Luck Reliant Beauty – CH 167

Chapter 167: Envoy Team

Their father? What’s there to say?

Jiang Mi said softly, “Wang Yi is my father’s adopted son. My father was the Successor King of Former Shu, Wang Yan.”

Almost as soon as Jiang Mi finished speaking, she fell silent, and Cui Zi Xuan turned to look at her.

Cui Zi Xuan stared at Jiang Mi for a long time, then warned her, “Don’t mention your father’s name again. If anyone asks, just say you don’t know.”

It was at this moment that Jiang Mi suddenly realized that Wang Yan was the son of her mother, Lady Huarui’s, own big sister! It was indeed unpleasant to say that her aunt and nephew had committed incest and given birth to her. This identity was far inferior to her previous one, which suggested her father was unknown.

Jiang Mi’s face paled, and she quickly nodded, saying, “Alright, I won’t say anymore.”

Cui Zi Xuan nodded, then asked, “Wang Yi said he’s your half-brother?”

Jiang Mi replied, “Yes.”

Cui Zi Xuan reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering, “Wang Yi is a merchant. Since ancient times, no merchant has been without guile. Don’t trust him too much.”

Jiang Mi nodded obediently, replying, “Alright.”

Cui Zi Xuan was clearly tired from his travels. After chatting with Jiang Mi for a while, he asked someone to bring hot water for a bath. When Jiang Mi finished reading a book and turned to look at him, Cui Zi Xuan was already fast asleep, lying on his side facing her.

For a moment, only the sound of Jiang Mi turning the pages of the book filled the bedroom.

Jiang Mi slowly placed the book on the table.

Outside, it was already dark. Jiang Mi opened the gauze window and looked at the bright moon in the sky, her emotions churning.

Wang Yi’s words during the day had had a huge impact on her!

She had never imagined that she would have such an identity! She had always thought she was used to her poverty and the bad reputation brought by her mother. She had never imagined that her true identity was not only as wealthy as the State, but also more noble than any woman in the world.

Jiang Mi felt like she was still dreaming, as if the person Wang Yi described wasn’t her at all.

Unconsciously, Jiang Mi began reciting the things Wang Yi had shown her again. As she memorized them, she stroked the jade pendant hanging around her neck, thinking to herself, “Perhaps, one day, when I can truly command those people with what’s in this, when I can truly see a gold mine, then I’ll believe in my origins.”

At that moment, Cui Zi Xuan, still half asleep, opened his eyes. He looked at Jiang Mi and said in a hoarse voice, “It’s late; go to sleep.”

Jiang Mi quickly responded, blew out the candle, and went to him.

As Jiang Mi approached the bed, Cui Zi Xuan’s long arms reached out, pulling her onto the bed and tucking her into his embrace. He wrapped his legs around hers, warming her hands with his own. Cui Zi Xuan murmured sleepily, “Why are you so cold?”

Cui Zi Xuan was like a heater; Jiang Mi felt warm and cozy in his arms in no time. He had been holding her like this for days, and Jiang Mi had grown accustomed to his possessiveness. She snuggled against his neck, yawned, and her eyes grew hazy.

The next day, Jiang Mi overslept. When she opened her eyes, Cui Zi Xuan was already up. After washing up, she heard a commotion outside and summoned her maid, asking curiously, “What’s going on outside?”

The maid replied with a smile, “I heard an envoy team has entered the city. Those envoys have come to pay their respects to the Old Madam, and everyone’s talking about it.”

Paying their respects to the Old Madam? Truly befitting a matriarch of a noble family; even a State envoy would come to see her first.

Jiang Mi immediately smiled and said, “The Old Madam is truly highly respected.”

The maid said proudly, “Indeed, our Old Madam is treated as an honored guest even by the State Lord.”

Jiang Mi smiled and said, “Then let’s go see what’s going on.”

“Yes.”

When Jiang Mi walked through a garden and arrived at the courtyard where Old Madam Cui resided, the envoys were just leaving Old Madam Cui’s room.

Upon seeing the envoy, Jiang Mi was startled. The man was tall, with a handsome face that carried a hint of menace—it was none other than her elder brother, Li Wu!

Upon seeing Li Wu, Jiang Mi’s mouth opened, the words “Elder Brother” almost escaping her lips, but she quickly realized her mistake and shut her mouth tightly.

Li Wu was clearly in a bad mood; his face darkened as he led the group forward.

In the blink of an eye, Li Wu reached the doorway. Sensing Jiang Mi’s presence, he glanced up.

Just one glance, and Li Wu froze.

To one side, Chen Xin’er glanced at Jiang Mi and asked in surprise, “Lord, do you know this young man?”

Li Wu shook his head, his eyes narrowed as he sized up Jiang Mi.

Just as he was about to pass Jiang Mi, Li Wu stopped. He suddenly turned and walked towards her.

Stepping up to Jiang Mi, Li Wu cupped his hands in a respectful greeting and said gently, “May I ask your honorable name, sir?”

Before Jiang Mi could answer, someone smiled at Li Wu and said, “This young man is Xu Er.”

Xu Er?

