Qin Rushuang came to see the imperial concubine early and kept chatting with her.
Seeing that they had finished talking, Qin Rushuang took the initiative to mention the matter of Grandma Yinghong's visit to Prince Huai's Mansion yesterday.
"Mother, what important matter did you have yesterday that made you want to go to Prince Huai's Mansion overnight to find me and the prince?"
The imperial concubine had some doubts on her face and said: "This matter is a bit complicated. I will talk to you later when Xun'er comes from Your Majesty."
After hearing what the imperial concubine said, Qin Rushuang was not in a hurry, and told the imperial concubine a few interesting things about the child, and finalized with her the procedures for holding the first-year banquet in the palace.
Having said that, Xie Xun also came.
After Xie Xun paid homage to the imperial concubine, he told Qin Rushuang that everything was going well with Zhu Sha in a few words, and then asked the imperial concubine straight to the point what happened yesterday.
The imperial concubine sighed and said, "This matter is very strange."
After she finished speaking, she kicked out all the maids and servants around her. She didn't even let them stay in the palace, and kept them outside the palace of the noble concubine.
When Qin Rushuang and Xie Xun saw the imperial concubine fighting, they knew that this matter was not a trivial matter. They both sat up straight, waiting to see what the imperial concubine was going to say.
The imperial concubine went to her bedroom alone. After a while, she took out a brocade box and pushed it in front of Qin Rushuang and Xie Xun.
"Open it and take a look. This is what the third prince sent last night. He said it was a gift for you two."
The two of them looked at each other, and their doubts became even greater.
The third prince...?
The brocade box in front of her looked small, a slender wooden box. Qin Rushuang brought the box to herself and slowly opened it. Inside was a fan.
This fan was familiar to Qin Rushuang, it was exactly the one he saw in Hu Sanniang's gambling house yesterday.
Qin Rushuang glanced at Xie Xun and asked: "Your Majesty, could it be that the integration of underground forces in Dongshi was actually the work of the third prince?"
Xie Xun seemed to be thinking the same thing. He asked the concubine another question, "Concubine, when was this fan delivered?"
The imperial concubine talked for about a while.
Qin Rushuang secretly calculated that it was probably when they came out of the gambling house and the third prince got the news and took the fan and rushed to the palace that they were stuck at that time and handed the fan to the imperial concubine.
This made Qin Rushuang a little confused.
The third prince has always been aloof from the outside world, and only likes music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and beauties. How could he suddenly get involved with the underground forces in Kyoto?
And they haven't guessed his identity yet, so why did he send the gift to reveal his identity?
The imperial concubine didn't know what kind of riddle the two were playing, but she knew the importance of this matter.
"I have been restless all night since I received this gift yesterday. As you know, Xun'er, when your father was trying to seize the throne, he was almost framed by his elder brother and younger brother, so..."
"Although you and the fourth prince fought overtly and covertly, Your Majesty never said anything. But if the Third Prince switches sides to your side and His Majesty finds out about this matter, the peaceful situation will not be as peaceful as it is now."
It is precisely because of this that the imperial concubine hurriedly asked Aunt Yinghong to invite Qin Rushuang and Xie Xun into the palace yesterday.
Xie Xun looked at the camel bone fan and remained silent, not knowing what he was thinking.
The imperial concubine became a little anxious and asked quickly, "Tell the queen honestly, have you joined forces with the third prince?"
Xie Xun retracted his thoughts, shook his head, and said: "Before today, I never knew that the third child was interested in the fight for the legitimate son."
"Then what's going on?"
"What's going on? Just go and ask the third child."
Xie Xun did not show any concern, but comforted the concubine, "Since this fan has been delivered, we will take it away. Mother and concubine don't have to worry about what the third child thinks, just call him over and ask."
The two of them comforted the imperial concubine again and finally made her put her worries at ease. After bidding farewell to the imperial concubine, they left the palace together.
On the way back, Qin Rushuang couldn't help but ask, "My lord, do you have a relationship with the third prince?"
"Why do you ask so suddenly?"
"I just feel that the third prince... deliberately exposed his identity to us, and my lord, you would choose to ask the third prince directly, and you don't seem to be afraid of him having any bad ideas."
"Compared to your attitude towards the fourth prince, I think you like the third prince more."
Xie Xun smiled faintly and said: "I don't really like him, but... forget it, I will call him here tomorrow, and you will know when you see him."
The news that Xie Xun wanted to meet the third prince was not hidden from outsiders.
He even asked the old housekeeper to personally go to the third prince's house and invite him to be a guest in Prince Huai's house in the afternoon.
The third prince did not shy away. He accepted the invitation, and after lunch, he set off in the palace's sedan chair, followed by some servants, all holding gifts in their hands.
After the third prince arrived at Prince Huai's Mansion, the old housekeeper welcomed him into the living room.
When Qin Rushuang and Xie Xun went to the living room, they saw a man in white holding a fan, pacing back and forth in the living room, admiring the calligraphy and paintings on the wall.
Seeing Qin Rushuang and Xie Xun coming, he bowed his hands in a slight salute, then pointed to the calligraphy and painting on the wall and said, "Second brother, you have such bad taste. What are these hangings? I have fine calligraphy and painting by famous artists in my house. I will give them to you some other time."
Send me some pictures."
Qin Rushuang had met the third prince before, but it was only at a banquet in the palace, and it was too far away to see clearly. Her understanding of the third prince came mostly from rumors.
Rumor has it that he is obsessed with calligraphy and painting, likes drinking, having fun, and beauties. He is a romantic and confused prince.
He never liked to participate in political affairs, and he always completed the tasks assigned by Emperor Qi in a mess.
Over time, Emperor Qi raised him as an idle prince and had no expectations for him anymore.
But at this moment, Qin Rushuang looked at the third prince in front of her and felt that the rumors were not necessarily true.
The third prince in front of him has a handsome face, energetic appearance, and a strong physique. His face is even more rosy, and he does not appear to be indulging in wine and sex as rumored.
Qin Rushuang was sizing him up, and the third prince Leng Buding looked back at her and asked with a smile, "Second sister-in-law, am I handsome? How do I compare with my second brother?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xun immediately stood in front of Qin Rushuang, blocking their sight, pointed to the seat next to him and said, "Sit down."
The third prince was not polite and sat down immediately.
"Second brother, I heard that you went to the gambling house yesterday, and the second sister-in-law also fell in love with my fan. I asked someone to send it over. How about it? Does the second sister-in-law like it?"
Xie Xun took a sip of tea and asked the servants around him to retreat, then asked slowly, "Why didn't I know you were interested in the underground forces in Kyoto?"
The third prince chuckled and spoke frankly.
"Brother Huang doesn't know anything. He knows that I love calligraphy and painting, fine wine, and beauties. Which of these things is not a waste of money? How can I just rely on the little salary my father gave me? Naturally, I have to find some ways to make money.
.”
"I don't dare to touch the power in the court. If it's business, who else in Kyoto can compare to Ersao Du's Chamber of Commerce?"
"I was desperate, so I decided on those low-level businesses!"
