Chapter 54 The struggle, not to mention the one beside her who loved to hide things the most...
Not to mention the second prince beside her, who loved to keep things hidden the most...
The villa where she currently lives is just an ordinary three-courtyard house, which is insignificant compared to the Third Prince's.
I wonder what ingenious ideas will be used for the banquet later?
The servant led them directly to the backyard.
Upon reaching the backyard, one finds a winding stream flowing through it, with young men and women sitting on either side, playing the game of "floating wine cups on a winding stream," appearing to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
This was the first time Jiang Zhuoying had ever seen such a situation.
I've seen many ponds and lakes, but this is the first time I've ever seen flowing water in a backyard.
The stream was shallow and crystal clear, and the backyard was so large that it seemed to stretch to the horizon.
Jiang Zhuoying clicked her tongue in amazement.
"A-Zhuo?"
The girl was brought back to her senses, and suddenly looked up, meeting those deep, narrow eyes.
Qi Fan gently stroked the stray hairs on her forehead: "Do you like this villa?"
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
They managed to put on a respectable act.
Suddenly seized by a playful impulse, she reached out and took the man's arm, nodded slightly, and said softly, "I like it. Your Highness, would you allow me to live in a house like this too?"
"Ugh...cough cough cough, cough cough cough..."
Jiang Zhuoying: "?"
She turned her head to look at Chu Yixin and saw him choking and leaning back and forth. She asked with concern, "Eunuch Chu, are you alright?"
"Cough cough, no, this servant is fine..."
The hand that was wrapped around someone's arm was caught and tightly wrapped around her hand.
Jiang Zhuoying felt a tingling sensation spreading from her palm.
This feeling was unfamiliar to her and made her feel somewhat helpless. Her subconscious instinct was to escape, but the man's hand was like an iron clamp.
The girl's face turned bright red.
"As long as you are obedient and know how to serve me well."
Jiang Zhuoying held her breath, her pearly teeth, hidden behind a face mask, biting her lip tightly.
But the tall man beside her had no change in expression, and his eyes were full of affection as he looked at her. Those who were close by could all see the romantic tension between the two.
How did this guy manage to be so shameless?
Is it just because of his age?
Jiang Zhuoying really wanted to pounce on him and tear his mask off without hesitation.
She tilted her head and rested it against his arm, her voice soft and gentle: "I understand, Your Highness. Just wait and see tonight."
"Um."
His voice was faint, with a slightly soft ending, as if it were truly absurd that he was flirting with his concubine in public.
Qi Fan only needed to lower his head slightly to see those alluring, watery peach blossom eyes.
He was both anxious and angry, and filled with shame and resentment.
"Cough cough cough."
This time, it wasn't Chu Yixin coughing, but the servant who had been leading the way for them all along, who was very respectful.
"Your Highness, our Prince is waiting for you."
"lead the way."
This interruption allowed Jiang Zhuoying to quickly regain her composure. She shook her head, temporarily forgetting the things that were disturbing her thoughts, and continued to look around, searching for Jiang Ying's figure.
On an occasion like today, her uncle and aunt should also be present.
Jiang Zhuoying followed the servant into the pavilion; she had already seen him from afar before entering.
This pavilion is named "Ningrui Pavilion" and has two floors.
If she wasn't mistaken, the Third Prince should be hosting a banquet on the second floor.
Sure enough, the servant led them to the wooden steps and then bowed and stepped back, replaced by a maidservant dressed in a flowing gauze dress.
The maid was delicate and graceful, with slender shoulders and a narrow waist. She slowly bowed to Qi Fan and said, "Your Highness, please come upstairs with me."
Jiang Zhuoying's brow twitched, and she subconsciously turned her head to glance at someone.
Delicate and pitiful, isn't this exactly the type of woman he prefers?
It must have been because her act was so convincing that she attracted the covetous eyes of this beast.
But the man's expression did not change at all, remaining as indifferent and aloof as ever. He merely nodded slightly before turning back to look at her, even squeezing her hand with his fingers slightly curled.
