nucmednet Chapter 296 Who cares about him?
Chapter 296 Who cares about him?
The second prince nodded, unconcerned. Even if the third prince were to get into trouble, in the emperor's eyes, he was simply too trusting and concerned for his younger brother. The crown prince would only think he was foolish and naive, not that he was deliberately taking sides.
The Imperial Concubine added, "Instead of wasting time on them, it would be more important to win Si Muyan's favor as soon as possible."
Before the Second Prince could speak, the nanny serving him hurriedly said, "Your Highness, the Marquis of Anle's heir has just caused quite a bit of trouble, and it might implicate the Si family. Is it appropriate to send the Second Prince away at this time?"
"No, His Majesty treats Si Jing'an and Prince Ning differently," the Consort said with a smile. "If Prince Ning finds out that Xiao Jingcheng has done something wrong, His Majesty will not resent Si Jing'an, but Prince Ning who investigated the case. If Xiao Jingcheng gets away unscathed, it will also plant a thorn in His Majesty's heart. Then, Prince Ning and Si Jing'an, who are punished, will make His Majesty soften his heart."
The old woman nodded: "Even without evidence against the Third Prince, the Emperor will still feel that there is no smoke without fire. Prince Ning is always fair and never acts rashly. So, it must be that the Third Prince's power is too strong, and even Prince Ning cannot do anything about it. In this case, the Emperor will be even more suspicious."
"Yes," the Imperial Concubine praised. "There's another point: Si Jing'an is the only son of the Si family. If the Si family has no successor, how do you think the Emperor will treat the three Si sisters?"
The nanny replied, "Of course, we cherish and love them even more."
The Imperial Concubine clapped her hands and laughed, then said to her son, "That's why you must listen to your mother. Right now, the Si family must be in a state of panic. If you comfort Si Muyan, she will easily be swayed."
The second prince lowered his eyes and remained silent, but the image that appeared in his mind was not Si Muyan, but Si Mutong.
He was a prince; wanting a woman was easy for him. For someone of Si Muyan's status to become his imperial concubine was a huge bargain. Why would he need to personally curry favor with her?
But Si Mutong...
Thinking of that stunningly beautiful woman, the Second Prince found himself somewhat intoxicated.
After the Second Prince returned, he summoned a eunuch and said, "Go and investigate the recent whereabouts of the three young ladies of the Si family."
"Yes."
The eunuch had no suspicions. After all, if he only investigated the whereabouts of the eldest daughter of the Si family, what if that young lady didn't like to go out? Befriending the other two young ladies would increase the chances of getting in touch with the eldest daughter of the Si family.
The second prince rubbed his fingers together, his heart filled with determination.
Gui Mansion.
Gui Shan was injured and rescued by His Highness the Crown Prince. After returning to the capital, the Eastern Palace sent her many gifts, all of which demonstrated the Crown Prince's high regard for Gui Shan.
She was always very popular, and her close friends would come to visit her, which was also a way of getting closer to her.
Everyone understood that Gui Shan's entry into the Eastern Palace was a foregone conclusion. Moreover, given the Crown Prince's attitude, she would certainly not be just a concubine, but would definitely obtain the position of the Crown Prince's secondary consort.
Furthermore, with the Third Prince having committed a crime, the future is becoming increasingly uncertain.
If the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, Gui Shan will surely be ranked among the three consorts, and with another son or daughter, the Gui family will rise in status as a result.
Therefore, the women are more willing to befriend him.
It was the younger sister, Guiyuan, who suffered.
Because Gui Shan was unwell and bedridden, the task of entertaining her friends was left to Gui Yuan. Moreover, Gui Yuan and Gui Shan are biological sisters who grew up together. Since her sister was injured and bedridden, she naturally wanted to stay by her side at all times.
In just a few days, Guiyuan looked much more haggard.
Guishan held her sister's hand and said, "You've taken such good care of me these past few days, it's really been hard for you."
"Sister, what are you saying? We're sisters," Gui Shan said with a smile. "When I was little, I was sick, and Mother had to take care of my younger brother and didn't have time for me. Wasn't it you, sister, who took care of me so closely?"
Gui Shan shook her head and said, "But Yuan Yuan, you're hiding something on your mind."
Gui Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head without saying a word.
Gui Shan patted her hand and said with concern, "Yuanyuan, you've grown up and have your own thoughts now. I can't interfere with everything or control your decisions. Just do what you need to do."
"elder sister……"
Gui Shan smiled and said, "Go ahead, I'm much better now, and I have maids and servants to take care of me, so don't worry about me."
Gui Yuan went to the Princess's residence to see Zhao Ning, and Zhao Ning was very happy.
"How is your sister's health? I was just saying I'd like to visit her tomorrow when I have some free time."
“My sister is much better, but the doctor said she still needs to rest,” Guiyuan said with a smile. “The county princess is worried about my sister, but little does she know that my sister is also worried about the county princess.”
Zhao Ning understood her meaning, but he was still afraid that the matter of Prince Ning would delay her.
She had her maid bring out a box: "This is a jade skin cream bestowed by the palace to prevent scarring. Take it back to Shanshan."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Gui Yuan had her maid take it and then sat down next to Zhao Ning.
Zhao Ning waved her hand, dismissing the servants, before pouting and saying, "Yuanyuan, you also think I'm incredibly unlucky, don't you? That Xiao Youchuan is utterly despicable; he believes even a child's nonsense."
Gui Yuan grasped her hand: "To be honest, I've always felt that Prince Ning is quite arrogant."
"Right, you think so too, right?" Zhao Ning pouted. "Did you hear what those people outside are saying? They're all saying that Prince Ning is going to be in big trouble this time! Regardless of whether the Third Prince is in trouble or not, Prince Ning is... sigh!"
Gui Yuan's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Then... shouldn't the county magistrate take this opportunity to break off the engagement? You never wanted to marry him before, but he was favored by the emperor, so you couldn't break off the engagement. Now that the opportunity has come, if he makes a scene and you break off the engagement, I think the emperor will agree."
“No way!” Zhao Ning shook her head vigorously. “I do dislike him, but he’s not a bad person. He’s always fair in official matters. Besides, how could I do something like kicking someone when they’re down?”
Gui Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps Prince Ning has been deceived by the heir of Marquis Anle?"
Zhao Ning spread his hands: "The Emperor gave him seven days, saying that if he couldn't find out the truth, he should come forward with his head. But how can I just watch him die? Whether he's been misled or acted on his own, he's still a good official who cares for the people. If the Emperor really wants his life, I will definitely find a way to save him!"
"You are so kind." Gui Yuan gently hugged her and said, "I knew it, you are both soft-hearted and kind. His Highness Prince Ning is honored to have a fiancée like you!"
Zhao Ning spat out, "Who cares about him?"
Gui Yuan laughed: "Yes, of course the county princess doesn't care. But the most important thing when it comes to marriage is the man's character. Since the county princess thinks that Prince Ning is an upright and honest good man and has such feelings for him, it is clear that she likes him."
"No way!" Zhao Ning retorted, "I think he's a good person, that's true, but I don't like him! I don't want him to die, but I also don't want to marry him!"