Grandma Chu relaxed her brows, a look of sudden realization dawning on her face.
Madam Ning was extremely shocked. "This... When did this happen? The Crown Prince has only been in Yunzhou for a few days, and Wanchu has moved out. When did they get to know each other?"
She was well aware of how beautiful Wanchu was. She was so charming that any man who saw her would be smitten. However, the Crown Prince seemed to be a man of few desires. Could he have already fallen for Wanchu so quickly?
Wanchu was a twice - married woman with a sensitive status. If it got out that she had bewitched the Crown Prince and was a modern - day Daji...
Wanchu couldn't bear any more rumors!
"The Crown Prince's purpose is so clear. It seems they've known each other for some time," Grandma Chu speculated. "Maybe Wanchu had something to do with the Crown Prince during those years in the capital. No wonder this girl was so distracted when she heard that the Crown Prince was going to stay in our house. She insisted on moving out at all costs."
Madam Ning worried silently, "The Crown Prince is no ordinary noble. He's the future emperor, and his harem will be filled with countless women. I can't just watch the only bloodline of my elder sister be sent into the deep palace and be devoured without a trace!"
Grandma Chu was just making a guess. She comforted Madam Ning, "Don't be in a hurry. We still don't know the situation clearly. When Wanchu comes back later, we'll ask her properly."
Then she instructed Chu Shangxu, "Judging from the Crown Prince's words, he wants to focus on Wanchu today. We'll just follow his wishes and arrange a family dinner."
Chu Shangxu quickly replied in agreement.
"Add a few more vegetarian dishes," Grandma Chu said. She had a premonition that the family dinner tonight would not be peaceful.
The group arrived at the main gate of the Chu family.
Chu Shangxu and several other brothers from the clan came to greet them. Since it wasn't the Crown Prince's first visit, Grandma Chu, Madam Ning and other female relatives didn't come out to greet him.
Song Wanchu followed the Crown Prince into the house.
Liang Yuzhou also walked in calmly.
Suddenly, Little Anzi turned around and glared at him fiercely. "The Chu family is a royal merchant and a well - known family in Yunzhou. How can you, a little Taoist priest, just enter as you please?"
Liang Yuzhou calmly took out a visiting card from his bosom and waved it in front of the Crown Prince.
"I'm fortunate enough to have performed a ritual to drive away evil spirits for the Chu family. Master Chu has honored me as a guest of honor. This visiting card is valid indefinitely. I really can enter the Chu family as I please." Although the words seemed to be addressed to Little Anzi, his eyes were fixed on the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's face darkened. Liang Yuzhou was clearly telling him that he was too late, that he had already infiltrated the Chu family and was willing to do anything to pursue Wanchu.
A storm gradually gathered in his eyes, filled with gloomy anger, as if it was about to sweep away everything around him.
Song Wanchu's heart was in her throat. She was physically and mentally exhausted. Looking at the two men on the verge of conflict, she just wanted to disappear on the spot.
"Your Highness, the family dinner is ready. Thank you for bringing Wanchu back to me. My daughter - in - law, granddaughter and I have missed Wanchu very much these days," Grandma Chu appeared in time to defuse the situation.
Song Wanchu let out a long sigh of relief and bowed to Grandma Chu and Madam Ning.
Madam Ning nervously grabbed her arm and pulled her to her side to protect her. She also stole a few careful glances at the Crown Prince.
The two men with intimidating auras exchanged glances several times, and she couldn't help but breathe rapidly.
It was no longer a secret in the Chu family that Taoist Priest Qingzhou was actually Liang Yuzhou.
Madam Ning and Chu Shangxu had heard about it from Grandma Chu. They were so shocked that they couldn't recover for several days.
After they recovered, the couple tacitly didn't tell Wanchu.
Especially Madam Ning. She was well aware of the complicated love - hate relationship between Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou.
She couldn't get involved, nor did she have the right to interfere.
Some paths were destined for Wanchu to walk alone.
