Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Fang Yi’ai wonders if God was playing a prank on him.

He knew that the Emperor intends for him to marry Princess Gao Yang. He also knows the other Emperor’s son-in-law personally and how miserable their lives were. So he intends to have fun now, lest it becomes impossible in the future!

Recently, he was obsessed with Su Qi Niang from Wan Cui mansion. He initially didn’t like listening to tunes from the Pipa but he likes the ones played by her. Unfortunately, Qi Niang is famously known as the “Lady of ONE encounter”, not someone you can easily invite. To get to her you need to go through tests and tribulations making it extremely troublesome. And so Fang Yi’ai became impatient.

He was in the mansion casually listening to music and drinking when he heard music coming from within a private room. He found out that it was played by Qi Niang and got angry so he decided to confront the group!

But who did he see? Gao Yang! He may not have seen the other princesses in person but he has met Gao Yang. After all, she was the most arrogant and domineering among all the princesses. She plays polo in riding clothes all day. There’s no way she will ride behind curtains carriages when she goes out.

Seriously, what is this!

He was dumbfounded. Isn’t this Beili? Isn’t this Wan Cui Mansion? Why is Princess Gao Yang here?

Seeing her fiancé standing there dumbfounded like a log, Gao Yang raised her eyebrows and looked at the ” future prince consort” who was kicking up an aggressive fuss just a while ago.

Fang Yi’ai took a long time before finding his voice and asked Gao Yang in disbelief, “Why are you here?!”

Gao Yang didn’t like this villian who wanted to snatch away their entertainer so she unhappily snorted: “You people are so strange, it’s just to listen to a little song. You can listen to it, why can’t we?”

Hearing that Gao Yang mention “we”, his heart skipped a beat and he felt a chill run down his spine. He walked over to peek into the private room. In addition to Su Qi Niang, there was also Li Yuanying, Chengyang, Sizi, and Hengshan!

His eyes darkened and he almost fainted on the spot.

This is meeting all of His Majesty’s most beloved children!

Seeing Fang Yi’ai, Yuanying invited him enthusiastically: “Oh it’s the beloved nephew Fang. Come, join us and listen to a song. Do you come here often? Do you know what are best tunes available here?”

Fang Yi’ai knew all about Yuanying’s stinky temper and hurriedly replied: “No, I don’t come here often, today is the first time. Oh no! The second time. I just came to listen to music!”

Li Yuanying said curiously, “Of course, we’re here to listen to music. Otherwise what else can be done here?”

Fang Yi’ai’s back was dripping with cold sweat: “You can’t do anything else!”

Yuanying thought he was odd. Although he didn’t like this prospective nephew-in-law much, he wanted to know more about him before deciding whether to mess up his marriage with Gao Yang. He considers himself a very reasonable person. After all, Fang Yi’ai’s father is also the prince’s adviser and is trusted by His Majesty. If there is no decent reason to object, it will be difficult to call it off!

Yuanying invited him again to join them but Fang wiped the sweat off his forehead and shook his head repeatedly to indicate that he had another appointment with someone else.

Gao Yang couldn’t understand his actions. Seeing that he didn’t want to give Yuanying any face she sat next to Yuanying and said: “How dare he be so arrogant!”

Wei Shu said carefully: “I’m afraid it’s not about him being arrogant but that he is afraid.”

Li Yuanying and the others looked at Wei Shu.

She then expressed her guess: this may not just be a place to listen to music but is instead the land of wind and moon where men come to have fun.

When Wei Shu ignorantly stumbled into such an establishment she panicked. But due to her calm temperament she got into the carriage and gave Yuanying a worried look. Seeing Yuanying calmly waited for her to get on her carriage without worry, she felt slightly relieved. They can’t be entirely faulted for this, after all none of them knew what or where Beili was.

Her grandfather once said that His Majesty is a reasonable person and she chooses to believe in her grandfather!

Yuanying was also optimistic, he led the four little lolis onto the carriage to return to the palace. Li Dejian stayed for a while longer and warned Su Er Niang and those present not to reveal to anyone what has transpired today. Er Niang has managed to run the mansion safely and steadily for so many years and is naturally not stupid. She immediately responded with sincerity and fear.

After Li Dejian escorted the children away, Er Niang turned to look at Qi Niang who was still looking at the end of the street. She patted the back of her hand and said, “Don’t just stand here, go in.”

Qi Niang returned to her senses and told Er Niang what the prince has told her.

“If he really wants tea, then it’s fine to just let him know when the time comes.” She paused and then reminded Qi Niang, “This Prince of Teng has honorable status. Today was most likely a chance encounter, it’s uncertain whether he’ll return here again in the future. Don’t birth any unreasonable thoughts.” (Er Niang)

“I know.” (Qi Niang)

People were all born different; some are precious since birth like stars in the sky; while others destined for hardships and poverty. She’s been living her life in this unkind place and have seen her fair shares of betrayal and abandonment. She knows better than anyone what’s reality and what’s fantasy.

Just seeing such bright and happy people made her happy.

That’s all.

..........

To keep the incident of the children visiting Beili top secret, their carriage rode continuously until they reached the palace, not stopping for even a single inspection. When they’ve arrived, Yuanying jumped off first and helped the rest out of the carriage one by one.

The boy asked Li Dejian strangely: “How did brother find out that we were there and asked you to pick us up so quickly?”

Dejian is not a talkative person, he replied succinctly: “Someone reported to His Majesty.”

Yuanying wonders if it’s someone within the accompanying guards that had gave this tipped off. Since there’s no way to stop them, the only other option was to inform their guardian.

Gao Yang said angrily, “It must be that guy Fang Yi’ai who rat us out!”

Dejian was a little surprised.

He didn’t get the news that Fang Jun was also too.

The future prince consort met the princess in Beili. What on earth is happening? If His Majesty finds out about this, it’ll add fuel to the fire!

Yuanying didn’t think that he committed a huge mistake. After all they just visited the place and didn’t do anything indecent! He took the girls’ hands and followed Li Dejian to meet Li Er. On the way, he refuted Gao Yang’s guess: “Fang Jun left shortly before us, how can he get to the palace so quickly to file a complaint? I think you’ve wronged him!”

Gao Yang hummed: “Just look at his face, he looks like someone that will make complaints!”

References

↑1Qi Niang directly translated to seven lady, not actually a very proper name↑2a type of hat found in ancient China where thin cloths surround the hat, hiding the wearer’s identity.