The diners downstairs were still discussing them, talking about Liu Fang.
In a private room on the fourth floor, the Second Prince Murong Yue was dining with a friend. He heard the servant report that the Crown Princess and Liu Fang were also here, and that Liu Fang had just been surrounded by the common people and was talking to her.
Murong Yue only raised his eyebrows slightly, but Prince An, who was dining with him, smiled and said, “What a pity, I should have gone to see it just now.”
Murong Yue looked at him and asked, “What? Are you also interested in the Grand Princess?”
Prince An nodded with a smile, “Of course. You saw it yourself yesterday. That jade cup breaking the pillar was truly Breathtakingly beautiful! My dear sister kept pulling my arm, crying out in excitement the whole time.”
Fortunately, she lowered her voice. Otherwise, everyone in the hall would have heard how crazily infatuated she sounded. By then, rumors would probably spread throughout the capital, saying that Princess An had lost her composure and behaved improperly at the palace banquet.
Murong Yue smiled, “I think everyone was like that yesterday.”
The girls in the boudoir had never seen such a scene before. Even those old courtiers who had been navigating the court for years could hardly help but be shocked by Liu Fang’s actions at the palace banquet yesterday, and to keep from losing their composure.
“However, your choice of words is interesting. Can ‘Breathtakingly beautiful’ be used like this?”
Prince An couldn’t help but sighed, “It was such a shocking scene that I was at a loss for words.”
Murong Yue smiled and shook his head helplessly.
“However, what do you think? How did the Crown Princess end up associating with the Grand Princess? And even invite her to dine here?”
Prince An looked very curious, asked, “Do you think… Could it be that the Crown Prince is trying to win over the Grand Princess?”
Murong Yue raised his eyebrows. “Even if that’s the case, there’s nothing strange about it. After all, the value of the Grand Princess is obvious to all. Any rational person would try to win her over. It should be said that even if they didn’t want to ally with her, they wouldn’t want to offend her.”
Prince An nodded, “True. Just look at what happened to the barbarian envoy at the palace banquet yesterday. Anyone who offended the Grand Princess, hehe, never ends well. She is really ruthless.”
Murong Yue added, “And she’s also quite sharp-tongued.”
When Prince An heard this, he burst into laughter and said, “Yes, when the Grand Princess speaks, she can really infuriate someone!”
Murong Yue smiled slightly and said nothing thinking to himself: It’s probably not just the barbarian who was infuriated; even Father must have been half-dying from anger. Heh, this is getting more and more interesting.
…………
Only those with the status of Emperor Yanqing, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and someone like Liu Fang were qualified to come up to the fifth floor of Hewei Pavilion.
This was also the unique rule of Hewei Pavilion. The top-floor private rooms were reserved for the most outstanding talents in the world, and no one else was allowed to enter.
Listen, the tone tone of those words was quite grand!
Liu Fang took a look at the spacious and elegant private room, raising her eyebrows slightly. To be able to build a building like this in ancient times and even install floor heating on it, the owner of Hewei Pavilion must be no ordinary person!
The Crown Princess sat gracefully on the couch, personally brewing tea. She poured a cup for Liu Fang and raised her hand and said, “Grand Princess, please try this tea. Does it suit your taste?”
Liu Fang smiled, sat down opposite the Crown Princess, and said, “It’s rather interesting. The first time I met the Crown Prince, it was also the Crown Prince who personally brewed the tea.”
The Crown Princess watched Liu Fang pick up the teacup and sip the tea. She smiled and said, “We are quite fortunate. Both the Crown Prince and I enjoy the art of tea, so we often like to brew it ourselves. I hope the Royal Princess doesn’t find it amusing”
Liu Fang took a sip of tea, sighed in contentment, and said, “What’s there to laugh about? I’m the one who’s fortunate, truly. To have the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess personally brew tea for me is a rare honor, one that’s hard to come by even once in a lifetime!”
The Crown Princess smiled as she lifted her tea cup and said, “The Grand Princess’s words really bring joy to the heart.”
