“For this prince?”
Xiao Changyan accepted the jade bottle Chu Ningwan handed him. His face appeared calm, but the way he gripped it tightly betrayed his emotions.
“Yes…” Chu Ningwan nodded. “There are three pills in this bottle. I made them specifically according to your condition. If you feel unwell, take one and it should ease your symptoms.”
“It seems Miss Chu does care about this prince after all.”
Chu Ningwan froze for a moment. When she looked up, she met Xiao Changyan’s smiling eyes. His handsome face was enough to make one’s heart flutter.
“I always keep my promises to Your Highness.”
Seeing Chu Zhengnan approaching, Chu Ningwan averted her gaze and said softly, “I should be going.”
“Three days from now—don’t forget what you promised, Your Highness.”
“Of course.”
On the carriage ride back, Xiao Changyan gently rubbed the jade bottle in his hand. Chu Ningwan’s face kept appearing in his mind.
Even if this was only a partnership, he would make the fake become real.
“Your Highness, should we continue keeping an eye on the Marquis’s estate?”
Zhuiying’s voice came from outside the carriage.
Thinking of Shen Yu—the man who had once been betrothed to Chu Ningwan—Xiao Changyan’s expression gradually turned cold.
“There’s no need.”
“Since she wants to handle it herself, how could I refuse?”
And if anything went wrong, he would still be there.
The only reason he was leaving Shen Yu alone was because he didn’t want Chu Ningwan to feel pressured or burdened by his involvement.
Meanwhile, by the time Chu Zhengnan arrived, Xiao Changyan’s carriage had already departed, leaving only Chu Ningwan standing there.
Frowning, Chu Zhengnan recalled seeing Chu Ningwan emerge from Xiao Changyan’s carriage. He looked at her with scrutiny.
“Ningwan, what exactly is your relationship with the Regent Prince? Why were you coming out of his carriage?”
As far as he knew, his daughter had never had any dealings with that prince.
Could there be something he had overlooked?
“And why did the Emperor suddenly summon you to the palace?”
Faced with his questioning, Chu Ningwan remained perfectly calm.
“Father, you’ve asked so many questions at once. Which one would you like me to answer first?”
“Rather than that, I’d like to ask how you intend to deal with Su Qingyao, the daughter of your mistress. She’s currently flaunting the General’s Manor’s name everywhere she goes.”
“Leaving everything else aside, she’s pregnant. Aren’t you worried about the damage to your reputation?”
“Stop calling her the daughter of a mistress!”
Chu Zhengnan’s face darkened as he shouted at her.
“Ningwan, you’re becoming more and more ill-mannered!”
“Qingyao is your younger sister no matter what!”
“My mother only gave birth to me. I have no younger sister.”
Chu Ningwan showed no fear.
Had it not been for everything Chu Zhengnan had done in her previous life, she might still have retained a trace of filial affection for him.
Now, only indifference remained.
“Did your mother put these ideas into your head?”
Chu Zhengnan found the situation strange. The Chu Ningwan he knew had always been gentle and obedient. She had never dared defy him like this.
For her personality to change so drastically, someone must have been influencing her.
“This has nothing to do with Mother.”
Chu Ningwan replied.
In her previous life, after Chu Zhengnan learned about Su Qingyao’s situation, he had found it inconvenient to make a scene because Chu Ningwan was already married. Instead, he directed all of his anger toward her mother.
There were things her mother never spoke of, but that didn’t mean she knew nothing.
At the end of the day, Chu Zhengnan and Shen Yu were cut from the same cloth. Both excelled at favoring concubines while neglecting their lawful wives.
“Father, outsiders all say you are utterly devoted to Mother, but it seems that’s not the case after all.”
“Aren’t you afraid Grandfather will find out?”
“You—”
Chu Zhengnan’s expression changed instantly.
Of course he was afraid.
If he truly didn’t care, Su Qingyao would have been brought into the General’s Manor long ago instead of being kept outside until now.
But in front of Chu Ningwan, he still maintained the lofty authority expected of a father.
“Ningwan, this matter has nothing to do with you. As a junior, you should focus on your own affairs!”
After delivering his warning, and knowing he was in the wrong, Chu Zhengnan flicked his sleeve and turned away.
Of course she would focus on her own affairs…
A faint smile appeared on Chu Ningwan’s lips as she watched him leave.
Coldness spread endlessly through her eyes.
“Father, since you’re so determined to protect Su Qingyao, then when the final outcome arrives…”
“Don’t regret it.”