Chapter 294: You’re Really Gossiping

Di Zian glared at him. “Third Brother, can’t you be a bit more restrained? Do you have to laugh so wickedly?”

“No, haha, I can’t help it. It’s just too funny. Why would Lord Lin and General Lei come to find you?”

“They said my mansion is large, and since I’m alone and don’t often return, they came to keep me company. Can you believe it? I’m not away often; it’s just that I can’t return as often as I’d like.”

Di Zian’s bad luck was well-known, and it was one of the reasons for his solitary life over the years.

Although Di Zian was the Seventh Prince, many shrewd officials had observed him over the years and came to a tacit conclusion: no one wanted to marry their daughter into the Seventh Prince’s residence.

Di Zian had his own residence, but he spent most of his time at the Imperial Hospital, which was like his second home.

Despite his constant misfortunes, he was still popular in the capital, with many women from noble families secretly admiring him. He was charming and sweet-talking, and despite his misfortunes, he was described with the four words: “dashing and suave.”

【All seven princes have their own mansions, but Lin Xuanzhi and Lei Yun chose the Seventh Prince’s residence, which carries its own significance.】

What significance?

The Third Prince was extremely curious.

Di Zian was also puzzled.

“Didn’t Seventh Brother ask them why they chose the Seventh Prince’s residence?”

“I did. They said my mansion is big, but how big can it be? There’s only one maid, two guards, a steward, and me, the master, who doesn’t often return. In total, the mansion has just four people.”

【Hahaha, if Seventh Brother knew why Lei Yun and Lin Xuanzhi went to the Seventh Prince’s residence, he’d probably throw them out right now.】

The younger sister clearly knew!

【Both of them are still single and might be pressured by their families to get married. They’ve probably been kicked out of their homes and have nowhere to go. Seventh Brother is approachable, and his residence is full of young ladies. The threshold might wear out from all the foot traffic. Where else could they go but to the Seventh Prince’s residence?】

【There seem to be an unusually high number of people with nowhere to go today.】

Di Zian, who had overheard, pretended he hadn’t. He turned to the Third Prince. “Doesn’t the Third Prince’s residence have more space than mine?”

“It’s bigger, but there aren’t as many young ladies there as in your residence.”

“Aren’t there more servants in the Third Prince’s residence than in the Seventh Prince’s?”

“There are, but there aren’t as many young ladies seeking marriage.”

Di Zian grew increasingly agitated. “No, I have to throw them out. If they can’t find a wife, it’s not my problem. Why does everyone keep coming to my residence?”

【It’s because of your bad luck, brother. Good things never come to you, but bad things certainly find you.】 Ah Bao chuckled.

【Brother, take me out of the palace to play. Don’t forget there’s a little baby here too.】

Turning around, Di Zian smiled at Ah Bao. “Sister, come with me out of the palace.”

He couldn’t drive away the two adults, but surely his sister could come with him?

“Okay, okay.”

【Everyone loves a bit of gossip.】

The Third Prince said, “Wait, I want to go too!”

How could he miss out on such gossip?

As they were about to leave, the Princess Han arrived. “Luan’er, why did you come here? Come back to the residence with me.”

Yuan Qingyan lowered her head, as her disguise was about to fail.

Ah Bao winked at Yuan Qingyan and waved.

…

At the Seventh Prince’s residence.

Lei Yun and Lin Xuanzhi were sitting in the courtyard drinking tea, each with a cup in hand, commiserating together.

“Ah,” Lei Yun sighed deeply after finishing a cup of tea.

“Ah,” Lin Xuanzhi sighed deeply after finishing two cups.

“Lord Lin, you may not know, but my grandmother is old and has lost her only son. Now she’s relying on me, her only grandson. I understand her eagerness for a great-grandchild, but finding a wife isn’t something that can be done in a day or two. I sigh because of my family’s unique situation.

Lord Lin, what are you worried about?”

“I don’t have a grandmother, but my mother is constantly urging me. My younger siblings are all married, and I’m the only one left unpaired. Can you imagine how anxious my mother is?”

The two brothers exchanged glances and sighed in unison.

Lei Yun said, “I never expected that I would be driven out by my grandmother after being so formidable on the battlefield. Now, I’m in a pitiful state with nowhere to sleep or eat, and without a wife. It’s truly miserable.”

Lin Xuanzhi said, “I can argue fiercely in court, but in front of my mother, I’m like a mute donkey. She kicked me out, and I have to force a smile at her. I’ve never seen myself in such a miserable state.”

“Let’s share our miseries together.”

Lin Xuanzhi took a sip of his bitter tea. “Hey, General Lei, did you ever marry your lover from ten years ago? After you returned yesterday, did you look for her?”

Everyone has a curiosity for gossip.

Even officials are no exception.

Lei Yun was at a loss for words. His mood, already low, became even worse.

“Ah, you look like you did look for her. Tell me, did she marry someone else?”

“I didn’t look for her. I just… happened to run into her.”

Lin Xuanzhi excitedly slapped his thigh, as if he had met his first love on the street. “What a coincidence! Destiny! Did you two catch up?”

Lei Yun gave him a sideways glance. “You’re really nosy!”

Lin Xuanzhi chuckled. “Don’t lie, you must have caught up. Cough, do you still have lingering feelings for her?”

“There’s nothing of the sort. It’s been so many years, and we haven’t been in touch. Meeting again is just meeting an old acquaintance. There’s no lingering affection.”

“Nonsense! We’re both men, don’t try to fool me. Men’s words are often deceitful.”

Lei Yun’s mouth twitched. He hoped Lin Xuanzhi didn’t find out his first love was Concubine Hui. If Lin Xuanzhi knew, it would mean the Emperor would know, and that would be the end of him.

“It’s been ten years. If she’s married, she must have a child by now. How is she doing?”

Lei Yun was speechless. “Why are you so concerned about her? She’s not your first love. Why ask so much?”

“I’m just curious. Come on, let’s talk. We’re like brothers who slept in the same bed last night. We’re practically family now.” Lin Xuanzhi knew how to get close to people.

But Lei Yun was a rough man and didn’t want to get close. Once he did, it could be disastrous.

Concubine Hui was the Emperor’s woman.