"That's what you said," the little dumpling glanced at the memorials on his desk and put down her sleeves. "Since that's the case, I'll have to go to Prince Yunyi's manor."
She turned and walked out.
Ye Jingyu's expression immediately darkened. "You are forbidden to go!"
Others were fine, but Ye Ningyuan absolutely could not!
The little dumpling crossed her arms and turned back, huffing, "Then are you taking me or not?" Ye Jingyu stared at her for a moment, then finally relented. "Qianxue, prepare the carriage."
Qianxue's reply came from outside the door, "Master, the carriage has long been prepared."
Ye Jingyu's face sank even further.
Su Yunmo clicked her tongue, her eyebrows raised in triumph.
See, Qianxue was sensible.
"Let's go," Ye Jingyu put down his book and stood up, walking to the little dumpling and scooping her up.
Outside the manor gate, Ziyuan was waiting in the carriage.
The two of them got into the carriage and headed for Prince Lian's manor.
Unlike Prince Yu's manor, Prince Lian's manor gate was open, with huge red flowers around the necks of the stone lions in front.
Ye Jingcheng stood at the entrance welcoming guests.
Ye Jingyu entered holding the little dumpling. Seeing him, he walked forward to greet him, "Third Brother, why do you have time to remember to visit this Prince today?"
And he brought this girl with him.
"Today is Winter Solstice, I am here to visit Imperial Brother," Ye Jingyu said this with a blank expression.
Ye Jingcheng: "Visit???"
Even a dog wouldn't believe that!
Ye Jingyu nodded and said seriously, "Imperial Brother and I are brothers, is there any problem with visiting each other at the turn of the year?"
"No problem, this Prince was also looking forward to Third Brother's visit." Ye Jingcheng stepped aside and made a 'please' gesture.
"I still have guests to welcome and cannot entertain Third Brother. We are family, so I will neglect you for now. Third Brother may go to the front hall to rest and have some tea and snacks."
Ye Jingyu responded, holding the little dumpling towards the front hall.
Ye Jingcheng watched their retreating backs and narrowed his eyes. "Luan Yi?"
The guard Luan Yi stepped forward.
Ye Jingcheng: "Have there been any unusual movements from Su Yunmo these past two days?"
This girl's sudden arrival at Prince Lian's manor must mean something.
Luan Yi frowned and thought carefully, "Apart from General Su being transferred out of the capital some time ago, I haven't heard of any commotion in the General's manor."
Ye Jingcheng frowned.
No commotion? Was he overthinking it?
"Where is the Princess Consort?"
Luan Yi: "The Princess Consort made an appointment with the Princess to go out early this morning. She just returned and will go to the front hall to entertain guests later."
Ye Jingcheng nodded, suppressing the doubts in his heart for the time being.
Meanwhile, the little dumpling was carried to the front hall. Before reaching the entrance, she saw Acai standing in a corner of the hall.
She looked around but did not see Zhou Wanyou.
"Ziyuan, go find her."
Ziyuan nodded and withdrew.
"Miss, why are you here?" Acai also saw the two entering and walked forward to greet them.
Su Yunmo had a vague bad feeling. "Where is Mother?"
Acai bowed to Ye Jingyu. "The Madam was invited out alone by the Princess Consort of Prince Lian not long ago and asked me to wait here."
Su Yunmo's heart skipped a beat.
Seeing her change expression, Acai suddenly realized something was wrong.
Originally, when the servant said that the Princess Consort of Prince Lian wanted to invite the Madam out alone and forbade servants from following, she already felt something was amiss. Now that she thought about it, the Madam had been gone for quite some time and should have returned.
Something must have happened!
"I'll go find her now!"
Acai stepped forward to go out.
Lin Yuning entered with two maids, who blocked the doorway on either side.
A faint glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes.
It seemed Acai wouldn't be able to go out to find anyone.
"I changed my clothes, please forgive me for keeping everyone waiting." Lin Yuning entered gracefully.
The others all stood up to greet her.
Lin Yuning greeted them one by one, her gaze falling on Ye Jingyu. "I heard that His Highness Prince Yu was here when you arrived. Please forgive any lack of hospitality."
She smiled and bowed, then looked at the little dumpling in Ye Jingyu's arms. "Why is the young lady of the General's manor also so interested in coming out to play with His Highness Prince Yu?"
Su Yunmo released her grip on Ye Jingyu's collar and turned her head. "Momo is here to find Mother."
"Isn't the General's wife here?" Lin Yuning showed a surprised expression, looked around, and then suddenly realized. "The General's wife must have felt stuffy inside and gone for a stroll in the garden."
She smiled charmingly at everyone. "Coincidentally, our manor planted some plum blossoms by the lake this year. The lake is not completely frozen yet, why don't you all come with me on a boat tour to admire the plum blossoms?"
"The plum blossoms of Prince Lian's manor have always been the best in the capital. Since the Princess Consort invites us, we should naturally go." Everyone agreed.
Acai frowned and retreated to the corner, about to slip away and leave first.
Lin Yuning suddenly fixed her gaze on her. "Isn't this the Madam's attendant? If you are looking for the Madam, why don't you come with us? I'm sure the Madam is also enjoying the flowers and entertainment right now."
Acai frowned fiercely.
Enjoying flowers was nothing, but the words "and entertainment" were truly suggestive.
She subconsciously glanced at Su Yunmo.
The little dumpling lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then raised them with a subtle gleam, and said with a light smile, "Since Princess Consort Sister says so, then Sister Acai should go with Momo."
Acai said "Yes" in a low voice, but her expression became even more tense.
Lin Yuning then led everyone towards the back garden.
At this time, Zhou Wanyou was led to the lakeside by a servant.
The servant pointed to a boat moored by the lake. "Madam, our Princess Consort is waiting for you inside. Please go in."
The boat was not large, and the door was covered by a thick curtain, so the inside could not be seen, but faint panting sounds could be heard from within.
The panting was somewhat rough, not like a woman's.
Zhou Wanyou narrowed her eyes, becoming vigilant. "Since your mistress invited me to talk about something, why is she staying inside the boat and not coming out to greet guests? This is not proper etiquette between host and guest."
The servant stepped forward, blocking Zhou Wanyou's path, and forced her to go in. "It's cold and freezing. Our Princess Consort is pregnant and delicate and fears the cold greatly. It would be better for Madam to go in and see her."
Zhou Wanyou paused slightly, then lifted her hand to pull aside the thick curtain.
Inside the small boat was a narrow soft couch, and a man with his upper body exposed was sitting on it.
The man was strong and broad-shouldered, holding a pot of wine in his hand, and the smell of wine filled the boat.
Zhou Wanyou sneered, "I didn't know the Princess Consort of Prince Lian had become a man."
The man stood up, staggered over, and said, "What is Madam talking about? Where is the Princess Consort of Prince Lian? Didn't Madam ask me to meet here?"
Zhou Wanyou did not reply, turning to leave.
The servant blocked her way and said sarcastically, "Madam, before our mistress arrives, you will probably have to wait here for a while."
Zhou Wanyou frowned. "It seems you are not from Prince Lian's manor. Prince Lian's consort has a gentle nature, how could she allow such rebellious actions from lowly servants like you."
The servant let out a cold snort. "You'll have to ask Madam herself. You offended someone you shouldn't have, so you should have expected the consequences."
Zhou Wanyou's heart sank.
Did Ye Yunshuang also have a hand in this?