He probably didn't expect Lu Huai to know, so it wasn't him who told him.
Seeing her like this, Shu Hua rested her chin on her hand, somewhat bored: "Why are you worrying about this? Just go back and ask, why would Lu Changjue keep it from you?"
Hearing her say that, Qin Qi had no choice but to pull herself out of her thoughts and smiled shyly.
The group changed the subject and chatted about other things, which immediately lightened the atmosphere.
Princess Shanlai glanced at them, pursed her lips, and asked, "Zhaoyang...has left the capital?"
A slight silence fell over the room after these words were spoken.
Qin Xi and Shu Hua exchanged a glance, and the latter said, "Yes, only the Fourth Prince went to see them off that day."
Upon hearing this, Princess Shanlai sighed, opened her mouth, but said nothing.
Seeing that she hesitated to speak, Qin Qi patted her hand reassuringly, indicating that she shouldn't think too much about it.
Princess Shanlai smiled.
After glancing at the sun and hesitating for a moment, Qin Qi and Shu Hua took their leave. Princess Shanlai did not try to dissuade them, only saying that they should visit each other often.
...
After exchanging pleasantries, the two left the Third Prince's residence.
"This matter..." Qin Qi frowned, sitting in the swaying carriage. "It's somewhat unexpected..."
"You mean the matter between the princess and Commander Lu?" Shu Hua glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Or perhaps... the princess didn't go to see Zhao Xuanqing off?"
Qin Xi raised her eyes in surprise. Did Shu Hua really see things so clearly?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she chuckled. "Although I have never experienced any scheming or backstabbing, I am not a fool or an idiot."
“Zihui is naturally intelligent.” Qin Xi smiled, then looked puzzled. “I’ve always had my suspicions about my brother’s situation. But it’s strange that she didn’t see Zhao Xuanqing off.”
"oh?"
Seeing her raise an eyebrow, Qin Xi leaned closer and whispered, "Shanlai rarely leaves her room and has always given the impression of being kind and approachable. At the New Year's banquet that day, she was on very good terms with Zhao Xuanqing. Now, only a few months later, Zhao Xuanqing is in dire straits, yet she hasn't offered him any help, not even a farewell."
"How do you know she didn't go?" Shu Hua stroked her chin and guessed, "Perhaps the princess went in private, without your knowledge."
“Absolutely impossible.” Qin Qi shook her head, knowing full well what was going on: “I was watching from the city gate the whole time, and only Zhao Xuanyang went there, nothing else. I originally thought she didn’t know about it, but seeing her today, it’s clear she did know.”
Shu Hua understood, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Then there's only one other possibility..."
Qin Xi looked up: "Hmm?"
"Zhao Mingmiao is not as kind as he seems."
“But…” Qin Xi frowned: “I have met her a few times, and I have never sensed any negative emotions from her.”
“She is a princess, and both her parents are deceased,” Shu Hua said with a calm smile.
Suddenly something cleared up in Qin Xi's mind, and her brow relaxed.
Yes, no matter how kind-hearted Zhao Mingmiao is, she is still a princess, a member of the royal family. The imperial family is the most ruthless. She lost both her parents at a young age, and the entire Third Prince's mansion was supported by her alone, yet it remained peaceful.
Even Lu Chuan fell for her, so she must have some extraordinary qualities. She really shouldn't be fooled by appearances.
"This time, it's not as clear-headed as you are," Qin Xi said with a slow sigh and a smile.
Shu Hua sighed: "How could you not have thought of that? It's just that she seems too harmless. She showed you kindness on the first meeting and gained the favor of Commander Lu, so you naturally trust her."
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