Chapter 27: Avoiding Dirty Entanglements

Chapter 27: Avoiding Dirty Entanglements

Before long, it was time for the flower-viewing banquet at Peach Garden. Ruan Qinghuan hadn’t wanted to come at first, but she decided to help He An get through this potential ordeal, considering that the Second Prince might try to cause trouble.

A light rain had fallen the previous night, leaving the air filled with a fresh scent of flowers and grass. Ruan Qinghuan pulled aside the carriage curtain and looked out. The distant mountains were a vibrant green, and the flowers and grass along the road looked freshly washed, brimming with life.

He An, sitting inside, gazed at her, somewhat distracted.

Ruan Qinghuan, fresh and joyful, was like these carefree flowers and grass. Just looking at her made one’s mood lighten.

Feeling He An’s gaze, Ruan Qinghuan turned back.

She was wearing a sky-blue floor-length dress that day, with a jacket embroidered with crabapple flowers. Although the color was quite solemn and could have seemed old-fashioned, on her, it added a touch of liveliness and nobility.

“The other day you said you didn’t want to attend this flower-viewing banquet. Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“I just felt like joining in the fun.”

He An chuckled softly. She wasn’t someone who would easily change her mind. Before, she hadn’t wanted to come, but last night she suddenly offered to accompany him—on the condition that they wouldn’t…

Thinking of this, the usually steady He An became a little distracted and, without warning, reached out to pull Ruan Qinghuan close, seating her next to him.

The sudden intimacy made Ruan Qinghuan flustered, and her face involuntarily flushed red. “What are you doing?”

“Lately, you’ve been distracted. Have you encountered something troubling?” Though He An was busy, whenever he came home, he noticed her deep in thought, assuming she was troubled.

“No, I just heard that Ruan Xiaoyue has been getting close to General Pei Chong’s sister, and I’m a little worried.”

Ruan Qinghuan didn’t hide this from He An. If Ruan Xiaoyue and Pei Chong were to join forces, it would definitely be for the Ruan family’s inheritance. Now that He An was backing her, Pei Chong might not dare to openly demand anything, but if, in the future, He An were to divorce her…

Thinking of this, Ruan Qinghuan pushed the thought aside. Since that night, He An had treated her like a different person—his words gentle, his attention meticulous and patient. Ruan Qinghuan could sense these changes.

But she couldn’t tell if he was acting out of genuine affection for her or merely fulfilling his duty as a husband.

If it was genuine affection, perhaps their relationship could continue to grow. But if it was just duty, once the novelty wore off, wouldn’t it be like coasting through life together?

“The Pei family is not a good choice.” These words were carefully considered by He An. Pei Chong held command over the capital’s defense forces and was a trusted confidant of the Second Prince.

Ever since the war with the Southern Kingdom had ended and military forces were redeployed, the Second Prince had been trying to win over such people. His intentions were clear.

“I know, but you’ve also seen the situation in the Ruan family. There’s deep animosity between the main branch and the second branch. If the second aunt agrees, there’s nothing anyone can say to stop it.”

“Then let her be.”

Let her be?

Ruan Qinghuan raised her head, clearly displeased. “The Pei family and the Ruan family have never had any dealings. At this time, for Pei Chong to suddenly approach Xiaoyue, I suspect his intentions aren’t as innocent as they appear.”

“But if she doesn’t realize it, what can we do?”

Ruan Qinghuan shifted a little and turned to look at him. “Do you know that Pei Chong has ulterior motives toward the Ruan family?”

He An wasn’t surprised at all by this. With his depth of insight, how could he not have figured it out?

“Don’t worry. With me around, Pei Chong won’t stand a chance.” He An wasn’t concerned and, in a reassuring gesture, put his arm around her shoulder. “Take a short nap. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Ruan Qinghuan’s worries weren’t unfounded. Earlier, He An hadn’t paid much attention to this Pei Chong, but going forward, he would need to keep an eye on him.

**

Today, Peach Garden was bustling with activity. Inside the peach forest, low tables and cushions were arranged for guests to rest and chat.

The Peach Garden was vast, and further inside, there was a courtyard. To the west of the courtyard was a garden, and to the east, a two-story pavilion. Next to the pavilion stood an elegant waterside pavilion.

Quite a few people were gathered in the waterside pavilion, chatting in small groups.

