Chapter 11: Aunt Xu Courting Disaster
“Now that this matter has been settled, by the way, the Prince of War has invited you to a secret meeting at the War Prince’s residence tomorrow night. You must repay him for his kindness today, or else you’ll be deemed ungrateful and unrighteous.”
Upon hearing this, Le Qianxue shivered involuntarily.
What on earth was this…
She curled her lips, deciding to feign ignorance about everything, lest she become entangled with that pretender who feigns lameness.
Fu Xiao noticed her expression and found it rather amusing.
Why would the Prince of War take an interest in this little girl? Could it be he wishes this girl, who knows a bit of medicine, to treat his leg?
The thought was indeed intriguing.
Once Fu Xiao had left, Le Qianxue didn’t linger at the Crown Prince’s palace. Le Yongcheng and the others must have been released, so returning home now, she would see them.
“Miss Le!” A palace maid hurried after her.
Le Qianxue paused and turned, “What is it?”
“This is what the Fourth Prince asked me to deliver to you.” The maid handed her a jade pendant.
It was a jade pendant adorned with dragon motifs, unique to princes and symbolizing their identity.
Bathed in moonlight, the pendant gleamed beautifully.
“Is this a token of gratitude from the Fourth Prince?” Le Qianxue asked.
It seemed the Fourth Prince had finally learned the meaning of gratitude.
The maid replied, “I am not sure what it means, I merely follow the prince’s instructions.”
Le Qianxue took it and said, “Then please tell him I’ve accepted his gift.”
The pendant was valuable; she’d be a fool not to take it.
The maid returned to the chamber and reported to Yu Nanfeng that Le Qianxue had accepted the jade pendant.
Yu Nanfeng looked delighted, “She took it?”
His excitement caused his wound to reopen, and he groaned.
The maid responded, and Yu Nanfeng’s joy grew.
The Virtuous Consort frowned, “Son, have you truly set your sights on her?”
Yu Nanfeng had never liked Le Qianxue before, but now by gifting her the jade pendant, he’d made his intentions clear.
Poor Le Qianxue had no idea what this meant, happily accepting the pendant…
“Mother, yes, I… I have chosen her…” Yu Nanfeng said haltingly, yet with resolve.
The Virtuous Consort sighed, pondering that today Le Qianxue had saved Yu Nanfeng’s life, granting them a debt of gratitude. Moreover, Le Qianxue had a general for a father, her background was respectable.
It was only a pity that Le Qianxue’s temperament was a bit eccentric, hardly the mark of a virtuous woman.
But even so, she was far superior to Le Linglong, who was merely a concubine’s daughter and unworthy of her son.
With this in mind, the Virtuous Consort declared, “Son, this girl Le Qianxue seems quite suitable now. I am very pleased with her. When your father returns, I will mention the matter to him.”
Yu Nanfeng was overjoyed. His father had noticed Le Qianxue’s affection for him before and had even asked for his opinion. Unfortunately, at that time, he had never considered agreeing.
If his father approved and bestowed marriage, everything would be settled.
Le Qianxue returned to the General’s mansion, sneezing as she entered.
She rubbed her nose, wondering who might be cursing her.
It was already late; the steward of the General’s mansion greeted her as soon as she arrived.
“You’ve returned, Miss! The master is waiting for you in the hall!” The steward smiled, his gaze filled with admiration for Le Qianxue. “Today was a fright, so the kitchen has prepared many dishes. The master and the others refused to eat until you returned. You’ve saved the entire General’s mansion today!”
With such an incident, everyone in the mansion had been on edge, so every event was known to all.
Le Qianxue entered to find Le Yongcheng seated at the head, with Aunt Xu and Le Linglong beside him.
After today’s ordeal, all three wore weary expressions.
Le Yongcheng’s face was grim, but when he saw Le Qianxue return, he broke into a smile, “Qianxue, you’re home? Are you hungry? Come sit and eat.”
Le Qianxue was indeed famished, having been busy all afternoon.
She sat down, her gaze wandering, intentionally or not, to Le Linglong, who looked uneasy and avoided her eyes.
Well, Yu Nanfeng was unfortunate to encounter someone like her.
“Master…”
Midway through the meal, Aunt Xu suddenly began to weep.
Le Yongcheng frowned, impatience creeping into his voice, “Can’t you wait until after the meal to speak?”
Aunt Xu shook her head gently, lowering her gaze, “Master, today’s events frightened me terribly. Look at Linglong, she’s also scared, her complexion so pale.”
Le Yongcheng put down his chopsticks, his voice dark, “And what of it?”
Aunt Xu, momentarily stunned, had intended to highlight Linglong’s distress, contrasting it with Le Qianxue’s lack of involvement, hoping to elicit sympathy for Linglong.
