Chu Qing was chatting and laughing with Green Vine while paying attention to the two little girls when someone came to find her again.
Frowning, Chu Qing was about to see who was going to annoy her again. Then she looked up, and the frown on her forehead instantly smoothed out. Instead, a smile appeared on her face.
The person who came was Huo Xiaoxiao, who had received her help before.
At this moment, Huo Xiaoxiao was smiling brightly. Seeing Chu Qing's smile, she smiled even more brightly.
"Princess of Ning~" Huo Xiaoxiao spoke first.
Chu Qing replied gracefully, "Long time no see."
This girl is getting more and more beautiful!
"I haven't really thanked you properly, Princess," Huo Xiaoxiao said in a low voice.
Chu Qing waved her hand and said, "It's your own ability. You don't have to thank me."
Then the two chatted for a while. A clear voice sounded from behind Chu Qing.
"The Princess of Ning can really hold her temper!"
Chu Qing took a glance and couldn't help rubbing the space between her eyebrows.
Oh no, here comes that little troublemaker, Shangguan Zhen.
The last time they met was probably... when Xu Xin tried to frame Chu Qing but was then thrown back on herself by Chu Qing.
This little girl has a flamboyant personality and a sharp tongue. To be honest, she's not very likable. However, Chu Qing's deep - rooted affection for the Shangguan family also extended to this little girl, Shangguan Zhen. Even though she didn't like her much, she always unconsciously indulged the girl.
Therefore, Chu Qing said rather helplessly at this moment, "What do you mean by that?"
"I just passed by the Emperor. I saw the Prince of Ning, the Second Prince and the Third Princess of Xiliang there. And... guess what I heard?" Here, Shangguan Zhen winked playfully, deliberately trying to arouse Chu Qing's curiosity.
However, Chu Qing just gave her a disdainful look and then turned around to talk to the people beside her.
Seeing herself being ignored, Shangguan Zhen stomped her feet angrily. Then she stepped in front of Chu Qing, glaring and saying, "Princess of Ning! I'm talking to you!"
Seeing that the girl had no patience at all, Chu Qing raised her eyebrows amusedly and said, "It seems to me that you're not in a hurry to tell me?"
"Why not?" Shangguan Zhen blushed, "The Second Prince of Xiliang was just about to discuss the matter of a diplomatic marriage with the Emperor. He said... he wants to marry the Third Princess of Xiliang to the Prince of Ning as his equal - status wife!"
Chu Qing finally stopped smiling. Her eyes darkened and she asked, "Is this true?"
"Humph! Why would I lie to you? There's no benefit in it for me! I came to tell you this... because I think... you, as a princess, are quite interesting!" Here, Shangguan Zhen's face turned red.
Ever since Chu Qing had a long talk with her father and grandfather that she couldn't understand, her father and grandfather had become like they were suddenly rejuvenated.
Therefore, she was still a bit grateful to Chu Qing.
So when she passed by where the Emperor and the others were and heard this, she immediately came to find Chu Qing.
She never thought that this Princess of Ning could really hold her temper!
Her prince was about to be taken away, and she was still chatting with others here!
Chu Qing scrutinized Shangguan Zhen's face carefully and knew that she wasn't lying.
With a strange feeling in her heart, Chu Qing said silently, "Since ancient times, it's natural for men to have concubines, especially for a noble like the Prince of Ning. He will surely not have only me as his princess. If the prince really wants to marry, I can't stop him."
Although she said so, Chu Qing still felt a bit uncomfortable.
Strange. In her previous life, her emperor - husband had thousands of concubines in the harem, and she never felt the slightest bit of discomfort. Instead, she would even enthusiastically arrange who should serve him in bed.
But...
If this person was replaced by Wei Ying, just thinking about him gently calling someone else's pet name and holding someone else's little hand made her heart feel like it was soaked in a vinegar jar and then pricked with countless needles. It was both sour and painful.
Hearing what Chu Qing said, Shangguan Zhen pouted and said, "If that princess marries into the Prince of Ning's Mansion as an equal - status wife, her status may not be lower than yours! After all, she is a proper princess!"
Shangguan Zhen's words were quite blunt. Chu Qing gave her a disdainful look but didn't say anything.
Indeed, even though the equal - status wife's status was lower than hers as the principal wife. However... Hu Yan Zhuoyi was not only beautiful but also very scheming. And most importantly, it was about her status and her own.
Thinking of this, Chu Qing finally frowned and asked, "What did the prince say?"
"Um..." Shangguan Zhen paused, then scratched the back of her head and said shyly, "I was so eager to come and find you that I didn't pay attention to listen..."
Chu Qing: "..."
"Princess, why don't you go and take a look?" Huo Xiaoxiao said with a worried look on her face.
Chu Qing thought carefully for a while and then nodded.
She always felt that if she didn't say or do something and just let Hu Yan Zhuoyi enter the Prince of Ning's Mansion, she might as well forget about completing her mission.
Just this princess alone would be enough to annoy her. If that was the case, she might as well go back to her coffin and enjoy her leisure.
So, Chu Qing lifted her feet and walked towards Wei Ying and the others.
...
"Second Prince, I have no intention of taking another wife," Wei Ying said coldly without hesitation when he heard Hu Yan Longhao's words.
Hu Yan Longhao seemed to have never expected that the other party would refuse so straightforwardly. Looking at Hu Yan Zhuoyi beside him who seemed about to cry, Hu Yan Longhao's voice also turned cold, "The Prince of Ning is being too arrogant. Our Third Princess of Xiliang has been staying in your Prince of Ning's Mansion, and Zhuoyi is so infatuated with you. But you ignore her feelings. Is the Prince of Ning insulting our Xiliang royal family?"
Hearing this, Wei Ying gave Hu Yan Longhao a disdainful look, as if looking at a fool. Then he continued coolly, "The Second Prince should assess the situation clearly. The princess is staying in my mansion. Isn't that your intention? Don't come up with such a poor excuse as saying that I asked you to stay."
Hu Yan Zhuoyi, who was about to speak, was stunned. She never thought that Wei Ying would be so merciless.
"What are you all talking about?" Chu Qing walked over smiling at this moment.
Then she bowed slightly to the Emperor and stood beside Wei Ying.
Hu Yan Longhao squinted his eyes and sized up Chu Qing. Then he said meaningfully, "The Prince of Ning and his princess truly have a deep affection for each other."
"Thank you for the compliment, Second Prince," Chu Qing hooked the corners of her mouth and also squinted her eyes.
Wei Ying looked at the Emperor and then said unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, may I take my leave?"
The Emperor nodded, and then Wei Ying pulled Chu Qing away.
When they reached a deserted place, Wei Ying let go of Chu Qing, but his face was still gloomy.
Seeing his unusual behavior, Chu Qing asked, "I heard that Hu Yan Longhao wants you to have a diplomatic marriage with Hu Yan Zhuoyi?"
"Do they think they're worthy?" Wei Ying's words were extremely arrogant, but they made Chu Qing feel at ease.
But soon, Chu Qing remembered something and said anxiously, "But... didn't you want them to think that we were quarreling? But this way..."