"Why is Han'er here? You seem a bit unwell. Do you need me to arrange for the imperial physician to examine you?" The queen feigned the appearance of a kind and caring mother.
Yuan Yuhan was already accustomed to the queen's hypocrisy in daily life. He was no stranger to her false concern. However, he now suspected that the queen had ill intentions, and the uneasiness in his heart grew stronger.
"No need, Mother. I'm just not well - rested. It's nothing serious. Don't bother. But Mother..." Yuan Yuhan squinted his eyes and stared at the queen.
The queen just smiled and said nothing. Then she shifted her gaze to A Ru on the bed. A Ru was also observing the queen, Yuan Yuchuan, and a strange man she had never seen before in puzzlement.
Just then, the queen was looking at A Ru. A Ru could clearly sense the shrewd calculation on the queen's face. She involuntarily shivered, always feeling that there was some unknown conspiracy.
"This should be the little princess. What happened to the little princess? Why is she sick? Let me see what's going on!" The queen said in an overly affectionate tone.
A Ru was completely confused by the queen's actions. What on earth was going on? Didn't her elder sister say that her identity must not be revealed? Only a few people knew her identity. Then how did the queen find out?
"Your Majesty, please think twice. My younger sister is unwell. I'm afraid she might pass on the illness to Your Majesty. Your Majesty is of noble status, so your health is of the utmost importance." Mu Fengqie said with a hint of displeasure.
However, everyone's attention was focused on A Ru, so no one noticed Mu Fengqie's anger.
Yuan Yuze's eyes never left A Ru. Although A Ru was not extremely beautiful, she had a gentle and delicate charm, which he quite liked.
The queen ignored Mu Fengqie's reminder. She directly sat down beside A Ru's bed, affectionately grabbed A Ru's hand, and said, "You're such a pretty little girl. I like you very much. How about coming back to the palace with me to play for a few days?"
A Ru shook her head woodenly. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I don't want too many people to know I'm in the imperial city. Especially since I promised my father and mother to keep a low - profile this time when I came out. So Your Majesty, there's no need to be so kind."
Although A Ru had never interacted with the queen, she knew to some extent that the queen was not a good person. Moreover, the queen was acting so falsely. It was really hard not to suspect her intentions.
The queen had long expected A Ru to react like this, so she didn't show much surprise. Her face still beamed with a smile. "It doesn't matter. We can talk about this later when you're feeling better."
Yuan Yuhan had been staring at the queen. The queen was acting extremely abnormally today. Why was she suddenly so attentive to A Ru? Could it be that the purpose of his visit to the general's mansion today was for A Ru?
Thinking of this, Yuan Yuhan's heart gradually sank. It seemed that the queen had already set her sights on A Ru. Bringing the crown prince and the third prince here today was probably for this very purpose...
However, A Ru was already his woman now. He would never let his woman be wronged, nor would he allow others to covet his woman.
"Your Majesty, just say what you want to say directly. Although I'm young, I can tell that you have something on your mind. I'm a straightforward person. Since you've come all the way here today, it must not be a trivial matter, right?" A Ru asked calmly.
Although she usually seemed innocent and cute, she was actually very smart. She had long seen that the queen had impure motives, but she couldn't figure out what the queen was really up to.
Hearing this, the queen showed an uncomfortable smile on her face. She didn't expect this little princess to be so smart at such a young age. She disliked smart people the most.
But obviously, according to the current situation, whether the queen liked her or not didn't matter. What mattered was what this little girl could bring to her. Although this little girl had no other outstanding qualities, her identity was her greatest advantage.
"In that case, I'll just say it straight. The little princess is already of marriageable age. Do you have a betrothal yet? Now, the Qin Dynasty wants to form a good relationship with Tianlin. My prince is still unmarried. If the little princess is willing, you can become the third prince's consort." The queen said while showing a sly smile.
Hearing this, the stone in Mu Fengqie's heart finally fell to the ground. It seemed that her guess was correct. The queen was indeed here for this matter.
However, Mu Fengqie, as an elder sister, would never agree. She couldn't just watch her younger sister be pushed into the fire pit.
"I'm afraid I'll disappoint Your Majesty. I already have someone I like, so there's no way I'll marry the third prince. Moreover, there's no need to use the method of marriage alliance to form a good relationship with Tianlin. My father is an open - minded person. He would never send his daughter away just to be on good terms with another country."
The smile on A Ru's face faded. Her displeasure was evident. If she had known that the queen had such a scheme, she wouldn't have been so polite just now.
The queen didn't expect this little girl to be so opinionated and to reject her without even thinking. Her expression turned ugly.
However, since the queen came with this intention, she wouldn't give up easily. She would do everything possible to make this happen. Moreover, in the queen's mind, Mu Fengqie was on their side. As long as she gave the order, Mu Fengqie would obediently serve her.
"The little princess's words don't count. Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. When I talk about your marriage, I naturally have to discuss it with your elders. Now that there are no relatives around the little princess, General Mu is your relative. Naturally, I should discuss it with General Mu." The queen said confidently.
As soon as she finished speaking, she didn't forget to give Mu Fengqie a meaningful look. But Mu Fengqie didn't even look at her. All she could think about was what to do for A Ru.
"Your Majesty is joking. I'm just A Ru's elder sister. I can't make decisions on such an important matter as marriage. Why don't Your Majesty go and discuss it with the emperor of Tianlin in person?"
Although Mu Fengqie didn't know her uncle very well, she could feel that although her uncle seemed strict with A Ru, he actually doted on her very much in his heart. So her uncle and aunt would definitely not agree.
The queen was very dissatisfied with Mu Fengqie's answer. She kept giving her meaningful looks, but Mu Fengqie pretended not to see them and remained silent.
Mu Fengqie's actions infuriated the queen. The queen's face began to distort. She stared at Mu Fengqie fiercely. "Mu Fengqie, do you want to rebel... Don't forget how you got the title of princess!"
"Your Majesty is joking. I can't agree. A Ru is my younger sister. I don't want A Ru to marry the third prince, so I can't help Your Majesty."