Chapter 87: The Prince’s Mansion Bustles
The front hall of Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Li Huan had just received news about Rui Shou Bridge from a guard when he heard a shout from outside the gate.
“The Crown Prince has arrived—”
A hint of coldness flashed in Li Huan’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
He then tidied the corner of his robe, put on a gentle smile, and quickened his pace to meet him.
At this moment, Li Zhao’s imperial carriage stopped steadily at the main gate, arriving just before Xue Sui…
The opened corner gate was for the Prince’s Mansion to welcome new members.
But today, Prince Duan’s Mansion was open to guests, and the Crown Prince’s arrival naturally meant he would enter through the main gate…
These two gates, the main and the corner, were like heaven and earth.
Li Zhao subtly cast a glance in Xue Sui’s direction.
Xue Sui seemed to sense it and paused slightly, but did not look back.
Whether it was the main gate or the corner gate, it was just a door.
Noble or lowly.
To her, it was all the same destination.
–
“The Crown Prince has arrived, and I have failed to welcome you properly! I beg your forgiveness!”
“Quick, please come in, please come in…”
Li Huan’s face was filled with a gentle smile, appearing hospitable. His gaze swept over the Crown Prince as he alighted from his carriage, then he looked intentionally or unintentionally towards the corner gate, only to see a glimpse of a vibrant rouge-red skirt hem and the joyful faces of the wedding procession.
Li Zhao glanced at him and, lifting the hem of his robe, ascended the steps.
“Brother Emperor, today is a joyous occasion, and I have come specifically to have a drink of celebratory wine. If I disturb your mood, please do not blame me.”
Li Huan subtly withdrew his gaze, his expression calm and composed.
With a gesture, he gently welcomed Li Zhao inside.
“It is my honor as an elder brother to have the Crown Prince visit. I am overjoyed, how could I be disturbed?”
He sighed with a smile, “Not yet thirty, my birthday is not a grand occasion. The mansion is taking in new members, and it is the Princess Consort’s kindness that she has arranged it simply for me. I fear the Crown Prince must find it amusing.”
The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing.
All the guests in the hall rose to greet them, initially a little reserved.
Seeing them chatting and laughing, appearing as if they were a harmonious and loving pair of brothers, their tense nerves gradually relaxed…
Harmony.
Brotherly harmony.
Amidst a chorus of peaceful laughter.
Fei Cui ran over, panting.
“Your Highness, Your Highness…”
After calling out twice, she saw the Crown Prince nearby and froze, hesitating to speak.
Li Huan frowned, “The Crown Prince is not an outsider. Speak if you have something to say.”
Having served Xue Yuechen for many years, Fei Cui was well-versed in the ways of the inner chambers.
In fact, she had arrived nearby earlier and waited until the Crown Prince was welcomed into the mansion before seizing the opportunity to appear.
“Reporting to Your Highness, Princess Ping Le has just presented Your Highness with a grand gift. The Princess Consort is unsure how to handle it and has sent this servant to seek your instructions…”
Li Huan casually replied, “Do as she sees fit.”
Fei Cui lowered her head slightly and bit her lip.
“But, but Your Highness, that grand gift is six beautiful and charming young ladies…”
Li Huan already disliked the scheming and jealousy within the inner chambers. He was naturally displeased by Princess Ping Le’s interference.
However, he was always gentle with others and could not openly express his anger.
Especially since it was Ping Le.
“I think she is becoming more and more outrageous!”
Li Zhao’s lips curved slightly, “Congratulations, Brother Emperor, on acquiring new beauties.”
As soon as he smiled, Li Huan felt as if his back were being pricked by needles, causing him extreme discomfort.
“You, Crown Prince, surely know Ping Le’s temperament? She is simply being reckless!”
Li Huan sighed and shook his head helplessly, then gestured to Cheng Fu, the eunuch beside him.
“Go and tell the Princess Consort that matters of the inner chambers are hers to handle. There is no need to report them to me.”
“This servant understands.”
Cheng Fu bowed to receive the order and hurried away.
Only then did Li Huan slowly relax his tense expression. When he looked at Li Zhao, his smile became gentle again, as if nothing had happened.
“Crown Prince, please come inside.”
Li Zhao’s expression was also as usual, “Please.”
I
Meanwhile, Xue Sui had gracefully entered the wedding chamber of Tan Qiu Courtyard.
It was evident that Xue Yuechen had put considerable effort into the decorations.
The wedding chamber was adorned with brocade, the cosmetic boxes were exquisite, and everything was complete, astonishingly refined.
There were more than a dozen maids and old women serving inside, each with clear responsibilities, arranging all affairs inside and out in an orderly fashion.
As soon as Jinshu entered, she brought out the pre-prepared boxes and distributed wedding money and wedding candy to the servants of Tan Qiu Courtyard one by one.
“Ru Ren Xue, please accept this wedding candy.”
“Thank you, Ru Ren, for your generous reward.”
“Do not think it is too little; it is just a small token of my appreciation.”
The advantage of money paving the way was that it could earn a smile wherever one went.
Before meeting Xue Sui, these servants had already heard numerous rumors and anecdotes about the Sixth Miss Xue. Regardless of their previous thoughts, the moment they received the money, they were naturally pleased. Even if they hadn’t felt favorably disposed before, they now had a bit more.
An old woman said, “Today is the Prince’s birthday, and the Princess Consort is in the living room speaking with the ladies. Please have Ru Ren rest first, and you can offer tea to the Princess Consort tomorrow.”
