Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Chapter 63 – Horrifying: The Heads Of Two Beauties
Layers of curtains were raised high in a tall building,
Inside the curtains was the extremely handsome Yan Huaijing, who was dressed in a snow-white fur cloak. He leisurely sat on a couch, reaching out languidly to take a pile of pictures from a table and casually flipping it through. Then, he said without lifting his head, “These young ladies from famous families in the capital are indeed charming. They are much more beautiful than those in the Yan State.”
“Yes.” The eunuch who had brought the scrolls over didn’t dare to say anything more but only answered so with his head down.
“Is that all?” Yan Huaijing flipped through the scrolls in his hand. The corners of his handsome lips curled up, showing some dissatisfaction, but his tone was still warm and gentle.
The eunuch trembled in fright. He had taken two beautiful palace maids with him here. No doubt, the maids were sent to the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State as a gift. When the palace maids saw that this heir-apparent was so handsome and so peerlessly elegant, they were dumbfounded and even forgot to curtsy.
No one had expected that this beautiful heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State would directly have the pretty palace maids pulled out and beheaded! At that time, the eunuch had wanted to explain that they were a gift to him from the Empress, but when he saw those gentle, handsome eyes, he felt inexplicably chilled.
Before he could finish his words, the heads of the beauties were delivered to the table.
This heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State nodded calmly and simply said, “Okay. It’s over.”
The two beauties lost their lives on the spot just because they were amazed by the unspeakably handsome appearance of Yan Huaijing. Therefore, the eunuch didn’t dare to take the heir-apparent lightly for fear that he would meet the same fate for his negligence.
‘”There… there are more. Her Majesty said that she would ask painters to draw portraits of the beautiful young ladies from aristocratic families tomorrow and send the drawings for Your Heir-apparent to have a look! Please don’t worry, Your Heir-apparent. Everything will be done to make you satisfied.” The eunuch trembled as he replied. Originally, the offering of the beauties and beautiful painting scrolls was intended to be a happy event. Who would expect it to end up like this?
Now the eunuch was no longer stunned by the beauty of those handsome eyes when Yan Huaijing looked at him. Instead, he felt as if he was being stared at by a powerful bloody Asura King, and he was soaked in cold sweat.
“There seems to be no drawing of the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jing State? I heard that she is the most beautiful lady in the Jing State. Now we are both in the capital, what a pity it is that I don’t see her!” Yan Huaijing sighed, as if he was sad for not being able to see the beautiful lady. His handsome brows furrowed slightly and his eyes glittered with such tenderness that seemed to be full of affections.
“I… I don’t know about that.” If the eunuch had only sweated slightly before, now he was sweating on his forehead.
The Jing State was one of the few small vassal states that were destroyed by the Duke of Yan State this time.
Unlike other heads of state, this Duke of Jing State was quick-witted. As soon as he saw they were in danger, he immediately told his children, wife and concubines to flee to the capital.
Moreover, this Duke of Jing State was not an ordinary figure, so even after he was captured, it was said that he received better treatment than other prisoners.
If he hadn’t managed to send his wife and daughter back, of course this eldest daughter of the Duke of Jing State, the number one beauty of Jing State, would also become a captive of the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State.
How would the eunuch dare to answer such a question? When he departed for the mansion of the Duke of Yan State, that young lady was still crying in the Empress’ palace.
“Ask Her Majesty to draw the eldest young lady of the mansion of the Duke of Jing State too. I don’t come to the capital very often. If I didn’t meet that beautiful young lady, it would make me feel like I had come for nothing.” Yan Huaijing looked as if he came only to see the beautiful lady. His lips curled into an elegant and wistful smile.
Anyone who saw such a smile would feel that this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State truly admired the eldest young lady of the mansion of the Duke of Jing State.
“Sure… sure, I will pass Your Heir-apparent’s words to Her Majesty,” said the eunuch hurriedly.
“You may leave!” Yan Huaijing waved his hand languidly.
“Yes, I shall leave now.” The eunuch heaved a sigh of relief. He retreated to the door as if he had survived a calamity. Just as he walked out of the door and wiped his sweat, he heard Yan Huaijing utter some words that almost made him stagger and fall on the steps at the door.
“I suppose the pretty head of the eldest young lady of the mansion of the Duke of Jing State should be much more beautiful than those of the palace maids!”
At the same time, at the back door of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang.
A maid hurried out and got into a carriage, which drove to the mansion of the Li family not far from the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. That was Lady Li’s parents’ house, the mansion of Li Ying, tutor of the Crown Prince.
A bustling air permeated the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang early the next morning. The busiest courtyards were of course Wei Yuewu’s Lotus Courtyard and Wei Yan’s Music Pavilion.
Early in the morning, the Madam Dowager asked a servant to send a lot of jewelry to Wei Yuewu for her to pick. The Madam Dowager also asked Wei Yuewu to come to her place after finishing dressing up. After all, it was the first time for Wei Yuewu to go to the palace. She must make sure Wei Yuewu was properly prepared according to the etiquette.
Thus, after Wei Yuewu finished dressing herself, she went to greet the Madam Dowager with Jin Ling.
Just as she walked past a crossing, she saw Wei Yan coming in gorgeous attire. Wei Yan was dressed in a light yellow palace-style skirt that set off her slim soft waist. The hem of the skirt was decorated with peony flowers. Compared to Wei Yuewu’s pale pinkish dress, her clothes looked more attractive.
On Wei Yan’s head was a phoenix-patterned hairpin embellished with nine strands of pearls. As she walked, the pearls glistened beautifully, adding more charm to her good looks.
