Wang Xiuxiu was getting a little anxious waiting inside the carriage. Just as she was wondering whether she should ask the guard who delivered the message again, she suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.
She lifted the carriage curtain and saw Lu Jingze riding slowly towards her on horseback, a hint of fatigue on his face.
"Have you been waiting long?" Lu Jingze dismounted and walked to the carriage.
"fine."
Lu Jingze smiled slightly, "Everything went smoothly, let's head back to the manor now."
He did not board the carriage to ride with Wang Xiuxiu, but went straight to the horse he had come from.
The convoy moved slowly forward, its wheels crunching on the cobblestones with a crisp, creaking sound.
The shops along the streets gradually thinned out, replaced by high walls and deep courtyards, revealing the nobility and solemnity of this area.
The carriage traveled through block after block, finally coming to a slow stop in front of a vermilion gate.
The gate stands tall and imposing, with intricate patterns carved on the lintel and majestic stone lions standing in front of it, all silently proclaiming the owner's status and position.
Wang Xiuxiu pondered whether to get off the carriage, her fingers lightly resting on the curtain, but she hesitated to lift it.
She didn't know what would happen next, nor how to deal with it.
Just then, the coachman outside the carriage whispered through the curtain, "Miss, you may get off now."
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback. Unlike before, this time Lu Jingze did not help her get out of the car.
She felt a slight tightness in her heart, but quickly suppressed the unease, took a deep breath, lifted the carriage curtain, and steadily stepped down onto the horse stool.
After getting off the bus, Wang Xiuxiu's gaze involuntarily turned forward.
Lu Jingze was standing in front of a young woman dressed in elegant and luxurious clothes, and the two were talking about something.
The woman was dressed in a magnificent brocade dress, adorned with a gold hairpin, and possessed exquisite features and a noble air.
She nodded slightly and looked at Wang Xiuxiu, while Lu Jingze stepped into the gate of the Jingwang Mansion.
She had considered that Lu Jingze's identity was unusual, but she never dared to imagine that his true identity was so illustrious.
But! This bastard just dumped himself here like that?
She cursed inwardly, but dared not show it on her face.
Wang Xiuxiu stood there blankly, somewhat at a loss.
The woman—or rather, the Princess Consort of Jing—stood not far away, gazing at her with gentle eyes.
A thought seemed to flash through Wang Xiuxiu's mind, but before she could grasp it, she saw Princess Jing smiling and gently beckoning to her.
Wang Xiuxiu finally snapped out of her shock, lifted her skirt, and ran to Princess Jing, saying cautiously, "This humble woman greets Your Highness!"
She bowed respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could finish her greetings, Princess Jing helped her up with a smile.
"No need for formalities. From now on, we are both women in the Jing Prince's Mansion. If you need anything, please feel free to let me know."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Wang Xiuxiu thanked him, but didn't dare to take it completely seriously.
She was just an ordinary woman brought back to the manor by Lu Jingze. If she really thought she could be on equal footing with the princess, she must be tired of living.
Wang Xiuxiu followed Princess Jing into the Prince's residence in a daze.
The mansion's buildings are adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, with deep courtyards, artificial hills and flowing water, all exuding luxury and grandeur.
Wang Xiuxiu was secretly amazed, but dared not look too closely, for fear that others would notice her lapse in composure.
---
As night fell, candles were lit inside Lanyue Pavilion.
Wang Xiuxiu sat by the window, gazing at the moonlight outside, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
This is the courtyard where Wang Xiuxiu lives.
During the day, the environment here is beautiful and the courtyard is quiet. Several crabapple trees are in full bloom, and when a gentle breeze blows, the petals flutter down.
However, she still felt a little uneasy.
Why did Lu Jingze bring her back to the Prince's Mansion?
Why was Princess Jing's attitude so gentle?
What did Lu Jingze mean when he said that their family situation was different?
What is hidden behind all of this?
Wang Xiuxiu had no idea, but she planned to be more careful in the future.
Just then, a soft footstep sound came from outside the door.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart tightened, and she quickly got up and walked to the door.
She gently pushed open the door and saw a maid standing outside with tea and snacks. "Madam, the Princess noticed that you ate little for dinner, so she sent some tea and snacks. Would you like some?"
Wang Xiuxiu felt a warmth in her heart, quickly accepted the tea and snacks, and thanked him.
She closed the door, returned to the table, and thought to herself: Perhaps Princess Jing is not as gentle as she seems, but at least she is safe for now.
The pastries sent by the princess suited her taste quite well.
Especially the jujube paste pastry, shaped like a plum blossom, is so exquisite that it's almost too beautiful to eat.
The flaky pastry is also dotted with red marks...
Wang Xiuxiu's gaze lingered on the pastry for a moment, and then a flash of inspiration suddenly struck her.
She suddenly stood up, strode into the room, and began rummaging through her luggage.
She vaguely remembered that the letter Lu Jingze gave her seemed to have a red clay seal on it.
At the time, she was so shocked by the blood letter that she completely ignored the signature at the bottom.
Looking back now, perhaps it contained some important information.
Wang Xiuxiu opened the paper with great joy, and upon closer inspection, she saw the three large characters "Seal of Prince Jing" engraved at the very bottom.
Upon seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu gave a bitter smile.
She had originally planned to settle scores with Lu Jingze for concealing his identity, but she didn't expect that he had already clearly told her his identity.
Looking back now, I realize I was just too slow to realize it.
Wang Xiuxiu sighed softly, folded the letter again, and carefully put it away.
She never expected that Lu Jingze was actually born into the royal family of Daqian!
Recalling all the details of her past interactions with Lu Jingze, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but feel secretly annoyed: "I was so incredibly stupid!"
His seemingly casual actions clearly displayed the demeanor of someone who had long held a high position.
Wang Xiuxiu gently patted her chest, suppressing her complicated emotions.
Lu Jingze's status was so prominent, while she was all alone and helpless. Even though he treated her gently, Wang Xiuxiu could not ignore the gap between them.
She has already entered the Prince's residence; she needs to carefully consider how to proceed in the future.
Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard of Lanyue Pavilion. The crabapple blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, their petals falling like rain, as if adding a touch of poetry to her thoughts.
Wang Xiuxiu stood by the window, gazing at the sea of flowers, and gradually calmed down.
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