"Hey, Qingfeng, where are you going?" Xia Yonglin also put down his teacup and turned around to chase after him. But Shen Qingfeng didn't even look back. He picked up speed and walked out of the imperial garden in big strides.
Seeing that he could hardly catch up, Xia Yonglin took a deep breath and sprinted forward a few steps. He grabbed Shen Qingfeng's sleeve and gasped, "Qingfeng, don't walk so fast."
Shen Qingfeng's face was gloomy. He said coldly, "Is there any reason for me to stay?"
Xia Yonglin knew exactly what he meant, so he tried to persuade him, "Qingfeng, since Qi Mengmeng has entered the Eastern Palace and the king has issued the imperial edict for the marriage, it's not a big deal for the crown prince to accompany her around the imperial garden, right?"
"Right. Should I just watch A Li marry Qi Mengmeng and then witness their wedding night?" Shen Qingfeng raised his voice, and there seemed to be a tremor in it.
Xia Yonglin said, "Well... Anyway, the crown prince is the heir apparent. His contact with Qi Mengmeng must be out of his own consideration. Qingfeng, you'd better go and talk to the crown prince. Maybe there's some misunderstanding?"
Shen Qingfeng slapped away Xia Yonglin's hand that was holding him and scolded, "What misunderstanding! He has his own consideration, which is probably how to get Qi Mengmeng pregnant!"
Xia Yonglin was startled. "Qingfeng..."
The show is over. Shen Qingfeng turned around and left. "Your Highness the Second Prince needn't see me off. I'll leave the palace now. It's better not to see and not to feel sad."
Xia Yonglin caught up again and said, "It's still quite a long way from here to the palace gate. I'll send someone to take you out."
"I won't trouble Your Highness the Second Prince. I'll walk by myself." Shen Qingfeng's voice was extremely cold.
"Qingfeng." Xia Yonglin quickened his steps and stood in front of Shen Qingfeng. He put his hands on Shen Qingfeng's shoulders and said, "I know the crown prince has made you angry, but don't be so hard on yourself. It's so far from here to the palace gate. Lord Shen always says you're in poor health. Why don't you take care of yourself?"
Shen Qingfeng lowered his eyes and stood still. He sneered inwardly. What a smooth talker. He even brought up my father to gain my favor.
Seeing that Shen Qingfeng didn't say a word, Xia Yonglin patted his shoulders and said, "I'll call a sedan chair for you."
With that, he winked at the maid following behind him. The maid quickly trotted away. Soon, several eunuchs carried a soft sedan chair over.
Xia Yonglin said, "The sedan chair is here. They'll take you to the palace gate. I've already asked Cang Hui to wait for you at the gate. After you get to the gate, he'll take you back to the Shen Mansion."
Shen Qingfeng didn't say anything. He just nodded, looking a bit dejected.
Xia Yonglin added, "What about tomorrow at the Wenshu Pavilion..."
Shen Qingfeng understood. "Your Highness the Second Prince, please rest assured. Since this matter was arranged by Your Highness through Eunuch Chen, I know what to do. I'll be there on time tomorrow."
Xia Yonglin's eyes flashed. "That's good. Qingfeng, I'll wait for you tomorrow."
Shen Qingfeng forced a smile, bowed to Xia Yonglin and said, "Thank you, Your Highness the Second Prince, for today. I'll take my leave."
"Okay."
Shen Qingfeng quickly got on the sedan chair. The eunuchs carried it towards the palace gate.
Xia Yonglin stood there, watching the sedan chair carrying Shen Qingfeng getting farther and farther away. Suddenly, he sneered, then whistled and walked towards a certain direction.
He didn't know that the curtain of the sedan chair that was gradually moving away behind him was suddenly lifted a little. Shen Qingfeng showed half of his head and watched Xia Yonglin's back, his face showing a mysterious expression.
—
Shen Qingfeng thought today's mission was over, but he met someone he had never expected at the palace gate.
The sedan chair stopped steadily at the Bian Palace Gate. As soon as Shen Qingfeng got off the sedan chair, he bumped into a little boy in red and white clothes.
The little boy was only as tall as his shoulder, but his face was full of arrogance. Even when he looked at Shen Qingfeng, it seemed that he was looking down on him from his nostrils.
Shen Qingfeng actually didn't want to see him at all - after all, he was the brainless Third Prince, Xia Yanhe.
The moment Xia Yanhe saw Shen Qingfeng, he burst into laughter and then strode towards him.
