Prime Minister Xia did not say anything, but continued to stare at her with cold eyes.
Seeing that he was silent, Madam Linglong knew that he didn't believe her. She wiped away her tears, stood up and said sadly, "I know that no matter what I say now, you won't believe me anymore. In this case, I will leave the Xiangfu."
After walking two steps, Xia Wan'er rushed in. She did not see Prime Minister Xia sitting in the northwest corner. She just grabbed Madam Linglong's sleeve and said shyly, "Mother, the prince and I are married!"
Madam Linglong grabbed her hand and asked, "What? It's done?"
A sudden surge of ecstasy rose in her heart. This was great. As long as Wan'er and the prince were married, she would be the prince's mother-in-law.
This way, she wouldn't have to leave the prime minister's residence.
"Yes!" Xia Wan'er nodded shyly. Only then did she notice the scars on Madam Linglong's face. She couldn't help but get angry. "Mother, what happened to you? Who hit you?"
Prime Minister Xia's voice came from the side, "Wan'er, are you and the prince really together?"
Xia Wan'er was startled. She looked over in the light and saw her father sitting over there. She couldn't help but touch her chest and said, "Father, you scared me to death."
She walked over and said coquettishly, "Father, it's really done. His Highness also said that he would tell the Empress about our marriage. Then I will ask Concubine Mei to say a few good words for me in front of the Empress, and I will be the Crown Princess."
The blush on Xia Wan'er's face had not yet faded, and there was still charm in her eyes. Her lips were raised and she was smiling complacently.
Soon, she will become the Crown Princess and enjoy all the glory.
"That's good. If the prince comes over in the next two days, you should stay with him more." Prime Minister Xia showed a strange smile on his face.
Very good, Murong Jie, I now have what it takes to compete with you.
Xia Wan'er said: "Of course, he will come over early tomorrow morning."
She looked back at Madam Linglong and asked curiously, "Mother, how is your face?"
Madam Linglong glanced at Prime Minister Xia, who walked over, put his arm around Madam Linglong's shoulders, and said with a fake smile, "I ran into a robber when I went out today, but it's okay, the robber has been caught."
"Someone actually robbed my mother? Doesn't he know whether he lives or dies?" Xia Wan'er was furious.
"Catch that little thief from outside the area and send him to the authorities for punishment." Madam Linglong leaned her head on Prime Minister Xia's shoulder, as if they were still in love as before.
Xia Wan'er snorted, "If you fall into my hands, I will definitely beat you up before sending you to the authorities."
Prime Minister Xia looked at her and said, "Please go out first. I have something to say to your mother."
Xia Wan'er bowed and said, "Yes, then my daughter will take her leave!"
After Xia Wan'er left, Prime Minister Xia pushed Madam Linglong away with a look of disgust.
Madam Linglong looked at him hurt, "Do you hate me so much?"
Prime Minister Xia said coldly: "For the sake of our two children, I will not bother with you for the time being, but you'd better behave yourself during this period and don't cause any trouble for me."
Madam Linglong's eyes turned red. "When did I cause any trouble for you? Don't blame me for the insults that Yuan gave you."
Prime Minister Xia had a cold expression and walked away without looking back.
Prince An's Palace.
"Have you found out clearly? Why did Xia Huaijun come to challenge me?" Prince An asked coldly while sitting on a chair and wiping the dagger in his hand.
The guard kneeled on one knee and replied, "Your Highness, we have investigated thoroughly. It turns out that Chen Linglong bought the painting given to you by Miss Yuan and gave it to Xia Huaijun as a token of love. As luck would have it, Chen Linglong's daughter Xia Wan'er stole the painting and gave it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince knew that the Queen liked famous paintings, so he gave it to the Queen as a token of respect. Today, the Queen summoned Miss Yuan to the palace to inquire about the origin of the painting, and only then did she know that the painting was given to Your Highness by Miss Yuan that day."
"What?" Prince An's expression changed slightly. "Ayu wanted to give the painting to me? But Chen Linglong bought it?"
"Yes, Xia Huaijun thought that the painting was a message from Miss Yuan to the prince, so he was very angry."
Prince An looked stunned. Had she ever sent him a painting
"What does that painting say in Arabic?" Prince An asked after a long silence.
The guard hesitated for a moment, "Miss Yuan said that the painting was given to the prince to inform him that she had found a good man and asked him to forget her."
Prince An looked at him straight, as if ignoring his answer, and asked again: "How do you say it in Arabic?"
The guard replied almost immediately: "Miss Yuan has never given any explanation for this matter."
Prince An hummed, his expression grim, "That's fine, change your clothes, I want to enter the palace."
Since A Yu had not given any explanation for this matter, he wanted to go back and get the painting back.
He changed into the yellow royal robe with a four-clawed golden dragon embroidered on the finest Shu brocade. His many years of career as a general had kept him in good shape and strong. His bronze face was stained by the sunshine and sand of the border. His handsome and resolute face was somewhat similar to Murong Jie's, but more weathered and heavy than Murong Jie.
The space between his eyebrows, due to long-term frowning, formed a "川" character, but he didn't look old, but instead had a more masculine charm.
Thirty-eight years old should be the happiest time in one's life, but he withdrew from the court early and no longer cared about state affairs.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I heard that Prince Liang was ill, and it was Miss Yuan's daughter Xia Zian who treated Prince Liang." The guard said as he was changing his clothes.
"Ah Xin?" Prince An frowned as usual. "What's going on? Ah Xin is seriously ill, why didn't he come to report it?"
The guard said, "The palace has blocked the news, and I only heard it from Ni Rong, the attendant of the Regent."
"Xia Zian, is she the girl who broke off the engagement?" Prince An recalled Xia Zian's appearance, "Does she know medical skills?"
"I don't know, but I heard that even the imperial physician was helpless against the King of Liang's illness, and it was only after Xia Zian entered the palace that the King of Liang was revived."
Prince An smiled slightly, the coldness in his eyes faded away, and a hint of tenderness gradually emerged, "Ayu's daughter is naturally outstanding."
The guard burst out laughing, "In the prince's heart, everything about Miss Yuan is good."
"Not entirely true. Ayu's vision is not good, and I don't agree with it." Prince An snorted and walked out with a sword in his hand.
Prince Liang's condition progressed better than Zi'an expected. After Prime Minister Xia left the palace, the Queen left Zi'an alone and asked about Prince Liang's condition and other illnesses.
Zi'an told her frankly that she could give it a try as long as the queen was willing.
The queen looked at her, "Is Prince Liang still in danger?"
"At the moment, the situation appears to be stable."
"Then tomorrow this palace will send Prince Liang back to his mansion. Someone will pick you up to take you to Prince Liang's mansion every day to treat him. Remember, you are only treating Prince Liang's epilepsy." The queen said seriously.
Zi An bowed, "Yes, I understand."
"How long will the budget take?" asked the Queen.
Zi'an thought about it and decided that the time could not be too short, otherwise, without the protection of the Queen, she might not be able to overthrow Prime Minister Xia.
Of course, it can't be too long, otherwise, with the queen's intelligence, she will definitely be able to see through her delaying strategy.
So, she said, "I estimate that it will take about three months to half a year."
(End of this chapter)