Chapter 176 – The Heir-Apparent Walked Around Freely Like In His Own Courtyard
The uninvited guest was Yan Huaijing, heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State.
It was at the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. However, this heir-apparent walked around freely like in his own courtyard, and the Fourth Prince beside him was smiling bitterly.
They were in the inner courtyard now. As two grown male outsiders, although they had only eunuchs with them, it still was inappropriate for them to appear here.
“This courtyard of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang is quite well built. Its style is actually different from ordinary courtyards. I wonder who built it? However, this shouldn’t be the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang of the past, right?” Yan Huaijing asked leisurely as he walked.
“Forty years ago, there was a fire in the original mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. His Royal Grandfather gave another mansion to the old Marquis Hua Yang.” The Fourth Prince thought for a moment and said.
“The previous emperor actually favored and trusted old Marquis Hua Yang so much. So the honor and favor given to the present mansion of Marquis Hua Yang is indeed not without reason. However, the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang now doesn’t have an heir-apparent. I wonder if they could carry on such honor and favor.” Yan Huaijing casually picked a path and walked along with it.
The Fourth Prince observed the familiar environment and recognized that the path was leading to even deeper of the inner courtyard. His expression became bitter. Did Yan Huaijing really not know, or was he faking it? There were quite a few unmarried young ladies in mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. Was it really okay for them to break into the inner courtyard rudely like this?
“The mansion of Marquis Hua Yang is loyal to our royal family. Both the old Marquis Hua Yang and the current Marquis Hua Yang have guarded the border for the royal family. Their contributions are indispensable. Marquis Hua Yang even got disfigured for the honor.” The Fourth Prince replied as he wondered if he should stop Yan Huaijing or not.
Marquis Hua Yang grew up in the army with the old Marquis Old Hua Yang. In an attack, his face was cut by knife, leaving a long scar on his face. Everyone knew about this.
“Will the Eldest Young Master of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang inherit the position of Marquis Hua Yang?” Yan Huaijing smiled and asked gently.
But what he said was extremely sharp. The Fourth Prince paused for a moment before answering with a smile, “Well… I wonder what the Marquis Hua Yang thinks about this?”
“Marquis Hua Yang is in his prime. Don’t you think he is going to marry another young lady from a famous family?” Yan Huaijing asked more and more casually, but it was getting harder and harder to answer.
“Ugh… I don’t think he has encountered a suitable one!” The Fourth Prince laughed forcibly.
“Actually, a lot of young ladies from respected families of our Yan State have also heard of Marquis Hua Yang’s great reputation for a long time. If Marquis Hua Yang has willingness, I would like to make a match for Marquis Hua Yang. In terms of family background and appearance, the candidates I choose will definitely worthy of Marquis Hua Yang.” Yan Huaijing smiled faintly, his eyes shining. He was born handsome, and at this time, he looked even more charming.
“Well… Father Emperor is also concerned about Marquis Hua Yang. There should be a candidate!” The Fourth Prince hastily refused.
If Marquis Hua Yang were to marry a noble young lady of a noble family from Yan State, no one would dare to underestimate the implied meaning behind it. This was a matter of national importance, and there was no room for carelessness.
“You won’t make the concubine become his wife, huh? That would be truly ill-treating the Marquis Hua Yang who has worked so hard and made so great contributions.” Yan Huaijing waved his hand, emitting a pleasant and elegant aura.
“How is that possible? How can a concubine of no importance take over the position of Marquise Hua Yang?” The Fourth Prince’s forehead was already covered in sweat.
“That’s right. If you really make a concubine become the wife, that will be truely disgracing the reputation of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang for hundreds of years!” Yan Huaijing looked like he was sighing for someone else, but he didn’t stop. He turned a corner and walked down another path.
He got news saying that Wei Yuewu’s courtyard should be in this direction.
At this time, the Fourth Prince had already had no time to care about which direction Yan Huaijing was heading. He was only busy dealing with Yan Huaijing’s questions and said politely, “Marquis Hua Yang is Father Emperor’s favored minister. How would Father Emperor let Marquis Hua Yang suffer injustice? There will definitely be a young lady of a famous family who will become Marquise Hua Yang.”
