"What? Princess Anning?" Yuan Yuze spat out the tea in his mouth and exclaimed in surprise. "What's Mu Fengqie doing here?"
Yuan Yuze suddenly had a strange premonition. It was like a weasel paying a New Year call to a chicken—with ill intentions. Just thinking of that crazy woman made his heart race uncontrollably.
"Princess Anning only said that she had something to discuss with the Third Prince. I don't know the details. Does the Third Prince want me to find out?" The waiter sized up Yuan Yuze's face as he spoke.
He had clearly felt the impact of the words "Princess Anning" on the Third Prince when he delivered the message. That Princess Anning was just a delicate woman, but why did she seem scarier than a ghost to the Third Prince?
"Take them to the Fragrant Pavilion. I'll go there later."
"Yes."
The waiter went downstairs to lead Mu Fengqie and the others to the Fragrant Pavilion. Shen Yiru was curious but also excited. This was her first time in such a luxurious place. Just looking around made her eyes pop out.
"Fengqie, do you know the Third Prince? I've never heard you mention knowing him before. Did you meet through the Crown Prince?" Shen Yiru bombarded her with questions.
Mu Fengqie nodded and said slowly, "I guess so. But my relationship with the Third Prince isn't very good. Don't be scared if something happens later."
"What could happen? Are you two going to fight? I'm known for being brave. Nothing can scare me!"
Shen Yiru proudly patted her chest, not knowing that she would soon be proven wrong.
Yuan Yuze composed himself and then went to the Fragrant Pavilion. Sure enough, he saw Mu Fengqie, the woman who gave him the most headaches.
Last time, he had hoped to take revenge through the Queen, but this cunning fox had escaped again. A grudge had been born between them. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's sake, he would have found a way to get rid of this annoying woman long ago!
"Greetings to the Third Prince. How have you been lately?" Mu Fengqie gave a charming smile and stared at Yuan Yuze.
It gave Yuan Yuze the creeps. The more abnormal this woman was, the more uneasy he felt. For the sake of the Crown Prince's overall situation, he had to tolerate this woman in front of him.
"Isn't this Princess Anning, bestowed by the imperial mother? Why are you here with me? I don't think I'm familiar with you, Princess Anning, do I?"
The Third Prince squinted his eyes and kept a close eye on Mu Fengqie's movements. His eyes were fixed on her, as if he wanted to see through her.
Mu Fengqie laughed when she saw Yuan Yuze's fake smile. She never thought the Third Prince was such a coward. She hadn't even said anything yet, and he was already scared like this, guarding against her like a thief.
"The Third Prince really has a short memory. I'm here today to claim the promise made by the Crown Prince. Third Prince, go and prepare quickly!"
Mu Fengqie smiled, but then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. I did my homework on the Third Prince's luxurious dishes before I came. If the profit you offer isn't enough, don't blame me for reporting it to the Crown Prince!"
Yuan Yuze found Mu Fengqie's smile extremely irritating. His eyelids kept twitching. "It was the elder brother who said that, not me. Since I didn't agree, it doesn't count!"
"The Third Prince is really joking. What the Third Prince says doesn't count. Only what the Crown Prince says matters. Doesn't the Third Prince always follow the Crown Prince's orders? Why are you reluctant to work for the Crown Prince today?"
Mu Fengqie pretended to be innocent, puffed out her cheeks, and blinked her eyes constantly. She looked harmless, but in fact, she was a cunning fox.
Yuan Yuze naturally understood the implication of her words. She was basically calling him the Crown Prince's lackey. Over the years, he had heard such words countless times. So those who knew him well knew what to say and what not to say. This very sentence enraged him.
He was furious. His eyes seemed to be spitting fire. He stood up and stepped towards Mu Fengqie step by step. Shen Yiru, who always thought of herself as brave, couldn't help shivering when she saw the Third Prince like this.
He got closer and closer to Mu Fengqie until there was only one step between them. But instead of being scared, Mu Fengqie raised her eyebrows, as if provoking him.
Yuan Yuze was so angry that he couldn't think straight. It was as if there was a voice in his body telling him, "Strangle her! Strangle her! She deserves to die!"
Thinking of this, he did just that. He firmly grabbed Mu Fengqie's neck with one hand. Mu Fengqie was petite, so with a slight effort, he lifted her off the stool.
"Third Prince! What are you doing? Put the princess down quickly! If you don't, you'll strangle her to death!" Shen Yiru anxiously tried to pull Yuan Yuze away, but it was no use.
Mu Fengqie couldn't breathe. Her face turned red from the lack of air, but she still wasn't worried at all. Instead, she maintained that gentle smile.
"Aren't you afraid... the Crown Prince... will suspect you?" Mu Fengqie trembled and said with difficulty.
Shen Yiru immediately understood. She shouted loudly, "If you strangle her, the Crown Prince will never let you go. Please think twice, Third Prince!"
Hearing this, Yuan Yuze's killing intent lessened a bit. He gradually loosened his grip. Mu Fengqie sat back on the stool and gasped for air.
If the Third Prince hadn't let go in time, she would have died just now. But judging from the Third Prince's reaction, her plan seemed to have worked.
At this moment, the Third Prince looked like an eggplant beaten by frost. He really had no choice. Compared with his impulse, the Crown Prince's great cause was much more important than his own affairs.
However, the anger in his eyes didn't fade at all. "I can give you the silver for the luxurious dishes. But Mu Fengqie, you'd better avoid me in the future, or I'll definitely find a way to kill you!"
Hearing this, Mu Fengqie laughed even more recklessly. "Of course. But before the Third Prince takes action, think more about the Crown Prince. Otherwise, if my legs don't work well and I end up at the Crown Prince's mansion, I can't guarantee what will come out of my mouth!"
Yuan Yuze widened his eyes and pointed at Mu Fengqie with his outstretched hand. His mouth opened and closed, but he was so angry that he couldn't say a word.
Mu Fengqie smoothly got the silver she deserved. There were silver notes worth tens of thousands of taels. She was smiling from ear to ear.