Like Xueying, Hongzhou was also feeling melancholy. Ever since learning that Hongli's wedding had been moved up, he had been depressed and hadn't come out of his room for days. The maids and palace servants didn't know why Hongzhou was unhappy and couldn't comfort him, so they could only tell Gengshi the news.
The next day, Hongzhou came to Xianfu Palace to pay his respects to Madam Geng. Seeing Hongzhou's thin figure, Madam Geng asked with unease, "Mother heard that you have been staying in your room these past few days and have not wanted to see anyone. Have you encountered some difficulties?"
Madam Geng knew that she and Hongzhou were not related by blood, but she treated Hongzhou like her own son. She cared about everything concerning Hongzhou, no matter how small. She could tell from just a small glance from Hongzhou that he was hiding something on his mind.
Hongzhou, not wanting Geng to worry, stubbornly smiled and said, "It's nothing, Mother, you're overthinking it..." He then walked to Geng's table, looked at the wooden box on it, and found a brand-new set of writing implements inside. He asked curiously, "What's this for? Does Mother want to practice calligraphy too?"
Madam Geng patted Hongzhou's hand, and Hongzhou carefully put down the inkstone, smiling, "Mother doesn't have the leisure for such elegance; this is a wedding gift for the Fourth Prince..."
Hongzhou's expression changed drastically, while Gengshi was busy packing up the box: "I never imagined that the Fourth Prince would receive so many valuable gifts on his wedding day. Your mother didn't have anything worthwhile to offer. I'm usually favored by Consort Xi, and knowing that the Fourth Prince enjoys practicing calligraphy, I specially asked someone to find these fine writing implements..."
Hongzhou turned his head to the side expressionlessly and muttered, "Hongli is finally getting married."
Madam Geng scolded, "Hongzhou, why are you unhappy? Hongli is your brother, you should be happy for him getting married..."
Hongzhou said dismissively, "Mother, I am not unhappy."
Madam Geng's heart sank. She thought of Hongzhou's feelings for Xueying before. She thought that he had long forgotten them after so long, but she did not expect Hongzhou to react so strongly. She asked, "Hongzhou, tell your mother honestly, are you still entangled with Princess Xueying?"
Hongzhou was somewhat angry and said indignantly, "Mother, what are you thinking? Xueying is a good girl, and she has already been betrothed to Hongli as a concubine."
Geng asked anxiously, "Then why are you still unhappy about the Fourth Prince marrying Xueying?"
Hongzhou glanced at Madam Geng, feeling extremely aggrieved, and blurted out, "Son, I just feel sorry for Xueying. What if she suffers injustice in the future? I will never let her suffer such injustice..."
Madam Geng quickly covered Hongzhou's mouth, anxiously saying, "Shut up! Do you know that Princess Xueying is now the Fourth Prince's concubine? Don't say anything more about her and you, it will only harm her and yourself..."
Hongzhou took a deep breath, nodded, and realized he had gone a bit too far. He apologized, "I understand, I was rash... Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing..."
With a worried expression, Madam Geng earnestly advised Hongzhou, "Child, it's not that your mother is forcing you, but you must forget Princess Xueying. She has nothing to do with you anymore, understand?"
To avoid worrying Madam Geng, Hongzhou nodded solemnly.
After Hongzhou left, Geng felt uneasy. Recalling the way Hongzhou rushed over, she was so frightened that she was restless all day.
The next day, Madam Geng decided to ask Lanqin to arrange a marriage for Hongzhou and dispel his thoughts about Xueying as soon as possible.
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