These boxes of rouge were given by the makeup artist. The attendant woman didn't take any money, but Fu Zhen felt bad about it, so she still picked out a few boxes and paid for them.
In the carriage, Bi Yu held the rouge and examined it carefully, muttering, "Miss used to say it was hard to find a bosom friend, but then a kindred spirit came along right away. It seems Miss has a golden tongue. Whatever she says comes true!"
Fu Zhen couldn't help laughing. "There's no such thing as a golden tongue. It's just a coincidence. As for you, you've been looking at it for the whole journey. Have you found anything special?"
Bi Yu shook her head. "There's nothing unusual. It seems just like ordinary rouge."
"Then stop looking. Let's think about what to eat later," Fu Zhen comforted.
The makeup artist came suddenly, but Fu Zhen didn't sense any malice. It must have been just a coincidence.
When they arrived at the Yongchun Tower, Fu Zhen held Cui Huan's hand and carefully got out of the carriage. She tilted her head back, squinting at the signboard, and said with a smile, "The Yongchun Tower is still so imposing. With people coming and going, I bet its business is no worse than that of the Luhua Pavilion."
She was naturally beautiful, with skin as soft as fat and a slender figure. When she walked, she looked like a willow swaying in the wind. Usually, she dressed simply, looking ethereal. But today, with the peach blossom makeup, she looked stunningly beautiful, like a blooming flower, adding a bit more charm.
She looked up at the building, not knowing that someone on the upper floor was also looking at her.
When Xie Yan saw her for the first time, he was dazzled by her smile. The movement of the folding fan in his hand paused involuntarily for a moment.
"Lotuses cannot compare to the beauty's makeup. When the wind blows in the waterside palace, the pearls and jade ornaments give off a fragrant scent," he murmured absent-mindedly. The voices around him faded away, and only his rapid heartbeat echoed deafeningly in his ears.
It wasn't until Fu Zhen's figure disappeared that he suddenly came to his senses. He couldn't help covering his chest, as if still immersed in that boundless beauty.
After a while, he slapped his forehead and showed a somewhat annoyed expression.
"Your Highness, Zhang Zheng from the Court of Judicial Review is here," Fu Yun knocked on the door and said.
Hearing this, Xie Yan's expression immediately turned cold. "Let him in."
Fu Zhen stepped upstairs and entered a room near the street. After ordering a few snacks, she sat by the window and enjoyed the gentle breeze.
People on the street jostled with each other. Occasionally, the laughter of children could be heard. It was a beautiful spring day.
"It's really a nice day," she said.
When the snacks were served, Bi Yu stared at them longingly. Fu Zhen laughed and picked up a piece for her first. "Eat, eat. Greedy cat."
Bi Yu took it shyly. "Thank you, Miss."
The peach crisp was really delicious. It was crispy and crumbled in the mouth, leaving a fragrant aftertaste.
"This peach crisp might be more appropriately called a flower cake," Fu Zhen said as she picked up another piece for Cui Huan. Cui Huan waited for Fu Zhen to take a bite before she ate.
"The Yongchun Tower has made flower cakes before. But flower cakes are only delicious when they're just out of the oven. Unlike this peach crisp, it's still delicious when it's cold," Bi Yu said while eating. "But if Miss wants to eat, when the Yongchun Tower makes flower cakes again, I'll buy some for you."
Fu Zhen nodded and smiled. "Then I'll leave this task to you."
"Leave it to me. Miss, you can rest assured!" Bi Yu patted her chest and promised.
People tend to feel lazy in spring. Blown by the wind and eating snacks, Fu Zhen gradually felt a bit sleepy.
Suddenly, something unexpected happened!
The sound of horses' hooves rang out, followed by the neighing of horses and the shrill cries of a child.
Fu Zhen snapped out of her drowsiness. She opened her eyes wide and looked downstairs.
She saw a man in green clothes tightly pulling the reins. The horse's front hooves reared up high. With a strong tug, he managed to change the path of the horse's hooves, revealing a three - year - old child sitting limply on the ground.
