"Your Highness, let me get some ice to soothe your eyes. They're so red and swollen; it won't look good if the Crown Prince sees them later," the nanny advised.
Tang Yun snorted, "What are you busy with? How could the Crown Prince possibly come here tonight?"
"He will definitely consummate his marriage with that woman, making me a laughingstock in the palace!"
Tang Yun didn't care about herself; after all, she had a falling out with the Crown Prince, and she didn't want to sleep anyway. But today, her mother cried and said that her actions and words were all linked to the Vice Minister's Mansion, and that others were mocking her, which made the Vice Minister's Mansion look even worse in public.
But what can she do now?
The old woman also looked anxious. "Perhaps that woman knows proper etiquette and will persuade him to come over to save face for the Crown Prince."
Tang Yun glanced at the old woman and said, "I'd rather hope my cat keeps me company all night than hope for him."
The old woman was speechless, and fearing that she might be upset, she changed the subject.
"That Consort Su is quite sensible; she manages everything inside and outside the house very well. Just now, she deliberately had us send one of the two plates of nuptial wine over there."
"If we back down now, it won't be appropriate for them to make a fuss about today's events later."
Tang Yun didn't react much. "There's a reason she's been able to stay by the Crown Prince's side for so long. But now she's just a decoration in the Eastern Palace, like me. The young prince's birth mother is the real protagonist."
"She naturally wanted to curry favor with me and win me over."
"She was also afraid that the woman wouldn't tolerate her."
The old woman raised an eyebrow. "It's good that Miss knows the truth."
Tang Yun was rarely praised by the nanny, but she felt even more annoyed.
*
Lin Qingwan waited for almost an hour, but the Crown Prince still hadn't returned.
Logically, he and Vice Minister Tang shouldn't have been talking so late. What could have kept him occupied for so long? Could it be that the Emperor was making things difficult for him?
Lin Qingwan patiently coaxed Feng'er to sleep in the side hall before returning to the main house.
The eunuch brought back a late-night snack. "There's an urgent report from the border. The Crown Prince has summoned all the generals overnight to discuss countermeasures. Please rest, Madam."
Why did the border send such an urgent report at this time?
Was it a coincidence, or was it deliberately chosen to coincide with the Crown Prince's wedding?
The eunuch was about to leave when Lin Qingwan said, "Wait."
She packed the snacks that Mu Xue had prepared into a food box, "to bring some snacks for the Crown Prince to eat."
Seeing how much she cared for the Crown Prince, the eunuch smiled and said, "The kitchen has also prepared a midnight snack for the generals."
Lin Qingwan froze, realizing she had really gone to the wrong place.
But this eunuch was a smooth talker. "When the Crown Prince is busy, he usually doesn't eat late-night snacks, and no amount of persuasion can change that. But the Crown Prince will definitely eat the Madam's snacks."
Lin Qingwan blushed slightly as she continued packing the pastries.
Qiu Hong's eyes darted around, "And there's the nuptial wine."
She pushed the celadon jade cup that Tang's nanny had brought to Lin Qingwan's side, saying, "On this joyous day, although there are important matters to attend to, it won't affect our drinking of the nuptial wine."
"Only if you and the Crown Prince have consumed wine can the ceremony be considered complete."
Lin Qingwan stared at her. This girl was usually so sensible, why was she bringing this up now?
"It's alright, military matters are more important," she said.
Qiu Hong chuckled, "The wedding is also very important."
Fearing the eunuch might overhear, she leaned close and whispered in Lin Qingwan's ear, "Miss, think about how the Crown Prince carried you into the palace today, repeatedly saying in front of others that he was afraid you would leave the capital."
"At this moment, I'm afraid everyone else thinks that the Crown Prince can't let you go."
Lin Qingwan's cheeks burned even more. "I... I know what you mean. But the Crown Prince and the generals are together. If I go to find him... I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate."
Qiu Hong said, "It's suitable."
Lin Qingwan hesitated.
However, Cang Ying rushed back and said, "Madam, the Crown Prince asked me to tell you that he will be personally leading an expedition against the Xiongnu in two hours. He will not be back for at least half a month, or at most a month."
Lin Qingwan clenched her fists under her sleeves, her expression grave.
Qiu Hong then said, "Madam, let's go see the Crown Prince off."
"Mm." Lin Qingwan didn't hesitate any longer, reached out and took the nuptial wine, but paused when she touched the jade cup.
Qiu Hong thought she was still embarrassed, "Don't worry, after we get there, the Crown Prince will definitely meet with you alone, and won't let you do it in front of the generals..."
"Not this one." Lin Qingwan interrupted her, placed the jade cup between her lips and nose and sniffed it carefully, her fingers tracing the inner edge for a while.
"Bring me the wine jug so I can see it."
Qiu Hong knew she was sensitive to the medication, and upon seeing this, her breath caught in her throat as she handed it over with both hands.
Sure enough, Lin Qingwan only smelled the alcohol before tossing it aside, saying, "No need to take it."
The Crown Prince's Study.
When Cang Ying entered, she didn't hide from the generals, since they were all trusted confidants who had followed the Crown Prince for many years. She said directly, "Your Highness, the Madam has brought you some refreshments."
"I also packed all your personal belongings."
These things were actually organized by Cang Ying, but Lin Qingwan was also in the main house. She did fold the clothes and put in a few mosquito repellent sachets.
Zhao Cong was surprised that she would come in person, and immediately put down the map in his hand, asking, "Where is she?"
"Side room".
This was the first time Zhao Cong had lost his composure in front of his confidants; he left in a flustered and hurried manner.
The generals were stunned for a long time before someone finally spoke up, "So what happened during the day wasn't an act? The Crown Prince really likes her?"
"Ahem, let's be more precise."
"It is said that the young prince likes her and is clamoring for her to be his mother."
"Shh! The lady is the little prince's birth mother, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"I'm not making this up, but I can clearly see that the Crown Prince tricked the young prince into coming back to him as his wife."
No one refuted these words.
Side room.
Zhao Cong composed himself before pushing open the door and entering.
"Your Highness." Lin Qingwan, who had been tense the whole time, immediately bowed upon hearing the noise.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
