Chapter 010: The Beauty

How she came to know the Duke of Su is a story that dates back to when she was still Xue Fangfei. After marrying Shen Yurong and moving to Yanjing, gradually, the reputation of being the most beautiful woman in Yanjing fell upon her. As the Duke of Su, who had a penchant for beauty and disdain for ugliness, he also heard of Xue Fangfei's name at that time

One year after Yu Hongye and Ji Minghan got married, Yu Hongye gave birth to Ji Heng. When Ji Heng was one year old, the Eastern Xia invaded. Ji Minghan received orders to go to war, and upon his triumphant return, he learned the news that Yu Hongye was gravely ill and beyond recovery

Jiang Li smiled faintly

Ji Heng has two hobbies: one is admiring flowers, and the other is watching operas. His residence is filled with various rare flowers from around the world, and he enjoys inviting opera troupes to perform. For performances that are satisfactory, he rewards them with a thousand taels of silver; for those that do not meet his expectations, he orders both the performers and the troupe to be expelled from Beijing, a distance of a thousand miles. The performers in Beijing have a mixed feeling of love and hate towards him.

The tall guard with the saber had just begun to speak when the young man beside him interrupted with a "shh" sound, cutting off his words

It is said that Ji Heng enjoys watching plays because of her fondness for keeping actors, and many young masters from prominent families in Yanjing also have such disreputable interests. It was not until later, when the famous leading actress of the auspicious theater in the capital, Liu Sheng, was thrown out of the Duke's mansion with her limbs broken, reportedly for failing to seduce someone, that this rumor was dispelled.

The guard named Wen Ji fell silent.

In the Yan Dynasty, a hundred years of talent have emerged, yet the Duke of Su is currently the youngest duke. It is worth mentioning that he is only twenty-four years old.

Now that she thinks about it, she is still not very angry with the words of Duke Su, and even feels that Ji Heng's words are quite right. At that time, when she married Shen Yurong, in order to please Shen's mother and her sister-in-law, she suppressed her own nature and lived a constrained life. She learned to be a virtuous wife and good mother, but no longer possessed the lively joy of her youth

Ji Heng's father led a life that was quite legendary, and when it came to Ji Heng herself, she was no less remarkable

He enjoys watching plays

Jiang Li nodded: "Not bad"

In summary, Duke Su, Ji Heng, is a stunning beauty who is arrogant and overbearing, unpredictable in her emotions, dark and terrifying, and lacks the understanding of cherishing delicate beauty.

Of course, she is the same herself

A beautiful woman is toxic, yet she is still a beautiful woman

Perhaps he came to enjoy the flowers. Jiang Li thought to herself, unable to help but chuckle, "I didn't expect to witness such a splendid performance. Two of life's greatest pleasures have been fulfilled in a single day; he must be in a very good mood now"

Yu Hongye's father was embroiled in a corruption case, and once it was uncovered, the entire family was implicated. As a concubine of the Yu family, Yu Hongye was eventually relegated to a brothel. The young Ji Minghan, while socializing with colleagues, fell in love with Yu Hongye at first sight

Yu Hongye, born of a noble family, possesses a keen and cunning disposition. In fact, even though she is the daughter of a condemned minister, the young gentlemen of Yanjing City eagerly seek to win her favor. Later, Ji Minghan redeemed Yu Hongye and took her as his wife.

Of course not

How did the Duke of Su comment on Xue Fangfei? It is said that the Duke of Su once saw Xue Fangfei shopping at a jewelry store with the younger sister of Shen Yurong on the street. After just one glance, he mocked, "She is beautiful, indeed, but completely soulless"

Well

Inside the room, Jiang Li is explaining to Tong Er.

The memorial from the Minister of Justice, Yang Huating, has been withheld. King Cheng summoned the Right Chancellor to the palace overnight, and the Emperor is currently searching for you.

This remark was circulated as a joke in the city of Yanjing for quite some time, especially among the young ladies of noble families. The sudden emergence of a stunning beauty like Xue Fangfei naturally made them feel discontented, and Ji Heng certainly took the opportunity to vent their frustrations. There were also men who sympathized with Xue Fangfei, yet they did not dare to openly offend Ji Heng.

