Chapter 48 Everyone Comes to Win Over

"Hey, hey, why are you in such a hurry? Sit down, sit down! I was just saying it casually. I didn't say you wanted to seize the position of crown prince. I don't know what the emperor will choose. My eldest brother has passed away for ten years, and the position of crown prince is still vacant." The Sixth Prince was full of covetousness for the position of crown prince, and his eagerness was beyond words.

"The speaker may not have meant it, but the listener may have taken it seriously. I hope Sixth Brother can consider Qingyu's current situation more." Ye Qingyu responded calmly.

"I heard that Concubine Mei is pregnant. If she gives birth to a prince, I'm afraid father will have another candidate for the crown prince," the Sixth Prince sighed.

"Is Concubine Mei pregnant?" Ye Qingyu didn't want to talk any more with the Sixth Prince, but when she heard him mention Concubine Mei, she couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, in the past two years, the emperor has only favored Concubine Mei and has rarely even set foot in the empress's bedroom."

"What is the origin of Concubine Mei?" Ye Qingyu asked.

"She is from Xihua Prefecture, and her father is Zhao Xing, the prefect of Xihua Prefecture. Two years ago, my father met her by chance when he was on a secret visit. He fell in love with her at first sight and brought her back to the palace." The Sixth Prince wanted to win over Ye Qingyu, so he told her everything he knew and spilled all the secrets.

"Zhao Xing?" Ye Qingyu recalled in his mind, but had no impression of this name.

"Yes, this old man is timid and plain-looking, but he has a beautiful daughter. He also has a son named Zhao Quan, who is now also a guard in the palace." The Sixth Prince added.

"..." Ye Qingyu really didn't expect that there would be such a complicated relationship.

Seeing that they had finally reached a topic that interested Ye Qingyu, the Sixth Prince continued, "Don't you know Zhao Quan? He's Chen Yan's deputy, primarily responsible for guarding the treasure house. It was only after Father listened to Concubine Mei's words that he summoned him into the palace."

"He and Concubine Mei are..." Ye Qingyu asked.

"On the surface, they are siblings," said the Sixth Prince.

"On the surface?" Ye Qingyu looked puzzled.

"I am only telling you this, please don't tell anyone else. I have secretly inquired and found out that Concubine Mei is not Zhao Xing's biological daughter at all, but was adopted by him." The Sixth Prince lowered his voice and said mysteriously.

After hearing this, Ye Qingyu secretly speculated in her heart, could the person who stole the jade be Zhao Quan? He has a close connection with Mei Fei and Xihua Mansion.

"Father has been bewitched by that witch. If she really makes her child the crown prince, how will we survive? Look at the second and fourth brothers, they are fighting like black-eyed chickens. They are brainless and haven't seen this step clearly." The Sixth Prince felt that he was very intelligent and wise.

"Young Prince, the Third Prince is here to visit." The little palace maid came to report.

Ye Qingyu raised his eyes to look at the Sixth Prince, who raised the corner of his mouth and said meaningfully, "Look, the Third Prince can't sit still anymore. I won't leave. I want to see what he's doing here."

When Ye Qingyu heard the Sixth Prince say this, he stood up and went to greet the Third Prince.

"Third brother." Ye Qingyu bowed.

"Qingyu, I just got some fresh flowers and cakes from my mother. I heard that you were in the palace, so I specially sent some to you to try." The third prince ordered the eunuch to hand over a box of cakes, and the little palace maid beside Ye Qingyu hurried forward to take it.

"Thank you, Third Brother. Please come in and sit down. Sixth Brother has brought some good tea." Ye Qingyu smiled slightly, indicating that he had a distinguished guest.

"Oh? The Sixth Prince is here too?" The Third Prince followed Ye Qingyu into the inner hall and saw the Sixth Prince sitting leisurely drinking tea. Seeing the Third Prince come in, the Sixth Prince slowly stood up from his seat and bowed, "Third Brother, what a coincidence."

"Sixth brother, you're here quite early!" The third prince said something with a hint of meaning.

"I just arrived not long ago. I got some high-quality tea a few days ago and told Qingyu that I would send it to him. Today, he happened to be in the palace, so I dropped it off on the way." The Sixth Prince deliberately emphasized that he had a close relationship with Ye Qingyu and they often visited each other.

"Hahahaha, look, Qingyu, it's your Sixth Brother who is always thinking about you." The Third Prince said with a smile.

"My royal brothers have always been very caring towards me, and I will always remember it." Ye Qingyu responded politely.

"You are just like our own brother. It is our duty to take care of you." said the third prince.

"Hey, Third Brother, why haven't I seen you bring me any cakes?" The Sixth Prince raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

"You don't like desserts as much as Qingyu does. Even if I give it to you, I'm afraid you won't be interested!" The Third Prince responded with a smile, as if he would really give it to the Sixth Prince if he liked it. Then the Third Prince said, "You know I love drinking tea. Next time you have good tea, please send some to me."

"Hahahaha, Third Brother, you're joking. You're the Third Prince, so naturally, any good things should go to you first. You pick first!"

"Haha, it would be great if it could be like that."

Ye Qingyu watched the two of them talking back and forth. On the surface, they were friendly and respectful to each other, but in fact, their words were full of sarcasm.

"Who knows? When Concubine Mei gives birth to a prince, the most favored one will probably be the youngest one." The Sixth Prince said with a hint of meaning.

"How do you know it must be a prince? The baby hasn't been born yet. Maybe it's a princess?" The third prince laughed. It was obvious that he also knew that Concubine Mei was pregnant.

"I hope so."

"Qingyu, when you leave the palace, come to my house to play. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first. Third brother, goodbye." The Sixth Prince stood up and said goodbye.

"Thank you, Sixth Brother." Ye Qingyu stood up to see him off, but the Third Prince sat steadily without getting up.

"Third brother, is there anything I can do for you?" Ye Qingyu went to explore the treasure house last night and did not sleep all night. The arrival of one group of people after another made him a little tired.

"I'm here to thank you. It was thanks to you that you pleaded with my father last time, otherwise his life would have been in danger." The third prince stood up and said sincerely.

"Third brother, I didn't say anything. Everything is decided by my uncle." Ye Qingyu responded modestly and was unwilling to take all the credit for himself.

The Third Prince was filled with gratitude. After all, no matter what he had done, he was still a prince. Even if his father punished him, his life wouldn't be in real danger. But that man was different. A single word from his father could cost him his life. If Qingyu hadn't happened to see him, he probably would never see him again.