Huangfu Xuan looked at them with his sinister eyes. The women of the official families lowered their heads shyly, as if they were about to be chosen as imperial concubines!
Ma Ruyi looked at him, while Huangfu Xuan stood up and coldly glanced at the ladies of the official families. "If you have nothing else to do, you can all go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers! You don't need to bother me!"
“…Yes!” The officials’ daughters immediately bowed and left.
He really doesn't understand romance! Perhaps some women hate Ma Ruyi. If Ma Ruyi hadn't been clinging to him all the time, one or two of them would definitely have been able to get close to him!
Ma Ruyi pursed her lips, then stood up and was about to walk to the back, but Huangfu Xuan suddenly pulled her back, "This prince did not ask you to leave, where are you going?"
"I...I'll go check on the flowers over there." Ma Ruyi looked at him. Why? If he didn't trust her, why did he keep her locked up by his side?
"Don't look at me like that!" Huangfu Xuan felt a sharp pain in his heart when he saw the sorrow in her eyes, though he didn't know why. He was determined not to let romantic feelings jeopardize his path to becoming emperor! Women—once he became emperor, how could he lack women?
Ma Ruyi was just an unexpected person who appeared on my path of growth, but this unexpected encounter could not stop me from moving forward!
“I…no,” Ma Ruyi whispered.
Huangfu Xuan felt quite irritated and pulled her away, saying, "You are Ma Ruyi, the third daughter of General Ma! You are from a military family, how can you give people the impression of being weak? If anyone dares to bully you, you should fight back!" He sighed inwardly, realizing that his mother was simply not good at fighting back, which was why she had become a victim in the harem!
"I'm afraid it will be too much." She is skilled in martial arts, though slightly less so than him. If she loses control and injures the daughters of officials or the concubines in the palace, who will protect her? She might cause trouble for him and even for General Ma's mansion. What if Huangfu Xuan dislikes her then?
"Too much?" Huangfu Xuan pulled her to a small corner. "What do you mean by too much? Do you think those women are easy targets, that they'll be offered up for you to squeeze?"
"No." Ma Ruyi lowered her head.
"If someone tries to take what's yours, then you take it! Do you understand?" Huangfu Xuan felt he couldn't persuade her, so he gave her a direct order.
Ma Ruyi looked up. "Including you, right?"
Huangfu Xuan was taken aback.
But the next second, he coldly said, "I'm your man!" After saying that, he turned around and walked out, unaware of the slight embarrassment on his face.
Ma Ruyi stood there, unsure whether she should follow. Had she just said something wrong? Earlier, those daughters of officials had come to compete with her for Huangfu Xuan…
"What are you still standing there for?" Huangfu Xuan took a few steps and, realizing she hadn't followed, turned around and said with a hint of anger.
"Yes." Ma Ruyi quickly followed.
He watched her approach, then followed behind him, reaching back to pull her into his arms. "What a stupid woman! I seriously doubt the intelligence of your father and elder brother, sending such a foolish woman to be a spy by my side!"
She pursed her lips and did not answer.
He placed his large hand on her waist and led her out together.
The surrounding ministers and daughters of officials watched the two go in and come out, so intimately entwined, and all shook their heads. It was hopeless again. Newly married, and the daughter of a general guarding the city, it seemed unlikely she could take any concubines…
General Ma Rong was conversing with several high-ranking officials when he noticed Ma Ruyi and Huangfu Xuan emerging together. He glanced at them and subtly gestured to Ma Rui, who was standing nearby. Upon receiving the signal, Ma Rui immediately walked towards Huangfu Xuan and Ma Ruyi.
"Second Brother." Ma Ruyi seemed very happy to see Ma Rui and immediately called out.
Ma Rui immediately bowed to Huangfu Xuan, saying, "Greetings, Third Prince! Third Imperial Consort."
"General Ma, you're too kind! No need for formalities!" Although Huangfu Xuan's tone was cold, Ma Rui could sense that there was no malice in it.
"Second Brother, how is Father?" Ma Ruyi glanced at Huangfu Xuan and then asked. She was truly grateful to Huangfu Xuan because he had given her a new identity, allowing her to experience paternal love, maternal love, and the brotherly affection among her siblings in those few short days. She would never forget this.
“Very good.” Ma Rui smiled. “Ma Rui is extremely happy to see the Third Prince and the Third Princess so happy.”
"Thank you, Second Brother." Ma Ruyi smiled, revealing her two canine teeth.
Huangfu Xuan looked at them and coughed twice. Damn it, did she have to laugh like that in front of him? She was saying they were siblings with no blood relation! She needed to be more careful!
"Father has other matters to attend to, so I, Ma Rui, will not disturb the Third Prince and the Third Princess any longer. I will take my leave now." With that, Ma Rui bowed and retreated.
