Chapter 139 An Accidental Encounter with Zhen Huan
"Wan Changzai? Oh, that's the one who looks a lot like Consort Wan. No wonder you look familiar."
Hongzhou seemed oblivious to anything amiss, and his careless words caused Zhen Huan's stern face to stiffen, making her even more uncomfortable with Hongzhou.
Having heard about Hongzhou's situation earlier, Zhen Huan felt somewhat sorry for him. But now, seeing Hongzhou's current state and recalling how he "bullied" Hongli, Zhen Huan realized she had misjudged him.
Sure enough, how could the Empress's adopted son be pitiful? He even had the audacity to bully his elder brother; he was probably just faking it all.
Huanbi, who grew up by Zhen Huan's side, was indeed very much in sync with her, and compared to Zhen Huan, Huanbi was even less likely to hide her thoughts.
"Fifth Prince, how can you speak to our young master like that?"
"Who do you think you are, daring to reprimand my fifth brother?" Hongli pulled Hongzhou behind him and glared angrily at Huanbi. Even though he was young, the royal bearing he possessed was something that little Huanbi could not bear.
Feeling the pressure, Huanbi's expression changed, and she couldn't help but shrink back. This time, she realized that the person standing opposite her was a prince, someone she couldn't easily offend.
"This servant knows her mistake, Your Highness..."
Huanbi couldn't help but ask Zhen Huan for help. Zhen Huan just gave her a reproachful look, instinctively protected her, and then looked at Hongli gently.
“Fourth Prince, Huanbi didn’t mean it. She was just standing up for me,” Zhen Huan said, feeling an unusual warmth towards Hongli and wanting to be closer to him. “As an elder brother, it’s very responsible of you to stand up for your younger brother. But sometimes you don’t have to compromise yourself. You should think more about yourself…”
Hongli looked at the strange, incessantly chattering woman before him. Even though her gaze was gentle, he couldn't help but feel a chill. Sure enough, those who resembled Consort Wan often had equally strange personalities.
Seeing Zhen Huan intentionally approaching, Hongli's eyes widened instantly, and he shouted sharply, "Don't come any closer!"
"Fourth Prince?" Zhen Huan was puzzled and felt a little wronged. She was only thinking of the Fourth Prince and couldn't bear to see him being bullied, so why was the Fourth Prince so hostile towards him?
"You, a mere concubine, not only fail to bow to us, but also utter strange words. What are your intentions?" Hongli protected Hongzhou and took a few steps back, filled with apprehension towards Zhen Huan.
"Fourth Prince..."
Hiding behind Hongli, Hongzhou secretly glanced at Zhen Huan's expression, then tugged at Hongli's sleeve. "Fourth brother is really not smart. They're just two kids. What's the point of arguing with two crazy women like this? Let's run!"
"Fourth Brother, let's go."
As soon as Hongzhou spoke, Hongli met his gaze and realized what was happening. He then used his eyes to intimidate Zhen Huan, forbidding them from moving, before grabbing Hongzhou's hand and running away.
Seeing the two young princes run far away, Huanbi's arrogance rose again. "Why are you running? You have no manners at all. You are still their stepmother. It's such a waste of your kindness."
"Alright, he is a prince after all." Zhen Huan was a little embarrassed and annoyed by Hongli's rejection. She only said a few words to Huanbi, not that she really disagreed with her.
Since entering the palace, Zhen Huan's life had been too uneventful. Although she hadn't faced any major difficulties, she always felt uneasy. Now, seeing that the Fourth Prince was unwilling to accept her good intentions, she felt disappointed, thinking that he was only afraid of the Empress's power. She couldn't help but feel that there was indeed no true affection in the palace. Even a young prince only knew how to weigh the pros and cons.
Zhen Huan sighed softly and left, taking Huan Bi's hand. Just then, a little girl, covered in leaves and dirt, emerged from the flower bushes not far away, looking lost in thought.
"Garudai! Where have you been playing again?"
In Yikun Palace, when Nian Shilan saw her daughter covered in filth, she felt a lump in her throat and her face turned red with anger.
"Mother—" Garuda tried to approach with a fawning smile, but Nian Shilan poked her forehead with a finger, preventing her from going any further.
"Don't come near me until you're clean."
"Mother—"
"Before I lose my temper..."
"Aunt Songzhi, quick, take Garuda to wash up!"
Before her beautiful mother could get angry, the quick-witted Garuda hurriedly left, washed herself clean, and then snuggled into Nian Shilan's arms to act coquettishly.
"Mother, have you missed me?"
"Miss you? Miss you rolling around in the mud." Nian Shilan rolled her eyes in annoyance. The Emperor was dignified, and she was also a person who loved beauty. How come her daughter was so lively, too lively.
Despite her feigned dislike, Nian Shilan still hugged Garuda's soft little body into her arms and couldn't help but smile.
"No, Mother. I've discovered a secret." Garuda looked around, leaned close to Nian Shilan's ear, and whispered.
Nian Shilan rubbed her itchy ears, amusedly looking at the mischievous Garuda, and said in an exaggerated manner, "Oh, what secret has our Garuda discovered?"
“Mother,” Garuda looked at her disapprovingly, “I already said it’s a secret, don’t shout so loudly.”
"Alright, alright, then you can secretly tell your mother." Nian Shilan was both amused and exasperated, not taking her secret seriously. But she still hugged Garuda up even higher, pretending to listen attentively.
Garuda carefully looked around to make sure the others weren't too close, then leaned close to Nian Shilan's ear and said, "Wan Changzai wants to be Fourth Brother's mother."
"What? What is it? Who?" Nian Shilan was shocked and puzzled, never expecting Galuda to say such a thing.
It seemed like a joke, but the two people who had nothing in common suddenly came together because of Garuda's words. Either someone said something on purpose, or Garuda saw something.
Thinking of this, Nian Shilan's eyes sharpened, fearing that someone wanted to use Garuda, and she asked seriously, "How did Garuda know? Tell your mother, okay?"
Garuda smiled sweetly, quite pleased with her mother's shocked reaction. Sure enough, even her mother didn't know this secret; she truly was the most well-informed person in the palace.
So, she put her arms around Nian Shilan's neck and explained in detail what she had been curious about—what her fourth brother had given Hongzhou—she had secretly hidden in the flower bushes to peek, and what she had seen—Wan Changzai flattering her fourth brother and bullying Hongzhou.
"Fourth Brother and Hongzhou are both incredibly stupid. Garuda saw it clearly. The way Consort Wan looked at Fourth Brother was that she wanted to be his mother, but neither of them could see it. But then again, Fourth Brother, who gave the seal, and Hongzhou, who received it, weren't exactly bright to begin with..."
As Garuda spoke, her words drifted off-topic, and she began to complain about her two older brothers. But Nian Shilan, who understood everything, raised an eyebrow and revealed a meaningful smile.
Zhen Huan is quite bold, but I wonder if Consort Xi knows that her son is being coveted?
Unable to contain her mischievous impulse, Nian Shilan summoned Songzhi and instructed her, "Go and send a set of writing materials to Yongshou Palace. Tell Consort Xi that if she doesn't have time to raise her son, she can send him to Yikun Palace as well. Don't let her provoke just any Tom, Dick, or Harry and rub the princes' face."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
