Chapter 255 - Lovers Became Enemies?

Seeing Bu Tinghe frowning with sadness, the Third Prince immediately realized that he had said something wrong. “I was rude. I was thinking about Princess Wenhe and was a little absent-minded, so I said something inappropriate. How can these mortal women compare to her?”

With these words, he had praised Bu Tinghe but belittled the ladies present.

Many people looked at the Third Prince with a subtle expression. It didn’t matter if you wanted to flatter someone, but there was no need to belittle others, right?

Only then did Shen Ninghua believe Baili Anning’s words that this Third Prince was really fascinated by Bu Tinghe. However, his mother Imperial Concubine Li had great expectations for him. How could she tolerate him pursuing a princess from another country?

Baili Anning looked away and did not look at the Third Prince. As a member of the royal family, even if he said something wrong, there was no need to apologize in public. Where did he put the dignity of the royal family?

A light flashed in Bu Tinghe’s eyes. She stood up and bowed to the Third Prince. “Third Prince, you are really kind. It is my honor that you like my dance. Which of the young ladies here is not talented and beautiful? I’m ashamed that you praise me like this.”

The Third Prince did not say anything, but his eyes swept across the crowd with contempt. Many people were so angry that their faces turned red. For a moment, the atmosphere became tense.

Bu Jinglan saw that the time was almost ripe, so he said, “Today, we are just holding a casual banquet. I hope that all of you have a good time. I made the craftsmen newly build this garden. You can feel free to walk around and enjoy yourselves.”

Everyone nodded and happily agreed. After all, no matter how angry they were, they must give face to Bu Jinglan.

Shen Ninghua’s fingers that were holding the grapes moved slightly. She sneered in her heart. Feeling free to walk around. It was easy to get into trouble if you were too free…

Not long after, people dispersed in twos and threes to enjoy the scenery. Shen Ninghua and Baili Anning also found a pavilion where they sat and had a rest.

Not long after the two of them sat down, Baili Anning’s maid walked over. “Your Highness, Master Qu is inviting you over. He said that something happened in the mansion and the two of you need to go back first.”

“Something happened in the mansion? Did he say what it was?”

“No, but Master Qu looked extremely anxious.”

Baili Anning quickly stood up. After taking a step, she turned to look at Shen Ninghua. “Ninghua, you alone…”

Shen Ninghua chuckled. “It’s fine. You should hurry back. It must be a rather troublesome matter. Otherwise, Master Qu wouldn’t have called you back so hastily.”

“Alright, don’t let your maids stay away from you and be careful.”

“I know.”

Seeing Baili Anning leaving in a hurry, Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but smile. She turned to look at the lake beside the pavilion. Suddenly, she saw Chu Junyi following a maid on the other side of the lake. Her eyebrows moved slightly. “Chu Junyi?”

Hong Ling also saw the back view and quickly looked at Shen Ninghua. “Miss, that seems to be Master Chu…”

“Go and take a look. You don’t have to follow them. Just walk to the opposite side of the lake. No matter if there are any abnormalities, come back quickly.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Not long after, Hong Ling returned with a sachet in her hand.

Shen Ninghua looked at the bamboo-patterned sachet and her eyes became much sharper. This sachet was personally embroidered by her. She would never mistake it. Moreover, when they left for the banquet this morning, she personally hung it on Chu Junyi. Now, the rope on this sachet was clearly cut off. Who could get close to him and cut it off?

“Miss, do you need me to go take a look?”

“No need. Sit down and continue waiting.”

Not long after, Bu Tinghe walked over.

“Princess Zhaohua, you like the scenery here?”

Shen Ninghua looked up. “I don’t know if I like it or not. I just think it is interesting.”

Bu Tinghe’s lips curled up, and her smile was like a spring breeze. “There is something even more interesting. Do you want to hear about it?”

Shen Ninghua said with deep meaning, “Princess Wenhe invited me with great hospitality, so I must go and listen. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste of you and the Sixth Prince’s arrangements?”

Bu Tinghe sipped the tea and then took a handkerchief to wipe her lips. “Princess Zhaohua’s words and actions are truly extraordinary. Since that’s the case, then please follow me.”

“I have two maids. I believe Princess Tinghe won’t mind if I bring them with me, right?”

Bu Tinghe smiled. “Of course I don’t mind.” Bringing along two more people with you was just adding two more corpses. What was there to bother about?

When Chu Junyi saw Baili Anning left, he had wanted to find a place close to Shen Ninghua to wait for the next show, but he did not expect that just as he sat down, he was called to the backyard.

Looking at the nanny kneeling on the ground, Chu Junyi had no expression on his face. “You said that you served my mother?”

The nanny raised her head. Her white hair was combed meticulously, but a scar extended from her eyes to her lower lip, making her look extremely terrifying. “Little Master, I’m Nanny Lan and I used to serve Her Highness. I’m sorry that I failed to follow her wishes and take care of you when you grew up.”

Her voice was rough and coarse, like a sharp blade grinding through sandpaper. When Chu Junyi heard it, he felt his entire body go numb.

“Nanny Lan, I was carried away from my mother when I was born. How would I know if your words are true or not?”

