Misidentification
The news that the Lu family's carriage was driving recklessly through the streets spread quickly with the flow of people.
When Prince Xiao Yu entered the city, he heard that the runaway carriage was carrying Miss Lu. He sent half of his entourage back to the palace first, and rode to the place where the carriage went out of control. He saw a mess on the roadside and the steward of the Lu family was negotiating with someone. After inquiring, he learned that Miss Lu had already returned to the palace.
Therefore, Xiao Yu went to the Lu residence instead.
Upon reaching East Street, just as he was about to turn into the alley at the end, he saw a woman in a white dress running out from around the corner. Her face was covered with a plain veil, and her dark, moist eyes were filled with tears. She was the woman he had longed for for so long.
Seeing that there was a man chasing after him, he didn't think twice. He rode forward, pulled the man into his arms, and ordered his attendants to protect him.
Noticing the person in his arms struggling, he comforted her, "Qingxue, don't be afraid."
Lu Xier was suddenly lifted onto the horse, extremely flustered. When she heard the name "Qingxue", she was stunned. How could anyone know the name she used before?
Looking up, she saw that the person embracing her was a young man with a handsome face, but somewhat pale. His black hair was half tied up with a gold and jade crown, and he wore a light yellow silk robe embroidered with dazzling gold thread.
Looking at the guards accompanying her, their armor gleamed with silver light, their helmets adorned with red tassels, each exuding an extraordinary air. In just a few breaths, they had scared away all those chasing her.
"Your Highness, they don't seem to be ordinary thugs."
The guard bowed his head and reported without looking up, but Lu Xier had never been held high in someone's arms before, and was so embarrassed that she had to dismount.
Xiao Yu jumped down first and helped her down. "Why are you here alone? Who are those people?"
Lu Xier pulled back the arm that was supporting her, "You've mistaken me for someone else."
Upon hearing her voice, Xiao Yu paused, then looked closely and noticed a subtle difference in her eyebrows and eyes before taking a step back.
"Sorry, I acted hastily just now."
His originally smiling face turned awkward, and he looked much colder.
Lu Xier looked away. "Thank you for earlier." After saying that, she walked back the way she came.
Seeing her walking alone, and remembering the two men who had just chased her, Xiao Yu ordered two guards to follow behind and escort her.
Lu Xier was still uneasy, but when she heard the noise behind her, her feelings were quite complicated, but getting back was the most important thing.
In Wutong Lane, Aunt Man climbed over the wall and walked forward. When she saw Lu Xier return, her bruised and swollen face showed a look of surprise and joy.
Lu Xier quickly went to support her, "Godmother, how are you?"
"It's nothing, just a minor bump." Aunt Man took a breath, straightened up, and peered behind her. "Who are these two?"
Two guards in silver armor with red tassels bowed in unison, and one of them said, "We are here on the orders of the Prince to escort this young lady home."
"Your Highness?" Aunt Man's eyes lit up. In this Weizhou City, there was only one prince.
*
Mu Qing returned to Ningxiang Residence, still shaken, repeatedly pondering the place where the horse pulling the carriage had gone mad.
Several food stalls on that street were doing brisk business, and leftover food was dumped in the nearby back alleys, mostly attracting beggars. Beggars were easy to hide and easy to bribe.
The timing of those whistles was too opportune; they were most likely a feint to attract attention.
Thinking about all this, she couldn't believe that the carriage going out of control was an accident.
Someone must have recognized her. What is this person or these people up to?
If no one stops it, where will that frightened horse drag the carriage?
As if sensing that ghosts were lurking in the shadows, she felt a chill run through her body even while sitting in the bright sunlight.
When Xiao Yu arrived, he saw her sitting on the swing in the courtyard, her hair styled in an exquisite cross bun, wearing a lotus-colored wide-sleeved gauze dress with a flowing hem that swayed slowly.
"His leisurely lifestyle has made me worry for nothing."
Upon hearing this, Mu Qing looked up and saw that the young prince had entered the courtyard at some point. The servants in the courtyard did not make a sound, but they all had a slight smile on their faces.
Xiao Yu approached her and saw that she had removed her veil, and her cheeks were as smooth as before. Although her eyes resembled those of the woman he had just rescued, her spirit was different.
