The crown prince was extremely annoyed. In an instant, countless scenarios of getting rid of Liang Yuzhou flashed through his mind.
In the end, he could only swallow his frustration alone. "Here!"
Although his heartfelt gesture was important, Mianmian wouldn't care about such material things.
In the future, he would give her better.
Half of the peach gum was taken away by Liang Yuzhou. But within three days, the capital was abuzz with the news that the crown prince had obtained two of the most precious tributes from the palace and given them to Miss Cheng and Lady Rong.
The storytellers in the restaurants and teahouses put aside the storybooks about Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou and created a new romantic tale.
It was said that on his way back to the capital after inspecting the southern regions, the crown prince met the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Wude on her way back. Miss Cheng was accosted by a lecherous bandit, and the crown prince sent his guards to protect her.
At first sight, the crown prince couldn't forget the beautiful lady.
Grateful for the kindness, the first thing Miss Cheng did after returning to the capital was to present the "Picture of the Vast Mountains and Rivers" to the crown prince.
When the crown prince learned that Miss Cheng was bullied by her father's concubine, he was indignant. On the same day, he escorted Miss Cheng home, punished the insolent servants, and intimidated the biased and cold - hearted Cheng Yong, helping Miss Cheng regain the power to manage the household.
After that, they met on many occasions and sparked all kinds of feelings.
At the Spring Festival Banquet, the second prince showed his affection for Miss Cheng and tried to get close to her. The crown prince's possessiveness flared up, and in front of all the noble families, he called Miss Cheng by her boudoir name.
At the banquet, the scandal of the eldest princess was exposed and she fell from power. Cheng Yong was also investigated, but the crown prince said that Miss Cheng was innocent of the crimes of the Cheng family.
He not only protected Miss Cheng but also specially granted Lady Rong, Miss Cheng's mother, a divorce from Cheng Yong.
The queen noticed the crown prince's affection for Miss Cheng and specially held a flower - viewing banquet to test Miss Cheng's character and moral qualities.
Miss Cheng satisfied the queen in every aspect.
After the banquet, the crown prince personally sent Miss Cheng home, had dinner at her place, and gave precious gifts.
They were just waiting for the imperial edict of betrothal to be issued so that they could be a match made in heaven.
The storyteller was so vivid that he depicted them as two people in love and kindred spirits.
The discussions on the streets soon reached the ears of the noble families.
Qin Xuanyan flew into a rage at home.
Antique vases, glassware, and agate were smashed all over the floor.
When Lady Yang, the wife of the Duke of Rongxiang, rushed to Qin Xuanyan's boudoir, Qin Xuanyan was whipping a little maid's face with a rattan cane.
The little maid was only about fourteen or fifteen years old. Her clothes were not very decent. It was obvious that she was a rough - working maid who was not even qualified to enter the master's room on normal days.
Lady Yang shook her head and quickly ordered the people around her to stop Qin Xuanyan.
The little maid's face was swollen and bloody from the whipping, but she held back her tears and didn't even dare to cry out.
Lady Yang threw her a silver coin and waved her hand impatiently. "This is a reward for you. Go and see a doctor. You don't have to come to work for a few days. Go and don't make the young lady angry again!"
The little maid picked up the silver coin, with tears of humiliation in her eyes, and limped away.
Qin Xuanyan threw herself into Lady Yang's arms and burst into tears.
"Mother, I'm not convinced! In terms of family background and appearance, which aspect of mine is worse than Cheng Simian's? Why did that vixen catch the crown prince's eye?"
Seeing her daughter crying so sadly, Lady Yang didn't want to scold her.
"You can be angry, but it's okay to break a few things. Why did you beat a rough - working maid for no reason?"
Although there was a bit of reproach in her words, her tone was gentle.
There was a fierce light in Qin Xuanyan's eyes. "I've disliked that maid for a long time. Just because she's a bit fair - skinned, has big eyes, and a slender waist, she dared to make eyes at my brother. At such a young age, she looks like a coquette. I just want to teach her a lesson and let her know that a low - born body is not worthy of climbing up the social ladder!"
On the surface, she was scolding the little maid, but the venom in her words was clearly aimed at Cheng Simian.
Lady Yang sighed again.
Her daughter was good in every way, but she was just too jealous.
The maids around her couldn't be more beautiful than her, and they definitely couldn't be younger than her.
The maids who served the master were a bit more decent and would dress up more colorfully.
But the maids around Yan'er didn't even dare to wear a bright - colored dress, let alone put on makeup or wear hairpins.
At the flower - viewing banquet hosted by the queen, Qin Xuanyan dressed up carefully, hoping to shine among all the noble ladies and win the queen's favor.
Who would have thought that she would be outshone by an unknown daughter of a criminal official.
