Chapter 153 – Minister Liu’S Daughter, County Lady Jingyu
Chapter 153 Minister Liu’s Daughter, County Lady Jingyu
Early the next morning, Qu Moying got up. After saying goodbye to the Old Lady, she got into the carriage alone and went to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Today was the day of Ji Hanyue’s funeral. Those who went there were people close to her in the past. In Qu Mansion, Qu Moying was the only one who had such qualifications. As for the others, they could only set up an altar by the road.
It was still early when she arrived at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, but there was an old maid already waiting. She led Qu Mansion’s carriage into the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s door and stopped in the parking lot.
Qu Moying got off the carriage, and the old maid went forward to salute.
“Fourth Lady Qu, please follow me.”
Qu Moying nodded and brought Yu Dong along to follow behind the old maid. When they arrived at the flower hall, they found that there was no one else there.
The flower hall was not big, and it did not look like a place that could fit many.
After thinking for a while, Qu Moying understood Ji Youran’s intention. It seemed that her duty today was to accompany Ji Youran.
It was actually not difficult to guess. If her sister was still around, the one accompanying Ji Youran right now should be her sister. But now that her sister was dead, Ji Youran thought of Qu Moying.
Pei Luo’an had always boasted that he was deeply in love with Ji Hanyue. Even if there were concubines in the mansion, they were palace maids rewarded to him by the palace, who had a lowly background. The only lady master of the inner yard, Ji Youran, entered the mansion because she had to take care of Ji Hanyue. Therefore, it was impossible for people from the Eastern Palace to accompany Ji Youran here.
As for the imperial family, although there were Princesses, infantas, and some others, it was basically impossible for them to stay by the side of Princess Ji. With their status, they ranked much higher than Ji Youran. Although Ji Youran, Princess Ji from the Eastern Palace, had a bright future, she was still just a Princess at the moment. They would be looked down on if they were to accompany her.
Therefore, she was truly the most suitable person to accompany Ji Youran right now.
The corners of Qu Moying’s lips curled up coldly. How ridiculous! She, in this lifetime, was accompanying her own enemy while attending the funeral of herself in her past life.
The fate of life at this point really caught her like a fool.
Suddenly, a voice came from the door. It was the voice of a maid. Then, she saw two maids leading in a beautiful woman dressed in imperial clothing.
She wore a light snow-white dress. Although it was plain, it did not lose its charm. Her slender waist was shown, and her shoulders were straight and slim. Her black hair was like dark clouds. Even though she only had a simple hairpin in her hair, she looked more beautiful than a flower. The two strands of hair on her cheeks made her even more beautiful. One could not help but look at her a few more times.
In fact, the outfit was plain from her head to toe. At this time today, no one would dress up in bright colors. Otherwise, it was not only disrespectful to the Crown Princess, but also to the Crown Prince.
Qu Moying’s gaze fell on this beautiful woman’s face, and she was slightly surprised. She actually knew the woman. Not only in her previous life, but in this life, she had also seen this woman from afar.
County Lady Jingyu, Liu Jingyu!
The daughter of Minister Liu from the Ministry of Works, or, the daughter of Qu Moying’s cheap father Qu Zhizhen’s immediate superior.
Why was she here?
Qu Moying did not feel that Liu Jingyu had any intimate relationship with Ji Hanyue. It was also impossible for her to have any intimate relationship with Ji Youran. Moreover, she was not the county Princess of the imperial family. It was only because her Grandfather, Duke Qi, had placed his wealth and privileges on her. Therefore, she obtained the title of county Princess. In fact, she had nothing to do with the imperial family.
Why was she here at this time?
Qu Moying and County Lady Jingyu both spotted each other. After standing still, County Lady Jingyu frowned and glanced at Qu Moying, who was seated. There was a bit of pride and a hint of unclear look in her eyes. Then, she turned around and left, having no intention of greeting Qu Moying at all.
“County Lady, I got the wrong place.” The maid who led the way seemed to have not expected that there was already someone here, so she quickly explained.
Outside the door, Liu Jingyu said something in such a low voice that Qu Moying did not hear her clearly. Then, the footsteps were gone. They actually left. They completely ignored Qu Moying, who was sitting there. It was not even a case of turning a blind eye; they directly ignored her existence and left.
Qu Moying frowned slightly. She really couldn’t remember how she had offended this County Lady Jingyu. She always felt that there was a trace of disgust in Liu Jingyu’s eyes that she couldn’t explain just now. There was also… fear?
There was no trace of this County Lady Jingyu in her memory. Where did these complicated and inexplicable thoughts come from?
Looking at the slightly opened door, Qu Moying thought about it again and again, but still couldn’t figure it out.
In her memories, she had only seen this County Lady Jingyu several times, and every time, she seemed to come off unfriendly.
Last time, Qu Moying thought she might have gotten it wrong. Now, it seemed that it was not wrong at all. The County Lady Jingyu really did not like her at all.
Where did this conclusion come from?
Qu Moying did not wait long before Ji Youran appeared at the door with a few maids. Ji Youran was dressed in simple white clothes. Her eyes were red, swollen, and haggard. Anyone who looked at her would comfort her. They would feel that she was heartbroken about the death of the Crown Princess.
“Cousin, long time no see!” Ji Youran came over and called out.
Qu Moying stood up and bowed respectfully. “Princess Ji.”
