Ma femme escalade le mur

Chapitre 81

The princess suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" and, seeing everyone looking at her, smiled shyly. Her eyes, filled with expectation, gleamed as she looked at the woman, and she wrung her hands slightly in her lap. "Xueluo," she said, "I remember when you were a month old, I gave you a white jade bracelet. Those white jade beads were tribute items back then. There were only ten, and since I couldn't make anything else, I strung them together with four strands of silver thread to make a bracelet..."

The woman was already in tears halfway through her story, and by the time the princess finished speaking, she was almost sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing this, the princess quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and gently comforted her, "Silly child, it would be fine if she were gone. Why are you crying like this… It's all my fault, let's not talk about this anymore…"

The woman shook her head repeatedly, took the handkerchief and wiped her cheeks, her voice a little hoarse: "No... I remember that bracelet, but over the years, I've pawned everything of value around me... I know I've wronged the princess's affection, but I really have no choice."

The princess nodded repeatedly and patted the woman's arm: "You've suffered so much these past years. Don't cry anymore... Now that you're here, settle down and stay in the manor. Your mother and I have known each other since we were little, and our relationship is closer than that of sisters. Just think of me as your aunt..."

The Seventh Prince watched from the side, a smile playing on his lips, seemingly finding it quite amusing. Seeing that the Princess had finished speaking, he said, "Speaking of which, there are some people Miss Jiang should meet."

"Let's do it tomorrow!" The Seventh Prince said, rising to his feet. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, each word distinct. "I'll send someone to inform Brother Zhou. I'm sure he and his wife will be overjoyed."

Everyone rose to their feet. The woman's room was in the Seventh Prince and Princess's courtyard, so they rose with the Princess, while the other three went straight to the backyard. Zhan Yun, who had been keeping an eye on Duan Chen all night, was also observing the woman who claimed to be a descendant of the Jiang family. Glancing sideways at Duan Chen, Zhan Yun spoke softly, "Zhao Ting, it seems the Prince's intentions..."

Zhao Ting was preoccupied with his upcoming conversation with Duan Chen, but he also noticed his parents' unusual behavior. Hearing Zhan Yun's question, he couldn't help but sneer, "Don't even mention my father, I don't believe it either."

Hearing this, Zhan Yun felt relieved and nodded, saying, "I also think that woman is very suspicious. But why did Your Highness suggest that Yi Ran's parents come to the manor? What's the reason behind this?"

Zhao Tingze seemed to suddenly remember something, and a smug smile appeared on his lips: "Xingzhi, there's going to be a good show tomorrow!"

Seeing his expression, Zhan Yun couldn't help but chuckle: "Is it related to Yi Ran?"

Zhao Ting stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes: "If I remember correctly, Yiran and that Miss Jiang were engaged back then."

Zhan Yun was taken aback, then burst out laughing, shaking his head repeatedly: "Yiran was saying yesterday that his mother was chasing him around the yard all day with a stack of paintings, trying to get married. Well, look what's happened..."

Zhao Ting nodded again, his face full of agreement: "It's a good thing. Because the day after the Jiang family of over three hundred people was ordered to be executed, our Minister Ji announced to the public that the marriage was null and void. The Zhou and Jiang families have had no connection whatsoever since."

Zhan Yun frowned as he listened: "I've never heard of this before. How could Uncle Zhou..."

Zhao Ting sighed: "That matter back then seems to have been quite complicated. The late emperor was furious, and many people in the court were implicated. The case was handled hastily, and it seems that it wasn't even reviewed by the Ministry of Justice. Hundreds of people were executed overnight. No one in the court dared to speak up for the Jiang family. As for Yiran's father, he was also forced into it back then..."

They had already reached Duan Chen's door when they started talking. Zhao Ting was about to speak when Duan Chen, without even lifting his eyelids, said in a low voice, "I'm tired. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Zhan Yun had just softly said "Sleep well" when the door slammed shut with a "snap," followed by the sound of a bolt being bolted from inside. A long while passed, and the room remained dark and silent. The two stood in the courtyard, still in their previous positions, and frowned simultaneously.

Zhao Ting glanced at the person beside him: "Chen'er seems to be in a bad mood?"

Zhan Yun continued staring at the door panel and nodded slightly: "He was fine in the afternoon, but it seems like it was only after returning to the Prince's Mansion that he was in a bad mood..." Moreover, it shouldn't be as simple as just being in a bad mood.

Zhao Ting continued to stare at him: "Were you with her this morning?"

Zhan Yun slowly turned her head, a smile on her lips: "Yes." Seeing Zhao Ting's eyes turn cold, she added calmly: "We met outside."

The two stared at each other silently for a long while. Zhao Ting's eyes were deep, and he parted his thin lips slightly: "I like her."

“I’ve liked her since we were in Hangzhou, you know that.” Seeing the other person nod, Zhao Ting said in a deep voice, “In this life, all I want to do is marry her and make her my princess.”

