The sharp-eyed Yunfang spotted Hongli's figure in the distance, but she did not panic. She calmly walked to Fu Qing's side and said, "Second Master, may I speak with you in private?"
Seeing her solemn expression, Fu Qing assumed she had something important to discuss, so she returned the child to the nanny and followed her to the side.
After they had walked a little further away, he asked, "What is it?"
Yunfang whispered, "Don't turn around. Fourth Master has returned to the manor. He saw you holding the child."
Fu Qing, understanding the implication, did not turn around and continued talking to her, "The little prince looks so much like him, he wouldn't suspect anything."
"They probably won't suspect anything, but just in case! Let's go all the way with this act and leave no evidence for him, so that Sister Yu won't suffer."
That's true; better safe than sorry.
Remembering something, Fu Qing said, "The other day I went to visit Aunt Liu, and she cried to me, saying that she had picked out many potential partners for you, but you haven't met with any of them. She asked me to persuade you."
She had gone to the Fourth Prince's mansion precisely because she didn't want to listen to her mother's nagging, but to her surprise, her mother asked someone else to persuade her. Yunfang felt utterly overwhelmed.
"Oh dear! My mother is really something, she keeps trying to get me married, even though I've tried to persuade her, it's no use."
Fu Qing is unwilling to marry because he has someone in his heart, so why is Yun Fang reluctant to meet other people? "Then why are you unwilling to marry? Do you have some thoughts on it?"
With her hands tucked behind her back, Yunfang looked at the blooming red salvia by the roadside, her eyes flickering, clearly preoccupied. She didn't say anything directly, hesitating for a moment before speaking:
"I don't have any particular thoughts. I think it's fine to just stay with Sister Yu like this."
"That's true, but you're not young anymore..." Fu Qing was interrupted by Yun Fang before he could finish speaking.
"You're just like my mother! If you keep nagging, I'm not going to talk to you anymore!"
With a disgruntled snort, Yunfang turned to leave. Hongli, who was already nearby, casually asked, "What did you say? Did you make Yunfang angry again?"
When the Fourth Prince suddenly asked, Fu Qing's mind raced, and she responded with exceptional speed and composure, "Fourth Prince, I was just asking her why she hasn't gotten married yet, and whether she's still willing to come back to the manor with me. She said it's impossible and told me not to bother her anymore."
Looking him over, Hongli stood with his hands behind his back, smiling meaningfully, "You're already engaged, yet you still can't forget her?"
He was engaged, and his family kept urging him to get married. He was worried that if he didn't get married soon, it would arouse the suspicion of the Fourth Prince. Besides, there was no possibility between him and Su Yushan. He had to give his family an explanation, so he could only go along with his parents' wishes and get engaged.
Unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince knew so much about his affairs. Just as Yunfang said, if you're going to act, you have to see it through to the end. Fu Qing feigned regret and sighed:
"After all, Yunfang is my benefactor. We've been together for so long, and there are bound to be some feelings between us. It's not something that can be let go of overnight."
Judging from his expression, he seemed to be very sincere. Hongli just stared at him without saying a word.
Fu Qing felt an unusually oppressive atmosphere, but he had no idea what the Fourth Prince was thinking. He shouldn't have said anything wrong, right?
Just as he was racking his brains, Hongli finally spoke up, "Yunfang is a woman of strong character. Once she makes up her mind, even Yushan can't dissuade her. I can't help her."
Fu Qing, whose heart was pounding, breathed a sigh of relief and replied calmly, "I understand. I appreciate Fourth Master's kindness, but I respect her wishes and will not force her."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Hongli turned around and beckoned Su Yushan to go to the front hall together.
Su Yushan wasn't sure what the two of them had said, but seeing that Hongli's expression was normal, she thought there probably wasn't any argument.
This was a sensitive matter, so she couldn't ask too many questions and could only pretend to be calm as she followed him.
Since becoming pregnant, Su Yushan hadn't worn flowerpot shoes for more than half a year. Wearing them suddenly today, she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. The man walked faster than she could keep up, and she almost tripped and fell because she was walking too fast.
Fu Qing instinctively reached out to help, but as soon as his fingers moved, he realized it was inappropriate and quietly withdrew his hand. Fortunately, Yun Fang caught her in time, preventing Su Yushan from falling.
Hearing the commotion, Hongli slowed his pace and said softly, "If you're not used to wearing flowerpot shoes, then just wear flat shoes."
"I'd like to as well! But I can't be impolite when meeting guests today."
To prevent her from having any further accidents, Hongli took her hand and continued walking forward. She felt uneasy and whispered a reminder, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate in public?"
However, Hongli insisted on asserting his sovereignty in public and refused to let go. Su Yushan had no choice but to let him lead her.
Even though the Fourth Prince didn't pursue the matter of the handkerchief any further, Fu Qing always felt that the Fourth Prince had never truly dispelled his suspicions. For example, his current actions were probably deliberately done to show him how much they loved each other, to make him jealous, and to make him back down.
In reality, Fu Qing had no jealousy whatsoever. On the contrary, seeing the Fourth Prince's generous and undisguised affection for Su Yushan, he felt gratified for her.
He missed her when they weren't together, and his heart was filled with turmoil when they met. Fu Qing couldn't control the fluctuations in his heart, yet he knew he was already engaged and shouldn't have any more delusions. The conflicting emotions kept churning him, making him restless. He just followed silently behind without saying a word.
Upon arriving at the front hall, guests were already arriving. Just as she was about to enter, Su Yushan tried to break free from him, but Hongli gripped her wrist tightly. This startled Su Yushan, making her heart pound and causing her to feel inexplicably guilty, because she knew very well that the Fujin (princess) was inside.
Startled, Su Yushan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she whispered a reminder, "In crowded places, you should be mindful of the rules and not make me a target."
"Look at your cowardly appearance. My woman should be more assertive."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
