Liang Yuzhou tightened his grip on Song Wanchu's hand, and a cold glint flashed in his deep, black eyes.
"The Crown Prince summoned us all. It mustn't be a private matter."
Song Wanchu thought he was overreacting.
Daoist Qiu stroked his silver beard, his brows knitted tightly.
"Something's wrong," he said briefly and strode out.
Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou followed closely.
After leaving Baitongyuan, Liang Yuzhou suddenly clung to Song Wanchu's arm as if frightened.
"Wanchu, I can't see. I'm not familiar with the way to the Chu Mansion. Lead me," he pleaded.
Not familiar? Then who was the one who climbed over the wall and pried open the window of her boudoir in the middle of the night? And who was the one who leaped out of the post - station blindly, ran for five miles, and nimbly climbed up a locust tree?
Now he claimed not to know the way?
Song Wanchu looked up at him. Could this man lie without even blushing?
"People are coming and going on the road. What would it look like if they saw us clinging to each other?"
She wanted to maintain a proper and reserved image in public.
Liang Yuzhou's cold and handsome features were clouded with grievance. "Doesn't everyone in the Chu Mansion already know about our relationship?"
Song Wanchu glared at him. "They may know, but they all think you're a decent Taoist priest."
Liang Yuzhou shamelessly pressed closer to her. "I just look decent. There's no 'decent' written on my face. I don't care what others think."
It seemed he was determined to be this "indecent" Taoist priest.
Daoist Qiu walked in a hurry and had already left them far behind.
Song Wanchu was really at a loss with him.
So, from the masters to the maids, servants, and pages in the Chu Mansion, they were all shocked to see this scene -
The aloof and noble Taoist priest Qingzhou, as bright as the moon, was like a cat that had left its safe territory. He let Song Wanchu lead him forward, with a docile look in his eyes, as if he would grow fur and a tail the next moment and turn into a real cat to nestle in Song Wanchu's arms.
"We're here," Song Wanchu reminded him as they stepped into Zhiyuanzhai, the residence of the Crown Prince. It was time for him to let go.
Liang Yuzhou pouted and reluctantly released his hold.
But after walking only two steps, he stumbled on the steps and leaned forward.
Song Wanchu quickly reached out her arms to support him.
Liang Yuzhou took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her and pull her into his embrace.
"The way to see the Crown Prince is indeed difficult," he murmured.
The Crown Prince, standing at the door, witnessed the whole scene.
Those who knew could tell that it was Song Wanchu supporting him, but those who didn't might think that Liang Yuzhou was so infatuated with Song Wanchu that he couldn't bear to part with her.
The Crown Prince sneered contemptuously. "Childish."
Song Wanchu also realized that Liang Yuzhou was deliberately acting this way in front of the Crown Prince.
It wasn't the first time he had done this. His acting skills were so good that combined with his "blindness," it was even more convincing.
The Crown Prince's gaze landed on Song Wanchu's face and then shifted away subtly.
Daoist Qiu was already a bit impatient. He grabbed Liang Yuzhou's shoulders and separated the two.
It was like prying a very sticky octopus off Wanchu.
"Come on, no one is going to snatch Wanchu from you. You're just blind, not a weakling like Lin Daiyu!"
Song Wanchu's face was as red and hot as if it had been buried in steaming water.
All she could think about now was the word "embarrassment."
However, as soon as they were seated around the pear - wood table, Liang Yuzhou instantly transformed from a clingy cat into a deep and dangerous tiger.
"Hong'er, what's going on?" Daoist Qiu asked.
The Crown Prince's face was clouded with gloom. "News came from the capital. Wen Congbai killed Cheng Jingxuan in the street and has been imprisoned by the Dali Temple."
This short sentence made Song Wanchu's head buzz.
In her impression, Wen Congbai was as gentle and polite as his surname suggested. He was a true gentleman.
What on earth did Cheng Jingxuan do to make Wen Congbai attack him in the street?