When she saw Wei Yuewu coming, Wei Yan stopped and suddenly revealed a sweet smile at Wei Yuewu. “Sixth Younger Sister, let’s make peace!”
“Second Elder Sister, what are you talking about? We are sisters. We were not at odds at all. Why did you speak of making peace?” Wei Yuewu smiled and answered with a soft voice. She fluttered her thick long eyelashes and her eyes were all-clear. She carried a sense of maiden purity. When she stood together with the brightly-clad Wei Yan, she looked a little less charming. However, when one took a close look, one would find that her exquisite facial features were far more beautiful than those of Wei Yan.
“Sixth Younger Sister, it’s the best if you think this way. Grandmother taught me a lesson yesterday. Actually, there is no conflict between you and me. If I take something you don’t want, then I’m not robbing you of anything.” Wei Yan smiled brightly. She actually looked like she was sincerely making peace with Wei Yuewu. She even put away her pride and curtsied to Wei Yuewu.
Wei Yuewu tilted her body and curtsied back. As they were in a public space, she couldn’t accept Wei Yan’s curtsy casually because she was younger than Wei Yan.
Wei Yan changed really fast. It was as if she had suddenly turned from a vicious and domineering young lady to a properly-behaved noble lady. Nevertheless, Wei Yuewu was not surprised. Wei Yan also acted in the same way in front of others yesterday. She could act like an elegant and dignified aristocratic young lady and behaved perfectly.
If the incident hadn’t occurred suddenly, Wei Yan wouldn’t have lost her composure and blurted out what was on her mind.
No matter what, Wei Yan acted indeed very well in front of people. At this time, she was smiling affectionately, and undoubtedly, she was putting on an act.
“Second Elder Sister, there’s no need to be so courteous. We are not competing against each other, so of course we should be nice to each other.” Wei Yuewu said softly.
The two of them seemed to have opened their hearts, and they headed together towards the Madam Dowager’s Tranquility Pavilion.
When the Madam Dowager saw them walking in smilingly, a smile appeared on her face as well. She was very satisfied with Wei Yan’s dress. The bright-colored dress made Wei Yan look lively and outstanding. Compared to the skinny Wei Yuewu, Wei Yan made people’s eyes lit up at first glance. However, when she saw the hairpin on Wei Yan’s head, she frowned imperceptibly.
“Yan, your hairpin…”
“Grandmother, don’t worry, I will definitely take care of the hairpin. I won’t let it be damaged.” Wei Yan walked to the Madam Dowager and took her by the arm. She shook the Madam Dowager’s arm in a sweet manner and said, “Grandmother, look at Sixth Younger Sister. She is dressed in such an austere style. Is this because she doesn’t have many accessories? I have some left. I can give some of them to Sixth Younger Sister so that I can make amends.”
Wei Yuewu only had a pearl hairpin on her head and it was a small one. It swayed on her black hair.
As the Madam Dowager was old, she naturally liked bright colors. She felt that Wei Yuewu’s accessory was too simple. She nodded her head right away and said, “Yan’s ornaments are indeed more suitable for young girls than mine. Since Yan is so generous, Yuewu, you go to Yan’s place and pick one later.”
The Madam Dowager also had a lot of jewelry, but compared to Wei Yan’s, it was indeed a bit old-fashioned. Moreover, the Madam Dowager was very happy to see Wei Yan trying to reconcile with Wei Yuewu. Thus she immediately followed Wei Yan’s wish and uttered those words.
If Wei Yan really made up with Wei Yuewu, the Madam Dowager wouldn’t have to say anything to Wei Yuewu about what happened before. This was of course what the Madam Dowager was willing to see.
“Alright. Sixth Younger Sister, ride the same carriage with me later. I brought my jewel case with me. You can choose whatever you like. I’ll give you anything you like.” Wei Yan said generously.
The present persona of Wei Yan was indeed worthy of her previous good reputation. However, Wei Yuewu sneered coldly in her heart. Wei Yan was currying favor with her, but of course, she didn’t really mean to reconcile with her.
Yet if Wei Yan’s purpose wasn’t to make up with her, what would be her real intention? Was it really for the sake of her reputation?
If it was, Wei Yan didn’t have to act so affectionately towards her. A trace of deep thought silently flashed in Wei Yuewu’s eyes.
And Wei Yan even wanted the two of them to ride the same carriage?
“Yan, Yuewu, you two came so quickly. I just asked the servants to get prepared and you are ready.” Lady Zhang walked in with a smile on her face. She looked like she came in a hurry. She was also dressed neatly.
Wei Yuewu noticed that Lady Zhang was surprised when she smilingly caught the sight of the hairpin on Wei Yan’s head. However, Lady Zhang moved her eyes away immediately and started to chat with the Madam Dowager calmly with a smile. Therefore, no one else noticed the phoenix-patterned hairpin on Wei Yan’s head.
“Grandmother, Sixth Younger Sister and I are going out. Third Aunt, come quickly.” Wei Yan took Wei Yuewu’s hand and said to the Madam Dowager, who was still chatting with Lady Zhang.
“Alright, alright, you girls go. See how impatient they are.” The Madam Dowager smiled. “Behave properly in the palace today. Don’t make any mistakes.”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. This isn’t the first time for me to go to the palace. I will take care of Sixth Younger Sister.” Wei Yan replied with a smile.
Wei Yuewu silently glanced at the phoenix-patterned hairpin on Wei Yan’s head and the corner of her lips curled into a thoughtful smile….