Chapter 179
Chapter 179
Chapter 179 – Prince Bei’An Wen Yanyu
Wei Yuewu’s watery eyes narrowed as she calmed herself down. She raised her head and saw Yan Huaijing floating into the window. So she relaxed for a moment and supported the bookshelf with her hand to collect herself.
“You… why are you here?” Wei Yuewu lowered her voice and said angrily. She was really scared out of her wits a moment ago.
The old maidservant’s low voice still came from outside, and Jin Ling interrupted her from time to time, which however made the old maidservant feel even more aggrieved and pour out her troubles.
“If you can come, why can’t I?!” Yan Huaijing raised his handsome eyebrows and walked over to get the box from above for Wei Yuewu. He elegantly handed it over, just like how those young masters of aristocratic families handed a gift to the young ladies whom they took a fancy to.
Of course, Wei Yuewu didn’t dare to think about this. Others may not know the true face of this heir-apparent, how could she not know? This man was gentle and elegant on the surface, but he was ruthless and sinister in his heart.
It was just that what he asked was really hard to answer…
Seeing that her cherry lips were slightly open and her expression was slightly dumbfounded, Yan Huaijing suddenly felt his mood was becoming brighter and brighter. He took back the box from Wei Yuewu’s hand and pressed somewhere upon it. Then, with a gentle “click” sound, the box opened.
Seeing this, Wei Yuewu was distracted from continuing the conversation with Yan Huaijing and took back the box to put it on the table at the side.
She stretched out her hand and took out a few thin sheets of paper of the box before carefully reading them.
Yan Huaijing did not disturb her. He began to flip through the books on the bookshelves.
These pages recorded the life of Wen Yanyu, the Prince Bei’an, from the day he was born. On that day, it was recorded that when the sun set, the sky turned red all over and seemed to be burning with beautiful flames. At that time, there were rumors that this newborn prince must be noble beyond description.
Because of this, Prince Bei’an was spoiled from birth. He was made a prince at a young age. His birth mother was Concubine Xian of Yongchen Palace, who was one of the Four Concubines. She was already favored by the previous emperor. Because of the birth of Prince Bei’an, her status was on the rise, and she even had the intention of replacing the empress.
At that time, the empress had already given birth to the emperor of today and Prince Nan’an. With two sons, the empress was originally in a secure position. However, Concubine Xian’s momentum was so strong that for a time, many people thought that the empress would be deprived of the throne. The storm of national affairs change was coming, and the emperor’s health was also getting worse day by day.
However, Concubine Xian had finally failed in defeating the empress. Prince Bei’an was imprisoned for life for conspiracy to rebel, and that Concubine Xian was also imprisoned in Yongchen Palace forever…
These few thin sheets of paper recorded the life of this once favored Prince Bei’an. Since then, there had been no other news about him!
But what did this have to do with her mother? Wei Yuewu pinched the paper and frowned slightly. She didn’t think that this matter had anything to do with her mother in the slightest.
When the Prince Bei’an was in his prime, her mother should not have come to the capital. When her mother came to the capital, the Prince Bei’an who was once in full flourish should have already been imprisoned. Judging from the current trend that she had no way to inquire about him, the existence of the Prince Bei’an was a taboo. So it was impossible that her mother would know about him!
However, not only did her mother know about the matter, she also left a clue for her. But unfortunately, she was in a hopeless tangle about the clue.
“Why are you suddenly interested in Prince Bei’an Mansion?” Yan Huaijing stood in front of her again at an unknown time. Facing the suddenly enlarged handsome face in front of her, Wei Yuewu was stunned for a moment. She subconsciously took a step back, but she stepped on something unknown, which caused her feet to go soft, and she almost fell.
Yan Huaijing stretched out his hand to hold her slender waist and stabilize her body. Then, he gracefully took his hand back, with his slender, enchanting eyes shining brightly.
“Your Heir-apparent, do you know about Prince Bei’an Mansion?” Wei Yuewu lowered her head to hide the heat on her face, pretending to ask naturally.
“Yes. At one time, everyone thought that Prince Bei’an was very likely to ascend to the throne.” Yan Huaijing said slowly.
“But even if he failed, people would always bring it up. Why hasn’t anyone brought up this Prince Bei’an?” Wei Yuewu knitted her slender eyebrows slightly, feeling that there was something fishy about this matter.
“Because the Concubine Xian later angered the previous emperor, who then blocked the palace where she lived and imprisoned Prince Bei’an for life. The emperor even gave orders that anyone was not allowed to discuss the matter about Prince Bei’an and Concubine Xian, otherwise, they would be punished for conspiracy to defy the law.” Yan Huaijing leisurely explained to Wei Yuewu.
His expression was so natural as if it was in his own study.
“Your Heir-apparent, why are you here? Are you looking for something?” Wei Yuewu put the sheets of paper back into the box and asked in puzzlement.
Shouldn’t he be entertained by Wei Luowu in the hall at this time?
“I’m here to see the master’s study, and see if there’s anyone who overtly agrees but covertly opposes something.” Yan Huaijing smiled warmly. With his slanted enchanting eyes raised, he looked at Wei Yuewu meaningfully.
Was he implying that she didn’t work hard? Wei Yuewu thought like this dully.
This heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State was really no worthy of his immortal-like handsomeness.
“Your Heir-apparent, please rest assured. Yuewu will not dare to slack off on what I’ve promised.” Wei Yuewu said with a serious expression.
“Well… What is this?” Yan Huaijing said meaningfully while glancing sideways at the box on the side. “I didn’t remember asking you to investigate Prince Bei’an, did I?”
“I’m so sorry about my recklessness! Yuewu is just curious why there is an additional Prince Bei’an. I’ve only heard of Prince Nan’an before.” Wei Yuewu replied carefully.
