Ch 145: Utterly Foolish

Meng Qingjiao’s expression suddenly changed, a shocking idea quietly taking shape in her mind.

“Sir, since you have returned safely, why do you still try to kill me?”

Tears glistened in her eyes, her heart broken, as if deeply wounded by Prince Qing’s decisive action.

However, Prince Qing remained unmoved by her tender affection, his face still as cold as ice.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have ended up in this state! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have lost Yue’er. It’s all your fault!”

Prince Qing, overcome with emotion, burst into another fit of violent coughing, as if he were going to cough out his lungs.

When the coughing subsided, his voice, slightly hoarse but firm, called out: “Mu Xia.”

Mu Xia and Wang Qishen, hearing this, quickly entered the room, their expressions serious.

Prince Qing’s eyes were cold as he gave the order: “Immediately confine the Princess to the courtyard; without my permission, she is not to take a single step outside.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Qingjiao’s face instantly turned pale as paper, her eyes filled with disbelief and despair. She cried out tremblingly: “Shen Yunchen, how can you treat me like this?”

Mu Xia witnessed her directly addressing the Prince by his given name, his heart jolted, and an involuntary look of panic flashed in his eyes.

However, when he secretly glanced at Prince Qing, he saw that his face was calm, even faintly showing a hint of impatience. He could only suppress the turmoil in his heart, stepped forward, and said softly but firmly: “Princess, please come with me.”

Meng Qingjiao, however, remained rooted to the spot, stubbornly refusing to move.

Prince Qing’s voice suddenly turned cold, like a gust of wind, devoid of warmth: “If she doesn’t want to go, then force her out.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Xia’s pupils constricted, filled with disbelief.

He couldn’t understand how the Prince, who had once shown such tender care and deep affection for the Princess, had become a completely different person upon waking, his attitude toward her now so cold and ruthless.

Meng Qingjiao was ultimately unable to escape and was forcibly carried away by several guards. Her cries grew louder and louder, penetrating every corner of the Prince’s Mansion, causing those around to look at them.

Only after her voice disappeared did Prince Qing’s agitation gradually subside.

Mu Xia observed carefully and, seeing Prince Qing cough lightly, was about to leave, whispering: “I’ll go and invite Imperial Physician Wu to treat you, Sir.”

Prince Qing nodded slightly, without objection.

He knew that only by first taking care of his health would he have a chance to sincerely apologize to Yue’er, a chance to make amends for the past, and a chance to win back her heart.

Shortly after, Imperial Physician Wu finished his examination, slowly withdrawing his hand from Prince Qing’s wrist. Prince Qing, full of hope, anxiously asked: “Imperial Physician Wu, how is my body?”

Imperial Physician Wu sighed heavily, his voice carrying a trace of subtle sadness, “Sir, your body is already at its limit. If you fall ill again, I fear…”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing’s face suddenly changed, a look of unbelievable astonishment flashing across his eyes.

He had never imagined that his body had become so weak.

At this moment, his resentment towards Meng Qingjiao surged again.

If it weren’t for Meng Qingjiao’s interference, Yue’er should have returned with the prescription to cure him by now. Why should he struggle in this abyss of illness, enduring endless torment?

His plan could now begin.

He pressed his lips tightly together, slowly closing his eyes, trying to suppress his inner frustration and anger.

He told himself again and again in his heart: As long as he could please Yue’er, his illness would hopefully recover, and his plan would still proceed smoothly.

“I understand. I will calm myself,” he murmured.

“Sir, it’s not good! The servants in the mansion are rioting,” a servant boy rushed in, breaking the silence in the room.

“Presumptuous! How dare they be so rude!” Prince Qing rebuked.

“Sir, please calm down; your emotions must not fluctuate too much!” Imperial Physician Wu quickly reminded him.

Hearing this, Prince Qing took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within him.

After a while, he slowly spoke, his voice regaining its usual composure: “Has it been ascertained what caused this chaos?”

The servant boy bowed his head and respectfully replied: “Reporting to Sir, it’s because the Princess has not paid the servants their monthly wages since last month. They are dissatisfied and want you to give a reasonable explanation.”

Upon hearing this news, a look of unbelievable surprise flashed in Prince Qing’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected Meng Qingjiao to not only seize Yue’er’s position as Princess but also to let the internal affairs of the Prince’s Mansion fall into such disarray that even the servants’ monthly wages could not be paid.

“Didn’t the Princess open Ningxiang Residence and make a fortune selling Ningxiang Pills? How could she be so impoverished that she can’t even pay the servants’ monthly silver?” Prince Qing’s words carried a hint of disbelief and anger.

