Chapter 97

The Second Prince was feeling quite frustrated at the moment.

During the recent palace banquet, Liu Yun had mentioned that someone wished to see him.

In an attempt to compel him to meet her, she even used his personal token and took Sheng Xiuran away from Chunhua Palace!

Just a few days ago, he had suffered some setbacks due to Sheng Mingcheng’s accusation. If it weren’t for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, he would still be under house arrest.

He didn’t expect her to be so impatient, resorting to underhanded tactics behind his back.

The Second Prince personally returned to Chunhua Palace. As expected, Sheng Xiuran was nowhere to be found in the side hall, but there was a note left on the table, marking a location in Chunhua Garden.

The Second Prince’s expression turned dark as he slowly crumpled the note in his hand.

He had long foreseen that relying on women would eventually backfire, so he had arranged for all of them to have their own exits and resolutions.

However, he hadn’t expected her to be so impatient, recklessly disrupting his plans.

Truly, as a former folk dancer, she didn’t understand propriety!

Liu Yun stood respectfully by the Second Prince’s side, her face filled with concern as she said, “Your Highness, what should we do now? Shall I go and send her away on your behalf?”

The Second Prince shook his head slowly. “She’s made such thorough preparations, she won’t give up until she sees me.”

Liu Yun’s worry deepened at his words. “I’m afraid she might do something foolish and affect Your Highness’s great cause. After all, she’s now a palace consort and quite favored.”

The Second Prince squeezed the crumpled note in his hand, his expression indifferent, and suddenly asked, “Have all the messages she sent over this period been sorted out?”

Liu Yun nodded solemnly. “They’ve all been sorted out. We’ve completely figured out her nightly routines and habits.”

The Second Prince nodded in satisfaction at her words and said calmly, “In that case, she’s of no further use. Liu Yun, bring me that medicine.”

Liu Yun trembled slightly at his words, feeling indescribable emotions for a moment.

That woman actually dared to scheme against His Highness and even kidnapped Sheng Xiuran to coerce His Highness. She deserved to die.

But His Highness’s decisive action made her feel a chill.

Liu Yun didn’t dare to show any abnormalities and obediently went to fetch the medicine. When she returned, she handed a small bottle to the Second Prince.

“Your Highness, the medicine is here.”

The Second Prince’s gaze was clear and cold, and when it fell on Liu Yun, it seemed to penetrate her thoughts.

“Liu Yun, you’re different. Don’t think too much.”

After the Second Prince finished speaking, without bringing any attendants, he strode out.

Liu Yun was stunned in place for a moment, her heart pounding violently. Thinking back to the Second Prince’s words just now, her face flushed.

She knew she shouldn’t have any improper thoughts. As long as she could stay by His Highness’s side, it was enough…

The Second Prince walked from Chunhua Palace to Chunhua Garden, bypassing Chunhua Lake and arriving at the arch.

He rubbed the small bottle in his sleeve and exhaled lightly.

In the next moment, he followed the mark on the note, quickly walking inside.

Meng Guxue was sitting on the steps not far from the statue of Yuliu Niangniang, waiting with her chin propped up.

There was shade here, cooler.

Although the weather in May wasn’t hot, the sun was already a bit scorching.

Meng Guxue was bored to death, so she could only repeat the opening speech she had prepared over and over again, preparing to capture the Second Prince in one fell swoop!

She was full of confidence in herself, cheering herself on. Suddenly, she raised her head and saw a figure pass by the corner of her eye.

She didn’t get a clear look at first, but she recognized the color. The Second Prince was indeed wearing a stone blue outfit today!

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue stood up abruptly.

She had really waited for him!

Unfortunately, her sitting position wasn’t very good. The shade and the statue might have blocked her figure, causing the Second Prince not to notice her.

But that’s okay, she could catch up, right? Chunhua Garden wasn’t that big. She wasn’t afraid she couldn’t stage a “chance encounter”!

Meng Guxue lifted her skirt hem and ran eagerly in the direction where the Second Prince had disappeared.

---

Qiao Diyi carried Qiao Jiaojiao and followed the West Prince toward the depths of Yuhua Lake.

The West Prince was quite skilled; he moved quietly and stealthily, making no sound at all.

Consort Yu Zhao and Liu Lu were too preoccupied with their guilty conscience, hurrying along without noticing the West Prince trailing behind.

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at the West Prince’s efforts.

[This naive fool doesn’t even know what he heard in the side hall, yet he’s followed along with all his might.]

[He really has no idea; by following like this, he’s walked right into the lion’s den.]

Qiao Diyi: “…”

He hadn’t realized before that his little sister was so good at sarcasm.

This was a bit too much…

After twists and turns, the West Prince suddenly crouched behind a fake mountain.

Here, dense bushes provided cover, and with his dark clothing, he could blend in seamlessly without even reaching out, making it impossible to detect.

Qiao Diyi knew they had reached their destination. He surveyed the area and found a dense tree behind the fake mountain. With a light leap, he landed without disturbing a single branch.

Qiao Jiaojiao was amazed.

[Wow, is this ancient lightness skill? Incredible!]

[Thank goodness it’s the Second Brother who brought me here. Anyone else wouldn’t have been able to be so stealthy!]

Qiao Diyi felt a small surge of pride at her words.

Indeed!

He was naturally suited for martial arts. Father had always said that he would surpass everyone else!

From Qiao Jiaojiao’s position, the fake mountain obscured her body, but if she peeked out slightly, she could see the scene inside the fake mountain through the dense leaves.

[Wow, what a perfect angle for spying!]

Qiao Jiaojiao was amazed. She had already spotted Consort Yu Zhao and Liu Lu hiding inside the fake mountain, but for some reason, they seemed a bit flustered.

“Liu Lu, are you sure you didn’t mistake the location? What about Sheng Xiuran?”

Liu Lu looked anxious. “Your Ladyship, I definitely didn’t mistake it. I instructed someone to bring Sheng Xiuran here!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected to hear Sheng Xiuran’s name here!

[Wasn’t Sheng Xiuran given to the Second Prince as a concubine by the Yong Emperor? According to Consort Yu Zhao, she kidnapped Sheng Xiuran? And now Sheng Xiuran has inexplicably disappeared?]

[Wait a minute—why did she kidnap Sheng Xiuran? Could it be… could it be that Consort Yu Zhao dressed like this to meet the Second Prince? So Consort Yu Zhao is working for the Second Prince?]

[Wait, I think I understand!]

Qiao Jiaojiao’s speculation was running wild.

Qiao Diyi was already feeling dizzy from Qiao Jiaojiao’s lengthy monologue. He decided to just go along with whatever Qiao Jiaojiao said next!

Qiao Jiaojiao continued to guess.

[Is Consort Yu Zhao putting in so much effort because she’s truly fallen for the Second Prince?]

[It’s not impossible. After all, in ancient romance stories, the male lead is always a heartthrob, and he’s especially handsome!]

[But, playing this “little mother” literary style, isn’t it a bit too stimulating?]

[Moreover, if the male lead looks like Princess Yuliu, and Consort Yu Zhao also looks like Princess Yuliu, wouldn’t Consort Yu Zhao’s affection for the male lead be quite nauseating?]

[Tsk tsk, the entertainment industry is really chaotic…]

As Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts raced, another figure approached from another direction, wearing stone blue attire.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart leaped.

[Consort Yu Zhao must have arranged to meet the male lead! This is going to be interesting!]