Of course she wouldn’t let this cunning fox-like heir-apparent know about the clue left by her mother. Otherwise, there might be some unexpected trouble.
“More than 40 years ago, it was said that the birth of Prince Bei’an predicted something. Therefore, as soon as the matter with Prince Bei’an occurred, the current emperor and empress dowager tried their best to wipe out his existence.” Yan Huaijing replied lazily.
“But so many years have passed. Even though the previous emperor forbade anyone to mention it, now…” Wei Yuewu was puzzled. After so many years, it should have been more than 20 years since Prince Bei’an had plotted against the royal family.
“After so many years, some people have truly forgotten, while others have deliberately forgotten.” Yan Huaijing said carelessly.
What he said was like he had said nothing useful. Wei Yuewu was speechless. This heir-apparent was so truly at talking crap. But of course, she would not dare to talk back to him directly. After all, the heir-apparent was actually a ruthless person. Who knew if he would be upset in the next moment and fall out with her?
“Your Heir-apparent, aren’t you afraid that they’ll find out you’re here?” Wei Yuewu asked carefully.
“Yes, of course, so I’m going back!” Yan Huaijing swept his gaze past the box that Wei Yuewu had placed on the table with a faint smile. Then, he turned around elegantly and it seemed he was really going to leave just like that.
“Your Heir-apparent, please wait a moment!” Wei Yuewu reacted and shouted anxiously.
“Your Second Uncle, the Fourth Prince, and the three heir-apparents are all waiting for me outside. It’s not good that I’ve been away for a long time.” Yan Huaijing turned around and explained gently.
However, his explanation only caused her anger when it reached Wei Yuewu’s ears. She clenched her hand in her sleeve, as if she could hear her teeth grinding. What they said about him being like an exiled immortal from heaven or being gentle and elegant was indeed all a lie.
“Your Heir-apparent, could you please close this box for me?” Wei Yuewu sounded as if her words were squeezed out from between her teeth, and the smile on her face was slightly twisted. No matter how he looked at her, he felt there was a sign of helplessness and grievance in her expression.
“But I don’t have time now.” Yan Huaijing frowned, looking anxious in his heart, but his smiling handsome eyes revealed his good mood.
“Please do me a favor, Your Heir-apparent.” Wei Yuewu had no choice but to push the box a bit. “It won’t take you too much time, Your Heir-apparent. Please help to close it for me.”
She did not know which button Yan Huaijing had just pressed to open it, so of course, she did not know which button was the one to close it either. And she had no choice but to call for help from this heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State in front of her.
“But I’m afraid that they’ll find out I’m here!” Yan Huaijing’s lazy tone made Wei Yuewu feel angry and hateful.
She curtsied him solemnly and said, “Your Heir-apparent, I’ve always bearing the things you asked me to do in my mind, and I dare not forget them!” Wei Yuewu raised her head with a serious expression.
“Alright, I really have something that needs your help. Wu’er, I wonder if you’re willing to do me a favor?” Yan Huaijing finally changed his mind, as if he was asking for Wei Yuewu’s opinion.
Wei Yuewu sighed. She clearly knew that this so-called “opinion seeking” was basically non-negotiable. This should be the reason why the heir-apparent suddenly came looking for her!
“I would like to know more details,” said Wei Yuewu.
“I heard that when the ceremony for the Third Princess’s reaching her marriageable age is held, young ladies of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang are summoned to enter the palace to fast for ten days.” Yan Huaijing leaned against the bookshelf and reached out to pick up the box. He pressed somewhere on it again and closed it. Then he raised his hand and put the box back where it was.
“There is indeed such a decree, but grandmother won’t let all of us enter the palace.” Wei Yuewu didn’t have the slightest doubt as to why Yan Huaijing knew of this news. With Yan Huaijing’s power, wouldn’t it be easy for him to inquire about such things?
“You should enter the palace!” Looking at Wei Yuewu’s slightly raised face, Yan Huaijing’s eyes suddenly deepened.
“Ah!” Wei Yuewu was stunned and unconsciously uttered a low cry.
“You should be able to enter the palace, right? Go and keep the gentle and amiable Third Princess company for some time!” A handsome smile appeared on Yan Huaijing’s face, and he tapped his slender fingers lightly on the table.
“What do you mean, Your Heir-apparent?” Wei Yuewu blinked her watery eyes and asked.
“I mean you must grasp this opportunity to enter the palace.” Yan Huaijing’s voice was as gentle as ever, revealing some natural elegance and dignity.
“Yes, I understand!” Wei Yuewu smiled faintly. In fact, no matter what, she had wanted to go to the palace to take a look.
Both Prince Bei’an and the Crown Prince had something to do with the palace. Her childhood had something to do with the palace as well. Everything had led the clue to the palace, the imperial palace. It seemed that she had to go and take a look.
“Eldest Young Lady? Why are you here?” Suddenly, Jin Ling’s surprised voice came from outside the door.
Wei Yuewu was startled. Why did Wei Fengyao suddenly appear in Wei Luowu’s study room at this time? But before she could think it over, she was suddenly pulled back…
“Where’s your Miss?” Outside the room, Wei Fengyao also looked at Jin Ling in astonishment. She would never have thought that Wei Yuewu’s maid would be at the door of her father’s study at this time.
“Our Miss just came with Concubine Huang. Concubine Huang had something to do, so she was away and left our Miss here to read.” Jin Ling made a curtsy and explained.
The old maidservant who was chattering nonstop had already been hiding away.
“I’ll go in and take a look.” Although Wei Fengyao had a bad feeling in her heart, she didn’t show anything on her face. She walked over and pushed open the slightly closed door of the study room. When the door opened, she looked at everything in front of her and froze there!