Chapter 71 Contract Couple He Has Someone He Likes
During this conversation, both of them tacitly did not mention what happened in Kunning Palace.
In the afternoon of the second day, the East Palace's carriage stopped at General Lingyun's mansion.
Everyone in the mansion went to the front yard to welcome him respectfully.
Luo Wan looked up and saw the man leading the group was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips that held a smile. She had assumed that since he was Jiang Cichen's uncle, the Crown Prince of Yun would be in his forties, but she hadn't expected him to be so young.
Upon closer inspection, he did bear some resemblance to Jiang Cichen. However, Jiang Cichen's features were softer, while his features were more profound. He had a certain carefree and lazy air, yet also possessed the dignity and oppression of someone in high position.
While she was looking at Xiao Ce, Xiao Ce was also looking at her.
However, Luo Wan's gaze soon fell on the back of the prince. There was a young woman wearing a cherry-colored brocade dress with wide sleeves. She was younger than the prince.
The only woman who could come in and out with the Crown Prince so blatantly must be the Crown Princess.
The court robes of the Northern Kingdom and the Cloud Kingdom are completely different. The Northern Kingdom's are more luxurious and extravagant, while the Cloud Kingdom's are more dignified and exquisite.
The Crown Princess was wearing such a dignified and exquisite dress, but beneath these layers of gorgeous clothes, Luo Wan saw a pair of bright eyes that were extremely smart and unsteady, which were out of tune with this quiet dress.
Behind the Crown Princess, a woman was holding a chubby little boy, who was the little prince.
Xiao Ce smiled and said, "No need to be polite! No need to be polite!"
As he spoke, he had already put his arm around Jiang Cichen's shoulders and brought him aside. Xie Yan also naturally moved forward.
Chen Nanyuan loved the child very much. He and his wet nurse took the little prince running around the yard, from the front yard to the back yard, and from the back yard to the front yard.
There was a Qianqiu in the backyard of General Lingyun's mansion, left behind by Princess Xiao Qing when she was still here. It had long been eroded by wind and rain and was no longer usable, but yesterday the housekeeper saw a young lady coming to the mansion and repaired it overnight.
The Crown Princess sat on the swing, swaying back and forth, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
She looked at Luo Wan who was sitting on a stone bench beside her enjoying the breeze. If she was called a maid, her clothes and demeanor didn't seem like it; if she was called the eldest daughter of some family, it didn't seem entirely possible.
However, seeing that she seemed very familiar with Chen Nanyuan, the Crown Princess asked, "Are you also a guard beside General Lingyun?"
Luo Wan didn't understand, but nodded.
The Crown Princess asked again, "So you also know martial arts?"
Luo Wan said: "A little bit."
The Crown Princess smiled and led Luo Wan to the wall. Pointing at it, she said, "Then take me over! There's a fireworks display on River Street tonight. Take me with you and I'll treat you to a ride on a pleasure boat to watch the fireworks. How about that?"
Luo Wan shook her head and said, "If the Crown Princess wants to watch the fireworks, you can ask His Royal Highness to send a group of guards to escort you. I can't take you out privately. This is against the rules."
The Crown Princess stared at Luo Wan for a long while and said, "They say that women who have seen the world are different from women who stay in the boudoir. When I saw you, I felt that you were even more stubborn than me."
Luo Wan remained silent.
The Crown Princess continued, "Let me be honest with you. The Crown Prince will never send anyone to escort me to watch the fireworks. He and I are just victims of an arranged marriage. He has someone he loves, the young lady from the Xu family, and he wants to accompany her to watch the fireworks. The young lady from the Xu family is unhappy to see me, so why would he bring me along to spoil the fun?"
Luo Wan was stunned, but she heard that the prince clearly only had one wife, the Crown Princess, and no concubines.
The relationships among these aristocratic families are always complicated. They are accustomed to putting family interests above everything else. Naturally, they can easily destroy the happiness of several people in order to consolidate their power.
Luo Wan pondered for a moment and said, "Why don't we go back to the East Palace to watch the fireworks? They're flying in the sky anyway, so you can see them from anywhere. You can even ask the servants to build a high platform for you to sit on and watch."
The Crown Princess seemed to have not expected her to give such boring advice. She sat back on the swing in frustration, swayed a few times, and said sullenly, "Forget it. I miss Taotao. Go and bring him over for me."
Taotao is the little prince's nickname.
Luo Wan looked up at the high wall, and finally went to the front yard to find the little prince who was giggling because of Chen Nanyuan's amusements.
Soon, Luo Wan and Chen Nanyuan returned to the backyard with the young princess. The swing was still swaying gently, but the Crown Princess was no longer on it.
Luo Wan asked the servant who was tending the flowers and plants in the backyard. The servant pointed at the swing and was about to speak, but when he opened his mouth, he found that there was no one in sight, so he could only shake his head.
Chen Nanyuan asked, "Could he have gone somewhere else? The General's Mansion is huge. If he's never been here before, he might have gotten lost."
The little prince could already understand some words at this time, and was babbling while pointing at the wall.
