Jade Without Fragrance - Chapter 8 : The Cause of Misfortune

It was the birthday of Third Miss Chen at the Minister of Rites' residence, and the Wen family had received an invitation a few days prior for a small gathering for the Wen sisters.

"Second Sister, are you really not going?" Wen Chan asked as she prepared to leave.

Wen Hao smiled and nudged her Eldest Sister. "If you don't head out now, you'll be late! It's only been a short while since the incident at Prince Jing's palace, and if I go, I'll just end up hearing some gossip."

"Alright, I'll head out first and bring back some snacks from Wanji Shop for you!"

Once Wen Chan was gone, Wen Hao's smile faded, and she cast her eyes down to hide the chill in them.

In her previous life, she attended Third Miss Chen's birthday celebration. Although her name was mentioned in the invitation, only her Eldest Sister was truly welcomed.

After all, Third Miss Chen was the most ladylike, while Wen Hao-a wild girl known for climbing over walls-was not someone she could tolerate.

Wen Hao was not the type to make herself miserable, so she had no desire to partake in the birthday celebration.

"Oh, you're free now! Come with me to the Treasure Pavilion. It's been a while since my last visit, and I bet there are many new things to see," Madam Lin said when she noticed Wen Hao standing by herself.

Wen Hao looked at Madam Lin, feeling a warmth in her heart. In her past life, her mother had said the same thing after her Eldest Sister left for the gathering.

Her mother had wanted her to join her at the Treasure Pavilion, fearing that her daughter might feel let down for missing the birthday celebration.

In this new life, Wen Hao felt indifferent to any gossip; it didn't really matter to her whether she went to the Chen residence with her Eldest Sister. What truly mattered was a visit to the Treasure Pavilion.

The person who had once targeted her family might be someone she encountered during this trip.

More than a year since her grandfather passed away, she had mostly been confined to the Wen Mansion or the General's Mansion, rarely venturing outside.

Even when she accidentally tumbled over the wall into Prince Jing's territory, her Eldest Sister had been quick to escort her back home.

Third Miss Chen's birthday was the only occasion where she stayed out for an extended time.

Then, when her father brought Madam Chang home, her grandmother's anger caused her to pass away.

Wen Hao had to undergo mourning for her grandmother and empathized with her mother's plight, leading her to isolate herself from the outside world once again.

By the time her Eldest Sister got married, the only new face she had seen was her brother-in-law.

Wen Hao didn't want to lose the opportunity to trace the person who had such an influence over her family-someone who could convince her father to sacrifice his daughter must be someone extraordinary.

Instead of waiting to be targeted, it was better to actively seek out the identity of this person.

"Okay, I was just thinking of going out for a stroll as well."

Seeing Wen Hao agree, Madam Lin happily packed her things and set out.

Changchun Street was alive with the hustle and bustle of people.

Madam Lin escorted Wen Hao from the carriage and into the Treasure Pavilion.

When the shopkeeper spotted Madam Lin, her face brightened with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling.
"Madam, it's been a while! Please, come right in."

Madam Lin was not only a regular at the Treasure Pavilion, but also one of its most valued customers.

General Lin had once fought alongside Emperor Taizu to stake his claim on the world and was given the title Duke Ding.

Wen Hao's grandfather, as a mountain king, had a talent for accumulating riches. It wouldn't be an overstatement to claim that the Lin family was incredibly wealthy.

As an only child with two lovely daughters, it would be odd if Madam Lin wasn't a frequent customer at the capital's most renowned silver shop.

However, since General Lin's passing, Madam Lin hadn't visited in over a year.

As expected, both the mother and daughter were treated with utmost care.

The long table was filled with hairpins and jewelry, sparkling brilliantly.

"Madam, take a look at these jade bracelets. They are a clear green with a superb luster, perfect for the Second Miss's complexion."

Madam Lin briefly examined them and replied indifferently, "They don't compare to the pair I purchased for them two years ago."