What he was thinking was, what did Yan Huaijing mean when he said that? Could it be that he was really interested in Marquis Hua Yang’s marriage? That would not be a small matter. After returning to the palace, he must immediately report it to Father Emperor and let him decide.
“Fourth Prince, we’re tired from walking. Why don’t we go in and ask if they can offer us a cup of tea? There’s actually no one along the way. There are really a few servants in the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang.”
Yan Huaijing landed his gaze on the words at the entrance of the courtyard slowly. He smiled and stood still.
The Fourth Prince raised his head and saw the words “Lotus Courtyard”. He didn’t know who lived here, but they were in the inner courtyard of mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, it was extremely inappropriate for him and Yan Huaijing to rashly barge in like this.
“Heir-apparent, why don’t we sit at the pavilion nearby first and tell the eunuch to knock on the door before asking for a pot of tea from the owner of the courtyard?” The Fourth Prince cautiously suggested. Now he was regreting that he just followed Yan Huaijing out.
“Alright, then I’ll leave the trouble to you, Fourth Prince!” Yan Huaijing smiled faintly. He turned around unhurriedly and walked to the pavilion at the side.
The Fourth Prince wiped away his sweat and helplessly told the eunuch to knock on the door. While he turned around to follow Yan Huaijing.
“Miss, his heir-apparent is here!” When Jin Ling reported the news, Wei Yuewu was sitting on the soft couch and embroidering the picture that she had painted on the screen earlier.
Hearing this, she was stunned for a moment. Then she frowned after reacting. Her first reaction was, what was Yan Huaijing doing here at this time? He had never been a person who respected the rules, and all of the exiled immortal-like demeanour he displayed was just something he wanted to show to others.
“His heir-apparent and his highness Fourth Prince are waiting outside together. They said that they wanted to ask for a cup of tea.” Jin Ling replied.
“Let’s go and take a look.” Wei Yuewu had already made her decision. Since the heir-apparent had come, it was impossible that he had only come to ask for a cup of tea. In order to prevent anything else from happening, she felt that it was better to meet him.
Yan Huaijing had come with the Fourth Prince, and she would meet them outside the courtyard. Even if people would talk, there was nothing improper she did. If there was anything improper, that was a matter between Yan Huaijing and the Fourth Prince.
She told Jin Ling to deliver them tea, then she dressed up a little before going out of the courtyard with Shufei.
Not far from the courtyard entrance was an octagonal pavilion. With just a single glance, she saw Yan Huaijing. It was really because Yan Huaijing’s presence was too strong. He had a handsome face and an elegant and gentle smile on his face. Anyone who saw such a scene would think that the Fourth Prince must be the one who had been unruly and entered other families’ inner courtyard.
“Greetings, your highness Fourth Prince, greetings, your heir-apparent Yan!” Wei Yuewu walked over and gave them greetings naturally.
“Sixth Miss Wei, I’m really apologetic for being rude! Sixth Miss, please take a seat.” The Fourth Prince saw that the owner of the courtyard was Wei Yuewu and stood up to show courtesy, cupping one of his hands in the other in a bit of guilt.
The tea had already been delivered on the table. Wei Yuewu bowed slightly and sat at the side, showing great humility.
“Sixth Miss, I remember that I’ve just saved your life again, right?” Yan Huaijing picked up his tea and took a sip, his voice lazy and gentle.
“Your heir-apparent, thank you so much for saving my life!” Wei Yuewu complained in her heart, but she had no choice but to stand up and thank him again while bowing humbly. She knew that there was nothing good Yan Huaijing came for.
“The kindness of life saving is equivalent to giving you a second life. Sixth Miss, you must remember it in your heart.” Yan Huaijing glanced sideways at her and said meaningfully.
“…” Wei Yuewu bit her lips. “Yes, when my father comes back, he will definitely pay you a visit at your mansion to express our thanks!”
“When will Marquis Hua Yang return to the capital?” said Yan Huaijing leisurely.
