"Master, there's news from the palace. The Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu had an argument. Fushou Junzhu, in a fit of anger, took a carriage and returned to Hua Family Estate," the subordinate approached the man and whispered, "After Fushou Junzhu left, the Crown Prince smashed several objects in the Eastern Palace."
"Why?" The man opened his eyes, his gaze filled with indescribable emotions that quickly settled down.
"Someone in the palace said that the Crown Prince discovered a connection between Fushou Junzhu and Ying Wang. After their argument, they parted ways unhappily."
"Didn't Ying Wang almost get betrothed to Fushou Junzhu in the past?" The man furrowed his brow at the thought of this past event, "The Crown Prince was pampered by Emperor Changlong since childhood and can't tolerate the slightest grievance. He is also intolerant of any flaws."
"However, for us, this is a good opportunity," the man stood up and pushed open the window, gazing at the bright moon outside, "We've lingered here for so long. It's time to go back."
Upon learning that the Crown Prince had a heated argument with Fushou Junzhu, the Empress Dowager summoned him to Shoukang Palace and scolded him severely.
After enduring nearly half an hour of scolding in Shoukang Palace, when the Crown Prince went to the Chenyang Palace, he saw his father, the Emperor, looking at him with a serious expression.
"Father Emperor?" The Crown Prince thought his father was going to blame him, but the Emperor looked at him in silence for a long time.
"Yuansu, if you encounter General Wei in the next few days... keep your distance from her," Emperor Changlong stared at him for a long time before uttering these words.
"Erchen will strictly obey Father Emperor's command," although the Crown Prince didn't quite understand why the Emperor said this, he still agreed.
In the Hua Family Estate, Hua Changkong returned from the Hanlin Academy and was surprised to see his younger sister sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool air, "Why are you at home?"
Normally at this time, Hua Liuli would either be shopping with her sisters or accompanying the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince in the palace. It was unusual for her to suddenly appear at home, and he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Hua Liuli pursed her lips and remained silent.
"Judging by your angry look, did you have an argument with the Crown Prince?" Hua Changkong smiled approvingly, "I thought with your temperaments, you would have been quarreling long ago. It seems your relationship is indeed good."
"Third Brother!" Hua Liuli snorted softly, "You just came back, and now you're teasing me?"
"You silly girl," Hua Changkong patted her head, "If you're not happy, go out shopping with your sisters. Don't stay cooped up at home, or you'll get sick."
He then took out a money pouch from his waist and placed it in Hua Liuli's hand, "Take this money and spend it."
"Thank you, Third Brother," Hua Liuli accepted the money pouch, her face showing a hint of melancholy as she left with her maidservants.
Watching the figure of his younger sister departing, the smile on Hua Changkong's face slowly faded. As an older brother, he would rather his sister remain ignorant of romantic love and be happy for the rest of her life.
But once emotions are involved, it's hard to let go.
He sighed, and just as he entered the hall, he was heard by Wei Mingyue, who happened to be coming in, "Why the sigh?"
"Mother," Hua Changkong forced a smile at Wei Mingyue, "I heard about my sister's argument with her betrothed just now, it made me feel sentimental."
"I can see that you're unwilling to see your sister get along well with others," Wei Mingyue shook her head, "It's normal for young people to have occasional quarrels. As parents and older siblings, we should avoid interfering too much in trivial matters. Sometimes, the more we try to help, the more harm we cause."
Some couples who were originally in good relationships ended up with strained relationships because of interference from family members. More importantly, she believed that her daughter can handle these matters well.
"You had an argument with the Crown Prince?" Yao Jiamin's voice couldn't help but rise. She thought of the neighboring private room in the teahouse where there were other customers and quickly lowered her voice, "What happened?"
"Whatever, let's not talk about it," Hua Liuli's tone was vague, and she sounded a bit sad, "Instead, tell me about any interesting places in the capital recently. Take me out to have some fun and relieve boredom."
"A while ago, didn't you say you were giving up your hobbies for the Crown Prince?" Yao Jiamin felt angry for Hua Liuli but couldn't help but soften her heart, "What's good about men? They get angry whenever they want. We sisters are the ones you can rely on."
