Chapter 348

“What do you mean by that? If I can’t even protect the woman I love, what else can I do?!” Another feminine voice resonated into Wei Yuewu’s ears, shocking her to the point that her expression changed dramatically.

The man with the feminine voice was none other than the man who had almost spotted Wei Yuewu and killed her when she fell into Wei Fengyao’s trap last time.

Your Highness? Now, Wei Yuewu could almost confirm the identity of this prince.

“I-I am useless, and I drag you into this…” The woman sobbed in a low voice.

“For you, I am willing to do anything. Even if I have to face Father Emperor with my incapacitated body, I will not hesitate to do so. Just you wait, I will beg Mother for you in a while.” His Highness seemed to be a little worked up, and his soft voice carried a bit of uncontrollable thrill and slight panting.

“Y-Your Highness… T-There’s no need to hurry. You don’t feel well. Don’t make yourself fall sick because of this. Y-Your affection to me is enough for me to die for you!” The woman seemed to want to help the prince, but she stepped on a stone in a flurry and let out a low groan.

“I-I am fine. As long as you are fine, I will be fine! Even if something will happen, let me be the one who suffers first!” The feminine prince panted and spoke with difficulty, but Wei Yuewu could feel his deep affection while listening to him.

In the darkness, Wei Yuewu looked up at Yan Huaijing. After blinking her watery eyes, she felt that not only did she know the identity of the prince, but she also knew the identity of this woman. It was really a rare coincidence!

Of course, she refused to believe that this kind of coincidence had nothing to do with Yan Huaijing!

“But, Your Highness, I… I already… belong to the Third Princess. I am afraid that it will be difficult to…” The woman sounded extremely sorrowful, and her tears slid down her cheeks slowly when she looked at the prince. She was deeply helpless. “I heard that you would marry the Tu Family’s daughter. I’m unlucky, so I…”

She was sobbing until she couldn’t talk.

In the darkness, the prince held the woman’s hand. “Don’t worry. You’re all I ever want to marry. But I’m sick… I’m afraid I will drag you down in the future!”

“No… Although Your Highness’ health is not good, it is not that bad. Your Highness will be fine!” The prince’s remark perturbed the woman’s feelings so much that she wailed in aggrievance. She held the prince’s hand and trembled slightly.

“Although the Tu Family’s women are noble and dignified, I only want to marry you. A-Although I have to marry the Tu Family’s daughter, you’re the only one I love,” the prince stammered. “B-But I have to sacrifice you. I don’t know if you’re willing to do so. Well, it’s unfortunate that I’m sick, or Father Emperor won’t force me to marry the Tu Family’s daughter against my will!”

After the prince finished speaking, he let go of the woman’s hand and seemed to want to walk away. “You should go back quickly, or it’ll be chaotic if they can’t find you. It doesn’t bother me. I’m just a good-for-nothing anyway. But you are different. You can marry a better man!”

As the prince urged, he seemed to be talking about his admiration and helplessness to the woman, but at the same time, he was being considerate to the woman. He seemed to be contradicting himself. The woman who heard this clenched her chest as if her heart was broken. The prince was walking away, so she rushed over and hugged his waist, stopping him in his tracks.

“Your Highness… D-Don’t say that. I’m willing to be with you even if you can’t give me a high status!” The woman cried.

Feeling that it was about time, the prince stopped and turned around to hug the woman. A smug smile appeared on the prince’s face, yet, he promised with a firm tone, “Don’t worry. Although I can’t give you a high status now, you’ll be my legitimate wife in the future!”

“Your Highness!” The woman was excited and threw herself into the arms of the prince.

Outside the rockery, Wei Yuewu deeply despised this man. The other day, he didn’t sound so weak, but today, he sounded as if he was ghastly ill.

As for this woman, after hearing her remarks, Wei Yuewu no longer sympathized with her. She was indeed a hypocritical woman. It seemed that both the prince and the woman were making concessions in order to gain advantages.

The two of them were a match made in heaven as they were faking their feelings for each other.

“Your Highness, the two young ladies of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang have a restrained relationship. Wei Yuewu had the advantage at first, but now the Crown Prince is treating Wei Qiufu well, so Wei Qiufu has the advantage now. If you wish, you can marry Wei Yuewu instead of the Tu Family’s woman.”

The woman suggested in a coquettish voice.

“They said that the legitimate daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang is ugly and untalented, but it is quite the opposite. She is gorgeous! It is so surprising!” The prince said softly while hugging the woman. “However, Marquis Hua Yang may not marry his daughter to me.”

“Well, you can do it if you have the will. Your Highness, please hear me out…” The voice in the rockery became soft, and she sounded magnanimous and calm. It was exactly the same as Wei Qiufu’s usual self. A trace of coldness flashed across Wei Yuewu’s eyes.

Wei Yuewu was keeping to herself and did not mind their business, but someone came to plot against her again. Sure enough, all lay loads on the willing horse. Everyone thought that she was an easy target.

Since that was the case, she must make her move too!

Yan Huaijing picked up Wei Yuewu and left the gap.

After walking for a while until there was a light in front of them, Yan Huaijing let go of Wei Yuewu, spruced up her coat, and asked delightfully, “Do you need my help?”

