Upon hearing Feng Changgui's explanation, Lu Qingyan hurriedly said, "What are you saying, brother? I didn't blame you for not speaking up for me. Father has already made arrangements. If you stop us at this time, Father will either suspect you or me. You might be fine, but I might not be so lucky."
"Third brother..."
"Big brother, I'm fine." Lu Qingyan waved her hand, seemingly unconcerned, but this was just a pretense of indifference.
As Feng Changgui watched Lu Qingyan's departing figure, his mind was filled with countless thoughts. That sense of loneliness and helplessness was like a shackle binding his heart, leaving him no way to escape.
He couldn't pinpoint exactly when it all began. Was it the day he entered the palace and saw her lying frail in bed? Was it when he stood by the window and saw her sitting quietly at the table reading? Was it when they accompanied each other and he watched her fall into danger? Or was it when he silently waited and watched her command the nation with her confident and powerful presence?
Love arises without warning, and deepens with time. He had long held this person in his heart, and even though he knew it was forbidden, he couldn't forget her.
If he didn't care about this person, why would he do something as inappropriate as running away from the wedding? Why would he go to such lengths to get someone to take his wife away?
As Feng Changgui pondered this, he couldn't help but let out a bitter smile: "Third brother, if you knew what your eldest brother was thinking, you'd probably find it disgusting."
Lu Qingyan, who was walking in front, couldn't help but sneeze. She wondered who was talking about her.
Back at the Prince Jing's residence, Xia Zi was the first to approach her. He looked Lu Qingyan up and down and sighed, "Your Highness has lost a lot of weight since you went out. Now that you're back at the residence, you'd better make up for it properly."
Lu Qingyan smiled and said, "Your prince's physique is just like this; he can't gain weight even if he wants to."
"No matter how much weight you gain, every little bit helps. That's a blessing. Your Highness is already a blessed man, and now you should accumulate even more blessings so you can bring the mistress in as soon as possible." Xia Xiazi is getting bolder and bolder, daring to say these things to Lu Qingyan.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, she thought of the Princess Jing who had eloped with someone but was never married, and she felt a little embarrassed.
Lu Qingyan knew what he was thinking at a glance and comforted him, "There's no need to think about that matter anymore. Since we're not destined to be together, why force it? No matter how noble or lowly my status is, there's never a shortage of people for that position."
She was just an unloved daughter, and even her father's high official position was of no use to her.
If it weren't for the increased risk of their identities being exposed with each additional person, Lu Qingyan would still prefer to marry a man and have him sit in that position.
The case involving the Meng family and Prince Ning was concluded in a little over a month. Feng Changgui was absolutely reliable; he quickly investigated and clarified everything.
The Meng family's actions had nothing to do with Prince Ning, who was unaware of them this time. The Emperor was satisfied with the outcome. After exiling the entire Meng family, he placed Prince Ning under house arrest on charges of negligence in supervision.
From then on, Consort Shu, the mother of Prince Ning, completely lost favor.
She was already old, and not as pretty as a young girl; she was like a withered flower, devoid of any charm. The Emperor had originally held some affection for her because of Prince Ning, but now, just thinking that she was from the Meng family made him uncomfortable, and he was no longer willing to visit her palace.
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