Read Novel Full CHAPTER 32 PART2
CHAPTER 32 PART2
The servants bustled about, hurrying to and fro. Once everything was properly arranged, Liang Zheng was about to return to the pavilion when he spotted the Crown Prince, Tang Yueze, approaching at a brisk pace.
Tang Yueze’s injuries had already been treated. He wore a freshly adorned black gauze wingshan crown, which conveniently covered the scrape on his temple. His robe, embroidered with a coiling dragon, had also been changed for a new one.
Liang Zheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. Hidden within his wide sleeves, his fingers gently rubbed together as he stepped forward and greeted the prince with a respectful bow. “Your Highness.”
“Eunuch Liang, how is my royal father now?” Tang Yueze asked, his body tense and his face filled with concern.
“Please be at ease, Your Highness. His Majesty is much better now.” As he spoke, Liang Zheng’s gaze drifted—seemingly unintentionally—toward the nearby Tianyi Waterside Pavilion, where Xiao Yanfei was chatting and laughing with Princess Ning Shu and a few others.
Gao An, blinded by desire, had taken a fancy to the second daughter of the Xiao family. Others might not know, but Liang Zheng, who also served in the inner court, was well aware.
He held Gao An in deep contempt. A eunuch, elevated only by the emperor’s favor, had managed to acquire a mansion in the capital and keep a household of his own—yet he still dared to covet the daughter of a noble family? Utterly deluded!
That Xiao girl, though, was clearly a capable person. Befriending someone like her could only work to his own advantage.
Especially considering the miraculous pills she had provided—he would need her help again in the future.
Both pills had already been used, and the emperor’s affliction was likely to return in six or seven days…
In just a few moments, countless thoughts flashed through Liang Zheng’s mind. His plan was already forming.
Tang Yueze let out a breath of relief upon hearing that the emperor was no longer in danger. He was just about to head inside when Liang Zheng spoke again in a soft, deliberate tone:
“Sigh… The imperial physician once warned that His Majesty’s condition cannot tolerate agitation. Any flare of temper only adds fuel to the fire.”
Tang Yueze’s expression froze, and he halted mid-step. A troubling thought surfaced—what had angered his father? Was it his fall from the horse… or his insistence on staying with Luan’er?
His gaze drifted toward the adjacent Tianyi Waterside Pavilion, to where Xiao Luanfei sat quietly by the railing.
Their eyes met across the distance—hers warm, lingering, unwilling to look away. But after a fleeting moment, Xiao Luanfei lowered her head, evading his gaze.
A surge of anguish swept through Tang Yueze’s heart.
He knew she cared for him—when he fell from his horse earlier, she had been more distraught than anyone.
Liang Zheng, following Tang Yueze’s line of sight, also looked toward Xiao Luanfei and gently offered his counsel:
“Your Highness, haste makes waste. Why rush things and upset His Majesty, or put Lady Xiao in a difficult position…”
“It would be wiser for Your Highness to proceed with patience.”
At first, Tang Yueze bristled—he disliked others meddling in his affairs with Xiao Luanfei. His lips pressed into a tight line.
But as he listened further, he sensed a note of support in Liang Zheng’s words. His expression eased slightly.
Though Liang Zheng’s standing at court wasn’t quite on par with Gao An’s, his voice still carried weight with the emperor. Clearly, he was now extending a hand of goodwill—and there was no reason to push him away.
Seeing the subtle shift in Tang Yueze’s expression, Liang Zheng pressed on gently:
“His Majesty can be persuaded in time. But Your Highness and Lady Xiao must first stand united—only then can you move forward together. Otherwise…”
Tang Yueze found himself nodding unconsciously—Liang Zheng had voiced exactly what was on his mind.
Yes, even if his father eventually relented, if Luan’er continued to hold her grudge and refused the marriage, it would surely ignite another storm of imperial fury.
“Thank you for your advice, Eunuch,” he said, his tone softening further, and his gaze toward Liang Zheng now tinged with familiarity.
