Chapter 23 The Prince and I have absolutely no relation whatsoever…

Biezhi never judged people's character based on first impressions. She had encountered many who seemed kind on the outside but were actually wicked, as well as those who appeared fierce on the outside but were actually kind-hearted. However, the look in the eyes of the Lord Zhang in front of her carried a deep meaning that she could not explain, as if he was probing something.

Upon hearing this, Madam Qin frowned slightly.

Her eyes were fixed on the two figures walking ahead. She opened her mouth, and after a long while, she said, "Thank you for the reminder, young lady. We will be more careful."

Biezhi sensed that Madam Qin was being vague and seemed unwilling to say more about the matter.

Just then, a thoughtful gaze suddenly appeared from the steps. In an instant, Biezhi caught his gaze. She glanced sideways at Madam Qin, who had a slight smile on her lips, pondered for a moment, and said nothing more.

I have said all I have to say; whether the Qin family accepts my words is their choice.

The banquet began soon after.

Biezhi followed behind Madam Qin, letting Madam Qin introduce her identity to the ladies of noble families. The noble families who came to the banquet all had made achievements in the court. Today's banquet can be regarded as the Qin family's proper introduction of her identity as the second daughter of the Qin family to the outside world.

When Qin Wan arrived, she was listening to Madam Shen recounting interesting stories from the capital, and Madam Shen even suggested that if she had the time, the eldest son of the Shen family could take her around the capital.

"Biezhi." Qin Wan called out to Biezhi, then nodded slightly to Madam Shen and said, "Please forgive me, Madam Shen, I need to take Biezhi to the backyard."

Upon hearing this, Biezhi looked over suspiciously.

The guests are all in the front hall, why take her to the backyard?

When Madam Shen saw Qin Wan arrive, her face lit up with a smile: "Of course, we take Miss Wan's matter very seriously."

Qin Wan thanked her again, then turned her head and sent a maid to speak to Madam Qin. She then took Biezhi's hand and led her through the courtyard away.

Biezhi followed her into the courtyard before asking, "What are we going to the backyard for?"

"I'll introduce you to a few people," Qin Wan said slowly. After thinking for a moment, she added, "They are all daughters of noble families who grew up with me. They are all of excellent character. You can get to know them better in the future."

The branch nodded.

Before intervening with the Qin family, she made it clear that she would not have any contact with any aristocratic families outside of the Qin family. This was not in her best interest, and personally, she hoped to have as few people as possible who were familiar with her.

However, she didn't intend to say too much about it. Qin Wan had given her such instructions, and she would just obediently agree. As for how to do it, that was her business.

After walking along the courtyard path for about a hundred steps, you will reach the backyard.

From afar, Biezhi spotted two women in the pavilion, their eyes slightly raised in a smile. The two women seemed to have noticed them as well, and simultaneously lifted their eyelids to look over.

One of them was someone I had just met before, Su Ci's younger sister, Su Qinghe. It was only through Qin Wan's introduction that I learned that the woman in light green beside Su Qinghe was named Zhu Shi'an, and that her father was General Zhu Xu, who had been stationed in the southern border for nearly fifteen years.

Biezhi greeted both of them.

"I've heard so much about you." Su Qinghe poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. "Before you returned to the capital, Wan'er mentioned you to us many times. I never thought that we would have the chance to meet today."

"If anyone's to blame, it's our Miss Wan for being too busy." Zhu Shi'an raised an eyebrow and teased, "She goes to the Prince's mansion every day to stake out the place. Anyone who didn't know better would think she'd be living there from now on."

Upon hearing this, Biezhi looked at Qin Wan.

Does this mean the Qin family is about to have a happy event?

The story of Prince Su and Qin Wan has been circulating in the capital for many years, and it seems that it is time for them to get married.

Biezhi took a sip of tea, seemingly lost in thought.

This is a good thing for the Qin family.

Even if Lord Zhang wants to do something to the Qin family in the future, he will have to think twice before acting.

Meeting her friend's meaningful smile, Qin Wan said helplessly, "Others may not know, but you two are still unaware. If we don't just pretend to be aware and let the old folks at the Imperial Academy nag, my ears will really grow calluses."

Su Qinghe smiled and said, "Who told everyone outside to think you're the future princess?"

“I’ve clarified it a hundred times, but they still don’t listen.” Qin Wan’s head ached when she heard this, and she couldn’t help but talk more: “They just love to believe in sentimental stories. They even believe that the seals distributed at the Spring Banquet at the Imperial Academy are tokens of love between the Prince and me. Not to mention that when they are in the same place, the news spread throughout the capital in less than half an hour.”

Zhu Shi'an and Su Qinghe didn't find this strange at all, but Bie Zhi was completely baffled.

Seeing this, Su Qinghe couldn't help but interrupt Qin Wan with a smile: "Don't talk about others either. Our second young lady is kept in the dark about the rumors. She probably heard about the Prince and your deeds after only half a day in the capital."

Qin Wan frowned slightly, turning her head with great confusion to ask Bie Zhi, "You've heard about it too?"

Biezhi had naturally heard of it and believed it wholeheartedly.

She blinked: "I heard about it on my first day in Beijing."

Looking into Bie Zhi's bright almond-shaped eyes, Qin Wan was speechless. Her lips parted slightly for a long time before she sighed deeply: "It's all just rumors."

Biezhi was a little confused: "What do you mean?"

"Your Highness and I have absolutely no relation whatsoever." Qin Wan suppressed her helplessness and earnestly explained to her, "Childhood sweethearts and a secret engagement are all outrageous rumors."

