Chương 378

Ye Chutang bent down and picked her up.

Xiao Wu rubbed against her neck, hugging her tightly with a sense of contentment.

Princess Qinyang let out a sigh: “In her eyes, there’s only your sister. As soon as she arrived, she forgot about me.”

Xiao Wu blushed with embarrassment, but didn’t let go of Ye Chutang’s hand for a moment.

However, Princess Qinyang wasn’t really bothered by it; she picked up the slingshot and put it back into Xiao Wu’s arms.

“Here, it’s for you!”

Ye Chutang glanced down at it; the slingshot was carved from high-quality pear wood, with a ring of red and blue gems inlaid on the handle, which was truly dazzling.

This wasn’t really a typical slingshot; rather, it was more of a work of art, or perhaps a luxury item.

Ye Chutang originally wanted to decline politely, but thinking of the person before her, who was so generous and didn’t mind spending money at all, she accepted it without any guilt.

— It’s tiring for wealthy people to spend money too. Since we’re all friends, she was willing to help with this favor.

“Xiao Wu, quickly thank the princess.”

Only then did Xiao Wu take the slingshot into her hands, and her cute little face revealed a brilliant smile.

Princess Qinyang watched her smile, feeling a bit regretful.

It’s a pity that this little girl just can’t speak...

She shook her head, put those thoughts aside, and changed the subject: “Hey, Chutang, what did the emperor want from you? Why did it take you so long to come back?”

Ye Chutang replied truthfully: “Nothing special, he just asked me to check the third princess’s pulse.”

Princess Qinyang suddenly realized and looked behind her with some surprise, murmuring: “Really? She’s only been back for a few days, and already gets such treatment?”

In her memory, Emperor Wudi didn’t like this daughter very much; he didn’t even wish to see her often. Yet this time—

“Ruguifei is also there,” Ye Chutang said.

With her mediation, it was normal that the emperor was willing to give the third princess some respect.

But Princess Qinyang frowned: “Is that all?”

Ye Chutang smiled: “The third princess will now live in the palace permanently. Ruguifei said she wants to find her a good marriage.”

“I knew it!”

Princess Qinyang didn’t seem surprised at all; she pouted and said,

“Since he went to such lengths to have her come back, there must be a plan behind it.”

Ye Chutang thought for a moment and said: “I heard that the third princess has been raised in Ruguifei’s palace since she was young. After all these years of mother-daughter bond, it’s normal for her to want to arrange a good marriage for her.”

Princess Qinyang sneered: “She doesn’t lack children of her own; she already has both sons and daughters. Why should she care so much about someone else’s daughter?”

Ruguifei entered the palace at the age of fourteen and has been favored by the emperor ever since. The second prince is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and is highly regarded by the emperor. The eldest princess is married to Xie Pei’s eldest son, so her position is stable.

It seems that she indeed doesn’t need to care so much about Xiao Lanyunxi.

Ye Chutang seemingly said casually, “But after all, she’s been raised for so many years. Besides, you once said that the Third Princess would come back this time to help the Second Prince out of his difficulties, right?”

Just for this reason, it doesn’t seem wrong at all that Noble Consort shows her so much concern for her.

Princess Qinyang looked around before getting closer and then asked in a low voice, “So which young master has she taken a fancy to?”

But please, not her brother—

“She mentioned the second son of Marquis Zhongyong.”

Princess Qinyang’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down: “That’s good, that’s good! Hahaha—”

No one should come and compete with her sister-in-law for her brother!

As for anyone else, let her choose who she wants.

Suddenly, Princess Qinyang’s laughter stopped abruptly: “Wait a moment, you mean—Xie Anbai?”

Ye Chutang nodded and added, “But the First Princess doesn’t approve of it, and the Emperor hasn’t given his consent either.”

Princess Qinyang remained silent for a while before suddenly sneering.

“She really thinks too highly of herself!”

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow: “Why do you say that?”

Although the Third Princess isn’t favored, she is after all of royal bloodline, with an attractive appearance and a shy and modest temperament. Although Xie Anbai comes from a distinguished family, he didn’t inherit any titles, and with his reputation as a troublemaker, it’s still uncertain who would be at a disadvantage in this situation.