Liu Fang raised her eyebrows. “Oh, it depends on who I’m speaking to. If it’s someone whose principles differ from mine, then there’s no need for courtesy.”
“Grand Princess is quite frank.” The Crown Princess smiled and took a sip of tea. “Then, today, were your words to the Emperor also a matter of differing principles?”
Liu Fang put down the teacup and looked at her steadily, “It seems I underestimated the Crown Princess.”
The Crown Princess raised her eyebrows in confusion, “What? The Grand Princess originally thought I existed only by relying on the Crown Prince?”
Liu Fang nodded, “Yes! There are rumors that the Crown Princess is virtuous and gentle. Completely obedient to the Crown Prince, indifferent to the beauties and concubines in the household. Devoted to bearing children for His Highness, and managing the affairs of the household. She is even often blamed by the Empress for the troubles caused by the Crown Prince…”
The Crown Princess continued with a smile, “So, the Grand Princess thinks I am a weak woman who regards her husband as her heaven and can only shed tears in the inner chambers and endure silently?”
Liu Fang smiled and said, “Originally, that was indeed the case. But now… after meeting the Crown Princess, I realize the rumors were all false and utterly unworthy of belief.”
The Crown Princess winked at her and said, “Or rather, they are completely opposite to the truth.”
Liu Fang chuckled, “Yes, the Crown Princess is right.”
The Crown Princess smiled at her and said, “Actually, the reason why I came to see the Grand Princess should already be known to you.”
Liu Fang smiled and nodded.
“Naturally.”
The Crown Princess smiled and said, “Then let’s have a good meal. Only when we are full will we have the energy to argue.”
Liu Fang smiled without saying a word: This couple is truly interesting.
The two exchanged a smile, showing a tacit understanding.
When the food was served, the two chatted casually, slowly enjoying their meal. It wasn’t until they were full that Liu Fang suddenly changed her expression. With a swift motion of her hand, she overturned the entire table, startling the palace servants and attendants standing nearby!
“The Crown Princess need not say more. This matter will be decided by His Majesty. I will never compromise! Farewell!”
In the blink of an eye, the Crown Princess, who had been smiling just a moment ago, suddenly reddened her eyes, tears welling up. With a handkerchief in hand, she wiped her eyes while sobbing, “Grand Princess is right to be angry. However, His Highness really has no ill intentions. He was just momentarily captivated by your unparalleled beauty, and that’s why he lost his composure and said such things. Please forgive him.”
“Hmph! A momentary lapse in composure? The Crown Princess is downplaying it too much. Although I am not talented, I was granted the title of the Grand Princess and Marquis of the First Rank by His Majesty, based on my own merits! But in the eyes of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I am nothing more than a concubine kept for my looks? This is truly too much!”
“Grand Princess, you are being too harsh. His Highness never intended such a thing! If Grand Princess is truly too angry to bear it, I am willing to step down and relinquish the position of Crown Princess to you! I hope Grand Princess can find it in her heart to forgive His Highness!”
“Presumptuous! I am a marquis, the Grand Princess who holds a rank above that of a prince. Do you think I would act this way just for the position of Crown Princess? Crown Princess, you are insulting me!”
The Crown Princess waved her hands and shook her head hastily, “No, Grand Princess, you’ve misunderstood…”
…
The two of them argued fiercely, the noise echoing through the room, until Liu Fang, with a darkened face, nearly tore apart the top-floor private room. Only then did she fling her sleeve and leave, leaving behind the Crown Princess, still crying with swollen eyes, and a group of frightened palace servants.
Liu Fang left Hewei Pavilion with a cold expression, followed closely by her attendants.
As Liu Fang stormed out the gate, she happened to run into the Second Prince, Murong Yue and Prince An. However, she was too angry to notice them. When the two men saw her expression, they were a little surprised and didn’t approach her.
After watching Liu Fang leave through the main gate, mount her horse, and ride off with her attendants, Prince An turned to Murong Yue, his face full of curiosity, “What do you think? Why did the Grand Princess look like that? Wasn’t she dining with the Crown Princess?”
