Chapter 34: The Crown Princess Doesn’t Seem to Like the Crown Prince Much

Chapter 34: The Crown Princess Seems Not to Like the Crown Prince Much

The mid-April sun already carried a touch of summer’s warmth, shining so brightly that Pei Yun had to squint. Yet when she recognized the figure approaching, it was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head, chilling her from head to toe.

Pei Xuan reacted faster than she did, swiftly stepping forward to bow. "This humble official greets Your Highness."

Li Zhangye nodded, his gaze subtly lingering on Pei Yun as he smiled faintly. "I couldn’t very well skip it," he said. "The Crown Princess said today is a family banquet—it would be rude not to attend."

*Like we actually wanted him here.*

Pei Yun couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. He wasn’t even a member of the Pei family—his presence wasn’t required at their family gathering.

Lady Zhou, seated not far away, heard the commotion and hurried over with Chen'er in her arms. She cast a puzzled glance at Pei Yun, realizing her daughter hadn’t mentioned the Crown Prince’s visit—likely unaware of it herself.

"We beg Your Highness’s pardon for not preparing for your arrival. Please, come to the flower hall for tea and rest."

"It’s been a while since I last drew a bow," the Crown Prince replied. "This spot suits me just fine. The garden scenery is lovely—I need not trouble you to move elsewhere."

"Understood." Lady Zhou handed Chen'er to Wet Nurse Sun, who had followed behind, then hastily summoned maids to serve tea and seasonal fruits before rushing off to the kitchen in a fluster.

The family banquet had been prepared with abundant dishes, perfectly suitable for entertaining relatives. But with the Crown Prince’s unexpected arrival, extra effort was now required.

Seeing Lady Zhou as flustered as a hen in a thunderstorm, Jiang Lanqing stepped forward and offered to accompany her. Known for her steadiness and reliability, Jiang Lanqing’s presence immediately soothed Lady Zhou, who nodded gratefully as if taking a dose of calming medicine.

The moment the lofty, uninvited guest planted himself in the garden, the atmosphere grew stifling. Even Pei Wei, usually the most lively and chatter-prone, clammed up instantly.

Only Chen'er, cradled in the wet nurse’s arms, wriggled and babbled nonsense.

The Crown Prince strode toward Li Jin, making the boy tense up instantly. Moments ago, under his uncle’s guidance in archery, he had been brimming with joy. Now, facing his father, he felt as though standing before a stern tutor at Gengzhuo Pavilion, bracing for a test.

It wasn’t fear—just worry that he might disappoint his father with inadequate performance.

"Did the Duke of State Stabilization give you this?" the Crown Prince asked, examining the longbow in Jin Er’s hands.

"Indeed," Pei Xuan replied respectfully. "Before returning to the capital, I was unsure what Jin Er might favor. Considering his age, he ought to have begun training in archery and horsemanship, so I commissioned a military craftsman to forge this bow."

"A fine bow indeed," the Crown Prince nodded approvingly. "The Duke has been most thoughtful."

He moved behind Li Jin, crouching to adjust the boy’s stance and grip on the bow, murmuring, "Don’t disappoint your uncle," as he coached him.

"Raise your arm, hold your breath, focus… release."

Following his father’s quiet instructions, Jin Er loosened his fingers. The arrow shot straight to the target, striking the bullseye without deviation.

Yet this shot, perhaps aided by the Crown Prince’s added strength, pierced clean through the center, embedding itself in the flowerbed beyond. The previous arrow clattered to the ground beneath the target.

Pei Wei let out a soft gasp, and Pei Xuan cupped his hands in admiration. "Your Highness’s archery is unmatched."

The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "It’s been a while since I last drew a bow. Fortunately, I haven’t grown too rusty—or I’d have made a fool of myself in front of the Duke."

Though Jin Er had heard from his martial instructors that his father was brilliant, with a near-photographic memory and masterful archery—never giving his imperial grandparents cause for concern—he’d never seen proof until now. That single shot confirmed the truth of their words.

Li Zhangye glanced down, meeting his son’s bright, awestruck gaze. For a moment, the image of Pei Xuan encouraging the boy flashed through his mind.

Hesitantly, he raised a hand and, mimicking Pei Xuan, ruffled Jin Er’s hair.

Jin Er blushed as he looked down shyly.

Pei Yun watched the father and son, her thoughts stuck on that one arrow the Crown Prince had fired while coaching Jin Er.