"Jiamin, why don't you just say a little less?" Yao Wenyin tugged at Yao Jiamin's sleeve. When would her cousin stop speaking without thinking? It wasn't comforting at all; it was rubbing salt in the wound.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that..." Yao Jiamin realized her mistake and secretly glanced at Hua Liuli's expression. Seeing that she was indeed more upset, she quickly said, "How about... how about I take you to listen to some music?"
But they had to make sure not to be discovered by the Crown Prince.
"Okay," Hua Liuli stood up, "Since he suspects everything anyway, I might as well go listen to some music and find some good-looking companions..."
"Wait!" Yao Jiamin suddenly changed her mind, "I think I forgot to bring my purse. Did you all bring yours?" She looked at Tian Shan and Yao Wenyin, and both of them shook their heads.
"How coincidental! We didn't bring ours either," Yao Wenyin said while avoiding eye contact with Hua Liuli.
"Why is today so unfortunate?" Yao Jiamin dared to take Hua Liuli to listen to music but didn't dare to take her to meet handsome men. If this got out, before the Crown Prince would find trouble for her, her mother would break her legs.
Knock, knock, knock.
A gentle knocking sounded from outside the private room.
Yao Jiamin frowned. Who had such poor manners to disturb them at this time? Could it be someone familiar? She opened the door and saw the person standing outside, "Third Prince?"
"Greetings, ladies," He Yuanting saw that there were only ladies inside and felt somewhat shy as he took out a bag of silver, "When Benwang passed by earlier, Benwang heard you ladies saying you forgot your money pouch. This is a small token from Benwang..."
Yao Jiamin fell silent. She never expected someone to come and offer assistance at a time like this.
"Thank you, Third Prince, for your kind gesture, but we don't need these," Yao Jiamin was afraid that if she accepted the small bag of silver, the next day he would come to her estate, asking her mother to intercede for him, hoping that her Imperial Uncle would allow him to return to his country.
"Who said I don't want it?" Hua Liuli stood up and pushed Yao Jiamin aside. She addressed He Yuanting, "Your Highness, let's go."
"Where are we going?" Yao Jiamin hurriedly reached out to hold Hua Liuli, "Liuli, don't be impulsive."
"I know what I'm doing," Hua Liuli took out a handkerchief and covered her mouth as she coughed lightly, "Don't worry about me. I just want to go out and explore."
Yao Jiamin tried to persuade her, but she was afraid that Hua Liuli would get into a fight with her in her anger. If that happened, the whole capital would know that Yao Jiamin, who had been practicing martial arts for years, was slapped to the ground by the frail Hua Liuli.
Such an embarrassing incident must never happen.
"Please rest assured, Junzhu. Benwang will bring Fushou Junzhu back safe and sound," He Yuanting smiled at Yao Jiamin and followed behind Hua Liuli as they left the teahouse.
"I knew it, people in love lose their minds," Yao Jiamin was extremely anxious and turned to ask Tian Shan, "According to the laws of storytelling, what usually happens in this situation?"
"Usually, they get discovered by the Crown Prince, causing the misunderstandings to deepen," Tian Shan furrowed her brow in worry, "Should we go and stop them now?"
"We can't stop them."
You don't know how terrifying her true combat abilities are.
The three of them looked at each other, not knowing what to do. In the end, Yao Jiamin gritted her teeth and chased after them.
In the tavern, Fushou Junzhu reached out to grab the wine jug, preparing to pour herself a drink, but was stopped by He Yuanting, "Junzhu, Benwang heard that you're not in good health. It's not advisable for you to drink alcohol."
"I'm just a sickly body anyway. I've lived for sixteen years, too afraid to eat or drink, and even my emotions are too apparent," Fushou Junzhu pushed He Yuanting's hand away and poured the wine for herself, "People laugh at me for being a descendant of the Hua family but unable to wield a sword. Is this the only choice I have?"
Yao Jiamin, who originally reached out to intervene, suddenly froze. She glanced at Hua Liuli and slowly retracted her hand, trying to minimize her presence.
Hua Liuli glanced at Yao Jiamin and then raised the wine cup, drinking it all in one go. The pungent liquor made her face turn red.
"Life and death, joy and anger, none of it can be chosen by ourselves. What's the point of such a life?" She coughed while drinking two more cups, her eyes moist with a thick mist.