The Wen family of the Pingwei Marquis Mansion was one of the prominent families in the capital. Wen Congbai's father, Grand Tutor Wen, was the Crown Prince's teacher. A year ago, it was Grand Tutor Wen who obtained the evidence of Yu Jingnian's embezzlement of grain and his flattery to the Princess Dowager.
The emperor was furious and ordered the Crown Prince to investigate thoroughly. The Crown Prince punished Yu Jingnian, who confessed without hesitation. The emperor was extremely disappointed in the Princess Dowager and confined her for a whole year.
And Wen Congbai was Liang Yuzhou's closest friend.
It could be said that Wen Congbai's imprisonment touched the hearts of both the Crown Prince and Liang Yuzhou.
Someone was trying to kill two birds with one stone!
Daoist Qiu's eyes sharpened. "The man killed by the young master of the Wen family has the surname Cheng?"
The Crown Prince admired Daoist Qiu for grasping the key point immediately.
"Yes. This Cheng Jingxuan is the illegitimate son of Marquis Wude, Cheng Yong. He has another identity - "
A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "The favorite male concubine of the Princess Dowager."
Daoist Qiu couldn't help but spit on the ground. "Shameless!"
This single word scolded both the Princess Dowager and the Cheng family.
The Crown Prince sneered. "Cheng Yong's ancestors were the founding heroes of the Great Zhou. But by his generation, there isn't a single decent descendant. Whether they are legitimate or illegitimate sons, they are all good - for - nothings, indulging in luxury and pleasure all day long without any achievements.
Cheng Yong, with the title of Marquis Wude, can only hold the position of a fourth - rank official in the Ministry of Revenue. If things go on like this, it's hard to say whether his descendants can keep the marquis title. But he is good at currying favor and has attached himself to the Princess Dowager. He has been quite prosperous these years.
Cheng Jingxuan is a bit clever. His mother is out of favor. Knowing that as an illegitimate son, he has no chance of making a name for himself, he offered himself as a male concubine to the Princess Dowager. Cheng Yong is not ashamed but proud of it."
Daoist Qiu's lips curled into a cold sneer. "How could those who collude with the Princess Dowager care about their reputation? It's a pity for Cheng Yong's grandfather, Cheng Tao, who fought on the battlefield to create a prosperous future for the Cheng family. But his descendants are so disappointing!"
He felt infinite regret. Back then, Cheng Tao was his most capable general, and they had fought side by side.
Cheng Tao's son, Cheng Nuo, although not as outstanding as his father, was still brave.
Why had the family declined so much by Cheng Yong's generation? It had rotted from the root!
Liang Yuzhou, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. "What heinous thing did Cheng Jingxuan do to make Wen Congbai, who is so patient, kill him in the street?"
A flash of anger crossed the Crown Prince's eyes. He suppressed his nausea and said, "Cheng Jingxuan insulted Shen Yuhe in public. He snatched her and threw her into the Hongsulou. Shen Yuhe was almost violated by a group of drunkards. Fortunately, Mama Lin of the Hongsulou recognized Shen Yuhe and stopped those hooligans. Shen Yuhe was spared.
When Wen Congbai heard about this, he guarded outside the Princess Dowager's mansion for a day and a night. As soon as Cheng Jingxuan came out, he made him bleed on the spot."
Song Wanchu's heart raced. "Is Yuhe okay?"
Shen Yuhe was her best friend in the capital!
When she was scorned and slandered by everyone, it was Shen Yuhe who stood up and fought against the rumors firmly.
The Crown Prince's face grew more solemn. "She managed to keep her innocence, but she was scared. She's a bit dazed and can't stand any man getting close to her."
Song Wanchu's heart felt as if it was being grabbed by an iron hand. A tidal wave of suffocation washed over her.
How she wished she could fly back to the capital to accompany and comfort Shen Yuhe!
Liang Yuzhou was calm, exuding a chilling aura. "Cheng Jingxuan deserves to die, and the Princess Dowager deserves it even more!"