Dan Yu Yan looked at the returned visiting card, her expression calm. She gently stroked the invitation, on which there was a slight ink stain that was barely noticeable if one didn't look closely. A hint of a smile flickered in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it before anyone could notice.
"Miss, Princess Yong Ning is frail and recuperating in seclusion, saying she sees no one and accepts no one's visiting cards. It's understandable that she wouldn't accept your card, Miss. Please don't be upset," Liu Zhu quickly comforted her, afraid that Dan Yu Yan would be displeased by the rejection of her visiting card.
"It's fine. She is unwell, so it's only right that she sees no guests. I'll send another card in a few days."
"Another one?" Liu Zhu was a bit taken aback. After all, the General's Mansion had unceremoniously rejected the visiting card. It was clear they didn't think highly of their young lady just because she was living in the Prince of Qin's residence. Moreover, the General's Mansion held high power, and Xiao Man was a titled princess with a notoriously imperious personality, even daring to strike at princes. Her young lady would likely only be on equal footing with her after becoming the Prince of Qin's consort.
"Of course, until she agrees to see me," Dan Yu Yan said softly.
Liu Zhu felt a little defeated. She always felt that her young lady's every word and action since arriving in the capital was strange. Other young ladies, if they were in the Prince of Qin's residence, would use all their might to win the Prince of Qin's favor. But her young lady was different; she avoided the Prince of Qin's presence as much as possible. Even when she had to go, she would leave immediately after dropping off what she brought.
"Miss, this servant thinks it might be more useful if you focused your attention on His Highness, the Prince of Qin."
Hearing this, Dan Yu Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Liu Zhu, the easier something is to obtain, the less it is cherished. If I were to eagerly try to please His Highness, the Prince of Qin, he would only look down on me."
Liu Zhu thought her words made sense. As a prince, and holding military power, what kind of beauties had His Highness the Prince of Qin not seen? If he wanted a woman, it was just a matter of snapping his fingers. If she was too easily available, it was indeed easy to be looked down upon.
"Then why did Miss send a visiting card to the General's Mansion?"
"When a junior visits an elder, why does one need a reason?" Dan Yu Yan said slowly. The Empress Dowager had ordered her to approach Xiao Man, and she happened to need a reason to see Xiao Man. It was a coincidence that perfectly aligned.
A woman in white stood at the entrance of the Prince of Qin's residence, looking at the plaque above the gate. A look of determination gleamed in her eyes. A moment later, she pinched her thigh hard, and her eyes immediately turned red, tears welling up and flowing down. The woman knelt at the entrance of the Prince of Qin's residence, weeping sorrowfully.
"Your Highness, Qing'er has returned." This woman was none other than Luo Bing Qing, who had been brought back to the Luo family by Old Master Luo.
The guards at the gate saw the woman kneeling outside, crying sorrowfully. They did not step forward but instead sent someone to inform the butler that someone was causing trouble outside the gate.
Luo Bing Qing cried with genuine grief, kneeling on the ground, wiping her tears with one hand and holding her waist with the other. "Your Highness, Qing'er knows you are not a heartless person. Qing'er asks for nothing else, only to stay by your side. Even as a servant, Qing'er is willing."
"Your Highness, even if you do not pity Qing'er, you should pity your child. Qing'er already carries your flesh and blood in her womb."
Nan Gong Yu was discussing matters with someone in a nearby teahouse. Upon hearing the commotion outside and the mention of the Prince of Qin's residence, he chuckled. Who dared to cause trouble at the Prince of Qin's residence? Were they tired of living?
"Your Highness, aren't you going to take a look? I heard people outside saying someone is causing trouble at the Prince of Qin's residence."
"So far, the only person who dared to cause trouble at my residence is Xiao Man. Not everyone has Xiao Man's capability to make me dote on her willingly," Nan Gong Yu said slowly. "Minister Wen, please focus your thoughts on official business."
Wen Mo Han's smile was exceptionally gentle. "Your subordinate's thoughts are all on official business. I am only afraid that Your Highness may not have the intention to discuss official business."
Nan Gong Yu played with his teacup lid. "Yun Qi has ceased hostilities. Do you know about this?"
"I have already received the news."
"I need to control Di Jing in the shortest possible time," Nan Gong Yu said languidly. "Otherwise, once Mu Rong Sheng Rui appears in Di Jing, the first to suffer will be Man'er."
Wen Mo Han frowned. "He recognized Man'er?"
Nan Gong Yu nodded. "Although I don't know how he recognized her, he seems to have a way. By the way, I am very curious, how did you recognize her?"
"If you truly love someone, no matter what disguise she wears, you can recognize her," Wen Mo Han said with a smile. "I don't know why, but no matter how she changes her appearance or her figure, as soon as I see her, my heart beats differently. So, no matter how she changes, I can always recognize her at a glance."
Nan Gong Yu gave a sarcastic laugh. "Unfortunately, she is my woman."
Wen Mo Han did not argue with Nan Gong Yu, merely smiling. Xiao Man never belonged to anyone; she was free. Everyone thought he devoted himself to Xiao Man without expecting anything in return, but that was not the case. From beginning to end, what he sought was this person!
At this moment, Si Chen knocked and entered.
"Your Highness, something has happened at the residence. Do you wish to return and handle it?" Si Chen spoke very vaguely, as he could not let His Highness lose face in front of his love rival.
"Is it Miss Dan Yu Yan?"
"It's not Miss Dan." Si Chen glanced at Wen Mo Han, hesitating whether to speak, as this matter, if it escalated, would bring disgrace to his master.
"Then I won't bother."
Si Chen stared blankly at Nan Gong Yu. Not bother? The entrance of the Prince of Qin's residence was already crowded with onlookers. Your Highness, are you sure you won't bother? After all, that young lady is one of your rumored love interests, and she is openly claiming to be carrying your child at the gate!
"What are you still waiting for?"
"Your Highness, you probably need to go back and take a look at this matter," Si Chen advised. "Otherwise, if it escalates, it will not look good."
Nan Gong Yu knew Si Chen was not making a fuss for nothing. "What exactly is going on?"
"Master, Luo Bing Qing is back, kneeling at the Prince of Qin's residence crying and claiming to be pregnant with your child!" Si Ye poked his head in from the doorway and said quickly.
The teacup lid in Nan Gong Yu's hand clattered back onto the teacup, making a harsh sound. Luo Bing Qing is back. Didn't Old Master Luo tell her the truth of the matter?
Wen Mo Han chuckled unkindly and stood up. "Since Your Highness has matters to attend to, this subordinate will take his leave."
After Wen Mo Han left, Nan Gong Yu's face completely darkened. He stood up and walked out. As he passed by Si Ye, he gave Si Ye a chilling glance. Si Ye flinched and subtly moved behind Si Chen.
Si Chen glared at him. Serves you right. Why were you so glib? You knew very well that His Highness hated losing face in front of Wen Mo Han the most, and you went ahead and blurted it out without any restraint!