“My dear cousin, sit down first,” Ji Youran said softly. She sat down in the middle. Qu Moying also sat down on the side. Just now, when she was bowing, her sleeves had gotten a little too loose, revealing the blood-colored bracelet, as well as a faint green color.
“Cousin, this bracelet of yours?” Ji Youran looked over and was stunned for a moment before asking.
Qu Moying seemed to suddenly come to her senses. Her expression changed slightly. She stood up and bowed deeply to Ji Youran, saying in shame, “I came in a hurry and forgot to take off the blood jade bracelet. I wonder if I can borrow a box from you to place my bracelet, Princess Ji?”
The color of the blood jade bracelet was eye-catching. Although it was not particularly bright, and it was natural, it was better to take it off on such a day.
“Someone, go get a jewelry box.” Seeing that Qu Moying had misunderstood her meaning, Ji Youran did not explain much and turned around to give instructions to a maid.
The maid answered and left. Soon, she brought an empty and exquisite jewelry box over.
Qu Moying rolled up her sleeves, took off the bracelet on her wrist, and carefully placed it in the jewelry box.
“Fourth Lady Qu, this pair of bracelets is very beautiful. Where did you buy them?” Ji Youran asked in surprise. Her eyes fell on Qu Moying’s bracelets.
She never thought that there was still another pair of bracelets, but she only had one in her hand.
That pair of bracelets had already made Ji Youran envious back then. The Crown Prince had praised them more than once, but no matter how envious she was, they were not hers. One belonged to Ji Hanyue, and the other belonged to Ji Yanyue.
Now, Ji Yanyue’s bracelet was in her hands. As for Ji Hanyue’s bracelet, it had been broken and could not be worn anymore. Ji Youran only got it after getting someone to fish it up for a long time in the pond of Linyuan Pavilion behind the Crown Prince’s back.
For this, she was very regretful. However, she did not expect to see another pair under Qu Moying’s possession today.
Then, she immediately recalled that Qu Moying’s mother was also surnamed Yue. Could it be that Yue’s clan had also given another pair of blood jade bracelets as dowry?
Did this mean she could make it a complete pair now? A trace of greed arose in Ji Youran’s heart.
“This wasn’t bought. It was left behind by my mother. I heard it was my mother’s dowry,” Qu Moying explained softly.
She also brought a bracelet over today. After putting it in the jewelry box, she closed the jewelry box. Yu Dong stepped forward and was about to take it away.
“Can you let me take a look? I’d like to ask the Crown Prince to help me find a pair too.” Ji Youran interrupted, with longing in her heart.
“Go ahead, Princess Ji.” Qu Moying nodded.
Yu Dong stepped back. One of Crown Prince’s Mansion’s maids stepped forward, took the box, and held it in front of Ji Youran. Ji Youran grew excited. She took the box and opened it. It was indeed a bracelet that looked exactly the same as hers. She was overjoyed for a moment. It was such a beautiful bracelet, but only having one side of the pair made her deeply regretful.
It was too surprising that there was still another one around.
Not only the appearance, but even the color, thickness, and size of the blood jade were also exactly the same. Ji Youran had already looked at Ji Yanyue’s bracelet several times, and she had also carefully stroked it several times. She remembered it very clearly and also saw it very clearly. Therefore, the one in front of her now was definitely the one that matched hers.
That was great!
“Why is there only one bracelet?” After a long while, Ji Youran calmed down and put down the bracelet in her hand, indicating for the maid to return it to Qu Moying.
Yu Dong took it and retreated behind Qu Moying.
“There was originally a pair of them, but I heard that my mother accidentally broke one bracelet, so there was only one left. I wore it to commemorate my mother.” Qu Moying lowered her head and toyed with the handkerchief in her hand as she explained. From Ji Youran’s perspective, Qu Moying’s expression was sad.
Qu Mansion’s matter was not a secret. Although it had been so long, Ji Youran had recently heard a lot and understood Qu Moying’s mood.
Her birth mother had passed away, and a concubine was allowed to take the position of her birth mother. It had caused Qu Moying to suffer from eye disease and then be sent away. Anyone in her shoes would find it unacceptable and feel down.
When she thought of Yu’s daughter, Qu Qiuyan, she felt a wave of disgust in her heart.
She understood what had happened between her and the Crown Prince. The first thing that happened was that she had an ambiguous relationship with him. That day in the mourning hall, Qu Qiuyan also had this kind of thought, hadn’t she?
She herself got her position through such a means, so now she suspected that everyone else thought so too.
Although she had heard that Third Lady Qu and Lord Jing had a relationship, how could Lord Jing have a far-reaching future like the Crown Prince? Qu Qiuyan must have other ideas in her heart. However, when Qu Qiuyan planned to have an affair with the Crown Prince, she should have looked herself in the mirror first—she wasn’t worthy of the Crown Prince.
Ji Youran hated Qu Qiuyan.
“It’s not a good idea for you to put it in the hands of a maid. Why don’t you keep it in Eastern Palace and put it back on when you go back later?” Ji Youran no longer talked about what happened back then and only suggested out of concern.
“Thank you, Princess Ji. But there’s no need to trouble you. It’s fine.” Qu Moying politely refused.
“Well… alright. Tell the maid to be careful. Things like bracelets are the easiest to break.” Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Qu Moying, Princess Ji kindly added.
Qu Moying nodded and thanked her. As they spoke, a maid came to report that the Crown Prince asked if they were ready.
Ji Youran stood up, and Qu Moying also stood up. The two of them walked out one after the other. The funeral ceremony was about to begin…