Jiang Zhuoying froze, then heard the beast open his mouth: "Zhuoying twisted her ankle, can she still go upstairs? How about I carry you up?"
A rare mischievous glint appeared in his eyes, and Jiang Zhuoying immediately understood that he was teasing her.
But she didn't like this; she was so angry that she lost her composure, while he remained calm and collected.
The slender girl thought for a moment, then gently shook her head, her tone soft and considerate: "No need. Second Prince is still in poor health. He gets tired and out of breath after walking just a few steps. How could he possibly have the strength to carry me?"
"Your Highness, please don't try to be brave. I'll go by myself."
She raised her voice slightly.
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Zhuoying saw the frail maid slowly raise her eyes, glance in Qi Fan's direction, but dare not make her movements too obvious.
The two people in front of the maid were vastly different in size; the petite and delicate girl was no taller than the second prince's shoulder.
Is it really... too heavy to carry?
Jiang Zhuoying saw the shock in the girl's eyes. She suppressed her laughter, lifted her skirt, and slowly went upstairs.
She couldn't care less about the man's gaze behind her.
Following the maid to the second floor, Jiang Zhuoying immediately spotted Jiang Ying, who was leaning against the railing admiring the scenery.
Jiang Ying stood sideways, her back to her.
Jiang Zhuoying glanced around again and, unsurprisingly, saw her uncle and aunt chatting happily with the Third Prince.
She subconsciously reached out and adjusted the face mask by her ear.
"Why is Ah Zhu still standing here?"
A gentle voice came from behind her, and everyone around was drawn to the sound and looked over at her.
This even includes Jiang Ying, who was standing by the railing.
Jiang Zhuoying instinctively avoided eye contact and shrank behind Qi Fan.
Her fingertips gripped the other's sleeve tightly as she lowered her captivating peach blossom eyes: "Your Highness."
Immediately afterwards, an arm came across and tightened around her waist.
Qi Fan lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "Scared? You weren't so timid just now."
“You, you are different from them.”
Jiang Zhuoying murmured softly, offering a rather cunning rebuttal.
The girl shrank closer to him again, and the man frowned but did not stop her.
But the more she tried to hide, the more people around her became interested in her, and curious and inquisitive gazes continued to gather around her.
It was extremely difficult to see the Second Prince on ordinary days; they could only meet him at the Third Prince's birthday banquet or at palace banquets.
And this time, a woman was unusually seen by the Second Prince's side.
"Second Imperial Brother? We've been waiting for you!" A loud and enthusiastic voice suddenly rang out.
Jiang Zhuoying was even more startled, because she saw the swaying hem of the robe, which was a vermilion python robe embroidered with gold thread.
This outfit was clearly that of the Third Prince, and she barely dared to look up, afraid of being recognized by her uncle and others who were not far away.
"I have met my second brother's beloved concubine once before."
"It was also because of the fate between us that I made a special invitation to you this time."
He had a smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.
Even without looking up, Jiang Zhuoying knew that she would definitely become the topic of conversation for these people today.
What kind of fate could exist between the second prince's beloved concubine and the third prince?
Brothers fighting over a woman?
She didn't even need to look up to know the gleam in the eyes of the guests around her.
...
She curtsied and said, "Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince."
"No need for formalities. Why are you wearing a veil today?"
Judging from her tone, others might think she was very familiar with the Third Prince!
"She caught a cold and can't stand the wind," the man beside her said gently, trying to comfort her.
"I see. How about I send someone to take my brother and sister-in-law to rest first? They can come back after the banquet begins."
Jiang Zhuoying had already clenched someone's sleeve into a ball in her hand. What did she call her?
She is now just a concubine; how could she possibly deserve such a title?
Qi Fan tilted his head and gently stroked the downy hair on her neck, considerately asking for her opinion.
Jiang Zhuoying lowered her head and shook her head: "Thank you for your kindness, Third Prince, but there's no need to go to such trouble."
The person opposite paused for a moment, then nodded, and instructed with some concern, "Then, Your Majesty and sister-in-law, please take your seats first. If there is anything amiss, just give the instructions to the servants."
