Ling Er understood what her master was up to.
“You’re wise, Old Madam. I’ll definitely go to Qiongzhi Courtyard more often.”
She bowed to the Old Madam and left.
She was eager to find out what An Jiuyue liked and have a chance encounter with her to show herself.
Many people gathered in groups on the streets and alleys of the capital, whispering to each other.
“Have you heard? Prince Zhan Yun brought a woman back.”
“Nonsense! I didn’t just hear about it—I saw it with my own eyes! Prince Zhan Yun returned with a carriage with two ladies inside!”
“Two ladies? Isn’t there only one?”
“The other one is Princess Yun! I saw them enter the Prince Zhan Yun Residence. Princess Yun even called her her sister-in-law. They’re very close.”
“Didn’t they say Prince Zhan Yun is infatuated with the Princess Consort? That old… that person from the Prince Zhan Yun Residence chased her away years ago. He’s been searching for her all these years. Why did he suddenly bring a woman back?”
Several people gathered below a restaurant and chatted. Above them sat a group of men in luxurious clothes around a table of delicious food. They drank wine as they discussed Prince Zhan Yun’s return.
“Is Qian Jiyun serious this time? Did he really bring a lady back?”
“Everyone said so. How is it false?”
“It’s probably true. Look at what they’re saying. They’re claiming she’s as beautiful as a fairy. But on second thought, she must be a vixen if she can charm Qian Jiyun into bringing her back without caring about the rumors going around.”
Someone sighed regretfully.
“No matter how devoted a man is, he will change. I thought Qian Jiyun would become a monk if he couldn’t find Lan Zhitong. But in the end— Ah!”
Before he could finish speaking, someone threw a large handful of peanuts at his face, and he cried out in pain.
“Fifth Brother Xia, say that in front of Second Brother if you dare!”
Fifth Brother Xia was speechless. No, he did not dare to do that.
“I knew you were a ruthless person! Why would you ask me to court death? Sixth Brother Gong, aren’t you black-hearted!”
“I am!” Sixth Brother Gong replied. “But I think Second Brother won’t bring her back without reason. He either did it on purpose or…”
That old woman in the Prince Zhan Yun Residence had to be kept alive, but she was revolting. He would not have been able to stand her if it had been him. Only someone like Qian Jiyun could tolerate it.
Did Qian Jiyun finally give up and decide to compete with the old woman?
Xue Yingyue was not capable at all. Her tactics against Qian Jiyun were all underhanded.
However, she had someone backing her up. If Xue Yingyue died, there would be havoc in the capital.
Qian Jiyun was not afraid of that. Even if he was no match for that, he had his brothers.
If anything happened to Qian Jiyun, even if it were minor, it would be over at the southern border. There would probably be problems for years, if not decades.
The commoners would be the ones suffering in the end!
Fifth Brother Xia could not stand being interrupted and asked immediately, “Or what?”