青春期撞上更年期第1部

“What does the Emperor want by allowing this woman to attend my banquet? Does he attempt to test me? Or does he try to force me to submit? If it is the former, then all the woman behaves might be under the Emperor’s instructions. Does the Emperor now begin to suspect of the matter of Duke Xing’s Mansion?”

“Uncle, Uncle!” said Prince Zhou’s voice in his ear, waking him from his contemplation. He quickly took several sips of tea to dissimulate his emotion and then put the cup down. When he tried to speak, he suddenly found a group of people at the entrance of the garden with Rui’an Great Elder Princess leading the way.

Checking his clothes, he stood up and said, “Great Elder Princess is here! Let’s go!”

“Fine!” Prince Zhou had to agree right now even though he was trying to get some news out of Prince Cheng.

Rui’an Great Elder Princess was a senior so they could not ignore her. Besides, it was an important part for the consort selection. No matter how wide the sight was when they sat in the pavilion on the rockery, they still had to get close to those ladies to see clearly. With the opportunity to greet Great Elder Princess and to have a talk with her, they could watch those ladies of aristocratic families carefully.

When Rui’an Great Elder Princess walked in the garden with ladies of aristocratic families, she let them act as they wished. Thus, some ladies just left while the others were still with Rui’an Great Elder Princess.

Qin Wanru was also there but she didn’t follow Great Elder Princess too tightly. She just walked a bit far away from Great Elder Princess according to the latter’s instruction because if Qin Wanru was next to her, she might be noticed by Prince Cheng who would salute later, which was the last thing Rui’an Great Elder Princess wanted.

Although their positions in the family hierarchy was different, she would not be allowed to marry into Prince Cheng’s Mansion if Qin Wanru’s real identity was uncovered. However, now nobody knew that.

Rui’an Great Elder Princess and Qin Wanru both thought that it was better for her not to be so outstanding and that was why Qin Wanru dressed like this today, which seemed that she was to accentuate Qin Yuru’s beauty.

When they walked in the garden, Qin Wanru’s gaze fell upon Qin Yuru who was coming towards them. Qin Wanru scoffed as she surmised correctly that Qin Yuru did come to the garden in advance.

Qin Yuru didn’t expect that she would encounter the group of ladies here. When she found these people staring at her, her happy look immediately turned into a ghastly pale countenance and she looked panic in her eyes.

“Well, she is the First Miss of Qin’s Mansion, isn’t she?”

“Yes, but why does she come here so early?”

“She has engaged to someone else, hasn’t she? Or does she have an inordinate ambition towards Prince Cheng?”

These ladies who saw Qin Yuru began to whisper together. Their voice was not loud but it was enough for people around to hear it. In a moment, Qin Yuru came under the spotlight, being examined by people there.

Since everyone was in the Flower Hall with Rui’an Great Elder Princess, it was quite suspicious that she had come to the garden in advance. Obviously, she had an evil intention.

Qin Yuru didn’t know the old lady who now was surrounded by others was Rui’an Great Elder Princess. However, when noticing most people were young ladies of aristocratic families, Qin Yuru who was tactful, immediately realized that the senior who looked decent should be the one who took charge of the reception of the inner courtyard today.

Qin Yuru quickly came and bowed to Rui’an Great Elder Princess reverently.

Someone had told Rui’an Great Elder Princess who Qin Yuru was before.

Rui’an Great Elder Princess looked Qin Yuru up and down and then asked flatly, “You are First Miss of Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion?”

“Yes, I am,” Qin Yuru answered softly.

“Why did you not come to the Flower Hall but go directly to the garden?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess asked indifferently.

“I got lost so I can’t find the way to the hall!” Qin Yuru replied politely. She lowered her head and rubbed her handkerchief tightly with her hands. These people came here so early that she now just figured out a farfetched reason.

Had she left the garden, she would have been bold and assured to answer the question. Had nobody seen her coming out of the garden, they would not have guessed Qin Yuru had gone to the garden and shown up in front of Prince Cheng secretively.

“Lost? First Miss Qin, the road to the Flower Hall is not that one to the garden. Moreover, there are many people there so you can easily get there by following them. I am very curious about where you got lost. Can you tell us?” a lady said sarcastically.

Many ladies had the same idea as Qin Yuru. Even though Prince Cheng didn’t have the real power, given his outstanding appearance and impressive bearing, the one who married him could still enjoy the wealth and honor. Some even thought it would be much better than marrying Prince Yue, Prince Zhou or Prince Xin because even when a new emperor ascended the throne, he, as the new emperor’s uncle with a disengaged mind, he would still be treated well and reverently.

Thus, even though he would not rise to power, he could still possess wealth and live a tranquil life.

These ladies had a strong desire towards him but they didn’t dare to take action. Thus, when realizing Qin Yuru had done what they wanted, they just felt jealous.

Some ladies could not bear it even when Rui’an Great Elder Princess was there.

