Liang Yuzhou didn't really want to be angry with the Crown Prince.
When it came to matters related to Wan Chu, he was indeed rather narrow - minded.
However, the Crown Prince's feelings for Wan Chu were gradually fading away, which Liang Yuzhou had witnessed.
In the Crown Prince's heart, there was already a more suitable candidate for the position of the queen than Wan Chu.
Liang Yuzhou put away his previous angry expression and became serious.
"Lu Ningzhen has also committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. But even if the emperor knows about more of her crimes now, he won't change his decision on her punishment. We still need to wait. We need to wait for Lu Ningzhen's final counter - attack. Only when the emperor realizes that his elder sister is trying to seize the most important thing for the Great Zhou's territory will he truly fly into a rage and execute her."
The Crown Prince was a perceptive person and immediately understood the implication of Liang Yuzhou's words.
The heart - blood incident back then was masterminded by Lu Ningzhen.
The emperor still believed that it was Yu Huiyan who risked her life to obtain the heart - blood for Liang Yuzhou.
More than a year ago, Yu Jingnian was recalled from Hengzhou to the capital and restored to his original position. It wasn't just because the emperor gave Liang Yuzhou face.
It was also because the emperor thought highly of Yu Huiyan and was willing to make an exception and show mercy.
For the year after Yu Jingnian returned to the capital until he was arrested and imprisoned, he had always been Lu Ningzhen's minion.
Lu Ningzhen hated him, the Crown Prince, the most.
Her final counter - attack must be a death - defying move against him.
If she succeeded, she would have avenged herself and could at least die without regrets.
If she failed, her situation couldn't be worse than it was now.
However, what if the emperor was deeply disappointed in Lu Ningzhen and at the same time discovered that she had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor?
With the two crimes combined, could the emperor really hold back his anger?
The Crown Prince took Liang Yuzhou's words to heart. "After waiting for so many years, I don't mind waiting a few more days. I have plenty of time. I'm just afraid that Lu Ningzhen can't wait."
His emotions were stable and calm. He didn't feel elated after achieving a great victory.
Liang Yuzhou bid farewell to Song Wanchu and left the Eastern Palace.
Just as he reached the palace gate, he saw Li Luxiang, the chief eunuch beside the emperor, coming over.
Li Luxiang was all smiles and extremely respectful. "Greetings to Princess Yuening."
Song Wanchu was stunned for a moment before slowly accepting the fact that she had become a princess.
The emperor had given her a noble status comparable to that of the royal family. In others' eyes, it was an unparalleled honor, something to be proud of for a lifetime.
However, she didn't feel much joy or excitement.
Status was no longer something she cared about.
She gave Li Luxiang a faint smile. "Does Father - in - law Li have something to say?"
Li Luxiang bent his waist even lower. "The imperial edict to confer the title of princess has been drafted. According to Her Majesty the Queen, the princess should have a proper natal family so that I can deliver the edict."
Delivering an imperial edict to confer the title of princess was a very grand event.
Song Wanchu was still living in the Qi family. Although there was an elder brother in the Qi family, there was no more noble elder.
If she received the edict in the Qi family, it would seem a bit disrespectful.
Li Luxiang added, "Her Majesty the Queen also said that since Grandmother Liang of the Duke's Mansion has recognized the princess as her granddaughter, the Duke's Mansion is the princess's natal family. It would be most appropriate for the princess to receive the edict there."
There were noble elders in the Duke's Mansion.
Song Wanchu hesitated for a moment.
She hadn't thought about entering the Duke's Mansion again.
It used to be her husband's family, and now it had become her natal family.
Such a change in identity was probably unprecedented. Song Wanchu couldn't tell what she was feeling.
Just as she was hesitating, a warm and big hand held hers.
"I'll accompany you to the Duke's Mansion."
Liang Yuzhou's eyes were filled with a smile and his gaze was tender. "I failed to accompany you in and out before. Today, let me make up for the past regrets between us."
In the past, he was the glorious Second Young Master Liang, and she was the daughter of a sixth - rank official with a low status. After he married her into the mansion, he never accompanied her in and out of the Duke's Mansion again.
Now, he had become an outsider to the Duke's Mansion, while she had suddenly become a member of the royal family. He accompanied her into the Duke's Mansion again. She had become a member of the Duke's Mansion, but he, for her sake, would never have any relationship with the Duke's Mansion again.
The change in their identities was like the vicissitudes of the sea. Song Wanchu was in a daze for a moment.
