A playful smile, extremely out of tune with his cold demeanor, flashed across Liang Yuzhou's icy features.
"Your Highness, I accidentally let Liang Wentao in on your troubles. As your loyal subject, he naturally wants to share your burdens," he said.
The Crown Prince was initially taken aback, then shot a glare at Xiao Anzi.
Xiao Anzi, frightened, quickly waved his hands, indicating that he had absolutely not colluded with Liang Yuzhou.
They had just happened to come up with the same idea!
The Crown Prince tightened his jaw but said nothing more.
In a way, he truly envied Liang Yuzhou.
He envied Liang's ability to go mad for love, to be unrestrained and carefree, and to cast aside everything in pursuit of pure and true love.
And what about himself? He couldn't even spend his life with the one he loved without relying on others.
Before leaving, Liang Yuzhou reminded the Crown Prince, "If the Emperor's warning to Lu Siming doesn't work, Your Highness should use harsher measures."
"I've already figured out how to deal with him," the Crown Prince replied.
He had someone send something to Lu Siming.
To outsiders, it might seem insignificant, but to Lu Siming, it would either scare him into submission or drive him to madness, prompting him to make a reckless move.
Either way, the Crown Prince was prepared.
On the way back to Yunshen Alley, Song Wanchu asked Liang Yuzhou, "How are you so sure Liang Wentao would come to you?"
"We're clan brothers. He's older than me, so I call him Third Brother. When we were kids, Liang Yuchuan was more favored by the old lord than I was. Most of the clan brothers preferred to be close to him. Because I didn't get along with Liang Yuchuan, they sometimes targeted and excluded me at his instigation, even setting traps for me behind my back.
Liang Wentao was the only one who didn't take sides or curry favor with Liang Yuchuan. He even helped me out of trouble many times. I respect his character.
Now that he's been promoted so quickly, while his family enjoys great glory, he's also in a difficult position. He desperately needs to show his loyalty to the Crown Prince by solving his problems.
As a close advisor to the Emperor, it's not convenient for him to approach the Crown Prince directly. So, he's bound to take a roundabout approach and seek help from someone close to the Crown Prince."
The Emperor doted on the Crown Prince and was willing to clear the obstacles on his path to the throne.
That was what a wise emperor should do.
But if the Crown Prince took matters into his own hands too eagerly, it would arouse the Emperor's suspicion.
The Crown Prince couldn't let the Emperor doubt his ambition to usurp the throne.
That was why the Crown Prince and the Taoist priest Qiu had stopped meeting privately after the latter took over the military power of the Duke's Mansion.
Liang Wentao was cautious and wouldn't make such a mistake in his eagerness to succeed.
Seeking help from Liang Yuzhou was the best option.
"Wanchu, you don't mind that I deliberately told Liang Wentao where we live in Yunshen Alley, do you?" Liang Yuzhou asked tentatively.
"Only Yunshen Alley is the best place to discuss such matters," Wanchu replied understandingly.
In fact, after Lu Ningzhen was executed, he had already avenged his hatred.
He could have retired and left the capital with Wanchu for the south of the Yangtze River.
"I promised to take you away from the capital after avenging my hatred, but I broke my promise, Wanchu," Liang Yuzhou said guiltily.
Song Wanchu looked at him without a trace of blame in her eyes, only admiration.
"I know you've been helping the Crown Prince, even though you like to tease him. You especially want to help him in matters of the heart and light up his foggy path. Because the Crown Prince now is just like you in the past," she said.
A flicker of surprise flashed across Liang Yuzhou's eyes, then softened.
He even blushed a little, which was rare for him.
He had underestimated Wanchu's understanding of him.
He thought his heart was full of secrets, but Wanchu could see through him like glass.
"You're helping him, ultimately, to redeem your past self," she said.
Liang Yuzhou lowered his long eyelashes, his expression a little sad.
Thinking of his past self, he could only say to Wanchu, "I can never atone for my past mistakes."
The Crown Prince now was just like him in the past, trapped in love.
Hesitating and insecure.
Song Wanchu gently held his hand. She was content now and didn't want to recall the misunderstandings and pain of the past.
That period of time had been too sharp for both of them, full of pain and joy.
So, she changed the subject to the Crown Prince and Cheng Simian.
"The Crown Prince and Simian have already become intimate, but despite his high status, he's in a vulnerable position in their relationship.
Simian's calmness, insight, and wisdom mean that she'll never let her emotions guide her actions.
Rational thinking has been her habit for a long time. That's the biggest difference between her and me.
Even without the Crown Prince's love and devotion, she can still be a good Crown Princess and a good Empress.
But if the Crown Prince can't understand Simian's rationality, it could become a fatal weapon that drives him crazy in the future.
So, that's why you want to stay by the Crown Prince's side and give him more guidance to help him out of his emotional困境, right?"
It's easy to fall in love with a woman like Cheng Simian. She's highly talented and stunningly beautiful, making her irresistible to men.
But it's extremely difficult to give her long - lasting love and receive a passionate response every time.
The Crown Prince is good at scheming in the court, but he's almost a novice when it comes to handling emotions.
Liang Yuzhou tightened his arm around Song Wanchu's waist.
"Lu Sihong is lucky to have met us," he said.
Song Wanchu smiled but said nothing.
Who would have thought that two men who used to dislike each other, regarded each other as enemies, and even fought with swords would become good friends?
The friendship between men is truly mysterious.
When they returned to Yunshen Alley, Nan Zhi opened the door.
"Miss, Master Qingzhou, there's a guest. I've shown him to the main hall. He's having tea now," she said.
Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou exchanged a look.
He had come quite quickly.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Liang Wentao lifted his robe and trotted over.
He couldn't hide his excitement.
Seeing Liang Yuzhou in Taoist robes, his expression was complex, a mix of regret and understanding.
It wasn't feigned.
Song Wanchu could tell that the two had a good relationship before.
Liang Wentao was five years older than Liang Yuzhou. At the age of thirty, he was a handsome and well - dressed man.
"Second Brother," he said.
"Third Brother," Liang Yuzhou replied.
(Note: Liang Yuzhou and Liang Wentao ranked themselves according to their fathers' branches, so they had these titles. The author is clear - minded and didn't mix up the rankings.)
After saying that, Liang Yuzhou immediately explained, "This 'Third Brother' is what the former Liang Er would call you. Now that I'm a Taoist priest, I have no family relationship with you, benefactor."
Liang Wentao smiled. "I know you're cautious, Master Qingzhou."
He also changed his address.
After this little test, Liang Wentao got straight to the point.
"I heard that there's a Miss Jiang by the Crown Prince's side. Her father was the official who exposed Yu Jingnian's embezzlement of the funds for building the river embankment. Miss Jiang was also instrumental in the Crown Prince's downfall of Lu Ningzhen. I admire such a heroic woman and have developed feelings for her. My wife passed away almost three years ago, and my family needs a capable and virtuous mistress. I'd like to propose marriage. I wonder if the Crown Prince would be willing to part with her?"