Chapter 297: The County Princess Is in Trouble

…Penglai Pavilion?

County Princess Lin’an stared at the note, her entire demeanor suddenly calming.

Zhao Wei had invited Su Wan to Penglai Pavilion—a man and a woman, alone in a room. What was he planning to do?

Blinded by jealousy, she completely forgot about her crooked mouth, her mind beginning to scheme.

“County Princess, you…” The butler, having just watched Su Wan leave, suddenly noticed Lin’an’s slanted mouth and was startled. “This old servant will immediately summon a doctor for you!”

“No!” County Princess Lin’an sternly refused. “There’s no need!”

She had more important matters to attend to than fixing her mouth!

“I’ll have the imperial doctor treat it later,” 

County Princess Lin’an brushed off the concern.

Penglai Pavilion was her only opportunity.

Her mouth could be treated anytime!

The butler gave County Princess Lin’an a complicated look, taking in the two glaring slap marks on her face, her crooked mouth, and the fingerprints on her neck. Was this all Su Wan’s doing?

He couldn’t help but feel concerned. Right now, Su Wan was little more than a commoner, without power or influence. Even if she was granted the title of Commandery Princess, it was merely honorary—she held no real authority. If Princess Yongfu and Marquis Guangyuan decided to act against her, could she truly resolve the conflict?

Shaking his head, the butler sighed inwardly. Su Wan had been too reckless.

County Princess Lin’an watched as the butler left, then instructed her maids, “One of you, go find Tang Nuan and tell her to come to Penglai Pavilion in half an hour. Another, head to Penglai Pavilion right away…”

After giving her orders, she touched her mouth, the hatred in her eyes sharp enough to turn into blades, as if she wanted to cut Su Wan to pieces inch by inch!

After tucking the note away, she made her way to Penglai Pavilion.

——

Princess Yongfu sat inside the carriage, which was still parked in front of the Zhao residence. She was so infuriated by Lin’an’s foolishness that her chest ached.

Things had already come to this, yet Lin’an was still clinging to the Zhao residence, refusing to leave.

Princess Yongfu felt utterly humiliated—she couldn’t bear to stay any longer.

“Your Highness, please calm down. The two daughters of the eldest branch have no parents. You are their elder and the mistress of this marquis household. Deciding their future—is that not entirely up to you?”

“The Zhao family may have come to propose marriage, but the Third Miss cannot be wed off immediately. Since she dared to seduce General Zhao, she is clearly not a virtuous woman. If she has done such a thing once, there will surely be a second, a third…”

Princess Yongfu’s eyes flickered slightly—she understood what the female official was implying. If they casually arranged a man for Tang Nuan and staged a compromising scene, the Zhao family’s marriage proposal would fall through.

“Your Highness, this old servant has a certain drug. Once consumed, the person must not touch alcohol—if they do, they will die instantly. If you wish to avoid suspicion, you can wait until after she is married… On her wedding night, she will have to drink the ceremonial wine, won’t she? Once she’s gone, the Empress Dowager can then have the County Princess marry into the Zhao family, and they would not dare refuse.”

Princess Yongfu frowned. The second method was more secure, but wouldn’t that make Lin’an merely a secondary wife?

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

A man in his forties lifted the carriage curtain and stepped inside.

He was dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe, with a neatly kept beard. His refined features carried a scholarly elegance, and the slight curve at the corner of his lips made him appear approachable and easygoing.

“Where is Lin’an?” he asked.

Marquis Guangyuan glanced around the carriage. Inside, there were only Princess Yongfu and the female official, while outside, the coachman, servants, and maids stood guard.

“She’s still at the Zhao residence?” His brows slowly furrowed, a hint of displeasure finally surfacing. “I heard at the Zhao residence that she caused a scene?”

“My lord, things are not as you have heard.” Princess Yongfu’s gaze lingered on Marquis Guangyuan, carefully observing his reaction. Seeing that he wasn’t overly angered or inclined to vent his displeasure on her, she sighed in relief. His temperament had always been calm—she had never seen him truly lose his temper. This reassured her even more. 

“Lin’an has been thinking about General Zhao ever since she met him. She personally asked the Empress Dowager to grant the marriage, but who would have expected that when the decree arrived, General Zhao was caught… with Ah Nuan.” She paused before continuing, “So the marriage was put on hold. You know Lin’an’s temper—she…”

Marquis Guangyuan furrowed his brows but remained silent.

“My lord…” Princess Yongfu called softly.

Marquis Guangyuan came back to his senses and spoke slowly, “Lin’an’s temperament is not suited for the Zhao family, nor for Zhao Wei. A’Nuan ending up with Zhao Wei, even if by accident, is still their fate.”

Princess Yongfu was stunned. “But Lin’an…”

Meeting the man’s calm, deep-black eyes, she found herself at a loss for words. Marquis Guangyuan, however, spoke indifferently, “Are you planning to use power to force the Zhao family into submission again?”

The word again struck Princess Yongfu like a blade, draining the color from her face. She weakly protested, “I didn’t…”

“Lin’an throwing a tantrum at the Zhao residence—it’s because you’ve spoiled her all these years and failed to teach her proper conduct. When we were away from the capital, I didn’t say much about it.

But now that we’ve returned, you should understand that the Tang family has more than just Lin’an. If she ruins her reputation, it will affect the marriage prospects of the other children.”

Marquis Guangyuan’s tone was steady and unhurried, his voice devoid of any emotion. His gaze remained fixed on the celadon teacup on the small table.

“That’s all.”

Marquis Guangyuan gave his final verdict and glanced at Princess Yongfu.

She didn’t dare to argue, nor did she have the heart to dwell on Lin’an’s affairs. Instead, her thoughts drifted to something else—the matter between the two of them.

Twisting her fingers anxiously, she hesitated before asking in a trembling voice, “Are you blaming me for using power to force you into marrying me back then?”

Marquis Guangyuan replied, “I don’t blame you.”

If there was anyone to blame, it was himself—for being powerless.

Princess Yongfu abruptly lifted her gaze. He sat properly on the stool, his back straight. The light from outside filtered through the window, casting a faint halo around him. His handsome face had remained unchanged for decades, yet time had tempered him with steadiness and a mature allure, making him even more captivating to her.

She had always known—known that his heart belonged to someone else. It was only because she had left him no choice that she sought an imperial decree to marry him.

If not for Lin’an, she wouldn’t have realized that he still held onto this resentment after all these years.

Princess Yongfu parted her lips, wanting to say something.

Just then, a hurried knocking sounded against the carriage. “Your Highness, Consort Prince, the County Princess is in trouble—”