First Phoenix Lady - chapter 8

Chapter 8

The visitor was about forty years old, with a square jaw and clear eyes. He was none other than Jiang Youshen, Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites.

He also had another identity: he was the godfather of the two sisters, Wei Cailing and Wei Pingting.

An hour earlier, he had received a letter sent in the name of Wei Cailing.

After opening and reading it, he realized the letter was actually written by the legitimate granddaughter of the Jian’an Marquis Mansion.

The letter invited him to visit the Wei family in an hour to help Wei Cailing preserve her reputation. It also mentioned that her father, Shi Chengxuan, would be present, and hoped Lord Jiang would agree-at least on the surface-to recommend her father for promotion.

The phrase “agree on the surface” was particularly intriguing. The letter also assured that Lord Jiang would not be put in a difficult position afterward.

This was quite interesting. For this reason, Jiang Youshen could not refuse to come.

He was aware that his goddaughter’s fall into the water was connected to the death of the legitimate eldest grandson of the Jian’an Marquis Mansion. Though he was angry, he was powerless.

As for his goddaughter’s reputation, he did not know where to begin.

Before the incident, Shi Chengxuan, son of the Marquis, had invited him to banquets several times, all of which he declined.

He simply did not want to recommend someone who muddled through his duties year after year to a position that required real work.

But in recent days, he had wavered.

If he could help the Wei family, perhaps he could make an exception. And then, right on time, the Jian’an Marquis Mansion sent this letter.

So he wanted to come and see what this young lady was really planning.

He saw that, though young, she acted decisively.

The girl was stunningly beautiful, her round little face still carrying a hint of baby fat, her porcelain-white skin even more lustrous than the rarest white jade, and her eyes were astonishingly bright.

But in the Capital, beauties were plentiful.

What set her apart was a kind of calming, joyful aura. With just a slight smile, she made people think of the phrase “peace and prosperity.”

Just now, Jiang Youshen had heard Shi Anxia’s words at the door, and felt a weight lift from his heart.

It was as if a dead end had suddenly opened up, revealing a new path to survival.

He strode into the room, assuming the role of host. “Quick, serve tea! Since Miss Shi and Cailing have become fast friends at first sight, she must stay a while longer.”

Shi Anxia smiled lightly, not at all surprised, and stepped forward to salute. “Junior greets Lord Jiang; it would be discourteous to refuse.”

Those in the room, who had nearly turned to stone, suddenly sprang into action.

Wei Zhongshi hurried to invite the guests to take their seats.

Madam Wei, as if waking from a dream, instructed the Maids to serve tea.

Wei Cailing was at a loss. Was the dream reversed?

Wei Yuzhi, still holding his sword, silently retreated to a corner and stood ramrod straight.

Only Xiao Pingting, her tearful eyes blinking, walked over to Shi Anxia and looked up. “Sister, are you very close with my sister?”

Shi Anxia stood up, looking down at the little girl before her, her heart a tumult of emotions.

In her previous life, they had fought to the death.

In the Cold Palace, Consort Wei had stomped viciously on her frostbitten hands and strangled her slender neck with both hands.

Whenever she thought she was about to die, Consort Wei would let go, allowing her to catch her breath.

Every word she spoke was laced with poison.

“I hate you! I hate all of you from the Shi family! There isn’t a single good person in your family!”

“It was you who forced my sister and my mother to their deaths!”

“Shi Anxia! I will make sure you die without a grave!”

Shi Anxia once explained, “Every debt has its debtor. You should seek revenge on my Grandmother and Concubine Wen! They were the ones who forced your sister and your mother to their deaths! By the time I wanted to make amends, it was already too late!”

Consort Wei laughed maniacally, crazed like a lunatic. “Do you think I would spare them? Not a single one in your Marquis Mansion will escape me! I have no life left! My life was destroyed by your Jian’an Marquis Mansion!”
But when Consort Wei was sentenced to death for harming the imperial heir, the last person she wanted to see turned out to be her enemy, Shi Anxia…

“Sister!” The little girl’s childish voice interrupted Shi Anxia’s thoughts.