At the banquet in the Marquis of Pingnan's estate back then, she had caught a distant glimpse of the Crown Prince across the lake—his back straight as he drew the bow like a full moon, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's when aiming at the target, his presence commanding.

Coupled with his handsome features and her own youthful naivety, it was no wonder she had been completely charmed by him.

Pei Yun thought to herself, only to glance up and find the Crown Prince turning slightly to look at her. Their eyes met, and Pei Yun curved her lips into a faint smile.

But when her gaze flickered to the pierced target, she suddenly felt that the Crown Prince's shot had been just showing off.

She knew he was an excellent archer.

But why look at her? Did he expect her to praise him as well?

After half an hour in the garden, Lady Wang sent a servant to invite the Crown Prince and the others to the main hall for dinner.

What should have been a lively family gathering was tinged with restraint due to the Crown Prince's unexpected visit. Lady Wang had specially prepared two jugs of fine wine, intending for Pei Xuan to drink with the Crown Prince, but the latter declined. Unless absolutely necessary at palace banquets, he abstained from alcohol entirely, fearing it might lead to mistakes.

Pei Yun, however, drank two cups—though not strong liquor, but mellow peach blossom wine, light enough not to intoxicate.

The moment the Crown Prince arrived, she knew their original plan for her to stay the night was likely canceled.

After the meal, Pei Yun waited for the Crown Prince to speak, expecting to follow him back to the palace. Instead, the Crown Prince looked at her and said, "The Crown Princess rarely returns, and today is a joyous reunion. You must have much to say. There’s no need to return to the Eastern Palace tonight."

Pei Yun’s heart soared, but before the smile could reach her face, the Crown Prince added, "I will stay with the Crown Princess at the Duke’s residence overnight."

With the Crown Prince staying over, Lady Wang was sent scrambling again. Jiang Lanqing helped her manage the arrangements, and when she stepped out of the main hall, she saw Pei Xuan waiting by the arched gateway with a lantern in hand.

She paused for a moment, then smiled brightly, lifting her skirt to step through.

"It’s so late. Why hasn’t the Duke retired yet?"

"I was waiting for you."

The two walked side by side toward Jiang Lanqing’s courtyard.

"Since returning to the capital, I’ve been busy with social obligations and haven’t had the chance to ask—are you settling in well in this household?"

Jiang Lanqing glanced up at him with a smile. "Is the Duke worried I might be being mistreated?"

Caught, Pei Xuan flushed slightly. "The capital isn’t like Wunan. If you’re wronged, I might not be able to intervene in time. Don’t keep things to yourself—tell me everything."

"With the Duke’s assurance, I wouldn’t fear even if I were wronged," Jiang Lanqing said. "Besides, everyone in the Duke’s residence treats me very well. The two young ladies are kind, and Lady Wang (Madam Pei) is even more benevolent. With her protection, no one in this household would dare look down on me."

Pei Xuan, seeing her speak with such certainty, teased, "You’ve always been observant. It seems you’ve grasped the temperaments of this household’s members better than I have."

After three years together in Wunan, Pei Xuan had come to understand Jiang Lanqing well. Though usually quiet, even when sitting silently, she missed nothing—truly possessing a keen and perceptive mind.

Having guarded Wunan alone for eleven years, separated from his family by thousands of miles, Pei Xuan had long harbored a loneliness he couldn’t voice—until Jiang Lanqing appeared. Unlike the fawning flattery of the high-ranking officials around Wunan, though she lived in the general’s residence, she never once flattered him.

The reason he couldn’t let go of this woman eight years his junior might have been the bowl of longevity noodles she made for him on his birthday, or perhaps the "May the new year bring you peace" she murmured amid the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Only after her arrival did the general’s estate truly become a home.

Jiang Lanqing smiled without replying.

Among the Pei family members she had interacted with, their temperaments indeed varied greatly.

Lady Wang (Madam Pei) was soft-hearted—not just in disposition but also in character. When Jiang Lanqing had uncovered the shopkeepers’ embezzlement and insisted on severe punishment, Lady Wang had hesitated, saying those men had worked in the Pei family’s shops for many years—a stern warning might be enough.

Then there was the second young lady of the house. Jiang Lanqing had heard of the incident involving Madam Pei and Wang Shi of the second branch. The Crown Princess had acted ruthlessly, expelling three from the household—yet Pei Qian alone remained. This proved Pei Qian had her own methods. Though she played the obedient role, she affectionately called Jiang Lanqing "Sister Jiang," but she likely had an agenda. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept bringing up her eagerness to learn household management and accounting.

