"What does Old Madam Pan mean? She heard from others that I was taken into the palace, so she concludes that I am a traitor, and that Miss Ye is being betrothed to me so that she will be buried with me, is that it!"
Although Yun Zhuo was asking questions, his voice was as cold as ice, like ice blocks being smashed down one after another, almost scaring Grandma Pan so much that she collapsed to the ground.
"Your Highness Prince Jing, please calm down!" Pan Yuanzhou rushed over and heard Yun Zhuo's words before he even entered the door. He immediately ran in and knelt beside his mother.
“My mother is short-sighted and easily swayed by rumors. She has offended His Highness Prince Jing. I beg His Highness to forgive her this time, out of consideration for our past relationship!” Pan Yuanzhou’s forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.
Everyone present, except for Ye Qingxue, was kneeling, extremely nervous.
Pan Yuanzhou hurriedly said to the old lady, "The matter of Prince Jing's unauthorized troop deployment has been investigated and found to be clear. He not only did not deploy troops without authorization, but he also did not rebel."
"His Majesty, considering the merits of Prince Jing and Miss Ye, has bestowed a marriage upon them! Mother, quickly apologize to Prince Jing and Miss Ye!"
The old lady was horrified. Thinking of the humiliation she had inflicted on Ye Qingxue, she could hardly breathe.
Yun Zhuo was still staring at her intently, as if he was determined to make her apologize to Ye Qingxue today.
"What happened today is entirely my fault. I blamed Miss Ye without even knowing the facts. Please forgive me, Miss Ye... If you want as many medicinal herbs as you want, whatever kind you want, just go and buy them... Oh no, I'll have someone personally send them to the Marquis's residence later!"
Ye Qingxue said, "For the sake of Young Master Pan, I will not hold this against you, but I hope that such a thing will not happen again. I hope that Lord Pan will keep a close eye on your mother!"
Pan Yuanzhou nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I will definitely remember. I have offended you today, but I will come to apologize tomorrow!"
Ye Qingxue said, "No need for that. Taking good care of Young Master Pan's injuries is the most important thing. I will also have someone send him some medicine and tonics tomorrow to express my gratitude!"
With that, the matter finally came to an end. Pan Yuanzhou immediately helped his mother away, and the other ladies also left reluctantly.
However, the third branch of the family did not leave.
Although they remained silent, they watched from the sidelines the whole time.
Ji Mingwei, in particular, sensed something was terribly wrong when she heard the contents of the imperial decree granting her marriage.
The fact that she wasn't rewarded isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is that the Emperor actually bestowed a marriage upon Yun Zhuo and Ye Qingxue at such a critical juncture, which can only mean that... Yun Zhuo is alright.
When she saw Yun Zhuo appear at the Marquis's residence, it confirmed her suspicions—if Yun Zhuo won, what about Prince Xuan?
Doesn't that mean Prince Xuan has lost?
The ambition of Prince Xuan has been exposed. Losing at such a crucial moment will make it difficult for him to hide his true intentions, secretly deal with Yun Zhuo, and ascend to the position of crown prince.
"Weiwei, it's Auntie's fault. Auntie thought..." Madam Wan was very embarrassed, afraid of angering Ji Mingwei.
But Ji Mingwei quickly raised her hand: "What did Aunt do wrong? Why should she apologize to me? The eldest daughter's marriage has been delayed for a long time, and now that she has finally found a husband, we should be happy for her."
Ji Mingwei stepped forward, gave Yun Zhuo a slight curtsy, and then said, "Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Jing, congratulations, Miss. Good things come to those who wait, and it is truly wonderful to finally receive your good news today."
Then, speaking alone to Ye Qingxue, she smiled and said, "Back in the Marquis's mansion, we were sisters. Even after we get married, we can still be sisters-in-law. Eldest Miss, we have a deep connection. I hope you will guide me in the future."
Ye Qingxue studied her for a moment and smiled, "You're too kind, Miss."
As Ji Mingwei walked around the corner, the smile on her face vanished completely. Her hands, hidden beneath her wide sleeves, slowly clenched, then relaxed after a while, a smile curving her lips.
Fortunately, she and Prince Xuan still have a trump card that will surely deliver a fatal blow to Yun Zhuo and Ye Qingxue, preventing them from becoming crown princes. However, when and where to use that trump card still requires careful consideration.
...
Yun Zhuo and Ye Qingxue were still in the front yard, along with Yun Zhuo's people and Ye Qingxue's people.
"I'll go check on Chunqian's injuries," Qiu Shen said, pulling Xia Lü away.
Zhuang Xin remained standing there after Ye Qingxue's maid left, until Yun Zhuo looked at him quietly.
Just then, a bird flew overhead, and Yun Zhuo said, "That bird is beautiful. Zhuang Xin, go and catch it."
Zhuang Xin was bewildered: "Why were you captured?"
"...It's pretty, I'll keep it as a pet."
Zhuang Xin went to catch the birds, full of doubt.
Yun Zhuo let out a breath and looked at Ye Qingxue beside him. Finally, only the two of them were left.
“I’ll take you back to Pear Snow Residence,” Yun Zhuo said.
Ye Qingxue hummed in agreement and nodded.
The two walked side by side, with Ye Qingxue still holding the imperial edict in her hand, but her hand, which was closer to Yun Zhuo's, would occasionally touch his arm.
Once, twice, three times... Yun Zhuo silently counted, while secretly making up his mind that if Ye Qingxue did not avoid him on the fifth time, he would hold Ye Qingxue's hand.
Unexpectedly, Ye Qingxue suddenly stopped and looked at him: "Want to hold hands?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
