Chapter 23 Chapter 23 (including the horse) Before the palace, you can...
He looked at the "prince" in surprise. The man in front of her was tall, wearing a smoky gray round-necked robe and a cloud-patterned silk shirt. He was a noble and handsome man.
She forgot to greet him for a moment, and only stood up after she realized what was happening: "This humble woman greets the prince."
He Anting nodded: "Madam Jing, there is no need to be so formal." Taking advantage of this, Jing Yao pulled her hand back and put it behind her back in dissatisfaction, without making any move or gesture.
He took the first seat, his words and actions were calm and natural, Jing Yao was stunned, this guy was so shameless.
She couldn't understand why He Anting came here, and why he replaced Ye Yunzheng to meet her mother.
She was worried and twirled her hands anxiously.
He really didn't expect that the Prince of Lingyun would be so handsome and unrestrained. He looked a little mature, not like a young man who had just come of age.
Perhaps it is because the sons of noble families are more sensible and capable young men generally look steady.
She glanced at her daughter and said, "I heard that the prince is very busy with official duties. Today is really too much trouble."
"Madam, you're welcome. Yaoyao is so innocent and always mentions my mother to me. Meeting her today is fate."
He Anting knew the right balance, neither trying to please in the slightest, nor being too pretentious, just like he was disciplining a subordinate.
He heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed that this prince was easy to get along with. He Anting looked at Jing Yao and asked, "What are you standing there for?"
Jing Yao uttered a "ah" in a daze, and then sat down slowly. The three of them ate in silence. He Anting was not good at speaking, and He was also very well-behaved, not talking while eating or sleeping. Jing Yao ate without any appetite.
"I heard that Madam is not feeling well. If necessary, you can ask Yaoyao to bring my visiting card to the palace to treat Madam."
He was flattered: "How can this be good? It's too troublesome and not in accordance with etiquette. I'm much better now."
He Anting didn't force it: "It's okay."
Naturally, He Anting didn't finish his meal with them. Halfway through, he suddenly said, "I have something else to do in the office. I'll ask my personal guard to stay and escort Madam after she finishes her meal."
He said quickly, "My lord, please go and don't worry about us." Then she pushed Jing Yao.
Jing Yao was pushed in front of He Anting. He lowered his head to look at her. Jing Yao muttered, "Sir, take care."
He Anting nodded and left.
After they left, He pulled her daughter to sit down at the table again. "I didn't expect this prince to be so considerate."
Jing Yao uttered an "ah" with a strange look on her face: "Mother, why would you say that?"
He? Considerate? He was obviously very fierce and annoying. What's more, he had the audacity to replace the prince, sneaking into her room in the middle of the night to eat her mouth, and almost... forcing her to do this and that.
Jing Yao's ears turned slightly red, which was very annoying.
Mrs. He sipped her tea gently. "He's a steady, polite man. And he doesn't look like a frivolous or smooth-talking man."
Jing Yao held her cheek, hesitated for a moment and didn't expose the truth. Forget it, after what happened to He Anting, her mother might never see the prince again.
She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Why was he like this again?
In another wing, when He Anting returned, Xue Ningzhen couldn't help but ask, "Master, you've been gone for so long, have you lost anything important?"
"It just took me some time to find something." He Anting sat down without further explanation.
He didn't have the patience for small talk and went straight to the point: "Miss Xue, is there a woman named Qian?"
Xue Ningzhen clenched her fists in surprise, her heart sinking. He'd known that so quickly? Impossible. Only the young Gu would react; the mother Gu generally wouldn't react. Even if she did, it would be so minor it wouldn't be worth mentioning.
"This old woman Qian was sent to the Bo's residence by the young lady a few days ago, to be with Jing. Why?"
Xue Ningzhen feigned surprise and explained the reason, and finally asked, "What's wrong, sir? What happened to Mother Qian?"
He Anting stared at her face with a gloomy look in his eyes, not missing a single micro-expression.
"Double Thoughts Medicine Gu, do you know about it?" He didn't want to play tricks with her.
Xue Ningzhen really shook her head: "I don't know, what is this thing."