“It should be soon!” Wei Yuewu said sullenly. She did not believe that Yan Huaijing knew nothing about her cheap father’s schedule.
This scheming heir-apparent didn’t look like he didn’t know anything.
“Then I’ll be waiting respectfully in my mansion for Marquis Hua Yang.” Yan Huaijing said unhurriedly with his tone as gentle as ever.
So he was implying that Marquis Hua Yang must go to his mansion and pay a vist. Moreover, since Yan Huaijing had saved Wei Yuewu, there was indeed a reason why Marquis Hua Yang had no choice but to go. However, this reason made the Fourth Prince on the side vigilant.
Earlier, Yan Huaijing had repeatedly inquired about Marquis Hua Yang. Now he even took advantage of that he had saved Sixth Miss Wei and requested Marquis Hua Yang must go to his door. No matter how he thought about it, the meaning behind it was not simple. Thinking back to the fact that Yan Huaijing had just insisted on entering the inner courtyard, he wondered, could it be that Marquis Hua Yang was his target?
The Sixth Miss Wei in front of him was just an excuse?
After returning to the palace, he must immediately go to his Father Emperor and told him about this.
“Yes, when father returns to the mansion, he will definitely go to the mansion of heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State to thank you for saving my life again.” Wei Yuewu had already sensed something from his words. She then looked at the cautious expression on the Fourth Prince’s face. Taking advantage of bowing to salute, she reached out and covered the smile on the corners of her lips.
Sure enough, this girl was cunning! Yan Huaijing examined her, his thin lips curled up slightly, and his eyes glittered, “Sixth Miss, you’re so polite. Well, then, I’ll come again another day and disturb you when the Marquis Hua Yang returns to the mansion!”
Yan Huaijing stood up and smiled with satisfaction.
“Yes, my father will definitely invite you over to express his thanks, your heir-apparent!” Wei Yuewu took the chance and said.
“Then the Fourth Prince and I will leave now!” Yan Huaijing smiled faintly. He turned around and walked out of the pavilion. The Fourth Prince hurriedly stood up and followed. Now he wasn’t regretting that he had come into the inner courtyard of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang with Yan Huaijing, but was worried that, Marquis Hua Yang wouldn’t really be targeted by Yan Huaijing, right?
Why was Yan Huaijing so eager to see Marquis Hua Yang, and he even forced this unfavored Sixth Miss Wei? Was there any sort of conspiracy in it?
Wei Yuewu stood in the pavilion and stared at Yan Huaijing’s figure that was walking away. Her gaze gradually turned cold. Finally, she turned to the Fourth Prince who was with a worried expression. Her eyes were filled with contemplation…
With Yan Huaijing’s personality, of course, it was impossible for him to just wander around and arrive at her place.
However, that wasn’t the focus of her attention right now. Not long after Yan Huaijing and the Fourth Prince left, a maid servant popped her head out from the corner outside her courtyard. Perhaps she found that she was still here, the maid servant retracted her head immediately. Then, she never popped her head out again. Wei Yuewu wondered if she was still there or not?
“Miss, do you need me to go over and take a look?” Seeing that Wei Yuewuwas worried, Shufei suggested.
“No need!” Wei Yuewu shook her head. A faint smile appeared on her lips. She believed that there wasn’t just a maid servant who was spying on her at this moment. Yan Huaijing’s visit was because he wanted something big, but he did help her by coming here. The more people who saw this scene, the more that no one would doubt the relationship between her and Yan Huaijing.
Yan Huaijing and the Fourth Prince returned the same way they came. The two of them chatted as they walked. However, the Fourth Prince had something on his mind at this time. He always felt that Yan Huaijing had other plans, so he became even more cautious in dealing with him.
As the two of them turned a crossing and were about to walk further, a figure suddenly rushed over from ahead. Yan Huaijing reacted quickly and took a step back. The Fourth Prince was thinking about what Yan Huaijing meant by that sentence just now, so he was caught off guard and knocked into by the person head-on.
“Ah!” someone cried out in alarm.
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