beauties back to Weixi."

Xie Fubai was taken aback: "Isn't this just making things worse?"

“Wrong. If Your Highness only takes Miss Jian back to Weixi, Princess Wan’er will be even more heartbroken.”

Xie Fubai didn't understand: "Why?"

Gu Xizhi said calmly, "To love one person is true love, to love many people is promiscuity. True love makes one stubborn, promiscuity makes one disappointed. Perhaps Wan'er will be disheartened and return to the capital. Is that what you mean, Miss Liang?"

Liang Jiang nodded: "Exactly."

Xie Fubai interrupted unhappily: "I won't agree!"

Liang Jiang was taken aback: "Why?"

Xie Fubai realized his lapse in composure and coughed lightly, "This is unfair to Miss Jian."

Liang Jiang never expected that Xie Fubai was also a man who cherished women and could see things from a woman's perspective, which was admirable.

He raised his wine glass and said sincerely, "Young Master Xie is indeed a man of character. I toast you."

He drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Perhaps because he had choked earlier, after taking a sip of strong liquor, he couldn't help but cough twice more, his face turning red from the choking.

She reached into her sleeve, then remembered that the crumpled handkerchief had a little ink stain on it from checking the accounts earlier that day, so she put it back in.

Gu Xizhi noticed this and reached into her bosom: "This wine is too strong and not suitable for a young lady. Why don't you ask the waiter to make some ginger or plum wine?"

Xie Fubai immediately stood up: "I need to personally explain this matter. Only by selecting a jar of aged Daughter Red wine can it have the right flavor."

After saying this, he opened the door and left the private room, leaving only the two of them.

Gu Xizhi took out a neatly folded handkerchief and was about to hand it over when a white silk rose fell out and floated lightly to Liang Jiang's feet.

Gu Xizhi bent down to pick it up, but Liang Jiang had already picked it up first and handed it back to him casually.

Gu Xizhi hesitated for a moment, then glanced meaningfully at Liang Jiang, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She then picked up the flower from Liang Jiang's fingertips, tucked it into the center of her handkerchief, and put it back into her bosom.

His careful handling of the white flower, as if it were a precious treasure, made Liang Jiang take another look at it. The layers of silk gauze were simply made, and the edges of the petals were slightly yellowed, whether from the passage of time or from being handled so often.

This must be a woman's possession, right?
The fact that he cherishes it so much and carries it with him must mean it has a very important meaning.

Liang Jiang thought to himself, he was unwilling to marry Jian Shuyan, and Xie Wan'er was not the one he loved. Could it be that his heart had already been occupied by this little white flower?
What a mess! In just one meal, he personally witnessed three women with romantic entanglements with Gu Xizhi, completely shattering the image of him as aloof, noble, and uninterested in women.

No wonder my mother said that royal men are not to be touched, as they are both passionate and ruthless.

However, these white flowers look so familiar... as if I've seen them somewhere before.

(End of this chapter)