Helpless, Madam Su escorted You Ran back to her small courtyard before hurriedly returning to the flower hall to greet the other women.
She was indeed helpless. The Crown Prince was the emperor, and he wanted to marry her daughter. The fact that he didn't force the palace to issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage was already a sign of respect for the Duke's family.
Propose marriage to him? After his appearance today, what noble or high-ranking official would dare to come to his door to propose marriage?
It's all because she loves her daughter so much that she wanted to keep her for another year or two, only wanting to wait until she came of age before discussing marriage. But unexpectedly, she is now facing such a change!
She was distracted throughout the banquet, and the other ladies realized what was going on, casting either sympathetic or envious glances at her.
Those who understand You Ran's character know that the Yun family must not want to accept this marriage, which is why they are in such a dilemma, and thus they sympathize with them.
Those who don't understand naturally feel envy. So many noble ladies dream of marrying into the royal family, yet none can achieve it!
While everyone on this side had their own thoughts, they were unaware that You Ran had already packed her bags and left without even informing Su Yue, climbing over the backyard wall and leaving!
She refused to admit that she was forced to run away from home. After all, she hadn't seen her maternal grandfather and Uncle Su's family for several years. Wasn't it only natural for her to go to Dingzhou to visit relatives?
She quickly went to the West Market and hired a carriage; she didn't want to suffer the hardship of eating dirt the whole way.
Before leaving, I looked at the six-story commercial building and felt a little reluctant to go.
This is a market she designed herself, created together with her mother.
From nothing to something, from desolate to bustling, the West Market has become the most prosperous and lively district in the entire city of Kyoto in just a few years.
Fuxilou also opened its sixth branch here, and business is booming.
She owns several hot pot restaurants and milk tea shops, making her incredibly wealthy.
She believed Chu Heng when he said he wanted to share in her good fortune.
Xiaobenben has mentioned several times that the higher her luck value, the better her fortune will be, and those who are close to her will also have good luck.
She is usually happy to share with others; isn't it good to achieve common prosperity?
However, she was unhappy that Chu Heng wanted to use their marriage to benefit from her good fortune for the rest of his life.
With a touch of reluctance, she strolled along, taking in the sights. When her carriage reached the city gate, she spotted a familiar figure.
She quickly drew the curtains and told the driver to stop the carriage.
Fuxi, whom we had just seen, was now checking each person leaving the city with an anxious expression, muttering to herself, "Princess, where have you gone? His Highness is waiting for you to save him!"
You Ran had amazing hearing and heard everything clearly. His heart skipped a beat. What did it mean?
After a while, Fuxi saw that the line of people queuing to leave the city had disappeared, and his legs went weak, so he knelt on the ground.
The city guards nearby were startled. "Eunuch Fuxi, what are you doing?"
Fuxi burst into tears, "His Highness has been poisoned and is in critical condition... If we can't find the County Princess, won't we have to give our heads to see our master?"
The city guards looked at him with pity and began to talk, "Alas, Your Highness is truly pitiful, tormented by this poison you were born with..."
"Isn't that right? They said that Doctor Gu and Princess Yueyue had controlled the poison in his body, so how come it has relapsed?"
"I heard that neither Physician Gu nor Princess Yueyue are in the capital. Now that the poison has flared up, what should we do?"
Upon hearing this, Fuxi cried even louder, "That's why we have to come to the county princess... Only she can save our master..."
You Ran's lips twitched as she sat in the carriage.
Could Chu Heng be faking it?
But what if it's true...
How will she explain this to Yueyue and Senior Brother Dabai?
Well, she can't get out now, so she has to go back and check first, and then find a chance to slip away later!
She quickly made up her mind, lifted the carriage curtain, let the carriage come closer, and called out, "Eunuch Fuxi?"
Fuxi looked up and was overjoyed. Wiping away her tears, she rushed over, "Your Highness, I've been looking for you everywhere! His Highness has been poisoned. Please, Your Highness, return to the palace to save his life!"
You Ran stared at him. "Are you telling the truth? He was full of energy when I saw him just now!"
Fuxi was about to cry again. "Princess, I dare not joke with my master's life! My master has been suffering from the poison for quite some time now. I couldn't find you in the Duke's mansion, so I had to come to the city gate to keep watch! Fude and the others are looking for you in the city!"
You Ran's lips twitched again. "Alright, I originally wanted to go out of the city to clear my head, but since there's danger, I'll go back and check it out."
"Yes, yes!" Fuxi nodded happily, jumped onto the carriage shaft with a thud, and urged the driver, "Hurry, hurry back to the Duke's mansion!"
You Ran: ...
Upon arriving at Zhuqing Courtyard, Fuxi did not lead her to the master bedroom in the center, but instead took her to the bedroom next door. You Ran's lips twitched again.
No wonder Wu Xinxin went to the wrong house.
Chu Heng deliberately let Fuxi live in the main house!
As soon as she entered the room, You Ran smelled that familiar stench of blood.
As expected, he vomited blood and fell into a coma due to the poison again.
She initially thought Chu Heng was faking it, but after taking his pulse, it turned out to be real!
With a sigh, she asked someone to bring silver needles and began acupuncture treatment.
Half an hour later, she stopped the needlework, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, and returned to the courtyard. She had no more strength to escape and fell asleep immediately.
Chu Heng slowly woke up, and Fude stamped his foot anxiously, "Master! You absolutely must not risk your life again!"
Chu Heng smiled faintly, "Have you dealt with them all?"
"Of course! This servant moved it far away long ago!" Fu De's voice was much softer.
Chu Heng's eyes blazed. "There really was someone who tampered with things in the Eastern Palace! Investigate further! The Empress Dowager's palace must also be thoroughly investigated!"
Fuxi knew these words weren't directed at him, so he didn't dare reply. He only heard a slight rustling of clothes and knew that the guards had gone back.
Half an hour ago, a guard reported that a strange little grass had been found scattered in the courtyard, emitting a faint fragrance. Originally, no one paid any attention to it, but due to this thorough investigation, it was discovered that a small secret passage led directly into the palace, and this inconspicuous little grass grew in the passage.
A royal physician suspected that the incense was related to the prince's poisoning, so a secret guard came to report the news.
Chu Heng immediately ordered him to return to the palace, where he allocated all the items, collected them in one place, and sent them over.
Fuxi originally thought that His Highness just wanted to see what the grass looked like, but who knew that he would lean in and sniff it hard, and as a result, he vomited blood and fainted on the spot!
It is undoubtedly a poisonous plant.
However, it was confirmed that the county princess had escaped, which led to the city-wide search for her.
Fortunately, His Highness held on until the county princess returned. What if something had happened...?
Thinking of this, Fuxi started muttering to herself again, "Your Highness...you..."
Chu Heng smiled, waved his hand to interrupt him, and told him to go and rest.
Chu Heng touched the lingering pain in his chest and sighed.
This method can only be used once, not twice. If she runs away again next time, what excuse will I have to keep her by my side?
When exactly did she begin to hate herself?
Looking back over the past few years, I haven't done anything strange during the few meetings we've had.
What can I do to get her to willingly marry me?
...
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