Reborn to marry, the short-lived prince lived a hundred years

After bidding farewell to Princess Jingbei, Meng Tingyue returned to the Prince's residence leisurely in an elegantly decorated carriage.

As we walked along, the wheel ruts gently rolled over the ancient bluestone road, accompanied by the afterglow of the setting sun, adding a bit of gentle rhythm.

By the time we arrived at the Prince's Mansion, the sun had already set.

"Crown Princess, His Highness is busy with matters in the military camp today and may not be able to return for dinner." Ling Qi's voice was filled with respect and apology.

Meng Tingyue smiled slightly upon hearing this, that smile concealing a bit of understanding and indifference, "I already know, you can go."

After a simple meal, she took a quick shower and went back to her room.

Qingdian held a soft cloth in her hand and gently wrung out her long black hair.

At the same time, Yan Hong stood in a corner of the room with her eyes lowered, reporting in a low and clear voice the progress of the recent investigation.

"Princess, Erquan has been found, but... his current condition is quite worrying."

"How do you mean?" Meng Tingyue frowned slightly.

Yan Hong responded respectfully, "Miss, on his way home, he unfortunately encountered a butcher who suddenly went berserk and was about to chop people with a machete."

"At that critical moment, he was trying to protect an innocent little girl and was unfortunately injured by the butcher. When we found him, he was already dying. I quickly called a doctor to treat him."

Meng Tingyue lightly frowned, her dark eyebrows furrowed, a hint of unconcealable worry and confusion flashed in her eyes. She asked softly, "Have you found out what caused the butcher to suddenly go mad?"

Yan Hong nodded slightly, speaking in a calm and steady tone, and slowly said, "The matter has been investigated. The butcher was usually a bit impatient. He happened to catch his wife having an affair with another man that day. In a moment of rage, he swung his knife and injured both of them."

"Then, holding a bloody machete, he ran out of the house in a trance. The young girl rescued by Erquan was none other than their own child."

Upon hearing this news, Meng Tingyue's brows furrowed tightly, and an indescribable doubt welled up in her heart. This coincidence seemed too deliberate. She slowly asked, "Where are the other people who accompanied him that day and were responsible for purchasing supplies?"

"Replying to the Crown Princess," Yan Hong lowered her eyelids, with a barely perceptible hint of apology in her voice.

"They happened to disperse to other places for purchases. However, there is one thing that is quite strange: the village where the butcher is located is not the designated location for this purchase. As for why Erquan appeared there, I have not yet found out the reason."

Meng Tingyue nodded slightly, her eyes deep, as if she was thinking about something. "It doesn't matter. Where is he now?"

"They are being placed in a farmhouse outside the city." Yan Hong answered truthfully.

Meng Tingyue immediately dismissed the idea of ​​going to rescue people herself.

At this time, if she left the city and came back, it would be curfew. If she didn't return all night, it would be difficult for her to explain to the prince.

"We must ensure his recovery," Meng Tingyue's voice was filled with unquestionable determination. "Any medicinal herbs needed, no matter what kind, can be obtained from the mansion. That farmyard must also be strictly guarded. Anything entering must be thoroughly inspected to ensure it is non-toxic and harmless. There is no room for error."

Seeing Meng Tingyue's concern for this person, Yan Hong's expression became serious and she replied respectfully, "As you wish."

Meng Tingyue raised her hand slightly, signaling Yan Hong to leave, and Yan Hong slowly left the room.

The next day.

Yan Hong brought news that Erquan was no longer in danger of death.

Meng Tingyue originally wanted to take the risk and go out of the city to check on Erquan's current situation.

However, before the trip could be carried out, news reached his ears that the Xiao family was coming to the capital.

Meng Tingyue then dressed up carefully, wearing a gorgeous dress that set off her gentle face. She got on a carved carriage and drove slowly towards the city gate, waiting for the Xiao family.

The atmosphere inside the Xiao Mansion's carriage was a little tense.

Old Master Xiao was feeling uneasy in the carriage.

Suddenly, he reached out and patted Xiao Huaifeng's shoulder, hesitantly saying, "Is it okay for a father to dress like this to meet his granddaughter? Should he change his clothes to meet his granddaughter?"

Xiao Huaifeng smiled bitterly, his eyes full of helplessness: "Daddy, your clothes are already dignified and decent, why do you need to change them so often?"

"Furthermore, our first priority when we come to the capital is to enter the palace and have an audience with His Majesty. Only after His Majesty grants us permission can we go and see Tingyue."

Hearing this, Old Master Xiao turned his head away and hummed softly, "How about I get off the carriage now, you go into the palace, and I'll go to the Prince's Mansion to visit my well-behaved granddaughter first."

Xiao Huaifeng rubbed his forehead helplessly, which directly shattered Old Man Xiao's thoughts.

"Please don't let your fantasies fool you. The person we are meeting this time is the current emperor. He is not an ordinary person on the street, nor is he an opponent to be fought against. He is the ruler of an entire country."

"If we make even the slightest mistake, everything Tingyue has fought so hard for us will vanish like a mirage."

Old Master Xiao folded his arms across his chest, curled up in a corner of the carriage, his expression filled with displeasure and helplessness. "So, when will I, an old man like me, be able to see my clever and sweet granddaughter again?"

"These past ten years have been gone, what's left but this day?" Xiao Huaifeng sighed lightly.

Hearing this, Mr. Xiao's eyes slowly dimmed, and a layer of sadness and regret filled his eyes.

"If I had known that her life in the capital would be so miserable, I would have personally come to the capital to bring her back to Jiangnan, even at the risk of my old bones."

Xiao Huaifeng pursed his lips lightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "The world is unpredictable. Who could have expected that Meng Ci would be such a hypocritical and sinister villain."

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere gradually became heavy and depressing, with only the sound of the wheels slowly rolling over the bluestone road and the faint sound of horse hooves tapping in the distance.

"Master, we have arrived at the capital. I see..." The coachman's voice, with unconcealable joy, came melodiously from outside the carriage.

"Look how happy you are. Is it because the gate of the capital city is plated with gold that makes you so happy?" Old Master Xiao is still depressed about what happened just now.

The driver quickly explained, "No, sir, it was the young lady I saw. No, to be more precise, it was the young lady."

As soon as these words were spoken, the light in Mr. Xiao's eyes instantly lit up, with a mixture of surprise and expectation.

"Where?" he asked anxiously.

Then he pulled aside the car curtain, his gaze passed through the bustling crowd and fixed on the towering, dazzling vermilion city wall.

Under the city wall, the crowd was surging, and his eyes slowly wandered in the crowd, looking for the familiarity that was connected by blood.

Although the years passed and he had never witnessed his granddaughter's growth, at this moment, the resonance derived from blood made him recognize her at a glance.

That face was so consistent with the outline in his memory, even the unintentional frowns and smiles were so similar.

"Tingyue, nice to meet you, grandpa." Meng Tingyue's voice was clear and pleasant, and she bowed with unconcealable joy.

Before he finished speaking, the little old man in the car, who had only half of his head sticking out, quickly shrank back.