Princess Qinyang pulled the curtain of her tent tightly before saying, “You know that the eldest son of Marquis Zhongyong can’t practice martial arts, right?”

Ye Chutang nodded: “I think he had an illness when he was young. But I heard he’s quite talented and writes excellent essays.”

“That’s right, and that’s the key! Since he can’t practice martial arts, he has no choice but to take this path. But Xie Anbai is different—he’s very durable in fights.”

Ye Chutang: “…”

Princess Qinyang said seriously, “Think about it, being durable in fights means what? It means he can go to the battlefield!”

Ye Chutang’s smile faded slightly as she looked at her with a meaningful gaze.

Indeed, as the only daughter who once accompanied King Yannan in guarding the borders, she immediately grasped the important point.

All of Noble Consort’s actions today were actually tests!

Marquis Zhongyong followed Emperor Taizong in conquering the land and was also a formidable general who intimidated his enemies.

After stabilizing the regions, he wisely retired from military leadership and encouraged his sons to study hard, seemingly deciding to pursue a career as a civil official.

But even so, his former prestige in the army cannot be underestimated.

If Xie Anbai joins the army, he will surely be followed by many.

This is a military force that cannot be ignored at all!

And what Noble Consort, or rather Second Prince Xiao Chengxuan, lacks the most is precisely this!

Noble Consort’s father, Jiang Zhaoyuan, is the chief advisor to the cabinet and holds great power, but he doesn’t have military authority.

Yet the Third Prince took the initiative to join the army and achieved remarkable military accomplishments, gradually forming his own influence.

How could Xiao Chengxuan not be anxious?

If Xiao Lanyi and Xie Anbai get married, it will undoubtedly provide a huge boost!

Thật đáng tiếc, dù Quý phi đã tính toán kỹ lưỡng nhưng vẫn không đạt được ý muốn.

Ye Chutang ngừng lại một chút, rồi nói nhẹ nhàng: “Chuyện này vẫn chưa chắc chắn, mọi thứ vẫn còn có thể thay đổi.”

Quận chúa Qinyang nhún vai: “Họ có phải coi mọi người khác như kẻ ngốc không vậy?”

Ye Chutang nhìn cô ấy và hỏi: “Nói thật, tại sao em không đi săn vậy?”

Cô ấy tưởng rằng Quận chúa Qinyang sẽ rất hứng thú với việc này.

Nhưng Quận chúa Qinyang lại phẩy tay: “Toàn là những loài chim thú được nuôi dưỡng, thiếu đi vẻ hoang dã, không thú vị chút nào.”

Cô ấy vẫn thà yên tâm chờ đợi để được ăn thịt còn hơn.

Tất nhiên, cũng vì cô ấy đã hứa với anh trai mình rằng dù thế nào cũng phải luôn ở bên Ye Chutang.

Hôm nay, số phụ nữ đến đây đã không nhiều, những người quen biết Ye Chutang càng ít hơn nữa; cô ấy còn mang theo Tiểu Ngũ nữa, làm sao có thể rời xa người khác được?

Nghĩ đến việc ăn, mắt Quận chúa Qinyang sáng lên: “Sau này em cũng thử xem nhé, ăn vào thì thơm lắm đấy!”

Đang nói thế thì bỗng nhiên từ bên ngoài vang lên tiếng bước chân hối hả, loạn xạ.

Ye Chutang có vẻ bất an.

Quận chúa Qinyang cũng rất ngạc nhiên: “Đây là doanh trại mà, ai vậy, sao lại hoảng loạn đến thế?”

Cô ấy vừa nói vừa kéo rèm ra.

Ye Chutang thấy một vệ sĩ mặc áo giáp đang vội vã chạy về phía lều của Hoàng đế.

“Bệ hạ! Không ổn rồi!”

Ye Chutang nhíu mày, đứng dậy và bước ra ngoài.

Lúc này, cô mới thấy trên người vệ sĩ ấy đầy vết máu, khiến người ta không khỏi giật mình.

Rất nhanh sau đó, cô đã biết được nguyên nhân.

“Bệ hạ! Hoàng tử thứ ba bị tấn công trong rừng! Hoàng tử thừa kế đã dẫn người đi truy đuổi rồi!”