He wondered to himself how he could have mistaken someone for someone else.
"When did Your Highness return?" Mu Qing asked, standing up with a smile.
"I just entered Weizhou City and heard that your carriage had an accident, so I rushed over." Xiao Yu looked her over again, his tone slightly disappointed. "It seems like nothing happened to you."
Mu Qing solicitously invited him to sit on the swing, "Your Highness, how many days have you traveled back? Are you tired?"
Xiao Yu sat down, lifting his robe, and said, "How come you've become so caring?"
Mu Qing frowned. Princess Duanjing had said that the young prince would be returning soon, and she had specifically asked Ning Gu how to handle the situation. She really hadn't expected the young prince to ask her why she cared about others.
She then retorted, "When have I ever stopped caring about people?"
Xiao Yu chuckled, "That's more like you."
Mu Qing was stunned for a moment. She had long since lost sight of who she was.
Xiao Yu looked at her and asked, "Where did the carriage hit when it went out of control?"
Mu Qing shook her head.
The young prince always makes fun of her; if she were to kowtow, he would probably make fun of her again.
Are you scared?
Mu Qing still wanted to shake her head, but she couldn't. She was too scared to deny it, but she also couldn't tell anyone.
Zhong Linlan knew her background, but she had only managed to make him give up on her after she lured a poisonous snake to bite him last time. If she tried to find him again, she feared she would never be able to shake him off. As for Uncle Huai, he was even less likely to be able to be relied upon.
What would the young prince do if he knew she was an imposter, a young lady from the Lu family?
She thought for a moment, but before she could come up with anything, she felt her cheek being pinched.
Seeing that she had come to her senses, Xiao Yu withdrew his hand and said with a half-smile, "Why are you so scared?"
Mu Qingqiang argued, "It was quite frightening at the time."
Xiao Yu said, "Tell me in detail."
Helpless, Mu Qing could only exaggerate the situation at the time.
Xiao Yu deliberately encouraged her to talk more, and after a while, he returned to the palace. He then chatted with Princess Duanjing and shared lunch. When he returned to his quarters, he was extremely tired.
The room is cleaned every day, just as it was when he left.
Wisps of white smoke rose from the purple-gold Boshan incense burner, releasing a faint fragrance. Layers of gauze curtains hung down, blocking out the dazzling sunlight.
Xiao Yu slept on the couch for several hours. When he woke up, he had regained his energy and rang the golden bell to call Qi Sheng to report.
Qi Sheng was always efficient. In the few hours that followed, he found out all the major and minor events that had happened in Weizhou when the young prince entered the capital. He picked out the important ones and recounted them one by one. In the end, he mentioned the incident of the Lu family's carriage going out of control.
"The horse was taken away by the government office for injuring someone. It is still unknown why it became agitated, but before it went berserk, several beggars whistled at the same time in the street. When they went to look for them afterward, they were all lying in the ditch, poisoned to death."
"Do you have any clues about who the murderer is?"
Qi Sheng said, "Not yet. However, after Miss Lu went to the Ji family's banquet last time, the Lu residence was attacked at night, and the attackers have not yet been caught."
Xiao Yu sat up. "Among the people who went to the banquet at the Ji residence that day, were there any unusual occurrences?"
“There is a student from Wansong Academy named Chen Xiang, also known as Chen Shilang, who has been missing for two days. He is a heavy drinker and gambler with many enemies. His disappearance is likely due to his moral failings.”
"Whether it is or not, find this person first."
*
The small room was furnished with simple yet elegant utensils, and several magnificent landscape paintings hung on the walls, giving it a touch of class.
The sunlight filtering through the window paper was just as warm as anywhere else, making people feel cozy and cozy.
Aunt Man tilted her head so that Lu Xier could apply the medicine to her. Her face was still bruised and purple, and her cheeks twitched uncontrollably as the medicine was applied, but she still grinned, "Xier, Heaven is helping you. Just when you were at your wit's end, you met the young prince."
Ever since she saw what the fake young lady looked like, no matter how much she tried to persuade her, Lu Xi'er refused to go to the Lu family again. For the sake of a musical score, she even pretended to be friendly with the second young master of the Ji family.