"Take care!" Huangfu Xuan looked down at the little woman beside him who was still craning her neck to look, his brows furrowed. "What are you looking at?"
“Father and Second Brother,” Ma Ruyi said.
"It seems you really enjoyed life at General Ma's mansion, and perhaps even miss it?"
“I really like it,” Ma Ruyi said casually, completely unaware of Huangfu Xuan’s gradually darkening face.
"Hmph!" Huangfu Xuan snorted coldly and immediately walked out of the Imperial Garden.
Ma Ruyi looked surprised, wondering what she had said wrong again. Just then, she saw Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong walk in from outside. After thinking for a moment, Ma Ruyi stepped forward and said, "Fourth Prince, Fourth Sister-in-law."
"Third Imperial Consort?" Ji Wushang looked at her, but from her perspective, Huangfu Xuan left her behind and walked out alone.
"He's angry." Ma Ruyi looked at Ji Wushang, her eyes pleading. "What should we do?"
Ji Wushang was somewhat speechless. In his opinion, Ma Ruyi should be the kind of woman who was very scheming. However, she didn't even know how to please a man, so what was the point of talking about scheming?
Nan Xuzong looked at the two of them, his face twitching slightly. "You two talk. I have something to discuss with my third brother." He then nodded to Ji Wushang.
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded to let him leave, then turned to Ma Ruyi and said, "Don't rush, let's talk as we walk, okay?"
“Okay.” Ma Ruyi looked at Ji Wushang. “I would like to ask you for help.”
"What kind of help do you need?" Ji Wushang asked, looking at her.
"Teach me, teach me how to win his heart." Ma Ruyi glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention to her and Ji Wushang before daring to say what she had just said.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang almost spat out the snacks she had just eaten. "This, this is hard to say." She herself didn't know how she had won Nan Xuzong's heart; she had just followed her feelings. How could she possibly teach her any methods?
"Then what should I do?" Ma Ruyi looked at Ji Wushang and asked worriedly, "I often make him angry, and then he leaves in a rage."
"This...this is a matter between you two, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to say." Ji Wushang was a little sweaty.
“His angry look terrifies me. I don’t know how to stop him from being angry.” Ma Ruyi looked at Ji Wushang, then sat down on a chair to the side.
Ji Wushang sat down next to her, thought for a moment, and asked, "Where does he go and what does he do after each outburst of anger?"
"He went to the study and stayed there all night reviewing memorials, without eating, drinking, or speaking, until the next day when he went to court." Ma Ruyi's face was full of worry and apology. "If this continues, I'm afraid his body won't be able to take it, but I don't know what to do."
“Then why don’t you try appearing suddenly while he’s up all night reading memorials and bringing him a bowl of lotus seed soup that you made yourself?” Ji Wushang said. “If it were Cong, I would never let him work so hard alone. I would stay with him.”
"But he wouldn't let anyone disturb him. I tried to muster up the courage to go into his study, but his guards told me that he wouldn't allow anyone to go in."
"You know martial arts," Ji Wushang sighed. "If necessary, use violence!"
“If I hurt his guards, I’m afraid he’ll be even angrier.”
"How can you win his attention with all this clumsiness? You need to follow your heart! Don't be afraid or worried about anything, just listen to me!" Ji Wushang laughed. "If possible, I'd like to be good friends with you! But you know my bottom line!"
“I know,” Ma Ruyi said. “Thank you, fourth sister-in-law.”
"You're welcome. Actually, I feel that my third brother treats you quite well. First of all, he hasn't taken a concubine and only loves you now. Besides, after he got angry with you, he went to the study instead of somewhere else, which shows that he cares about you. You should cherish this opportunity!" Ji Wushang smiled.
"Really?" Ma Ruyi looked at her uncertainly. "But he got angry just now because I said a few words to my second brother."
"Well, there's probably still a little bit of a rift between you two. It's okay, things will get better with time!"
"good."
"Maybe he's jealous," Ji Wushang said, looking at her uncertainly.
“Jealous…” Ma Ruyi looked at her, then at the direction Huangfu Xuan had just left in, “Is it true?” Does this mean he cares about her?
"Don't rush, I need your cooperation on something," Ji Wushang said. Seeing that no one was around, he immediately leaned close to her ear and whispered a lot of things.
Ma Ruyi was surprised, but quickly nodded, "I can definitely do it!"
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you!" Ji Wushang said. "Without further ado, let's get started!"
Ma Ruyi nodded, and the two of them walked out of the Imperial Garden together, heading towards other courtyards.
At this moment, Huangfu Ting and Crown Prince Huangfu Yun were surrounded by ministers, who were all urging him to drink. Some of the officials' daughters even boldly stepped forward, either to perform or to offer drinks, all trying to show off their talents and hoping to win the favor of Huangfu Yun or Huangfu Ting.
