“Mother, you are Father’s legal wife, how can there be someone you can’t control? Princess Niu is just a princess, she should naturally be under your control.” The Third Prince couldn’t help but say this when he saw that his wife seemed to have some unspeakable difficulty. Because he saw that his wife had a helpless expression when she mentioned Princess Niu.
“Third Prince, in the end, your father is the master of all these people. He now dotes on Princess Niu, and your stepmother often has to give her a wide berth,” the Fujin said.
The Third Prince recalled Mingyan's words: now it was Lady Niu who had replaced the mistress's position. The Third Prince also knew that what the Fujin had just said was true, because when Lady Li was alive, she had suppressed the Fujin for almost ten years. Although the Third Prince was young, he could feel that his mother was not under the Fujin's control.
"My mother, was the witch doll in my mother's room put there by Niu Gege?" The Third Prince had gradually come to believe that Lanqin had taken everything from his mother, causing her to eventually commit suicide.
“You can’t make things up without evidence. Third Prince, your mother knows you’ve always been on good terms with Consort Niu. Only by obtaining solid evidence from her can we clear your mother’s name,” the primary consort said slowly.
The Third Prince thought for a moment, then looked up at his wife and said, "The only people allowed to enter my mother's courtyard are her maids, and Consort Wu and Consort Wang."
A fleeting hint of unease crossed the Fujin's face, but it vanished in an instant. She patiently continued, "Third Prince, if someone wanted to frame you, they could easily do so by bribing a lowly servant in your mother's courtyard. Human hearts are unpredictable; sometimes, for a few taels of silver, a servant would betray their master."
The Third Prince nodded and said to his wife, "I beg my mother to seek justice for my mother and ensure that the true perpetrators receive the punishment they deserve."
“That’s right. Your mother suggests that you continue to maintain contact with Lady Niu. The closer you get to her, the more likely you are to find evidence of her harming people.” The Fujin and Lady Yin agreed.
The Third Prince nodded, now believing his wife's words.
Therefore, on this day, the Third Prince went to the pavilion where he often met Lanqin at the usual time to feed the cats, and sure enough, he saw the mistress and servant there.
“Princess, the Third Prince is here.” Nianxue said to Lanqin, who was holding a scroll, as soon as she saw the Third Prince.
"Third Prince greets Consort Niu," the Third Prince said, stepping forward and holding the cat in his arms.
"Why didn't you come the other day? Your aunt has been waiting for you here for days," Lanqin said, deliberately scolding.
The Third Prince was filled with the thought that his mother had been killed by her. Seeing Lanqin's concerned expression, he felt even more distressed.
Meow~~
Suddenly, the black cat broke free from the Third Prince's grasp, jumped to the ground, and hid at Lanqin's feet.
Lanqin looked at the Third Prince with a puzzled expression and said, "Third Prince, what's wrong? Is something wrong today?"
The Third Prince shook his head and said, "My aunt's belly is getting bigger and bigger, is the little brother moving?"
When Lanqin heard him suddenly say this, she smiled and said, "Come on, put your hands on your aunt's belly. He really likes his third brother."
The Third Prince, as usual, placed his hand on Lanqin's large belly, and miraculously, there was movement inside. It seemed this child and the Third Prince were particularly compatible.
However, at this moment, the Third Prince was filled with thoughts of Lanqin killing his mother. The little boy suppressed his huge impulse and patiently spoke to the little person in Lanqin's belly as usual.
“Aunt, I told Aunt Yin today that we’ll have dinner in your courtyard,” the Third Prince said to Lanqin.
"Alright, it's been a while since you've been there. Today, I'll have Niu Baoquan cook you a delicious meal. Nianxue, you go back first and tell Chef Niu to get things ready. Tell him what the Third Prince likes to eat," Lanqin said with a smile.
“Princess, you have no one to serve you. This servant is worried about leaving Lanqin here alone.” Nianxue was a little uneasy about leaving Lanqin here alone.
"Isn't the Third Prince here? Nothing will happen. Go ahead." Lanqin naturally understood what Nianxue was worried about.
“Then, Third Prince, you stay with the Princess. I’ll be right back,” Nianxue said to the Third Prince.
The Third Prince nodded.
After Nianxue left, when the Third Prince was alone with Lanqin, he felt a strong urge to question her about why she had harmed his mother and why she had been so good to him.
Lanqin seemed to sense that something was wrong with the Third Prince, and raised her hand to touch his face, but the latter consciously avoided her.
Alas, he was only a seven-year-old child after all; how could he possibly conceal his emotions and reactions like the Princess Consort?
Lanqin's hand hovered in mid-air. She was slightly startled, but then she put it down as if nothing had happened.
"Third Prince, what's wrong? Does your aunt think there's something you want to say?" Lanqin tried to get him to talk about it.
The Third Prince thought he had concealed it well, but he didn't expect Lanqin to have noticed that something was wrong with him. He quickly said, "It's nothing, perhaps I was too tired from my studies today."
Lanqin glanced at the Third Prince with a slight glint in her eyes, and said with a gentle smile, "Come, let's go to the South Courtyard with your aunt."
After saying this, Lanqin tried to stand up from the long stone, but unfortunately, her belly was too big, and it was difficult for her to stand up. Usually, Nianxue would help her up.
"Third Prince, please help Auntie up," Lanqin pleaded, looking at the Third Prince.
The Third Prince was slightly taken aback, then reached out and let Lanqin rest her hand on his arm.
Lanqin grabbed his arm and used her strength to stand up from the long stone of the pavilion.
"My belly is so big, it's not easy to move around like this," Lanqin said with a smile.
The Third Prince helped Lanqin out of the pavilion, and the cat followed them on its own.
After the two left, a pair of people emerged from behind the pavilion; it was none other than Madam Yin and Ye Ying.
“Princess, the Third Prince has gone with Lady Niu,” Ye Ying said.
"He's probably the only one who can get into the South Courtyard now. I hope he can hold back. He's only a seven-year-old child; we need to act quickly," Madam Yin said with a stern face. There was no trace of gentleness left in her expression.
“The Third Prince is still just a child, I’m afraid he…” Ye Ying said worriedly.
“Even children can accomplish great things,” said Madam Yin.
The Fujin (Prince's wife) also received the news that the Third Prince had gone to the South Courtyard with Lanqin.
After instructing Niu Baoquan, Nianxue, worried about Lanqin, hurriedly left the courtyard. Just as she was about to rush back, she saw Lanqin slowly walking towards her, supported by the umbrella-wielding prince.
She rushed forward, took Lanqin's hand, and asked, "Is Princess alright?"
Lanqin smiled and said, "Isn't this wonderful? The Third Prince has been supporting me the whole time."
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