There was an uproar all around.
The child's mother suddenly rushed out of the crowd, hugged him tightly, and cried while calling his name.
The man immediately dismounted, bowed to the woman, untied the money bag from his waist, and said something to her gently.
The woman's expression changed from panic to hesitation. She didn't know whether to accept the money. But the man smiled and stuffed the money bag into the crying child's hands. Then he straightened up and bowed again.
Fu Zhen noticed sharply that there was a red mark on his palm, with blood oozing out faintly.
The accident downstairs soon came to an end. The man seemed to be in a hurry. Seeing that the child was okay, he turned around, mounted his horse, and rode away quickly.
Those who can ride horses in the capital are either rich or noble. No one knew whose son he was.
Fu Zhen turned her head and saw that Cui Huan's expression was a bit strange. She looked at Cui Huan and asked tentatively, "What's wrong? Do you know him?"
Cui Huan nodded hesitantly. "He is the Eldest Prince who likes to travel around. Once, when I followed Madam into the palace, I saw the Eldest Prince."
"The Eldest Prince is not often in the capital. Now, seeing him in such a hurry and heading towards the palace, I guess he must have received an urgent imperial edict, which is why he rode his horse so fast in the capital."
An urgent imperial edict?
Fu Zhen lowered her head and thought.
The funeral of the Third Prince was already over. What could it be now? Could it be something in the court?
Even though Fu Zhen didn't know much about court affairs, she had a feeling that a storm was coming.
Seeing that they had almost finished the snacks, she stood up and said, "Let's go back to the mansion."
Fu Zhen looked up at the spring scenery again. It no longer had the peaceful and serene feeling it had before.
She turned her head and stopped thinking. She went downstairs directly.
The commotion just now was quite big. Xie Yan watched the whole process behind the window and frowned slightly.
Behind him, Zhang Zheng's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He trembled and wiped the sweat off, looking hesitant to speak to Xie Yan.
Xie Yan looked back at him. There was no longer the usual smile on his face. His eyes were deep. "Why did Xie Guang come back? Did you receive any news?"
Zhang Zheng immediately shook his head. "I don't know either. The Eldest Prince has always been mysterious. A few days ago, someone said he was in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. Who would have thought he'd be in the capital today?"
"Coming back so quickly, there must be something fishy," Xie Yan sneered. He sat back down in his seat and drank up the tea in front of him.
"Continue," he said.
Zhang Zheng had no choice but to continue with a bitter face. "I really don't know anything about the matter of the Third Prince. The Heir of the Chen family only told me to send someone out of the capital. He didn't say anything else. I didn't know that person was the Third Prince!"
Xie Yan leaned back and crossed his arms, scoffing. "Everyone knows you're as slippery as an eel, Zhang Zheng. Don't tell me some lies to fool me?"
"I'm terrified! How dare I talk nonsense? I really don't know about this matter. Besides... besides, Your Highness and the Heir of the Chen family are close friends. Maybe, maybe you should ask the Heir of the Chen family?" His voice got smaller and smaller. He trembled and didn't dare to continue under Xie Yan's cold gaze.
"Forget it. Asking you is a waste of time. Useless thing. Get out!" Xie Yan was annoyed and just wanted him to leave so as not to get on his nerves.
Zhang Zheng immediately left in a hurry.
The matter of the Third Prince was really strange. Xie Yan thought about it carefully and analyzed all the clues. Finally, he suspected Chen Tingfeng.
It wasn't that he had found out that Chen Tingfeng was involved in this matter. It was because he had found nothing that he pointed the finger of suspicion at Chen Tingfeng.
After all, only Chen Tingfeng had the ability to handle this matter so cleanly that no one could find any clues.
But why?
Xie Yan just couldn't figure out the key to this matter, which was why he had been so troubled for so many days.
Erasing the traces of the Third Prince on the surface, what good would it do for him, the Second Prince?
Yes, Xie Yan had never suspected that Chen Tingfeng had any thoughts of disloyalty.
After all, a long time ago, he had clearly promised him...