However, the warmth from her palm was like tangible love that she could grasp.
Everything had changed, but Liang Yuzhou's love for her remained the same.
Knowing this, Song Wanchu felt at ease.
The two of them were sitting in the carriage on their way back to the Duke's Mansion.
Song Wanchu thought of the dignified and virtuous queen. After she was conferred the title of princess, she would have to enter the palace the next day to express her gratitude to the emperor and the queen.
"Her Majesty the Queen is very intelligent, perceptive, and upright."
She had a good impression of the queen. "She must know about all the entanglements between me and the Crown Prince, but she didn't look down on me because of that."
"To be able to raise a son as upright and modest as the Crown Prince, this mother of the nation can't be a person of bad character."
Song Wanchu was surprised. She stared at Liang Yuzhou with wide eyes as if she were seeing a new person.
"It's really rare. You're actually saying something nice about the Crown Prince!"
Liang Yuzhou smiled cunningly. "If the Crown Prince could talk as well as I do, would Miss Cheng have known his feelings earlier?"
On the wall of the main hall of the Eastern Palace, the "Picture of the Vast Land" was particularly eye - catching.
After Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou left, the atmosphere became rather cold.
The Crown Prince had given Cheng Simian a seat. She sat upright, but unlike at the Spring Welcome Banquet, her back wasn't so stiff.
Her sitting posture was still elegant and pleasing to the eye, but there was an added sense of naturalness and relaxation.
Somehow, when facing the Crown Prince, Cheng Simian no longer had the initial humility and caution.
The two of them were more like like - minded friends who could talk face to face. At least, that was what Cheng Simian thought.
"Grand Tutor Wen will thoroughly investigate the Marquis of Wude's Mansion in the next few days. By then, the entire Marquis of Wude's Mansion will be in chaos. You and your mother should first find a safe and quiet place to live."
The Crown Prince had already told Grand Tutor Wen that Cheng Simian and Mrs. Rong were not involved in the crimes of the marquis's mansion. Even if the entire marquis's mansion was searched upside down, they shouldn't be implicated.
Cheng Simian curtsied and then sat down again. "Your Highness is so considerate. I'm extremely grateful. My mother still has a mansion in the capital. It's not far from the Duke's Mansion. We'll move our things there today."
The Crown Prince nodded. "That's good."
Mianmian always thought things through and planned everything in advance.
His greetings and concerns always seemed a step too late.
Cheng Simian accompanied the Crown Prince to drink a cup of tea.
The two of them chatted about the local customs in the south of the Yangtze River for a while.
Night fell quietly.
The Crown Prince glanced at the window screen dyed with the night and wondered why time had passed so quickly today.
Cheng Simian put down the teacup, stood up, and bowed again.
Her expression was solemn.
"Your Highness, my wish has been fulfilled. Thank you, Crown Prince, for your trust and help all the way. I'll always remember this kindness."
The Crown Prince's heart sank.
These words sounded like the polite remarks when saying goodbye.
Cheng Simian didn't know the turmoil in the Crown Prince's heart. "Your Highness, now that the Marquis of Wude's Mansion and its crimes are about to be destroyed, it's time for me to bid you farewell."
The Crown Prince's heart sank to the bottom. A deep sense of loss enveloped him.
But he also thought he was being self - indulgent.
Why should Mianmian stay?
Just because of the few times he had called her "Mianmian" in front of everyone?
He hadn't given Mianmian anything or any emotions worth lingering on.
And Mianmian had always been a woman with a firm heart and a clear goal.
His voice was hoarse. "Are you going to the south of the Yangtze River?"
"Yes. I like Yunzhou. It's a place with abundant resources and a pleasant climate all year round. It's a good place for self - cultivation."
Cheng Simian's voice seemed to come from a very far place. "Your Highness, if you visit the south of the Yangtze River again one day, maybe we'll have a chance to meet again. By then—"
"Mianmian."
The Crown Prince couldn't help but call out her name.
Cheng Simian was interrupted. She opened her eyes wide in surprise.
The Crown Prince had called her by her boudoir name again.
Was it her illusion? It seemed that there was deep affection in the Crown Prince's voice.
Cheng Simian was confused and lost, but she remained calm. She looked at the Crown Prince seriously and waited to listen.
The Crown Prince stared into her beautiful eyes. "Have you ever thought about another possibility besides going to the south of the Yangtze River?"
Cheng Simian frowned slightly. "I'm stupid. Please clarify, Your Highness."
"For example, staying by my side?"