The anger in the Crown Prince's eyes was barely concealable. "Lu Wanning, a person's character matters far more than their status. Han'er... Miss Shi has a pure and kind heart. Despite the hardships in her life, she has always been self - reliant. How could you slander her like this?"
Lu Wanning's mouth fell half - open. Tears welled up in her eyes as her voice trembled with disbelief. "You... you're being so harsh on me? I'm your younger cousin! Who does she think she is?"
"She is..." The Crown Prince's voice suddenly stopped. The anger in his eyes also froze for a moment before gradually subsiding. He squinted at Lu Wanning.
But Lu Wanning wouldn't let it go. "Your Highness, you've always said I'm your cousin and that you don't want our sibling bond to fade. But now you're scolding me for an outsider? And did I say anything wrong? If she hadn't gotten so close to the Fourth Prince, would the Fourth Prince have been misled? It's clearly her fault!"
The Crown Prince fell silent. Instead of getting angry, he turned around, walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and came back to offer it to Lu Wanning. "Alright, Zhaoyang. I was wrong just now. I'm here to apologize. Please don't be mad at me, okay?"
Lu Wanning glanced at the tea and turned away sulkily, ignoring him.
The Crown Prince smiled again. "Zhaoyang, I'm apologizing to you."
He really bent down and bowed.
A crown prince, who was always high - and - mighty, had never even referred to himself as an elder brother in front of a princess. This time, he had really given Lu Wanning enough face.
Lu Wanning wasn't an ungrateful person. She quickly stepped aside, pouting. "Fine, I won't argue with you. I heard you have a night pearl. Last time, I took a fancy to a huge one, but Fu Rongxuan snatched it away. I was so mad."
The Crown Prince's face darkened slightly. Fu Rongxuan's behavior was getting worse. But he didn't show it on his face. "It's just a night pearl. If you want it, Zhaoyang, I'll give it to you."
Only then did Lu Wanning clap her hands and laugh. She chatted and laughed with the Crown Prince as they went downstairs and out the door. Since she was getting a nice gift, Lu Wanning was even more excited. She reached out and grabbed the Crown Prince's sleeve, pointing to the riverside not far away.
"Brother Crown Prince, shall we go over there?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Sure."
At this moment, Shi Aohan, He Chan, and Lu Yingshuang were nearby. They happened to see the Crown Prince walking towards the riverside with Lu Wanning.
He Chan's eyes widened. "That... that's Brother Crown Prince and Lu Wanning? Am I seeing things?"
Lu Yingshuang was struck like by lightning. "Why are they together? Doesn't Lu Wanning like Fu Rongxuan?"
Shi Aohan explained, "Miss Lu probably doesn't like the Heir of the Fu Family anymore. It seems that the Fu Family is quite worried these days. Although the matter hasn't reached the Empress Dowager yet, the Emperor is clearly displeased."
Lu Yingshuang was extremely angry. "She's really a flirt. She... must be a person who only wants to climb up the social ladder. She probably thinks the title of the Duke of the Fu Family isn't good enough for her, so she wants to aim higher!"
He Chan nodded in agreement. "You're right. At the plum blossom banquet at your place, we saw her actively flirting with the Prince Yu. But with the Prince Yu's cold personality, how could he ever pay attention to her?"
Lu Yingshuang was furious. "Her? With her reputation, how could she ever be worthy of the Crown Prince?"
Shi Aohan's eyes flickered. She held Lu Yingshuang's hand and said, "Don't worry, Shuang'er. After the New Year's grand selection, the position of the Crown Princess will surely be yours."
The Lu Family was a count's mansion, and Lu Yingshuang had a good reputation. Even if she couldn't be the main Crown Princess, she would at least be a side consort. The only competitor was the girl from the Fu Family, and she had already prepared herself. But now, Lu Wanning had suddenly appeared. How could it not worry her?
He Chan was still angry and mumbled, "It's not certain, Sister Lu. Lu Wanning, relying on the favor of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and my aunt, is so lawless. Is there anything she wants but can't get?"
Shi Aohan pulled He Chan and told her not to talk nonsense. She just comforted them, "Shuang'er, don't listen to Chan'er. The Crown Princess should be a person of virtue and talent. Miss Lu only has a pretty face but no virtue or talent. She can never be the Crown Princess. The Emperor isn't a foolish king. Even though he dotes on Miss Lu, he won't make such a decision. And the Empress is a reasonable person. The Crown Prince is her own son."
This kind of comfort really worked. Lu Yingshuang felt a little relieved and wasn't so anxious anymore. He Chan also nodded thoughtfully.
But Shi Aohan hesitated. "It's just..."
He Chan was anxious. "Just what? Is there any special possibility?"
Shi Aohan looked embarrassed. She glanced at Lu Yingshuang and shook her head. "No. Let's go first."
Lu Yingshuang was a smart girl. Seeing Shi Aohan like this, she knew there was something more to it. She grabbed her. "Aohan, we're as close as sisters. Why are you being so hesitant? Is there something you can't tell me?"
Shi Aohan quickly waved her hand. "No, no. How could I? But I just had a thought. It may not be true. Why should I say it and worry you?"
Lu Yingshuang said, "It's not a worry. Just tell me so I can have an idea."
Shi Aohan then said, "It's... the Empress Dowager's condition is not optimistic. If Miss Lu is determined to enter the Eastern Palace, when the Empress Dowager is on her deathbed, I'm afraid..."
These words made both of her friends fall silent. It was true. Originally, the Lu and Fu Families were on such bad terms. Just because of Lu Wanning's preference, the Empress Dowager could issue an imperial edict to arrange a marriage for them. Now that the Empress Dowager was seriously ill and the Emperor was filial, how could he go against the Empress Dowager's wishes?
"Damn Lu Wanning. If only she didn't exist!"
He Chan angrily cursed.
Shi Aohan gently raised her head. Her eyes just met Lu Yingshuang's and then quickly looked away.
The next day, when Lu Wanning woke up, she heard Jiyue say that there was a message from the palace. The Empress and the Crown Prince would set off for the Wanfo Temple on the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month to pray for the Empress Dowager.
Since the Empress and the Crown Prince were taking action, the wives of the officials naturally couldn't be ignorant.
Lu Wanning was displeased. She said to Granny Gu and Jiyue, "Whether one is filial or not should be shown at the sickbed. What's the use of such a grand prayer? I might as well go into the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager."
Jiyue quickly covered her mouth. "Your Highness, please don't talk nonsense. Everyone is going, and you can't stay behind."
Lu Wanning naturally understood. As the most favored princess by the Empress Dowager, it would be inappropriate if she didn't go.
"Will only the Empress and the Crown Prince go from the palace?"
Jiyue replied, "The Prince Yu was ordered to guard the imperial city that day, so he probably won't go. The other princes will go, and Princess Qin will also go."
Lu Wanning's mind went blank for a while before she remembered Princess Qin. Princess Qin was an out - of - the - way figure who always stayed alone. Although she was a princess, her mother was a maid who was accidentally favored by the Emperor when he was drunk, so her status wasn't high. If it weren't for the constant care of the Noble Consort, Princess Qin and her mother might not have grown up safely.