Luo Wan touched the little prince's face and said softly, "You said your mother climbed over the wall and ran away, right?"
The young prince nodded heavily.
Luo Wan's guess was confirmed. It seemed that this Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace was not the first time to "climb over the wall to commit a crime". She was probably a habitual wall-climbing offender.
When she told Xiao Ce and Jiang Cichen about this, Xiao Ce's smiling brows instantly darkened.
In order to avoid making a sound, they secretly split into four groups, starting from General Lingyun's Mansion and searching in the four directions of east, west, south and north.
As the sky gradually darkened, Luo Wan followed Jiang Cichen and suddenly asked, "Do you know where in Yunjing City there are pleasure boats or small boats for people to enjoy?"
Jiang Cichen brought Luo Wan to Yunjinghe Street.
There are rows of wooden piles on both sides of the river, dotted with lanterns, and the warm light is reflected on the water, rippling with the waves.
There were some small boats at the mooring that hadn't left yet. Before the evening, Luo asked the boatman, "How many times does this boat usually circle the river before stopping?"
The boatman smiled and said, "It depends on how long you want to sit. If you have enough money, we can sail all night long without any problem."
Luo Wan was about to say something when Jiang Cichen's lazy voice came from behind him: "If you want to sit down, I can condescend to accompany you when I find someone."
Inexplicably, Luo Wan thought of the kiss last night. She said lightly, "No need."
Jiang Cichen didn't get angry at her usual cold rejection, and stood with her on the shore for a while.
Soon, a small boat slowly approached from a distance. After seeing the people on the boat clearly, Luo Wan said, "You can inform His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now."
Jiang Cichen followed her gaze and understood instantly.
The Crown Princess was seen sitting quietly in the boat awning, with several plates of exquisite snacks placed on a small table beside her.
Luo Wan added: "But can you wait until the fireworks are over before stopping the boat?"
Jiang Cichen crossed his arms and said leisurely, "If you want, then of course I can."
As he finished speaking, the small boat gradually approached them. Luo Wan's figure passed over the water and landed steadily on the bow of the boat.
The boat inevitably swayed slightly. Luo Wan looked at the flustered Crown Princess and smiled faintly, "Your Highness, good evening."
The Crown Princess suddenly jumped up, leaning out from under the awning and looking around nervously. After confirming that no guards from the Eastern Palace were coming to arrest her, she whispered to the person in front of her, "Why are you here?"
Luo Wan sat down beside her naturally and said, "It was the Crown Princess who asked me to take a boat ride to watch the fireworks. Did you forget?"
The Crown Princess involuntarily straightened her back and spoke in a dignified manner, "How could I forget what I said? I'm treating you." She pointed to the snacks in front of her and said, "Not only will I treat you to a boat ride, I'll also treat you to snacks."
The boat made another half circle.
Just at this moment, the first huge firework bloomed brilliantly in the night sky with a "bang", shining brightly. At this moment, the entire river channel also lit up, and the sparkling river surface reflected the fireworks in the sky.
The fireworks not only lit up the river street, but also illuminated an elegant teahouse beside the river.
Inside the teahouse, Jiang Cichen half-leaned against the window, his elbows resting on the window frame, looking at the small boat on the river below with interest.
The man opposite him had a sullen expression on his face from the moment he left the general's residence until he sat down in the teahouse, and there was no sign of easing.
The woman beside him carefully poured him a cup of hot tea and said soothingly, "Your Highness, calm down and have some tea."
Hearing the noise, Jiang Cichen turned around and said, "With Luo Wan by her side, nothing will happen."
Xiao Ce snorted heavily and said impatiently, "Why hasn't this round of fireworks finished yet?"
*
A round of fireworks was coming to an end, the lights were fading, and the boat was about to dock. The Crown Princess paid the boatman a few taels of silver.
However, as the boat approached the shore, the figures at the anchorage became clearer under the dim lanterns.
The Crown Princess' heart sank suddenly. Who else could that man standing with his hands behind his back, his face so cold it could freeze into ice, be but Xiao Ce?
Luo Wan also saw the figure on the shore clearly. He felt a chill all over his body and really didn't want to wait even a moment longer.
Behind Xiao Ce stood Jiang Ci Chen, who was leaning lazily against a bridge pile, with a cynical smile on his lips, even with a hint of anticipation for a good show.
The Crown Princess immediately pulled out a few taels of silver from her purse, stuffed them into the boatman's pocket, and said hurriedly, "Don't stop, don't stop. Go around again and stop at the next place."
The boatman didn't understand the situation. He had originally sat down, waiting for the boat to slowly row to the mooring. After being stuffed with silver, he stood up with a smile. As soon as his hands touched the oars, the boat was controlled by a strange force!
The prince's plainclothes guards had already thrown out a long rope with a hook, which locked the side of the boat tightly. Then, the boat was dragged towards the anchorage, wobbling.
As soon as the boat hit the shore, Xiao Ce stepped forward, frowned, and pulled the Crown Princess off the boat.
"Let go!" The Crown Princess staggered and was pulled by him for several steps before she angrily shook off his hand.
