Hearing her say this, Jie’er finally remembered who the girl in front of her was. Wasn’t she the girl who had been obsessed with Ye Lüsheng… the gentle lady from Wan Qing Pavilion who had caused her to fall into the water last time just to catch a glimpse of her. However, it seemed that the two of them had not recognized her, otherwise how could they still dare to have designs on her husband right in front of his legitimate wife.
“Don’t talk nonsense, I’m just friends with the Prince. Everyone in the capital knows that the Prince likes Lan Ruofei, and now he has married the second young lady of the Gu family. How could someone of my low status be worthy of him?” Qingwan softly rebuked, a faint melancholy between her brows that was heartbreaking to see.
Lan Ruofei?
This name seemed so familiar. Wasn’t she Ye Lüsheng’s concubine? But come to think of it, she hadn’t seen this legendary main wife even once since returning to the Prince’s residence, and she hadn’t even attended the last memorial service. How strange…
Qiu’er listened to her mistress and said dismissively, “What of it? Everyone knows the Prince married the second young lady of the Gu family because the Emperor decreed it, and he had no choice. And that Lan Ruofei is already half-dead, with no telling when she might wake up. Qiu’er dares to bet that the Prince still loves you the most!”
“Besides, it’s completely normal for men to have three wives and four concubines these days, especially for a prince. Although my mistress has fallen into the dust, she has always kept herself pure, and the Prince knows this. He won’t look down on her. Moreover, didn’t the Prince promise to take my mistress away from Wan Qing Pavilion after this competition?”
“Qiu’er, is that really true? Will the Prince really marry me?” Qingwan’s face revealed a hint of excitement, her eyes suddenly becoming exceptionally bright.
…
These women, once they encounter love, will gradually lose themselves, Jie’er thought. Fortunately, she hasn’t fallen in love with Ye Lüsheng, or she might end up like this woman!
“Yes, definitely,” Qiu’er nodded firmly. With her mistress’s figure, looks, talent, and character, she didn’t believe there was anyone in the world who could resist her. Just look at the crowds of men waiting outside Wan Qing Pavilion every day to see her mistress.
“But, do you remember the girl who fell into the water at Mu Mei Pavilion last time? I wonder which young lady she was. The Prince seemed very worried about her and even jumped into the water with Doctor Lu to save her.” Qingwan’s brow furrowed unconsciously.
Huh? Wasn’t she talking about herself! So, Lu Xuyuan had also jumped into the water that day. It turned out she had wrongly blamed him again!
“Mistress, just thinking about that day makes me laugh. Doctor Lu clearly couldn’t swim, yet he still tried to be a hero and compete to save someone, and in the end, the Prince had to rescue him. How embarrassing!” Qiu’er laughed while recalling the scene, and Qingwan covered her mouth with an embroidered handkerchief and giggled.
Jie’er was somewhat speechless. These two were completely ignoring her living presence, chatting away, and their conversation was entirely focused on her.
Come to think of it, Lu Xuyuan jumping into the water without knowing how to swim was unlike him. He must truly care about her, and she couldn’t help but feel a subtle touch of emotion.
Seeing the master and servant so engrossed in conversation, Jie’er couldn’t be bothered to interrupt and walked away on her own.
Just as she reached the Prince’s residence gate, she saw Die’er anxiously waiting. As soon as she saw Jie’er, she rushed over, complaining, “Mistress, where have you been? You didn’t even tell Die’er, I was so worried!”
“I just went out to stroll around the street. Why are you so nervous?” Jie’er said dismissively, curling her lips.
“Mistress, it’s not safe for you to go out alone. Why didn’t you take Die’er with you?” the little maid pouted, reproaching her.
Jie’er rolled her eyes and said impatiently, “Take you? Wasn’t it you who disappeared early in the morning?”
“Uh!” The little maid was momentarily speechless.
Jie’er took on an interrogative stance, looking at her and said, “Speak, where did you go? Did you secretly go to meet a lover?”
…
The little maid’s face immediately turned red, and she anxiously said, “No, Die’er didn’t! Die’er just heard mistress say she wanted to eat osmanthus cake, so I wanted to make some for you. But by the time Die’er finished making them, mistress had disappeared! Die’er did not go to meet any lover…”
“Silly girl, I was just teasing you. Look how nervous you are!” Jie’er was touched, realizing how good this girl was to her. She reached out and ruffled her hair, laughing and urging, “Let’s go. Didn’t you say you made something for me to eat? I can’t wait to try it!”
“Uh!” Die’er blinked, confused by her sudden change in mood.
“Oh right, mistress, hurry up—” Die’er suddenly remembered something and pulled Jie’er to run, looking extremely urgent.
Seeing her heading towards the Mu Zhu Courtyard, Jie’er quickly reminded her, “Die’er, you’re wrong. That’s the way to Mu Zhu Courtyard. We’re going back to Han Xu Residence.”
“Mistress, no mistake. We’re going to Mu Zhu Courtyard. The Prince has been waiting for you there all day!”
Uh!
Jie’er broke free from Die’er’s hand and frowned, asking, “Die’er, do you know why the Prince is looking for me?”
Die’er shook her head blankly, “The Prince didn’t say. He just instructed Die’er to bring you to his study when I see you!”
Jie’er nodded, “I see. I’ll go find the Prince myself. Go prepare something for me to eat first. I’m starving…
Oh, that little miss, hurry and go now, the prince must be waiting anxiously. Butterfly will prepare food for you right away!” Butterfly urged her a couple more times before turning and walking towards the kitchen.
Jie’er swayed alone towards Muo Zhu Yuan, thinking if he wants to be anxious, let him be anxious. What does it have to do with her? She just wants to make him angry and see what he can do to her!
When Jie’er finally arrived at the study door, she saw Ye Lushen sitting seriously on a chair. Hearing her enter, he quickly raised his head, his sharp eyes sweeping over her with an extremely unpleasant expression.
“You’re looking for me?” Fortunately, she wasn’t someone who grew up being easily scared. Facing his intimidating gaze, Jie’er asked calmly.
Ye Lushen didn’t answer, but instead asked, “Where did you go?”
“I think this is my freedom. I shouldn’t need to report to the prince, right?” Jie’er found a seat and sat down unceremoniously, crossing her legs, glancing upward at a 45-degree angle, and replied with an unfriendly tone.
“Are you angry?” Ye Lushen looked at her expression, half-narrowing his eyes and asking tentatively. This woman was not only angry but angry at him.
…
“No!” Jie’er turned her head away, avoiding his probing gaze, stubbornly denying.
Ye Lushen acted as if he hadn’t heard her, walking out from behind the table, coming directly in front of her, lifting her chin with one hand, forcing her to face him, and frowning, asked, “Tell me, why are you angry with me?”
Jie’er hated his current self-important, domineering appearance. After rolling her eyes at him, she coldly said, “Prince, you’re thinking too much. Why would I be angry with you?”
He was just a bit more handsome than others, a bit better at charming women. What’s so great about that? Why should everyone revolve around him? She just wanted to not take him seriously and see what he could do.