"Junzhu, you're drunk."
"You're talking nonsense," she propped her chin up with one hand, her beautiful brows furrowed, "This stuff, alcohol, is really disgusting."
"Alcohol, the more you drink, the more troubled you become," He Yuanting smiled and took away the wine cup in front of Fushou Junzhu, "Junzhu, you've never drunk alcohol before. It's better to avoid this harmful thing."
"Your Royal Highness, why don't you believe me?" She suddenly looked at He Yuanting with drunken eyes. He Yuanting was slightly startled when he saw Fushou Junzhu's gaze. He suddenly understood that the "Your Royal Highness" she referred to was not him, but the Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty.
"If I had known you would hurt me like this, I shouldn't have let my father and mother agree to this marriage in the first place," she laughed at herself, "You'd rather believe the rumors from palace maids than believe me?"
He Yuanting looked at her without saying a word.
Yao Jiamin was still trying to adjust her sitting posture, seemingly trying to make herself appear less conspicuous while sitting.
"Why aren't you saying anything?!" Hua Liuli, angered by He Yuanting's silence, seemed to want to grab his clothes, but due to the discomfort in her chest, she could only hold her chest and slump back down.
"Princess, you've mistaken me for someone else," He Yuanting reached out to move the wine cup, preventing the liquid from staining Fushou Junzhu's dress, "Benwang is He Yuanting, not your betrothed."
"Who is He Yuanting?" Fushou Junzhu rubbed her head, "Oh, that unfortunate prince who can't go home?"
He Yuanting tightened his grip on the wine cup slightly and then smiled, "Junzhu, you're joking. Benwang is a guest in your esteemed country, how can Benwang be considered unfortunate?"
"Your eldest brother died of illness, yet you can't even go back to see him. If you are not unfortunate, then who is?" Fushou Junzhu hiccuped, "But it's because the Ministry of Justice found out that someone from the Kingdom of Dai... "
Her voice grew softer as she spoke and He Yuanting didn't catch the words that followed.
His expression remained gentle, seemingly as if he didn't take Fushou Junzhu's words to heart or care about what she said. In his eyes, Fushou Junzhu was just a drunken person who spoke incoherently.
Seeing Hua Liuli leaning on the table, Yao Jiamin wanted to call for a maidservant to come and assist her. However, before she could do that, the door of the private room was kicked open from the outside.
He Yuanting raised his head and locked eyes with the Crown Prince. He stood up and bowed to the Crown Prince, "Greetings to the esteemed Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty."
The Crown Prince glanced at him without saying a word, walked up to Hua Liuli, looked at her for a long time with a gloomy expression, then bent down and carried her into his arms before striding away.
"Take care, Your Highness."
He Yuanting looked at the almost untouched dishes on the table, with a worried expression on his face. It seemed as if he was afraid that the Crown Prince would misunderstand.
Yao Jiamin became even more uneasy. Would the Crown Prince suspect that she had a hand in letting Hua Liuli drink alcohol? She seemed frightened by the Crown Prince's cold face. Leaving He Yuanting alone at the table, she hastily followed.
The Crown Prince carried Hua Liuli downstairs, placed her in the carriage, and couldn't help but rub his arm. This way of carrying someone really tested his strength.
"He's very cautious," Hua Liuli, who had just pretended to be drunk, sat up, "He showed almost no reaction, even when I vaguely mentioned the reason he couldn't return to Daimao."
"Do you suspect him?"
"I can't say," Hua Liuli shook her head, "When I pretended to be drunk and deliberately mentioned the reason he couldn't return to Daimao, he didn't show any reaction at all."
Any normal person would have had some subconscious curiosity upon hearing something related to themselves in such a situation.
There are only two types of people who are not interested: true saints and those pretending not to care.
"This matter is not the most important thing for us. First, spit on the ground three times and tell the heavens that you spoke thoughtlessly as a child."
"What?" Hua Liuli didn't understand.
The Crown Prince spoke seriously, "The things you said to He Yuanting just now were somewhat ominous. What if the heavens take them seriously? It wouldn't be good."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Heavens: I'm very busy.
