Chapter 19: Point for the Third Place
The tears in Qingwu's eyes stopped immediately. She was very familiar with this voice, yet also very unfamiliar. Even if Song Yunhe had been distant and cold to her in the past, he had never been so impatient with her.
Song Yunhe saw Qingwu talking to the old servant from a distance. He was already in a bad mood, and Qingwu's action undoubtedly reminded him of everything he had suffered. Seeing Qingwu staring at him in a daze, he urged him impatiently.
"Why are you still standing there? Don't you want to get in the carriage?"
Although he asked her why she was crying, it was just a casual question and did not show any substantial concern.
Song Yunhe's attitude naturally annoyed Baozhu, who couldn't help but ask, "My lady is in deep sorrow, why is your husband so fierce?"
Seeing that a little maid dared to contradict him in public, Song Yunhe could not help but look at her coldly and scolded: "When will it be your turn..."
But when he met Qingwu's eyes halfway through his words and saw the anger in them, Song Yunhe couldn't help but stop talking. After all, she was the daughter of Xi Jingzhou. Even if he was dissatisfied with her, he had to respect her. Moreover, the results of the palace examination were about to be announced. If his father-in-law could help him, he would definitely be able to lend a hand.
So he had to suppress his impatience, took a deep breath, and explained apologetically, "I just had a dispute with a fellow student, and I was in a bad mood, which affected Miss Baozhu."
He looked at Qing Wu again and said gently, "I have neglected Madam. Why are you crying? There are so many people outside, so let's get in the carriage first, otherwise others will think I bullied Madam."
After hearing his explanation, although his words were questionable, they made sense after all. Qingwu's expression reluctantly eased, and when he saw that some people were indeed looking over there, he nodded.
However, before leaving, she turned around and said goodbye to the old tenant in a gentle voice.
Song Yunhe saw this move, and he felt a bit of contempt in his heart. He was indeed a country boy, and even if he married into a wealthy family, he couldn't change his common habits.
But when Qingwu turned around and got on the carriage, Song Yunhe reached out his hand in time to support him, without any contempt on his face.
He could also see that Qingwu was still unhappy because of what he had just said. After getting in the car, he had a cold face and didn't speak to him. So he cheered up and tried to comfort him again and again.
Song Yunhe was a handsome man, and it would have been fine if he had been distant and cold towards Qingwu in the past, but when he really lowered himself and spoke softly, there was a gentleness and tenderness in his manner, like a spring breeze.
After a quarter of an hour, Qingwu calmed down and started talking to him in a friendly manner again.
The topic of conversation naturally turned to what had just happened. The Crown Prince had fallen off his horse in front of everyone's eyes, so Qing Wu discussed the incident with him and couldn't help but say with concern, "I wonder how seriously the Crown Prince has been injured..."
Who would have thought that the man who had just spoken to her so gently would change his expression again? Without thinking, Song Yunhe said, "Why are you so concerned about him? He's not your husband."
His mind once again recalled Tong'er's reaction when she learned the news that the prince had fallen from his horse, and he couldn't help feeling annoyed.
Qing Wu was frightened by his tone again. He didn't understand why he dared to say that. Not to mention the close relationship between the prince and the Xi family, just his identity as the crown prince, who wouldn't care about it?
Meeting Qingwu's surprised and shocked eyes, Song Yunhe realized that he had spoken out of turn, and couldn't help but secretly annoy himself for being so rash today.
This matter was of no trivial importance, and Song Yunhe had to give an explanation. He thought about it for a thousand times, but within two breaths, when his eyes fell on Qingwu's beautiful face, his heart moved.
He turned his head away and lowered his eyes, his tone rarely shy: "I am just jealous. Why does my wife care so much about other men..."
Qingwu had never seen Song Yunhe like this before. After hearing such sweet words, she was stunned for a few breaths, and her face turned red when she realized what was going on.
"So that's how it is..."
When the girl lowered her eyes shyly, the man quietly touched the hand in her sleeve, and the finger marks on the back of her hand that had almost disappeared began to sting slightly again.
----------
Once Qingwu returned to the Song family, it became difficult to get accurate information about the prince, though she could still catch a glimpse of him even in the busiest teahouses. The lively Baozhu did her best to find out everything for her.
When she first returned to inquire, Baozhu was indignant. "There's no news about the Crown Prince, but I heard rumors that the Crown Prince's concubine saved the Crown Prince. It was obviously you, my lady!"
Qing Wu sighed slightly, but didn't say anything. He just comforted Bao Zhu and said, "It's nothing. It's just a rumor."
When he went back to inquire for the second time, he did find out, but the news he got made Qingwu frown.
"You said, there are rumors that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not recuperate but knelt in front of His Majesty's bedroom for a whole day and night? How is this possible... Is he crazy? Would His Majesty be willing to do this?"
"Yeah, I also think it's impossible, but they say it so seriously..."
Baozhu also couldn't believe it. How could someone not seek treatment for a broken leg?
＊
In the East Palace
Zhao Tong looked at the Crown Prince who had fainted and was carried back, wiping his tears and giving instructions to the young eunuchs.
"Everyone, please be careful and don't wake His Highness. He needs to recuperate now. Where is the imperial physician? Has he arrived?"
"They are on the way. If His Highness feels weak, we will go and invite him."
Hearing his disciple's answer, Zhao Tong finally breathed a sigh of relief. This relaxation made him fall directly onto the prince's bed. However, he didn't care at all. He just looked at the young prince on the bed and wiped his tears and said:
"Your Highness, why are you doing this? You should take care of yourself first. If you keep kneeling like this with a broken leg, how can I, your servant, face the Empress when I get down?"
But Zhao Tong only received silence in response. Even though the prince on the bed had fainted, his brows were still tightly furrowed, and it was obvious that he was worried.
Seeing this, Zhao Tong couldn't help but slap himself and hurriedly told the prince the good news, "Look, I forgot to tell you, Your Highness, don't worry, His Majesty didn't send poisoned wine to Master Yao again, and his life is safe now..."
I don’t know if he really heard it or what, but the fainted person’s brows actually relaxed slightly.
Seeing that his master was thinking about Taifu Yao even in his dreams, Zhao Tong could no longer help but feel hatred in his heart. He hated the people in the Golden Palace for being so cruel that they could ignore the prince's broken leg and kneeling. He also blamed the emperor for ignoring Taifu's lifelong dedication to Dayu and causing him to lose his integrity in his later years.
How dare Zhao Tong tell his master?
Although he knelt on his broken leg for a day and a night and saved Master Yao's life, it still failed to persuade his father to investigate the matter thoroughly. The emperor still made Master Yao bear the stigma and sentenced him to exile for 3,000 miles.
How could they not understand why Taifu Yao, at such an advanced age, had to endure such a punishment? Even though he had many students all over the world, he had stood in the way of the Crown Prince's tutor, and thus his reputation was ruined...
Two days later, Qingwu no longer had the energy to worry about the prince.
First, it is difficult to tell whether the rumors are true or false, and second, the results of the palace examination are out.
Her husband Song Yunhe was unexpectedly selected as the third place winner!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
