With his bloodshot eyes wide open, Li Chengyun stared at Song Huaizhang.

Song Huaizhang's eyes also reddened. "How can we forget the deaths of the Song family? But the heir has indeed rendered meritorious service to the country and the people, and there's also the county princess... If the county princess knew that we not only failed to stop this assassination attempt, but also added fuel to the fire and reaped the benefits, she would probably... she would probably..."

"Just don't let her know."

Li Chengyun lifted his eyelids and lazily stretched.

“It’s not like Pei Yanzhi hasn’t been assassinated before. There was the snowy night in the outskirts of the capital, and the time when Yu Yan held a plum blossom appreciation event. The thieves dared to target him in the capital. This time, he was returning from the other side of the river, and the journey was long, so it’s understandable that he encountered something unexpected.”

"Then we'll pin his death on the eldest son and the crown prince. I want to see what Father Emperor will do, and what the people of the world will choose. Will they stand up for their so-called upright and just Lord Pei, or will they pretend nothing happened, just like when our entire Zhennan Prince's Mansion was raided..."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Li Chengyun covered his mouth and laughed again. As he laughed, he took down the painting from the wall and stared at Jiang Shuwan's face when she was young. He carefully rolled up the painting little by little.

"Put it in my room."

"yes."

The palace maid obeyed and left silently.

Song Huaizhang was stunned by his words for a long time. The sky outside the window, which was originally dark, gradually turned a pale white.

Daylight broke.

The sound of footsteps of guards changing shifts came from outside, and the old nanny stood by the door and asked inside.

"Your Highness, would you like breakfast?"

"I'll use it at Wanwan's place."

As Li Chengyun spoke, he was about to put on his shoes and go out. Perhaps he had been waiting for this moment all night, because he seemed very impatient.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid this is not a good idea. How can a man like you go to the county princess's courtyard for breakfast so early in the morning?"

"..."

Li Chengyun paused, and the old nanny said, "Even if the county princess is different from ordinary women, she is still a woman."

"..."

After thinking for a moment, Li Chengyun kicked off the shoe he was halfway through putting on, and then turned around and walked back.

The old nanny immediately looked up in surprise. Her master was always domineering, and she had only said it casually, but she didn't expect him to actually listen to it.

County Princess...

Indeed, she holds a special place in His Highness's heart...

"Serve the meal!"

With a wave of his hand, a palace maid respectfully brought in breakfast.

Li Chengyun was in a rare good mood and ate an extra bowl of rice than usual. Song Huaizhang, preoccupied with his own thoughts, held his bowl for a long time without taking more than a few sips.

Finally, when Li Chengyun had put down his chopsticks and was about to leave, he said decisively, "I will listen to Your Highness."

"That's more like it, cousin. Anyone else is fine, but you have to stand by my side."

"Pei Yanzhi is indeed talented, but ultimately, what does he have to do with us..."

*********

Jiang Shuwan's courtyard.

It was late autumn, and the weather was already quite cold. Especially for someone like Jiang Shuwan who was sensitive to the cold, she had already lit a brazier and turned on the floor heating in the house.

Oh, right, the earth dragon was only built because she was granted the title of County Princess. Her current standard is actually higher than that of Old Madam Pei. Logically speaking, not only should the furnishings and utensils in the house be increased, but even if she doesn't move to the County Princess's Mansion, she should expand her current living space by two times.

However, she was too lazy to go through the trouble, so she didn't expand it. After all, she was the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, and it was her who was busy expanding the courtyard.

Besides, just like in modern times, no matter how big the villa is, she still uses the bedroom the most. A more spacious room would only feel colder.

Too lazy to go through the trouble, so there was no expansion. Apart from the palace maids who were no longer with the old emperor, no new maids were added to the house. So all the maids and servants in the house were familiar with each other. Even the palace maids had become familiar with these maids and servants. The house was lively and bustling, with people roasting peanuts and oranges around the brazier. The atmosphere was quite nice.

The weather was also kind; the sun came out a bit in the afternoon, and the girl was making hot milk tea in the yard.

Halfway through cooking, an uninvited guest arrived.

This guest had been visiting every day for the past few days, but Jiang Shuwan hadn't seen him. He continued to come every day, and recently, he had become impatient with Hao Jing and had even come directly into her home.

"Nowadays, who wouldn't dare to give our young lady some face? But the Fourth Prince just barged in like that."

"The Fourth Prince is indeed as rumored; when he gets ruthless, he won't give anyone face."

"But the Fourth Prince is just too handsome. If the Crown Prince is the most elegant and upright young master of a noble family, then the Fourth Prince is the most beautiful and dazzling flower in spring. Just by sitting down in the room, the whole room becomes bright and radiant. Don't you think so, Meixue?"

"..."

Meixue dared not agree. She had seen Li Chengyun before on Donglai Street, where he appeared as Song Huaizhang's cousin.

She was secretly eating sunflower seeds and complaining that he was a gigolo, little did she know he was a prince.

"I don't know, don't ask me. I don't feel anything."

Meixue shrank back, handed a stack of account books to Xiaotao, and ran away. She didn't want to stay here any longer.

Of course, once she left Jiang Shuwan's courtyard, she couldn't help but puff out her little chest. By all accounts, she was an outstanding figure among the servants of the Great Jing Dynasty. After all, there were several servants like her who almost became the second wife of the heir apparent, and she also complained about the current fourth prince.

Nobody would believe this if it got out.

Meixue left triumphantly, while Xiaotao gave the account book to Qingxing.

"Let's leave it for now. Miss probably won't have time to look at the accounts lately."

As Qingxing spoke, she put the ledger aside and brought in a cup of hot milk tea, which was filled with various toppings, including peach gum, which was Jiang Shuwan's favorite.

This peach gum was stored in the spring; it would be quite expensive in winter.

"Sister Qingxing, the Fourth Prince is here again."

Xiao Tao, afraid that Qing Xing didn't know, quickly pulled her aside and said something.

"here we go again?"

Qingxing was speechless. If it weren't for her deep-seated awe of imperial power, she would have wanted to chase them away with a broom. After all, Jiang Shuwan clearly didn't want to get involved with Li Chengyun. As Jiang Shuwan's top female official and confidante, she always obeyed Jiang Shuwan's orders to the end.

"Did you serve him tea?"

"How could I dare not go? After all, he is a prince," Xiao Tao said softly.

"Why!"

Qingxing sighed and carried the milk tea into the house. As soon as she entered, she saw Li Chengyun sitting cross-legged by the window, wearing a peacock green robe.

The window was opened, and several beams of light shone in, making his clothes appear even more dazzling.

He also wore a jade belt around his waist, with five or six pieces at a glance, each the size of a child's palm, making him look extremely rich and beautiful.

Add to that Li Chengyun's handsome, androgynous face, and the way he sat by the window was truly eye-catching.

And this eye-catching person was staring intently at Jiang Shuwan on the other side.