kvmb Chapter 126 I’ll go with you1
Chapter 126 I’ll go with you1
A multitude of thoughts flashed through Xue Wanning's mind in an instant.
But the final result could only lead to one thing: Sheng Junyao was doomed to die.
Only the dead don't require the effort of winning them over.
Xue Wanning recalled the day she met Sheng Yunzhu at Huguo Temple, and the rumors she had overheard that the Third Prince had feelings for Sheng Yunzhu.
She also asked Cheng Ruoxue, who was on good terms with the Third Prince, about this. Cheng Ruoxue, however, remained noncommittal, saying that when it comes to matters of the heart, who knows until the very last moment?
Although General Cheng is currently in the capital, he enjoys great prestige in the army and is skilled in warfare. The Cheng family army is invincible and should not be underestimated.
Similarly, the Duke of Sheng's mansion had been operating on the northern border for three generations, accumulating years of experience and gaining control of the military.
She was being too naive to think she could use the Duke of Sheng's mansion to make a deal with the Third Prince. Even if she was confident she could control the Duke of Sheng's mansion and even Sheng Junyao, how much would the Third Prince trust her? Instead of cooperating with her, why didn't he just marry Sheng Yunzhu? A marriage alliance would be far more stable than her empty promises.
A cold sweat broke out on Xue Wanning's brow. In the past, marrying Sheng Junyao was the best choice for her. But now, if Sheng Junyao really died and she married him and became a widow, if she still had no children, the Sheng family would definitely not fall into her hands. After all, besides Sheng Junyao, the Duke of Sheng also had two legitimate sons.
The Duke of Sheng is still in his prime; he could be appointed as the heir apparent from any of them.
Her plan thus became meaningless.
Xue Wanning was immediately thrown into a state of utter confusion.
"It's getting late, Miss Xue, please go back," the Third Prince said gently, putting down his teacup.
"Your Highness, I..." Xue Wanning looked up at the Third Prince, somewhat unwilling to be so passive, wanting to say something, but not knowing where to begin.
The Third Prince sat up straight and leaned forward slightly. "Miss Xue, are you reluctant to part with him? Well, given your uncle's current situation, even if he is spared the death penalty, he will not escape punishment. No matter how talented your cousin is, he has no hope of passing the imperial examinations in the past few years. He is ultimately no match for the Sheng State Duke's family."
"Moreover, the son of a prosperous emperor is an exceptional man, a husband one in a million. What a pity."
“Miss Xue, there’s no need to rush into a decision. I’ve heard that your wedding is in two days, and the Emperor’s appointment letter won’t be issued for another two days. Please take your time to consider it.” The Third Prince chuckled and stood up. “See the guest out.”
Xue Wanning clenched the handkerchief in her hand, stood up in a daze, and was seen out by the old woman who had brought her there, returning to her carriage.
"Miss, how are you? You look so pale. Is it... that you're not going to make it?" The maid asked cautiously as she returned after instructing the driver to drive on.
"How has Grandmother been feeling these past few days?" Xue Wanning asked suddenly, leaning against the carriage.
The maid was taken aback, clearly not expecting Xue Wanning to suddenly ask this question. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Miss, the old lady has been confused for half a year. She can no longer recognize people. Her condition fluctuates, and she is being cared for, but her spirits are still good."
"Okay, let's go back." Xue Wanning closed her eyes, her fingertips trembling slightly.
……
After finishing her exams, Lu Yangyang relaxed and slept soundly until dawn.
It was already daylight outside.
She slipped on her shoes and went outside, calling out. Granny Shen came over, "Miss, you're awake?"
Lu Yangyang nodded: "Where's Yuanxing?"
"She had some family matters to attend to, so I asked her to take leave and go home. If you need anything, just tell me. Otherwise, I'll pick two more maids for you later," said Granny Shen.
Lu Yangyang hesitated for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Did something happen to her family, or did something happen to her?"
Granny Shen was taken aback. "Why would you ask that, young lady?"
Lu Yangyang thought for a moment, then shook her head. "It's nothing. By the way, did you receive a letter from Princess Liduan? Did she send anyone to deliver a message or anything?"
"No, is the young lady looking for the county princess? Or should I send someone to the Princess's residence to inquire?"
"It's been two or three days already, what's wrong with her? Could something have happened to her?" Lu Yangyang couldn't help but mutter to herself. Just then, a maidservant came to the courtyard.
"Is Miss Lin here? A guard surnamed Lin is looking for you," the maidservant reported.
Lu Yangyang hurriedly put on her clothes and went out; Lin Feng was already waiting for her.
Upon seeing her, Lin Feng hurriedly bowed and greeted her, "Greetings, Miss Lu. I am Lin Feng, the county princess's bodyguard. May I ask, Miss Lu, has the county princess come looking for you?"
"No, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Lu Yangyang had just been talking about Princess Liduan, so she hurriedly asked him.
Lin Feng's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly replied, "The county princess ordered me to pick up Her Highness the day before yesterday, but Her Highness had something to do on the way and did not go to Huguo Temple. Instead, she went to Qinglian Temple. I sent someone to inform the county princess about this first, and then went to do some things for Her Highness the Princess. I originally planned to return to Huguo Temple last night, but it rained heavily and delayed my journey. This morning, I received a message by carrier pigeon saying that the county princess left Huguo Temple last night. I then hurriedly sent a message to Qinglian Temple and learned that the county princess did not go to Qinglian Temple either."
"Because the county princess mentioned before that she wanted to go back to the capital to find you, I came to ask if you have seen the county princess."
"What?" Lu Yangyang exclaimed in surprise, "You mean, the county princess left Huguo Temple last night, and now her whereabouts are unknown?"
Lin Feng nodded: "If the county princess didn't come looking for you, then she must have gone to Qinglian Temple last night and encountered something along the way."
After saying that, Lin Feng hurriedly said, "In that case, I won't disturb Miss Lu any longer. I need to hurry and find the county princess."
"Wait for me, I'll go with you." Lu Yangyang was now certain that Princess Liduan had definitely gone to Qinglian Temple in the rain last night, but she didn't know what had happened on the way, so she hadn't arrived yet.
Princess Liduan was in such a hurry to find the Eldest Princess, not even a day could pass, all because of what she had said that day about inquiring about Xue Wanning. This matter was related to her, and she couldn't just sit idly by.
“Miss Lu…” Lin Feng hesitated.
Lu Yangyang interrupted him: "Don't worry, I won't hold you back. I'll change my clothes and come right away."
After saying that, Lu Yangyang turned around and went into the inner room. She quickly changed into a good riding outfit, turned around and went out the door. She told Granny Shen something and then left with Lin Feng.
Lu Yangyang was now very skilled at riding horses. The two left the capital and headed towards Huguo Temple. When they reached the foot of the mountain, they learned that the official road at the foot of the mountain had collapsed due to the heavy rain the night before and was blocked.
"Are there any side paths? If she's in a hurry, she'll definitely take them overnight." Although Lu Yangyang wasn't familiar with Princess Liduan, the Princess Liduan she knew was very stubborn and wouldn't give up until she achieved her goal.
She never expected that Princess Liduan would risk so much danger to do this.