"You always run around like this!" Xiao Ce turned around, suppressing his anger, "Can't you just stay in the palace peacefully? You have to watch a fireworks display?!"
The Crown Princess looked up at him and retorted without giving in, "Why should I stay in the deserted East Palace while you can accompany your Miss Xu to watch the fireworks?"
Xiao Ce asked, "Can you compare with me?"
The Crown Princess sneered, "Of course I can't compare to you. You have many confidantes outside, but I don't have any lovers outside!"
"Song Yunshang!" Xiao Ce shouted angrily.
"Xiao Ce!" The Crown Princess retorted without showing any weakness, "What on earth are you dissatisfied with?"
Just as the situation was tense, a dignified and gentle woman walked out of the teahouse. She slowly approached Xiao Ce, shook his arm, and whispered, "Your Highness, what's the matter?"
Luo Wan's sixth sense told her that this person was the source of the quarrel between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, the Miss Xu they were talking about.
The Crown Princess caught sight of Miss Xu, took a deep breath, and said, "Xiao Ce, I've told you more than once that if you like her, take her into the Eastern Palace. You and I are a political marriage, devoid of affection, a couple in name only! I disdain to compete for favor, and I won't hurt her in the slightest. She can stay with you in the Eastern Palace day and night, and I can be free too. I don't have to stay in the Eastern Palace every time Yunjing celebrates a festival, for fear of being an eyesore and spoiling your fun!"
Xiao Ce retorted harshly, "Song Yunshang, who do you think you are? Why should Lian'er be inferior to you and become a concubine?"
The Crown Princess' eyes suddenly turned red with excitement, and she said, "Do you think I want to be the Crown Princess?!"
Xiao Ce said: "Then you shouldn't be one!"
Madam Xu frowned and tried to persuade him: "Your Highness..."
"Divorce!" The Crown Princess said firmly, "Tomorrow, no! Go to the palace now and see my father, the emperor, and my mother, the empress!"
Xiao Ce was startled by her resolute attitude, and then his anger grew even stronger: "Divorce if you want! Who's afraid of who? Whoever regrets is a dog!"
After saying this, he suddenly shook off Miss Xu's hand, grabbed the Crown Princess' wrist, and pulled her towards the palace.
The Crown Prince dragged the Crown Princess away, and the secret guards followed.
Miss Xu was left there. She pursed her lips and left silently.
Just at this moment, another firework roared into the sky and exploded brilliantly in the night.
Jiang Cichen snapped his fingers in front of Luo Wan, and Luo Wan came back to his senses from the quarrel.
Really want to...divorce?
Jiang Cichen, however, acted as if nothing had happened. He naturally took her wrist and walked towards the boat: "Come on, I'll take a boat ride with you."
Luo Wan stopped and said, "I've sat there before."
Jiang Cichen said, "Then sit with me."
Luo Wan tried to pull her hand back: "I'm sleepy."
Jiang Cichen didn't let go of her hand. Instead, he looked at her carefully for a moment in the dim light of the shore, and raised the corner of his lips: "Are you sleepy? I didn't see you looking tired at all when you were watching the excitement just now."
He exerted a little force on his hands and led her to the boat: "The river breeze will wake you up, just a little bit of fresh air will do the trick. Besides, don't you want to know whether they can get a divorce or not?"
Seeing that there was more business, the boatman hurriedly rowed away from the shore.
The boat slowly slid into the river, temporarily isolating itself from the hustle and bustle of the shore.
The night breeze blows on my face, bringing with it a slight coolness of moisture.
Luo Wan said: "Will they really get divorced?"
Jiang Cichen sat across from her in a leisurely manner. He chuckled softly upon hearing her words, and said firmly, "Divorce? It's just something said in anger."
Luo Wan asked: "Why?"
The Crown Prince had spoken, and the Crown Princess's attitude was resolute. Everything was so reasonable.
"The Song family's marriage to the royal family affects the entire Yunjing power balance." Jiang Cichen's voice was lazy, but to the point. "No matter how reckless His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is, he still knows the difference between personal preferences and the country."
"So," Luo Wan whispered, "are they destined to continue to torture each other like this?"
Jiang Cichen asked, "Is it torture?"
"That's not enough?"
Luo Wan felt that if one of them loved the other, it wouldn't be torture, but it just so happened that neither of them loved the other.
Jiang Cichen chuckled and said calmly, "In this world, there are many things that are beyond one's control and many people say one thing and mean another."
The boat drifted slowly, carrying two people, creating ripples.
When they reached the shore, Jiang Cichen stepped onto the stone steps first, turned around and extended his hand to Luo Wan very naturally. Luo Wan glanced at him and jumped directly onto the shore.
When the two returned to the general's mansion, they saw the butler already waiting at the door.
Seeing the two return, the housekeeper hurried forward and reported, "General, news just came from the palace that the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have angered the Empress and His Majesty, and are being punished by kneeling in the Fengxian Hall."
Luo Wan paused slightly and subconsciously looked at Jiang Cichen beside her, only to meet a pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, with a strong sense of aggression.
"What did I say?" he whispered.
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