“My brother and the prince have known each other since they were young and have a pretty good relationship. So the prince would occasionally come to our house to see my brother. When he came, we rarely saw each other.” She didn’t know how the outside world came to believe that they were childhood sweethearts, “let alone the terrifying rumors that they had secretly pledged their lives to each other.”

The Qin family has explained the situation to the public many times, and it is hard to judge whether others believe it. However, as a member of the Qin family, Biezhi still needs to know the truth.

Biezhi was stunned.

After a long pause, she said, "My elder sister and the prince seem to know each other very well."

“Because we are indeed familiar with each other now.” Qin Wan did not deny this point. After thinking for a moment, she added, “If we appear in the same place, my brother and Su Ci will also be there.”

Biezhi cast a surprised glance and hesitated before saying, "A calligraphy gathering..."

"I don't know," Qin Wan said quietly. "I don't know why the prince suddenly appeared on Yongle Avenue either." She paused, her helplessness deepening. "I can't very well tell him that he can't be here. How many lives do you have to risk like that?"

Biezhi truly sensed Qin Wan's resentment. Normally, she was calm and composed, and her words were usually concise and to the point. However, when she talked about her relationship with Prince Su, she became rambling and couldn't calm down for a while.

However, Biezhi really didn't expect that the long-rumored perfect match in the capital was actually a lie. She was stunned for a long time, listening blankly to Qin Wan's helpless sigh.

“Everyone only wants to believe what they want to believe.” Su Qinghe patted her friend’s hand reassuringly. “Childhood sweethearts’ poignant love stories are indeed attractive. Once you or the prince get married, the rumors will gradually disappear.”

Qin Wan has no plans to get married yet, and she has already waited for four or five years. Now she can't hold back any longer and asks in a low voice, "When exactly does Your Highness plan to get married?"

Zhu Shi'an shrugged: "If you don't know, how can I?"

Su Qinghe had not heard her brother mention anything about the prince having a woman he liked. "Let's wait a little longer. He's twenty-five; it's time for him to get married."

Qin Wan sighed and glanced at Bie Zhi, who remained silent.

The moment their eyes met, Biezhi blinked, puzzled. After a moment, she understood what she meant. She thought for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Then let's wish him a happy marriage today?"

"Okay." Qin Wan nodded in satisfaction.

Zhu Shi'an became interested after hearing Bie Zhi's words and asked her, "Who will you marry?"

Biezhi: "..."

Why are you looking at her? She doesn't know anything.

It definitely won't be her.

In the study of the secluded courtyard, separated from the backyard by only one wall, Fu Huaiqing's eyes suddenly twitched, and the fingertip holding the black chess piece paused in mid-air for a moment before falling.

The chess pieces fall like a clear spring striking a stone, crisp and bright.

Sitting opposite, Qin Xiao held up a white piece, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, and said, "Li Shanjue went to my father after court yesterday, wanting to bring that纨绔 (playboy) to apologize, but my father refused."

"It's been almost seven days before he finally thought to come and apologize." Su Ci, who arrived at the Qin residence a few steps later, observed the chess game from the side. "He probably didn't take it to heart."

On the day Su Ci submitted his memorial accusing Li Shanjue of lax household management, his first reaction was to go to the Prince Su's residence, not the Qin family. After being turned away for five consecutive days, he realized the thorny nature of the matter.

“If you submit a petition to him, he will naturally assume it is the Prince’s will.” Qin Xiao placed a chess piece. He only learned about the conflict between Biezhi and the second son of the Li family that night. The next day, Su Ci wrote a petition to Li Shanjue in front of all the civil and military officials in the court. Later, he learned that Su Ci was at Qing Shi Zhai that day and witnessed the entire conflict between the two.

Upon hearing this, Su Ci glanced at the composed man out of the corner of her eye.

In fact, Li Shanjue's thoughts were not wrong, and it was indeed Fu Huaiqing who sent someone to inform him of this matter. However, when Qin Xiao asked about it, he subconsciously concealed the details.

When Qin Xiao saw that he hadn't received a reply for a long time, he covered his mouth and coughed lightly: "It was just a small matter. I think the Li family will announce their second son's marriage soon, intending to change the public's impression of them."

Fu Huaiqing rubbed the chess piece between his fingers, his expression turning colder.

Su Ci was unwilling to say more about this matter. Although he did not know why the prince would lend a helping hand, the fact that he had not explained it to Qin Xiao meant that he did not want to discuss this matter with the Qin family.

After a brief silence, Su Ci looked at Qin Xiao and subtly changed the subject: "The person you're looking for hasn't been found yet?"

Suddenly, Qin Xiao's expression changed.

He glanced at Su Ci, who looked puzzled, then turned his gaze back to the chessboard: "Found it."

Fu Huaiqing looked up.

Su Ci was surprised by his swift action and raised an eyebrow: "Where did you find it?"

"At home." Qin Xiao replied without looking up.

Su Ci: "...?"

It was supposed to be a meeting outside Beijing, so how did it turn into a search within Beijing?

He hesitated for a moment, then frowned: "What's going on?"

Qin Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a long pause, he said, "Biezhi is her."

Su Ci, who had seen many grand occasions and had won the triple crown in the imperial examinations, was stunned and asked with a frown, "What do you plan to do?"

Qin Xiao replied truthfully, "I don't know."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Huaiqing, who had been listening silently, lifted his eyelids and looked at the man whose thoughts seemed to be wandering slightly. His thin lips were pressed into a straight line.

The fact that he didn't know meant that he had never considered it, let alone decided to let it go.

Fu Huaiqing's face darkened, and he said indifferently, "She is your sister."