Chapter 5: The Crown Prince
Prince Qi Shuo of Prince Jing does not have a strong presence in the capital.
Prince Jing and Princess Jing have two sons and one daughter: the eldest son Qi Shuo, the second son Qi Huan, and the daughter Qi Qiong.
Eight years ago, Emperor Tai'an summoned the princes to the capital, and from then on, the various princes resided there permanently. Prince Jing fell ill on his way to the capital, and since arriving, he has remained a secluded household, unlike his younger brother, Qi Huan, who frequently partied with the nobles.
Qi Shuo is now nineteen years old. Years of quiet life have made him less ostentatious and arrogant like a royal noble, and more calm and gentle.
Seeing her son coming in, Princess Jing raised the corners of her lips unconsciously: "Is Shuo'er okay?"
Qi Shuo greeted Princess Jing and explained his purpose: "Have you heard the rumors outside, Mother?"
Whether it was a lady from a noble family peeping at the young prince or a mute speaking, it was far beyond the scope of ordinary gossip, not to mention that it happened in her own courtyard, so Princess Jing naturally heard about it.
She picked up the teacup and took a sip, then asked calmly, "What did Shuo'er hear?"
"People are saying that Miss Wen... was peeping at her son..."
Princess Jing raised her eyebrows slightly: "Isn't it?"
Although what she heard from her two children was different, she didn't believe that Shuoer cried for help at that time.
Doesn't she understand her son?
Princess Jing looked at her eldest son deeply, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Of course not. My son told me yesterday that Miss Wen climbed over the wall because she heard me cry for help."
Princess Jing stared at her son, who was as tall and thin as a bamboo, and felt puzzled.
Why does Shuo'er protect the second daughter of the Wen family so much?
No matter what I think in my heart, my son has said so, and as a mother, I can't ruin his words.
Princess Jing laughed and said, "People love to spread rumors. It's not surprising that rumors like this arise."
Qi Shuo's expression became serious: "But this kind of rumor will ruin a woman's reputation."
"So what is Shuo'er's plan?"
"Mother, why don't you send some gifts to the Wen Mansion as a token of your gratitude?"
The Jing Palace took the initiative to send gifts to the Wen Palace, acknowledging that the second Miss Wen had climbed over the wall in order to rescue the Jing Prince. This way, people would at least not mention such rumors openly.
Princess Jing glanced at Qi Shuo, with a half-smile in her eyes: "Shuo'er is really thoughtful."
Qi Shuo lowered his eyes, a look of shame on his face: "Second Miss Wen was trying to save her son after all."
Princess Jing's lips twitched, and she could no longer agree.
"Ahem." She picked up the teacup and said calmly, "Even if that's the case, it will also affect Second Miss Wen's marriage prospects in the future. You know, people only believe what they want to believe."
Qi Shuo seemed to have not expected this, and raised his eyebrows: "If that's the case... since my son hasn't married yet, mother can go to the Wen Mansion to propose marriage--"
"Cough, cough, cough!" Princess Jing choked on the tea and started coughing violently.
The maid beside her patted her back.
Princess Jing waved her hand to signal the maid to go aside, and looked at her son as if she had seen a ghost: "Mother has just finished breakfast, it is not appropriate for her to listen to jokes that will cause such emotional upheavals."
"My son, I'm not kidding. Miss Wen is trying to save my son after all."
Princess Jing almost forgot her proper manners and rolled her eyes. She took a deep breath and said, "Son, I know you are kind and generous. You don't have to make such a sacrifice..."
Qi Shuo chuckled, "It's not a sacrifice. Miss Wen is a beauty, and her family background is not bad. If she really can't get married because of her son, it would be the best of both worlds for her son to marry her."
Princess Jing couldn't help herself any longer and slammed the table: "Shuo'er, are you attracted by her beauty?"
Her eldest son, the prince of Prince Jing's Mansion, is actually a womanizer!
Qi Shuo looked confused: "What kind of daughter-in-law does mother like? Must she be of ordinary appearance——"
"That's impossible." Princess Jing flatly denied it.
Of course her daughter-in-law must be a beauty, otherwise wouldn't it affect the appearance of her future grandchildren?
Well, if you put it that way, Miss Wen Er is quite suitable.
Princess Jing finally understood and calmly sipped her tea. "Shuo'er is nineteen this year, and it's time for him to get married. Since you think it's a good idea, I'll discuss it with your father. If he has no objection, I'll ask someone to ask the Wen family for their opinion..."
Qi Shuo was surprised that Princess Jing's attitude changed so quickly, and he was stunned for a moment.
"Shuo'er?"
Qi Shuo came back to his senses: "My mother called me?"
Princess Jing sighed: "Why are you so absent-minded again when it comes to proposing marriage?"
Qi Shuo blushed slightly: "Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. My son will listen to you and has no opinions."
Princess Jing's mouth twitched fiercely, and she said unhappily, "If you have nothing else to do, go back. It's time for mother to take charge of things."
"My son, I'm leaving."
As soon as Qi Shuo left, Princess Jing hurriedly said, "Pearl, give me a shoulder massage."
Sooner or later, I will be driven to heartbreak by my two sons!
Luoyingju was filled with bright spring sunshine. Wen Hao finally had a good sleep. Baozhu, who had been bought, was carried to the yard on his back and sat on a rattan chair to bask in the sun.
"Peony, go and bring Lin Xiaohua here." Wen Hao casually instructed a little maid in the yard.
The little maid answered yes and ran towards the moon gate leading to the back. Soon she came back leading a donkey.
The little donkey was gray all over, with only a tuft of white hair on its head. As soon as it saw Wen Hao, it enthusiastically rubbed her hand.
This was the birthday gift her grandfather gave Wen Hao when she was thirteen years old.
Compared with a horse, a donkey is shorter and more docile, making it perfect for a little girl to ride.
Wen Hao touched the little donkey's head and smoothed its fur.
At that time, she realized the plot of her father and stepmother, and it was Lin Xiaohua who took her away. Xiaohua carried her on her back and ran, and finally died at the hands of the bandits.
"Why is my second cousin in the yard?" A young man walked in from the gate.
Wen Hao placed one hand on the donkey's back and looked at the person who came.
The one who came was her cousin Cheng Shu, but to be honest, he had no blood relationship with her.
Cheng Shu's father was General Lin's adopted son. After marrying and having Cheng Shu, he left for a distant land. Cheng Shu grew up in the general's mansion, calling Lin his aunt and treating the Wen sisters as cousins.
Wen Hao watched Cheng Shu approach and called out, "Cousin."
The girl's voice was sweet and clear, and Cheng Shu's eyes flashed with surprise: "Second cousin, you can really speak!"
The boy's pure and unconcealed joy made Wen Hao feel a little complicated.
A few months before her grandfather passed away, she arranged for Cheng Shu to serve in the Jinwu Guard. Later, due to a series of changes, she fled the capital. Three years later, she returned and secretly inquired about the situation. She found out that Cheng Shu had become a feared Jinlin Guard with a bad reputation.
Out of caution, she did not dare to contact Cheng Shu, and she did not know why he became the Jinlin Guard that her grandfather hated.
"Why is my cousin here? Isn't he on duty today?" In the sunshine, Wen Hao tilted his head and smiled, sorting out his chaotic thoughts.
"I heard that my second cousin can speak, so I took a leave of absence to come and see her." The handsome young man smiled with his white teeth.
Wen Hao seemed to be in high spirits and asked with a smile, "Is this all I've heard, cousin?"
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