Was that a topic for young ladies? No one knew exactly what her daughter had learned, but every time Mei Qingxue wrote a letter, she managed to coax Mei Zhenguo so much that he wished she were a boy.
To prevent someone from peeping at her daughter's letters, Xia Ruolan specially got a small wooden box, carefully put the letters in it, and locked it.
"My dear wife, Ruolan, is it really necessary...?"
Guo Jun's life as a guard had also begun. Even he never expected that his dream of fighting on the battlefield would come true so soon.
Mei Qingxue thought she could live a quiet life for a while. However, just as she was about to enjoy the tranquility, the eldest prince came to visit in person.
"Du Gu Qing, don't promise him anything," Mei Qingxue guessed that Du Gu Ming had come to win support, but she didn't want to get involved in his messy affairs at all.
"I know. I know exactly what kind of person my elder brother is," Du Gu Qing sneered. No matter what Du Gu Ming said today, he wouldn't be swayed. This was one of the things his father did that he hated the most. They weren't really kind to each other as brothers, but still pretended to be so. Maybe Du Gu You would have a better impression of him because of that.
"Elder brother."
"Sixth brother, how have you been recently?" Du Gu Ming looked at his younger brother's strange white hair with feigned concern, wearing a fake smile on his face.
"I'm fine. Big brother, are you here in the South of the Yangtze River for a relaxing trip? The lotus flowers are in full bloom at this time. When shall I take you to have a look?" Du Gu Qing smiled. "Where are you staying, big brother? You can stay at my mansion if you don't mind."
Du Gu Ming had no interest in seeing the lotus flowers at all.
"Sixth brother, I have something to ask of you," Du Gu Ming said straightforwardly, ready to lay out his purpose. Du Gu Qing had already guessed what it was.
"Elder brother, my new mansion has just been built. I'm afraid I can't help you much," Du Gu Qing said.
"It's not about that. You know, I really want to sit on that throne. But I'm in a weak position..." Du Gu Ming painted a pitiful picture of himself. Most of the powerful officials in the court had already defected to him. Du Gu Qing just watched him act. After a while, he said, "I really can't help you, big brother. You know I've always been in poor health. Although I've gotten better recently, I don't have any power here in the South of the Yangtze River. It's just that father pitied me and gave me a place to live."
"Sixth brother, we are brothers. We should be very close. It was my fault before. I treated you badly. Please forgive me, okay? I promise I won't be like that again in the future."
Du Gu Ming spoke earnestly, looking as if he really repented for his past actions. Where was he a few years or a decade ago? And Du Gu Qing knew exactly what kind of person Du Gu Ming was. He had even tried to hire a killer to kill his own brother a few months ago. Could he really turn over a new leaf now?
Who would believe it!
Afraid that Du Gu Qing might waver, Mei Qingxue quickly sat behind the screen.
Hearing Du Gu Ming's shameless words, Mei Qingxue almost stood up and slapped the table. The killer last time was from her Blue Sea Pavilion. If it had been someone else, she really didn't know what would have happened.
What a touching scene of brotherly love. Mei Qingxue just wanted to throw a stool at that person to stop feeling disgusted.
"Big brother, I'm really grateful for your words. Thank you for thinking of me. I'm here just because I don't want to get involved with the capital. You know, I just want to recuperate in peace and live a few more years. I'm sorry, big brother!"
Du Gu Qing rejected Du Gu Ming. Du Gu Ming's face turned ugly. He had traveled a long way here, thinking that this sickly guy would be grateful, but instead, he got a soft rejection.
"In that case, I'll take my leave. I have to return to the capital quickly. I can't stay outside for long," Du Gu Ming said and turned to leave. Since there was no room for negotiation, he wouldn't stay here to be humiliated.
"Elder brother, take care. I'm too weak to see you off."
Seeing Du Gu Ming's angry look, Du Gu Qing slightly curled his lips. "My princess, you shouldn't have let your feet show while hiding behind the screen."
"You saw it. Can you just keep your mouth shut?" Mei Qingxue walked out from behind the screen. "It's right not to agree. Forming cliques for personal gain is wrong, even among brothers."
"Forming cliques for personal gain isn't a big deal, but with Du Gu Ming's character, he might turn against us as soon as he gains power," Du Gu Qing knew his elder brother very well.
"Du Gu Ming is here. Your third elder brother is probably not one to sit still either."
It would have been interesting if they had come together just now. But Du Gu Jue was much smarter than Du Gu Ming. He must be waiting somewhere to see Du Gu Ming leave before showing up. Both of them wanted Du Gu Qing to join their camps. With others around, how could they talk freely?
"Shall we hide in the Duke's mansion or wait for Du Gu Jue to come to our mansion?"
Eunuch Tang smiled and said, "Our princess is usually so smart. Why are you being silly now? We should definitely wait in the mansion. Hiding won't solve the problem. He'll come again and again."
