Chapter 446 Originally, I was trying to plead for you.
The Prince of Lingnan could guess some of Zhu Junning's thoughts. He too had been young and impetuous, and could understand Zhu Junning's feelings at this moment. This daughter was intelligent; as long as it didn't affect the overall situation, she wouldn't interfere too much.
The voice of the Prince of Lingnan's attendant came from outside. He put down his teacup and said, "Come in." The study door was pushed open, and the attendant, dressed in gray, bowed and walked in. After bowing, he said, "Your Highness, news has come from the Dali Temple that the Second Young Master is temporarily detained in the Imperial Prison."
The Prince of Lingnan and Zhu Junning exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes. The Prince of Lingnan waved for his attendants to leave, then said, "It seems the Emperor wants to appease us first and buy some time."
Zhu Junning nodded in agreement, "We should find an excuse to leave as soon as possible. As long as we return to Lingnan, even if the court has highly lethal weapons, the emperor will not easily take action."
"Hmm, I'll write the memorial in a bit." The Prince of Lingnan said thoughtfully, "Contact Xie Ning'an as soon as possible, and meet with him before you leave."
Zhu Junning nodded. "When will you meet with your great-uncle?"
The Prince of Lingnan frowned slightly. "His situation isn't good either. The Emperor already knows about his relationship with me, so we may have to wait a while. However, we must meet before we leave the capital."
Zhu Junning looked worried. "I'm afraid Grandmother wants to meet with Uncle as soon as possible."
The Prince of Lingnan impatiently straightened his sleeves. "You should try to persuade your grandmother more and tell her about the current situation."
"Yes." Zhu Junning knew that Pei Tinglan was not so easy to persuade, but she had to agree to this. She was also afraid that Pei Tinglan would cause trouble that they couldn't handle.
The Prince of Lingnan knew she was in a difficult position, and said, "Have the people in your grandmother's courtyard report to you immediately if anything happens. During your time in the capital, you should put in extra effort."
"I understand, daughter," Zhu Junning replied respectfully immediately.
.........
Jiang Yu lifted the curtain and stepped out of the imperial study, only to find that the sun was already setting. Just as she stepped out of the palace gate, she caught a glimpse of a familiar carriage parked under the old locust tree at the street corner. With its blue curtains and white drapes, it was the very carriage that Prince Rui often rode in.
She subtly withdrew her gaze, turned and boarded her carriage, softly instructing the driver as she lifted the curtain: "To the government office."
The carriage rumbled dully as it headed towards the government office. After passing the archway at the street corner, she saw through the reflection in the carriage window that Prince Rui's carriage was also slowly starting up behind hers, following at a distance of about two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).
As they reached the crossroads, the carriage turned and headed in another direction. Jiang Yu glanced at the departing carriage and couldn't help but chuckle softly. Upon arriving at the government office, she changed into plain everyday clothes and then took a carriage to the quiet West Street.
There was a teahouse there, owned by the Duke of Chu's mansion, where the two had met before. The waiter led her around the corridor and lifted the curtain to enter a private room. There she saw Prince Rui, chin in hand, gazing absently at the street scene outside the window. The copper bells hanging from the eaves swayed gently, and shards of sunlight fell on his hair, making him appear even more radiant than the spring sunshine outside the window.
"A gentleman as fine as jade, unparalleled in the world." Jiang Yu gazed at his profile and couldn't help but admire him softly in her heart.
Prince Rui heard the noise and turned around. When he saw her, his eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly stood up to greet her. He subconsciously reached out to pull Jiang Yu up, but after raising his fingertips only half an inch, he withdrew them, and the tips of his ears seemed to turn red.
Seeing his nervous and helpless appearance, Jiang Yu chuckled softly, then took a step forward, gently tugged at his sleeve, and pulled him towards the tea table.
Prince Rui's body stiffened for a moment, and his cheeks flushed red. He secretly regretted why he had pulled his hand back earlier. Thinking this, his body involuntarily followed Jiang Yu's steps, though his hands and feet moved somewhat in sync.
"Pfft." Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Prince Rui then realized his embarrassment and chuckled softly, though the tips of his ears remained red. His laughter dispelled the previous awkwardness, and the atmosphere between the two became much more relaxed.
After taking their seats, Prince Rui rose to prepare tea. As he picked up the tea caddy, his long, slender fingers, like jade, gently tilted it, and the emerald green tea leaves fell softly into the purple clay teapot...
Jiang Yu was lost in thought until a steaming cup of tea was placed before her, and the delicate fragrance of orchids wafted into her nostrils, bringing her back to her senses. She took the cup, sipped the tea, and then saw Prince Rui looking at her with a hint of probing in his eyes: "Did the Empress Dowager speak to you today?"
Jiang Yu put down her teacup and nodded gently. Prince Rui pursed his lips, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the teacup. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, "These past few days I've been attending to my mother, and she keeps mentioning my marriage. I...I just..."
His eyelashes drooped slightly, casting a faint shadow under his eyes, and his face showed a hint of tension. Jiang Yu frowned slightly, and then saw Prince Rui raise his eyes and look at her, saying, "I told the Empress Dowager that I was in love with you, but you... are focused on politics and your family, and have no interest in love."
"So, the Empress Dowager spoke to me today to plead for you?" Jiang Yu's fingers, which were holding the teacup, paused slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Prince Rui, fearing she would think he had acted without permission, looked at her with a hint of nervousness. Seeing him like this, Jiang Yu wondered if she had been too domineering in their daily interactions.
But she still lowered her eyes, deliberately making sure Prince Rui couldn't see her emotions. Then, when he became even more nervous, she raised her smiling eyes and said in an exaggerated tone, "Your Highness, you are so clever. This method is excellent."
The tense Prince Rui was taken aback by her sudden praise, and it took him a moment to recover. When he looked up, he met her smile. Her eyes were slightly curved at the corners, like warm crescent moons, and her eyes were full of mischievous light. Her adorable appearance melted his heart like spring water.
His heart began to stir again, and his hand on the table twitched slightly as he silently encouraged himself. His slender hand moved forward, and his fingertips gently covered the hand he had longed for for so long. That hand, calloused from years of holding a pen, was unusually warm at this moment, and his heart skipped a beat the instant he touched it.
"I'm glad you don't resent me for acting on my own initiative," Prince Rui said softly, looking into her eyes.
Her hand was enveloped in warmth, and Jiang Yu could almost hear her own heart pounding. Her face flushed. She moved her fingers slightly, grasping his well-defined hand. Her eyes shone with a gentle light as she said, "Although we should discuss matters before making decisions, in urgent situations, we must act expediently. Your Highness..."
Her hand was gripped tightly, and Prince Rui's voice interrupted her, "He'an, call me He'an."
His eyes held a stubbornness and determination. Jiang Yu smiled and called out softly, "Ah He."
Prince Rui grinned, his whole being seemingly radiant. He stared intently at Jiang Yu's face and said with a smile, "Yu'er."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