Her father is the Chief Censor and her elder sister is Princess Yin. As long as she denies it, He Anting can't do anything to her.
Xue Ningzhen was not at all frightened or uneasy. Moreover, even if He Anting knew about the medicine and knew that it had passed through Qian Mama's hands, Qian Mama had been hidden by her long ago, and there was no solid evidence.
Bi Tao, the only person who knew the inside story, was also dealt with by her.
He Anting looked at her coldly, with a hint of chill in his dark eyes.
She relied on her status and thought that she could do nothing to her. King Yin was not only favored by the late emperor, but also had a group of court officials who supported him. Some of the officials were deeply rooted and were divided into new and old factions in the court.
"In that case, it seems that Miss Xue and I are not the same kind of people. It doesn't matter if we call off our marriage." He Anting said lightly.
Xue Ningzhen's smile froze, her expression incredulous. "What did you say? You want to call off the marriage? You...you've already told me, He Anting, that you're such a traitor. Aren't you afraid that if it gets out, your He family's reputation will be ruined and you'll lose face?"
He Anting didn't buy her trick at all: "My reputation is ruined, and you, Miss Xue, are not much better. Miss Xue, think carefully, who is more harmful to you or me?"
Xue Ningzhen's face was a mixture of red and green, looking extremely ugly.
He Anting's heart was full of mockery. He hated being threatened the most in his life, and there was no way the mistress of the He Mansion could be such a sinister, vicious and scheming woman.
He Anting didn't continue talking to her and stood up to leave.
"Wait." Xue Ningzhen was anxious and called him unwillingly, "Master He, I have admired you for a long time. I am very happy to be your wife."
She played the emotional card, her tone slightly hesitant, but unfortunately this did not move He Anting. He said coldly: "Ms. Xue, since you are honest, we can still let it go decently. If I find out, you know the consequences."
After he said that, he left without looking back.
Only Xue Ningzhen was left, slumped down on the chair, feeling panic-stricken.
She was naive in her thinking, but in fact she was too naive.
No, she has to go find her elder sister, her elder sister will definitely be able to save her.
…
He told Jing Yao that she didn't need to see her off and that she could take the carriage back by herself. Jing Yao watched the carriage leave with some concern. Yun Qiao, who had been holding her breath for a long time, found the gate and said, "Auntie, what should I do?"
"Then how can Lord He replace the Crown Prince to see the Madam? What will happen in the future? What will happen if the Crown Prince finds out?"
Jing Yao was stunned by the question: "I don't know either." Of course, the prince probably wouldn't know.
"Let's go, let's go back."
She turned around and ran into the culprit as she looked around aimlessly. He Anting walked down the stairs leisurely, glanced at her, and then withdrew his gaze indifferently.
How could this person be so insignificant?
She was secretly dissatisfied, but appeared to be obedient. She mustered up the courage to step forward and ask the question in her heart: "Why did you replace the prince to see my mother just now?"
It's really strange, why does he always do such strange things.
Jing Yao actually wanted to tell him tactfully that such good intentions were unnecessary, because after all, if the truth came to light later, he would still have to bear the responsibility.
"No need to thank me."
Jing Yao frowned, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
"Since you are pregnant, don't go out all the time." He Anting reminded her when he saw her dazed look.
Jing Yao hummed and was about to say goodbye and leave, but a familiar warmth surged through her body. She was startled and at a loss as to what to do.
It’s over, it’s over, it can’t be…
He Anting was about to leave, but his arm was grabbed by another hand. He frowned and lowered his head. Jing Yao looked up pitifully: "Sir, I, I can't walk anymore."
This place was in the middle of a busy city, and it was really inappropriate to pull and tug. He Anting looked at her reaction, his eyes flashing, and ordered Yun Qiao to support Jing Yao and quickly walk to the carriage.
The large carriage stopped in a secluded alley. Jing Yao was helped onto the carriage. Her cheeks were as red as peach blossoms, her eyes were full of spring, and drops of water slid down her temples. "Hot."
He Anting lowered his head: "Sit down."
The low, cold, and inhuman words made Jing Yao feel even more wronged. She raised her eyes weakly to glance at him, then lowered them and bit her lips: "Oh."
