I looked at both Qin An and Xun Yun, who were both slightly stunned for a moment due to Shu Ying's words. I felt a bit awkward and was about to say something when Qin An spoke up first: "The princess is a precious treasure, it's only right that she should be careful."

  I gave him a somewhat apologetic glance and looked at Xun Yun, saying: "Shu Ying doesn't understand things, but she didn't mean anything else, Miss, don't worry."

  Xun Yun lowered her eyes and replied, "The princess's words are heavy, if it is the master's intention, we should all follow closely. Even if it is not the master's intention, as Qin Zongguan just said, the princess is a precious treasure, and we should be careful everywhere. How could Xun Yun have any other thoughts?"

  After having tea and resting for a while, the maid came to report that the fragrant bath was ready. Qin An and the others bid farewell and left, and Shu Ying accompanied me to the bathroom to wash away the dust from my journey.

  Although the journey was extremely slow, I finally returned from my long trip and after taking a bath, I went to the Qianmo Pavilion bedroom for a short rest. Until dinner time, Shuying woke me up, she helped me change clothes while saying: "Miss, it's time for dinner, I've already ordered the maids to set up outside, you get up and tidy up and go over."

  I felt a bit puzzled and asked: "Isn't dinner supposed to be in the front hall? Why is it set up in the Returning Ink Pavilion?"

  Shu Ying said, "It was Xun Yun's arrangement. She said that the third young master wouldn't be coming back anyway, and Miss had been traveling by boat and carriage all day, so she just ordered someone to send dinner over. I thought it was a good idea too, since it would save us from having to go all the way to the front in the cold."

  "Will Your Highness be back for dinner?" I asked casually as I sat down in front of the copper mirror.

  Shu Ying took over the jade comb to help me tidy up my long hair, and while doing so, she replied: "Yes, I heard Xun Yun say that it seems like someone from the palace came to deliver a message, saying that the Emperor has invited the Third Prince to have dinner in the palace, and also told our household that if it's too late, there's no need to wait, perhaps the Prince will stay overnight in the palace."

  My fingers, which were originally combing through my hair, paused for a moment.

  Although the celebration banquet is set for tonight, Nan Chengyao is after all the emperor's most beloved prince. Now that he has returned triumphantly, it wouldn't be excessive for the emperor to keep him for a family dinner. In the Zi Jing Palace, there are also special halls and residences prepared for the princes. It's not uncommon for princes to stay overnight in the palace after drinking, so even if he doesn't come back tonight, it would still be reasonable and understandable, without any fault or suspicion.

  But I couldn't deceive myself, when I heard Shu Ying's words, the first image that flashed into my mind was actually the elegant and gentle Empress Dowager in Qingyang Palace.

  She even had the ability to find an opportunity to call Nan Chengyao away on our big wedding day, and he stayed for three days. Now, who knows if she will use her old tricks again?

  Although at that time, Nan Chengyao might have been relieved to take the opportunity to leave because he had reservations about me, now, why wouldn't he stay again for Qingfei?

  I also know that he may not love the person of Qing Gui Fei, but he undoubtedly loves her status. As the emperor's favorite concubine, things that are difficult for ordinary people to achieve are just a matter of raising her hand. Therefore, Nan Chengyao will not easily go against her wishes, after all, on his chessboard, she is still a very useful piece.

  Moreover, he would not humiliate himself. The elegant and gentle Qing Guifei, the stunning Sang Muqing - which of these men in this world wouldn't dream of meeting them? My lips couldn't help but curve into a slight arc, with a hint of self-mockery and bitterness.

  "Miss, what's wrong with you? Don't let go quickly, if you twist it any further, this hairpin will be twisted off! This is one of your favorites!"

  The faint sound of footsteps brought back my thoughts, I was startled and suddenly loosened my hand, the jade hairpin in my hand fell to the ground with a clatter, and it really broke into two pieces.

  "Alas, what's to be done? It's all my fault!" Shu Ying hastily bent down to pick up the broken hairpin, her heart aching with regret.

  "It's just a hairpin, no big deal."

  She looked regretful and annoyed: "This was the dowry that His Highness gave me at the beginning, I see that among those things, you only liked that white jade flying swallow pendant and this hairpin, what can be done now?"

  I composed myself slightly and said: "Alright, I didn't like these accessories anyway, no big deal. Let's go, the food will get cold soon."

  She put down her hairpin with a sigh and followed me out.

  I watched her taste the dishes one by one with a silver needle, although I felt it was a bit of an overreaction, but my mood had been unstable all along, and I didn't have the heart to speak up and stop her. Besides, even if I said something, Yisheng's stubborn personality would probably make her not listen anyway.

  The dinner was extremely sumptuous, with dishes such as Zhenbao yu zi, Cuiwei lu sun, Babao duck, Abalone sauce Lingguo duck palm, White fruit stewed pigeon, Six-style blood swallow, Youxia bing, and Heiye rice porridge. The table was full of food, not at all like it was prepared for one person to eat.

  However, I didn't have a big appetite, so I just casually picked a few light dishes and had a few bites, then ordered them to take the rest away and reward the servants.

  Miss, are you feeling unwell? You're eating so little.

  I smiled faintly and shook my head, she didn't know, what was uncomfortable was in my heart.

  Is it jealousy, perhaps.

  I recall the day in Qingyang Palace, smiling at Imperial Consort Qing's various words and actions, so carefree and nonchalant, never thinking that one day my emotions would be affected by her to such an extent.

  However, this is not the main reason for my emotional instability. At this moment, I have a lot of anxiety and fear in my heart, which only I know.

  It's not that I didn't know what kind of person Nan Chengyao was from the start, he had never tried to deceive me.

  It's not that I don't know he's heartless and ruthless, it's not that I don't know how many women have fallen in love with him and what the outcome is, it's not that I couldn't control myself.

  I always thought I could do it, or rather, until today, I thought I had done it - having a sense of justice without emotional attachment, and being on an equal footing.

  However, as that jade hairpin snapped in response to the sound, the coolness and helplessness at the bottom of my heart also expanded thread by thread. In the end, I still cared about it, didn't I?

  Even if it's not love, I couldn't deceive myself. Watching him being affectionate with other women, even just thinking about it, no matter how calm I appear on the surface, my heart can't help but be bothered. I care.

  I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh, hearing my own heart repeating, I care.

  As the Three Kingdoms queen and daughter of Murong's family, I have pride and self-esteem. As a wife, I also have a hidden expectation to find someone who understands me, grow old together, never parting ways. Yes, I care.

  Not willing to indulge in sorrowful emotions, I got up and wanted to take a walk in the garden outside. However, I saw a little maid come in and report: "Your Highness, someone from the Wang family has arrived seeking an audience, and is waiting in the front hall's side room. Qin, the steward, sent me over to inform you."

  I was slightly surprised, who could it be at this time?

  "Who's come? Is it the wife of the prime minister?"

  That little maid shook her head: "No, it's said that he is a follower of Murong Young Master, named Qingyi."

  I'm getting more and more curious, Qing Wei has been serving Yi Chang since he was a child, studying and shooting together, this time Yi Chang hurriedly rushed to Mo Bei to find me, but didn't bring him along, this is probably the first time they've been apart for so long since growing up, but at this time, what did he come to find me for?

  She didn't say anything more, and hastily walked towards the front hall. As soon as she entered the side hall, Qingyi saw me and rushed over to me like a drowning person grabbing onto a straw. She knelt down with a thud and said: "Miss Qing, please follow me back quickly to save Young Master, if we're late, he'll be beaten to death by Old Master!"

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