The very next day, news had spread that the Great Prince had arrived within the territory of Yu State.
In fact, the Great Prince had arrived at Yu State much earlier, and had even dined at the Hua Man Lou brothel.
This scandal had already been widely circulated, but the Emperor was keen on saving face. He wouldn’t allow his son to disgrace the royal dignity in such a way in public, hence he issued a strict order to suppress all news and flatly denied the Great Prince’s indulgence at the Hua Man Lou!
It even spread the news that the Great Prince had not yet arrived at Yu State.
The people below genuinely thought this to be a beautiful misunderstanding that someone was impersonating the Great Prince.
However, those at the top knew the truth well: it was the Emperor father cleaning up the mess for his son.
But with the people below clueless, and those above playing dumb, this matter was quietly swept under the rug.
This time, the Great Prince’s official visit to Yu State naturally caused quite a stir.
Yu State, being far from the capital city, rarely receives a visit from any royal family members in person. Now, the visit was by the eldest legitimate son, although he was not the favored one, nonetheless, his prestigious identity was there, who dared to slack?
From the moment the Great Prince stepped into Yu State territory, had been welcomed by notable families, magistrates, and even governors.
It was heard that the Governor himself had braved the scorching sun to welcome the Great Prince at a spot 10 miles outside the Yu State territory.
Although the Great Prince had traveled a long and strenuous journey, he did not stop and went straight to Lian’an Town. He even exchanged just a few words with the governor formally before bidding farewell.
Everyone was guessing the Great Prince’s purpose of visit.
Someone suddenly brought up, don’t we have a Prince Pingyang in Yu State?
"Surely! We indeed have a Prince Pingyang in Yu State! I heard that after the current Chancellor Mu Xiang resigned, the Emperor appreciated his talent and specially awarded him the land of Yu State. It seems that he came a year ago, but how come...there is no news about him?"
"You mentioned it, and I had almost forgotten. After this Prince Pingyang came to Yu State, he barely showed his face. I almost forgot that we have such a significant figure in Yu State. Tsk Tsk, the Great Prince even did not give much face to the governor, he must have come for that Prince Pingyang."
"But why is he heading to Lian’an Town? Is he going to the Hua Man Lou?
At this remark, it elicited a burst of laughter.
——
Meanwhile, Lian’an Town was buzzing with activity. Originally, the news of the Great Prince’s arrival in Yu State had spread, but later it was buzzed that the Great Prince was heading to Lian’an Town.
Including everyone in Lian’an Town, from the prominent families to ordinary common people, all were stirred up. Over the past year, due to the allure of Hua Man Lou and the Winding Pavilion, numerous famous families from other places were attracted here. However, no one had thought that even the prince would make a special trip here!
For Lian’an Town this small, it was indeed a great honor.
In no time, the city gate of Lian’an Town was jammed with bustling crowds. The horse carriages of all the big families had almost arrived, all to welcome the arrival of His Highness the Prince.
How could the Sun Family miss such an event? Grandma Sun dragged her old bones to join in the excitement, standing under the scorching sun, not even daring to sit in the horse carriage for fear that if the prince suddenly arrived, she would seem disrespectful.
Song Ya Lan was also there, standing next to Madam Sun. As she was Madam Sun’s granddaughter, and especially since Madam Sun highly respected the Song family, after Song Ya Lan stepped in, Madam Sun naturally held her in high regard.
Especially this time, with the Great Prince’s arrival in Lian’an Town, Madam Sun intended to leverage Song Ya Lang to build connections for the Sun Family.
Wasn’t there a rumor that the third lady of the Song family was about to be engaged to the Great Prince? Then, the Great Prince would be Song Ya Lan’s future brother-in-law!
Based solely on this relationship, the Sun family has a greater face than all the other prominent families waiting to build relationships here!
Although Madam Sun was fried under the sun and looked miserable, she still had an air of complacency on her face. She sincerely felt that her grandson was very promising as he had found such a treasure.
Song Ya Lan despised the Sun Family for showing their lack of worldliness. The annoyance was clearly written on her face. Especially at present, who among these people could compare their status with her? Among all the people present, who besides her has even the tiniest relationship with the Great Prince?
With this thought, the disdain on Song Ya Lan’s face deepened even more.
A servant riding a horse ran back from outside the city, excitedly told Madam Sun: "Madam, the Great Prince is already at the pavilion ten miles outside the city, his carriage and horses will be here soon!"
Madam Sun showed a look of joy and urgently said, "Hurry, hurry, Go and investigate further!"
Then she immediately took Song Ya Lan’s hand, and in a serious tone: "Lan Lan, this time we’re completely dependent on you. When the Great Prince arrives, remember to chat nicely with the Great Prince, earn some face for our Sun Family. If you can invite the Great Prince to our Sun family as a guest, it would be more than great!"
Song Ya Lan snorted coldly, pulled her hand out directly, and spoiled: "We’ll see."
Although her face was still very displeasing to look at, her tone of voice could not help but reveal a few hints of pride and arrogance.
Madame Sun awkwardly grinned first, but wasn’t angry either. She just laughed and remained silent.
At this time, in the Mu Mansion.
Xin He looked at herself in the mirror one last time, feeling that nothing was wrong, she then said, "I’m ready."
Mu Houchu squeezed her little face and smiled, "Then let’s go."
Shulan ran in to tell, "Madam, Sir, the carriage and horses are ready."
"Hmm."
Mu Houchu led Xin He out, even holding an umbrella for her. Seeing the huge sun outside, Mu Houchu frowned, "This Great Prince really doesn’t mind troubling people."
Xin He laughed, "We are going by carriage, are you also afraid of the sun?"
Mu Houchu helped her get on the carriage, and it was quite cool inside the carriage.
The carriage gradually started. Mu Houchu adjusted her hair at her temples and said softly, "I’m not afraid of sunbathing, but you are already seven months pregnant, and you still have to get involved in this, I’ve said you don’t have to come with me, it would be fine just me."
Xin He shook her head: "When the prince comes, the etiquette is to go to the city gate to welcome him personally. If I don’t go, I’m afraid others will gossip. I don’t want to give anyone the chance to badmouth you."
What’s more, they knew very well that the purpose of the Great Prince’s visit this time was to pick faults, so she naturally had to be more cautious. Besides, it was just going to the city gate to welcome him, it wasn’t a big deal.
Mu Houchu touched her little face: "Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems, it’s just that..."
Mu Houchu paused and continued, "As soon as this day passes, your identity will certainly be impossible to conceal."
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