Unexpectedly, Le Yongcheng’s tone was odd—he’d never been like this before…
Le Qianxue continued eating, amused by the unfolding drama. Aunt Xu was oblivious to the truth, and from Le Yongcheng’s tone, he clearly knew something.
Le Linglong, no fool, tugged at Aunt Xu’s sleeve, “Mother, stop. I’m fine.”
But Aunt Xu ignored her, pressing on, “Master, don’t we still have a century-old ginseng in the mansion? Why not give it to Linglong to restore her health?”
Le Yongcheng stared at Aunt Xu, then at Le Linglong.
Today’s events had opened his eyes to many things!
He said, “Uncle Zeng, bring the ginseng.”
Le Qianxue paused. Hmm? What was her father up to?
Aunt Xu immediately smiled, pulling Le Linglong up, “Thank you, Master.”
She knew the ginseng was valuable, and in her hands, it would be a tidy sum.
Steward Zeng brought the ginseng, and Le Qianxue glanced at it, blurting, “This ginseng is quite fine.”
Le Yongcheng laughed heartily, his voice gentle as he spoke to Le Qianxue, “Is it? Then take it. You’ve always been frail, so you must take care of yourself now.”
Uncle Zeng, who disliked Le Linglong, hurried to place the brocade box beside Le Qianxue.
“Master is right, Miss. Please accept it.”
Aunt Xu was dumbfounded, “Master, wasn’t it for Linglong?!”
Le Yongcheng’s tone remained steady, “Did I say it was for Linglong?”
Indeed, he hadn’t, and Aunt Xu had been tricked.
Le Qianxue chuckled; her father was quite clever, playing them so deftly.
Aunt Xu glared at Le Qianxue, vexed.
Today, Le Qianxue had her moment, but did that warrant her mockery?
“Qianxue, what are you laughing at?”
“I laugh at you, Aunt Xu, for failing to grasp the situation. If I were you, I’d simply finish my meal and keep quiet. Isn’t that right, Sister Linglong?” Le Qianxue arched a brow, her tone languid.
Le Linglong turned pale, trembling after a day spent in anxiety, now further unsettled by Le Qianxue’s words.
But she remembered that Yu Nanfeng liked her; once he recovered, he surely wouldn’t blame her.
Yet that scene… happened to be witnessed by Le Yongcheng…
Aunt Xu had endured enough of Le Qianxue’s words, especially since Le Yongcheng had given the ginseng to Le Qianxue just because of a single remark!
How could the world be so unfair?!
“Qianxue, don’t think you can speak to me this way just because you saved the Fourth Prince. I am still your elder! Master, Qianxue is becoming increasingly unruly; you must teach her properly!” Aunt Xu protested.
In the past, Le Yongcheng would have scolded Le Qianxue, for her temperament was indeed problematic.
But today, Le Yongcheng snorted, rose, and said, “Enough! Qianxue may be a little headstrong, but today she saved the entire General’s mansion! Yet, the daughter you raised nearly brought disaster upon us all!”
Aunt Xu was baffled, unable to comprehend.
Le Linglong felt icy cold—this was bad, Le Yongcheng was about to settle accounts!
Le Qianxue, however, had no interest in watching further. She picked up the ginseng box, smiling, “Father, I’ll accept the ginseng. Don’t let your anger affect your health. After all, the Fourth Prince likes Linglong, and everything has been resolved nicely.”
With that, she turned and left.
Back in Qingyu Courtyard, she had Huatao store the ginseng safely, then tossed the Fourth Prince’s jade pendant aside, paying it no mind.
If Yu Nanfeng knew how she treated his token of affection, he’d be livid.
The next day, although Le Linglong hadn’t been severely punished by Le Yongcheng, she still feared Yu Nanfeng would hold her accountable later, so she went to the Crown Prince’s palace early to visit him.
Yu Nanfeng’s wounds had not healed, so he stayed at the Crown Prince’s palace to recuperate, intending to return to the palace once he could walk.
But Le Linglong was stopped outside, forbidden to enter.
“Did you relay my presence?” Le Linglong asked, displeased. “Why would the Fourth Prince refuse to see me?”
The eunuch was helpless, not understanding Yu Nanfeng’s behavior.
Yu Nanfeng had always been attentive to Le Linglong; never before had he acted like this. Upon hearing her name, he turned over and said, “Send her away. I have no wish to see her.”
“I don’t know, Second Miss Le. You should go,” the eunuch said, then returned to the palace.
Le Linglong was puzzled. Was Yu Nanfeng angry with her? That couldn’t be; if so, he would have exposed her yesterday.
Still, Le Linglong didn’t linger and left.
Returning to the General’s mansion, she saw several large chests in the front courtyard.
She asked, “Uncle Zeng, who sent these?”
“They were delivered by the Fourth Prince’s men just now. All are valuable items,” Uncle Zeng replied, busy checking the contents.
Le Linglong smiled; he might not wish to see her, but now he sent gifts to apologize—a cunning little fox.