Huangfu Yun, as if he had been celibate for many years, was incredibly aroused by the women before him! His eyes gleamed with greed as he conjured up images of pulling these women of high-ranking officials into his arms and indulging in their company!
Huangfu Ting, being an experienced man, was naturally unaffected by these people. While keeping an eye on those around him, he remained vigilant, keeping an eye on Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong. Seeing that no one was around, Huangfu Ting immediately pushed the people aside.
"Your Highness has just recovered from a serious illness and should not drink too much. Your Highness, why don't we go inside the palace and talk to the Empress Dowager?" Huangfu Ting stood up at this moment. He looked around warily, feeling that something was wrong. He didn't know if he was just being paranoid or if something serious was about to happen.
Huangfu Yun immediately stood up, cupped his hands in apology to the crowd, and stepped out from the crowd, saying, "Second Imperial Brother."
“Go to the Empress Dowager’s side!” Huangfu Ting said coldly.
"Mm." Huangfu Yun nodded.
At that moment, Huangfu Jing walked in from outside. "The Crown Prince has woken up, and I, the eldest princess, have no idea about this!"
"My elder sister is busy with her marriage to the Prince of Fusang, so naturally she doesn't know the details!" Huangfu Ting interjected, revealing that Huangfu Jing's ambitions were even greater than his own! Fortunately, their father had arranged for her to marry far away to Fusang!
"Oh? Is that so?" Huangfu Jing looked at Huangfu Yun and smiled. "I remember the Crown Prince once promised me something. Does the Crown Prince still remember?"
Huangfu Yun frowned slightly. How could he know about her promise to 'Huangfu Yun'? He wasn't her! He smiled and said, "Sister, to be honest, after I woke up, I wasn't very clear about the past. I'm afraid I've forgotten some promises. Please forgive me!"
"Oh, I see." Huangfu Jing smiled. "Then let the imperial physician take a good look!" She had never made any promises or agreements with Huangfu Yun! Heh, pretending!
"I have some things to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!" Huangfu Yun said, and then departed.
Huangfu Jing smiled, and Huangfu Ting nodded slightly before walking out.
Huangfu Yun looked at Huangfu Ting and said, "I feel that the Princess is suspicious of me!"
“That’s right,” Huangfu Ting said coldly. “Therefore, we must hurry up with this matter!” With that, he immediately walked towards Empress Yao’s Ningfeng Palace.
After the two left, a woman emerged from the shadows. Her eyes were cold and clear as she looked in the direction they had gone. She then disappeared back into the darkness, took a few side paths, and saw Ji Wushang waiting for her. She immediately went up to him and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law!"
"Third Imperial Consort, how is it?" Ji Wushang immediately stepped forward.
“You guessed right!” Ma Ruyi said. “Then how do we find out?”
"Of course, I'll use the methods most commonly used by women in the inner quarters. However, I can't guarantee whether I can identify this person." Ji Wushang frowned slightly.
Ji Wushang glanced at her. "Let's go!"
As the two turned around, they saw Huangfu Ting and Huangfu Yun standing there!
Ji Wushang and Ma Ruyi immediately stepped back, wondering if they had heard their conversation!
However, Ji Wushang anticipated that they wouldn't dare to act recklessly, so he gave Ma Ruyi a wink. Ma Ruyi nodded, and the two stepped forward, saying, "Crown Prince, Second Imperial Brother."
"Why are Third Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law here?" Huangfu Ting asked coldly, his eyes fixed on Ji Wushang and Ma Ruyi, his hands hidden beneath his sleeves gathering immense power! Had he just overheard them saying something probing?
"I thought this place looked secluded and beautiful, so I brought the Third Princess Consort along to come and see it! We can wait for His Highness the Third and Fourth Princes together!" Ji Wushang said. "Third Princess Consort, don't you think so?"
"Yes," Ma Ruyi said calmly. "Fourth sister-in-law, didn't you say you were going to try lighting the lamps? And that you were going to use some method that women in the inner quarters usually use? What method is it? Let me broaden my horizons!"
Ji Wushang smiled, "My mother told me before she passed away that it would be best for the bride to light a lamp in the lotus pond so that her wishes would come true and the couple would live in harmony. Today, the Empress Dowager is hosting a banquet, but she hasn't come out yet, so there must be something important. Therefore, I thought it would be better to take this opportunity to accompany the Third Princess Consort to release a lamp in the lotus pond."
"I see. Then go ahead and release them! There are many people in the Imperial Garden, so you'd better be careful." Although Huangfu Ting still had many questions, he held them back. He would continue to see what tricks these two women were up to!
Ji Wushang smiled, "Since Second Brother has said so, then Third Princess Consort, why don't we go quickly! Father and Mother shouldn't blame us."
“Okay, let’s put one lamp on.” Ma Ruyi smiled.