She pinched her palms and closed her eyes to endure it, but it was really hot. Jing Yao blushed and clamped her legs together in shame and anger.
Can't lose face, can't lose face.
It must be because of the drug, not her own problem. Jing Yao breathed a sigh of relief and adjusted her sitting position.
I thought this carriage was really big just now, but now it feels small, stuffy and hot.
Jing Yao opened her moist eyes and thought uncomfortably.
After a while, she seemed to be unable to bear it anymore and continued to move. He Anting was also a little impatient and could not help but scold her: "Don't move around, sit still."
Jing Yao felt wronged after being scolded, and tears came to her eyes after blinking.
Her faint sobbing could be heard in the carriage.
"Why are you crying?" He Anting couldn't help asking her.
"It's uncomfortable." Jing Yao said coquettishly and aggrievedly, and rubbed against him uncontrollably.
He Anting was silent for a moment: "Today is the fifteenth."
Jing Yao opened her tearful eyes. She knew what to do. She couldn't be so shameless as to ask him to help her, although she did look very shameless now.
"Where does it hurt?" He Anting suddenly asked.
Jing Yao felt aggrieved when asked this question, and stammered without saying a word. He Anting put his big hand around her waist and adjusted her sitting position. The two of them had a tacit understanding.
She had a petite and plump figure, but she looked even smaller in his arms. He Anting hugged her, and ripples in his heart grew thicker.
He had wanted to marry her, but he almost did.
The unwillingness lurking in his heart finally prevailed. He told himself that it was for her health and he was afraid that something might happen to her.
Jing Yao leaned on him weakly, as if she was enveloped by a very light plum fragrance. Her mind was in a mess, and she followed her instincts and began to say something nonsense.
"You, you touch me." She said in a whining voice.
He Anting froze for a moment, his expression changing unpredictably. The person in his arms was stirring restlessly again. He grabbed her hand and coaxed her in a low voice, his voice a little hoarse: "Alright, alright, don't move."
Jing Yao didn't know where she touched. He Anting groaned, his breath suddenly became disordered, and his breathing became heavier.
He was furious, half forcing her and half venting his anger, pinching her fair cheeks: "Look carefully, I am not your prince."
Jing Yao's eyes were hazy and aggrieved, and she was awakened a little by the cold scolding. Her expression was like an eggplant hit by frost. When He Anting touched her, it was as if a basin of cold water was poured over her head, and he let go of his hand.
The next moment, Jing Yao hooked her little finger around his: "I know you are not the prince."
These words sounded like a temptation and an invitation.
He Anting kissed her directly, like a thirsty monk, biting and devouring her red lips. For a moment, the sound of water in the carriage was like ripples.
Jing Yao responded at first, but later she was suffocated by the breath and couldn't breathe. She couldn't help kicking and moving around, and her feet rubbed against his strong legs, and her shoes and socks were rubbed all over the floor.
No matter how passionate the two of them were, He Anting still had some sense and stopped when it was right.
After comforting her and seeing that she was a little more sober, I stepped back. It was really tiring to just look at something without being able to eat.
He half-hugged her. Jing Yao seemed tired and drowsy. Qing Wu asked hesitantly through the carriage curtain, "Master, are we going back home?"
He Anting thought for just a moment and said, "Go back home."
Qing Wu thought he would bring the person into the mansion quietly, but when getting off the car, He Anting covered the face of the person in his arms with his head and entered the mansion openly.
Qing Wu: “…”
Yun Qiao looked at the two men's backs in horror. Qing Wu was silent for a moment: "You may need to disguise yourself."
…
Yun Qiao was forced to change into men's clothes and was brought into the He Mansion by Qing Wu. Jing Yao was temporarily placed in the main house of Guanlan Courtyard. Yun Qiao wandered outside the house, hesitated for a moment, and finally went in.
Jing Yao was lying curled up behind the dim curtain, holding a wrinkled ash-gray smock in her arms, sleeping soundly on her side.
