Just as Qingying lay down to fall asleep, she was suddenly awakened by a rustling sound.
She cautiously peeked out from behind the bed curtains and looked around.
Everything inside the house seemed normal, but she was still a little worried, so she softly called out to Tongxia, who was keeping watch in the outer room.
"Stop calling, she can't hear you." A figure emerged from around the corner.
Upon seeing who it was, her guard lowered considerably. She leaned languidly against the bedpost, her eyes filled with allure, and smiled sweetly, "Why does Your Highness visit the General's residence? And why do you sneak into my boudoir at night?"
"I have come to ascertain your safety."
Wei Huaixu was dressed in a black python robe and black leather boots, clearly the attire of someone who had just come from the palace.
"Your Highness is overthinking it. As long as no one deliberately tries to frame me, I will have no safety issues at home."
Wei Huaixu sensed her veiled criticism, pursed his lips, and didn't respond. He casually pulled up a chair and sat down a few steps away from her bed.
"I received a letter today saying that you have been kidnapped."
"Why would Your Highness believe such a clumsy lie?"
He took out a white jade hairpin from his sleeve, held it between his fingers and gently rubbed it, saying, "At first I didn't believe it, until I saw this."
This is one of the pieces of white jade jewelry he gave Qingying when she came of age. Although he was in the northern border at that time, he still went to great lengths to find her a set of fine white jade jewelry as a congratulatory gift.
Qingying recognized it at a glance and was slightly surprised. "I have always kept this hairpin safe and sound, storing it in the storeroom with my dowry. I wonder when it was stolen?"
Wei Huaixu scrutinized her expression and asked, "Are you really completely unaware of this?"
She firmly stated, "I have absolutely no idea."
"I believe you."
He stood up, gently placed the hairpin on the table beside him, and said, "I'm sorry to have bothered you. You should get some rest."
He turned and walked outside.
"Wait a minute," Qingying whispered.
He stopped in his tracks and remained silent.
Qingying stared at his retreating figure, her breath catching involuntarily for a moment. She asked softly, "Where did you come from?"
“I’ve been outside the city,” he replied, seemingly unrelated to the question.
But this was already the answer Qingying wanted.
It was expected, but it was not entirely unexpected.
Wei Huaixu didn't hear her speak again, so he strode out of the house.
After leaving Qingying's bedroom, he nimbly closed the door and then leaped away.
...
Rumors about Liu Shushu and Prince An quickly spread throughout the capital.
Some people vividly described how Liu Shushu entered the Prince An's mansion dressed in her finest clothes that day and did not come out all night.
Some people have brought up the story of His Highness the Crown Prince kneeling outside the Yuqing Palace to beg the Emperor to cancel the engagement for Liu Shushu.
Then the rumors about Liu Shushu being promiscuous intensified.
These past few days, Liu Shushu hasn't even dared to leave her room, staying hidden inside all day. Madam Pan is frantic, pacing back and forth, tears streaming down her face as she tries to comfort her.
When Qingying heard this, she felt extremely pleased.
"Now how can she possibly have the time to pick a fight with me?"
Tong Xia massaged her shoulders from behind and said with a smile, "The eldest young master recently took up a post in Quzhou, so he probably doesn't intend to interfere in Liu Shushu's affairs anymore."
"It's already good enough that he didn't just run away in a huff after being so badly deceived by his beloved younger sister."
Yu Yue said, "But what's the difference between him hiding in Quzhou and running away in a fit of pique?"
"At least he'll come back." Qingying leisurely ate the grapes that Yu Yue had peeled.
However, their joy lasted only two days before new news arrived, catching them completely off guard—Wei Huaixu had come to their door with betrothal gifts to propose marriage.
"Has he been cursed? He's practically begging to be cuckolded!" Qingying rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Tongxia quickly fanned her to calm her down, saying, "Miss, it's not worth getting upset over someone like that. It's bad luck."
"Yes, yes, you're right." She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to finally calm herself down a bit, but she still couldn't understand, "Has Wei Huaixu's ambition really grown to this extent? Even so, he still insists on taking the Liu family's military power..."
No, perhaps he's always been ambitious. His deliberate approach to me was simply because I was the only girl in the Liu family at the time.
If Liu Shushu hadn't gotten lost, given her awkward status, they might never have crossed paths in their entire lives.
It's all because she has the backing of the Liu family...
What talk of a lifetime commitment, of vows of eternal love, is nothing but a pursuit of self-interest and power struggles.
She couldn't help but bitterly mock herself: "I knew it from the beginning, but I still made a stupid mistake, thinking I would be the exception."
Seeing her gloomy expression and dejected look, Yu Yue couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. She comforted her, saying, "Miss, you are inexperienced in the ways of the world. He deliberately approached you and took every step with ulterior motives. It's not surprising that you fell for his trick. Just be aware of his true nature in the future."
"Never mind, you don't need to comfort me. Just let me have some peace and quiet."
Qingying waved her hand, dismissing everyone in the room.
Meanwhile, in the front hall, Madam Pan was beaming with joy as she looked at the betrothal gifts that filled half the room.
"The matter is urgent, and I have not had time to make all the necessary preparations before coming to propose marriage. I only wish to marry Shushu as soon as possible to silence the gossips outside. If there is anything inappropriate, I hope Madam will point it out frankly." Wei Huaixu's attitude was respectful and polite, leaving no room for criticism.
Pan steadied herself, maintaining the dignified demeanor of a noble lady, and said with a smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's complete trust in my Shushu has already moved me deeply. Unfortunately, my master is away on an inspection tour and cannot see Your Highness in person. I will send a letter to inform him so that he can return soon to preside over the wedding between Your Highness and my Shushu."
"I know that the General has been assigned to inspect Qingzhou. Marriage is a matter for parents to decide and matchmakers to arrange. I can wait."
Sitting below Madam Pan, Liu Shushu's expression was completely different from Madam Pan's joy. Her face was calm, but her eyes, fixed on Wei Huaixu, held a deep resentment.
Seeing that the two had almost finished their discussion, she spoke up, saying, "This humble woman has some matters she would like to discuss with His Highness the Crown Prince privately. Is that convenient?"
Wei Huaixu glanced at Madam Pan, who immediately understood and stood up, rubbed her forehead, and bowed, saying, "This humble woman is feeling a little tired, so I will take my leave now."
Once Madam Pan left, Liu Shushu dismissed everyone else in the room, leaving only her and Wei Huaixu staring at each other.
"Why propose marriage at a time like this?" Liu Shushu's voice was extremely cold.
"I have already explained the reason."
"Heh..." Liu Shushu scoffed and said sarcastically, "Yin Shuli, don't try to fob me off with such high-sounding reasons. Don't think I don't know that you were involved in making this rumor spread so quickly."
"Don't mention that name!" Wei Huaixu narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression as cold as ice.
"Oh~ After being the noble Crown Prince for so long, have you forgotten your original identity? If I had known you would scheme against me like this, I shouldn't have risked the world's condemnation to protect you, you lowly... uh..."
Before she could finish speaking, she was grabbed by the neck and lifted off the ground. The feeling of suffocation overwhelmed her. She helplessly tried to pry at the hands that were holding her neck, but she was no match for their strength, and her face turned a liverish color from the effort.
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