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
These two brothers are not without similarities; they are both excellent opera singers.
He is ruthless and lustful on the inside, but pretends to be cheerful and kind on the outside.
A person who is indifferent and aloof at heart, but pretends to be gentle and kind on the surface.
No, if you delve deeper into Qi Fan's character, he is essentially two different people in front of outsiders and his own people.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qi Fan nodded slightly and took her hand to sit down first.
Jiang Zhuoying clung tightly to his side, feigning a timid and cowardly demeanor, but her peripheral vision kept a close eye on Jiang Ying's movements.
Like everyone else, Jiang Ying glanced at her curiously a few times before turning her gaze away and continuing to look into the distance.
There were just too many people in this pavilion, and Jiang Zhuoying was a little worried.
How can I hand over the contents of my purse to Jiang Ying without being seen by the crowd?
Because she had changed her clothes earlier, it was already quite late. Apart from a few high-ranking and powerful people, most of the guests had already arrived.
Jiang Zhuoying sat for a while and realized that no one came to toast Qi Fan at all.
Inside the pavilion, people were chatting and laughing, but most of them were gathered on the side of the Third Prince. She and Qi Fan were surrounded by a cold and quiet atmosphere, and no one paid any attention to them.
Looking at the lively group of people, Jiang Zhuoying felt a subtle feeling rising in her heart. She turned her head and glanced at someone.
This feeling of being neglected must be unpleasant. In terms of status, they are clearly princes, and the one beside her is even older.
Recalling the secrets I heard at Yuanbaolou, I wonder if things will change drastically soon.
"how?"
"Huh?" Jiang Zhuoying was brought back to her senses.
Why are you looking at me?
The girl pursed her lips: "I wasn't looking at you, I was looking at the Third Prince over there."
"oh?"
Although it was a question, the tone and expression remained as calm as ever, revealing no emotion.
Jiang Zhuoying was about to argue with him when she caught a glimpse of Jiang Ying, supported by a maid, slowly disappearing at the entrance of the wooden steps.
Her heart tightened, and she immediately changed her words: "Second Prince, I need to use the restroom."
After saying that, she stood up, but suddenly felt a burning heat around her wrist.
"Do you need me to accompany you?"
The girl frowned and glared at him, her voice spoiled: "I'm going to the restroom! How can a man accompany me?"
After saying that, she ignored the man's reaction, broke free from the restraints on her wrists, and chased after the direction in which Jiang Ying disappeared.
The man staring at her retreating figure had a deep look in his eyes, and only after she disappeared from sight did he suddenly let out a sneer.
...
Jiang Zhuoying followed her downstairs, her eyes scanning the surroundings before she finally spotted Jiang Ying.
She deliberately avoided the gazes of Ah Liu and Chu Yixin who remained downstairs and quietly followed them up.
The number of people around gradually decreased, and in the end, they were all followed directly to the small garden.
Fortunately, the surrounding vegetation was lush, and there were also artificial hills for cover, making it easy for Jiang Zhuoying, who was petite, to hide.
She crouched down and continued walking, vaguely hearing voices ahead.
The woman's voice was indeed Jiang Ying's, but why was there also a man's voice?
She hid behind the vegetation, cautiously peeking out half her head, and just then she saw the man standing sideways.
The next instant, her pupils widened slightly. Wasn't that Brother Ce?!
Fu Ce was the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo. The two families often visited each other when they were young, but Fu Ce was a few years older than them and later went to the army for training.
Moreover, she had moved from the Duke's mansion to a suburban estate a few years ago, so she hadn't seen Fu Ce for a long time.
Today he and Jiang Ying...
Jiang Zhuoying's heart was pounding, and she leaned forward even more, wanting to hear more clearly.
...
"Ah Ying! Listen to me, you absolutely cannot marry him!"
Fu Ce suddenly let out a low growl and grabbed Jiang Ying's arm.
Unable to break free, the woman's tone grew increasingly angry: "What nonsense are you spouting now? If you hadn't threatened my life, I wouldn't have come to see you today."
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Author's note: Yingbao: It's good to be old, you can be more shameless than others.
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