When all the soldiers emerged from the deep mountains, armed with spears, swords, shields, and bows and arrows, Zhao Shu sat on his horse, his face beaming with confidence, as if he were the one about to take command.
However, she had important matters to attend to. After leaving the camp, she dressed in men's clothing and went to Jiangnan Prefecture with Wei Tingsi.
Jiangnan Prefecture was established by Wei Tingsi a few years ago as a governor-general in Jiangnan, and was under the command of his confidant, Chen Jianbo, who came from a humble background. At that time, the Crown Prince was in Jiangnan Prefecture.
Chen Jianbo knew early in the morning that Wei Tingsi and Zhao Shu were going somewhere. He informed the Crown Prince and stayed at the residence instead of going anywhere else.
Around noon, Zhao Shu and Wei Tingsi entered Jiangnan Prefecture. Having not seen the Crown Prince for some time, he had become much thinner, but also more composed and wise. No one could guess his thoughts from his expression.
"Ah Jun." The Crown Prince pulled Zhao Shu aside and looked at Wei Tingsi warily. Zhao Shu was close to him, and it would be extremely beneficial for him if she got together with Wei Tingsi. But was he going to trade his sister's happiness for someone who supported him?
Anyone can be used, but not Zhao Shu.
Seeing his actions, Wei Tingsi was moved and felt that Zhao Shu deserved it. At least the support he had given over the years had not been in vain. Even if this crown prince was cunning, he could still see through the deception.
He used to think the Crown Prince was mediocre, but now he sees more composure and wisdom in him. The wisdom that comes from experience is truly invaluable. He has more confidence in the Crown Prince's future and in the future of Dayong.
“Crown Prince.” Zhao Shu carefully examined the Crown Prince from head to toe, and only when she found that he was alright did she relax. “It’s good that you are alright.”
"What could possibly happen to me?" He whispered to Zhao Shu, "Why did you come with him? Does Father know? If he doesn't, he'll definitely make things difficult for you when we return to the capital."
Zhao Shu shook her head, which made the Crown Prince even more anxious. "I didn't know you were still getting so close to him?" He really wanted to twist Wei Tingsi's head off and use it as a football. Why did he have to provoke Zhao Shu of all people?
Wei Tingsi, gripping his sword, watched the Crown Prince's actions with a dangerous air. Recalling the vile rumors circulating in the capital, his face immediately turned cold. "The Crown Prince isn't going to manage the floods? The dikes are at a critical stage right now, and we can't do without the chief official in charge of flood control."
With Yan Shiren watching over the dam, there's no chance of any trouble. He just can't stand Zhao Shu being too close to the Crown Prince. They're not even siblings. Even if they were, they wouldn't sit together at the same table after the age of seven.
The Crown Prince, unaware that he was jealous, said very seriously, "Lord Yan is currently overseeing things. I am here today specifically to wait for A-Jun. Later, A-Jun and I will go to see the Hermit of Jiecao. If General Wei has something to discuss with Lord Chen, A-Jun and I will not disturb you."
Being the Crown Prince is great; you don't have to be so perceptive. However, the coldness on Wei Tingsi's face was about to materialize. "I'll take Shushu there myself. The Crown Prince is too busy with state affairs to have time."
"Shushu?" The Crown Prince grasped the most crucial word, staring at Wei Tingsi with a cold expression, only to see Wei Tingsi's defiant eyes, as if asserting his dominance.
How could the elder brother tolerate this? In the Crown Prince's heart, no matter how capable or powerful Zhao Shu was, she was still his little sister who had not yet reached marriageable age and needed to be protected. He, Wei Tingsi, was already old, so he must have used some means to deceive his little sister who had not yet reached marriageable age.
He instructed Chen Jianbo, "Take the princess to rest. I have something to say to the general."
This was a conversation between men, which Chen Jianbo understood well. He then instructed his maid to invite Zhao Shu away. Zhao Shu wanted to offer some advice, but the Crown Prince directly ordered, "The tea in Jiangnan is quite different from that in the capital. Since you've come, A-Jun, go and have a taste."
"Don't worry, Shushu, I won't do anything to the Crown Prince. After all, he is still your brother."
Zhao Shu: ...I was worried at first, but now I'm not worried at all. Even if the two of them fight until they're bleeding, I can't care anymore. I leisurely followed the maid and went to drink tea.
Chen Jianbo wisely retreated to a distance, so as not to disturb the two.
After everyone had left, only the Crown Prince and Wei Tingsi remained in the front hall. The Crown Prince sat in the main seat and gestured for Wei Tingsi to sit down, saying, "General Wei, please sit down."
He said the word "please" through gritted teeth, his face icy cold. No matter how you looked at him, you felt that Wei Tingsi had used improper means to deceive his delicate, inexperienced, and naive younger sister.
People are strange like that. No matter what their own people have done, in their hearts, their own people are always kind-hearted and innocent. If anything goes wrong, it's always someone else's fault.
Wei Tingsi sat down as instructed and slammed his sword on the coffee table. “There are rumors in the capital that Your Highness and Shushu have an overly intimate relationship.”
He had already received intelligence about the rumors circulating in the capital, and hearing them now only fueled his anger.
"How could outsiders understand the brotherly and sisterly bond between me and A-Jun? Those rumors are meant to sow discord and try to distance me from A-Jun, but blood is thicker than water, how can I distance myself from her? I have implicated A-Jun in this matter, and I will handle it myself. But General Wei, you are an outsider, yet you have been spending time with A-Jun in private. May I ask what you consider my imperial sister to be?"
Neither of them would back down, and they were irreconcilable. After only a few words, the situation was already tense.
"Your Highness asks a good question. I consider her the woman I wish to marry." He spoke frankly and sincerely, his eyes sparkling, each word spoken with force and conviction.
The Crown Prince choked, and after a pause, he spoke again, "Ah Jun is naive. You must have used some tricks to deceive her. Let me tell you, Wei Tingsi, don't think I'm afraid of you. If you dare to have any evil intentions towards Ah Jun, I will fight to the death to get rid of you!"
This was the first time in his life that the Crown Prince had spoken so vehemently and rationally. Even when he was betrayed and subjected to inhuman torture, he had never spoken so vehemently, as if making a vow.
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