As for the third daughter, Pei Wei, she was completely innocent—like a crystal-clear mountain brook, longing to be free.

Finally, there was the former eldest Miss of the Pei family, now Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess.

At this thought, Jiang Lanqing allowed a faint smile to curve her lips.

She had only met her twice in total, yet today she had discovered something rather amusing.

The Crown Princess didn't seem particularly fond of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince...

At the Duke of State Stabilization's estate, Qinglin Courtyard.

Nurse Sun tried to take Chen'er to the western chamber for a bath and rest, but perhaps because it was his first time spending the night in an unfamiliar place, Chen'er clung tightly to Pei Yun's embrace, his small hands gripping her clothes and refusing to let go.

Even the slightest separation from Pei Yun's arms made him pout, on the verge of crying.

Unable to help it, when the Crown Prince emerged from his bath, Pei Yun picked up Chen'er and said, "Your Highness, this is Chen'er's first night at the Duke's estate, and he's feeling uneasy. Tonight, this consort will sleep with him in the western chamber to avoid disturbing Your Highness's rest."

Though the Crown Prince was staying overnight at the Duke's estate, he had to attend morning court at dawn the next day. If Chen'er were present, he certainly wouldn't get a peaceful night's sleep.

Moreover, truth be told, Pei Yun had little desire to share a bed with him either.

Yet the Crown Prince glanced at Chen'er in her arms and replied without hesitation, "It's fine. I don’t mind the disturbance. This bed is larger—the Crown Princess may sleep here with Chen'er."

Pei Yun's smile froze momentarily before she curtsied and said, "As you wish," then took Chen'er inside for his bath.

Li Changye walked to the writing desk, his gaze drifting to the empty corner of the table, and he couldn’t help but frown slightly.

When Pei Yun came out, she saw the Crown Prince sitting at the desk perusing a book. She could only be grateful for her foresight—after dinner, upon hearing the Crown Prince would stay, she had immediately instructed Shu Yan to come ahead and put the painting away in storage.

She didn’t know whether the Crown Prince had previously unfurled the painting for a closer look, but even if he had, it hardly mattered. With her amateurish brushwork, he might not even recognize that the figure in the painting was himself.

After washing away the sticky sweat and changing into a silk sleeping robe, Chen'er seemed particularly comfortable, lying on the bed and kicking his legs, with no intention of sleeping.

Yet it was precisely at this moment that the wine began to affect her. Her tolerance for alcohol was decent—as long as she didn’t drink too much, she only grew flushed and became exceptionally drowsy.

Just as she was now.

Unwilling to sleep, Chen'er started acting up. Pei Yun lay on the innermost side of the bed, her eyelids heavy as lead, her mind a muddled haze. Still, she reached out to pat Chen'er's back gently, muttering,

"Chen'er, be good… don’t trouble your mother..."

No sooner had she spoken than a pair of large hands suddenly lifted Chen'er away. Pei Yun squinted her eyes and saw the Crown Prince half-turned toward her, clumsily soothing Chen'er.

Perhaps compared to his mother's embrace, his father's chest was broader and warmer—Chen'er seemed to like it, snuggling contentedly against him.

But the next moment, as if noticing that the chest he was pressed against was not only firm but also curved, Chen'er leaned down, smacking his lips before suddenly biting the Crown Prince's sleeping robe.

Pei Yun watched as the Crown Prince's face darkened instantly.

Even in her exhaustion, the sight conjured an absurdly comical image in her mind. She bit her lip, unable to hold back, and a bright peal of laughter rang out in the dim candlelit bedchamber.

Whether from laughter or drowsiness, Li Changye saw tears sparkling at the corners of Pei Yun's eyes as she laughed freely. His lips pressed together unconsciously.

He gently tugged his robe free from Chen'er's grip and, as if recalling something, said, "A few days ago, His Majesty mentioned to me that the Empress Dowager has already departed from Zhaolian Mountain and will likely arrive in the capital soon..."

Pei Yun's mind was foggy, and she murmured distractedly. Of course, she knew of this—in her previous life, the Empress Dowager had returned to the palace around this time as well.

She even vaguely remembered that shortly after the Empress Dowager's return in her previous life, she had specifically summoned her.

To revisit the matter of selecting a concubine for the Crown Prince.