“The Regent is one, the Crown Prince is one, the Duke of Zhenguo is one…” Marquis Ningyuan counted them carefully, “However, the Regent has already perished in the Mingyue Kingdom, so who do you think will be next?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai suddenly realized that this Marquis of Ningyuan might be completely different from what she had imagined.
Since the two sides have already torn off all pretense of civility, she no longer needs to beat around the bush: "Since Lord Marquis has already found Ah Qi, this fake crown prince, are you planning to go to great lengths to get rid of him and then go and cultivate a new crown prince?"
"You... what did you say?" Marquis Ningyuan couldn't believe his ears. "When did you find out? How did you find out? Was it that brat Ah Qi...?"
He panicked immediately. If this matter were exposed, his future would be completely over.
He couldn't let this get out.
Thinking this, he reached out to grab Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai was prepared and immediately dodged, even kicking him in the back.
“My lord, if you don’t want people to know, then don’t do it in the first place. Ah Qi didn’t tell me anything, but I know this matter very well. If you are willing to let Tianxiang Tower go in the future, I will naturally keep this secret to myself.” Xu Yuehuai naturally knew the seriousness of this matter and immediately expressed his stance.
Regardless, Ah Qi had never harbored ill intentions towards them before, and this was the last thing she could do for him. What would become of her in the future would depend on Ah Qi's own fate.
Marquis Ningyuan had never suffered such humiliation. He stood up with great effort and said, "Hmph, don't be so smug. Once the protection of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is gone, you won't be able to stay in Chang'an for long!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency. However, there are many eyes in the capital watching your every move. Perhaps this is inappropriate?" Xu Yuehuai was never afraid of trouble, nor did she provoke it. But if the other party really dared to come, she would definitely not be polite.
Moreover, her current position in Chang'an City is not solely due to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"you!"
Xu Yuehuai's nonchalance and the subtle reminder only made Marquis Ningyuan even angrier.
"We'll see!" With a flick of his sleeve, Marquis Dingyuan left first.
He thought he could make Xu Yuehuai suffer, but he didn't expect to lose out instead and get the short end of the stick.
Ah Qi, who was walking ahead, had already seen the arrival of Marquis Ningyuan, and naturally saw what happened between the two of them, but he just watched coldly. Only after Marquis Ningyuan left did he ask someone to inquire what had happened.
At this moment, a dark and ambiguous look flashed in Xu Yuehuai's eyes. She quickly stepped forward and replied, "It's nothing. Your Highness has been safely escorted back. Your Highness should go back and rest early. I'll take my leave now."
Upon hearing these cold words, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Ah Qi's eyes, indicating that Xu Yuehuai truly knew everything.
And so, Xu Yuehuai left without looking back.
Xu Yuehuai returned to Tianxiang Tower, where Third Sister had just finished her work. Seeing her return, she quickly went to greet her: "Did you send it back?"
"Hmm." Xu Yuehuai replied calmly.
She didn't want to talk about Ah Qi anymore.
Seeing that Xu Yuehuai seemed a little tired, San Niang quickly poured her a cup of hot tea and prepared to pull her aside to talk: "A Yue, what's wrong with you?"
Xu Yuehuai naturally saw through San Niang's intentions and went over with her.
After sitting down, Third Sister finally couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so cold to A-Qi? He's the Crown Prince now, of course we should get along well. Why have you changed so much?"
Everyone was very happy when Ah Qi came to eat. We felt that although Ah Qi had become wealthy, he still hadn't forgotten us. Everyone was genuinely happy and wanted to show their concern for Ah Qi.
However, Xu Yuehuai acted out of character, not only lacking his previous enthusiasm but even becoming somewhat indifferent.
“I know you’re still upset about what I said earlier, but he’s never laid a hand on us, so why do you have to be like this?” Third Sister naturally saw through it and couldn’t help but ask, “If our Tianxiang Pavilion could be protected by the Crown Prince, Ren You wouldn’t dare to bully us anymore.”
“Things are different now,” San Niang couldn’t help but retort as soon as Xu Yuehuai finished speaking.
“But he still remembers us and wants to be close to us. Ah Yue, you have to think about how much we’ve been bullied by Marquis Ningyuan these days. If he could help us out, all of this would be over.”
Third Sister spoke with some emotion, saying that she had finally made it this far, and life was gradually getting better. The child beside her had also been recognized and returned to the high and mighty Crown Prince.
The other party hasn't forgotten them, is willing to keep in touch, and even shares things happening in the capital. It doesn't seem right at all.
“As you know, he’s already enjoying wealth and status, and he’s even learned the palace rules. The palace is so snobbish, surely he can see that at his age? Instead of establishing himself in the palace, he’s out here complaining to us about things there. What’s he up to? You’re thinking too simply.” Xu Yuehuai shook her head. “Third Sister, I saw it with my own eyes. I saw how Ah Qi subtly embarrassed those princes and princesses at the Imperial Academy.”
Hearing these words, Third Sister gradually realized what was going on. Yes, Ah Qi had been gone for some time now, and it seemed that the child had truly changed.
"What will we do then?" Third Sister was also worried that they might not be careful and asked Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai stood up, walked to Third Sister's side, and patted her on the shoulder: "Alright, don't worry so much. Just be careful from now on. People who enter the palace will change, otherwise..."
She ultimately concealed her suspicions and did not tell San Niang that she had been captured by Ningyuan Hou, and that A Qi was likely the one who suffered mistreatment behind the scenes.
"Sigh, how could this happen?" Third Sister was still a little sad. Hearing such a realistic situation, she felt powerless and helpless.
Third Sister left quickly.
Only after Third Sister left and closed the door did Xu Yuehuai finally relax, slumping onto the table, her heart filled with worry.
Two more days passed, and Xu Yuehuai's life returned to normal.
She calculated that Zhou Wan and the others should have arrived in the capital by now, so she waited and even thought about telling Jiang Shichen the news immediately.
We're back!
Therefore, upon hearing the voices of the two children, Xu Yuehuai composed herself, rallied her spirits, and went downstairs to greet them.
However, after going downstairs, they only saw two people and did not see Anan.
"Why didn't Anan come back with you?" Xu Yuehuai asked the two children directly.
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