She slowly squatted down in front of the little girl, a smile gradually blooming at the corners of her lips. “What’s your name? You’re really beautiful.”

The little girl was indeed beautiful, with big, round, bright eyes, a delicate upturned nose, and pink, moist lips opening and closing as she spoke.

When she grew up, her beauty would become even more dazzling and bold, with an aggressive charm. No wonder she could make the emperor so captivated that he forgot his morning court.

“My name is Wei Pingting, Pingting as in Wei Pingting. Sometimes Sister calls me Pingping Tingting, so it seems like she has two little sisters.” The little girl blinked her big eyes and explained seriously.

Wei Zhongshi tried several times to take his youngest daughter away, afraid that her words might accidentally offend the distinguished guests, but Jiang Youshen’s gaze stopped him each time.

Shi Anxia looked at her old acquaintance who had not yet grown up, pinched her soft cheek, and said, “My name is Shi Anxia.”

After a pause, she lifted her eyelids and smiled at Wei Cailing. “Miss Wei, thank you for having the Maids go into the water to save me that day. Otherwise, I might not have survived.”

Wei Cailing didn’t know what to say. While she was still stunned, the gatekeeper came to report that someone from the Jian’an Marquis Mansion had arrived again.

This time, it was the second son of the Marquis, Shi Chengxuan-Shi Anxia’s father.

The Wei family had no idea what the Marquis Mansion was up to, and their hearts were once again in their throats.

Only Jiang Youshen raised his brows and cast a probing glance at Shi Anxia.

Shi Anxia sat on a chair holding Wei Pingting, calmly making up a story. “My father admires Lord Jiang’s learning and often praises him at home as a model official of the court. He must have heard that Lord Jiang was at the Wei Mansion and came to witness Lord Jiang’s elegance.”

As soon as she said this, even someone as straightforward as Wei Yuzhi didn’t believe it.

Lord Jiang himself almost burst out laughing.

He was just a Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites, usually in charge of sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, palace banquets, and the rites of marriage and funerals for officials and commoners. If there was anything more important, it was presiding over the imperial examinations.

But how could he be called a model official of the court? That was truly talking nonsense with a straight face.

As they spoke, Shi Chengxuan strode in.

He was quite good-looking, with clear brows and eyes and a tall figure. But the hint of a fake smile and frivolity in his expression ruined the overall impression.

His speech was always exaggerated. He cupped his hands and said, “Lord Jiang, oh Lord Jiang, I finally get to meet you. If my daughter hadn’t sent someone to inform me, I wouldn’t have known you were at Lord Wei’s house.”

Jiang Youshen glanced lightly at Shi Anxia, who was sitting to the side, recalling the “outward compliance” mentioned in the letter, and nodded gently. “My condolences, Lord Shi.”

Shi Chengxuan, who had been smiling, belatedly remembered that his own son had just died and should put on a sorrowful face.

So he responded with a mournful expression, “Ah! Fate! Fate indeed!”

He didn’t know why the Memorial Hall had been withdrawn before the Funeral Rites were completed. But he didn’t intend to ask much; since it was withdrawn, there must be a reason. Why bother with so many details?

Shi Chengxuan sat down heavily on the chair Shi Anxia had previously occupied, making it just right for his daughter to stand behind him.

Seeing that the time was right, Shi Anxia stepped forward to explain why she was at the Wei Mansion.

She used the same story, emphasizing two points.

First, Miss Wei was indeed at the scene, but because she caught a cold on the way, she stayed in the carriage and never got out.

Second, Miss Wei and she had hit it off at first sight earlier, and when she saw Shi Anxia fall into the water, she had the Maids go in to save her.

She skillfully repeated these two points over and over in different words.

Shi Chengxuan nodded as he listened, even offering verbal praise. “Mm, Lord Wei’s family has excellent conduct…”