Chapter 12 Who Wants to Be Your Brother?
Li Hebi said, "This... forgive my ignorance, but even the imperial physicians couldn't find anything, so naturally I can't know either..."
Li Shangxuan waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's go back."
Li Heyun bowed and took his leave. Huo Lu asked in confusion, "Your Highness, he was clearly lying. Why did you let him go so easily?"
Li Shangxuan said, "...If there is no doubt about his guilt, then he has not left any evidence. Let's wait and see what happens to Rongshan in the Shanggong Bureau later."
Huo Lu wanted to say, "Isn't there Miss Chi Qi? He and Miss Chi Qi had revealed that they knew Li Hebi would fall ill whenever he encountered a fake peony. Isn't that evidence?"
Just as she was about to speak, she glanced at Li Shangxuan's back and quickly swallowed her words back.
Obviously, His Highness does not want Miss Chi to get involved.
Oh dear, this is going to be difficult.
The source of the rouge from the Imperial Palace Bureau was also found out. It turned out that due to the heavy rains this year, the flowers in the capital did not bloom very well. As a result, the rouge shop owner had to go to other places to purchase fresh flowers. Coincidentally, the Prince of Ning's mansion brought a unique fake peony from Yunzhou to the capital. This flower did not need to be carefully cultivated. It was not only beautiful and fragrant, but also had a tenacious vitality like a wildflower by the roadside. The shop owner then had an idea.
There was nothing more to ask; the Shanggong Bureau's rouge and face powder had always been supplied by this boss.
Because of his reckless actions last night, Li Shangxuan had no intention of seeing Yang Qing for the time being. He only went to ask Old Master Yang to tell him that it was a problem with the tea and that was that. As for Li Heyun, there was no way to bring him to justice, and he escaped.
However, if this person wanted to make a move, wouldn't it have been more convenient to do so from Yunzhou, his stronghold? Why did he insist on doing it in the capital, and even extend his reach into the palace...?
That's far too risky.
Princess Ning was deeply shocked to learn that Li Hebi had died because of the flower stamen she had placed there. At first, she didn't believe it, but then she heard Old Master Yang ask Li Hebi if he had often suffered from this strange illness before and accurately describe the symptoms. She was speechless and collapsed to the ground, looking very pitiful.
But Yangqing and Chuying, who were forced into this situation, would only curse in their hearts that they deserved it, even if they saw it. It's a pity that they didn't see this scene.
In her previous life, Rongyue was forced into marriage by Princess Ning. In this life, he died even earlier, so the Second Madam can happily choose a son-in-law again.
Yang Qing was preoccupied with thoughts of Rong Yue and Yun Xiao, while the parties involved seemed completely calm and unperturbed. They went on several blind dates in a row, dressing up carefully and choosing each one with great care, showing no sign of displeasure.
This made Yang Qing wonder if she had only caught a fleeting glance that day and perhaps she had really seen it wrong.
After accompanying Rongyue to the ceremonial meeting again today, the carriage was stopped halfway. Yangqing didn't need to look to know that it was someone from the East Palace. Thinking of the fleeting kiss from a few days ago, and the slap she had given herself, her face turned red uncontrollably.
It's been several days already, surely Li Shangxuan isn't going to come looking for trouble with her now?
Rongyue, who was riding in the carriage with her, clearly misunderstood. She thought her younger sister was just shy because she had met her sweetheart. Unusually, she teased her and gave her a push, saying, "Alright, go on."
Yang Qing stammered as she got off the carriage, looking somewhat reluctant. Before even seeing Li Shangxuan, she had already made up her mind that she must make things clear to him this time. She didn't have any feelings for him and hoped that he would respect himself and not come looking for her again, let alone make any advances towards her.
Anyway, Li Hebi's situation was already a done deal. This time, she knew a little more than in her previous life. It seemed to be a twist of fate, but no one explained the details to her.
However, wouldn't it seem opportunistic of her to sever all ties with Li Shangxuan right after this matter was resolved?
Her mind raced, and although Li Shangxuan couldn't see what she was thinking, he could see her expressions change several times, and he couldn't help but smile. "Why aren't you saying anything? Weren't you quite capable when you hit me before?"
This petty man has indeed come to settle scores.
Yang Qing blushed and then paled, her voice lacking confidence, "If you hadn't been so disobedient, how could I have dared to hit you?"
Now it was Li Shangxuan's turn to blush. The two were already close, and from this position he could smell the fragrance of her hair. Looking at the little butterflies on the hairpin swaying, he felt a tickle in his heart. Even though he knew they were fake, he still wanted to touch them.
My gaze shifted downwards, and I noticed her cheeks puffed up slightly from her sulking. Her lips, painted with bright rouge, looked even more adorable than when we were being affectionate the other day.
Li Shangxuan felt a tightness in his throat, but to reassure her, he still said insincerely, "Don't worry, it won't happen again."
He wouldn't have been so reckless before getting married.
This was a golden opportunity, and Yang Qing immediately said, "It's good that Your Highness knows. You are a man and the Crown Prince, so of course you should be mindful of your daily behavior. Besides, if you were to take liberties with me, how would I ever get married?"
Li Shangxuan was stunned. Her previous romantic thoughts vanished completely. Who else did she want to marry?