But Madam Ning was very clear at this moment that she definitely didn't want Wanchu to be taken away by the Crown Prince and become one of the many concubines in the harem, gradually forgotten and with her life wasted in the cold and magnificent imperial city.
The atmosphere at the dinner was harmonious but also a bit tense. Fortunately, with Grandma Chu in charge, Song Wanchu finally had a peaceful meal.
"It's getting late. Wanchu, you haven't seen your relatives for a long time. Stay here tonight," the Crown Prince said in a gentle and concerned tone. "If you want to go back, I'll send you tomorrow."
The words sounded rather ambiguous. Liang Yuzhou sneered imperceptibly, while secretly glancing at Song Wanchu.
Song Wanchu's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Your Highness is busy with state affairs. How could I dare to trouble you?"
She refused clearly.
The Crown Prince was neither anxious nor angry. The smile on his lips became even softer. "For you, I'm willing to spare the time."
The most noble man in the world seemed like a devout believer in front of her, vowing to soften her heart bit by bit.
It was as if there were thorns under the seat. Song Wanchu felt extremely uncomfortable and as if there was a fishbone stuck in her throat.
"It's getting late. Please move to your bedroom, Your Highness," Grandma Chu said when she saw Wanchu's discomfort. She knew what was on Wanchu's mind.
The Crown Prince's love was a heavy shackle to her, a cage that locked up her freedom.
When facing Liang Yuzhou, she would also be nervous, but most of the time she was calm and composed, not as fidgety as when facing the Crown Prince.
Grandma Chu had an idea in her mind.
The Crown Prince stood up, and everyone else followed suit. When walking out of the door, the Crown Prince helped Song Wanchu.
Song Wanchu's arm stiffened. Her slightly cool hand was finally wrapped in the Crown Prince's palm. But he was very discreet and let go after a moment.
Behind them, Liang Yuzhou's eyes were bloodshot.
Song Wanchu moved back into the Plum Shadow Pavilion.
She took a bath, changed into her nightgown, let down her hair, and lit a sleep - aiding incense by the bedside. But she didn't feel the slightest bit of relaxation.
She didn't ask Nanzhi and Suyue to stay with her tonight. The two girls had gone back to their own rooms to sleep.
The room was extremely quiet, but she was preoccupied and tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
She had to find an opportunity to make things clear to the Crown Prince. She couldn't let things go on like this anymore.
She said to herself silently.
At the third watch of the night.
"Knock, knock, knock..." The window was tapped softly.
Song Wanchu sat up abruptly, her scalp tingling.
"Liang Yuzhou, that's enough!"
As she said this, Liang Yuzhou had already climbed in through the window, as if he were very familiar with the place.
His body was still stained with the cold of the winter night. He walked around the charcoal stove slowly for a few times, but his eyes were always on her.
It was a look that Song Wanchu was both familiar with and afraid of. The corners of his eyes were tinged with a touch of red, like a fierce beast staring at its prey, with a burst of possessiveness.
Song Wanchu had seen his craziest side and knew how terrifying the beastly desires hidden under his cold and noble exterior would be after he was stimulated.
She shrank back fearfully towards the end of the bed, wrapping herself tightly in the quilt. Her voice trembled, "What do you want?"
Liang Yuzhou made sure that the cold on his body had dissipated before he walked step by step to Song Wanchu's bedside.
He pulled over the thick quilt and covered his body on hers.
Her trembling body was tightly held in his arms.
The hot breath of the man fanned over her neck, spreading like a wildfire to her cheeks and ears.
Her two rosy lips were caught by the man. Her breath gradually became hot, and her gasps became louder and louder.
"Liang Yuzhou, don't go too far!" Song Wanchu pushed him away in shame and annoyance.
Her lips were kissed to be moist and soft. Liang Yuzhou gently stroked them with his fingertips. His eyes softened. "Can't you smell the jealousy on me? If you don't give me some sweetness to neutralize it, you can use me as dumpling dipping sauce tomorrow."