Song Wanchu felt as if a rope was tightening around her neck and then she was thrown off a cliff. She was falling while suffocating.
Originally, she thought that although the crown prince had come to Yunzhou, without a proper reason, he wouldn't be able to see her.
Even if he found a reason to meet her, she could feign illness and avoid him for as long as possible.
However, the crown prince bypassed all her assumptions...
If he were to stay at the Chu family's residence, she would have no excuse not to see him. Otherwise, it would be an act of contempt for the royal family and authority.
"It's really strange. We're not government officials. If the crown prince wants to stay, he should stay at the prefect's or magistrate's mansion. Why would he choose a merchant family like ours?"
Ning Shi was greatly puzzled. "Could it be that there are many unmarried daughters in the Chu family and he wants to take this opportunity to choose one as his concubine?"
The royal family was full of intrigue and extreme cruelty. The seemingly magnificent imperial palace was actually a bottomless pit that devoured people without spitting out bones.
Ning Shi didn't want to see any daughter of the Chu family being sent into the imperial city!
"Don't jump to conclusions." Chu Shangxu said. "When the crown prince selects a concubine, he will surely choose from the powerful families in the capital. Not to mention the four dukes and eight marquises, there are so many daughters from prominent families longing to marry into the Eastern Palace. How could it be our turn as a royal merchant family to have a daughter become the crown princess!"
"What if the crown prince just likes the women from the south of the Yangtze River?"
Ning Shi was extremely anxious, with one thought after another.
Chu Shangxu frowned slightly and analyzed carefully. "That's impossible. Not to mention that the crown prince restrains himself and has no interest in women. He has been inspecting the south of the Yangtze River for over a year. If he really liked the women from here, wouldn't the officials who wanted to curry favor with him seize the opportunity to offer beautiful women? But so far, there has been no news of any favored woman around the crown prince. It shows that his ambition lies elsewhere!"
Grandma Chu thought even deeper. "Although the crown prince is young, he acts steadily. I think his decision to stay at our family's residence must be based on various considerations."
Three of her brothers from her maiden family were high-ranking officials in the capital. Grandma Chu knew more about the court's trends.
"I've heard that the emperor has instructed the crown prince to come to Yunzhou to thoroughly investigate the Yue family. It is said that several years ago when Yue Chenkong was serving as the garrison commander in Hengzhou, he colluded with the enemy and falsely claimed military merits.
Since he is here to thoroughly investigate the Yue family, the crown prince naturally can't stay at the Yue family's residence.
And Magistrate Shi is a newly appointed official. He has no family members, no wife, and hasn't bought a house in Yunzhou. He still lives in the government office and has no conditions to receive the crown prince.
Among the other officials in Yunzhou, their ranks are too low. After careful consideration, it's more appropriate for him to stay at our royal merchant family's residence."
Chu Shangxu and Ning Shi nodded repeatedly. "Mother is really insightful. Every word you said makes sense."
No one noticed Song Wanchu's pale face.
If, as Grandma Chu said, the crown prince just thought it was most appropriate to stay at the Chu family's residence, that would be great.
"Mianxin, you're pregnant. Don't overwork yourself. Let Shangxu handle the preparations."
Grandma Chu gave some instructions and then appointed some reliable people around her to assist Chu Shangxu.
Receiving the crown prince was a huge event.
On that day, Chu Shangxu withdrew 50,000 taels of silver from the silver treasury.
The Chu family got busy in full swing.
Song Wanchu returned to the Plum Blossom Shade Pavilion in a daze.
Her elder brother was with Yaoguang.
Could Liang Yuzhou really be her only straw of salvation?
She stood among the sparse shadows of plum blossoms for a long time.
"Nanzhi, Suyue, pack our things. We're moving out of the Chu family."
In the evening, the red clouds were like fire.
After Song Wanchu had sorted out all her things, she came to the Spring Sunshine Hall to see Ning Shi.
"Auntie, are you going to pay respects to Grandma?"
Ning Shi looked in good spirits. Grandma Chu's analysis had dispelled her concerns, and now she was in a much better mood.
She didn't know that the crown prince had once proposed to Wanchu, nor did she know about the past between the crown prince and Wanchu in the capital.
She was even less clear about the confrontation and enmity between the crown prince and Liang Yuzhou.
"Yes, I am. Let's go together."
Song Wanchu supported Ning Shi's arm, and their steps were not fast.
"Recently, although my belly has been getting bigger, I've felt much more comfortable and relaxed."
Ning Shi lovingly stroked her belly. The five - month - old fetus had already shown. "Wanchu, after the New Year, stay for a while longer. It's not too late for you to leave after attending the baby's full - moon banquet."
Song Wanchu just smiled but didn't respond.
Ning Shi smiled again. "Ying'er will miss you too."
Song Wanchu felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
When they entered the Kindness and Benevolence Garden, she bowed to Grandma Chu and Ning Shi.
"Grandma, Auntie, thank you for taking care of me during this time. I've thought it over. Since the crown prince is going to stay here, it will be inconvenient for me as an outsider and a woman. I'm going to move out tonight."
Ning Shi was anxious and grabbed Song Wanchu's hand. "Why do you have to leave all of a sudden? Your Plum Blossom Shade Pavilion is located in the north. Even if the crown prince comes, you won't meet him on a daily basis."
But Grandma Chu saw the determination in Song Wanchu's eyes.
Her eyebrows twitched slightly, and she felt at ease. This child was so considerate. She didn't want to cause any trouble for the Chu family. Even when moving out, she chose to do it at night.
It was because she was afraid that if people saw her leaving during the day, they would gossip and speculate whether there was a conflict between her and the Chu family.
"Mianxin, your niece has her own ideas. Don't try to persuade her."
Grandma Chu smiled lightly. "It's good for her to move out. The crown prince's status is extraordinary. It's better to be cautious."
Ning Shi was extremely reluctant. If Wanchu moved out, it would be inconvenient for her to accompany her every day.
She felt empty - hearted, but since the elder had spoken, she didn't dare to force her to stay.
"I'll ask your uncle to arrange a house for you right away."
The Chu family had many houses in Yunzhou.
"Uncle is busy preparing to welcome the crown prince. Don't bother him."
Song Wanchu already had an idea in mind. "My elder brother bought a house on Sunset Street. I'll just live there."
That night, a carriage drove out of the Chu family's residence.
When they reached the entrance of Sunset Street, the coachman said respectfully, "Please get off the carriage and walk for a while, miss. The alley ahead is too narrow for our carriage to pass through."
Song Wanchu stepped off the carriage using the footstool. A fair and slender hand reached out to support her arm.
"Liang Yuzhou, why are you here?"
She was extremely shocked and wanted to withdraw her hand, but the man held it firmly.
With a slight tug from Liang Yuzhou, Song Wanchu fell into the man's arms.
The smell of medicine on him filled her nostrils.
It wasn't just the simple bitter smell of medicine. It was mixed with his own fresh and natural scent, which entangled her nerves.
"I'm here to pick you up."
The man's gentle voice rang in her ear.
Song Wanchu's head was forced to lean against the man's chest, and her voice was muffled. "How did you know I would come here?"
"I guessed." Liang Yuzhou said casually. "The crown prince is going to stay at the Chu family's residence. My wife is scared and has run away."
Song Wanchu hated the feeling of being seen through at once.
She knew that Liang Yuzhou was smarter and more perceptive than ordinary people, but having no secrets in front of him made her feel clumsy.
"It's not appropriate for you to live here. I've prepared another house for you."
"Why isn't it appropriate?" Song Wanchu frowned.
"Shi Luohan and Yaoguang are inside. Are you sure you want to butt in?"