The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

After finishing his sentence, Murong Chuan looked at Qiu Zhenzhou: "By the way, what is Feng'er doing? These past few days, the Empress Dowager has told me not to act rashly, for fear of arousing the suspicion of the Eldest Princess. That's why it's been delayed until now. I came here today, but she didn't show up. I wonder if she's angry?"

As he spoke, a smile appeared in his eyes, a look of doting affection that finally put Qiu Zhenzhou's mind at ease.

He stroked his beard and laughed, "How could that be? Feng'er is not that petty. She just knew that Your Highness must have something important to do when you came to the residence, which is why she didn't come to pay her respects."

Now that things are almost settled, Your Highness may go and see for yourself; Feng'er will surely weep with joy.

Murong Chuan shook his head and said, "We still need to avoid suspicion. After all, the princess will still have some opinions. After all, the legitimate daughter's status is not rightful, and anyone would have some objections. Moreover, after what happened at your Qiu family yesterday, it's better to keep a low profile on this matter."

Qiu Zhenzhou thought about Bai Jianan's exasperated state yesterday and agreed that it made sense. He then nodded and said, "If that's the case, then let it go."

Murong Chuan stood up, looked outside, and said, "In that case, I'll go back first to avoid being criticized and losing more than I gain. Please pass on my message to Feng'er that I will make it up to her when the time is right."

"How could I dare? Your Highness is thinking of Feng'er, but that is her good fortune. How could I have any complaints? You are overthinking it."

Murong Chuan walked out of the Qiu residence and prepared to leave without hesitation, but when he passed the stone lions at the main gate of the Qiu residence, he stopped and turned to look.

Qiu Lingfeng was standing behind the stone lion, staring at him intently. When she saw him looking over, she pretended to hide behind the stone lion, but the next moment she stood there shyly, smiled slightly at him, and said, "Cousin, just go ahead. Feng'er will see you off here. Don't worry about me."

Murong Chuan was slightly taken aback and stepped forward. Qiu Lingfeng immediately lowered her head, and the grievance in her eyes was intentionally or unintentionally revealed, but she subconsciously hid it back.

Her controlled movements made them appear much more natural. Murong Chuan sighed and gently stroked the stray hairs on her shoulder, saying, "Why are you doing this? It's cold in autumn; what will I do if you fall ill?"

Qiu Lingfeng shook her head: "I know that my cousin is very resourceful and that it is not easy for us to meet. I just missed him and wanted to see him, but I did not expect to be discovered by him. It would be a sin for me to talk to him now."

She bit her lip, her eyes filled with sorrow, as if she had caused trouble for Murong Chuan. Her pitiful appearance was enough to soften the heart of Murong Chuan, who was fond of beautiful women.

He sighed softly, "Isn't it tiring to think so much every day? You can see it from both sides, why are you still hiding? Do you think I'm the kind of person who's afraid of trouble? I only obeyed my mother's orders so as not to make things difficult for my father."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingfeng smiled sweetly and said, "Is what you said true, cousin? Feng'er hasn't caused you any trouble, cousin?"

Murong Chuan was slightly taken aback, his eyes somewhat dazed, then he smiled and said, "No, what trouble? I'm already the Crown Prince, what trouble could I possibly have? No, you're dressed too lightly, it's too cold today, you should hurry back! In a few days, when Father Emperor and the Marquis of Qingyan's son are welcoming guests, you can come to the palace with them, and we'll talk about it then."

Qiu Lingfeng nodded and said obediently, "Okay, Feng'er will wait for you at home, cousin. You should also take care of yourself. It's getting cold in Tianqi now. This is a sachet that Feng'er made for you. It contains some herbs. If it's cold, you can put it in your hand to warm it up."

Qiu Lingfeng handed over the purse in her hand, but didn't let go when Murong Chuan's hand touched it. She looked at him tenderly, her eyes full of reluctance. Murong Chuan chuckled and said, "Alright, didn't you say it was for me? Why aren't you letting go?"

Qiu Lingfeng immediately released her grip, blushing as she turned away from Murong Chuan, saying, "Cousin just likes to tease people. It's not that Feng'er is reluctant to part with this."

Seeing Qiu Lingfeng's anger, Murong Chuan decided not to tease her any further and said with a smile, "Yes, it's my fault. Feng'er is just reluctant to part with me, so I'll be going now. Feng'er should also go back soon."

Qiu Lingfeng nodded, and Murong Chuan turned and got into the sedan chair. Watching the sedan chair leave quickly, Qiu Lingfeng's eyes showed not only reluctance but also deep worry.

"Miss, what's wrong? We should go back now, or you'll get sick from being in the cold wind too long."

Seeing Qiu Lingfeng standing there in a daze, the maid behind her spoke up. Qiu Lingfeng snapped out of her reverie, shook her head, concealed the thoughts in her eyes, and turned to return to the Qiu residence.

