"Perhaps he's too busy with official duties to find the time. Father has been busy in his study these past few days," Qin Xi said.
"You certainly know how to talk. Alright, I'm tired and I've seen everything. You should all go back early. Tell Green Screen to bring the luminous pearl His Majesty bestowed upon you. Consider it my wedding gift to you. Don't be upset that I couldn't be there."
Green Screen was Consort Qin's personal maid, brought into the palace from the Prime Minister's residence.
“How could Yizhi not be happy? As long as Aunt is doing well, Yizhi is happy,” Qin Xi said with a smile. Of course, she knew why Consort Qin, as her own aunt, was not present. Emperor Yuming disliked the Prime Minister’s residence so much that he would naturally not allow her to go.
"Well then, hurry back. When you return to your parents' home in a couple of days, remember to give my regards to your brother."
-
The two walked out of the Niao Na Palace, and Qin Qi breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to go back.
Seeing that she made no move to hold his hand, Lu Huai instantly became annoyed. She had taken his hand when they arrived, so why wouldn't they hold hands on the way back? Was it because the Empress had mentioned the Fourth Prince?
Lu Huai grew angrier the more he thought about it, but he was too embarrassed to say it out loud, so he could only keep it to himself.
So he snorted, successfully attracting Qin Xi's attention.
"What's wrong?" Qin Xi stopped and asked.
"snort!"
"Hmm?" Qin Xi tilted her head.
Lu Huai gave her a very displeased look: "You're not keeping your promise."
Qin Xi was completely bewildered: What the hell is this?!
Seeing that she still looked puzzled, Lu Huai tightened his lips in anger and walked ahead.
Qin Xi stood there pondering for a while, but couldn't figure it out. She shook her head and prepared to catch up with Lu Huai.
"Sister Qi!"
Qin Xi turned her head and saw that it was the Fourth Prince calling her.
"Sister Qi!"
The fourth prince walked up to her and reached out to take her hand. Qin Qi quickly took a step back and bowed to him, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince."
The fourth prince, having missed his target, awkwardly withdrew his hand: "Sister Qi, get up quickly. Why are you so distant these days? Don't you call me Brother Qi Yu anymore?"
Qin Xi pursed her lips and remained silent. She hadn't seen the Fourth Prince when she arrived, but now he had suddenly intercepted her; it was quite clear who had tipped her off.
Seeing that she remained silent, the Fourth Prince spoke again: "Sister Qi, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Would you like to come and see them with me?"
"Thank you, Your Highness," Qin Qi curtsied, "but my husband is waiting for me ahead and cannot keep me company any longer. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince was somewhat stunned. Seeing Qin Qi about to leave, he quickly reached out and grabbed her: "Sister Qi..."
He gripped her wrist tightly. Qin Xi struggled to break free, but to no avail.
"Your Highness, please have some self-respect!" She frowned, her hand still exerting force.
"Sister Qi, come with me to see the flowers." The Fourth Prince tried to pull her away, but she was pushed away forcefully.
Qin Xi's wrist was finally freed, but it was grabbed by another hand, with a grip almost as strong as the Fourth Prince's, leaving her wrist red. Qin Xi looked up and saw that it was Lu Huai who had returned.
"My wife and I have other matters to attend to, so I'm afraid we can't accompany Your Highness on your visit."
Lu Huai had assumed Qin Xi would come and stop him once he left, but to his surprise, she just stood there in a daze, which made him feel a little annoyed. However, he was too embarrassed to stop, so he could only walk slower and slower. But when he was almost at the corner, Qin Xi still hadn't caught up. When he came back and saw the two of them arguing, his anger suddenly flared up.
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