He said unhappily, "Didn't the teacher mention this to you?"
Yang Qing pretended to be clueless: "What did you mention?"
At this time, Li Shangxuan should still be quite thin-skinned and wouldn't say anything inappropriate.
Unexpectedly, Li Shangxuan stared straight at her and said it so openly, "Our marriage. What, didn't they mention it to you?"
Yang Qing blushed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about, Your Highness? Qi Da is not my match. Your status is too high for me to presume to be your equal. Besides, we grew up together. In my heart, you are like an older brother to me."
Her eyes lit up, as if she had come up with a great idea. "How about we become sworn siblings?"
Li Shangxuan refused without hesitation: "I have never considered you my sister."
Yang Qing deflated, turned her head to the side, and refused to look at him anymore.
Li Shangxuan was also questioning his life at this moment. What had he done to make her treat him like an older brother?
Fortunately, she's still young, and waiting another two years to get married is still possible. As long as she's treated well, things can be salvaged. So, she gently advised, "It's alright, just wait two more years..."
Yang Qing interrupted, "Waiting a few more years won't make a difference, I don't want to marry you!"
Li Shangxuan was stunned, never expecting to be rejected like this. Recalling her unusual behavior over the past few days, his voice grew even colder, "Why? Give me a reason?"
Yang Qing said, "There's no reason, I just don't like you. Even if you force me to marry you, we won't have a good life together."
She doesn't like him? Before they were in Jiangnan, they were clearly in love. Li Shangxuan immediately thought of that possibility, "Do you like someone else?"
Yang Qing shook her head, then nodded, determined to sever this ill-fated relationship at this moment. She simply went along with him and said, "That's right, I've fallen for someone else!"
Li Shangxuan: "...Who is it?"
Yang Qing couldn't possibly make up who it was, so she could only say haphazardly, "Who cares who it is! Anyway, he's better than you, better looking than you, and gentler than you, unlike you, who's always lecturing me with that stern face."
Li Shangxuan found it incomprehensible. When had he ever scolded her with a straight face?
But as the crown prince, second only to the emperor, he naturally had his own pride. Being rejected by her like this, he became angry and said resentfully, "Fine, since you're determined to do this, then I won't interfere in your affairs anymore. I will also explain what I said to the teacher."
Yang Qing beamed with joy: "That's great! From now on, I'll treat you like my own brother!"
Li Shangxuan was so angry that he choked for a moment, and without any mercy, he shook off her hand that was gripping his sleeve, "Who wants to be your brother?"
After saying that, he turned and left, not giving her a chance to speak again.
Yang Qing blinked. Did this count as a success?
Given Li Shangxuan's personality, he probably won't come looking for her again, right?
Back home, Yangqing bumped into Chuying. Chuying used to love going out to play, but today she didn't go to a place like the Duke of Lin's mansion. It seems she's been bitten by a snake once and is now afraid of ropes for ten years.
Yang Qing couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Although the matter of the Prince of Ning's heir couldn't be entirely blamed on her, it was ultimately caused by her. So, instead of deliberately being sarcastic as before, she smiled and said some soft and kind words.
Chu Ying initially found it strange, but then she realized, "You really are something. People are in high spirits when they have a happy occasion. After seeing your lover, even your words have become sweeter."
Chi Yangqing's previously sunny face suddenly darkened, and she coldly snorted, "If you say another word, I'll tell..."
She thought for a long time but couldn't think of anyone to complain to. Judging from Chu Ying's personality, you could tell how much her third uncle and aunt spoiled her. What would be the use of complaining?
Yang Qing was furious.
Chu Ying burst into laughter, and after finally stopping, she said, "Forget it, I won't argue with you anymore. Did you see the Duke of Lin this time? I saw him a few years ago, and I still have a vague impression of him. He doesn't seem to be very good-looking, and he's not a good match for Fifth Sister."
Yang Qing's face fell when she thought of the Duke of Lin's appearance. Compared to Li Hebi, he was certainly more than good-looking, but if he stood next to a beauty like her fifth sister, people would only think: this man must be powerful and influential.
And that is indeed the case.
Yang Qing then whispered her opinion to Chu Ying: the Duke of Lin was as burly as a small mountain, and because he always had a serious expression on his face, he looked very intimidating. Anyway, she would never dare to marry such a person.
What if I say something wrong and upset him, and he decides to take me into court-martial?
Although Li Shangxuan was a dog, he never hit her. At most, he would pinch her a couple of times or bite her a couple of times, and he never used much force.
Chu Ying also felt it was a pity. Judging from the Second Madam's appearance, she seemed to be very satisfied with the Duke of Lin and was determined to marry Rong Yue to him.
The two huddled together and chatted for a while before going their separate ways. When they returned to their own rooms, Yang Qing suddenly remembered the face of her brother-in-law Yun Xiao from her previous life.
You don't know until you compare them, and the comparison is quite surprising. If you put these two together, Yun Xiao suddenly becomes the handsome and talented immortal described in operas.
She thought she should ask Rongyue what she meant tomorrow. If the two of them were truly in love, her parents probably wouldn't be the type to break them up.
Thinking about this, she felt a little uncertain.
I don't think so.
A note from the author:
Ahhhhhh, I want to add this to my favorites!
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