Zhan Yun smiled faintly, twirling the folding fan between her fingers. Her voice was clear as ever, but not as gentle as usual: "You think it's one thing."

Zhao Ting saw the faint provocation in Zhan Yun's eyes, and his words were also somewhat cold: "Xingzhi, don't keep challenging my bottom line. You should know that I consider you a good brother, even better than Yiran."

Zhan Yun smiled leisurely, then suddenly stopped folding his fan: "These are two different things. Brothers are brothers, but Chen'er is not an object, not something you and I can obtain by exchanging a few words and having a fight."

With his crescent-shaped eyes fixed on the person opposite him, Zhan Yun said slowly, "If you truly love Chen'er, you should care more about her feelings. Liking someone isn't something you can do however you want. If I see something like what happened last night again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Zhao Ting was still angry from last night, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but sneer: "I haven't settled the score with you for what happened in Bitter Water Town, and you're already picking on me? How I treat Chen'er, whether last night or in the future, is none of your business."

Zhan Yun's smile was somewhat cold: "So, this is how the young prince treats those he supposedly truly likes."

Zhao Tingjian frowned deeply and growled in a low voice, "Zhan Yun, you—"

The door slammed open, and Duan Chen, his blue robe slightly wrinkled, stood in the doorway with his eyes half-closed: "It's late, we should call somewhere else."

Zhao Ting instantly transformed from a furious tiger back into a docile cat: "Chen'er..."

Zhan Yun remained calm with a slight smile: "Chen'er is right. I'll go back to my room now and stop arguing with him."

Zhao Ting's lips twitched. Who was arguing with you! But he could only follow Zhan Yun's words and continue: "Chen'er, go to sleep early. I'll be back soon too—" Before he could finish speaking, the door slammed shut again. The young prince felt a little embarrassed and pretended not to see the mockery in the other person's eyes. He hurriedly turned around and left the courtyard.

Author's Note: There will be an update this Wednesday at 9 AM~ To all the readers who have helped me collect and add this to their favorites, you are all so kind! ╭(╯3╰)╮

75

Chapter Nine: A Spoonful of Stew • Brotherhood...

The four men left the coroner's office on the afternoon of the first day and went to the homes and offices of the deceased, asking their families and friends about the restaurants and eateries the deceased frequented. However, it was a bit late, and they couldn't finish asking them all at once. So, after breakfast the next morning, the four men continued their work from the previous day.

Originally, it was most convenient to work in pairs, as it would save time. However, as soon as Duan Chen said this, the three of them shook their heads in unison in opposition. Zhan Yun was the most mild-mannered, and Zhao Ting was only firm in his attitude. Only Zhou Yufei was emotionally agitated, shaking his head like a rattle drum. His usually captivating peach blossom eyes were now filled with fear, and he repeatedly said, "No!"

Duan Chen barely slept a wink last night, and after crying for so long at Yu Liushan's grave during the day, his phoenix eyes were red and swollen when he woke up this morning, and his mind was a bit muddled. Hearing Zhou Yufei's wailing and lamenting as if he were about to sell him out, his face darkened, and he said coldly, "What do you mean you can't? Either you and I are in the same group, or the four of us can go our separate ways—that'll be faster!"

Zhou Yufei noticed something was off between Zhao Ting and Zhan Yun from breakfast. If it was just a subtle rivalry before, now it was an open feud. From their glances to their movements, from picking up chopsticks to serving wontons, the two hadn't stopped fiddling around since early morning. Only Duan Chen, lost in his own thoughts, hadn't paid much attention to their antics. But he saw it all clearly!

Therefore, the moment Duan Chen uttered those words, Zhou Yufei already anticipated that the result of neither of them giving in would likely be him being used as a substitute. But if he were paired with Duan Chen, even without his mother's constant pressure to marry him, these two would have torn him apart on the spot!

Sure enough, as soon as Young Master Duan finished speaking, the young prince immediately glanced at him, as if to say, "Do you dare to agree?" Zhou Yufei shook his head repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare even if you gave me ten lives!" Zhan Yun, however, kept smiling faintly, which made Lord Zhou feel a chill down his spine. This was someone he couldn't afford to offend... While the three of them were exchanging glances, Duan Chen had already gotten up and left the shop.

Zhao Ting got up to chase after them, but Zhan Yun blocked his way with a flick of his folding fan: "Let Yiran go." Zhan Yun glanced at Zhou Yufei, signaling him to hurry up and follow, then lowered his voice and said, "Didn't you see how swollen Chen'er's eyes are?"

Zhao Ting frowned and sat down again: "Do you know what happened?"

Zhan Yun honestly shook his head: "I don't know."

Zhao Ting sighed, looking at the man's thin back with some helplessness: "What happened...? She didn't cry all night, did she? Why are her eyes so red..."