Chapter 44 (1/2)

Chapter 44: Rou'er entering the Manor

Deep into the night, the air turned humid and brisk. Jun Huang, with the poison still in her system, was more susceptible to the cold than others. She trembled and sneezed. Wei Qian quickly took a robe from the bedroom and put it over Jun Huang's shoulders. ”It's late, sir. You should turn in, or you'll get sick.”

Jun Huang waved her hand in the air. ”I'm fine. The prince is in such a good mood. I wouldn't want to ruin it.”

Qi Chen frowned. ”Wei Qian is right. My good mood isn't that rare. If brother Feng catches a cold, I will feel guilty. It's late. Go back to your room and rest.” He reached out his hands to help Jun Huang up, but she stood up before he could. His hands brushed against her cool fingertips, which made him even more concerned.

Jun Huang coughed, her face a little pale. ”Then this gentleman will take his leave. If Your Highness doesn't mind staying here, the servants can prepare a room for you.” With that, She returned to her bedroom.

Qi Chen didn't want to go back to the room he shared with Wei Lanying, so he decided to stay. Wei Qian had a room prepared for him.

Wei Lanying waited in the bedroom, scowling. Her teeth clenched so hard together that they might break any second. And she had her hand tight around a teacup as if she was going to crush it.

Her personal maid was worried about her, and she had been scolded by Qi Chen earlier as well. She couldn't help but say, ”Lady Wei, it's all Feng Baiyu's fault. The prince values him too much! It's a good thing Feng Baiyu isn't a woman. Otherwise, you'll have no place even in this s.p.a.cious manor. If you ask me, I'd say Feng Baiyu smells of trouble and should be dealt with immediately.”

Wei Lanying turned to look at her and saw the murderous gleam in her eyes. She herself didn't like Feng Baiyu either, but she didn't dare to do anything to him with Qi Chen backing him up. Feng Baiyu was not someone she could touch.

The servant she sent to retrieve Qi Chen came back. He cupped his hands in greeting. ”Lady Wei, the prince went straight to the side building after leaving. This servant couldn't get in, so I waited outside. Now the door has been shut, and still the prince hasn't come out. It seems that he is staying there for the night.”

Wei Lanying widened her eyes, her body trembling in anger. She took a deep breath and shattered the teacup on the floor. The pieces splattered everywhere.

”Feng Baiyu, from now on you are my enemy. You better not let me catch you doing things you shouldn't be doing.” Her eyes blazed with hatred. The people around her shuddered at the sight.

Wei Lanying couldn't fall asleep. She was still wide awake even when the day broke. She looked sick. In panic, the maid rushed to the side building and ran into Qi Chen, who just woke up and was about to leave.

”It's inappropriate to run around like this,” Qi Chen said coolly.

The maid dropped down to her knees on the pebble road. Even the onlookers grimaced in sympathy, but she didn't so much as frown. ”Your Highness! Your Highness didn't return yesterday and Lady Wei waited the whole night for you. Even now she isn't willing to sleep. Please, for the sake of your marital bond, forgive her and tell her to get some rest.”

Qi Chen frowned. It was to Wei Lanying's credit that he became the crown prince. He couldn't be so cold-blooded and let her harm herself without doing anything. He followed the maid to the bedroom.

Jun Huang walked out of her room dressed in a loose robe, watching Qi Chen and the maid leave. An indiscernible smile caught on her lips.

For the past few days, Jun Huang had been thinking about how she should deal with Wei Lanying. Wei Lanying was troublesome, but it would be a hinder to her cause to waste too much time on Wei Lanying. She had to find a way to divert Wei Lanying's attention.

Recently, Wei Lanying had been keeping an unusually close eyes on the side building,  as if she was worried that Jun Huang would do something wrong. Qi Chen, for reasons unknown to her, had become more and more distant to Wei Lanying. It'd been days since the last time he visited her in her room. Instead, he had been spending a lot of time here with Jun Huang.

Qi Yun sent a message saying that he had picked someone to infiltrate Prince Chen Manor. Jun Huang only needed to introduce the spy to Qi Chen. That was her opportunity.

Jun Huang was in the yard with Qi Chen when she made her first move. ”Your Highness – Your Royal Highness. You have been staying here a lot lately. Won't Lady Wei feel hurt?”

Qi Chen waved his hand in exasperation. ”Brother Feng is single. You don't know how difficult marriage can be.”

Jun Huang let out a low laugh. ”Your Royal Highness can tell me your complaints, but if Lady Wei hears you, she will make a fuss. Women are meant to be spoiled. Your Royal Highness is – ”

”That was what I used to think as well. Wei Lanying, though, isn't tender at all, nor is she understanding. What else should I do?” Qi Chen took the cup of tea that had been on the table for a while and took a gulp, his movement too sudden for Jun Huang to stop him. Immediately, Qi Chen spat out the bitter tea all over the ground.

Jun Huang covered up her smile. ”Your Royal Highness is in a bad mood. How about I accompany you on a walk? You may feel better.”