Xinrong saw that Tan Pozi was uncooperative and felt frustrated.

Noticing that Wang Yilan was troubled, she decided to help and said, “Someone, take Tan Mama to the back to have some tea.”

Once only their own people were left in the room, Xinrong approached Wang Yilan and asked, “Madam, who do you think is with Xue Rongrong in her room? Could it be…”

Wang Yilan knew who was most likely with that vile person, but her confidence prevented her from letting Xinrong bring it up directly.

She gritted her teeth and said, “Send that plate of almond and chestnut cake we steamed tonight to the Young Master.”

The cake was originally meant to honor Mrs. Zhai, but now…

Sending the cake would not annoy the Young Master or alert anyone. Xinrong understood this and immediately sent a maid to deliver the cake to Xie Yuanchu’s study.

After a while, the maid returned with an empty box.

“Madam, the Young Master was practicing calligraphy in his study. He liked the almond and chestnut cake and said he was hungry!”

“Alright, you can go.” Xinrong waved her hand, feeling relieved.

She turned to Wang Yilan and said, “Madam, doesn’t this seem suspicious? It turns out that the person in that girl’s room isn’t the Young Master.”

Wang Yilan was pleased to hear that it wasn’t Xie Yuanchu.

She even felt a bit smug.

She raised an eyebrow and said to Xinrong, “Isn’t it a good thing that it’s not the Young Master?”

As a woman, Wang Yilan didn’t want other women around her man.

Even though she knew Xie Yuanchu wasn’t in love with her, she was still his only woman.

The thought of Xie Yuanchu being with Xue Rongrong made her very unhappy.

But now that Xie Yuanchu was still in his study, she felt a bit better.

“It’s a good thing, of course,” Xinrong said, understanding Wang Yilan’s feelings.

She smiled and added, “But what should we do about this matter?”

“What can we do?” Wang Yilan said with ease, her eyes filled with satisfaction. “If they’re having an affair even in the Marquis’s residence, I won’t tolerate such disgraceful behavior. Xinrong.”

“Yes.”

“Gather five or six strong maids, and bring ropes and cloths. We’ll go check out this pair of adulterers together.”

Xinrong nodded and asked, “Should we call the guards?”

Wang Yilan thought for a moment, then decided, “Yes, call them. It’s better if there’s more commotion. That way, he won’t treat such things as precious.”

Xinrong understood Wang Yilan’s intention and quickly arranged for the necessary people. Soon, they headed angrily toward Xue Rongrong’s side room.

…

As the group from Rongkang Courtyard left, Liuli entered Xie Yuanchu’s study.

Hiding outside the dimly lit ear room, Liuli threw small stones at Tan Pozi.

Watching as Tan Pozi ran away in panic, Liuli felt uneasy and quietly followed her.

She happened to see Tan Pozi being taken into Rongkang Courtyard.

Once people from Rongkang Courtyard were mobilized, Liuli immediately went to Xie Yuanchu’s study.

At this time, Xie Yuanchu had already sent away the maidservants in the study, leaving only Xin Zhu to attend to him.

“What brings Miss Liuli here?” Xie Yuanchu did not put down his calligraphy brush; instead, he dipped it in ink to write another piece.

Liuli stepped forward and said, “Your Highness, Miss Xue is in her room, and the Young Master’s wife seems to have misunderstood, bringing many people there. I was afraid it would cause more misunderstanding, so I didn’t intervene. Please, Your Highness, go speak with the Young Master’s wife.”

Wang Yilan has gone?

Xie Yuanchu pursed his lips.

He wasn’t surprised; he had anticipated this when Wang Yilan sent almond chestnut cakes earlier.

However, Wang Yilan’s actions were faster than he had expected.

“Let her go. What’s the worst that can happen? With the status of His Highness, how could such a small scene frighten him?”

Seeing Xie Yuanchu’s casual attitude, Liuli was displeased. “If the Young Master doesn’t take care of it, a clumsy person like me might end up hurting the Young Master’s wife.”

Ignoring Liuli’s threat, Xie Yuanchu abruptly asked another question: “Liuli, when was the last time His Highness was this close to a woman?”

Last time?

Liuli felt a pang of sympathy and sadness but did not show it. “It’s not for servants to meddle in their master’s affairs. I understand what the Young Master means. How you handle it is up to you. I have my own way of doing things. I’ll leave now to avoid disturbing your calligraphy practice.”

Without waiting for Xie Yuanchu to respond, Liuli turned and left.

Xin Zhu looked at Xie Yuanchu hesitantly and asked, “Will Liuli really act against the Young Master’s wife?”

“She’s not foolish. She wouldn’t just stand there and let Liuli hit her.” Xie Yuanchu’s mind was elsewhere as he dropped his brush. “Take people and cordon off the area. No unrelated persons should approach, and those who have already gone there should not be allowed to leave tonight.”

“Understood!” Xin Zhu replied, then hesitated before asking, “Will the Young Master really not go?”

“Of course I’ll go,” Xie Yuanchu said with a hint of excitement, almost clapping his hands. “I can’t miss such an exciting scene. I really want to see what expression will be on that icy face.”

“Ah—” With a cry of pain, the Crown Prince suddenly stopped.

After touching Rongrong’s knee, which had seemed fine, it swelled up again.

Even though he had stopped, it still hurt badly, making her wince and hiss.

“There are people outside,” the Crown Prince said calmly.

“Who?” Rongrong, now paying attention to the noise outside, noticed it was getting louder and seemed to be getting closer.

Rongrong was startled and confused.

Why were these people here? Could they be coming for her?

But why would they bring so many people for someone like her? Maybe they were coming for the Crown Prince?

No, they wouldn’t dare.