In response, the shopkeeper quickly presented a box to Madam Lin: "How about this red gold and ruby butterfly hairpin? The ruby may not impress you, Madam, but the craftsmanship of the butterfly is truly exquisite and lifelike..."

"Mother!" Wen Hao interjected at the perfect moment, "It seems lively outside. I'd like to go out for a bit."

"Are you feeling bored?" Madam Lin smiled as she squeezed Wen Hao's hand. "Go on, just put on the veil hat."

Wen Hao donned the veil hat and stepped out of the Treasure Pavilion alongside Bao Zhu.

A crowd had gathered not far from the Treasure Pavilion, with sounds of gongs and cheers ringing out intermittently.

Wen Hao approached calmly.

The crowd was encircling a young boy demonstrating sword dance moves.

He appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen, physically strong, performing acrobatics with remarkable skill, and had a strikingly handsome face-quite uncommon for street performers.

Wen Hao found herself staring at him, momentarily lost in thought.

She couldn't quite recall why she had been so drawn to watching performers like this during this time in her past life.

Surely it wasn't just because the boy was attractive? That didn't seem like her character.

"Bravo!"

At the height of the cheers, the boy finished his performance, while an elderly man with a gong made his way around the crowd to collect donations.

The sound of copper coins striking the gong resonated, and before the old man reached Wen Hao, gasps erupted from the crowd.

"Is that gold leaves?!"

"Someone is actually giving out gold leaves!"

Typically, people used copper coins for transactions, and even silver was a rarity; gold leaves were unheard of.

Curiosity peaked, and the crowd surged toward the source, eager for a glimpse of the supposed gold.

Wen Hao realized her veil was likely to slip off among the crowd.

"Miss, watch out!" Bao Zhu stepped in front of Wen Hao, shielding her as they made their way through the crowd.

Wen Hao turned around.

In that instant, someone hurried past and brushed against her veil.

It fell to the ground and was quickly trampled upon.

Bao Zhu pulled Wen Hao away from the crowd, anxiety lining her features. "Miss, did you get stepped on?"

"I'm fine," Wen Hao replied, lifting her hand to tuck her slightly tousled black hair behind her ear.

"Miss, let's return to the Treasure Pavilion."

"No, I want to stay and see more," Wen Hao said, her gaze fixed on the spectacle as her feet remained still.

In her previous life, she returned to the Pavilion rather quickly. Would staying this time result in a different outcome?

The street performers, old and young, quickly departed after receiving the gold leaves, and soon the crowd began to disperse.

What had once been a bustling gathering now turned desolate, leaving only a lone veil on the ground.

"Miss, I'll retrieve the veil," Bao Zhu offered.

Wen Hao hesitated before nodding.

Could the calamity from her past life was caused by this fallen veil?

As she contemplated, she spotted a young man in elegant brocade making his way toward it.

He bent down, picked up the veil, and approached Wen Hao.

Wen Hao bit her lip, trying to steady her breath, which quickened in shock.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Bao Zhu rushed to confront the young man.

The two guards accompanying him swiftly moved to block Bao Zhu's path.

"That's our young lady's veil hat!" she exclaimed angrily.

The young man in brocade glanced at Wen Hao, handed the veil to Bao Zhu, and smiled, "Return it to your young lady, and do be careful not to drop it again next time."

Bao Zhu grabbed the veil hat and hurried back to Wen Hao.

Wen Hao turned around with a blank expression and quickly made her way to the Treasure Pavilion.

The young man dressed in brocade observed as the girl vanished through the door of the Treasure Pavilion, a cold smile creeping onto his face. "She's quite bold. Wang Gui, find out which young lady she is," he instructed.

"Yes," replied one of his guards.

As Wen Hao entered the Treasure Pavilion, her fists were tightly clenched, drenched in cold sweat. Although spring was warming up, she felt as if she had stepped into an icy cave, a chill seeping through her entire body.

It was the Crown Prince; that person was actually the Crown Prince!