Jinshu smiled and replied, “Yes.”
As they were exchanging pleasantries, a woman approached Jinshu and offered her goodwill.
“Auntie, I have something to say, I don’t know if I should.”
Jinshu smiled, “Our Ru Ren is a gentle person. In the future, if you have any matters in Tan Qiu Courtyard, you can speak frankly; she will not blame you.”
The woman, wanting to curry favor, looked around and pulled Jinshu aside.
“Ru Ren Xue has just arrived and likely doesn’t know, but today Princess Ping Le sent six beauties to Prince Duan. Each one is incredibly attractive. Our Ru Ren has just arrived, and even with the Princess Consort’s backing, she might still suffer some grievances…”
Jinshu understood her meaning and sighed.
“The Prince is in his prime, and it is common for him to take in many beauties. We servants cannot control the masters; we can only take care of Ru Ren first and act according to the situation.”
The woman could not discern any change in her emotions and smiled along.
“Indeed, indeed. Auntie has a broad mind and speaks with insight.”
Jinshu smiled and asked, “What is Big Sister-in-law’s surname?”
The old woman bowed and said, “My surname is Zeng. My husband works in the storeroom guarding the Prince’s Mansion. Everyone in the mansion calls me Wang Shun’s wife. Auntie can call me that too…”
Jinshu smiled, “If you are devoted to Ru Ren, Ru Ren will not treat you unfairly.”
With that, she handed over another heavy wedding envelope.
“Tell the girls to go down and eat and drink. Ru Ren is a bit tired from the journey and wishes to rest quietly.”
Wang Shun’s wife, holding the money with great joy, called everyone out.
Only Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi were left in the wedding chamber. Jinshu finally breathed a sigh of relief, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to Xue Sui.
“Miss, drink some tea and compose yourself.”
Ru Yi squatted down, looked up at Xue Sui, and said with concern, “Miss, are you exhausted? This servant will massage your legs for you.”
Xue Sui smiled, “I am not tired.”
Walking three to five li, what was that?
A person who has seen vast oceans would not fear a small ditch.
Jinshu said, “The Crown Prince did a good deed today by preserving Miss’s dignity.”
Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi nodded in agreement.
Clearly, they also had a good impression of the Crown Prince, who was as radiant as jade. This was like Jinshu giving money to the servants earlier; having received benefits from someone, one naturally felt that person was good.
The current Crown Prince, surrounded by a thousand officials, possessed the demeanor of a hero, as high as the bright moon.
He had accompanied their young lady as a bridesmaid…
If not a good person, then what was he?
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly.
The image of Li Zhao’s gaze as she entered the corner gate flashed in her mind.
He was not that kind.
“Aunt Jinshu.”
Xue Sui suddenly spoke.
“Find a way for me to send a message to the Crown Prince in the front hall.”
Before Xue Sui entered the mansion, Jinshu had, according to Tianshu’s arrangements, planted as many people as possible in Prince Duan’s Mansion to protect her young lady.
It would not be difficult to accomplish this task.
She nodded and asked, “Miss, what should I say to the Crown Prince?”
Xue Sui glanced at Ru Yi and Xiao Zhao and beckoned Jinshu over.
As Jinshu approached, she whispered a few words into Jinshu’s ear.
Jinshu’s expression froze for a moment, then a smile bloomed on her face.
“Miss, what a brilliant plan. This servant will go and do it now.”
Ru Yi and Xiao Zhao exchanged glances, their hearts filled with confusion.
Was there something they couldn’t hear?
Were they no longer the young lady’s most trusted confidantes?
–
The banquet at Prince Duan’s Mansion continued boisterously.
In Hua Shang Hall, Ping Le lightly held a wine cup, her cherry lips pursed. She lightly touched them, not swallowing the wine, and then pressed her forehead with her hand, as if unable to bear the alcohol, and sighed softly.
“What is wrong with me? Am I drunk?”
Several madams beside her, seeing her flushed cheeks and hazy eyes, smiled obsequiously.
“Shall we accompany the Princess for a walk to clear her head?”
Ping Le leaned on the table, her fingers trembling slightly. She managed to control herself with difficulty, making her voice sound calm.
“No need. Brother Emperor’s wine is indeed quite potent. I will rest in a side room for a while.”
She had brought her children to the banquet today and could not leave midway. However, after becoming angry, she had already felt restless and uneasy. Unexpectedly, after a sip of clear wine, she felt even more unable to suppress it, her body felt hot, and her clothes were soaked with sweat.
She needed to bathe and take some pills to suppress her illness…
Damn love-silk poison!
Damn Xue Liu!
“Hong Xing, you stay here with the wet nurse to look after Guan Chen and Tong Tong.”
Hong Xing responded affirmatively.
Ping Le stood up, feeling dizzy, and cursed inwardly again before taking Lu Lian’s hand and staggering out.
As her figure passed through the covered corridor, a young gentleman hurried along her path around the corner.
This person was Fan Bing, the son of the Jingzhao military governor, the Imperial Son-in-law, and the husband of Princess Wen Jia, Li Fuyin—
He had heard at the banquet that Prince Duan kept a colorful parrot in his garden that could speak human language very well. It could not only imitate various sounds but even recite poetry, and was highly cherished, usually not shown to others.
Fan Bing, who had always been obsessed with rare beasts, was intrigued. Fueled by a bit of wine, he could no longer resist and secretly came to investigate.
At the second watch dinner, mmm~~~
