Chapter 064: Her Trouble—Does It Concern Me?

Wu Qinglin was baffled by her expression and couldn't help but frown slightly.

"You mean the one who wrote the note..." Wu Tan deliberately drew out her words, pretending to be mysterious. "I know who it is!"

Wu Qinglin was taken aback. "You know?"

"There’s more than just Huo Yunhua in the Huo family who is selfish and always ready to leave themselves an escape route," Wu Tan nodded with a smug look, ready to show off. Just then, Mu Song hurried over, saluted, and said, "The Young Master and Second Miss are finally out. The Old Madam has been waiting for half the day."

Wu Tan had to hold her tongue.

Wu Qinglin glanced at her and sighed, "Let’s go, let’s head back first."

Mu Song turned to lead them toward the carriage, where the coachman was busy setting up a stool for Wu Tan.

Wu Qinglin turned and instructed Mu Song, "Don’t come back with us. Wait outside the palace gates for a while and keep an eye on the outcome of the Huo family’s matter."

"Yes, Young Master!" Mu Song saluted and went to help with the horse.

Inside the carriage, Madam Zhou heard voices and opened the door.

The Old Madam sighed and beckoned from outside, "Come up quickly!"

Since the Wu household brought maids and servants, they had two carriages today: Wu Tan, the Old Madam, and Wu Qingrui in one; Lady Meng and Wu Qingqiong in the other.

Wu Qingrui had fallen asleep when leaving the palace, so the Old Madam let Lady Meng and her group return first and waited herself.

Wu Qinglin personally helped Wu Tan into the carriage and reminded her, "Quickly take off your shoes and socks to air your feet. Isn’t it uncomfortable wearing them?"

"I know!" Wu Tan replied, aware the Old Madam was worried, so she said no more and slipped into the carriage.

When the Old Madam asked about what happened in Huayang Palace, Wu Tan gave a general account, telling her about the fire and rescue, but deliberately omitted the matter of the love letter dispute.

The Old Madam had witnessed Huo Wenshan rushing into the palace for an audience, but there were too many secrets in the palace. She always knew her granddaughter understood the limits; since Wu Tan deliberately withheld details, she didn’t press.

Wu Tan cheerfully placated her, then had Madam Zhou help remove her shoes and socks to air her feet.

As the Wu family’s carriages departed, Lei Ming soon emerged from the palace gates.

After the banquet, Xiao Yue returned directly to his residence. Lei Ming purposely avoided the Wu siblings and now hurried to catch up and report.

Xiao Yue had taken a carriage to the palace today, so Lei Ming caught up midway and reported from the window, "Your Highness!"

Xiao Yue lifted the curtain from inside and gave him an inquiring look. "Is there already a result?"

"Huo Yunhua bribed the maid by Princess Linchuan’s side, hid the love letter written by the Huo family’s third son in the princess’s bedchamber, then deliberately set a fire to create chaos. The original plan was likely to expose the letter amidst the confusion, forcing Princess Linchuan to marry and thus make the Huo family produce a prince consort. However, an accident occurred, and the fire got out of hand, trapping several noble ladies including Princess Lin’an and Lady Changping. Fortunately, the Young Master Wu arrived and rescued everyone, after which Second Miss Wu made a scene. The love letter was exposed and confirmed to be written by Huo Wenshan’s third son, Huo Changyu," Lei Ming succinctly explained. "Now, Huo Wenshan has brought a household servant as a scapegoat to the palace, preparing to quietly play the game of sacrificing the pawn to save the king. The emperor summoned him for questioning in the imperial study. To protect Princess Linchuan’s reputation, it’s likely this matter will be downplayed and resolved. I hurried to ask if Your Highness needs me to follow up or..."

"Huo Wenshan’s third son?" Xiao Yue mused, closing his eyes and recalling after a moment.

In his previous life, he had been stationed far away in the northern army, never concerned with the trivialities of the capital or royal family. Later, because Xiao Yun married the famous Consort Hui of the Huo family, he learned a bit about them. Now, recalling, he vaguely remembered that Princess Linchuan had chosen one of Huo Wenshan’s sons as her prince consort, but he knew nothing more.

In fact, it was Huo Yunhua who orchestrated her third brother’s marriage to Princess Linchuan in the previous life, but no one interfered then, and she hadn’t reached the point of desperation. Her methods were much more gentle and secure. First, she seized an opportunity for Princess Linchuan to read a poem by her third brother, then manufactured a memorable encounter. Huo Changyu was not unattractive; when he controlled his unruly demeanor, he could be quite convincing. With Huo Yunhua’s efforts, the two exchanged letters for a while, and when the time was right, Consort Zhao petitioned the emperor for the marriage decree.

