Chapter 483 Extra - Another Handkerchief

"It's Shen Shi (3-5 PM)," Haitang said. "The sun hasn't set yet, so you've been sleeping for more than half an hour, my lady."

"Then how did I get back?" Shu Tong was more concerned about this.

She couldn't remember what she had said to Ye Zhiyuan after he returned...

Does that mean he's going to reveal all his secrets?

"A horse-drawn carriage brought you back."

"A carriage? What carriage?"

Haitang explained, "I asked the coachman, and he only said that someone gave him money to take you to the side gate of Haitang Residence in the Crown Prince's Mansion. It was the guards who found me, and I brought you back."

"The driver didn't say who sent him here?"

"He didn't say."

Haitang looked quite surprised: "My lady, didn't you go on an outing with His Highness? Why did you come back alone? I inquired at Chengqian Palace, and they said His Highness the Crown Prince hasn't returned to the residence yet."

Haitang was still worried; she was afraid that His Highness the Crown Prince would be angry if he saw Consort Shu dressed as a servant.

Shu Tong's eyes darted around: "With the Crown Princess by my side, it's naturally not important. I was sent back early on, and I just happened to pass by the market, so I bought some things."

"Ah!" Haitang's face showed visibly panic: "You mean you went to the street without permission, my lady?"

Shu Tong knew this would be the outcome, so she quickly comforted her, "Of course not, His Highness the Crown Prince allowed me to go!"

Haitang asked with some doubt, "Is that so?"

"Of course!" Shu Tong said firmly, "Otherwise, how could I dare?"

Haitang believed her because of her sincere expression. Although Shu Liangyuan was different from young ladies from aristocratic families and didn't have as many rules, she should still understand basic social etiquette.

Naturally, they wouldn't sneak out to play.

Relieved, Haitang pointed to the bedside: "No wonder you brought back so many big and small bags..."

Shu Tong smiled and said, "I also brought you a gift."

Haitang glared at her: "Could you not bring it for me? You got the money from me..."

She reached out her hand to Shu Tong: "What about the rest of the money? Will you return it to me, young mistress?"

Shu Tong immediately beamed with joy: "I'm broke! I haven't even had my fill of shopping yet..."

Haitang was shocked for a moment, then looked heartbroken: "Young mistress, you're spending money way too much! That's half a month's salary for Haitang Residence..."

Shu Tong was stunned for a moment: "Ah! So many..."

Haitang retorted, "What do you think!"

Shu Tong stuck out her tongue: "It's okay, I'll earn it back later."

She had made some inquiries during her trip today and found that there really were shops in the capital that specialized in event planning. She figured that as a top-notch event planner, she could definitely find part-time work.

"You don't need to earn it," Haitang said helplessly yet affectionately. "We'll just have to cut back on our spending from now on."

Shu Tong tugged at Haitang's arm and shook it: "Haitang, you're so good to me."

Haitang sighed, "Fine, you are my mistress, if I'm not good to you, who else can I be good to..."

She stood up and said, "You rest, I'll go make you a bowl of hangover soup to help you sober up."

Shu Tong nodded and pulled her back, saying with a grin, "By the way, I also told His Highness today that I caught a cold and have a fever. Don't let me know later."

Haitang stamped her foot: "I knew you must not have been staying by His Highness's side properly..."

Her expression instantly revealed understanding: "So you came all this way just to go out and have fun, right?"

Shu Tong raised her hand to shush: "Keep it a secret."

Haitang sighed helplessly and could only hurry out to make a hangover soup.

Shu Tong stared blankly at the canopy above her head for a while, still feeling somewhat uneasy.

She suspected that Ye Zhiyuan had hired a carriage to bring her back.

So, what exactly did she say to Ye Zhiyuan?

At least her identity should have been revealed...

Otherwise, how would he know she lived in Haitang Residence?

Fortunately, Ye Zhiyuan seemed to be a gentle and composed person, so he probably wouldn't spread this matter around recklessly.

She should get out of this place as soon as possible, no matter what.

A thin layer of sweat beaded on her forehead, and as she raised her hand to wipe it away, she realized that she was still holding a handkerchief in her palm.

She brought the handkerchief to her eyes and looked at it, and was suddenly startled.

This handkerchief is exactly the same as the one the Crown Prince gave her before, with a blue background and green bamboo patterns...

She then remembered that Ye Zhiyuan's clothes were also embroidered with green bamboo, which made her feel a little more at ease.

Besides, the Crown Prince was on an outing with his wife in the suburbs, so why would he appear in a shop in the city? It must be that all the noble young men in the capital like this style of handkerchief...

Shu Tong closed her eyes again to calm herself down, dispelling all the unease in her heart. Just then, Haitang brought over some hangover soup, which she drank with some candied fruit.

Only after she calmed down did she notice the faint fragrance in the room.

A casual glance revealed a bunch of brightly blooming crabapple blossoms on the windowsill.

"Where did you pick these flowers?" A touch of spring warmth welled up in Shu Tong's heart. "They are quite beautiful."

Haitang smiled and said, "His Highness sent this over."

Shu Tong was startled again: "Did he say something?"

"Just say you hope for a speedy recovery." Haitang tucked the blanket around her. "Look at the nonsense you're spouting. What if His Highness comes to visit? We haven't even called a doctor."

"It's alright, His Highness won't come." Shu Tong was very confident.

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess must have had a heart-to-heart talk through this outing, and from then on they would be in perfect harmony, so her situation was naturally no longer important.

Who knows, His Highness might stay in Chuyun Palace tonight.

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