Chapter 449 - 449 Lord Yun Would Return to the Capital

“Your Highness, this Forth Lady Qu…” Liu Jingyu bit her lip and glanced sneakily at Pei Luo’an, their eyes meeting briefly before she shyly lowered her head.

“How is Forth Lady Qu?” Pei Luo’an inquired.

“Forth Lady Qu doesn’t seem ordinary either. I have conversed with both of these young ladies and couldn’t help but notice that Forth Lady Qu appears much more formidable than Third Lady Qu. Although she appears delicate, she actually possesses considerable cunning.”

Liu Jingyu spoke helplessly, “When I arrived at the Qu Mansion… I noticed that Forth Lady Qu didn’t seem to show much respect towards Third Lady Qu. However, it’s possible I misunderstood, as it was my first time visiting the Qu Mansion.”

Liu Jingyu’s words were tactful, skillfully circling back and leaving no indication of any criticism towards Qu Moying. She even maintained a compassionate attitude towards Third Lady Qu, who was clearly in the wrong.

Her behavior was graceful, dignified, and befitting of a future crown princess.

Pei Luo’an observed Liu Jingyu for a moment with an inscrutable expression but remained silent.

Likewise, Liu Jingyu refrained from speaking further, and a hushed silence settled in the hall. After a while, Pei Luo’an finally said, “Forth Lady Qu is the Crown Princess’s cousin and one of the few close relatives she has in this world.”

“Yes, Your Highness, I understand. I will pay attention to Forth Lady Qu from now on.” Liu Jingyu responded softly.

Pei Luo’an’s eyes glimmered with a faint smile, and his demeanor grew even more gentle. “Regarding the matter at Duke Qi’s mansion, it’s not your fault. I’ve inquired and found that it was Third Lady Qu who instigated it. Bringing such a woman into his mansion isn’t a blessing, but I cannot intervene in this matter. Let it be.”

A mere concubine with a low status didn’t concern Pei Luo’an. He had heard that Third Lady Qu wasn’t a virtuous person, so he wouldn’t mind having a few more capable individuals in Pei Yusheng’s household.

The more chaotic things were in Pei Yusheng’s household, the more beneficial it would be for him.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding.” tears welled up in Liu Jingyu’s eyes as she forcefully bit her lip. Her voice wavered with gratitude for Pei Luo’an’s magnanimity. “I’m truly not acquainted with young master Yongning. He used to be engaged to Forth Lady Qu, but they later broke off the engagement. It’s suspicious no matter how you look at it.”

Liu Jingyu decided to bring up the matter of Xu Li Peng’s sachet, realizing it couldn’t be hidden from the Crown Prince.

“I used to think Xu Li Peng was a good person, but now it seems I was mistaken, so was my late wife.” Pei Luo’an sighed, his gaze falling on outside the window, lost in thought. The last part of his sentence almost melded into a sigh, nearly indistinguishable if one wasn’t paying close attention.

Liu Jingyu tightly clenched the handkerchief, her facial expression still delicate and gentle, but beneath her lowered gaze, there was a hint of mockery. So what if Ji Hanyue had died? The Crown Princess position was now rightfully hers.

Ji Hanyue was just a dead ghost. Now, there were even some cousins and relatives coming forward, expecting the Crown Prince to look after them. Did they not consider their own shame?

As she raised her head again, she presented a soft and tender demeanor, speaking in a gentle voice, “Since the late Crown Princess finds him admirable, there must be something worthy in him. I have always admired the late Crown Princess. Amongst all the young ladies from prominent families in the capital, only she truly possesses both talent and beauty.”

Pei Luo’an remained silent, and an air of heaviness hung in the atmosphere. But Liu Jingyu was not in a hurry; she simply looked at the Crown Prince, her face shy yet filled with admiration.

Finally, Pei Luo’an regained his composure and glanced at Liu Jingyu. “Are you sure the sachet in Xu Lipeng’s hand was placed there by Third Lady Qu?”

“I’m not sure about that. I don’t know if it was Third Lady Qu or someone else who tampered with it after I left.” Liu Jingyu lowered her head and bit her lip, maintaining a pitiful and aggrieved smile, just as she did before.

“From now on, be cautious of people like Third Lady Qu. If you witness such actions again, stop them immediately, and you won’t be involved in such matters anymore.” Pei Luo’an furrowed his brows slightly. “Since things have come this far, let’s put an end to it.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Liu Jingyu nodded gently and complied.

Her demeanor was incredibly endearing to men, despite facing great grievances, she refrained from blaming others and even expressed that she didn’t mind being wronged as long as the bigger picture was taken into consideration. As long as the Crown Prince remained unscathed, she didn’t care about anything else.

Elegant, considerate, devoted to Pei Luo’an, and expressing admiration, combined with her own striking appearance, Liu Jingyu was indeed a talented and beautiful lady.

How could the Crown Prince not be impressed by her, especially compared to the already deceased Ji Hanyue?

Liu Jingyu’s attitude far surpassed Ji Hanyue’s in every aspect.

Liu Jingyu was certain that the Crown Prince would value her greatly.

Pei Luo’an waved his hand, “Go and accompany my mother for a while. I need some time alone.”

