Chapter 422 - 422: The Stubborn Donkey

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Qu Xinwei thought to herself. As the young prince, he had a noble status, but there was no one he could trust. Sigh, this young prince was actually quite pitiful.

Feigning helplessness, Qu Xinwei spoke, “Your Highness, I received a letter yesterday. My parents are not well and need my immediate care. I have no choice but to return home.”

The matter concerned filial piety, and the Young Prince dared not object.

The young prince was extremely disappointed. It was not easy for him to have someone to eat with him, but he was leaving after just one meal. “Guard Qu, I really can’t bear to see you leave…”

At this point, the capricious yet kind-hearted Young Prince came up with an idea, “Guard Qu, why not bring your parents to the mansion? That way, you can take care of them and stay here.”

Qu Xinwei was speechless.

“Your Highness, there’s still an orchard to tend to at home. That’s Father and Mother’s life’s work. I can’t ask them to abandon it.”

The Young Prince grew anxious, “This won’t work, that won’t work, isn’t there a way to have the best of both worlds?”

Qu Xinwei bowed her head silently, not responding. She had to leave, but how could she do it without hurting anyone?

The Young Prince reached to grab Qu Xinwei’s clothes but then hesitated and withdrew his hand, sighing deeply in disappointment, “Fine then, you may leave.”

Qu Xinwei bowed to the Young Prince, “Your Highness, I’ll take my leave.” He promptly packed his belongings and left Prince Rui’s mansion.

“Nine” and the Western envoy had already been sent to the dungeon, likely having been interrogated by now.

The butler approached the Young Prince and whispered, “Your Highness, Guard Qu has left.”

The Young Prince’s eyes reddened slightly. He truly was a man without friends, “You may leave. I need some time alone.”

The butler looked at the young prince with heartache and left.

Changle Palace.

The personal palace maid walked into the palace hesitantly. “Princess, I heard a piece of news. I don’t know if it’s true.”

Princess Changle had been in a foul mood lately, and this extended to her view of the people and things around her. She looked impatiently at the maid, “Speak, what is it?”

The maid lowered her head, “Last night, a young lady arrived in the palace. She’s the master of the Little Divine Doctor, but she has another identity…” Princess Changle, impatient, interjected, “What identity? Can’t you speak faster?”

The maid hurried, “She is General Tang’s fiancee.”

Princess Changle froze in shock, then erupted in anger, “How dare she! Not only did she ensnare Jinghong, but now she dares to enter the palace and seduce my brother? How audacious!”

The maid, risking being struck, whispered, “She was invited to the palace to treat His Majesty…”

Princess Changle slapped the maid, “Do you have a right to speak here?”

The maid stumbled back, covering her face as tears streamed down, feeling a burning pain.

Princess Changle impatiently walked out of the bedchamber and headed for the imperial study.

“Brother, Brother…” Princess Chang Le stood respectfully at the entrance of the Imperial Study, not daring to act rashly in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor, massaging his temples with a headache, called, “Come in.”

Princess Changle raised a smile as she walked into the imperial study. She bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Brother.”

When the Emperor saw Princess Changle, his head hurt even more. “Changle, I asked you to reflect on yourself. Have you reflected?”

Princess Changle hurriedly said, “Brother, I know what I’ve done wrong.”

The Emperor raised his brush to handle the memorials. He wanted to test if Changle really knew her mistake by ignoring her for a while.

In the end, Princess Changle was unable to restrain her impatience. “Brother, I heard that Jinghong’s fiancee entered the palace last night?”

The Emperor thought, ‘Oh no.’ Changle was stubborn, and Chu Qingzhi was not someone to be trifled with. If they clashed, could the capital withstand it?

“I’m busy now. Go ask the Empress; she knows,” the Emperor replied.

Princess Changle thought it might be easier to talk to a woman and headed to the Empress’s palace.

The Emperor sighed in relief. He had scolded and punished Changle, but she was as stubborn as a donkey, refusing to listen. He felt helpless.

“Empress, my apologies for the trouble.”

In the Central Palace.

The young crown prince, having finished his breakfast, hurried to the Central Palace to see the Empress, “Mother, when can we visit sister?”

The Empress, in her regal attire, exuded grace and gentleness. She lifted the crown prince onto her lap, “First, tell me why you can’t stop thinking about that sister?”

The crown prince, with clear, innocent eyes, spoke softly, “Last night, I almost died, but Sister saved me.”

The Empress quickly covered his mouth, “Don’t say such things, what do you mean ‘almost died’?”

The crown prince, with a childlike innocence, explained, “Last night, I couldn’t breathe, but as soon as Sister touched my wrist, I came back to life.”

The Empress recalled the previous night’s events. Chu Qingzhi took the crown prince from her arms, placed him on the bed, checked his pulse, and before any medicine was given, he recovered.

This Chu Qingzhi had an extraordinary bearing and outstanding ability. Her medical skills were extremely high. She was probably a lady from a hidden family who had ultimate skills.

“Son, Sister is not free recently. Let’s go see her when she’s free, okay?”

The crown prince looked innocent. “Is Sister very busy?”

Helping Tang Jinghong investigate a case that involved tens of thousands of people. How could she not be busy? “That’s right. Sister has to help General Tang. She’ll only have time in a few days.”

The crown prince was conflicted. “In that case… let’s look for Sister in a few days.”

The Empress patted the little crown prince’s back and said gently, “Be good. Hurry up and practice your calligraphy. I’ll check it for your father later.”

The crown prince walked to the empress and bowed obediently. “I’ll take my leave.”

The Empress smiled in relief. “Go ahead.”

As soon as the little crown prince left, Princess Changle rushed in.

“Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law…”

The empress also had a headache over this sister-in-law, but she did not show it at all. She smiled and said, “Changle, why are you here so early today?”

Princess Changle had a favor to ask of the empress, so she was even more polite than usual. “Sister-in-law, since you’ve already asked this question, then I’ll speak frankly.”

The Empress patted the soft cushion beside her. “Changle, sit down and talk.”

Princess Changle was impatient, and she didn’t stand on ceremony. She sat down and hurriedly said, “Sister-in-law, did you see Jinghong’s fiancee yesterday?”

The empress didn’t know about this at first. She didn’t hear Yuan Hongjun’s words, but she was the empress of the Central Palace. There were many people reporting to her. “Changle, who did you hear this from?”

“Sister-in-law, the news has already spread throughout the palace. Don’t tell me you don’t know?” Princess Changle looked at the empress in disbelief. The empress was the head of the six palaces, yet she was not even as informed as her. How was this possible?

The empress was still gentle. Her tone was neither fast nor slow. “Changle, it doesn’t matter if I know or not.. What’s important is why are you asking about her?”