Sheng Chumu was stunned but Grand Prince Liang was already in front of them. Grand Prince Liang got off his horse and spoke in an extremely welcoming tone, “Crown Prince, you drank quite a bit last night. Did you have a headache when you got up today?”
The Crown Prince smiled painstakingly, “I am okay. Thank you for your concern, Grand Prince Liang.”
Grand Prince Liang noticed that the Crown Prince’s expression was slightly awkward. “We are a family, there is no need to stand on courtesy. Where are you going now?”
The Crown Prince replied, “Prince Han’s residence.”
“Let me go with you. After we visit Prince Han’s residence, we can head over to my place.” Grand Prince Liang gave a suggestive look. “I still have a lot of interesting things to show you. I assure you that you will enjoy it.”
“Your Highness, Prince Han invited a group of talented scholars today to discuss geographical matters. I am afraid that it will take up an entire day.” Sheng Chumu suddenly understood why the Crown Prince had asked him to help.
The Crown Prince added, “We might even have to have dinner in the Han Mansion. It is going to be boring but if Grand Prince Liang goes, things might be more exciting.”
Grand Prince Liang hesitated as he was reluctant to discuss geography for the entire day.
“Your Highness must have forgotten. Grand Prince Liang does not like dull and heavy events.” Sheng Chumu could tell the Crown Prince's intention. The Crown Prince pretended to come to a realization. “Oh yes, then I should not force you.”
“Your Highness, Prince Han is still waiting for you, we should not delay any longer.”
The Crown Prince immediately nodded. “Right, it is not good to be late.” He smiled apologetically at Grand Prince Liang. “Grand Prince Liang, let’s talk next time.”
“Mmhm, I have no interest in geography. However-” When Grand Prince Liang was brought back to reality, he was shocked to realise that Sheng Chumu and the Crown Prince were already a distance away. “Eh? Crown Prince? Crown Prince…” Weird, why did it feel like the Crown Prince was deliberately avoiding him? They had enjoyed themselves yesterday.
* * *
1. same biological parents
Chapter 33.2: Instigate
The more Grand Prince Liang thought about it, the angrier he got. He immediately headed to the brothels. Initially, he had plans with other people but dropped them so that he could find the Crown Prince. He did not expect the Crown Prince to avoid him. He had gotten closer to the Crown Prince only to secure his own future. The Grand Emperor was getting old and he had no brotherly relationship with his brother, the Emperor. If not, he would not have lowered himself just to get on his nephew’s good side.
In the brothel, Grand Prince Liang had a lot of scoundrels as friends. They had arranged to meet in the day because Du He, the Emperor’s son-in-law, was in their group and he had to attend to his wife in the night. When Grand Prince Liang sat, he saw that Lu Qi was around and found it strange.
“The Lu family’s upbringing is so strict, how come you are with these guys?”
Lu Qi smiled, “Du He asked me to come. I did not think it would be this unconventional place. But since I am already here, I might as well enjoy it.”
Grand Prince Liang clapped and laughed. “What a great statement. That is something a man would say.”
Zhang He, who always hung out with Grand Prince Liang, found it strange. “Aiya, I thought Your Highness was going to find the Crown Prince to hang out and didn’t have time for me?”
Grand Prince Liang fumed, “I don’t know why but the Crown Prince suddenly decided not to acknowledge me. It seemed as if he was scared that I would bother him and looked down on me. Yesterday, we were still enjoying ourselves and I saw that he was quite happy when he returned to the Eastern Palace last night. However, when we met this morning, he said that he was going to Prince Han’s residence to discuss geography and left without saying more.”
“The Crown Prince can't change overnight. Did someone try to ruin the relationship between Your Highness and the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince is the heir and will be the future ruler. If he misunderstands or even despises you just because someone tried to instigate him... It doesn't matter now, but I worry about the future. Since the Crown Prince was rushing to Prince Han’s residence, I wonder if this has something to do with Prince Han…”
Like father, like son. Lu Qi was identical to his father in which they loved to push the blame onto Prince Han.
“Hmph! Prince Han looks loyal but he is actually full of crafty thoughts. Today, Sheng Xiaojing’s son was also with the Crown Prince. He also was expressionless. It makes me angry just looking at him.” Grand Prince Liang immediately believed Lu Qi.
Lu Qi’s gaze froze. “Sheng Xiaojing’s son? Sheng Chumu?”
Grand Prince Liang nodded, “Yes, that’s him.”
Lu Qi chuckled coldly, “Then that’s it. Sheng Chumu is sly and harbours unfathomable motives. Previously, my father and I were almost ruined because of him. I never thought that he would turn his attention to you, Grand Prince Liang.”
Grand Prince Liang thought about it and shook his head. “I have no animosity with the Duke Lu Residence, why would he do that?”
Lu Qi fanned the fire. “Consort Han is Sheng Chumu’s sister. Prince Han just needs to speak and Sheng Chumu would say bad things about Your Highness to the Crown Prince.”
Grand Prince Liang gritted his teeth. “Ridiculous! Sheng Chumu, watch how I will deal with you!”
Lu Qi’s eyes lit up. “Also, let me tell you something. Sheng Chumu likes a female official in the palace. That person was previously in the Seamstress Department. However, the Empress thinks highly of her and promoted her to a Siyan. She is beautiful…”
Grand Prince Liang’s eyes lit up.
Lu Qi entered the study room. Fu Yin tied up the curtains. He suddenly stopped and pinched her chin, lifting her head up. He realised that there was a bruise on her face.
“What happened to your face?” Lu Qi asked.
“No...Nothing.” Fu Yin did not want to quarrel.
It had been less than two days, but Fu Yin was already tired of the trouble that Ling Long was giving her. Washing clothes, wiping the floor, Ling Long even started to control and reduce her meals. But Fu Yin knew that she had to bear with it. Only by staying beside Lu Qi could she find a chance to take her revenge.
Lu Qi found it bothersome. “Go and ask the housekeeper for some medicine. No one is allowed to have such an ugly face when serving in my study room.”
At this moment, Ling Long walked in. She threw Fu Yin a look before heading over to help Lu Qi prepare ink.
“Are you working hard again today?” As Ling Long spoke, her eyes kept drifting to the paper. Lu Hanxing mentioned that Lu Yunji had given him and Lu Qi homework and he wanted Ling Long to find out how Lu Qi was doing.
Unfortunately, Ling Long focused too much, causing the black ink to fly all over the place and ruining the piece that Lu Qi was writing. In a frenzy, she tried to save it but ended up knocking over the teacup next to it. The whole study table was in a mess.
“The more you help, the more trouble you create!” Lu Qi threw his brush down and stomped off.
Ling Long acted as if she had been wronged. When she saw that Lu Qi did not look back, she immediately became fierce and shouted at Fu Yin.
“Aren’t you going to hurry and clean up! Useless thing. If you dare to do anything poorly, watch how I will tear your slutty self apart! Aren’t you very good? You have only been here a few days and you know how to complain to Young Master. You don’t allow me to pinch your beautiful face? Pah! What do you think you are? So what if I can't pinch your face? I can pinch here, here, here!” Ling Long used all her might to pinch the back of Fu Yin’s neck and over her arms.