“No!” Wei Yuewu shook her head. As long as she wasn’t facing the prince who was feminine and cunning, she could still take matters into her own hands. Moreover, she had already thought of a countermeasure.

Everyone had their own way to survive in the Palace. No one could defy their ways.

“I wonder what will happen if I ask the Third Princess to marry me tomorrow.” Yan Huaijing’s long and narrow eyes darted around as he walked forward with Wei Yuewu in his embrace. Not far away, Little Dezi came out of nowhere and appeared behind them.

“The Third Princess will agree immediately!” Wei Yuewu thought for a while and answered. According to the Third Princess’ actions, she was sure that the Third Princess liked Yan Huaijing. However, Yan Huaijing had never expressed his intentions, and it wasn’t appropriate for the Third Princess to pursue him with great effort due to her status as the noble princess.

Of course, it was also possible that the Emperor directly decreed the marriage. Although the State of Yan was powerful, it was still part of the imperial territory now.

“What if I say I will announce to the public tomorrow that I want to marry the Third Princess?” Yan Huaijing glanced at Wei Yuewu and asked leisurely.

These words stumped Wei Yuewu, and she couldn’t help but frown.

Both the Third Princess and Fourth Princess both liked Yan Huaijing. One was Wen Tianyao’s favorite sister, and the other was the Empress’ biological daughter. No matter from which side she looked at it, both the princesses’ status didn’t seem to have much of a difference. Although the Fourth Princess’ status as the legitimate daughter of the Empress was noble, the Third Princess was equally competitive as both Wen Tianyao and the Emperor admired her.

The two generations of Emperors liked her, so it seemed that the Third Princess’ backing was even stronger.

Wei Yuewu thought about this matter further. Wen Tianyao was the Fourth Princess’ biological brother, so he wouldn’t turn a blind eye to his sister of the same mother, would he?

Thinking about this, Wei Yuewu seemed to feel that the Fourth Princess was even more powerful.

“In this way, the conflict between the two princesses might be even deeper. The Fourth Princess will not be able to endure it,” Wei Yuewu answered honestly.

In fact, everyone knew that the imperial family desired the State of Yan, so it was imperative for Yan Huaijing to marry the princess, regardless of which princess.

“Not only in the Palace, but also outside the Palace. I’m afraid Lu, Qi, and Chu will fight even more urgently, and some accidents will also happen.” Yan Huaijing’s beautiful eyes were filled with a bright smile, the corners of his lips slightly curved. It was as if he was talking about the weather when he mentioned the calm before the storm.

Wei Yuewu was speechless. He was probably the only person who could say such a big matter of the country so casually. But on second thought, she figured that it was likely for him to be like this. Thousands of soldiers would be sacrificed for a general to succeed. Moreover, this was the powerful and cunning heir-apparent who thought of the world as his game. He wouldn’t care about this.

“But nothing will happen for now. After that…” Yan Huaijing was taken aback to see the speechless and agitated Wei Yuewu. He then smiled and urged, “Let’s not talk about anything else today. Let’s go and admire the lanterns. That’s my purpose tonight.”

“Oh right, my lantern!” Speaking of the lantern, Wei Yuewu stared at her empty hands and shrieked. When she came here with Yan Huaijing, she was holding the lantern. However, she did not know when the lantern disappeared. Did it fall beside the rockery?

If it did, that prince would discover it.

“Little Dezi, where is the lantern?” Yan Huaijing looked at the flustered and bewildered Wei Yuewu and curled his lips into a smirk. The current Wei Yuewu finally looked like a normal thirteen-year-old girl. On ordinary days, she looked cold and mature at her age. It was as if she was wearing a mask at all times and keeping to herself.

“Miss, here’s your lantern!” Little Dezi had just lit up the lantern in his hand when he heard Yan Huaijing’s voice. The former hurried over and handed the lantern to her with a smile.

Wei Yuewu took the lantern with some embarrassment. Thanks to the veil, Yan Huaijing could not see that she was blushing. Otherwise, he would definitely make fun of her.

“Your Heir-apparent, it is getting late. I have to go back too, lest I be discovered.”

“It is still early. Let’s go back to the festival. I will send you back later!” Yan Huaijing did not intend to let her go so early. He revealed a gentle smile and continued to move forward with Wei Yuewu.

Wei Yuewu had no choice but to obey. However, there was a variety of lanterns with amazing designs. They were more than what Wei Yuewu had seen over the years, and they were even more beautiful. After walking for a long time, Wei Yuewu finally realized that she had forgotten to go back, and there were fewer people admiring the lanterns right now.

By the time Yan Huaijing sent her back to her room, it was already close to midnight. Fortunately, Wei Qiufu, who was next door, had not come back yet. It seemed that Wei Qiufu would not come back so soon since she had such a perfect opportunity to get close to Wen Tianyao and make others look up to her due to her position by Wen Tianyao’s side.

After Jin Ling helped Wei Yuewu wash up, Wei Yuewu went to bed. Just as Jin Ling was about to turn off the lights, she suddenly heard a rapid knock on the door, which seemed especially distant in the night.

“Sixth Young Lady, Sixth Young Lady, are you asleep? Please get up quickly!”