“Your Highness…” Liu Jingyu spoke softly, looking up with surprise. Shouldn’t the Crown Prince be comforting her at this moment with gentle words?

“You may leave!” Pei Luo’an’s brows furrowed.

Seeing that he truly seemed preoccupied, Liu Jingyu didn’t dare to stay any longer and quickly bowed to Pei Luo’an before gently leading her maids back to the main hall.

Pei Luo’an watched her graceful departure, then pressed his hand to his forehead. For some reason, thoughts of Ji Youran crossed his mind. Everything Liu Jingyu was doing now, Ji Youran had done in the past.

But Liu Jingyu’s status was far superior to Ji Youran’s, and the benefits of marrying her were much greater.

However, the similarities between the two, engaging in similar actions, reminded him of some unpleasant events, making him too preoccupied to console Liu Jingyu.

He understood what the Empress had intended – to ask him to clarify matters and offer some reassurance to Liu Jingyu. But at this moment, he felt a bit restless.

Liu Jingyu had a good background, and marrying her did indeed offer many benefits. However, did Liu Jingyu really have nothing to do with Xu Lipeng?

The inscription on the sachet was clear: it bore Liu Jingyu’s name, “Jingyu.” This sachet had appeared on his desk just now.

This was something that would typically make Pei Luo’an very angry; he detested betrayal the most. Although someone originally belonging to him had become involved with another man, he remained surprisingly calm this time.

In his calmness, he felt that it was unlikely for Liu Jingyu to be interested in Xu Lipeng. He thought there must be a reason behind the situation and listened calmly as Liu Jingyu explained. He found her explanation somewhat reasonable, even though there were some discrepancies in the small details, which he attributed to female jealousy.

However, Liu Jingyu’s jealousy towards the fourth lady of the Qu Mansion surprised him.

Whether it was Liu Jingyu or the fourth lady Qu, they both reminded him of Ji Hanyue, causing him to feel somewhat restless.

Regarding Liu Jingyu’s actions this time, he wasn’t entirely satisfied. She seemed to require some proper guidance from the Empress. His future Crown Princess needed to be magnanimous and avoid unnecessary conflicts with the fourth lady of the Qu Mansion. He heard that Uncle Wang was on his way to the capital, and he was known for being protective.

Upon learning about this matter, Uncle Wang might be angered!

Meanwhile, a convoy of carriages was headed towards the capital. These were large, black carriages with iron plates lining the inside to protect the occupants from potential harm.

Pei Yuanjun was inside the last carriage. The three carriages traveled together to create confusion; no one could determine in which carriage the Lord Yun was riding. On their journey, they encountered two sets of assassins, but all of them were swiftly dealt with by Pei Yuanjun’s guards.

Inside the carriage, thick blankets were laid out, and Pei Yuanjun leaned against the couch, his sleepy eyes appearing as if he were half asleep. His handsome face wore a faint smile, exuding an air of noble laziness that immediately conveyed his regal status.

“Your Highness, this is the news.” Ji Hai said.

“Since she’s willing to follow us into the capital, then let her follow. I am very busy and don’t have time to help Liu Xiangshan take care of his daughter again and again.” Pei Yuanjun said lazily as he narrowed his sleepy eyes. It was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

“But His Majesty’s meaning …” Ji Hai said carefully as he stole a glance at his master.

It was the Emperor’s order for Eldest Miss Liu to enter the capital. He said that the Empress did not see her when she came to the capital before, so this time she must go to the capital to see her.

The meaning of these words was to invite Lady Liu to the capital. However, Ji Hai believed that she also understood the purpose of this visit. It was clear that she had taken a fancy to the master and wanted him to marry her.

“His Majesty’s wishes are his Majesty’s wishes. However, His Majesty also agreed to let me make the decision when I marry.” Pei Yuanjun said with a smile that was not a smile. The corners of his handsome lips hooked up, “Tell me, what’s the matter in the capital?”

Ji Hai immediately understood. “I heard that something has happened in the capital. It’s Fourth Lady Qu. It seems to be related to the daughter of Minister Liu’s estate, the future Crown Prince, the County Lady Jingyu.”

“How is the future Crown Princess?” Pei Yuanjun asked in a good mood.

“It seems that this County Lady Jingyu and the Third Lady Qu worked together to harm the Fourth Lady, but in the end, something unexpected happened. Then, the Third Lady Qu became Lord Jing’s concubine.” Ji Hai picked out some simple facts.

“County Lady Jingyu?” Pei Yuanjun repeated lazily.

“That’s right, it’s her. I heard that this person was even summoned into the palace by Her Grace and His Highness the Crown Prince to ask about this matter.” In the palace, they also had people. “Previously, she went to apologize to Qu Mansion. Someone in the capital said that this County Lady is very generous and appropriate. She is the most dignified and well-mannered. It was clearly Qu Mansion’s fault, but she still went to apologize.

“The most dignified and well-mannered?” Pei Yuanjun’s laughter filled the carriage, his eyes exuding a touch of dark mystery, which did not diminish his regal aura but instead added an alluring charm to his almost translucent, fair skin and colorful lips.

Ji Hai was taken aback, hastily stepping back and bowing his head, not daring to disturb the atmosphere.