"Master, there's news from the palace. The Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu had an argument. Fushou Junzhu, in a fit of anger, took a carriage and returned to Hua Family Estate," the subordinate approached the man and whispered, "After Fushou Junzhu left, the Crown Prince smashed several objects in the Eastern Palace."
"Why?" The man opened his eyes, his gaze filled with indescribable emotions that quickly settled down.
"Someone in the palace said that the Crown Prince discovered a connection between Fushou Junzhu and Ying Wang. After their argument, they parted ways unhappily."
"Didn't Ying Wang almost get betrothed to Fushou Junzhu in the past?" The man furrowed his brow at the thought of this past event, "The Crown Prince was pampered by Emperor Changlong since childhood and can't tolerate the slightest grievance. He is also intolerant of any flaws."
"However, for us, this is a good opportunity," the man stood up and pushed open the window, gazing at the bright moon outside, "We've lingered here for so long. It's time to go back."
Upon learning that the Crown Prince had a heated argument with Fushou Junzhu, the Empress Dowager summoned him to Shoukang Palace and scolded him severely.
After enduring nearly half an hour of scolding in Shoukang Palace, when the Crown Prince went to the Chenyang Palace, he saw his father, the Emperor, looking at him with a serious expression.
"Father Emperor?" The Crown Prince thought his father was going to blame him, but the Emperor looked at him in silence for a long time.
"Yuansu, if you encounter General Wei in the next few days... keep your distance from her," Emperor Changlong stared at him for a long time before uttering these words.
"Erchen will strictly obey Father Emperor's command," although the Crown Prince didn't quite understand why the Emperor said this, he still agreed.
In the Hua Family Estate, Hua Changkong returned from the Hanlin Academy and was surprised to see his younger sister sitting in the courtyard enjoying the cool air, "Why are you at home?"
Normally at this time, Hua Liuli would either be shopping with her sisters or accompanying the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince in the palace. It was unusual for her to suddenly appear at home, and he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Hua Liuli pursed her lips and remained silent.
"Judging by your angry look, did you have an argument with the Crown Prince?" Hua Changkong smiled approvingly, "I thought with your temperaments, you would have been quarreling long ago. It seems your relationship is indeed good."
"Third Brother!" Hua Liuli snorted softly, "You just came back, and now you're teasing me?"
"You silly girl," Hua Changkong patted her head, "If you're not happy, go out shopping with your sisters. Don't stay cooped up at home, or you'll get sick."
He then took out a money pouch from his waist and placed it in Hua Liuli's hand, "Take this money and spend it."
"Thank you, Third Brother," Hua Liuli accepted the money pouch, her face showing a hint of melancholy as she left with her maidservants.
Watching the figure of his younger sister departing, the smile on Hua Changkong's face slowly faded. As an older brother, he would rather his sister remain ignorant of romantic love and be happy for the rest of her life.
But once emotions are involved, it's hard to let go.
He sighed, and just as he entered the hall, he was heard by Wei Mingyue, who happened to be coming in, "Why the sigh?"
"Mother," Hua Changkong forced a smile at Wei Mingyue, "I heard about my sister's argument with her betrothed just now, it made me feel sentimental."
"I can see that you're unwilling to see your sister get along well with others," Wei Mingyue shook her head, "It's normal for young people to have occasional quarrels. As parents and older siblings, we should avoid interfering too much in trivial matters. Sometimes, the more we try to help, the more harm we cause."
Some couples who were originally in good relationships ended up with strained relationships because of interference from family members. More importantly, she believed that her daughter can handle these matters well.
"You had an argument with the Crown Prince?" Yao Jiamin's voice couldn't help but rise. She thought of the neighboring private room in the teahouse where there were other customers and quickly lowered her voice, "What happened?"
"Whatever, let's not talk about it," Hua Liuli's tone was vague, and she sounded a bit sad, "Instead, tell me about any interesting places in the capital recently. Take me out to have some fun and relieve boredom."
"A while ago, didn't you say you were giving up your hobbies for the Crown Prince?" Yao Jiamin felt angry for Hua Liuli but couldn't help but soften her heart, "What's good about men? They get angry whenever they want. We sisters are the ones you can rely on."
