Chapter 181
"Wonderful!" At this moment, all Huo Yunyao could think about was that Xu Heming was inviting her for a drink.
She had completely forgotten that just moments ago, a servant had informed her that someone intended harm towards her younger brother, and she had come here precisely to back him up.
Yet now, with just a few words from Xu Heming, she had utterly forgotten about her own brother.
"Attendants, first escort the Second Miss Huo to the Moon-Viewing Pavilion to wait for me." A faint, almost imperceptible sneer curled at the corner of Xu Heming's mouth.
What an idiot, he cursed silently in his heart.
Inside the study, Huo Yunxuan was frantic with worry.
But, held firmly by the guards, he could do nothing.
Only after Huo Yunyao had left did Xu Heming order Huo Yunxuan's mouth to be freed.
"Young Master Huo, what's to be done? Your elder sister seems... eager to become my princess consort?" Xu Heming spoke, his eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
Someone like Huo Yunyao—was she even worthy?
"Prince An, my sister has never harmed you. What do you intend to do to her?" Huo Yunxuan was terrified.
His second sister, usually so shrewd—how could she have taken a liking to Xu Heming?
He was a demon!
"Never harmed me? Are you truly unaware of what she intended to do today? Aren't you curious why your dear brother-in-law and his mistress happened to appear at your Jiyun Villa?" Xu Heming's words sent Huo Yunxuan's heart sinking like a stone.
He knew his second sister's original target had been Li Zhiwei.
"But... the ones who came to harm were Zhu Yunxian and his mistress. Miss Li is unharmed!" Huo Yunxuan pleaded.
After all, since the victims weren't Li Zhiwei, his sister couldn't be said to have harmed her.
If no harm was actually done, then Xu Heming couldn't use this incident to exact revenge on his sister.
"If I hadn't arranged enough people around Zhiwei, your sister's vile scheme would have succeeded, wouldn't it? Tell me, how could I possibly swallow such an insult?" Xu Heming had no intention of letting off any member of the Huo family who dared harm the Li family.
"If my sister has done anything to wrong you or your future princess consort, I will bear the punishment on her behalf!" For the first time, Huo Yunxuan felt a profound sense of helplessness.
In the past, in Li'an County, their Huo family could strut about as they pleased.
That was because in Li'an County, there was no one they couldn't afford to provoke.
But now, the man before him was someone the Huo family could not afford to offend.
Even though Li Zhiwei had suffered no tangible harm today, he knew Prince An's wrath would still rain down upon the Huo family.
All of this was ultimately due to his own overconfidence.
Capital City
Zheng Qiaoshu had gone to the study several times, only to be stopped at the door each time.
"Young Mistress, no one is allowed inside the prince's study," a servant said, blocking her way.
"Brother, has His Highness not returned these past two days?" Zheng Qiaoshu frowned. She didn't actually intend to search for anything in the study; she just wanted to try her luck here, hoping to run into Xu Heming.
"This humble servant wouldn't know. His Highness might be occupied with official duties. It's quite common for him to be away from the manor for ten days or half a month," the servant replied truthfully, not knowing Xu Heming's whereabouts.
"Thank you, brother." Zheng Qiaoshu was somewhat disappointed.
She could only head to the Old Princess's Cian Hall again.
"What's the matter? You look so downcast. Has some blind servant in the manor given you trouble?" The Old Princess looked at her unhappy niece with some puzzlement.
"Aunt, Qiaoshu is just a bit puzzled. It seems I haven't seen Cousin for several days. And when will little Qingshi be back?" Zheng Qiaoshu put on a concerned expression as she looked at the Old Princess.
"Don't mind them. Your cousin is like this when he's busy. Qingshi went to Li'an County with Zhiwei. They probably won't be back for some time," the Old Princess said offhandedly.
After all, she had long since come to terms with her son's busyness. Without his constant work, where would the peaceful days of the An Manor come from?
It was a good thing her son had official duties to attend to. It meant the Emperor valued him.
"But, Aunt, you must miss them too, right? It's been so many days. I miss them terribly, so surely you must miss little Qingshi even more," Zheng Qiaoshu said with a hint of complaint.
"Why would I miss them? Nowadays, I eat well, sleep well, and when I'm bored, I have you to keep me company. Life couldn't be more comfortable." Having said this, the Old Princess hummed a little tune contentedly.
Seeing the Old Princess genuinely seem unconcerned, Zheng Qiaoshu grew anxious inside. But if even his own mother wasn't worried, what could she, a mere cousin, appropriately say?
It was just that last time, her master had instructed her to win Xu Heming's trust as soon as possible. How could she win his trust if she couldn't even see him?
"Aunt, Cousin must be so busy with official duties he might not even have time for proper meals. How about having the kitchen prepare some food, and I can deliver it to his office?" Zheng Qiaoshu suggested carefully again.
"No need. That son of mine, he doesn't stay in one fixed place. Who knows if he's at the palace or some yamen. Those places are full of men. It's not suitable for a young lady like you to go. If you're bored, have Chu'er accompany you to the Treasure Pavilion later to see if there are any jewels you fancy. If you like anything, have the shopkeeper send it to the manor." The Old Princess waved her hand dismissively.
She never inquired about her son's whereabouts. After all, those matters were not for them to ask about.
She had actually noticed her niece's interest in her son.
However, regarding this matter, she neither approved nor opposed it.
But her bottom line was that her niece must not disturb her son's work.
"Yes," Zheng Qiaoshu gritted her teeth. She had been pouring her heart out to this old woman in the manor every day, and yet the old woman still guarded against her.
Remembering her master had requested a meeting, she could use this trip to the Treasure Pavilion as an opportunity to report on the situation in the manor.
"Go on. I'm feeling a bit tired." With that, the Old Princess waved her hand.
Zheng Qiaoshu had no choice but to leave Cian Hall first.
"Old Princess, you see... this young mistress, she seems to have feelings for His Highness..." Nanny Luo ventured cautiously after Zheng Qiaoshu had left.
"A young girl having her own thoughts isn't a major issue. This matter requires willingness from both sides. If the prince disagrees, it won't happen. I'm old; I won't involve myself in the affairs of the young." What the Old Princess didn't say aloud was that she didn't hold much hope for this match.
After all, her son had such a cold, detached temperament. If he truly had the inclination, she wouldn't have only Xu Qingshi as her grandson.
Moreover, she had already broached the subject with her son before, and his reaction was clear for her to see.
Compared to marrying her niece to her son, she cared more about not becoming estranged from him.
So she had given up on that idea. Since her son was unwilling, she would respect his wishes.
Her niece would remain just her niece. If she pleased her, she wouldn't mind finding her a good match.
"But this old servant has noticed the young mistress has been lingering near the study a lot lately," Nanny Luo reported her observation.
"Tell the people at the study to be more vigilant. The study is not a place just anyone can go." Although the Old Princess was fond of her niece, she had heard plenty of stories about schemes and traps.
Moreover, since her son is a trusted minister of the Emperor, it is all the more necessary to guard against those with ill intentions. Although she did not believe that the young lady's mother would harm her, it was still prudent to take precautions. "The Old Princess, do you mean that the young lady..." Seeing the Old Princess's attitude, Nanny Luo looked at her with some alarm.
