On the other side, Yanyang Country, Marquis Mansion
The atmosphere in the lakeside cottage was cold and awkward. Uncle Ling dismissed the class and took the prince to a nearby wing to educate him.
When the young masters in the hall saw that the class was over, they gathered around Ye Wanqing and said one after another that they wanted to visit the Marquis' Mansion.
"We are honored to be invited to attend the lecture today. Could Prince Shen take us to visit the Shen Mansion Garden?"
Ye Wanqing felt a little embarrassed when she heard this. Although she occupied Shen Xu's body, this was not her own garden after all. If she allowed these people to damage the flowers and plants, or put something in Shen Xu's house, it would be very impolite.
However, some young masters echoed, "I heard that the mansion of Marquis Shen was designed and built by a famous garden master in the southern region. The courtyard is full of exotic flowers and plants, and the carved railings, corridors, flowing water and rockery are all a scene in themselves. It is the most luxurious mansion in the entire Yong'an City besides the imperial palace."
"Yes, yes, since we are here today, Prince Shen will take us on a tour."
Ye Wanqing called A Rao over with some embarrassment and asked in a low voice, "Will Madam Jiang agree?"
A Rao replied, "If you just want to visit the garden, just tell Butler Shen."
Ye Wanqing called over Steward Shen and told him to take the young masters to visit the large garden of the Marquis's Mansion, while she stayed behind to seriously think about the homework that Uncle Ling had given her.
"Prince Shen." Murong Yao supported his chin with his hand and sat in front of her. He ordered the servant beside him to bring a box and put it on the table.
Seeing him staring at her with such a bad look, Ye Wanqing asked unhappily, "What are you doing?"
But Murong Yao opened the box and took out a lotus root pink gradient smoke silk long skirt, a pair of light pink glazed peach blossom beaded hairpins and a pair of thin tassel flower earrings. The dense small flowers and the pink color made her look very girlish.
"Does this dress look good? I'll give it to you." He raised his charming peach blossom eyes and looked at her expectantly.
Ye Wanqing's face flushed suddenly, and she jumped up from her chair, saying in surprise, "What does Third Prince mean by this?"
Murong Yao just smiled and said mysteriously, "Don't be nervous. This prince will hold a tea party at home tomorrow and would like to invite you to come over for a chat."
"Whatever your Third Prince wants to do, I don't have time!"
Murong Yao came closer to her and said in a low voice, "Entrance attire."
"Third Prince!" Ye Wanqing raised her voice, her eyes wide, and said angrily: "Your Highness, are you insulting this prince?"
"How could that be? It's nothing shameful for the prince to have some hobbies that are unacceptable to ordinary people. Everyone has some unique ideas, it's normal."
Murong Yao spread his hands and said with a hint of regret, "This prince has specially invited Miss Ye Er to teach the servants in the palace about clothing, makeup and hair. I heard that you often buy jewelry and dresses from her. Are you sure you won't come?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Wanqing was even more shocked. Does this guy think of herself as a pervert? Is he trying to win her over by playing to her own interests?
"Is that why the Third Prince went to the brothel to order a prostitute?" Liu Zhang stood behind Murong Yao with a sullen face. He glanced at the pair of jewelry and changed the subject, "The Third Prince only brought one guard with him today?"
Murong Yao closed the box with a cold expression and replied, "Hasn't the brothel case already been closed? Why is Lord Liu still staring at this prince's guards?"
"Nothing." Liu Zhang shifted his gaze to A Rao behind Ye Wanqing, and took out an exquisitely crafted jade osmanthus hairpin from his sleeve. Gold and silver threads were intertwined with emerald green jade branches and leaves, with small topaz flowers dotted in the middle, looking delicate and gentle.
He said in a gentle tone, "I offended Miss Jiang Rao a few days ago at the Dali Temple. I've come here today to apologize."
Ye Wanqing looked at the hairpin and her expression changed slightly. She couldn't help but think of the few days when A Rao had just been released. Her little face was haggard and she looked depressed all day long.
When she was Miss Ye, although she had a good relationship with Liu Zhang in private, she strongly disagreed with his actions this time.
So he started to complain: "Lord Liu, A Rao is the top guard of my mansion. Do you know what losing your martial arts skills means to a guard? Since Lord Liu can't convict her, how can you abuse private punishment!"
Murong Yao raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this, and opened his fan with a swish. He spoke to the rescue, "Oh, cousin, you're also trying to prevent the suspect from escaping. Besides, she's just a maid. Prince Shen is extremely wealthy, so he wouldn't be so stingy. If you want a first-class guard, this prince will send Yin Xie to you tomorrow to make amends."
Upon hearing this, Ye Wanqing became even more furious and said confidently, "Since the Third Prince mentioned Yin Xie, let's discuss this matter properly!"
"I always thought the Dali Temple Minister wouldn't show favoritism. Since they're all suspects, why did Lord Liu only cripple my A'rao's martial arts and not the Third Prince's two guards? He's clearly protecting the Third Prince!"
"That must be because my two guards were obedient and cooperative. Before the suspicion is cleared, it is quite reasonable for the Dali Temple to use some interrogation methods."
Murong Yao spread his hands. Upon learning that A Rao's martial arts skills had been abolished, he couldn't hide the smugness on his face. "She's just a maid. How could she deserve such a fine hairpin? Master Shen, that's enough. The Dali Temple Minister could have just mentioned this matter. He even spent a lot of money to buy a gift. Do you still think it's insincere?"
"Hmph!" Ye Wanqing slammed the table, glared at the two of them angrily, and said through gritted teeth: "Arao is not a maid. If Your Highness humiliates her, you are humiliating this prince."
A Rao's face turned pale. She gently pulled Ye Wanqing's sleeve and whispered, "Sir, please don't quarrel with the two masters for this slave girl."
"Arao, who allowed you to call yourself a slave?" Ye Wanqing snatched the hairpin from Liu Zhang's hand and stuck it on Arao's head, saying, "My Arao deserves any fine hairpin, and she deserves Master Liu's apology even more!"
At this time, Nanny Jiang came over and reminded, "Sir, are you going to have lunch with the guests or go back to your room?"
She glanced at the hairpin on A Rao's head, and her expression suddenly darkened. "A Rao, how could you take such a valuable reward without permission?"
Upon hearing this, A Rao quickly pulled off the hairpin on her head, knelt down and bowed her head to present it to Liu Zhang, "I dare not bear a grudge against Master Liu, and I should not let Master Liu condescend to apologize to me."
Liu Zhang pursed his lips, clenched his fists, and did not take the hairpin.
"Arao!" Ye Wanqing helped her up from the ground, holding her in her arms, and angrily said to Nanny Jiang: "Arao is not a maid. Anyone who dares to bully Arao will become an enemy of this prince!"
"Young Master, you are being too polite!" Nanny Jiang's tone became harsh, but she did not dare to lose her temper because there were outsiders present.
"Arao, why don't you wait for the prince to go back to his room for dinner!"
She snatched the hairpin from A Rao's hand, handed it to Liu Zhang, and said politely: "Master Liu, this hairpin is too valuable. Please take it back."
Liu Zhang glanced at A Rao in Ye Wanqing's arms and said coldly to Nanny Jiang: "You have touched her before, I don't want her anymore."
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