"Jiamin, why don't you just say a little less?" Yao Wenyin tugged at Yao Jiamin's sleeve. When would her cousin stop speaking without thinking? It wasn't comforting at all; it was rubbing salt in the wound.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that..." Yao Jiamin realized her mistake and secretly glanced at Hua Liuli's expression. Seeing that she was indeed more upset, she quickly said, "How about... how about I take you to listen to some music?"
But they had to make sure not to be discovered by the Crown Prince.
"Okay," Hua Liuli stood up, "Since he suspects everything anyway, I might as well go listen to some music and find some good-looking companions..."
"Wait!" Yao Jiamin suddenly changed her mind, "I think I forgot to bring my purse. Did you all bring yours?" She looked at Tian Shan and Yao Wenyin, and both of them shook their heads.
"How coincidental! We didn't bring ours either," Yao Wenyin said while avoiding eye contact with Hua Liuli.
"Why is today so unfortunate?" Yao Jiamin dared to take Hua Liuli to listen to music but didn't dare to take her to meet handsome men. If this got out, before the Crown Prince would find trouble for her, her mother would break her legs.
Knock, knock, knock.
A gentle knocking sounded from outside the private room.
Yao Jiamin frowned. Who had such poor manners to disturb them at this time? Could it be someone familiar? She opened the door and saw the person standing outside, "Third Prince?"
"Greetings, ladies," He Yuanting saw that there were only ladies inside and felt somewhat shy as he took out a bag of silver, "When Benwang passed by earlier, Benwang heard you ladies saying you forgot your money pouch. This is a small token from Benwang..."
Yao Jiamin fell silent. She never expected someone to come and offer assistance at a time like this.
"Thank you, Third Prince, for your kind gesture, but we don't need these," Yao Jiamin was afraid that if she accepted the small bag of silver, the next day he would come to her estate, asking her mother to intercede for him, hoping that her Imperial Uncle would allow him to return to his country.
"Who said I don't want it?" Hua Liuli stood up and pushed Yao Jiamin aside. She addressed He Yuanting, "Your Highness, let's go."
"Where are we going?" Yao Jiamin hurriedly reached out to hold Hua Liuli, "Liuli, don't be impulsive."
"I know what I'm doing," Hua Liuli took out a handkerchief and covered her mouth as she coughed lightly, "Don't worry about me. I just want to go out and explore."
Yao Jiamin tried to persuade her, but she was afraid that Hua Liuli would get into a fight with her in her anger. If that happened, the whole capital would know that Yao Jiamin, who had been practicing martial arts for years, was slapped to the ground by the frail Hua Liuli.
Such an embarrassing incident must never happen.
"Please rest assured, Junzhu. Benwang will bring Fushou Junzhu back safe and sound," He Yuanting smiled at Yao Jiamin and followed behind Hua Liuli as they left the teahouse.
"I knew it, people in love lose their minds," Yao Jiamin was extremely anxious and turned to ask Tian Shan, "According to the laws of storytelling, what usually happens in this situation?"
"Usually, they get discovered by the Crown Prince, causing the misunderstandings to deepen," Tian Shan furrowed her brow in worry, "Should we go and stop them now?"
"We can't stop them."
You don't know how terrifying her true combat abilities are.
The three of them looked at each other, not knowing what to do. In the end, Yao Jiamin gritted her teeth and chased after them.
In the tavern, Fushou Junzhu reached out to grab the wine jug, preparing to pour herself a drink, but was stopped by He Yuanting, "Junzhu, Benwang heard that you're not in good health. It's not advisable for you to drink alcohol."
"I'm just a sickly body anyway. I've lived for sixteen years, too afraid to eat or drink, and even my emotions are too apparent," Fushou Junzhu pushed He Yuanting's hand away and poured the wine for herself, "People laugh at me for being a descendant of the Hua family but unable to wield a sword. Is this the only choice I have?"
Yao Jiamin, who originally reached out to intervene, suddenly froze. She glanced at Hua Liuli and slowly retracted her hand, trying to minimize her presence.
Hua Liuli glanced at Yao Jiamin and then raised the wine cup, drinking it all in one go. The pungent liquor made her face turn red.
"Life and death, joy and anger, none of it can be chosen by ourselves. What's the point of such a life?" She coughed while drinking two more cups, her eyes moist with a thick mist.