“Well, I didn’t notice that. I was thinking while walking and suddenly it just turned out that I got lost!” explained Qin Yuru.

“Thinking deeply while walking? So that is your excuse that you just deviated from the major road? However, why didn’t your servant girl mention you when you were lost in your thoughts? Or were you thinking together? Here is the Prince Cheng’s Mansion. If things go a little bit wrong, you might lose your life! Thus, are First Miss Qin you unafraid or does your servant girl fear nothing?”

Another lady asked scornfully.

Her words made everyone laugh.

Hearing the sarcasm, Qin Yuru flushed. Even though she gnashed her teeth hatefully in her heart, she had to pretend to be wronged and sad. She said with her red rimmed eyes, “I did get lost! If you don’t believe me, then I have nothing to say!”

“Get lost?” there came a mellow voice. Some ladies had seen Prince Cheng and Prince Zhou so they hid their acrimonious countenance and bowed sideways to them reverently with a decent and gentle appearance. Everyone seemed to have a ladylike and cultivated air.

Had Prince Cheng not witnessed the scene that they stopped Qin Yuru and interrogated her aggressively, he would have believed that they really were gentle and educated.

Prince Cheng clutched his forehead and felt his eyebrows were throbbing. Where did the Emperor find these women? None of them was gentle and elegant!

After he saluted Rui’an Great Elder Princess, Great Elder Princess smiled and said, “Don’t bother!”

Qin Yuru’s heart beat quickly and she looked at Rui’an Great Elder Princess nervously. She was glad that she didn’t act rashly for she didn’t expect that it would be Rui’an Great Elder Princess who took charge of this reception for Prince Cheng today.

“Why is Prince Zhou also here?” looking at Prince Zhou, Great Elder Princess smiled and asked.

“Not only me, third brother is also here. We are here for uncle! Since I am free today, I then came here with third brother!” Prince Zhou answered smilingly. His answer was ambiguous, but everyone quickly understood.

Ladies there blushed and stole a glance at them for Prince Cheng and Prince Zhou looked really handsome.

Some young ladies who had no desire towards Prince Cheng now had feelings for Prince Zhou and looked at him tenderly.

“Well, what happened to this lady? Why does her eyes look red? Does she get wronged?” Prince Zhou stared at Qin Yuru and asked in surprise. It seemed that he attempted to see the fun without any intention of calming the event down!

A hint of sarcasm flickered in Qin Wanru’s eyes. Qin Yuru now lost the best chance to keep a low profile. Prince Cheng would not talk about it because of his age but it was hard to predict Prince Zhou’s action!

“An honor to meet you, Prince Cheng and Prince Zhou!” Qin Yuru quickly lowered her head to bow reverently to them. Hearing Prince Zhou’s question, Qin Yuru whose eyes looked slightly red, now felt she did get wronged and almost cried.

Her tears even fell to the ground!

Nobody noticed this except Prince Zhou. Since he got close, he could see her appearance clearly. He had to admit that she was quite beautiful and even seemed to have feelings for her.

“Uncle, see? You sadden her. Come and comfort her!” Prince Zhou turned to see Prince Cheng and laughed for he still thought he had understood Prince Cheng’s meaning. Thus, since Prince Cheng liked her, he should announce his decision in front of Rui’an Great Elder Princess. Just a woman!

There was no consort or concubine in Prince Zhou’s Mansion. Thus, he didn’t pay attention to those boring rumors spreading in the capital city and didn’t know Qin Yuru had an engagement with the heir of Duke Yong!

Qin Yuru had accomplished her plan? So fast! Stunned, Qin Wanru looked at Qin Yuru. How fast she acted! However, was Prince Cheng a man who was easy to be captured by Qin Yuru?

Prince Cheng didn’t look like a simple-minded man! Besides, the one who had something to do with Qin Yuru would get involved in ceaseless troubles. Prince Cheng was a man who liked tranquility. Was he trying to change his lifestyle?

Thinking this, she watched Prince Cheng’s expressionless face and then glanced at Qin Yuru. When she looked her up and down for a moment, her eyes suddenly widened in shock. She just stared at Qin Yuru’s face with astonishment.

Sensing Qin Wanru’s astonishment, Yujie whispered, “Lady…”

Qin Wanru shook her head to show she was fine. She rolled her eyes and suddenly a trace of coldness appeared in her eyes. She smirked. “She acts so fast!”

However, she didn’t believe that Qin Yuru would capture Prince Cheng so fast!

“Liuzhou, nonsense. First Miss Qin has a fiance from Duke Yong’s Mansion. She has nothing to do with me!” Prince Cheng scolded Prince Zhou softly. It seemed that he was blaming Chu Liuzhou but for Qin Yuru, his words were thunderous. She stepped backwards in shock and looked at Prince Cheng with tears in her eyes. Her lips were trembling and she almost fell down.

Then she looked at the little eunuch who stood beside Prince Cheng and opened her mouth…