Ji Heng is an extremely beautiful and cold individual. It is not that he is distant towards others, but rather that he possesses a cruel heart, with moods that are unpredictable. Perhaps in one moment he is treating you gently, and in the next, he can drag you out to be executed without batting an eye. The people of Yanjing refer to him as "The Jade-faced Asura," yet despite his gloomy temperament, there are still countless young women who eagerly pursue him.

The first thing that the people of Yanzhao talk about with great enthusiasm is undoubtedly the beauty of Ji Heng

If Ji Minghan were merely from an ordinary family, he might have been guided by others at most. Unfortunately, Ji Minghan is a general of the Golden Guard and the Duke of Su. The Ji family has made numerous attempts to obstruct Ji Minghan's marriage to Yu Hongye. However, Ji Minghan acts according to his own will, and there is nothing they can do about it

Xue Fangfei herself did not feel anything, but Shen Yurong was quite upset about it, and Xue Fangfei even comforted her in return. However, Shen Yurong's younger sister and mother felt that Xue Fangfei had brought shame to the Shen family, which resulted in her being confined and unable to go out for three months

Duke Su of the State, Ji Heng, is the son of Ji Minghan, who served as the General of the Imperial Guards. He accompanied the late emperor in expanding the territory and made significant contributions. The late emperor, in appreciation of his loyalty, conferred upon him the title of Duke Su of the State.

After everything was settled, Ji Minghan disappeared, leaving only his young son Ji Heng, who was raised by his grandfather, General Ji. Later on, the late emperor passed away, and Emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne. At a young age, Ji Heng inherited the title, becoming the youngest duke in the Yan Dynasty at the age of fourteen

Tong Er did not suspect anything else, but asked in confusion: "But how could Duke Su Guo come here? Is he also here to pay his respects?"

"How did the young lady recognize that it was the Duke of Su?" Tong'er asked, "The young lady has never seen the Duke of Su before."

Tong'er had also heard of the renowned Duke of Su. Eight years ago, when they arrived at this temple, Jiang Li was only seven years old, and at that time, the Duke of Su was already sixteen. Who in Yanjing does not know of him? It is unexpected to meet him here

"Miss, did you say that is... that is Duke Su?" Tong'er asked

To love someone to the point of sacrificing oneself, transforming into another person, is it not to be reduced to the dust, devoid of soul

No one knows exactly what happened; all that is known is that the servants inside and outside the Ji family have been replaced. The few maids who used to attend to Yu Hongye have not been seen since, and Ji Minghan has also severed ties with his clan, resulting in the end of the Ji family's lineage in the Suguo Duke's household.

The mountain is quiet, and the distant temple remains brightly lit; this night is destined to be a sleepless one. A beautifully dressed figure walks leisurely and says: "Wen Ji, do not speak too much while watching the performance."

It is said that Ji Heng's biological mother, Yu Hongye, is a renowned beauty in the world, with every frown and smile resembling a figure from a painting, yet more lively than those in the paintings, truly deserving the title of "enchantress." Ji Heng's appearance largely inherits his mother's beauty, capable of captivating anyone who gazes upon him. However, his temperament has inherited Ji Heng's coldness; a person who can become a general of the Golden Guard naturally possesses a resolute character.

He himself is quite flamboyant, and it is rumored that in the capital of Yanjing, not to mention ministers, even princes and royal sons would have to be wary of him. Ji Heng is deeply calculating; if he were to offend him, it would only bring a heap of trouble upon himself. He enjoys wearing bright colors, which further accentuates his flamboyance, and he has a penchant for beauty, ugliness, and everything in between. Even the servants in his household, including those who merely carry the night fragrance, are all remarkably handsome and charming.

Jiang Li said: "Only the Duke of Su can grow to such an extent in the Yan Dynasty. Moreover, he has a red mole at the corner of his eye"

General Jin Wu is exceptionally valiant and enjoys the emperor's favor, making him the dream man of all the daughters of the Yan dynasty. However, this great general, Ji Minghan, has chosen to marry the daughter of a convicted traitor, Yu Hongye