"Everyone present underwent the inspection. If the Fourth Prince's Consort is overlooked, people might say it's unfair."
Li Youran walked in as she spoke.
The Second Prince's Consort stepped forward, grabbed Li Youran's hand, and lightly tapped his forehead. She smiled and said...
"That clever little girl."
"Second Prince's Consort, what the Princess said makes sense. If we cannot find the imperial gift today, and I am the only one who was not searched, I'm afraid I will be unable to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River."
As the Fourth Prince's Consort spoke, she instructed her maid to attend to her and help her cooperate with the nanny's examination.
The old nanny standing to the side looked at the Second Prince's wife, at a loss.
The Second Prince's Consort looked quite helpless and waved to the nanny.
After receiving instructions, the nanny stepped forward to search the belongings of the Fourth Prince's Consort and her personal maid.
The old woman searched for a while, then looked at the Second Prince's wife and shook her head helplessly.
Everyone was quite surprised. No one had gone out and had been sitting here chatting. Everyone had searched the place thoroughly, but they still couldn't find the imperial gift. Could it be that Huiping had vanished into thin air?
Suddenly, a crisp sound came from the ground. Everyone looked over and saw a round bracelet fall to the ground and break in two.
The bracelet slipped out from Hu Qinqin's sleeve.
Before the body search, Hu Qinqin was sitting. When the body search began, Hu Qinqin had already spread her arms and raised her sleeves high.
Unexpectedly, when Hu Qinqin's hand fell, a bracelet was cut out from it.
"Sister, is this the bracelet you lost?"
Li Youran bent down and picked up the bracelet that had been smashed in two from the ground. Coincidentally, it had fallen into the water right at the half-mountain, half-water scenic spot.
"It's this bracelet."
The quick-witted maidservant beside the Second Prince's wife spoke as she hurriedly took the bracelet and handed it to her.
"no."
The Second Prince's Consort glanced at the bracelet, then her face turned panicked, and she spoke in a tone that seemed to be trying to cover up the truth.
"Second Prince's Consort, she is clearly..."
Before the little maid could finish speaking, she was stopped by the Second Prince's wife with a look.
"Second Prince's Consort, this is a gift from the Emperor. If you protect the Fourth Prince's Consort, you will be punished as well."
“The Fourth Prince’s Consort damaged a gift bestowed by the Emperor. This is no small matter, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
Most of the women who came to the Second Prince's residence for the banquet today wanted to befriend His Highness the Second Prince, so these women stepped forward to dissuade him.
"Fourth Prince's Consort, although my sister meant well, her abilities are ultimately limited. The crime of damaging imperial gifts is too serious. You should take the initiative to admit it."
Li Youran looked at Hu Qinqin, who was in a state of surprise. Clearly, she had not yet reacted.
"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext."
After saying this, Hu Qinqin turned and left, leaving a group of women gossiping.
Given Hu Qinqin's temperament, she certainly wouldn't have let things go so hastily. However, she was in the Second Prince's residence, and it was quite obvious that the Second Prince's wife had come prepared for this matter.
Before coming to the Second Prince's residence, the Fourth Prince had told Hu Qinqin to be careful, but she still fell for his trick.
Huqin sat in the carriage, clenching her fists, her face full of anger.
"Li Youran, you just wait!"
Having suffered a setback, Hu Qinqin hurried back to the Fourth Prince's residence. She needed the Fourth Prince to resolve the matter as soon as possible, preferably before it reached the Emperor and Empress's ears.
"Sister, where are you going?"
After this incident, the banquet ended abruptly, and the Second Prince's Consort hurriedly boarded her carriage after everyone had left.
"You Ran, your sister has important business to attend to at the palace, so she won't be taking you with her this time."
The Second Prince's wife didn't have time to explain the matter to Li Youran. After getting into the carriage, she hurriedly left, leaving Li Youran alone.
"Princess, Wu Wenya, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Huguo's mansion, requests an audience."
Li Youran had just returned to the manor and hadn't even warmed her seat when the steward rushed in to report.
Upon hearing Wu Wenya's name, Li Youran frowned slightly. Although she had heard of her, she had never met her.
These days, rumors have been circulating among the people that Wu Wenya will marry the Third Prince and become his consort.
If the rumors are true, then even if Wu Wenya came to the Second Prince's residence, she would be looking for the Second Prince's wife, not for her, especially since the two were complete strangers.
"He's a guest, let him in."
As Li Youran spoke, she looked in the mirror again and checked her appearance. After all, she had never met anyone before, and first impressions were very important.
To enhance her presence, Li Youran even reapplied her lipstick.
Although Li Youran did not know why Wu Wenya had come, he knew that no one would climb the mountain without a reason. Moreover, the Wu family had always been at odds with the Second Prince's residence and had always sided with the Third Prince. Therefore, Wu Wenya's visit was unlikely to be anything good.
"It is truly presumptuous of me to come today."
Li Youran did not expect Wu Wenya to get straight to the point and state the purpose of her visit.
"I've heard that Miss Li and Mr. Tian have a close relationship. I've come here to inquire about Mr. Tian from Miss Li."
Li Youran was slightly taken aback after hearing Wu Wenya's words.
In her impression, most women in ancient times were reserved and very shy, and it was rare to see a woman as straightforward as Wu Wenya.
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