Chapter 033: Is He Stirring Up Hatred for Her?

Chapter 033: Is He Stirring Up Hatred for Her?

After finishing the important matters and leaving the Crown Prince's estate, it was already late. He An had originally planned to pick Ruan Qinghuan up at a villa, but Jiang Ming informed him that she had been taken back to her family's home.

He An boarded the carriage, and from outside, Jiang Ming said, "My lord, Cousin Wei Mingxi has arrived."

"Cousin?"

"Yes, Miss Wei."

"Hmm."

Wei Mingxi hadn't come to the capital for more than half a year, so why was she here now?

His cousin, a year younger than Ruan Qinghuan, was chatty and a bit annoying. But since she was the only daughter of his aunt, both his mother and aunt doted on her more.

In the dining hall, Wei Mingxi was telling her aunt about family matters, from her father's official duties to even the small arguments between her parents, causing Meng Suqiu to frown from time to time.

This girl really could talk, and after a while, Meng Suqiu became a little annoyed and interrupted, "Mingxi, you've been of age for a year now, have you been betrothed?"

"Aunt, I'm still young and don't want to marry so early. I want to stay with my parents and with you, Aunt."

"Nonsense, how can that be? Men should get married when they reach the right age, and women should marry when they come of age. If you stay at home and don't marry, your mother will be worried about you."

Wei Mingxi pouted, looking a little dejected. "Aunt, why did Cousin suddenly marry Miss Ruan from the Ruan family?"

"How can you call it sudden? The marriage was arranged by the He and Ruan families when they were children. It was only a matter of time before they wed."

"But... I don’t think Cousin really likes Ruan Qinghuan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited two more years after she came of age."

Hearing this, Meng Suqiu's face darkened. "Mingxi, while you are An'er's cousin, you should know your place. Your cousin and his wife's matters are not for you to gossip about, understand?"

After saying this, Meng Suqiu sighed, feeling a little troubled.

As her aunt, Meng Suqiu wasn't unaware of her niece's thoughts. If He An truly had feelings for her, she, as his aunt, would have been happy to see it happen. But a mother knows her own son best, and An'er treated her no differently.

The sound of steady footsteps grew closer. Passing by the dining hall, He An, not seeing Ruan Qinghuan, intended to greet his mother before returning to Changchun Garden.

"Cousin..." Wei Mingxi went ahead and met him at the door, immediately taking hold of He An's arm.

He An gently pulled his arm away, "Since you've come to visit, spend more time with Mother."

"An'er, have you had dinner?"

"Not yet, I'm going to see Qinghuan first."

"Alright, I'll have the food sent to your room."

"Cousin, I've just arrived. Could you tell me what’s new in the capital?"

Wei Mingxi had finally convinced her parents to let her come to the capital, and this was her last chance.

"Jiang Ming, if Miss Wei wants to know something, you can tell her."

After saying this, He An quickly headed towards Changchun Garden. Wei Mingxi wanted to follow, but Jiang Ming blocked her, "If you want to know anything, feel free to ask. I will answer truthfully."

"I don’t care about anything anymore."

Wei Mingxi, throwing a small fit, went to Meng Suqiu and acted spoiled. "Aunt, look, Cousin isn’t even paying attention to me."

"Mingxi, now that you're grown up, you still need to observe proper boundaries between men and women, or it will harm your reputation." Meng Suqiu took her hand. "If you wish to marry into the capital, I can help you discreetly, but as for your cousin, don't even think about it."

She knew her son well. Mingxi was not like others; she was her niece, and Meng Suqiu didn't want her to get hurt.

"Aunt, you always used to favor me, but why are you acting differently now?"

"I still care about you, but we must separate things clearly. You can't be confused."

Wei Mingxi bit her lip.

"Your cousin already has a wife. You need to understand this." She's been spoiled, which is why she acts without thinking.

In Changchun Garden, after the servants delivered the food and left, Ruan Qinghuan finally opened her eyes groggily. She had actually woken up when someone entered earlier but didn't want to move.

He An changed into everyday clothes and sat down by the bed.

Ruan Qinghuan turned her back on him, still upset.

He An affectionately picked her up, forcing her to face him. He An said, "Eat something before you sleep, okay?"

"He An, are you doing this on purpose?"

She hadn't gone out all day, afraid that people would see the marks on her neck. She had even asked Xia Lian to take her dress to a tailor to add a high collar.

Luckily, she was from the modern era and had seen many clothing styles; otherwise, she might not have gone out for five or six days.

Upon hearing this, He An's expression turned serious. "It was an accident."

An accident?

How could something like this be an accident?

He had been affected by an aphrodisiac once; he could blame it for anything. Even the incense hadn't realized its effect would be so powerful.

He An kissed her forehead affectionately, like he was coaxing a child, and carried her to the dining table. "Tomorrow, there's a banquet at the Crown Prince's estate. We’ll go together."

"Tomorrow?"

The Second Prince had just held a peach blossom viewing party, and now the Crown Prince was hosting a banquet. Was it necessary to make the competition so obvious?

After observing He An for a while, Ruan Qinghuan couldn't suppress her curiosity. "What about Liu Yueru?"

"The Crown Prince has been confined to his quarters for two months, and the servant who had an affair with Liu Yueru has been sentenced to death."

Ruan Qinghuan nodded; this was as expected.

"Moreover, Liu Yueru's marriage to Qu Gongzi has been arranged, and they will wed within three days."

"Cough cough..." Ruan Qinghuan was surprised. "Is Qu Gongzi still willing to marry her?"

"It's not about willingness; he must marry her."

Ruan Qinghuan: "..."

Refusing to marry would be considered defiance of the emperor, which is a capital offense.

The emperor wanted to save face for the Second Prince and resolve the matter without damaging the royal family’s reputation.

"Knock, knock, knock..." There was a knock on the door. "Cousin, it's Mingxi. Open the door, cousin."

Ruan Qinghuan gave He An a sidelong glance. He An frowned. "Mingxi is still young and doesn't really understand proper etiquette. Tomorrow, I'll speak to Mother and ask her to teach Mingxi properly."

"Don't do that. She just came over tonight, and if you go to Mother tomorrow to complain, it'll look like I'm causing trouble." Ruan Qinghuan, having eaten enough, decided to hide back in bed, pulling the curtains closed because she didn’t want to be seen like this.

He An opened the door, and Wei Mingxi walked right in.

He An, visibly displeased, said, "Mingxi, unless there's something important, don't come to Changchun Garden. Your sister-in-law prefers peace and quiet."

Ruan Qinghuan in bed: "..."

Is he trying to turn her into the villain here?

When did I ever say that?

Wei Mingxi bristled at that. "I came to visit my aunt and my cousin. Are you trying to kick me out, sister-in-law?"

Noticing He An’s expression darken, Wei Mingxi backed down slightly and handed a pouch to He An. "Cousin, I spent half a month embroidering this. It's for you."

He An: "No need. Your sister-in-law has already given me plenty. You might as well keep it for yourself."

Ruan Qinghuan, suppressing her anger, took a deep breath. She couldn't even thread a needle, so when had she ever given him a pouch?

Wei Mingxi, seeing that he wouldn't accept it, was greatly disheartened and, glaring coldly at the curtains, said, "Hmph, sister-in-law sure knows how to keep a man wrapped around her finger. You're always in bed, day and night. Aren't you afraid my aunt will scold you for being improper?"

"Enough." He An shouted angrily.

Wei Mingxi’s eyes welled up with tears, her lashes fluttering in distress. Angrily stomping her foot, she ran out.