Chapter 29: He Yan's Visit

  The gentle trills of the oriole in the courtyard startled Qing Sang who was sleeping on the couch.

  Put on the outer garment, push the door and look out, it's another sunny morning. The sky is clear and cloudless, the sun shines brightly and warmly in the yard. However, Qing Sang's mood is as cold as a winter solstice.

  That day, when she returned to the mansion, everything red in the house had disappeared. The big red couplets, the big red lanterns, the big red curtains... all seemed to have evaporated like a person. Qing Sang knew that the people at home were afraid of her being sad, so they quickly put them away. Or perhaps, with the death of the crown prince being such a big deal, it was only natural that the mansion could not be decorated in such a festive manner.

  It's just that this sudden disappearance of red makes Qing Sang even more unbearable. The person who is about to spend the rest of his life with him has quietly walked away, taking away Qing Sang's hope and promise.

  What made Qing Sang even more indignant was that, late at night on the same day, Jiang Gonggong, who served the Empress in the palace, came to the mansion and returned the bundle of black hair to Qing Sang, bringing with him a sentence from the Empress: "A wicked woman who brings calamity to her husband, absolutely cannot be allowed to harm Hao'er again on the road to Huangquan."

  Everyone in the court listened and was both angry and sad, but no one dared to refute it.

  Qing Sang coldly laughed and calmly took back her own hair, then turned around and went back into her room.

  At this time, sitting in the courtyard, Qing Sang stroked her own long hair in her hand, dazed and distracted.

  "Miss, you're awake. I'll go get some water for you to wash up." Xue Pen saw Qing Sang sitting dazed in the courtyard and quickly went forward to attend to her.

  Qing Sang shook his head and said, "I just want to be alone quietly."

  Snowy basin in the heart is difficult to pass, advised: "People die can not be reborn, miss must think open some" After finishing, see Qing Sang still dazed, had to sigh a voice out of the yard.

  After a while, Pu Jiayear and Wang entered the courtyard. Wang saw that her daughter was disheveled and unkempt, and her heart was deeply saddened. She hugged Qing Sang and tearfully exhorted: "My poor daughter, you still have your parents and younger brother Qing He, so please be strong!"

  Pu Ji Nian also said: "Sang Er, the Empress Dowager was also overly grieved and that's why she said those things, don't think too much about it"

  The green mulberry saw the two old men worried and anxious, her heart tightened, and she opened her mouth to say: "Father and mother, you can rest assured that your daughter will not think of anything rash. Your daughter can also understand that the empress has just suffered the pain of losing a child, so it's unavoidable that her words are a bit harsh. Your daughter won't take it to heart."

  "That's good, that's good" Pu Jinyan looked at Qing Sang, feeling relieved by her understanding, but also heartbroken by her understanding.

  Nowadays, everyone outside is saying that the third miss of the Pu family is a jinx, having killed her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and elder sister, and also killing her husband who had not yet consummated their marriage. The rumors are very unpleasant to hear. Therefore, Pu Jiayuan originally wanted his daughter to go out and take a walk to clear her mind, but he was afraid that she would hear these idle gossip and sprinkle salt on the wound that already had a thousand holes, so he gave up the idea of letting her go out.

  Two people were persuading Qing Sang, when suddenly they heard Xiang Shu coming to report that He Yan General had arrived at the mansion.

  Pu Ji Nian let Wang Shi accompany Qing Sang, and he himself went out to welcome

  Wang shouted for Xue Pen to bring water and personally helped Qing She wash and change clothes.

  Qing Sang couldn't surpass her own mother, so she just followed her.

  I had just changed my clothes and was sitting in front of the dresser, preparing to comb my hair, when suddenly Xiang Shu came running in again and said: "The master asks the young lady to go to the study for a chat."

  Wang hastily made a simple hair bun for Qing, casually inserted a silver pin into her hair and put on earrings, then told her to hurry up.

  Qing'e was listless and didn't want to go, especially since she didn't want to see anyone from the imperial family again. However, seeing her mother Wang Shi's worried expression softened her heart, and she slowly made her way to the study with a reluctant attitude.

  As soon as he entered the study, he lazily paid his respects and raised his head to meet He Yan's strange gaze.

  This was the third time Qing Sang had seen He Yan's strange expression. The first time was outside the North Gate, the second time was at the General's Mansion, and this was the third time. She really couldn't understand why General He would have this expression when he saw her.

  Pu Ji Nian spoke first, informing General Qing Sang He that he had come for the bundle of green silk.

  "Since it's been sent back, is there any reason to go again?" Qing Sang said coldly. At that time, she cut her hair and tied it with Tong Hao as a token of their love, but he left the world with regret. But since they were pulled apart by the Empress Dowager and sent back, why would she willingly send him back again?

  "Sang Er, at that time Empress Dowager was also heartbroken, this time General He came in person with good intentions" Pu Ji Nian advised.

  Qing Sang understood her father's meaning and since General He had come, she let him down gently.

  Qing Sang let out a long sigh and said, "His Highness and I have not gone through the formal wedding ceremony, so we can't be considered husband and wife. On that day, in my extreme grief, I made the gesture of tying our hair together, but since it wasn't recognized, I don't want to mention it again."

