Searching for the Cup of Jade in the Peach Blossoms - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Crown Prince.”

The manservant addressed Qi Lie with utmost respect.

At that moment, the flowers in the garden were blooming splendidly, the peonies clustered together in great, lush blossoms like brocade.

Yulan nestled in Qi Lie’s arms and lifted her eyes to glance at the manservant.

Mm. It was the servant who announced visitors at the front gate.

“Your Highness, judging by the look of things, it seems that Little Beggar from the General’s Mansion has sent you another letter.”

She smiled sweetly, her face bright and lovely.

Irritation surged in Qi Lie’s chest. He tightened his arms around Yulan and waved a hand.

“Didn’t I say that if she sends another letter in the future, there’s no need to report it? Just burn it.”

“No, Your Highness.”

The manservant lowered his head even further, his words halting.

“General… General Ying impeached you in court. The Emperor has ordered you to enter the palace…”

His voice was nearly inaudible as he secretly raised his eyes to watch Qi Lie’s expression.

In the past, when Ying Shuyuan had been fighting on the border, Ying Yu’s pursuit of the Crown Prince had been nothing short of grand and dramatic.

Ying Shuyuan’s reputation had been at its peak, and Ying Yu had risen along with him. Everyone knew the general had an illegitimate daughter. Everyone also knew that this illegitimate daughter had turned her fate around and was now the General’s Mansion’s only legitimate daughter.

She liked the Crown Prince, so everyone speculated about Ying Shuyuan’s stance. Even if they wanted to lodge a complaint against the Crown Prince, they had to think twice about whether they might offend this great general.

But now, General Ying himself had impeached him. With that precedent, everyone would understand where he stood. In the future, perhaps…

After hearing this, Qi Lie did not react much. He only raised a brow.

“You mean Ying Yu didn’t send a letter today?”

She had sent a love letter to the Crown Prince’s residence every single day, rain or shine, for three whole years. This was the first time she had missed one.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the manservant replied.

After a brief moment of thought, Qi Lie removed his hand from Yulan’s waist and gave a cold laugh.

“That’s fine too. After three years, I can finally enjoy some peace and quiet.”

“Let’s go. To the palace.”

…

The sun was high overhead, and along the palace road, red walls and green tiles blocked out some of the sunlight.

Most likely, Qi Lie had not expected to run into me here.

Naturally, I noticed Qi Lie’s footsteps, but my gaze remained fixed on that stretch of wall without sparing him the slightest glance.

“Miss Ying.”

Qi Lie called out to me, maintaining his refined and gentle demeanor.

Clearly, he had at least eighty concubines and bedwarmers in his household if not a hundred, yet he still insisted on putting on this ridiculous act, pretending to be some upstanding gentleman.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. Still, what he was like had nothing to do with me. After all, back then, I had only been after his money.

I gave him an extremely perfunctory salute, shifted slightly to the side, and made way for him.

My indifferent attitude made Qi Lie raise his brows. The curve of his lips deepened.

That smile immediately set alarm bells ringing in my head, and I lifted my chin a little.

This bastard couldn’t possibly think I was playing hard to get, could he?

“It has been three years. Has Miss Ying finally thought things through? You and I are ultimately not fated. I hope that, from now on, you will be as you are today and stop sending letters. It is not good for your reputation.”

Me: “…”

What are you acting for?! If you want to ask why I didn’t send you a letter today, just say it. Why be so roundabout?

Men.

Besides, why did I send you letters every day for three years?

Because it didn’t cost any silver. No investment required.

All those words of admiration and deep affection in the letters came from Caitang’s hand. After three years, I truly believed that even if she left me and went off to write storybooks, she would absolutely make a name for herself.

Even so, at this moment, I still lowered my eyes and tentatively asked, “Crown Prince… do you have any Eagle’s Eye?”

Qi Lie seemed stumped by my question. He froze, his brows furrowing tightly.

“Eagle’s Eye? The treasure of Chu State?”

“The Crown Prince’s residence naturally has some. There are three whole Eagle’s Eye gems in the storeroom. Does Miss Ying wish to take a look?”

…

Take a look? Take a look, my ass! Why don’t you say you’ll give them to me?!

And! Three!

Poor bastard!

The Imperial Tutor has an entire storehouse of them!

I withdrew the last trace of a smile from my lips and stepped aside.

“Farewell, Crown Prince.”

Life motto: don’t waste time on paupers.

With that free time, I might as well have Caitang write a few more love letters to send to the Imperial Tutor.

My change in attitude was drastic. Qi Lie’s brows drew even tighter, and he seemed to want to say something else. In the end, his lips only moved slightly, and no sound came out.

After he left, I let out a breath. Seeing no one around, I nodded to Caitang.

“Is the intel accurate?”

“Extremely accurate, Miss.”

Caitang’s gaze was so resolute it was as if she were about to take an oath of allegiance.

Behind this wall was the storeroom of the Imperial Tutor’s Mansion.

Today, this young lady was going to see for herself whether Pei Xun had been blowing hot air.

And so, just like before, I stepped onto Caitang’s shoulders and climbed up the wall.

Who would have thought that the moment my front foot had just clambered onto those red tiles, I would glance down and freeze.

The Imperial Tutor’s Mansion had an enormous peach tree. Caitang had already found that out in advance. But…

I looked at Pei Xun standing beneath the peach tree with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly watching me, and my face filled with despair.

Friend, how exactly am I supposed to express what I’m feeling right now?

…