Wang Qishen, knowing the details, recounted the whole story to Prince Qing.

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing’s blood surged, and he almost couldn’t catch his breath. If Imperial Physician Wu hadn’t kept reminding him and quickly used silver needles to pull him back from the brink of unconsciousness, he might have fainted.

His hand gripped the edge of the bedclothes beneath him, his knuckles white from the force, his heart like a stormy sea.

He truly hadn’t expected that Meng Qingjiao, clearly possessing the memories of her past life and having the advantage, could still mess up this game.

Clearly, she was wrong, yet she stubbornly refused to admit it, offending the nobility of Jingdu, and even affecting other shops in the mansion.

Recalling his past life, after he married Yue’er, everything in the mansion was well-managed, and the shops’ revenue soared.

His long-standing illness was also completely cured under Yue’er’s careful care, allowing him to wholeheartedly engage in the fierce competition for imperial power.

After a long silence, Prince Qing sighed and said: “First use my private treasury to make up for the servants’ wages.”

“Sir, that sum of silver is significant and should not be used lightly,” Wang Qishen said, quickly dissuading him.

Prince Qing turned to Wang Qishen, his eyes bright with unyielding determination: “Mr. Wang, I naturally know the weight of that silver, but imagine, if even this small Prince’s Mansion cannot be secured, how can I compete for the throne?”

“Besides, money is just worldly possessions; if lost, it can be regained. But right now, I need that silver as a backup to go to Jiangnan to seek a renowned physician to treat my illness.”

Wang Qishen’s expression changed slightly, then he became calm. He knew that Prince Qing’s mind was made up, and further persuasion was useless. So, he respectfully responded and left, quickly preparing the silver to fill the mansion’s financial gap.

Prince Qing softly instructed, his tone carrying unquestionable authority: “Mu Xia, go to the Princess and get the key to the storehouse. Carefully check how much silver is left.”

“Also, pay attention to the amount of medicine in the storehouse. I want to take care of my body in preparation for Mr. Meng’s birthday banquet the day after tomorrow. I want to attend in the best condition.”

Mu Xia was about to turn and leave to carry out the Prince’s instructions, but he suddenly paused, turned back, and reported: “Sir, I dare to remind you that the Princess may not have prepared a gift for Mr. Meng’s birthday. This matter needs attention.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Qing’s expression changed slightly, a look of astonishment flashing across his brow. He clearly hadn’t expected Meng Qingjiao to be so careless. Mr. Meng’s birthday banquet was imminent, and she, as the Princess, hadn’t even prepared a gift. This was truly inappropriate.

“Quickly find Mr. Wang and get some silver from him to prepare a gift,” Prince Qing said calmly, adding, “No need to spend too much effort.”

He thought to himself that if his memory served him correctly, Mr. Meng had been an enemy of Yue’er’s mother, and therefore, Yue’er had always disliked him.

To gain Yue’er’s forgiveness, he had to put on a show for her. As for Mr. Meng’s birthday banquet, he only needed to make a perfunctory appearance.

The most important thing was to find an opportunity to see Yue’er and explain things clearly.

Prince Qing thought so.

……

The Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Meng Tingyue looked at the handkerchief in her hand, feeling that the pattern on it was extremely familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she had seen it.

She looked up at Qingdian, who had just entered the room, and asked, “Qingdian, have you ever seen a handkerchief made of this fabric?”

Originally, she had entrusted the management of her shops to Qingdian, so Qingdian might know.

Hearing this, Qingdian stepped forward lightly, respectfully received the handkerchief with both hands, and focused her gaze on it, examining it carefully.

After a moment of silence, Qingdian finally spoke, her voice carrying a hint of certainty: “Crown Princess, in my opinion, the texture of this handkerchief is rich, and the embroidery is exquisite. It should be made by Jinxiu Pavilion in Jingdu.”

“Go to Jinxiu Pavilion,” Meng Tingyue decided decisively.

Meng Tingyue went to Jinxiu Pavilion with Qingdian. As soon as they arrived, they saw Princess Luo Jia.

“Crown Princess,” Princess Luo Jia’s face lit up, and she gracefully came before Meng Tingyue. “Crown Princess, why have you come?”

Meng Tingyue smiled gently and explained: “Luo Jia, I’m here to ask something.”

“Crown Princess, just ask me, I know everything,” Princess Luo Jia patted her chest, her tone carrying a touch of girlish playfulness and confidence.

“This shop belongs to Luo Jia?” Meng Tingyue’s voice held a hint of surprise.