By then, Huo Yunhua was already Xiao Yun’s concubine, and since Princess Linchuan was willing herself, the emperor, gravely ill, didn’t care much, so the marriage proceeded smoothly.

This was the plan Huo Yunhua intended to use again in this life, but things changed. First, the Wu siblings caught her in a deadly bind, and she was desperate to escape. Second, Huo Wenshan was embroiled in scandal, ruining the Huo family’s reputation. To quickly elevate Huo Changyu and secure support, Huo Yunhua took a risky shortcut with her forced marriage ploy.

But perhaps fate truly turned against her—even drinking cold water seemed to choke her. Not only did Wu Tan catch her red-handed, but Granny Gui made a mistake when setting the fire, leading to chaos that Huo Yunhua couldn’t control.

Seeing Xiao Yue’s interest, Lei Ming quickly explained, "Yes! His name is Huo Changyu—said to be a hypocrite, only pretending to be respectable. Anyway, with Huo Wenshan producing a scapegoat, the emperor surely won’t pursue this further. If Your Highness thinks it necessary, I can add fuel to the fire." He thought for a moment and added, "The last time the birthdate was changed, it was also him and Huo Yunhua working together."

Old grievances and new, that little ancestor of the Wu family still seemed angry!

His master had been sidling up to Miss Wu lately; now would be a good time to strike at Huo Yunhua and the Huo family and later claim credit before Miss Wu!

Lei Ming felt his idea was especially considerate and was eager to act. But as soon as he mentioned Wu Tan, Xiao Yue’s expression suddenly changed, and he shot him a cold look.

Lei Ming hadn’t caught on and instinctively explained, "Just now in Huayang Palace, Second Miss Wu made quite a fuss..."

He was interrupted as Xiao Yue said coolly, "Does it have anything to do with me?"

No, not really. It was just to help win favor with Miss Wu.

"Uh?" Lei Ming was confused, still unable to grasp the shift, and stammered, "No... but..."

Xiao Yue could tell this subordinate misunderstood him, and his anger rose. He warned coldly, "Do your job, and stop bothering me with these trivial matters!"

With that, he lowered the curtain and withdrew inside.

Lei Ming stood there, mouth agape, pondering for ages but still couldn’t figure out what his master was angry about!

Just a short while ago, parting from Miss Wu was harmonious... How did her affairs become trivial in the blink of an eye?

Lei Ming had served as Xiao Yue’s personal guard for over ten years, since his master was a carefree young prince in the capital. He felt he understood his master’s temperament pretty well—except when it came to matters involving Miss Wu, when he always misjudged and hit a wall...

To avoid his master’s displeasure, Lei Ming wisely kept silent.

*

Meanwhile, on the other side, Princess Qingyang and her daughter were also in their carriage heading home.

Li Xun’er, though she hadn’t witnessed Princess Lin’an’s embarrassment, remained in a cheerful mood, even humming softly to herself.

Princess Qingyang watched her daughter laugh, poured herself a cup of water, took a sip, and teased, "After we return home today, should I start preparing your dowry?"

Li Xun’er was fourteen this year, already old enough to discuss marriage. But proud of her status and with high standards, she had always picked and chosen among the noble sons, never agreeing to anyone.

Princess Qingyang understood her daughter and saw through her intentions.

If it were anyone else, she might not take this attitude, but with Wu Qinglin—his family and personal merits satisfied her—so she and her daughter tacitly understood each other.

"Oh, Mother!" Li Xun’er blushed, nestled up and clung to her mother’s arm, acting spoiled. "You’re so mean! Is that how you tease your own daughter?"

"If you don’t want me to say it, hide that little look of yours better!" Princess Qingyang laughed, tapping her daughter’s forehead. But then she grew a bit serious and changed the topic. "But I must remind you not to get too happy too soon. Consort Zhao was just startled and is eager to find a lifeline; she may already be considering the same idea as you."

Though she felt her daughter was far superior to Princess Lin’an, in terms of status, Lin’an was a princess and outranked her daughter. If Consort Zhao and her daughter had such intentions, they might need to act first...

——Extra——

Lei Ming mutters: My master’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea—how does he change moods faster than a woman?

The royal uncle: If you can manage, do it; if not, send Yanbei instead.

Lei Ming: All for the sake of my wages...

PS: Just received notice—the serial will launch on the 15th, a bit early, a bit sudden, and a bit nerve-wracking! Updates will likely be around noon; don’t hoard the chapters, darlings, remember to support the first release~o(>_<)o~

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