"Greetings, Prince Jing."
Jun Mo smiled gently. "No need for formalities. I happened to meet Yuanling when I was leaving the palace and took the opportunity to visit him to discuss a few matters. I hope I haven't caused too much inconvenience."
Su Li stood at the back, peeking through the gap.
Dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, with eyebrows neither too sharp nor too soft, his eyes sparkled like a gentle stream in spring, warm like a breeze. His lips curled slightly, making him seem even more gentle and noble.
Su Li had always known that Jun Mo, both in appearance and capability, was the most outstanding of the princes.
As if sensing her gaze, Jun Mo glanced over.
Su Li quickly lowered her head.
It was an instinct, the instinct of guilt.
The others rose, and the Duchess of the State exchanged pleasantries with Jun Mo, urging her grandson to invite him to take a seat.
"Please take a seat, Prince Jing. Yuanling, you should have sent someone to inform us earlier. This humble meal is no match for your high status," the Duchess of the State said.
Jun Mo declined politely. "There's no need for such formalities, old madam. Yuanling and I are friends; treat me like a junior. I certainly cannot take the seat of honor."
The Duchess of the State was about to insist, but she was interrupted by Wei Yuanling.
"Grandmother, no need to say more. Ziyan doesn't care about such things. It's not like he's never been here before."
Lady Wang smiled and said, "Alright, everyone, please take your seats."
The atmosphere in Tianqi was relatively open-minded, so there was no need for a strict separation of genders during such small gatherings.
"Little cousin?! You're Li'er, Little Cousin?" Wei Yuanling exclaimed as he looked at Su Li in surprise.
He hadn’t noticed before, but now he saw the veiled woman standing behind the crowd.
Those eyes were exactly like his aunt's.
Su Li bowed politely and called out softly, "Cousin."
Jun Mo also glanced over, smiling, though the smile was tinged with a certain distance.
Su Li lowered her head again.
In some ways, Jun Mo reminded her of herself.
Both of them wore masks.
She used gentleness as a disguise, while he wore warmth and harmlessness as a facade.
Wei Yuanling smiled. "No wonder I’ve been seeing grandmother so cheerful today. It turns out you’ve arrived."
Lady Wang laughed. "Please, take your seat."
The Duchess of the State took the seat of honor, and the others seated themselves one by one.
Su Li noticed that when Jun Mo sat down, he instinctively touched his knee.
So his leg condition had become this serious.
Su Li had scars on her face, so she wore a veil.
She gracefully removed her veil, and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
They had expected her to feel awkward because of Jun Mo’s presence, but instead, she was so poised and graceful.
The Duchess of the State silently nodded in approval.
Even Jun Mo, usually calm and composed, showed some surprise in his eyes.
After lunch, Wei Yuanling and Jun Mo went to the study to discuss business.
Wei Yuanyao pulled Su Li aside. "Li'er, I just got a rare black orchid. It's precious! I remember you like orchids too. Come, let me show you in the garden."
Su Li smiled faintly and nodded.
The two walked hand in hand toward the garden, with several maidservants following behind them.
"Li'er, look. Isn't it beautiful?" Wei Yuanyao pointed to a dark orchid, proudly showing it off.
Su Li nodded. "It’s indeed lovely. Cousin, this flower is quite rare."
Wei Yuanyao smiled. "Yes, it was a gift from Empress Yun recently. Little cousin, come closer and smell it. It's very fragrant."
Su Li frowned slightly.
Empress Yun was Jun Mo’s birth mother.
Her family, the Jiang family, had once been a minor merchant family, but after Empress Yun entered the palace, they rose to become a powerful clan.
Su Li looked at Wei Yuanyao, who was smiling brightly, and asked, "Cousin, are you very close to Empress Yun?"
Could it be that this mother and son had their sights set on the Wei family's military power? Were they planning to use her cousin?
Wei Yuanyao noticed her serious expression and shook her head. "No, I wasn’t close to Empress Yun before. I don’t even know why she’s suddenly taken an interest in me. She said I resemble her niece, and because she’s homesick, she sometimes calls me to talk."
The Jiang family had been from Shuzhou, originally just a wealthy merchant family. After Jiang Yun entered the palace, they gradually rose to prominence.
Su Li furrowed her brow. "Didn’t grandfather or uncle say anything about this?"
She remembered that her grandfather and uncle were particularly wary of them getting involved with the royal family.
Now that the current emperor was elderly, and the crown prince’s health was worsening, the political landscape was becoming even more treacherous.
The Wei family didn't involve itself in court struggles. They simply pledged allegiance to whoever sat on the throne, remaining loyal ministers.
Wei Yuanyao nodded. "They did mention it. They said Empress Yun summoned me on imperial orders and that I must be cautious around the Sixth Prince."
Su Li nodded. "Grandfather and uncle are right."
Wei Yuanyao had a straightforward personality. She would never survive in the palace, with its constant intrigue.
Suddenly, Wei Yuanyao furrowed her brows. "Li'er, I remember you always had clever ideas when you were little. Help me think of a way. Mother’s been pushing me to meet suitors lately, and it's driving me crazy."
Su Li looked at her cousin’s face, which was scrunched up in frustration, and smiled. "Cousin, what’s the worry? A man must marry when he’s of age, and a woman must marry when the time comes. Maybe your future husband will be a dashing young man."
Her aunt’s haste in arranging matches likely came from her fear that the palace would take an interest in Wei Yuanyao.
Su Li recalled that in her previous life, she’d heard her mother mention that Wei Yuanyao had been engaged once, but just before the wedding, the groom’s family suffered a death, so he had to observe mourning for three years.
Had it not been for that, maybe her cousin wouldn’t have...
Thinking about the words Su Yue had said to her before her death, Su Li clenched her fists.
"Little cousin? What’s wrong?"
Su Li snapped out of her thoughts and replied gently, "It’s nothing. Cousin, just go along with Aunt’s wishes and meet the suitors. You don’t have to marry right away; it’s up to you to decide. Aunt won’t force you, so don’t worry."
Wei Yuanyao thought about it and agreed. She could always reject them if she didn’t like anyone.
If she turned down enough suitors, her mother would eventually stop pushing.
Leaving behind the troubling thoughts, Wei Yuanyao looked at the flowers in the garden and felt they had grown three times more beautiful.
Looking at Su Li, who stood among the flowers, her graceful figure and almond-shaped eyes revealed through her veil, Wei Yuanyao couldn't help but exclaim, "Little cousin, you’re truly beautiful."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized it might have been inappropriate.
"Sorry, little cousin. But I meant it sincerely. Your face will definitely heal. You’ve already helped grandmother with her leg condition. A little scar like that should be nothing."
Su Li suddenly raised her voice, "Yes, I’m quite skilled in treating leg conditions. For example, frostbite or injuries from a fall have a very high chance of recovery."
Wei Yuanyao looked at her curiously, wondering why Su Li had suddenly spoken so loudly.
Then, from behind, the voice of Wei Yuanling could be heard.
"Little cousin can treat leg injuries? Is that true?" His voice was filled with both urgency and joy.
Wei Yuanyao patted her chest, startled. "Brother, you scared me!"
"Li'er really can treat medical conditions. For grandmother’s severe leg ailment, after Li'er applied some pressure, grandmother felt much better."
Wei Yuanling turned to Jun Mo behind him, excitedly saying, "Ziyan..."
Jun Mo subtly shook his head, signaling for him to stay silent.
Wei Yuanling immediately quieted down.
Su Li understood that he was highly cautious and would never easily trust others, nor would he expose his weaknesses without hesitation.
[----------------°-------------]
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