"Junzhu, you're drunk."
"You're talking nonsense," she propped her chin up with one hand, her beautiful brows furrowed, "This stuff, alcohol, is really disgusting."
"Alcohol, the more you drink, the more troubled you become," He Yuanting smiled and took away the wine cup in front of Fushou Junzhu, "Junzhu, you've never drunk alcohol before. It's better to avoid this harmful thing."
"Your Royal Highness, why don't you believe me?" She suddenly looked at He Yuanting with drunken eyes. He Yuanting was slightly startled when he saw Fushou Junzhu's gaze. He suddenly understood that the "Your Royal Highness" she referred to was not him, but the Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty.
"If I had known you would hurt me like this, I shouldn't have let my father and mother agree to this marriage in the first place," she laughed at herself, "You'd rather believe the rumors from palace maids than believe me?"
He Yuanting looked at her without saying a word.
Yao Jiamin was still trying to adjust her sitting posture, seemingly trying to make herself appear less conspicuous while sitting.
"Why aren't you saying anything?!" Hua Liuli, angered by He Yuanting's silence, seemed to want to grab his clothes, but due to the discomfort in her chest, she could only hold her chest and slump back down.
"Princess, you've mistaken me for someone else," He Yuanting reached out to move the wine cup, preventing the liquid from staining Fushou Junzhu's dress, "Benwang is He Yuanting, not your betrothed."
"Who is He Yuanting?" Fushou Junzhu rubbed her head, "Oh, that unfortunate prince who can't go home?"
He Yuanting tightened his grip on the wine cup slightly and then smiled, "Junzhu, you're joking. Benwang is a guest in your esteemed country, how can Benwang be considered unfortunate?"
"Your eldest brother died of illness, yet you can't even go back to see him. If you are not unfortunate, then who is?" Fushou Junzhu hiccuped, "But it's because the Ministry of Justice found out that someone from the Kingdom of Dai... "
Her voice grew softer as she spoke and He Yuanting didn't catch the words that followed.
His expression remained gentle, seemingly as if he didn't take Fushou Junzhu's words to heart or care about what she said. In his eyes, Fushou Junzhu was just a drunken person who spoke incoherently.
Seeing Hua Liuli leaning on the table, Yao Jiamin wanted to call for a maidservant to come and assist her. However, before she could do that, the door of the private room was kicked open from the outside.
He Yuanting raised his head and locked eyes with the Crown Prince. He stood up and bowed to the Crown Prince, "Greetings to the esteemed Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty."
The Crown Prince glanced at him without saying a word, walked up to Hua Liuli, looked at her for a long time with a gloomy expression, then bent down and carried her into his arms before striding away.
"Take care, Your Highness."
He Yuanting looked at the almost untouched dishes on the table, with a worried expression on his face. It seemed as if he was afraid that the Crown Prince would misunderstand.
Yao Jiamin became even more uneasy. Would the Crown Prince suspect that she had a hand in letting Hua Liuli drink alcohol? She seemed frightened by the Crown Prince's cold face. Leaving He Yuanting alone at the table, she hastily followed.
The Crown Prince carried Hua Liuli downstairs, placed her in the carriage, and couldn't help but rub his arm. This way of carrying someone really tested his strength.
"He's very cautious," Hua Liuli, who had just pretended to be drunk, sat up, "He showed almost no reaction, even when I vaguely mentioned the reason he couldn't return to Daimao."
"Do you suspect him?"
"I can't say," Hua Liuli shook her head, "When I pretended to be drunk and deliberately mentioned the reason he couldn't return to Daimao, he didn't show any reaction at all."
Any normal person would have had some subconscious curiosity upon hearing something related to themselves in such a situation.
There are only two types of people who are not interested: true saints and those pretending not to care.
"This matter is not the most important thing for us. First, spit on the ground three times and tell the heavens that you spoke thoughtlessly as a child."
"What?" Hua Liuli didn't understand.
The Crown Prince spoke seriously, "The things you said to He Yuanting just now were somewhat ominous. What if the heavens take them seriously? It wouldn't be good."
Krish728
Author's Note:
The Heavens: I'm very busy.