  He Yan hummed and said, "Miss Pu is regretting now? Your engagement with the Crown Prince has been settled, and the Crown Prince's feelings for you are deep and sincere. Even if he asked you to die with him, it wouldn't be excessive, let alone just asking for a lock of your hair!"

  He Yan spoke out of turn and somewhat enraged Pu Jiayuan.

  In terms of official rank, He Yan was only a third-grade military officer, one grade lower than Pu Jiayuan. If he weren't the emperor's son-in-law, he should still be showing deference to Pu Jiayuan. Now, however, he was in Pu Jiayuan's own home, openly looking down on his daughter. Naturally, Pu Jiayuan wasn't pleased. However, after many years of being an official, Pu Jiayuan knew how to maintain a respectful facade. So, seemingly unintentionally but actually with ulterior motives, he said: "Only imperial consorts who have undergone the grand wedding ceremony should have the privilege of following their husband in death. I've never heard of someone being betrothed and then following their fiancé in death."

  He Yan heard this and knew he had misspoken, and didn't say another word.

  "Does Father really think he can control who I marry just to maintain the royal family's dignity? As she knew, in general, imperial consorts who gave birth to princes or princesses did not have to follow the emperor to his grave. But didn't Dowager Empress Xiaozhuang also fail to meet the conditions for following the emperor to his grave, yet was still plotted against and forced to follow Emperor Taizong of Qing to his grave? So, Father's words are just theoretical, but in reality, who knows what will happen?"

  Qing Sang, although annoyed by He Yan's overbearing behavior, didn't want to make a scene either, bringing trouble to the whole family. She went out and called Xue Pen to take her hair, wrapped it in cloth and handed it over to He Yan.

  He Yan took over, but didn't leave immediately. After a moment of silence, he muttered: "This general came at the behest of the Emperor. Since the Emperor knew that the Empress Dowager had sent Miss's head back, he was furious and ordered the Princess to come and take it back. The Princess was afraid of the Empress Dowager, so she ordered this general to come."

  Pu Jinyan and Qing Sang were both stunned, not because He Yan's words were strange, but because he didn't need to say these things.

  He Yan finished speaking and was also stunned, why did he want to tell Qing Sang these things, from the North Gate, he was like being possessed.

  At the North Gate, he was supposed to drive Qing Sheng away, but miraculously helped her instead; at this time, he should have taken the hair and left, but still hesitated here, all of which were due to the pair of diamond earrings on Qing Sang's ears. No matter what, today must figure out whether this earring that confused his mind was the one he had specially made?

  He Yan made up his mind and asked directly: "Miss Pu, may I have a word with you?"

  Pu Jinyan and Qing Sang were stunned again

  He Yan's question was extremely presumptuous, and Pu Jiayear didn't know what he really meant, but he was already displeased in his heart. He solemnly said: "General He has already handled the affairs entrusted by His Majesty, so it's better to return immediately and report back."

  He Yan didn't answer, but instead turned to Pu Jiayuan and said: "Mr. Pu, may I have your permission to speak with your daughter in private for a moment?"

  "General, you should know that this is unreasonable."

  He Yan had been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and at the age of 14, he followed his grandfather to conquer Sha. After marrying the princess, he lived in the palace, protecting the safety of the inner court, but his fierce and impatient personality did not change. At this time, he was already somewhat impatient, thinking of making a move, when Qing Shan suddenly said: "Father, General He must have something very important to discuss, let me talk to him for a moment. Father can open the door of the study and stand in the courtyard."

  He Yan was the emperor's son-in-law after all, so Pu Jiayuan didn't dare to offend him like that. Thinking about Qing Sang's suggestion, it seemed reasonable, so he followed his words and opened the door wide, standing in the courtyard.

  "General He has something to say," said Qing Sang calmly.

  "Excuse me, miss, where did this lotus flower earring come from?" He Yan didn't beat around the bush and directly got to the point.

  "Huh?" Qing Sang was taken aback, reached out to touch the earring on her ear, and was startled. She took it off and looked at it, only to find that it was the lotus flower earring sent by Tong Xuan.

  Qing Sang didn't dress up carefully today, and carelessly let her mother help her. She didn't even notice what kind of hair accessory her mother had put on her. The lotus flower earrings that Tong Huan had knocked off were picked up by Xue Pan and placed in the sandalwood box, which was then put away in the jewelry box. Today, Wang Shi happened to flip through it and saw the earrings shining brightly, so she put them on Qing Sang. But Qing Sang was distracted and didn't even notice.

  But why did He Yan ask this? Could it be that he knew that this earring was a gift from Tong Xuan?

  Qing Sang asked: "General He, why did you ask this? These women's jewelry must have come from that jewelry store."

  "Is it? May I take a look?" He Yan said

  Qing Sang hesitated for a moment, and still handed the one he had already picked to He Yan.

  He Yan suddenly looked at the light, took a closer look, and changed his expression. He hastily asked: "Where did you buy this thing from?" (Recommended during the double update period, late at night)