Chapter 216
The next second, Chen Jinghe appeared at the door.
He was about to speak when his gaze suddenly fell on the boxes on the table and the floor, and a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.
"Why are you here? Is something the matter?"
Tao Tao calmly looked at him, waiting for his answer.
Chen Jinghe took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to the girl in front of him with both hands.
She took it, puzzled, and opened it to find only one line of text: "Departure in two days."
Seeing this, she remembered that Duan Gan had said he would take her to Suizhou. He said it was for fun, but actually he had other things to do.
"I understand. You can go back now."
After speaking, Chen Jinghe did not leave. Looking around, he couldn't help but ask, "Miss, I just encountered someone from the Eastern Palace. I wonder who he was..."
"What do you think it means when a young man gives a gift to his wife?"
Tao Tao looked at him with suspicion, as if to say that his question was unnecessary.
Upon hearing this, he was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer. Under normal circumstances, it was not a big deal for a young lady to be admired by a man before she was married. However, she was not an ordinary person.
She was someone Fourth Master held dear in his heart. If they weren't mutually in love, Fourth Master wouldn't have helped her climb the ranks step by step.
But what does Tao Tao mean right now?
Moreover, the Crown Prince and the Privy Council are not on the same side. At this time, the Crown Prince sent someone to the Prince's residence to show goodwill. Could it be a provocation?
“Miss, Fourth Master has a bad temper. Would it be... not appropriate for you to accept it directly?”
As he watched her increasingly cold gaze, he gradually lowered his voice until it was almost silent as he spoke the last three words.
He thought to himself that Tao Tao was becoming more and more like the Fourth Master, her temper was growing stronger every day, and her unpredictable moods were exactly the same.
Tao Tao smiled and said, "Why don't you just not talk to him? Do I really need to explain something so simple?"
Even if he didn't say it, Fourth Master would still find out. Besides, he couldn't possibly not say it; if he really kept it a secret, he would definitely be finished.
"Is there anything else?"
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the words that rang out.
"No." He chuckled dryly a few times. "This subordinate takes his leave."
Just then, Lu Shuqing arrived after hearing the news. Seeing Chen Jinghe who was about to leave, and then glancing at the things delivered to the front hall, which were glittering with gold, she instantly beamed with joy.
"Oh my, this must be what His Highness the Crown Prince sent to deliver to Jia Hui."
She was convinced that the person in front of her was someone sent by the Crown Prince to deliver gifts. It seemed that the Empress had taken a liking to Jia Hui, otherwise how would the Crown Prince know about the existence of Murong Jia Hui from the Prince's Mansion?
Looking back now, taking Murong Jia Hui to the palace banquet was the right choice. It was worth all the years she had spent nurturing Jia Hui. She just didn't know what position the Empress would give her.
But marrying into the Eastern Palace is a good thing, as Murong Jia Hui's status is already the highest it can be.
Lu Shuqing became happier and happier as she thought about it, naturally ignoring her displeasure at Murong Jia Hui's probing attempts to get her adopted two days ago.
In their excitement, they even circled around the things that were delivered, touching and patting them from time to time, looking extremely excited and joyful.
This left Chen Jinghe completely bewildered. Who sent the Crown Prince? When did he become one of the Crown Prince's men?
Seeing this, Granny Wu said coldly, "Princess Consort, it's fine to look, but isn't it a bit inappropriate to touch it? After all, this is something the Crown Prince sent to the County Princess."
Upon hearing this, Lu Shuqing's face stiffened, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed in shock, "What did you say?"
"This...isn't this what His Highness the Crown Prince gave to Jia Hui?"
Upon hearing this, everyone understood why she had appeared so overjoyed upon arrival; she had mistakenly believed that all of these gifts were for Murong Jia Hui, that illegitimate daughter.
But she didn't even bother to think about it. Murong Jia Hui was not only a concubine's daughter, but what other outstanding qualities did she have that could make the Crown Prince and the Empress take a liking to her?
Granny Wu gave a silent, cold laugh, and even the steward beside her chuckled awkwardly.
Chen Jinghe reminded her, "Princess Consort, I am not a member of the Crown Prince's Palace. Farewell."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and left.
Tao Tao looked at Lu Shuqing with a half-smile and said, "If I, the county princess, give it to you, do you dare to take it?"
She stared at the girl before her, her face ashen. Although the prince had told her to have less contact with her, under the same roof, she should at least respect her mother.
They constantly mocked and ridiculed her, showing no respect for her as the princess consort.
"Stop right there! What kind of attitude is this? I'm your mother in name only!"
Murong Jia Hui was also overjoyed to hear that the Crown Prince had sent someone over, but as soon as they arrived, she heard her mother arguing with Princess Huai Min.
She walked in slowly and stood not far from the door, looking at everything in front of her with a puzzled expression.
"Granny Wu, you and the steward should have these delivered to the side room in my courtyard."
As soon as she finished speaking, Tao Tao turned and left, showing no intention of paying any attention to him. This kind of person was not worth her attention.
Naturally, he didn't have the time to deal with Lu Shuqing.
Lu Shuqing stared wide-eyed at the departing figure, her anger making her breathless.
What exactly is her identity? Isn't she just a county princess? Why is the prince so wary of her and even specifically instructs her not to provoke her?
She really couldn't understand. No matter what this woman was like, she was still a member of the Prince's Mansion. How could she be allowed to act so arrogantly and domineeringly towards them?
Rong'er followed closely behind, while Granny Wu stayed behind and worked with the steward to take the things back.
Tao Tao went directly to the study to find Murong Huai Shi. She stood in front of the door and knocked.
A moment later, a deep voice came from inside.
She pushed open the door and entered, first finding a seat before looking up at Murong Huai Shi, who was handling official business.
"Princess Huaimin, you have quite the skills to make two important figures pay so much attention to you."
This clearly shows that he knows what's going on in the front hall.
"Murong Yan has safely arrived at Yuquan Pass and just happened to be caught off guard by the Turks. He has no time to say much and can only write a few words in the letter. With his abilities, he should not be defeated so quickly."
As she spoke, she picked up the cold tea beside her, took a sip, frowned slightly, and put it down.
Hearing this, he frowned deeply and asked in a deep voice, "How did you know these things? Did Chief Envoy Duan tell you?"
Tao Tao looked up and met his eyes. "Didn't I say that it was he who wrote the letter to me?"
It seems that the first letter Murong Yan received was actually for her, which is quite unexpected.
Clearly, Murong Huai Shi had also thought of this. His expression turned somewhat grim. He picked up his teacup, his expression unreadable, and took a sip.
He said calmly, "Aren't you Duan's woman? Why would you accept gifts from the Crown Prince?"
"You said it yourself, he is the Crown Prince, what can I do?" Tao Tao's expression was calm, revealing no emotion. "Besides, until everything is settled, I am just me."
"I hope you get this straight."
He snorted coldly and said, "I don't care how you navigate between the two of them, but you cannot implicate the Prince's Mansion."
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