“Not at all, not at all,” Liang Zheng replied with a smile, bowing slightly. “If I may be so bold as to offer one more thought…”
Tang Yueze raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Liang Zheng continued calmly, “There’s a saying: the eldest sister is like a mother. Lady Xiao is a woman of fine character—graceful, composed, and gentle by nature. It’s precisely because she cherishes her younger sister that she took offense on her behalf… and perhaps turned that displeasure onto Your Highness.”
He sighed lightly and added, “Really, it’s Eunuch Gao who’s at fault here—harboring designs on Lady Xiao’s younger sister. It’s no wonder Lady Xiao was incensed. It put Your Highness in a most difficult position.”
“Her anger stems from love and protectiveness—who could fault her for that?”
Tang Yueze’s heart skipped a beat as a memory surfaced unbidden in his mind—Xiao Luanfei’s restrained voice echoing softly: “Your Highness, I don’t know what to do. That’s my sister… I can’t sacrifice her happiness for my own.”
A frown creased Tang Yueze’s brow.
Indeed, Luan’er had always cared deeply for her sister. She had even brought her along on the visit to Xilin Temple, showing how close the two truly were.
Could it be… he had misunderstood everything?
Liang Zheng carefully watched his expression. Seeing the flicker of regret cross Tang Yueze’s face, he cautiously continued, “Your Highness, His Majesty holds great hopes for you.”
Though the Emperor had three sons, everyone at court knew none compared to the eldest prince. The throne was destined for Tang Yueze.
“If Eunuch Gao’s schemes succeed, I fear His Majesty will never approve of your marriage to Lady Xiao,” Liang Zheng concluded with a long, heavy sigh, his gaze never leaving Tang Yueze’s changing expression.
A sharp pang gripped Tang Yueze’s chest, and his face darkened noticeably.
In his heart, there was only Luan’er—just as his father’s heart belonged solely to the Empress.
Luan’er was meant to be his crown princess, his empress—destined to rule the empire’s women and stand as the most honored lady in all the land.
But Gao An…
“…Gao An is truly reckless and audacious!” Tang Yueze’s voice, thick with anger, seemed to grind out between his clenched teeth.
Gao An knew full well how much he adored Luan’er, yet he still set his sights on her younger sister—completely disregarding Tang Yueze’s feelings!
Liang Zheng sighed again. “It’s only natural that Lady Xiao is angry.”
Tang Yueze silently agreed: Of course. How could Luan’er not be furious?
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Liang Zheng’s lips. He said no more, then gave Tang Yueze a respectful bow before quietly taking his leave.
Only Tang Yueze remained, standing silently for a long while.
He had truly misunderstood.
Luan’er’s anger wasn’t directed at her younger sister, but at Gao An—the arrogant, lustful eunuch who looked down on everyone.
It was Gao An who sowed discord within the Marquis family, who drove Luan’er to fury, and who left her ashamed before her mother and sister.
Now, Luan’er likely even blamed herself—for failing to stop Gao An’s reckless behavior, and for not holding him close to her heart.
The more Tang Yueze thought about it, the more convinced he became—and the deeper his regret grew.
Remembering how he nearly struck Luan’er’s younger sister from her horse with a blow, his heart suddenly clenched, pounding wildly in his chest.
No wonder she refused to come to him after his fall—she must be resentful… perhaps even believing he deserved it.
Fortunately, fortunately, he hadn’t made a grave mistake!
Tang Yueze felt a sudden rush of relief and quickly signaled his personal attendant, Tian Shouzhi, instructing him to prepare a formal apology gift.
So, after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Yanfei—who was at the Tianyi Pavilion—unexpectedly received a grand gift.
“Second Miss Xiao,” Tian Shouzhi said politely, bowing publicly to Xiao Yanfei. His eyes deliberately flicked toward Xiao Luanfei, who was leaning against the railing nearby. His voice was just loud enough for Xiao Luanfei to hear clearly.
