The events at Zui Chun Fang, whether it was the rivalry over the most beautiful courtesan or the "quarrel" between Ruan Qing'an and Ji Wuyu, were all quite eye-catching, and the news spread faster and faster.
The Second Prince hurriedly followed Ruan Qing'an, still thinking about the support from the Yongle Marquis's Mansion, and still not understanding why Ji Hao would give such a powerful backer as the Yongle Marquis's Mansion to Ji Wuyu.
Fortunately, that fool didn't know how to appreciate it.
Back at Hongyunlou, Ruan Qing'an sat back down and sullenly drank his tea. The Second Prince, calmed down by the cold wind, sat opposite Ruan Qing'an and began to comfort him.
"Qing'an, I've disappointed you."
"Sigh, he really is..."
Ruan Qingan sighed, seemingly very sad: "It's my fault, I overestimated myself."
The second prince immediately replied, "That's not true."
Seeing the Second Prince's reaction, it seemed he hadn't realized how important what had just happened was. Ruan Qing'an was worried that his intelligence wouldn't allow him to figure it out, so he could only give him a subtle hint.
She asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid that someone will report you to His Majesty about what happened just now?"
The Second Prince's expression changed drastically: "We must suppress this news!"
037: [Ancestor, is this guy only just realizing it?]
"It should be, if I hadn't reminded you..."
Ruan Qing'an paused, just then there was an urgent knock on the door, followed by the trusted confidant who followed the Second Prince.
Upon seeing his trusted confidant, the Second Prince immediately said, "Quickly have someone suppress the news about what happened at Zui Chun Fang today. Don't let it get out. This is very serious—"
"Your Highness, there is a very urgent matter."
The confidant was pale and glanced at Ruan Qing'an, seemingly unsure of what to do. The Second Prince waved his hand slightly. In his view, Ruan Qing'an was already on his side. If he asked Ruan Qing'an to leave in front of her, it would be a disaster.
"Go ahead and say it, Qing'an is not an outsider."
The confidant then bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Your Highness, it is Minister of Revenue, Lord Sun, who has run into trouble. A commoner has filed a complaint with the Emperor, listing a series of crimes committed by Lord Sun. The evidence is conclusive, and Lord Sun is currently under investigation."
He paused, then lowered his voice: "Lord Sun has sent someone to see Your Highness. Your Highness, have you seen them?"
The second prince sat there, his face somewhat grim: "How could someone suddenly file a complaint against the emperor? Has he gone mad? Who is that person?"
"She was an ordinary peasant woman, and she is already dead."
Hearing this, the Second Prince was in a real bind. The Minister of Revenue had supported him, but now that things had escalated to this point, Minister Sun would definitely be implicated. Not only had he filed a complaint with the Emperor, but someone had also died. This was tantamount to directly confronting Ji Hao, and it was impossible to let it go so easily.
The confidant continued, "Someone from Lord Sun's side said they hope Your Highness can lend a hand. With you here, nothing will happen."
The second prince pondered for a moment, just as he was about to speak—
"Your Highness, Second Prince, what do you say?"
"Qing'an, my little sister?"
The second prince was slightly taken aback and looked at Ruan Qing'an. She smoothed the fur on her fox fur coat, chuckled, and smiled in her leaden gray eyes: "My suggestion is that Your Highness should resolve your own affairs first, rather than helping Lord Sun through his difficulties."
"But Lord Sun is a vital force supporting me."
The second prince frowned, somewhat reluctant to give up the interests of the Ministry of Revenue.
Ruan Qing'an countered, "Your Highness, your own power is the foundation. If you were to damage your power for the sake of Lord Sun, it would be a losing proposition."
"Besides, we must suppress the news about tonight's events."
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince was surprised to find that Ruan Qing'an's words made sense. He whispered to his confidant, "Go and deal with the matter of Zui Chun Fang tonight."
"What about Lord Sun's men?"
"...Let it sit for now."
The confidant nodded slightly and immediately left the private room, while the Second Prince looked at Ruan Qing'an: "Sister Qing'an, do you have any further insights?"
Ruan Qing'an smiled modestly; she had successfully infiltrated the enemy's ranks.
She tapped the table lightly: "Your Highness, what you need to guard against now is someone attacking you from behind. It wasn't just Lord Sun who was involved tonight, but also Young Master Sun. You must be very careful."
"Besides, you won't get any credit even if you go to help."
The second prince was taken aback: "What does this mean?"
Ruan Qing'an explained, "You remember what happened tonight, Your Highness. Even if Lord Sun escapes this time and can continue to serve as Minister of Revenue, can he really continue to support you openly and sincerely?"
"If Lord Sun knew that Young Master Sun slept with Your Highness's woman, then this matter would be like a thorn in his side. Even if you help him, Lord Sun will still wonder if you harbor some hatred towards Young Master Sun, after all... so many people know about this."
Upon hearing Ruan Qing'an mention the Drunken Spring Pavilion, the Second Prince's face turned ashen, as if he had swallowed a fly. Even he felt a tightness in his chest about it; putting himself in the other's shoes—
Doesn't Sun Tianyuan feel afraid and worried?
If Minister Sun knew, would he have no reaction at all?
The second prince thought it made more and more sense. Helping Minister Sun might not only disrupt his progress in handling his matter, but also potentially please neither side...
He made a quick decision and immediately summoned the people guarding outside: "Go and send away Lord Sun's men. Tell them that I can't help with this matter, and that he brought it upon himself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
That settled the matter.
Ruan Qing'an glanced at the sky outside, then stood up and gave a slight bow: "Your Highness, it is getting late, so I will take my leave without disturbing you any longer."
"Okay, Qing'an, be careful on your journey."
The Second Prince escorted Ruan Qing'an to the carriage below Hongyun Tower and suddenly said, "Sister Qing'an is intelligent. This time, Sun Tianyuan and Lord Sun had an accident together. I feel that someone is plotting against me behind my back."
Ruan Qing'an immediately declared righteously, "If it is within my power, I will do everything in my power to help Your Highness find the person behind this!"
"Then thank you very much, Sister Qing'an!"
The second prince was overjoyed and left leisurely.
037, who witnessed everything: [Ancestor, he actually sent you to find the person behind it all, aren't you?]
"It's interesting that I'm catching myself."
Ruan Qing'an chuckled, turned around and got into the carriage. The carriage was pitch black. When she got in, she accidentally bumped into the edge, making a dull thud.
"Ouch—that hurts!"
Her body was not only frail but also sensitive; the mere impact caused Ruan Qing'an's eyes to well up with tears.
And in the very next moment—
A long, slender hand landed on her head, protecting Ruan Qing'an, and pulled her into the carriage. She stumbled and fell into a broad embrace.
"The Second Prince probably never imagined that you, the one I just had a fight with, would be in the carriage next to him, right?"
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