Yun Qiao looked at her and found that except for her lips being a little red and swollen, her clothes were intact. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Footsteps were heard behind her. Yun Qiao turned around and stood in front of Jing Yao cautiously. "Thank you for not standing by and watching. I think nothing is wrong. Men and women should not touch each other. If you have anything to say, please tell me."
She stood in front of Jing Yao tightly, and He Anting said calmly: "This is my room."
What I mean is, it's not your turn to comment.
Yun Qiao's face turned pale, and she couldn't help but argue: "Forgive me for being so talkative, my lord, you are so reckless. If the news gets out, our concubine will have no choice but to jump into the lake."
"Oh, her condition is still unstable. You mean I should just leave her alone? Then you guys go."
He let the man go so decisively that Yun Qiao was at a loss for a moment.
He Anting looked at her for a long time, which made her face flush. He scoffed lightly but did not move forward. "Qingwu found a set of Ah-yu's clothes and changed into them."
After saying that, he turned and walked out.
Yun Qiao breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the clothes on the table next to her and went into the curtain.
When He Anting left the house, Qing Wu reminded him, "Master, if it takes too long, the county lady will know."
He Anting said nonchalantly: "Whatever, I'll have to cancel the engagement sooner or later."
"grown ups."
He Anting turned around, and Yun Qiao stood awkwardly at the door: "Second Miss's clothes... are a little small."
The atmosphere was stagnant and silent, and Qing Wu felt a little embarrassed. He couldn't look carefully. He Anting's brows also frowned, and after saying that, he walked into the house.
Yun Qiao was a little flustered and followed him closely to guard against him. He Anting didn't care about her offensive behavior and just regarded her as a protector.
He walked to the cabinet and picked up a clean piece of clothing at random. As he pulled it, he knocked over a lacquer box, which happened to fall at Yun Qiao's feet.
Yun Qiao hesitated whether to pick it up or not. She was afraid that if she moved it without permission, the man would chop off her hands.
However, the lid of the box was broken open and the contents were scattered all over the place. Yun Qiao glanced at it out of the corner of her eye and stared at it in disbelief.
She squatted down and picked up the shoes, the pink embroidered handkerchief, and... a lilac-colored dress.
He Anting's eyebrows jumped and he cursed inwardly. He had previously given the box to Qing Wu and asked him to put it in a hidden place, but he didn't expect that he actually put it in his own cabinet.
Just as he was racking his brains to figure out how to explain, Yun Qiao exclaimed in surprise, "How come you have my master's things?"
He Anting paused: "What did you say?"
Seeing him questioning her, Yun Qiao couldn't help but feel a little insecure, thinking that she had offended him: "Please forgive me, sir. This servant..."
"How do you know it's hers?" He Anting asked calmly.
Yun Qiao unfolded the embroidered handkerchief and said awkwardly, "My aunt is very stingy. She saved all her money to treat my wife's illness, so all her personal belongings were embroidered by me. My aunt loves peonies, and I am best at embroidering them. This is indeed my skill. There are many such designs in Lanxiang Pavilion."
"These embroidered shoes too, how come they are here with you..." She suddenly fell silent, looking at him tremblingly, thinking of something bad.
He Anting strode around her and opened half of the curtain. He pinched Jing Yao's face and shook it. Jing Yao opened her eyes in pain: "Yun Qiao, what's wrong?"
Yun Qiao looked at the two of them in fear and didn't dare to get close to them.
Did she say something wrong?
He Anting's voice was terribly cold: "Before going to the palace, did you have...conduct with Ye Yunzheng?"
His face was naturally cold, and it looked even more gloomy when he frowned. His slightly long eyes were as dark as ink, like a whirlpool that wanted to swallow her into its stomach. His lips were very thin. A'niang said that people with thin lips are also less kind.
Jing Yao just felt that he was very scary at the moment, and couldn't help but want to step back, but he pinched her cheek and it hurt a lot.
She couldn't help but have tears in her eyes: "It hurts."
He Anting loosened his hand and moved it to the back of her neck, saying in a gentle voice, "Tell me, tell me."
Jing Yao nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes."
After an unknown amount of time, He Anting loosened his hand and stood up. Jing Yao looked at him helplessly.
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