On the day of the funeral, a white banquet was set up in the Earl’s residence. As the Princess of Qi, Chu Jingyue was obliged to attend, wearing mourning attire.
The residence was bustling with sorrow. Some people were comforting the old madam, telling her to restrain her grief.
The old madam of the Earl’s residence wiped away her tears and said, “She was perfectly fine. A few days ago, she went to the temple with the old grand consort of the in-laws. After merely seeing her granddaughter-in-law, she was gone.”
She wept softly, and someone immediately chimed in, “Oh dear, could it be that the Second Miss Chu’s fate is too strong and has brought misfortune? She was the one who revived the Prince of Qi through a celebratory marriage; her destiny must be extraordinary.”
Hearing this, the old grand consort said disapprovingly, “How can matters of life and death be controlled by a mere woman? It’s probably just a coincidence.”
“Grandmother is right. Sister Chu is a blessing to the Prince of Qi’s residence. Elders, please refrain from saying such things. If the Prince finds out, he might be displeased.” The woman sitting next to the old grand consort was gentle and beautiful.
Coincidentally, Zong Zhitang overheard this and walked over with a sorrowful expression, saying, “Sister Liu, if only she were truly a blessing to the Prince of Qi’s residence. That Chu Jingyue doesn’t seem like a legitimate daughter from a noble family at all. She has no manners or etiquette. A few days ago, she angered grandmother during the wake.”
“What?” Liu Siyu looked over in surprise.
The old grand consort of the Prince of Qi’s residence also looked incredulously at the old madam of the Earl’s residence, “Is this true? How is your health?”
“I’m just counting the days to join my late husband. What does it matter if I’m well or not? Miss Chu saved Si’er. Not only is the Prince of Qi’s residence grateful to her, but our Earl’s residence is even more so.”
Speaking of impoliteness, even the grand madam nodded in agreement. Chu Jingyue indeed lacked etiquette and had no grace befitting a noble lady.
With just a few words, the old madam made Chu Jingyue out to be an impudent person who sought gratitude and acted arrogantly.
“Sister Liu, you and cousin have always been close. You must advise him well. How can he indulge Chu Jingyue to bully her elders like this?” Zong Zhitang urged, hoping that Liu Siyu would quickly go to her cousin.
Liu Siyu looked embarrassed, and the grand madam’s heart stirred slightly, saying, “Siyu, you should indeed comfort Si’er. He has always valued relationships, don’t let him have any regrets.”
The old grand consort nodded approvingly, saying, “Yes, go and see him.”
Liu Siyu stood up and bowed obediently, “Then Siyu will take her leave. Old madam, please don’t be too sad. You are now the only elder in the family, and the backbone. The Earl’s residence depends on you.”
The old madam showed a hint of relief and waved her hand at her, “Siyu is such a sensible child.”
“Indeed, she is good.” The grand madam looked at Liu Siyu’s back with satisfaction, praising her for being knowledgeable, well-mannered, and raised under their watchful eyes, knowing her inside and out.
Liu Siyu arrived at the garden, where Wenren Si was standing in the empty courtyard. The octagonal pavilion here had been demolished and never rebuilt.
“Your Highness.” Liu Siyu smiled gently. Wenren Si glanced at her, “Why are you here?”
“The grand madam and grandmother were worried about you and asked me to come and see.” Liu Siyu stepped forward slowly and said softly, “Is Your Highness missing your maternal grandfather?”
Wenren Si pursed his lips, not really.
Early in the morning, when he went to see off the spirit, Chu Jingyue told him that he lacked yang energy and asked him to stand here in the sun to replenish it and avoid yin energy.
She had even calculated the time, saying that the yang energy at this time was most compatible with him.
Wenren Si didn’t want to stay here, but his legs were stuck with a body-fixing charm, so he couldn’t leave even if he wanted to.
Thinking of this, his eyes darkened. Chu Jingyue really didn’t consider his reputation at all when doing things.
The front hall was hosting a banquet, what was it like for him to be sunbathing here?
“Your Highness doesn’t need to be too sad. How is your health? I heard that you were mistaken for dead and locked in a coffin for seven days. I was very worried.” Liu Siyu said softly.
Wenren Si’s mind was full of Chu Jingyue, and he perfunctorily replied to Liu Siyu’s concern, “I’m fine.”
Perhaps sensing Wenren Si’s absent-mindedness, Liu Siyu boldly took two steps forward, “These days, Siyu has learned some medical skills in the temple. Why don’t you let me take your pulse?”
“No need.” Wenren Si stood with his hands behind his back. He really wasn’t in the mood to think about anything else right now.
His legs were numb.
“There’s no need to be so formal between you and me.” Liu Siyu was secretly delighted. In the past, Wenren Si would make excuses to leave after only a few words with her.
Now that he had said so much, although he was verbally resistant, he didn’t move at all. He must have her in his heart too.
Seeing her getting closer and closer, Wenren Si frowned even tighter, “This Prince—”
“Ouch.” Liu Siyu pretended to fall, just in time to fall into Wenren Si’s arms.
Wenren Si dodged almost subconsciously, actually breaking free from the body-fixing charm.
However, his legs were still numb. He moved two steps and instantly felt like hundreds of ants were gnawing at him. Wenren Si’s face was as black as ancient ink.
“Recovering well.” Chu Jingyue was originally dozing off not far away. She wasn’t unaware of what was happening under the tree, but she was too lazy to care.
She didn’t expect that Wenren Si would be able to break free from her ordinary body-fixing charm after only sunbathing for a while. Not bad.
Liu Siyu fell to the ground in a disheveled state. Hearing that there were other people nearby, she was immediately ashamed and angry, “Who is it? How can they hide in the dark and spy?”
Chu Jingyue flipped over and fell from the tree, her white clothes fluttering like a fairy.
“I’ve been here all along.” Chu Jingyue reached out and pressed on Wenren Si’s leg, using the spiritual energy of her life treasure to help him restore feeling to his legs. Seeing Liu Siyu’s disbelieving look, she added, “If you don’t believe me, ask him.”
Wenren Si was trying his best to suppress the numb, itchy, and painful feeling in his legs. His expression was very restrained, and he couldn’t say a word.
Seeing him in such pain, Liu Siyu immediately stepped forward to push Chu Jingyue away, “What are you doing?! Do you know who he is?”
“The Prince of Qi.” Chu Jingyue pushed her aside, and in Liu Siyu’s shocked eyes, she added, “My current husband.”
Liu Siyu’s eyes widened completely. What did she just say? The Prince was her husband, so she was—Chu Jingyue?!
How was that possible? Wasn’t it rumored outside that Chu Jingyue was an idiot?
Wenren Si’s originally complex expression was momentarily stunned when he heard this sentence, and he seemed to have forgotten the pain in his legs.
Chu Jingyue looked back at him in a daze and slapped his leg unceremoniously, “Okay.”
“Hiss…” Wenren Si gasped. After a brief moment of pain, he was surprised to find that his legs were fine.
Chu Jingyue lifted her leg and left. Wenren Si also forgot that Liu Siyu was still nearby and strode after her.
“Next time, you should discuss things with this Prince properly, instead of using charms without permission.”
“Will you listen?”
Liu Siyu couldn’t hear the conversation clearly, but the sight of the two walking side by side stimulated her eyes.
When had Wenren Si ever allowed other women to be so close to him?
Even she had never succeeded.
What did Chu Jingyue have to rely on?