tallest building

Chapter 178 Friendship

After returning from the Jiangxia Marquis's residence, Sang Er asked Wen Mingqian, "Mother, is there a story behind the jade pendant that the Princess bestowed upon you? Why did everyone present change their expressions upon seeing it?"

"You don't know this, do you?" Wen Mingqian smiled. "Actually, this jade pendant was originally a pair, but His Highness had already given one of them to someone else."

"Give it to whom?" Sang Er asked hurriedly.

“Prince Changliu,” Wen Mingqian smiled, “Your Highness gave him the jade pendant ten years ago.”

"How could it be him?!" Sang Er exclaimed in surprise. "Since there's a pair of jade pendants, then Her Highness the Princess bestowed them upon you, Mother..."

"So now you know why those people were so surprised, right?" Wen Mingqian's lips remained curved in a smile.

"Mother, does the Princess really want to match you up with Prince Changliu? That brute..." Sang Er believed that Wen Mingqian was the best woman in the world, and even though Ying Wuchou was a royal prince, she felt that he was not good enough for her mother.

“I’m not quite sure what Her Highness’s intentions are yet, but she probably wants to spite Prince Changliu,” Wen Mingqian said in a good mood. “He’s very wary of me and thinks I have ulterior motives, but I’m going to take advantage of his influence.”

Wen Mingqian didn't mind that the Prince of Changliu harbored hostility towards her, nor would she try to eliminate that hostility.

She had long been determined to climb the social ladder, and of course, she would inevitably have to step on others to get there.

The higher a person's status and position, the more they can help her climb higher.

Of course, she knew there were risks involved, but if you're going to succeed, how can you avoid taking risks?

Sure enough, just two days later, Lady Yunyang sent her family to invite Wen Mingqian to her residence.

Wen Mingqian dressed neatly and brought his own homemade cosmetics and perfumes before going to see Liu.

Liu was slightly older than Wen Mingqian and was also a person who loved beauty very much.

However, the reason I had no prior contact with Wen Mingqian was not because I hadn't heard of her abilities, but because she was always very cautious in her interactions with others, which was common knowledge.

Everyone knows she is the cousin of the Princess Consort of Zhao, but she is not the cousin of the Empress.

This is because although Princess Zhao is the Empress's younger sister, she was not raised in her own home since childhood.

It is said that her destiny clashed with that of the emperor's father-in-law, making it unsuitable for her to be raised at home. She needed to be adopted by a family within five degrees of kinship and raised until she was thirteen years old before being brought back to her own family.

Therefore, Princess Zhao became the adopted daughter of the eldest branch of the Ye family in Dongchuan, while Liu's mother was the eldest daughter of the second branch of the Ye family, who was more than ten years older than Princess Zhao and doted on her.

Princess Zhao relied on her very much and regarded her as her own sister.

Ye later married into the Liu family, and the Liu and Ye families were cousins. Princess Zhao also called Liu's father "brother," so Liu was her cousin's niece.

Lady Ye passed away early, entrusting her only daughter to Princess Zhao before her death.

Over the years, Princess Zhao has taken good care of her, and Liu has always been tactful and loyal to Princess Zhao.

For this reason, she made friends based on the wishes of Princess Zhao.

Upon seeing Wen Mingqian, Liu immediately broke into a broad smile and said, "I've been thinking about you ever since we parted yesterday. I must say, even as a woman, I can't forget you. You truly are a sight to behold." "Madam, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise," Wen Mingqian said, a hint of shyness and trepidation on his face. "I've always known that you, Madam, have the best taste and style. I'm just afraid that a common man like me is not worthy of your approval."

“Oh, my dear sister, you mustn’t say that. Even the Princess favors you, so what am I?” Liu said, pulling Wen Mingqian to sit down. “I’m a very straightforward and blunt person. We’ve only just met, so you don’t know me very well. Please don’t take offense at my words.”

Liu's words were clever; by putting the matter out there, she could cover up any offense she might have caused in the future.

"Not at all. I am already extremely grateful that you have condescended to be so kind as to not find me uncouth," Wen Mingqian said with a smile. "If I have done anything inappropriate, please forgive me."

"No need for formalities, just relax here," Liu said warmly. "Actually, I admire you from the bottom of my heart. In this world, most women can't survive without relying on men. But you not only raised your son so well, but you also have an exquisite skill in making incense. You really make us women proud."

Wen Mingqian looked at Liu Shi, who spoke with such sincerity that tears welled up in her eyes.

If he were naive, he would have been fooled long ago. Wen Mingqian understood in his heart, but on the surface he also had a deeply moved expression: "Since Madam thinks so highly of me, then I will dare to regard you as a confidant."

Both of them will pretend to be sincere and test each other.

However, since it was her first time visiting, Liu didn't want to ask too many questions.

Wen Mingqian took out the things he had brought and let her choose. No matter how cunning Liu was, she couldn't take her eyes off these things.

Wen Mingqian simply took matters into his own hands and cleansed Liu's face and opened her acupoints. After a while, Liu looked radiant.

She looked at herself in the mirror in disbelief and said, "Mingqian, you really have amazing skills. In just a short while, I feel like I've become three to five years younger. Now I really can't live without you."

That statement is about 50% true.

“If you use these products regularly, your skin will improve significantly in less than six months,” Wen Mingqian said. “Besides, you are naturally beautiful.”

"No wonder you look like you're only in your early twenties, you really have a knack for preserving your youth." Liu said, looking at Wen Mingqian's delicate and fair face. "I really regret not getting to know you sooner."

Afterwards, Wen Mingqian was invited to stay for a meal before the manor sent a carriage to take her back.

Of course, he didn't forget to return the favor to Wen Mingqian with a fine white jade bracelet.

“These are my favorite pieces of jewelry. I have a pair, and I’ll wear one and give you the other.” Liu took Wen Mingqian’s hand and put the bracelet on her wrist. “You must come often in the future.”

When Wen Mingqian returned to Wuqiu Nunnery, Aoshuang ran over and said, "Mother, this morning, several people suddenly came looking for us. They were very aggressive and didn't say which family we were from. They left when they saw that you weren't here."

“This is what I meant by having both advantages and disadvantages,” Wen Mingqian said, glancing at Sang Er. “The Liu family deliberately made friends with them, while these people looked like they were seeking revenge.”

"We don't know which company it belongs to, so we should be careful," Sang Er said with some concern.

"Don't worry, it won't cause a big fuss." Wen Mingqian didn't seem to care. "It's probably just some rich girl getting jealous."

There are many people in the capital who admire Prince Changliu, and it's inevitable that he would attract envy by wearing that jade pendant in public.

For ordinary people, there is nothing better than a peaceful and stable life.

But Wen Mingqian is different; she has to stir up trouble to achieve her goals.