Then, Rongrong suddenly realized that these people were actually coming for both her and the Crown Prince.

Through the small window of the side room, she saw the flickering lights outside.

Rongrong instinctively wanted to get the Prince to escape through the window.

He was skilled enough that the maids outside wouldn’t notice him, but she knew he was too proud to leave by jumping out the window.

Rongrong thought they were about to break down the door, but to her surprise, they all just stood in the courtyard.

She looked at the Crown Prince, who seemed indifferent to the commotion outside.

He expressionlessly put the jar of medicinal ointment back on her pillow.

“Ah—” There were some cries of pain from the courtyard, both male and female.

“Miss Xue is resting, please do not disturb her,” came the gentle voice of Liuli from outside the room.

Liuli had been waiting outside?

Rongrong was shocked and then wryly smiled.

With the Prince’s status, of course he would have people with him.

“Who are you to dare break into the Marquis’s residence?” Xinrong’s voice was sharp but lacked confidence.

She didn’t know martial arts, but she understood that the small stones Liuli had could easily be lethal.

Rongrong’s heart raced.

So, it was indeed people from Rongkang Courtyard who had come?

Why did they come today of all days when Liuli had never had trouble while applying medicine before?

Even though she was about to leave the residence, why did they come looking for her?

“It doesn’t matter who I am. What matters is that the people inside must not be disturbed, or no one will be able to bear the consequences.” Liuli’s voice was gentle but carried an air of authority.

Her calm demeanor managed to intimidate the angry intruders.

Furthermore, it seemed she had used a few small stones to incapacitate the front-line servants, leaving the few remaining maids and ladies too afraid to advance.

“Xue Rongrong, a lowly maid, dares to act high and mighty. The Young Master’s wife is here; what could she possibly not bear?” Xinrong shouted sharply. “Who are you? Breaking into the Marquis’s residence is a serious crime!”

“Watch your language,” Liuli said calmly.

Her voice was soft but had a natural authority, silencing the maids and servants who saw the fallen servants on the ground.

Ignoring Xinrong, Liuli turned her attention to Wang Yilan and gave her a respectful bow. “Madam, this is a serious matter. Please consult with the Young Master before making any decisions.”

Wang Yilan clenched her teeth and remained silent.

Rongrong knew the lowly woman and her lover were inside the house.

She could have dragged them out directly, but a small maid was blocking the way with just a few stones, preventing their group of more than ten from entering.

Rongrong grumbled to herself, thinking that the Crown Prince was highly skilled and would not be detected if he secretly entered the Marquis’s residence, so why would he…

“You’re shouting too loudly,” the Crown Prince seemed to read her thoughts and commented lightly.

Rongrong’s face reddened as she suddenly realized the situation.

Usually, Liuli applied medicine gently, coming and going unnoticed.

But today, the Crown Prince was applying the medicine himself, and his method was painful.

Her cries varied in pitch and speed, which could easily be mistaken for something inappropriate.

Realizing this, Rongrong felt uneasy.

As an innocent young woman, how could she know such things?

Blushing like this might expose her.

She dared not speak further, focusing on calming herself and avoiding the Crown Prince’s gaze.

“Yuanbao misses you and wants to bring you to the Eastern Palace.”

Rongrong was momentarily stunned and then slowly looked at the Crown Prince.

Every time Yuanbao was mentioned, his icy demeanor softened.

“My legs were saved by His Highness. From now on, I will pray for His Highness every day and night.”

Although Yuanbao was not Rongrong’s child, she wished for his safe and joyful growth, in memory of her own lost child.

After all, they were brothers, and apart from Rongrong, Yuanbao was the closest person to her.

“Do you really not want to go to the Eastern Palace?” the Crown Prince asked again.

“Are you here as a mediator for Yuanbao?” Rongrong asked with a wry smile.

The Crown Prince seemed unfazed by her mocking tone and responded calmly, “If Yuanbao is happy, being a mediator is not a problem.”

It was true.

The pain felt like a thousand arrows piercing her heart.

She loved the man before her and cared deeply for Yuanbao.

The father-son bond between the Crown Prince and Yuanbao touched her deeply.

However, whenever she saw them together, she couldn’t help but think of her own child.

If Yuanbao was the Crown Prince’s treasure, what was her child?

Rongrong’s life was like grass, never daring to expect a place in the Crown Prince’s heart.

But her child had the Crown Prince’s blood—why couldn’t he survive?

Facing the Crown Prince, Rongrong really wanted to ask if he ever thought of the child who never saw the light of day.

It was unfair, so unfair!

“It’s my misfortune not to serve the Imperial Grandson.” With tears in her eyes, Rongrong bowed her head and spoke softly, lacking the courage to question the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince did not offer further persuasion, and Rongrong saw his dark-clad figure flicker out of sight.

She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve, watching the Crown Prince walk straight to the door.

In a moment of urgency, she couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, the people outside haven’t dispersed.”

“Do you think I’m afraid of them?” The Crown Prince stood up, unmoved.

Seeing him about to leave, Rongrong quickly tried to stop him, “Your Highness, your noble status would only elevate their cause if you go out.”

“So what do you want?”

The shouting outside had lessened but didn’t stop.

Rongrong’s face reddened again. “The commotion caused by the lady will soon reach the Young Master. He will come to resolve it.”

The Crown Prince suddenly smiled—a rare occurrence for him.

He held a high status, so his emotions were rarely visible.

He was used to wealth and power, and even things others would aspire to all their lives seemed ordinary to him.

Thus, few things in the world could make him genuinely happy.

In the previous life at the Eastern Palace, Rongrong had only seen him smile once.

In this life, at the hot spring villa, she had seen him smile several times.

None of those smiles were directed at her.

Even now, in this private room, his smile was not for Rongrong.