Consort Ji sighed again and continued, "Let's not even talk about the fact that you are all men. Marquis Anle has a wife, and besides, his relationship with Lüyan, who is also the Crown Princess, is still ambiguous. Marquis Anle is a womanizer. You have been recuperating in the manor since then, so it's not your fault that you don't know what he did for the Crown Princess. You are still young, but you haven't found a virtuous wife yet, which is why I betrothed Wan'er to you. She is much better than the princess."
I nodded: "Ying'er knows."
Consort Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you two both know your mistakes. Tomorrow you will return to the capital with us, and the matter of Linyang will be dropped. Separate for a while, and you will understand that having a virtuous wife at home is far better than the gentlemanly friendships of you scholars."
This really is an opportunity. I don't want to stay in Linyang anymore. All that Ji Fei has done these past few days has made my efforts to deliver the letter to her worthwhile.
Consort Ji called Wan'er in, "I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself. Wan'er, serve the Prince Consort well and don't let him go out and provoke any troublesome people."
After Consort Ji left, Wan'er said, "Young Master, your face is all red. I'll go and get some medicine to reduce the swelling. I'll apply it to you, and you'll feel better soon."
I nodded and touched the purse at my waist. "Wan'er, you are skilled in medicine. I found this purse. It has a unique smell, but I don't know what kind of medicine is inside. Can you take a look?"
Wan'er took it: "This purse is so exquisitely embroidered. I've seen the Crown Princess have something similar before." Even the purse is a substitute. Xie Yuancheng, I will never forgive you, and I never want to see you again.
As soon as Wan'er opened the purse, she exclaimed, "Young master, where did you find this?"
I randomly suggested a place, and Wan'er rolled the purse into a pile: "Young master, this is full of contraceptive medicine for women. It must have been something that a lady or concubine of some family carried with her. You shouldn't carry it with you anymore. I happen to have embroidered some purses, I'll bring them to you later."
I'm done with what I'm saying. "Wan'er, I've heard that musk is very suitable for men. It not only has a delicate scent but also has a refreshing effect. Could you put some of that in your purse for me?"
Wan'er nodded with a smile. Finally, everything around us quieted down. I rubbed my temples; the road ahead was still long. The pawnshop owner had gone on another long trip, with no hope of returning. I could only make the most of each day here.
Just as Wan'er put the purse on my waist, Li Zhaole returned. Seeing Wan'er with the purse tied around my waist, he raised his eyebrows and said, "You two, pulling and tugging at each other in broad daylight."
I shielded Wan'er behind me: "Princess is back, please sit down and rest for a while."
Li Zhaole snorted and told Xiren to serve tea: "You stay here today and don't bother Brother Yuancheng and Sister-in-law. I have already reported to Father Emperor, and he has agreed to let you return to the capital with me."
Now you've even come up with an excuse, Xie Yuancheng, I never want to see you again.
I tried my best to please Li Zhaole, and I made all three girls laugh. As long as she was there, even though I took advantage of her affection, I had no choice but to do it, so I just considered it as owing her a favor.
Meng Anshi spoke from outside: "Your Highness, the Marquis requests your presence."
I looked at Li Zhaole with feigned reluctance, knowing she would shout, "You servant, how dare you spoil this princess's mood! Go back and tell Brother Yuancheng that this princess has matters to discuss with the驸马 (the驸马's husband), so I won't be meeting him today. Consider last night as a farewell. Tomorrow the驸马, my father, and I will return to the capital together, so please rest early tonight."
Well said, Li Zhaole. I'm counting on you for the next two days.
I saw Wan'er go out, and under the pretext of picking flowers for Li Zhaole, I followed her out. Although this method was not good, I had no other choice. Sleeping in the same bed would easily give me away.
I instructed Wan'er to secretly slip some sleep-inducing herbs into the princess's dinner, without making a sound. Wan'er probably thought I was afraid of Li Zhaole, and in her panic, she agreed.
I casually picked up the small flowerpot on the table and was about to walk back when I heard Xie Yuancheng's voice. I pretended not to hear it and quickly went into the house, asking Li Zhaole to choose which flower was the prettiest, and then I picked it for her.
Li Zhaole began to choose carefully, when Xie Yuancheng came in: "Sister Zhaole, I heard you went out early this morning."
“Yes, Brother Yuancheng, you’ve come at the right time. The Prince Consort and I are going back together tomorrow, so he won’t be with you today. The Prince Consort and I haven’t seen each other for many days, so we can’t let him bother you again.”
Li Zhaole chose a pink and white flower and looked at me expectantly. I picked the flower and handed it to her with shining eyes.
"It looks really good, it suits my hairstyle perfectly today. My husband, you're so skillful, put it on me." Xiren brought over a bronze mirror, and I, still feeling resentful, looked at myself in the mirror and found a suitable place to put it on.
Li Zhaole was particularly happy, while I automatically ignored Xie Yuancheng's dark face. Hmph, what a complete scumbag! Making me a substitute for his first love? I'm not going to consider your feelings or thoughts anymore.
I hadn't realized before that Li Zhaole was quite eloquent; Xie Yuancheng couldn't win an argument with her, so he left.
I spent the whole day chatting and laughing with the three girls, and I realized they were all quite simple. Compared to Consort Ji, they were like pure lotuses untouched by the world. Even their character was far superior to Xie Yuancheng's.
In the afternoon, I urged Li Zhaole, "Princess, we're setting off tomorrow, why don't we pack our bags now and go to the northern suburbs to serve the Emperor? I haven't been out of the Marquis's mansion for a long time."
Li Zhaole probably agreed because he was afraid Xie Yuancheng would come again.
Watching Wan'er and Xiren pack their things, I finally felt a little happier. Leaving this cage, I would never come back.
Li Zhaole had his guards arrange a carriage, and the luggage had already been put inside. I helped Li Zhaole out of the carriage.
She is half a year younger than Ji Ying and was spoiled since childhood. She really has the mentality of a child. If you talk to her and agree with her, you can win her favor.
Just as they reached the door, Xie Yuancheng was standing outside the carriage: "Sister Zhaole, you were in such a hurry, without even telling me."
Li Zhaole stood in front of me: "Brother Yuancheng, we are leaving tomorrow. We were afraid you would be too busy with official duties, so we didn't inform you."
Xie Yuancheng didn't make things difficult for her. "I'm just taking you there. I need to deliver some documents anyway, so we can go together."
Upon hearing that it was on the way, Li Zhaole immediately gave her a friendly look: "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yuancheng."
After Li Zhaole got into the carriage, Xie Yuancheng spoke again: "Prince Consort, we are both men, so we should ride horses."
He emphasized the word "man" in particular, but while you have many tricks up your sleeve, I also have a strategist.
Wan'er hurriedly said, "My lord, the prince consort didn't sleep well last night and is in poor health. It would be better for him to ride in a carriage with the princess."
Xie Yuancheng looked at Wan'er with ill intent. I took Wan'er's hand and helped her onto the carriage: "My lord, I am not good at riding horses, so I am afraid I cannot do as you wish."
I don't want to be bothered by his attitude. Once I get through tonight, I won't see him again.
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