For more than half a month, the Second Young Master Ji would always use the musical scores in his family collection as bait to invite Lu Xier to meet again. Each time, he would show off a little, chat about romance and nature, and flirt with Lu Xier by being generous and attentive in every way.
Aunt Keman, being an old hand at the world, could tell that this rich young master was used to a life of pleasure and debauchery and was not a good person to rely on. She advised Lu Xier to refuse him.
Although Lu Xier listened to the advice, she was still somewhat disappointed. Early that morning, the two of them prepared to go out for a walk, but were blocked at the door by two scoundrels. When Aunt Man stepped forward to fight back, she was beaten and had many bruises on her body and face.
Thinking of the two guards who escorted Lu Xier home, Aunt Man couldn't help but laugh, "The young prince mistook you for Miss Lu, which is a blessing in disguise, it's fate."
Lu Xier had just finished applying the medicine to her and didn't want to listen anymore. "Godmother, please stop talking. The prince's expression changed immediately once he realized he had mistaken her for someone else."
Aunt Man helped her pack up the medicine bottles, still saying, "But he still sent someone to bring you back. He's so kind-hearted. If he knew you were the real daughter of the Lu family, he wouldn't be able to ignore it."
Lu Xi'er slammed her fist on the table. "Even if I knew, so what? The young lady in the Lu family now is not only beautiful, but she also looks so much like the Third Madam. How can I compete with her?"
If she were just an orphan, she could live peacefully. But her godmother always reminded her that she was originally a wealthy young lady, and someone else had taken everything from her, which she should take back. However, the other party had all the advantages, and no matter how she thought about it, there was no hope.
Seeing her anxious, Aunt Man patted her on the shoulder and back, saying, "There will be a way."
Lu Xier took a deep breath and said calmly, "Godmother, let's not think about this anymore. We still need to figure out how to deal with those two scoundrels who came to cause trouble earlier."
Aunt Man nodded. "Those two scoundrels are taller and bigger than average people, and their moves are quite methodical, like the henchmen of that Young Master Jiang."
“But…” Lu Tongxue frowned, “The Imperial Censor Zhong who warned him is still in Weizhou, how dare he?”
"Perhaps I thought that after some time, Censor Zhong would have forgotten. Later, I'll go find Censor Zhong and tell him about those two people coming to my door. This censor is a busybody; if someone comes to him because of a wrongful case from a few years ago, he'll take care of it. He's handled our case before, so he'll probably see it through to the end."
Aunt Man paused for a moment, then said, "Xi'er, I don't know if those two scoundrels are around. Don't come out with me. Go hide next door."
“Okay.” Lu Xier put on her veil.
"The neighbor I'm talking about isn't the painter Lu's house, it's Aunt Fang's house."
“I know, godmother.”
"You need to set your sights higher. You are the right person to be paired with a prince. Don't be fooled by the sweet words of that poor painter."
Lu Xier lowered her eyes and said, "Godmother, you should go out quickly. The Censor may not always be in the yamen."
Aunt Man was urged by her to the courtyard gate, but she couldn't help but turn back to give her some more advice.
Lu Xier pushed her out the door, saying, "Godmother, you can rest assured, I'll go to Aunt Fang's house now."
Aunt Man was still in pain. When she went out, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, someone passing by in the alley helped her up.
The person who helped her was a young girl. When Aunt Man turned around, she opened her mouth to thank her, but saw that the girl was staring blankly at Lu Xier.
This girl is Zixiao, a maid at Ningxiang Residence. She was demoted to tending to flowers and plants because Mu Qing was sick. Occasionally, she didn't manage them well, so she came to Wutong Lane to ask Aunt Fang for advice on how to grow them.
She hadn't been in close contact with Mu Qing for quite some time. Now, seeing the veiled girl at the courtyard gate, her clear and beautiful eyes were quite striking, and her figure looked familiar. She remembered that afternoon when she saw her mistress sneaking out with her face covered, so she assumed that her mistress had sneaked out again and come to this Wutong Lane.
She cried out, "Miss, what are you doing here?"
Lu Xi'er was taken aback. "I have never seen you before, young lady. Are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else?"
Zi Xiao hesitated. The voice sounded slightly different, but somewhat similar. Did the young lady not want to be recognized?
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