Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“She hasn’t come back at all these past three days?”

The red silk at the Crown Prince’s residence had not yet been taken down. Fu Yanli had only just accompanied Xu Hua into the palace to pay their respects to the imperial elders.

Xu Hua, the Crown Prince’s Secondary Consort and a new bride to the imperial family, had been kept behind by the Empress Dowager, who doted on her, for a private chat.

“Replying to the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess said she was going to Charity Hall when she left that day. These past few days… these past few days, she has not returned to the residence.”

“Did she make a scene in the residence that day? Did she make things difficult for any of you?”

The guard lowered his head even further and answered carefully, “The Crown Princess was not in the residence that day. She went out, came back once, and then went out again.”

“She said nothing else? Only that she was going to Charity Hall?”

“Yes.”

So the Empress Dowager had been right.

Fu Yanli narrowed his eyes slightly, displeasure stirring in him.

No matter how simple Jianxi had been in the past, any woman who entered the palace would eventually learn all sorts of tricks.

Her sudden refusal to cry or make a fuss was precisely what would draw his attention.

She had not voiced a single word of resentment, yet she had repeatedly mentioned Charity Hall to the servants, deliberately revealing where she was going.

It was nothing more than an attempt to make him remember their past together and feel guilty.

Then he would go find her and coax her back.

But he had explained again and again to Jianxi that marrying Xu Hua was only a temporary measure, a means to secure the position of Crown Prince.

Besides, on the day of the wedding, he had made everything clear to Xu Hua.

He would not love her. He could only give her a child.

What Fu Yanli had not expected was that a woman like Xu Hua would actually agree.

That day at the Xu residence, she could clearly have chosen another prince who had not yet married, yet she had remained wholly devoted to Fu Yanli.

A secondary consort was still a concubine.

With two tears falling in devotion, Xu Hua had said she was willing to marry Fu Yanli, even as a concubine.

Now, on the other hand, Jianxi seemed to care more about her own anger and grievances, without sparing the slightest thought for Fu Yanli.

Since she was using this chance to throw another tantrum, Fu Yanli wanted to see whether she would compromise for the sake of his overall situation.

If Jianxi loved him, she would naturally understand how difficult it was for him to stand in such a high position.

“Shall this subordinate go search for the Crown Princess?”

“No need. Let her do as she likes.”

Fu Yanli was certain that without him, Jianxi would find it nearly impossible to get by in the capital.

She would come back crying and begging him.

Another five days passed…

The servants still brought no news of the Crown Princess’s return.

“Crown Prince, there is no need to worry. I heard from Sister’s maid that many gold and jade ornaments are missing from her courtyard. As long as she remains in the capital, Sister will have food and drink aplenty. Who could possibly make things difficult for her?”

Fu Yanli frowned, his gaze fixed fiercely in the direction of the doorway.

Xu Hua sighed softly and said with envy, “I truly envy Sister for being able to come and go as she pleases. Every time she causes trouble, Your Highness is there to clean up after her.

“If I behaved like that, I would certainly be punished at home by being made to kneel in the ancestral hall. And here in the capital… people would surely gossip.”

Fu Yanli still said nothing, but his expression had darkened, carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Report! Crown Prince, the Crown Princess… the Crown Princess is not at Charity Hall!”

Fu Yanli shot to his feet, his elaborate sleeves sweeping the teacup on the table to the floor.

“What did you say?”

“The Crown Princess… the Crown Princess left all the valuables she took with her at Charity Hall. She also said… she said…”

“What else did she say?”

“She said she would not be coming for some time.”

Would not be coming?

Or… would not be coming back?

Xu Hua, standing to the side, instantly sensed that something was wrong. A smile immediately colored her eyes. “Sister has been the Crown Princess for all these years, yet she can still be so carefree, disappearing whenever she wishes. Hua’er is truly envious.

“Your Highness, do not worry. I am sure nothing has happened to Sister. She merely wants Your Highness to worry about her a little.

“It is somewhat childish, but… perhaps this is simply the way Your Highness and Sister get along.”

Fu Yanli fell into thought, and his steps gradually slowed.

If seven years of trust had not already collapsed, how could there have been that instant of hesitation?

Seeing that Fu Yanli had stopped moving, Xu Hua knew her words had worked. She said gently, “Your Highness ate little at breakfast. I will have someone prepare lunch-”

“No need.”

Unease still lingered in Fu Yanli’s heart. He lifted his foot and headed toward Jianxi’s courtyard.

He walked quickly, then faster and faster.

Not far away, dark clouds gathered thickly overhead. It seemed the capital was about to be drenched in rain again.