Shen Qingfeng couldn't avoid him. Just as he was about to pretend not to see him and walk out of the palace gate, Xia Yanhe shouted. Several of his subordinates rushed in front of Shen Qingfeng and blocked his way.
Shen Qingfeng frowned and slowly turned around. He looked at Xia Yanhe, who was grinning evilly at him, and bowed respectfully. "This commoner pays respects to Your Highness the Third Prince."
"Commoner? Hahaha!" There was nothing but disdain in Xia Yanhe's words. "Do you know what crime it is for a commoner like you to pretend not to see me when you see me?"
"Your Highness the Third Prince, this commoner was in a hurry to go home and really didn't see you." Shen Qingfeng felt a bit headache. He could outwit Xia Yonglin, but Xia Yanhe was a brainless madman. It was like talking to a crazy person. There was no logic at all.
"Go home?" Xia Yanhe looked down at Shen Qingfeng from his nostrils and said, "Aren't you Xia Chuli's dog? Your home is in the Eastern Palace. Why are you leaving the palace?"
Shen Qingfeng lowered his eyes. "This commoner is leaving the palace."
"Oh, I see. Xia Chuli doesn't want you anymore. You're a stray dog now!" Xia Yanhe let out a strange cry and deliberately made his voice loud enough for everyone around to hear. "A stray dog has nowhere to go. Moreover, you're a disgusting homosexual!"
Shen Qingfeng lowered his head. His face was pale, and his fingers had already been clenched into fists in his sleeves.
Seeing that Shen Qingfeng didn't say a word, Xia Yanhe was even more gloating. He said, "Oh, are you sad? Do you want me to help you?"
Shen Qingfeng was stunned and couldn't help but feel a sudden shock in his heart.
Then he heard the madman in front of him suddenly say, "People in the capital all say you're extremely beautiful. How about I strip you naked and send you to the Eastern Palace? What do you think?"
As soon as Xia Yanhe finished speaking, Shen Qingfeng ran towards the palace gate as fast as he could. But unfortunately, Xia Yanhe's guards were very fast. They rushed up and pressed Shen Qingfeng to the ground.
In front of him was the wide-open palace gate, and behind him was the majestic and deep palace. Cold sweat broke out on Shen Qingfeng's forehead. He didn't know if this madman was really out of his mind. How dare he do such a thing in public!
But Shen Qingfeng still underestimated Xia Yanhe. He saw Xia Yanhe slowly walk up to the struggling Shen Qingfeng. He pressed his toe against Shen Qingfeng's face that was pressed against the ground and said harshly, "You do look good... Do it!"
Hearing this, the guards immediately reached out their hands to tear Shen Qingfeng's clothes.
"!" Shen Qingfeng's pupils shrank suddenly. "Your Highness the Third Prince! You're crazy! Let me go!"
Xia Yanhe laughed wildly. "I'm just helping you, Shen Qingfeng. You should thank me quickly!"
Shen Qingfeng was so angry that his eyes were red. He scolded, "Xia Yanhe! How dare you do such a dirty thing in public? Aren't you afraid of the king's punishment?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Xia Yanhe's face suddenly darkened. He scolded, "Who do you think you are? How dare you use the king to suppress me! You guys! Tear his clothes off! Hurry up!"
Shen Qingfeng struggled. He watched the hands reaching out to him from all directions. For a moment, fear swept over his whole body, and his struggle became even more intense.
This Xia Yanhe is crazy! Crazy! This is at the Bian Palace Gate! In public! Under the bright sky!
He clearly heard the sound of his clothes being torn. Shen Qingfeng took a deep breath and suddenly let out a scream!
Who can save me! Who can save me!
Lu Yan!
"Bang!" There was a dull sound above his head. Then, the guard on top of Shen Qingfeng was kicked in the face. He flew backwards and fell to the ground. He twitched for a while, then spat out a big mouthful of blood and fainted.
Shen Qingfeng stared wide-eyed.
Then, all the guards around him were knocked down one by one and fell to the ground with miserable cries.
Then, he was wrapped in a familiar aura. Lu Yan tightly held him in his arms with one hand and punched a guard in the abdomen with the other. The man let out a muffled groan and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Lu Yan's eyes were bloodshot, and even the hand holding Shen Qingfeng was shaking with anger.
He gritted his teeth and almost growled with suppressed anger, "Xia Yanhe, you're looking for death!"