Chapter 234 - Teasing Little Minx (1)
The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir
âYour Highness.â
After walking halfway to the study, Zhao Jue encountered Qian Lianxue. She was wearing an unobtrusive, white dress today and looked even more delicate than usual. Her waist looked slender enough to be held in only one arm, and there was a sickly blush on her face.
There was no other passerby on the path. Danzhu saluted, then she stood to the side to keep watch.
The third prince looked at Qian Lianxue and said, âI heard that you provoked Sangyu.â
Qian Lianxue shook her head, sighed, and quietly said, âLianxue hasnât done anything to offend Madam. Itâs Madam thatâs insisting on making life difficult for Lianxue. She was the one that snatched the previous letter that you sent and knocked my servant unconscious.â
The third prince slightly raised his eyebrow. âHow could that be possible?â
âLianxue wouldnât lie to you.â She coughed a few times, then she said, âYour Highness, Lianxue has always whole-heartedly worked for you. But, Madam used the excuse of Lianxueâs relativeâs wrongdoing to demote Lianxue to an ordinary concubine and snatch away a lot of Lianxueâs key servants.â
What on earth was Sangyu thinking? Zhao Jue felt slightly angry. Could it be that she was the same as before? Was she willing to disregard everything in order to compete for the marquisâs favor? She should know that Qian Lianxueâs was his loyal servant.
âIâll go talk to her later about this. Just be more careful when carrying out what you should be doing.â With a fling of his sleeve, the third prince resumed walking to the study.
At present, his top priority was to find and talk to Marquis Moyu.
â
Ning Yuxuan was sitting in his study. On the small table next to him, there was a pot of tea. Seeing that the third prince had come, he invited him to sit down.
Zhao Jue laughed. âYuxuan, did you predict that I would come here?â
Marquis Moyu nodded. âThe first prince is most likely waiting to see what your expression looks like when you leave this estate.â
Although Zhao Zhe was under house arrest, Xiao Tianyi and the empress wouldnât be sitting around doing nothing. Even though the crown prince was in a dire state, the crown princeâs faction hadnât been defeated yet.
âThen, I should start practicing on showing an especially displeased and darkened expression. That way my oldest brother will feel at ease.â Zhao Jueâs gently smiled. After picking up the tea, his expression had turned downcast.
Ning Yuxuan laughed in spite of himself. But then, thinking of something else, his expression turned serious again. âI have possession of two letters. Your Highness, excuse me for speaking bluntly. You shouldnât underestimate women.â
âLetters?â Zhao Jue thought of his recent conversation with Qian Lianxue and somewhat awkwardly asked, âWhere did these two letters come from?â
Marquis Moyu took out the two letters. One letter was smudged, but some of the words could still be clearly read. The other letter was in perfect condition.
After reading the two letters, the third princeâs expression sunk. He coldly harrumphed and said, âI must have been blind.â
After a pause, he still somewhat incredulously asked, âDid you get both of these letters from her?â
Ning Yuxuan nodded. âItâs all thanks to Sangyu.â
If Sangyu hadnât given the back gateâs guard so much money, he wouldnât have paid attention to Danzhu, much less pursue the matter of Qian Lainxueâs family letters. It was because he had always underestimated women, so he hadnât notice that there had been such deeply hidden saboteur.
He had previously disregarded the third princeâs meddling in his harem through Qian Lianxue because he thought the third prince was just doing those things to help his younger cousin. But after Qian Lianxue had been fully exposed, he was deeply shocked.
The infighting between women in a harem was a lot more ferocious than he had thought.
The third prince was silent for a long time. He carefully looked over the smudged letter, then he closed his eyes and said, âHow do you want to deal with this? Do you want to turn around and use her against that person or just dispose of her?â
Although the senderâs name couldnât be seen in the smudged letter, he could see that it wasnât his orders that had been written on the letter. Qian Lianxue had actually been serving another master while following his orders too. The smudged part of the letter made it impossible to tell who her other master was, but it was obvious that Qian Lainxue had played him, Zhao Jue, like a fool.
She couldnât be allowed to live.
âThereâs no need to consider trying to use her against that other person,â Ning Yuxuan said, âItâs unlikely that will work. For her to successfully hide herself for so long without being caught, that shows her innate skills. As for disposing her... how about handing her to Sangyu?â
With the hatred that Sangyu felt towards Lianxue for snatching away Gancaoâs life, he believed that it wasnât necessary for him to make any moves. Sangyu would neatly deal with Lianxue by herself.
âWhat about Yingchen?â
Ning Yuxuan paused, then he sighed and said, âHeâs not close with Lianxue. Otherwise, Lianxue wouldnât have done those foolish things. If Sangyu wants to punish Lianxue, sheâll definitely find a reason that will leave people sincerely convinced and ready to concede. That way, itâll naturally be possible to give Yingchen an explanation that heâll be willing too accept.â
Zhao Jue raised his eyebrows. He carefully looked at the person in front of him and said, âYuxuan, have you noticed that whenever you mention Sangyu, your gaze has become very gentle lately?â
He used to think that it would almost impossible for Ning Yuxuan to fall in love with Sangyu. But looking at him now, he could see there was a hint of...
Marquis Moyu expressionlessly said, âYour Highness, youâre overthinking things. Yuxuan will naturally complete everything that Iâve promised you. As for the other things, thereâs no need for Your Highness to waste time thinking about them.â
The third prince twitched his lips. He stood up, straightened his robe, and said, âI wonât say anything unnecessary. Itâs about time for me to return. I wonât interfere in your household affairs anymore.â
Ning Yuxuan bowed. âThank you.â
Zhao Jue turned around and left the study. His face had regained its earlier cold and distressed expression as he walked out of the residence.