“I am here on behalf of His Highness, the Crown Prince, to offer his sincerest apologies. Earlier on the field, His Highness nearly caused you harm by accident, and he feels deeply remorseful.”
“These are but small tokens of His Highness’s goodwill. Please kindly accept them.”
As he spoke, the palace attendants he had brought placed the apology gifts down one by one.
Xiao Yanfei glanced over at the few aged ginseng roots among the gifts, raising her delicate brows in slight surprise.
Tian Shouzhi then turned to Xiao Luanfei with a smile. “His Highness also said not to worry. If Second Miss is still unsettled, please send someone to Liuzhi Alley to summon Imperial Physician Li to the residence.”
Xiao Luanfei’s mind was utterly bewildered. She looked at Xiao Yanfei with a mixture of doubt and uncertainty, unable to understand what she might have done to cause such a dramatic shift in the Crown Prince’s attitude within just half an hour.
A strange unease gnawed at her heart, as if a large part of it had suddenly gone missing.
Just like in her previous life, Xiao Yanfei always seemed to win the favor of many. Though she was the one their mother had raised, cherished, and doted upon, when disaster struck, their mother had poured all her love into Xiao Yanfei—and abandoned her.
Xiao Luanfei’s expression darkened, her eyes cold and shadowed as if weighed down by a heavy gloom.
Tian Shouzhi noticed this and silently sighed to himself: Ah, the eldest Miss Xiao really is angry with His Highness.
Xiao Yanfei glanced at Xiao Luanfei, then cast a quick look toward the Tianyi Water Pavilion across the way, where the Crown Prince was peering eagerly through the window. She let out a soft, amused chuckle, her smile bright and playful.
She had suspected it all along—why else would the Crown Prince suddenly act against her?
It was probably something her “dear elder sister” had said. Most likely lines like, “Second Miss must be upset with me because of that eunuch,” or “Mother’s angry with me because of Second Miss.”
In other words, she was innocent, and the blame always lay with someone else—nothing new there.
But—
Such words, when twisted and spun, could mean very different things depending on how you listen.
The Crown Prince’s sudden change in attitude toward her was likely the result of someone “guiding” his thoughts.
How amusing.
Inside, Xiao Yanfei felt a mischievous little sprite tumbling around, though she kept her face carefully composed.
When someone sent her gifts, of course she would accept them.
Xiao Yanfei looked at Xiao Luanfei with an obedient, gentle smile and said brightly, “Big sister, please don’t be angry. I’m sure His Highness the Crown Prince didn’t mean it.”
Xiao Luanfei bit her palm lightly, snapping back to herself. Her eyes swirled with a complicated mix of emotions as she thought it over carefully.
With so many eyes watching in public, the only thing she could say was—
“I’m glad my sister is unharmed.”
Maintaining her composed and gracious smile, Xiao Luanfei looked at her sister with sincere warmth.
Such was the depth of sisterly love.
Tian Shouzhi sighed quietly to himself, smiling as he bowed, “I’m relieved that Second Miss accepted the gifts. I shall return to report immediately…”
“I’ll see you out, Eunuch,” Xiao Yanfei said graciously, rising and escorting Tian Shouzhi outside the pavilion. Lowering her voice, she confided, “Please tell His Highness the Crown Prince that Big Sister isn’t angry at him.”
Those words carried a deep meaning.
“It’s Gao An who’s overstepped!” Tian Shouzhi quickly snapped back, teeth clenched.
He would definitely report this to His Highness. First Miss Xiao was still angry about Gao An’s behavior, and even Second Miss’s pleas wouldn’t change that.
“Take care, Eunuch,” Xiao Yanfei said sweetly, standing at the pavilion’s entrance as she watched Tian Shouzhi and the palace attendants leave.
Once the others had entered the Pavilion, the look on her face shifted from obedient to cunning, like that of a sly fox. Her delicate features suddenly took on a sharp edge.
She couldn’t move Gao An herself—but there was someone who could!
***