"Yes. I guess Du Gu Jue will come in the next few days. Let's just wait. Anyway, we'll just reject him," Mei Qingxue said. There was nothing else to say. Neither of them was a good person.
Just as they were talking, a guard outside reported, "His Highness the Third Prince requests an audience!"
The three of them looked at each other. "Please..." Eunuch Tang turned and went back to the back room to avoid being dragged into the conversation. He hadn't shown up when Du Gu Ming came just now.
"Third elder brother, long time no see!"
Du Gu Jue smiled. "Indeed. One day apart feels like three autumns." As he spoke, he carefully sized up Du Gu Qing. Du Gu Ming had left with a gloomy face just now, so things probably hadn't gone smoothly for him. Du Gu Jue also wanted to give it a try. If he couldn't win over his sixth brother, he would have to take the last resort.
"Someone, serve tea!"
"Tea is not necessary. I have a few questions for you. Now I'm competing with the eldest brother for the position of crown prince. Who will you support?"
"I won't support anyone. Third elder brother, you know I've never been interested in power," Du Gu Qing shook his head lightly. He was telling the truth, but it was not his problem if his brothers didn't believe him.
"Think it over carefully. If I become the emperor, how could I ignore you?" Du Gu Jue was different from Du Gu Ming. Although his words were direct, his tone was pleading.
"Third elder brother, you should know I just want to hide in the South of the Yangtze River for peace. Please don't count me in," Du Gu Qing said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
When Du Gu Qing said that, Du Gu Jue didn't leave in a huff like Du Gu Ming. Instead, he chatted with Du Gu Qing about the beautiful scenery in the South of the Yangtze River for a while. He wanted to take one last step. It was a matter of success or failure, and he had to give it a try. But he wouldn't harm his own blood relatives. They were all family, so why should they fight so fiercely?
It was just that Du Gu Ming had been blinded by power.
But what he was going to do needed careful consideration. He mustn't be reckless. He also wanted to save his own life.
"Your garden is really nice," Du Gu Jue praised. "Really? Then shall we take a walk in the garden?" Du Gu Qing invited.
"Next time. I have to return to the capital. Sixth brother, no matter what happened before, no matter how unhappy we were, we are still brothers. Don't take what the eldest brother did to heart. When he realizes the bond between brothers, he'll regret it," Du Gu Jue said.
Du Gu Qing was slightly stunned. He didn't expect Du Gu Jue to say such a thing. "Of course we are brothers. There are only three of us in total. I won't hold a grudge against big brother."
He didn't quite understand Du Gu Jue's intention. He always felt that Du Gu Jue had the determination to go all out, but he didn't know how to persuade him.
"Third elder brother, as long as you do things within your means, even if you don't end up as the winner, it's better than regretting it later," Du Gu Qing still gave his advice. But Du Gu Jue had made up his mind, and no one could change it.
"Damn useless fellow. He doesn't give me any face," Du Gu Ming returned to the post - house and started throwing things. Lieutenant Li, who had a feud with Du Gu Qing, said, "Your Highness, don't be angry. Wait until you ascend the throne, and then deal with those who make you unhappy." Du Gu Qing had even slapped him 150 times. As long as his master became the emperor, he would definitely get a thousand - fold or ten - thousand - fold revenge.
"You're so short - sighted," Du Gu Ming gave his lieutenant a disdainful look. "There are still a few places for you to visit. If you mess things up again, don't come back."
Du Gu Ming's cold and fierce look made Lieutenant Li shiver. "Yes. I'll go and handle it right away!"
Not everyone was as uncooperative as Du Gu Qing. Lieutenant Li hated Du Gu Qing and the people around him to the core. Even if his master didn't say anything, he would find a chance to make Du Gu Qing uncomfortable.
Didn't Du Gu Qing cherish his princess? Then when he went out to handle affairs, he would deal with his princess as well. Only then could he relieve his hatred.
If Du Gu Ming had known what Lieutenant Li was thinking, he would never have let that bastard go out. He was trying to win Du Gu Qing's support, but Lieutenant Li would only ruin things for him.
Lieutenant Li didn't go to handle his business first when he arrived in the South of the Yangtze River. Instead, he disguised himself and waited near the prince's mansion for Mei Qingxue to appear. Wasn't she the most beautiful woman?
Then he would defile the most beautiful woman. Heh heh, that would make Du Gu Qing suffer!
Mei Qingxue went out as usual. When Lieutenant Li saw that she was alone, he knew his chance had come. So he quietly followed behind her.
But he didn't know who Mei Qingxue was. She had lived ten lives. How could she not notice the tail behind her?
Moreover, with An Ying around, she wasn't afraid at all. As she walked, she deliberately led the man into a deserted alley.
As long as the man followed, he would get what he deserved.
He didn't even know who Mei Qingxue was.
When An Ying saw the man following Mei Qingxue, anger welled up in his eyes.