Murong Chuan did not return to the palace, but went to Xianshi Lou. Xianshi Lou was a place where talented people in the capital gathered fifteen years ago. It was originally an inn, but the old innkeeper was inspired by the many scholars who were taking the imperial examinations, so he changed the inn to Xianshi Lou, which means to recruit talented people.

Literati and scholars who enjoyed indulging in refined pursuits made this place a gathering place, leading to its current prosperity.

Murong Chuan came here today not to recruit talented individuals.

"Did your boss really not say when he'll be back?"

Sitting in the private room of Xianshilou, Murong Chuan appeared quite anxious, picking up and putting down his teacup repeatedly without taking a single sip.

Upon hearing this, the servant boy smiled and said, "Young master, I'm truly sorry, but our boss only comes here during the Mid-Autumn Festival in August each year. Otherwise, his return date is uncertain, and it's very likely he won't be back this year. If you wish to see our boss, you'll have to wait until the fifteenth of August next year."

Murong Chuan frowned slightly upon hearing this, his displeasure evident in his brows. Seeing this, the guard beside him placed his sword against the servant's neck and shouted, "How dare you! Whom does my young master want to see? Do you need to interfere? Quickly call your boss out, or we'll tear down your Xianshi Tower!"

Seeing this, the servant remained unfazed, not even glancing at the sword at his neck, and showed no fear whatsoever. He still smiled and said, "Young master, what I said is all true. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to demolish this building and see if my boss is still here."

"Insolence, Guo Huai! Put down your sword! Such rudeness is unbecoming!"

Upon hearing this, the guard Guo Huai snorted and sheathed his sword. Murong Chuan squinted at Xiao Si and said, "I won't demolish this building. After all, it is a grand occasion in the capital and a focal point for literati."

Moreover, I'm not here to cause trouble today. I simply want to meet your boss and ask him about someone. I would be grateful if you could introduce me to someone; the reward will be substantial.

Xiao Si still smiled and sighed, "Young master, you are really exaggerating. I am just a waiter in this building. What ability do I have to introduce you to someone? Besides, even if the boss comes back on the fifteenth of August, I might not be able to see him, let alone his elusive nature."

"If you insist on seeing my master, young master, you either have to stay here and wait for him, or you really can only do so on the fifteenth of August."

After saying this, the servant turned and left. Guo Huai's eyes were filled with coldness as he asked, "Your Highness, why didn't you let me teach him a lesson?"

Murong Chuan smiled and looked at the closed door, saying, "Teach him a lesson? Do you think this is just an ordinary servant? Seeing that he didn't flinch under your sword, he must be a man who has seen the world."

Besides, I'm not here to cause trouble. Everyone here has some connection to those politicians, so you'd better keep your sword safe and don't cause me any trouble later.”

With that, Murong Chuan stood up, poured the unfinished tea onto the ground, and sighed, "I thought we would meet again here after all these years, but it seems it was all just a mirage. Oh well, we can't let this distract us from more important matters. Let's go back!"

After leaving the Xianshi Tower, Murong Chuan rode in a sedan chair towards the palace. On the second floor of the Xianshi Tower, Bai Jianan watched him leave with his arms crossed, wondering, "Why did he come here?"

Jian Yue followed her gaze, and Murong Chuan's figure flashed before her eyes. She was a little dazed, savoring the scene of seeing him just now, and suddenly smiled.

Bai Jianan glanced sideways, recalling what Jia Banwen had said, and his face immediately filled with resentment.

"What's wrong? Who did you see that makes you so happy?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Yue raised her chin and said, "Don't you know who I was looking at? Didn't you say something so crazy that made me look over?"

Jian Yue's heart was very calm. Time is a really magical thing. Just now, when she saw Murong Chuan, she thought she would be hysterical or lose all her rationality. However, when she actually saw him, she had no thoughts at all. She just quietly watched his figure disappear at the door of the sedan chair, as if she were looking at a stranger.

Although the feelings and memories etched in her heart still existed, they could no longer affect her thoughts. The deep-seated hatred remained, but she was no longer burdened by any emotions.

Seeing Jian Yue's teasing, Bai Jianan smiled and raised an eyebrow, saying, "It seems I was wrong."

Jian Yue laughed along, "Young Master is so carefree, spending his days eating tofu and vinegar. I wonder if your stomach can handle it. Be careful not to overeat one day and have indigestion."

Bai Jianan rubbed his hands together and said frankly, "Don't worry, as long as I have my wife, I can eat whatever I want. It won't spoil no matter how much I eat."

As he spoke, his eyes sparkled, and he gave Jian Yue a wink.

Jian Yue choked for a moment, then turned her head and scolded, "You're being indecent. Didn't you say we'd be waiting here for the woman who kidnapped Xiao Cui? It's been almost a day now, why hasn't that woman shown up yet?"

Bai Jianan winked at her and chuckled, "My lady, you need to understand. This woman's status is not low. Even the little prince of the Northwest avoids her like the plague. Why would she openly appear in the capital like this?"