“Little Master, there is a red birthmark in the shape of a half-moon on your waist. Am I right?”

Chu Junyi narrowed his eyes. “Just based on a birthmark?”

“Of course not. I have a letter left behind by Princess Yunqing!”

Nanny Lan carefully took out a yellow silk handkerchief from her sleeve. The corner of the silk handkerchief had traces of being burned by the flames.

Chu Junyi took it. When he saw the words on it, his pupils shrank. This was his mother’s handwriting!

Tears streamed down Nanny Lan’s face, making her scarred face look even more terrifying. “At that time, the Empress framed Her Highness for treason. She wanted to kill Her Highness while the Emperor was out hunting. At that time, Her Highness had been pregnant for nine months and was about to give birth. After receiving the news, she drank the medicine to deliver in advance and risked her life to give birth to you. After arranging a place for you, she lit a fire and burned herself…”

Chu Junyi was silent. He looked at the blood on the silk handkerchief and his gaze constantly changed.

“Her Highness once saved the Xiao family’s patriarch. Before she died, she entrusted you to the Xiao family and gave all the power and wealth to the Xiao family. She only asked the Xiao family to save your life in return. Later on, I escaped from the fire and carried you to the Xiao family to ask for help. However, I was intercepted halfway by a group of people who took you away. I was lucky to survive and escaped to the Great Yue Kingdom. Later, I inquired more about you and found out that you became the adopted son of the Xiao family.”

“Since you were intercepted, how did you survive?”

“At that time, they cut me more than ten times, and there was a cut that pierced through my entire back. That group of people thought that I would die without a doubt, but they did not expect that I was saved by a kind person later.”

“You didn’t come to find me for so many years. Why are you here now?”

Nanny Lan raised her head, her eyes burning with deep-rooted hatred. “I want to avenge Her Highness!”

Chu Junyi asked coldly, “Avenge?”

“Yes, the Empress, the Zhao Family, the Xiao Family, and the Shen Family. I want to tell you all the truth and avenge Her Highness!”

Chu Junyi examined Nanny Lan, and the light in her eyes was abnormally cold. “I can understand the Empress and the Zhao family are my enemies. Why the Xiao family and the Shen family?”

Nanny Lan kowtowed to Chu Junyi heavily. In just a moment, her forehead became blue. It could be seen how hard she had kowtowed.

“The reason why the Xiao family had promised Her Highness to raise you was not to repay the kindness. Instead, they wanted to seize you to control Her Highness’ secret power. Over the years, the Xiao family developed quickly and won many battles. They even became the guardian of Da’an. It was all because they used the power and intelligence left behind by Her Highness. It was only later that I understood the Xiao family was the one who killed me and stole you. Otherwise, no one would know such a secret route.”

Chu Junyi remembered Xiao Jingran’s indifferent attitude towards him, and his heart was filled with coldness.

Nanny Lan continued. “The Shen family is more outrageous. Shen Dong came from a low family background and even married the most beloved woman of the Emperor, Xia Jingyan. He was lucky enough to be alive. How could he have such a high position? He had been able to hook up with the Zhao Family because he helped the Empress to frame Princess Yunqing. Later on, he even married the younger sister of the Empress, Zhao Yunxiang. Little Master, don’t you think the Shen Family is your enemy?”

In the cabinet behind the room, Shen Ninghua stood where she was and listened to Nanny Lan’s sharp accusations. Her eyes rolled with turbulent waves.

The corner of Bu Tinghe’s lips curled up slightly. She raised her hand and closed the mechanism connecting the cabinet to the room. “Princess Zhaohua, you didn’t expect that your father killed Master Chu’s mother. How do you think Master Chu will choose now that he knows this?”

Shen Ninghua turned to look at Bu Tinghe. Her fingers subconsciously protected her belly. “Princess Wenhe, you have a good scheme.”

“Wrong, this is not a scheme, it is the truth!” Bu Tinghe saw Shen Ninghua’s slightly trembling fingers and she was delighted. “Chu Junyi is not only the son of the Emperor of the Great Yue Kingdom, but also the son of my aunt Yunqing. He is my cousin. How can I bear to see him being deceived?”

Shen Ninghua sneered. The light in her eyes seemed to be able to penetrate people’s hearts. “Which is your motive for doing this: you cannot bear to see him being deceived, or you don’t want to see him and me in love?”

The smile on Bu Tinghe’s face faded. “It’s said that Princess Zhaohua is exceptionally intelligent. Now that I see you today, I finally believe that the rumors are true. Both are my motives, and the latter is stronger.”

Hong Ling stepped forward to protect Shen Ninghua and glared at Bu Tinghe. She had already said that Master Chu and she were cousins, yet she still had such filthy thoughts.

Shen Ninghua waved at Hong Ling. “Don’t worry. Now, Princess Wenhe still wants to leave a good impression on Chu Junyi. She won’t hurt me. Your Highness, am I right?”

Bu Tinghe chuckled. “Right, right. I won’t hurt you because someone will help me hurt you.”

Shen Ninghua thought of something and her heart trembled. “You also lured the Third Prince here and let him hear what Nanny Lan said?”