Qin Xuanyan was rebuffed by the crown prince. Moreover, she heard that it was widely rumored in the market that the crown prince and Cheng Simian were in love and that the crown prince had already asked the queen for an imperial edict of betrothal.
She was extremely ambitious and was determined to become the crown princess. How could she bear such a blow?
"You're just too impatient!"
Lady Yang hugged Qin Xuanyan and wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief.
Her daughter had a strong temper. Fortunately, she was born into a noble family. The Duke of Rongxiang's mansion had a high status. The emperor valued the family, and the court officials flattered them.
The good reputation of the Duke of Rongxiang's mansion supported her daughter's pride.
Lady Yang also thought that her daughter would only be a good match for the crown prince and become the crown princess, and it wouldn't be a step - down for her.
Her daughter was too naive and saw things too superficially.
Lady Yang gently stroked her back and patiently analyzed the situation for her.
"Cheng Simian's father was a lackey of the eldest princess. When the eldest princess fell from power, the Marquis of Wude's mansion also collapsed. Although the crown prince pardoned Cheng Simian's crimes, the stigma of being the daughter of a criminal official will be branded on her for life. No matter what, the queen will never allow the daughter of a criminal official to be the crown princess for her most promising crown prince."
"Even so, I just can't stand her arrogant look. Isn't she just a vixen with a pretty face? She's bewitched the crown prince!"
"Yan'er, don't talk nonsense!"
Lady Yang's tone became a bit more severe. "You can scold Miss Cheng, but if you say that the crown prince has been bewitched by her, aren't you complaining that the crown prince is indulging in women? Discussing the crown prince rashly is a crime of disrespect!"
Qin Xuanyan quickly covered her mouth, and a look of panic flashed in her eyes.
"Mother, I didn't mean that. The crown prince is noble and majestic, and he would never be bewitched by that Cheng Simian."
"That's right. Heroes have always been fond of beautiful women. Cheng Simian is good at poetry, calligraphy, and painting. It's natural for the crown prince to be attracted to her for a while."
Lady Yang's expression softened a bit. "The crown princess will be the future queen. Only a noble lady from a high - ranking family can hold this position firmly. No matter how much the crown prince likes Cheng Simian, at most, he can only make her a concubine of a lower rank. With her status as the daughter of a criminal official, she doesn't even have a chance to be a side concubine, let alone the crown princess. How dare she have such wild dreams!"
"Mother is absolutely right."
Qin Xuanyan's face brightened up, and she proudly raised her head. "Only I am fit to be the crown prince's legitimate wife. Even if Cheng Simian enters the Eastern Palace, she will be a lowly ant living under my feet. I have plenty of ways to get rid of her!"
Lady Yang lovingly looked at her daughter and imagined her wearing a phoenix crown and ruling the country.
Her eyes flickered a few times, and she murmured, "It's time to ask your father to visit the emperor more often and find out the emperor's attitude."
Qin Feng was a vital official of the court. The emperor would surely take his requests seriously.
As for that Cheng Simian.
She would never allow this woman to become a threat to her daughter's path to becoming the crown princess.
As they were talking, Qin Xuanyan's elder brother, Qin Ziqi, walked in.
He looked around the courtyard several times.
Not seeing the slender and graceful figure he was looking for, he felt a bit disappointed.
"What's wrong with you, sister? Why are you so angry again?"
Qin Ziqi was tall and handsome, holding a folding fan painted with Chinese ink. He had delicate eyebrows and eyes, looking like a refined young gentleman.
Lady Yang smiled and said, "Your sister has a strong temper. It's really not worth getting angry over a low - born daughter of a criminal official. You should also persuade her."
Qin Ziqi slowly waved his folding fan and smiled gracefully. "Sister must be bored. Coincidentally, the second prince has obtained several famous paintings, including the authentic work of Mr. Mingxi that you like the most. The second prince has widely invited literati in the capital to view the paintings. The crown prince will also go. Brother will take you there tomorrow, okay?"
Qin Xuanyan's eyes immediately lit up.
"Will His Highness the crown prince also go? Then I must go!"
...
Cheng Simian made an appointment with Song Wanchu to have tea at Cuining Tower.
Their carriages stopped at the entrance of Cuining Tower.
Song Wanchu got out of the carriage and took Cheng Simian's arm. She pointed to the Renxin Medical Hall across the street.
"Mr. Wen paid for Yuhe to open a medical hall. Yuhe has been so busy seeing patients that she doesn't even have time to play with us. How about we go and see her first?"
Cheng Simian had long heard of Shen Yuhe's heroic deeds.
She admired such a heroic woman most in her life.
The two walked to the entrance of the Renxin Medical Hall and saw a little maid coming out.