EBE Chapter 144 The Reasons for the Provost's Return
Chapter 144 The Reasons for the Provost's Return
Since Wei Qiuci was betrothed, she has only been summoned by Consort Du, the mother of the Third Prince, twice.
On both occasions, he went early, exchanged a few words, received his reward, and returned to his residence.
That hostage prince almost never stepped out of the palace where he lived.
The chances of the two of them meeting are infinitesimally close to zero.
Wei Qiuci calmly met her and Zhong Shuyue's questioning gazes: "I heard the Third Prince mention it once."
However, when she entered the palace, she happened to see the Crown Prince and his concubine strolling in the Imperial Garden, and their presence distracted her. Therefore, she could only recall the Third Prince and Consort Du mentioning this person, saying that he was strange and didn't really like to talk to anyone.
Wei Dongning gave a faint "Oh".
Since it was heard from the Third Prince, that's normal.
When Zhong Shuyue heard Wei Qiuci say this, she couldn't help but pout, her voice filled with complaint: "The Second Prince has never said these things to me."
Wei Dongning was amused by her resentful tone and poked her puffed-up cheek: "He must have his reasons for not saying anything."
"Okay, fine."
Not long after Zhong Shuyue finished speaking, Su Yizhuo, who had just been mentioned, appeared in their line of sight: "What are you talking about so intently?"
He also raised his hand to stop them from getting up to bow to him.
Zhong Shuyue poured a cup of water and pushed it in front of him, saying, "It's nothing, why did you come over?"
Su Yizhuo replied with a forced smile, "I was kicked out by my mother."
Actually, he couldn't stand the Crown Prince anymore, so he wanted to come out and find some peace and quiet.
Who would have thought that the usually ruthless and decisive Crown Prince would be like a completely different person today?
Before he could say anything, the Crown Prince looked at him, his eyes crinkling with laughter: "How did you know that the concubine and I had a child?"
That expression... if Su Yizhuo weren't outmatched by him, he really would have wanted to punch him.
Wei Dongning already knew the truth from Xiao Wu, but as his younger sister, she didn't expose his intentions.
There was a hint of mockery in his eyes when he looked at Su Yizhuo.
Su Yizhuo noticed her gaze, coughed awkwardly, and stiffly changed the subject: "These pastries weren't made in the palace today, were they? They're a bit too sweet."
Zhong Shuyue was the most accommodating to him. She picked up a piece, took a bite, and echoed, "There is some, but it's better with this tea."
Wei Qiuci took in their interaction, and when she lowered her eyes, she concealed the envy in them.
"It's so lively here, may I join?"
The sudden male voice shattered the tranquility.
Everyone looked up and saw the Third Prince, Su Yide, standing there. His gaze swept across everyone's faces before settling on Wei Qiuci.
He walked over and sat down beside her, glancing at her face: "Why is the Second Miss still so pale? Is the medicine you sent not working?"
Wei Qiuci shook her head: "It works."
"That's good. What happened that day was not intentional on my part. I hope you won't mind, Miss."
"Your Highness is too kind."
For the first time, Wei Dongning felt that she missed Gu Peiyan a little.
The people in front of me are all in pairs. Regardless of whether they are truly in love, they at least maintain a facade of harmony in front of outsiders.
"Xiao Wu, can you check how Gu Peiyan's match is going?"
"Wait." Xiao Wu quickly switched the perspective to Gu Peiyan: "We've already entered the final round."
"Okay. I'll wait for him a little longer."
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Gu Peiyan appeared before Wei Dongning.
As if a tracking device had been implanted in her, Gu Peiyan quickly located Wei Dongning's position and walked towards her.
Wei Dongning could even see the frustration hidden in his eyes.
Although it wasn't showing on his face.
If I'm not mistaken, he must have lost the flying flower challenge earlier.
Gu Peiyan bowed to the two princes sitting there and then sat down next to Wei Dongning.
The others then started talking about Cheng Zexi.
Zhong Shuyue happened to ask the question that Wei Dongning was very concerned about: "Why send the hostage back?"
This matter was not a secret, and there was nothing that they couldn't know. After glancing at Su Yizhuo, the Third Prince explained, "The King of Jin Kingdom was assassinated and his days are numbered. Father Emperor is merciful and has granted him permission to return to attend to his ailing father."
Su Yizhuo, however, knew more.
Sending Cheng Zexi back was ostensibly to attend to his illness, but in reality, it was to allow him to return and seize power.
When Cheng Zexi met with the Emperor, he promised that if the Great An Kingdom could help him ascend to that position, he would be willing to cede five border cities and would not commit any further offenses within ten years.
Faced with such a temptation, the emperor naturally agreed.
However, there's no need to tell them too much about these things.
Wei Qiuci's stomach started churning again. Facing the group chatting animatedly, she stood up to excuse herself: "Excuse me, I'm not feeling well. I'll leave for a while. You all continue your conversation."
Xiaohe bowed to everyone and followed in her footsteps, supporting her as they walked and complaining softly, "Miss, I always feel that the Third Prince is bad luck for you. Otherwise, how come you were feeling much better, but after spending some time with him, your stomach started to feel uncomfortable again?"
"Be careful what you say," Wei Qiuci said coldly.
This is royal territory. If those words were overheard by someone with ulterior motives, they could cause quite a stir.
Xiaohe immediately understood what she meant and slapped her own lips, saying, "It was my mistake."
"Don't say things like that again." Although she felt that Xiaohe's words made a lot of sense.
Every time she met the Third Prince, nothing good ever happened.
But she had no choice but to endure it.
After relieving himself in the outhouse, Wei Qiuci was still a little unsteady on his feet. He leaned on Xiaohe for support as they slowly walked back.
They happened to run into Lin Xinian, who was walking in their direction.
Wei Qiuci composed herself, suppressing her envy, and curtsied to her: "This humble woman greets the Consort."
Lin Xinian had already noticed her discomfort when she came to pay her respects with Bai Suyun, and he raised his hand slightly to her, saying, "Get up. You're not feeling well, go back and rest early."
Wei Qiuci did not refuse, and after bowing again, he continued walking forward with Xiao He.
Firstly, she is indeed not feeling well right now, and secondly, she doesn't want to spend any more time with her.
But Lin Xinian was quick on his feet.
She hadn't gone far when Lin Xinian and his maid caught up with her.
Even if Wei Qiuci was unwilling, he couldn't find a reason to get rid of her.
Moreover, there's only one road leading back to the rest area.
Wei Qiuci had no choice but to walk and chat with her.
Most of the time, Lin Xinian was the one talking, and she was the one listening.
Fortunately, Lin Xinian didn't talk much about the Crown Prince in front of her, which made her feel a little better.
But sometimes, unexpected changes happen so suddenly.
A ball, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, flew straight toward them, or more precisely, toward Lin Xinian.