Although Li Wu and his party had only been in Xuzhou for half a day, they had already heard the name Xu Er mentioned several times. No one had expected him to be such a slender, handsome young man. For a moment, everyone’s attention, including Li Wu’s, was focused on Jiang Mi.

Li Wu was still staring intently at Jiang Mi.

His gaze was too direct; a staff member beside him subtly tugged at his sleeve.

Upon being reminded, Li Wu realized what was happening and quickly bowed to Jiang Mi, saying politely, “I’m Southern Tang Prince Li Wu. I have long admired Brother Xu’s talent, and meeting you today confirms it.” He then took Jiang Mi’s hands, smiling warmly, and said, “We hit it off immediately. If you don’t mind, we can spend more time together.”

Jiang Mi naturally couldn’t refuse. She bowed back and respectfully replied, “It would be an honor for Xu Er.”

At this moment, Cui Zi Xuan’s bodyguard, A Wu, approached.

Seeing A Wu approach, Li Wu let out a soft hum, put Jiang Mi’s hand down, and turned to A Wu, saying, “All I know is that my dear little sister disappeared after only half a year of marriage to Cui Zi Xuan. He owes me an explanation!”

He had come in anger, and his words, spoken to Old Madam Cui earlier, had carried a chilling, murderous intent. But now, hearing the same words, Chen Xin’er felt that Li Wu’s tone had lost much of its hostility.

Confused as to why he was in such a good mood, Chen Xin’er looked at Li Wu with surprise, and even the several advisors and deputy envoys around him relaxed.

Faced with Li Wu’s questioning, A Wu replied calmly, “Lord Cui will give the Royal Prince an explanation.”

Having said that, he stepped back, making way for Li Wu.

Even as he walked out of Cui Mansion, Li Wu kept looking back in Jiang Mi’s direction.

Seeing this, Chen Xin’er couldn’t help but ask, “Lord, is there something wrong with this person?”

Li Wu frowned, staring intently at the now blurred figure of Jiang Mi, and said thoughtfully, “I feel like I’ve seen this person before.”

He then instructed those around him, “It’s winter now; everyone has more free time. Remember to invite this Young Master Xu Er out for walks more often.”

A supportive talent like Xu Er was needed by any discerning person, and those around Li Wu assumed he was trying to win over Xu Er because of his talent, so they all nodded in agreement.

What Jiang Mi didn’t expect was that half a month after winter began, another envoy team arrived in Xuzhou City, and this envoy was also an acquaintance. It was Prince Kang from Shu State.

Prince Kang came to congratulate the new Emperor Later Zhou, accompanied by a large entourage, several of whom were acquaintances of Jiang Mi, such as Wang Hui (mentioned by Wang Yi), Li Cheng, and Jiang Yue. Most importantly, Prince Kang brought his Princess Consort, who was none other than Yu Man!

Jiang Mi was utterly astonished that Yu Man would marry Prince Kang. Having been away from Shu State for so long, she longed to know the details about her friends there. Unfortunately, her current identity as Xu Er prevented her from rashly approaching Yu Man to inquire.

Almost as soon as the Later Shu envoys entered Xuzhou, a heavy snow began to fall. The swirling snowflakes transformed the entire city into white in just a day and a night, piling a thick layer even on the treetops, with large chunks of snow swirling in the wind.

The weather officially turned cold, and Jiang Mi’s husband, Lord Cui, who had vowed to teach her a lesson upon arriving in Xuzhou, finally had some free time.

Knowing that Cui Zi Xuan would be free, Jiang Mi felt a little frightened, remembering his words. It was only right and proper that she pay her respects to the Zhao brothers. So, that day, after informing A Wu, Jiang Mi set off with a few servants.

The courtyard where the Zhao brothers lived was also provided by Wang Yi, and it was very close by. Jiang Mi had just arrived at the main gate when she heard shouts. She stepped inside, and, lo and behold, in the freezing cold, those men, shirtless, were training in the snow!

Seeing Jiang Mi approaching from afar, Shao Xiaozi let out an excited shout, “Xu Er, you’re finally here!” He pounced on her, but the Zhao brothers and Scholar Shao, awakened by Shao Xiaozi’s shout, froze in place.

…Ever since Xu Er became a woman and even Cui Zi Xuan’s legal wife, these rough men didn’t know how to interact with her.

Shao Xiaozi, completely unaware of the embarrassment these important figures felt, rushed to Jiang Mi, circled her once, then patted her heavily on the shoulder, grinning, “Not bad, kid. You’ve gotten better looking since you started being with that Cui guy, not thinner at all.”

Because of the disguise, Jiang Mi’s face was still the same, and her height was still the same. What had truly changed was her aura; this finally upright posture made Shao Xiaozi feel that she was a completely different person.

Jiang Mi, smiling, was about to speak when Shao Xiaozi, still the same as before, chuckled to himself, “By the way, with all this snow and so many important figures arriving in Xuzhou, I heard that merchant surnamed Wang wants to throw a few banquets to entertain everyone.” He then leaned closer to Jiang Mi and whispered, “Xu Er, I heard you’ve become Cui’s plaything… what exactly does ‘plaything’ mean? I asked my brother and got beaten up!”