To spare Xuexue any trouble, Situ Yongjie smartly took everything upon himself: "Your Majesty, I kept the matter of investing in Xuexue’s shop secret from even my mother for the sake of family harmony."
"Oh? The Old Madam is unaware of this?"
"Yes! Wonfolk place significant importance on wealth. If she knew about this, it would undoubtedly cause quite a stir. Your Majesty, you must keep this a secret."
Faced with Situ Yongjie’s rambling, the Emperor was half-convinced.
Indeed, a frail girl returning from the countryside wouldn’t have such funds for business without her father’s support. With Situ Yongjie’s explanation, things seed clearer.
Suddenly, the Emperor shifted the topic, casually asking, "General Situ, how does your daughter fare at the War Prince’s Mansion?"
Situ Yongjie sighed, saying with a worried expression: "Alas! The Prince seems not entirely satisfied with my daughter."
"Oh, why do you think so?"
"For fear of Your Majesty’s laughter, my daughter has been at the War Prince’s Mansion for so long but hasn’t yet consummated the marriage!"
"That shouldn’t be the case."
"Ah?"
"Oh! I an, your daughter is of extraordinary beauty, and the War Prince is known for being unable to resist beautiful won. How could he pass up such a golden opportunity to be close to a beauty!"
"Yes, I don’t understand it either. Perhaps their fate has yet to arrive."
The Emperor heard this with delight; as long as it wasn’t certain that the Thousand Year Striped Tiger was with Xuexue, it was advantageous if she hadn’t consummated the marriage. This way, the Fourth Prince still had a chance.
Compared to reputation and the Thousand Year Striped Tiger, the forr was re vanity.
After so subtle probing, the Emperor believed he understood Xuexue’s circumstances. To avoid arousing Situ Yongjie’s suspicion, he chatted about various other subjects before letting Situ Yongjie leave.
At the War Prince’s Mansion, in the west wing room.
The incessant rumors from outside naturally reached Xuexue’s ears.
For this reason, she secretly sent soone to investigate who sparked this disturbance.
Soon, the leads pointed to the Situ sisters, Qinger and Dieer.
With this realization, Xuexue suddenly understood why Situ Dieer left without a word that day. She must have followed Xuexue to the Qinger Building and rushed back to the General’s Mansion with the news.
At this ti, Zi Xia hurriedly entered from outside: "First Miss, the Second Miss is here to visit."
Xuexue raised an eyebrow: "She still dares to co!"
Zi Xia was also visibly angry: "The Second Miss and Third Miss are truly shaless, plotting against the First Miss and still daring to visit, without fear of being beaten."
Hearing this, Xuexue laughed: "Whose side are you on, you silly girl?"
Zi Xia replied as if it were obvious: "I naturally stand with the First Miss."
"But you made your mistress sound like a violent maniac."
"They do deserve a beating. We kindly hosted the Third Miss, yet she plotted against the First Miss behind her back."
Xuexue stood up, tidied her dress, smoothed her hairbun, and with a hint of a cold smile, said: "Alright, let’s go see what tricks my second sister is playing this ti?"
Saying this, she stepped outside.
Zi Xia and another maid followed closely behind.
At the entrance of the War Prince’s Mansion.
Situtu Qinger was dressed extravagantly. Originally, she could have walked straight into the War Prince’s Mansion to find Xuexue, but she chose not to. Only she knew why.
Rumor had it outside that the War Prince had a penchant for favoring beauties. Thinking herself exceptionally beautiful, Situtu Qinger naturally feared the Prince might take a liking to her. Hence, she’d rather endure the cold wind outside than take a step into the War Prince’s Mansion.
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