Xie Yan slammed his fist on the table. The anger in his heart was boiling. Just then, someone knocked on the door and said, "Second Prince, this humble servant has something to report."
He keenly recognized the voice as that of the person in charge of the Yongchun Tower. Frowning, he said, "Come in."
It was a procurement eunuch, dressed in a green eunuch's uniform. He looked so thin and unremarkable that only the occasional glint in his eyes betrayed his shrewdness.
Bowing deeply, he reported, "Your Highness, the Marquis's Mansion has invited you to meet at the Yongchun Tower at the third watch of the Xu hour."
As he spoke, he presented a jade pendant.
Xie Yan immediately understood that it was Fu Zhen who was looking for him.
He guessed that it must be about this very matter. His heart relaxed a little. The fact that Fu Zhen wanted to meet him meant that she intended to handle this matter and not bother Chen Tingfeng. It was clear that she truly had Chen Tingfeng's best interests at heart.
He waved his hand, and the green - clothed eunuch withdrew.
"Has the letter to the Heir of the Wu'an Marquis been sent?" His eyes fell on Fuyun.
Fuyun gave a start and immediately replied, "It has been sent! We sent it by a fast - riding messenger. The person we chose is highly skilled and also carried poison on him. The letter will surely reach the Heir safely!"
Only then did Xie Yan's expression soften a bit. His eyes drooped, and his thick duck - feather - like eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes.
Now, there seemed to be no trace of his former lively and unrestrained self on him. All that remained was an increasingly imposing aura.
He rubbed his temples and waved his hand. "Go and prepare. We'll leave the palace soon."
The streets were deserted at night.
Fu Zhen, wearing a veil hat, walked lightly towards the Yongchun Tower. She took her seat at the familiar table. Xie Yan was already waiting inside.
The two of them sat facing each other, each with their servants. Their eyes met without a hint of ambiguity, just the polite greeting of good friends.
Xie Yan was still a bit stunned by the fact that she had become his cousin. Seeing her suddenly like this, he felt a bit awkward, but he still calmly poured her a cup of tea. "Sit down."
This was the first time she had met him alone since she got together with Chen Tingfeng. Seeing that his expression was normal, she felt a bit relieved.
She took off her veil hat and looked at him quietly. "Second Prince, I'm sorry to trouble you. I'm here because of the recent rumors."
Xie Yan interrupted her. "I understand."
He looked at her. "I've already written a letter and sent it to the northern border. I've explained everything in the letter. Don't worry. This matter won't affect him."
Suddenly, he smiled. "Although he's as narrow - minded as the tip of a needle, as scheming as a beehive, and as ruthless as they come, he trusts you."
Fu Zhen was taken aback, not expecting him to say such a thing.
"Once he makes up his mind, not even nine oxen can pull him back," he said with a faint smile, shaking his head. His expression was a bit dazed. "The day he took a fancy to you, he decided to put all his trust in you. So, he trusts you and will never doubt you because of this. You can rest assured."
This man seemed cold - hearted on the surface, but in fact, he was as stubborn as a mule. Once he decided to follow Xie Yan, he was extremely kind to him. Although he always mocked and played tricks on him, these were just small things, and they both knew it was just a joke.
In important matters, Chen Tingfeng had never let him down.
If it weren't for him, Xie Yan might not have grown up so happily into what he was now.
On Xie Yan's life journey, Chen Tingfeng had always been leading the way.
A teacher and a friend, that was exactly what he was.
Fu Zhen lowered her eyes. After a long while, she whispered, "That's good."
Naturally, she had also thought about writing a letter to Chen Tingfeng. But the Marquis's Mansion was too eye - catching. There were so many pairs of eyes watching now. She was afraid that the letter would be intercepted as soon as it was sent out.
After much thought, she decided to get in touch with Xie Yan.
He had more men under his command and was clearer about the situation. He could do more things than she could.
The two of them sat quietly, sipping their tea. Suddenly, Xie Yan said again, "However, you'd better make things clear to that Lord Chu."
As soon as Xie Yan heard this news, he had thoroughly investigated the interactions between the two of them. Naturally, he also knew how they had met.
When he heard that Chu Qiwen had come to the mansion in person because of this, his reaction was the same as Lady Bai's. They both felt something was wrong but couldn't quite put their finger on it.
After much thought, it was still a man's intuition that told him that Chu Qiwen might have some ulterior motives.
Since he had just returned to the capital, he naturally didn't know about the relationship between Fu Zhen and Chen Tingfeng. And because Fu Zhen had helped him, it was only natural that he had developed some feelings.
After all, who didn't want someone kind and caring by their side to share their worries?
But the problem was that Fu Zhen was Chen Tingfeng's sweetheart.
Judging from his narrow - minded nature, he would just ignore it for now in this critical moment, but he would remember it firmly. Once he had solved the current troubles, he would surely settle the score.
He couldn't bear to hurt his sweetheart, so he would only turn his anger on Chu Qiwen.
Xie Yan sighed. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Chu Qiwen.
Back then, when he and Fu Zhen didn't even have anything going on, he still got a good scolding.
But then again, Chu Qiwen was an innocent victim. So...
He showed a bit of sympathy. "For his own safety, you'd better make things clear to him as soon as possible."
Seeing the same expression on his face as Jin Xianghuan's, Fu Zhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Chen Tingfeng, your reputation as a jealous man is about to spread throughout the capital.
"I know," she said. "This time, he was also implicated because of me. I'll make things clear to him tomorrow."
Hearing this, Xie Yan raised his eyebrows non - committally.
As a woman, Fu Zhen might not be able to detect a man's feelings.
In Xie Yan's opinion, if Chu Qiwen really didn't have any feelings for her, he would probably have taken action to dispel the rumors in the first two days.
But he didn't.
Maybe he thought that the innocent would remain innocent and was waiting for the rumors to disappear on their own. Or maybe he wanted to use these rumors to test Fu Zhen's feelings.
But no matter what his intentions were, in the end, both of them had to come out and dispel the rumors together.
After all, if this kind of thing spread for too long, it would be very harmful to the woman's reputation.
Since the conversation was over, Fu Zhen put on her veil hat again and was about to leave.
Xie Yan called out to her. Looking at her back, his words were filled with a bit more concern. "The capital is about to be in turmoil soon. In these days, ask the servants to guard the door well and take good care of yourself."
It had nothing to do with love. It was just his concern for a friend or a younger sister.
Fu Zhen keenly sensed something. She turned back and took a look at him. She saw that his expression was calm, which was very different from his former frivolous and dissolute appearance.
For a moment, his appearance was gradually the same as in her previous life.
Fu Zhen pursed her lips. "I know."
No matter what kind of person Xie Yan was, she only needed to confirm one thing - he wouldn't take action against the Marquis's Mansion. That was enough.
As for the capital being in turmoil, Fu Zhen sat in the carriage, deep in thought.
It seemed that someone was about to rebel.