The Second Prince stood by the window, with the Crown Prince at his side. Seeing He An, the Second Prince nodded, signaling him to come over.

He An instructed Jiang Ming and Jiang Qi to follow Ruan Qinghuan and advised, "Don't neglect yourself."

Ruan Qinghuan smiled lightly, "Don't worry."

To be honest, Ruan Qinghuan was somewhat worried about He An. The Second Prince was intent on winning him over and would certainly use tactics, the most important of which would be to stir up trouble between him and the Crown Prince.

In the garden, the Crown Princess and Chen Wangfei were engaged in conversation, while the other princesses watched.

Though the Crown Princess had never met Ruan Qinghuan, she recognized Jiang Ming and Jiang Qi, He An’s attendants. That these two were assigned to protect her meant she must be the Prime Minister’s wife.

Earlier, when the Crown Prince and Ji Lingchuan were casually chatting, Ji Lingchuan had mentioned that the usually cold and imposing Prime Minister had been brought down by his new wife. Initially, the Crown Princess hadn’t believed it, but seeing Ruan Qinghuan’s lively and graceful demeanor, it was clear that He An treated her well.

A woman who had married poorly wouldn’t have such a lively and carefree look in her eyes.

The Crown Princess waved her over. Jiang Ming whispered, "Madam, these are the Crown Princess and Chen Wangfei."

Ruan Qinghuan approached and greeted them, "I, the Prime Minister’s wife, greet the Crown Princess and Chen Wangfei."

Before the Crown Princess could even respond after helping her up, Chen Wangfei began scrutinizing Ruan Qinghuan, "It’s been said that the Prime Minister has taken a wife. Today, I see that you are indeed as beautiful as a celestial being, but unfortunately..."

She paused, leaving room for speculation, but Ruan Qinghuan wasn’t in a hurry and waited for her to continue.

Chen Wangfei shook her head regretfully, "It’s just a pity that even though you are so beautiful, you aren’t the type that the Prime Minister favors. It’s said that he delayed the wedding for two years because of this, only marrying you due to pressure from his elders."

Chen Wangfei’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, ensuring that everyone around could hear.

The Crown Princess, upon hearing this, didn’t look pleased. "I don’t think that’s the case. Whether a couple is happy is known only to themselves. What others see may not be true. If Prime Minister He didn’t have a good relationship with his wife, why would he bring her to the banquet?"

Chen Wangfei responded, "Even if he doesn’t like her, she’s still the mistress of the Prime Minister’s residence. It’s only appropriate to bring the official wife to such an occasion. It’s not like he’d bring a concubine, right?"

This remark caused a stir of whispering among the people nearby.

Ruan Qinghuan didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled brightly, "Chen Wangfei, you must be teasing. My husband has always been busy with his duties. Recently, he’s stayed in the palace for several days in a row. Besides, he’s quite particular about cleanliness and can’t stand anything dirty."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wangfei’s expression turned cold. Ruan Qinghuan was implying that her words were unclean.

Ruan Xiaoyue, who had been observing the scene, wanted to slip away, but Chen Wangfei noticed her and called her over, "There’s no need to hide, young madam. After all, your sister herself said these things. How could there be any mistake?"

Ruan Xiaoyue, put on the spot, had no choice but to support Chen Wangfei, "Cousin, it’s best not to argue over such things and let outsiders watch the joke."

"Who wants to watch a joke?"

The Crown Prince’s group arrived in the garden. With the support of the Second Prince, Chen Wangfei went to stand by his side, "Your Highness, I was just having a casual chat with the Prime Minister’s wife, and she got upset."

The Crown Princess said, "Sister, today you’ve indeed gone too far."

Chen Wangfei didn’t care, "See, even the Crown Princess is being all serious. Soon, no one will dare to speak."

The Second Prince pretended to scold her but was actually letting her off easy, "You should learn from the Crown Princess. You can’t always rely on acting coquettish and being capricious."

"Your Highness, you’re saying this as if you’re not enjoying the benefits," Chen Wangfei replied coquettishly, "There are several concubines in our royal residence. Have I ever said anything?"

"On this point, you are indeed quite generous," the Second Prince said with a hearty laugh.

Ruan Qinghuan knew that today’s banquet was a trap disguised as a feast, but something felt off. To start with such a scene, what exactly was the Second Prince planning?