He pursed his lips and said, "So Jiaojiao wasn't worried about me, but just afraid of taking responsibility?"
"No, no..." Qingying placed her hands on her knees, nervously clutching her clothes, and said, "Axu, I'm really worried about your health."
"Don't be nervous." He smiled. "I've always been in good health. It's just a little aphrodisiac. How could it possibly harm me?"
Seeing that he seemed normal, Qingying breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject, "Tell me, why did Yuchi Wuyou put an aphrodisiac in this wine?"
Wei Huaixu frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "He originally intended to invite you for a drink today. The invitation was even sent to the General's Mansion. If something happened to you there, he would be held responsible. He wouldn't be so stupid as to blatantly tamper with the wine."
"You mean, someone else did the deed?"
"It's not certain yet. Before I went to Banxianju for the appointment, I had already ordered people to lie in wait nearby. Yuchi Wuyou's every move is under control. I estimate that it won't be long before we find out if it was him."
As he spoke, Wei Huaixu suddenly glanced outside the palace, then stood up, walked over, took her wrist, and led her outside. "Let's not think about these upsetting things for now. I'll take you to see the sunset."
Qingying thought to herself, what's so interesting about the sunset?
But he didn't actually say anything to politely refuse.
The Eastern Palace truly lives up to its reputation as the Crown Prince's palace, exuding magnificence in every aspect. In addition to the tall and spacious halls, every plant and tree outside the palace has been meticulously maintained by the palace servants.
Wei Huaixu put his arm around her waist and carried her up to the roof. Sitting on the glazed tiles, they could see the magnificent sunset, like rouge-dyed silk, softly spread across the pale blue sky. The huge red sun, like a disc, was already half-buried below the horizon. A breeze blew by, carrying the cool chill of October.
She often stayed in the inner quarters and had watched the sunset many times when she was bored, but she had never felt such a state of mind, such ease and freedom as she did at that moment.
Wei Huaixu turned his head to look at her. A breeze blew her long hair over, and he subconsciously reached out to catch it. He smelled the faint fragrance of orchids and twirled a strand of hair between his fingers.
Qingying also looked at him, propped her cheeks up with her hands, and asked, "A-Xu, I have never asked you why you chose to ask His Majesty for a marriage during the autumn hunt?"
"Because I'm eager to brand my own name onto yours."
Why?
"Time is running out, I'm afraid someone else will snatch it up if we're too late."
"What do you mean there's no time?" She blinked, puzzled.
Wei Huaixu smiled and said, "You'll be of marriageable age in just a few months. I'm afraid that too many people will come to propose marriage and wear down the threshold of the General's Mansion, and I won't be able to get a chance. So I'm making a reservation early."
Qingying was amused by his words, and said helplessly, "Am I that attractive to men?"
"Jiaojiao doesn't have a clear understanding of herself yet."
"Really?" She smiled gently, her eyes crinkling.
In fact, she always knew that she was beautiful. In this day and age, a woman's good looks can be a blessing or a curse.
She couldn't tell whether her appearance was a blessing or a curse. However, if it could make Wei Huaixu feel threatened and thus treat her sincerely, she felt it would be a fortunate thing.
"Hmm." Wei Huaixu looked into the distance. The sun was setting very quickly, disappearing into the ground almost in the blink of an eye. The clouds had also changed their attire, turning from a magnificent red-orange to a sky full of inky black.
"It's getting late, I'll take you home."
Qingying nodded.
Wei Huaixu helped her to the ground and then had a palace maid bring his own cloak for Qingying to wear.
"It's chilly at night, we can't let our Jiaojiao get cold."
Ever since the imperial decree of marriage was issued, he has become like a wild horse, increasingly unrestrained, constantly using terms like "mine" and "our family."
At first, Qingying felt awkward listening to it, but now she's starting to get used to it.
Wei Huaixu escorted her out of the palace.
The two walked side by side along the narrow palace path.
Qingying asked, "The Fourth Prince and General Chu have been engaged for some time now. Has the wedding date been set?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?" Wei Huaixu tilted his head to look at her, teasingly asking, "Are you in a hurry to marry me?"
Qingying had been teased by him so much that she had become a little thick-skinned. She said without changing her expression, "I was just asking because I was thinking about this matter."
Wei Huaixu immediately returned to seriousness and said, "The date is set for the beginning of next spring, the tenth day of the second month."
"So fast."
"Yes, the date that Consort Yan and Father Emperor agreed on together was probably because they didn't want Seventh Brother and Chu Lingyu to have any more entanglements."
Qingying nodded in understanding.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, Qingying was helped into the carriage by him. He told her to be careful on the road and then stepped aside. Yu Yue lowered the carriage curtain, and the coachman was ordered to drive the horse away.
...
That very night, news spread that Yuchi Wuyou had been poisoned.
Qingying was sleeping soundly when Yu Yue suddenly shook her awake. She groggily got up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and heard Yu Yue say, "Miss, the Emperor has sent someone to invite you to the palace immediately."
Only then did she realize what was happening. She quickly got out of bed, washed up and changed her clothes, and then followed the palace servants into the palace. To her surprise, she encountered Wei Huaixu outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.
She walked over, gently tugged at his sleeve, and whispered, "Did something happen?"
Wei Huaixu patted her hand reassuringly and said gently, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Yuchi Wuyou was just poisoned."
"Poisoned?" Qingying clicked her tongue slightly.
Is this really considered a small matter?
It seems that this matter is inextricably linked to them. If something happens to Yuchi Wuyou in Donglin Kingdom, Beiyue will definitely hold a grudge.
Wei Huaixu said, "He sent the invitation, he chose the venue, and he ordered the drinks. Don't worry, no matter what, he can't blame us."
Seeing how confident he was, Qingying finally felt relieved.
At this moment, a palace servant came and said that the emperor invited them into the hall for a talk, so the two of them entered the Hall of Diligent Governance one after the other.
Besides the Emperor, there were two envoys from Northern Yue in the hall, namely Lord Sima and Lord Wanyan. The two glared at them angrily as soon as they saw them.
Lord Wanyan said, "Our prince invited Miss Liu for a drink simply out of admiration for her, and had no other intentions. If Miss Liu was unwilling, she could have simply refused from the beginning. Why bring the crown prince along to humiliate her, and even risk our prince's life?"
Qingying looked surprised. "Your words have truly frightened me. Your Highness has come from afar and is a distinguished guest of our country. Donglin has always been a land of etiquette, and I have always treated you with courtesy. I have never had the slightest thought of harming Your Highness."
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