At this critical moment, the gatekeeper rushed in and shouted through the cotton curtain blocking the wind.
“Miss, there is an eunuch outside requesting an audience. His name is Changwang. Since he comes from the palace, I dare not neglect him. I have already asked him to wait at the cool water pavilion by the gate.”
"Father-in-law! Could it be the eunuch by the Second Prince's side?" The old lady's eyes lit up, and her gloomy expression eased slightly. She grabbed Tianyun and pulled him outside, her frail face revealing a hint of impatience.
Chang Wang was a servant of Xiao Ziwu. It must be because there was progress in his brother's matter that he sent Chang Wang to deliver the message.
My little darling, you saved me again.
A relieved smile appeared on her face, and even the pain from the clamp on her wrist seemed insignificant.
Upon arriving at the Liangshui Pavilion, the old lady released Tianyun's hand and spoke first, her tone more kind and gentle than she had ever seen before: "I'm sorry to trouble you to make this trip, but does His Highness have any decree to issue?"
"This servant is a lowly eunuch in Linhua Palace, responsible for attending to His Highness the Third Prince's daily needs. This servant knows nothing about Yuqing Palace, where the Second Prince resides." Chang Wang shrugged awkwardly, ignoring the old lady's sudden change in attitude, and said to Tianyun, "Miss Shangguan, His Highness the Third Prince asked me to inform you that Young Master Tianlin can be brought back at noon!"
"This servant has delivered the message and will now return to the palace to report back." He finished speaking and was about to leave.
But Tianyun stopped her. A brilliant idea popped into her head: "Father-in-law, wait in the pavilion for a while and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up before you go. Xiao Lü, go and get a hot water bottle."
The old lady was naturally happy to hear that her beloved grandson was coming back, but why did the little eunuch just now refer to the Third Prince?
Even though she had lived in the remote and isolated Yu County for many years, she had heard rumors that the difference in status between the Second Prince and the Third Prince was like heaven and earth.
The Second Prince's maternal family is the prestigious and influential Lin family. Now, Consort Lin is pregnant with the Emperor's child and is the most respected concubine in the six palaces, only one step away from becoming Empress. Although Duke Lin passed away last year, his influence remains profound. Countless retainers and students have benefited from his kindness and hold considerable sway in the court.
The Third Prince lost his mother at a young age. Not only did he lack the support of his maternal relatives, but his birth mother was also accused of regicide. At best, he could only obtain the position of a leisurely prince in his life, and he would have little chance of advancement.
The old lady's happy expression cooled down. Since he was someone close to the Third Prince, there was no need to get close to him. He was just a person with bad luck and misfortune. Why bother with such effort?
"Grandmother heard it too. My brother will be released from prison at noon. Now you can let go of my hand, right?" Tianyun winked at the old lady gently and harmlessly, her starry eyes revealing a cunning that was not hard to discern: "I'm afraid I don't have the good fortune to become the Second Prince's concubine."
Disappointed and unable to do anything about it, the old lady stomped back in a huff. As she hurried past the covered walkway, she squinted at Tianyun with hostility. Behind her, Shangguan Jingyi said anxiously, "Grandmother, will my cousin hold a grudge against us? And what about Uncle's side..."
Despite their blood ties, they were ultimately guests staying at her home. If she offended Shangguan Tianyun and was sent back to Wei County because of this, it would be a huge loss! Shengjing City was so prosperous; she hadn't had enough of it yet…
"We're doing this for her own good. The Second Prince is renowned and on the verge of becoming the heir apparent. He's the dream husband of countless young women. What has she to complain about!" She's just a money-losing daughter. What difference does it make who she marries? If she can give her eldest son some help in his career, that's the only use she has left!
Chang Wang, who had returned to the pavilion to shelter from the wind, could not hear clearly, only vaguely catching the words "Second Prince" and "concubine." He opened his mouth wide in surprise and stammered, "Miss...you want to marry the Second Prince?!"
What will happen to my poor Third Prince?
He felt indignant on behalf of His Highness.
He darted up to Tianyun like the wind and questioned, "Your Highness has been running around day and night for Young Master Shangguan's sake, without even having a decent meal. It's one thing that you haven't even gotten a word of thanks from the young lady, but the young lady has quite the plan, turning around and going to climb the social ladder!"
"Has our prince's enthusiasm been wasted?!"
He called her a social climber, but Tianyun wasn't angry at all. Hearing that the young man had gone to such lengths for her, her heart felt like it was being soaked in old vinegar, leaving only a sour feeling.
But then she thought again that this was a good opportunity to test the young man's feelings. If he really had feelings for her, then using herself as bait to arouse his desire to seize the throne would not be a bad idea!
Her bright cat-like eyes darted around, and she slowly opened her lips to say, "Please be careful with your words, Eunuch. Walls have ears, and you, having grown up in the palace, should understand this principle even better."
After speaking, she lowered her eyes, bit her rosy lips, and sobbed, "The Second Prince is of noble birth. No matter how much I resist, it will be in vain. It might even endanger the lives of my entire clan! I hope you will understand and not say such ambiguous things, lest they reach the Second Prince's ears and make him misunderstand that I have some connection with the Third Prince."
After speaking, she earnestly curtsied.
Chang stumbled back several steps, staring at him in shock and anger, unable to utter a single word. He couldn't believe she was such a heartless and ungrateful person!
He flicked his sleeve and squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth: "Very well, very well. I will convey every word of Miss Tianyun's words to Your Highness. This servant wishes you and the Second Prince a long and loving marriage!"
The last four words were pronounced very heavily, as if she were not pronouncing words, but rather her dark, murky heart!
"Thank you for your kind words, sir." She thanked him gently, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in his words, remaining calm and composed, taking it as a blessing for herself and the boy.
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