Murong Yue looked at him and said, “You can go to the Princess Mansion and ask the Grand Princess herself.”
Prince An: …
“No, I’m just curious.”
Murong Yue sneered, “Yes, curiosity kills the cat. Didn’t you know that?”
Prince An stared in surprise, “What kind of saying is that? How can curiosity kill the cat?”
Murong Yue: …
He was too lazy to talk to this idiot.
…………
Liu Fang rode Feng Zhi all the way to the Princess Mansion. Chen Fang had actually been following Liu Fang the whole time, even when she had gone to the top-floor private room earlier, he was also present.
He looked behind him, urged his horse forward, and said to Liu Fang, “Miss, there are four groups of people following us.”
Chen Fang was a scout by profession and highly skilled in tracking. As a result, he could easily detect when they were being followed.
Liu Fang said calmly, “Don’t worry about it. What happened today, whether from the palace or at Hewei Pavilion, can be widely spread. As long as someone asks, it can be shared.”
Chen Fang nodded, “I understand, Miss. You can rest assured.”
Hasn’t the Emperor’s character been apparent to the people and military of the Western Border all these years? In any case, he only listened to the young lady and did whatever the young lady told him to do.
Liu Fang nodded, “Un. Let’s go back to the mansion.”
“Yes.”
As soon as they returned to the mansion, Cheng Huo came over to Liu Fang and said, “Miss, the Prefect of the Capital has come to see you. He wanted to inquire about the matter of the refugees from the northern outskirts of the city yesterday.”
Liu Fang nodded slightly, “Understood. Has Hong Cang returned?”
“He has already returned. The people we captured last night have all been handed over to him for custody.”
“Un, very good.”
Liu Fang walked into the front hall, where the Prefect of the Capital was sitting on the couch, waiting. Hong Cang was standing respectfully beside him, keeping him company.
Seeing Liu Fang coming in, the Prefect of the Capital stood up and bowed to her. Hong Cang also gave a bow before stepping back.
“Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Grand Princess.”
Liu Fang sat on the couch and said, “Lord Prefect, no need for formalities. Cheng Huo has already informed me of the matter. What is it that you wish to know?”
The Prefect of the Capital bowed and said, “Your Higness, I have come to ask if the meals in the residence are prepared within the household?”
Liu Fang nodded, “That’s correct. The meals are prepared by the imperial kitchen within the residence, which was only recently bestowed upon me by His Majesty yesterday. I was busy yesterday and didn’t have time to meet the servants in the residence. Today, I went to the palace early. So, Lord Prefect, regardless of who this case involves, I will allow you to take anyone. There is only one condition: I hope you won’t force a confession through torture.”
The Prefect of the Capital hurriedly bowed and said, “Your Highness, you overestimate me. I would never do such a thing.”
Liu Fang nodded slightly, “Alright. In that case, Cheng Huo will assist you. Hong Cang.”
Hong Cang stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Highness, this servant is here.”
“Give the list of servants in the mansion to the Lord Prefect and let him search for people according to the list.”
“Yes.”
The two bowed and left. Liu Fang watched them walk away, then turned to Chen Fang and said, “Let’s go. We’re heading to the Prime Minister’s residence.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The two of them climbed over the wall from the back courtyard, then took the long way around and arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Chen Fang led Liu Fang over the wall on the side of the front courtyard, directly bringing her to the Prime Minister’s study in the front yard, where they waited.
It wasn’t long before the Prime Minister arrived at the study, ready to work. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Liu Fang calmly sitting on the couch.
The Prime Minister was greatly surprised and exclaimed. “Grand Princess? How did you end up here?”
Liu Fang smiled faintly and said, “I never expected that the grand Prime Minister’s residence would have no guards. And I certainly didn’t expect that when the Prime Minister came to the study, he wouldn’t even bring a servant.”
Chen Fang stepped forward, bowed to the Prime Minister, and said, “My apologies for the offense.”
After that, he grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, then closed the door.
The Prime Minister’s face turned red with anger. He glared at Liu Fang and asked, “Grand Princess, are you planning to humiliate me?”
