To Smile Knowingly

General Yang had come to pick up his wife, on the surface. But in fact he was asked by the Crown Prince to insure Zhao Xing's safety.

Madam Yang was indeed surprised to see him when he walked into the room. He seemed to already have an idea of what happened.

"Husband." She greeted.

Yang Chenning knew his wife feared cold the most. It was towards the end of the year and the weather got colder and colder. Seeing her wrap herself in so much cloth while shivering, he felt she looked very silly.

"How come you ended up like this?" He only knew that he was asked to safely escort Zhao Xing back to the Noble Princess Manor, he didn't know that when he arrived he'd hear from Second Madam Lu that his wife had fallen into the lake.

It was the first time he had asked her a question concerning her wellbeing since they married. Gu Anxi was taken aback by the question.

A smile graced her pretty face, as she awkwardly explained what happened.

Yang Chenning's brows creased when he heard what had happened, even if he didn't love Gu Anxi, it had to do with the face of his family. He had helped the Lu family once, how could they repay him with such bad reception. If anything serious had happened to Gu Anxi how where they going to explain it? "Doesn't the Lu mansion know how to take care of their house affairs? Even dogs are allowed to run around anyhow."

His mother was most fund of Gu Anxi, if anything happened to her today, how would he answer her when he returned?

Thinking up to here he suddenly realized Gu Anxi's position in their family. As the only male descendant from his father, he should be the master of the Yang household, but that was only in name since he usually didn't stay much at home. So his mother would take over that position when he was away, and Gu Anxi was second in power.

Yang Chenning looked at her one more time. "Let's go home."

"Umh."

Of course he didn't forget his original intention, but before he could speak, Gu Anxi beat him to it. "Husband, Noble Princess also fell into the water, if husband doesn't mind, could we send her to the Noble Princess manor."

Yang Chenning: "…"

True, it was weird for him to ask himself. Gu Anxi was like this, even if he felt uncomfortable bringing up a matter she would always be the first to do so, saving him from the awkwardness of speaking to her about certain matters, it was unknown whether it was done consciously or not. Because it was done flawlessly every time.

"Umh." He replied.

"Thank you, husband." Gu Anxi had no idea what Yang Chenning thought about her present action. She just thought it would be better for Zhao Xing to be accompanied by someone, instead of returning home by herself.

She wasn't aware of how Zhao Xing turned the tides, so she worried that Lu Man would do more to Zhao Xing especially when the later had spoken so rudely to her in front of all those women.

...

"Seems like Madam Yang beat me to it." Madam Tang said with a smile.

Zhao Xing smiled back. "Actually Madam Yang and this one are acquaintance, both of us fell into the water, it would be best if we returned on time."

Madam Tang didn't have any objections neither did she insist that she should be the one to send her home since she had a lot to talk to her about.

After exchanging a few more words, she and Tang Rongyi left.

Zhao Xing got ready to leave with Madam Yang soon after.

"Hey, are you alright? No headache…dizziness or anything?" Xiao Qi asked.

Zhao Xing turned to her with a raised brow. 'Was she cursing me?'

Who could blame her? Zhao Xing was prone to get sick even if the weather was at its best. At least that was what was thought among her maidservants.

Xiao Qi was only worried Zhao Xing would return and tell the Crown Prince that she hadn't been well protected, then wouldn't her master scold her?

"Xiao Qi I didn't know you hated me so much."

"What nonsense are you talking about? You just fell into a lake of cold water, isn't normal that I asked you these question? Anyone who saw you would think you're very healthy, but in reality, your constitution is so poor, even a small breeze could kill you." She said in an annoyed tone.

"Heh." Zhao Xing laughed in spite of her anger. She didn't argue with Xiao Qi, it surely won't end well if she did.

When it was time to go, Zhao Xing and Madam Yang sat in the carriage, while Yang Chenning rode a horse. Lu Man came to personally see them off.

"Today I was really worried about you especially when you spoke to Lu Man that way, I hope she didn't look for you to find trouble after that?"

Zhao Xing smiled and shook her head. "Madam Yang doesn't need to worry, Lu Man might not be so bad after all."

The carriage went on for a while before suddenly stopping confusing those who sat inside. The curtains at the entrance were pulled open.

"Xiao Chen?"

"The Crown Prince asked me to escort Noble Princess to Ease Teahouse."

Zhao Xing: "??"

Madam Yang looked at Zhao Xing and gave a smile, but there was something off about that smile, she couldn't tell what.

"Sister Xing, take care, remember to pay me us a visit sometime."

"Heh…" With an awkward laugh she left, still trying to figure out what Madam Yang meant by that smile.

She got off the carriage along with Xiao Qi and entered the next.

"Eh, Brother Chen, what happened?" Xiao Qi asked.

"'Once Grand Tutor arrives send her here no matter what.' This is what the Master ordered." Xiao Chen stood straight as he spoke, he didn't give any other information apart from that. Xiao Qi knew the rules and didn't ask further.

Xiao Chen saluted General Yang before they left.

"Ah!"

Zhao Xing who had been silent since she entered the carriage suddenly exclaimed. She remembered now, this was the type of smile she gave her friend Lu Yang whenever he talked about Shan Shan.

What did that mean?

Why did Madam Yang smile like that with her? Did she also believe the rumors?

...…

"She had even planned to kill her? I thought it was only empty talk the last time." Third Prince asked with raised brows. Whenever they had something to discuss they would meet at their usual place. It was hard for anyone to detect anything was going on between these two princes.

"No, just to give her a scare." Fourth Prince answered.

"That Zhao girl had only recently received her title, to be targeted like this from all sides must be quite overwhelming especially for someone who had never dreamed about reaching such height." Third Prince shook his head with an expression full of sympathy.

"Humph, if I didn't know, I would have thought you really weren't aware of her true identity."

The Third Prince dropped his act and smiled playfully. "I was just playing along."

But his smile soon faded. "Fourth Brother, I advise you not to take this step, it's too dangerous."

"What's so dangerous? The old man is weak and at death's door, don't tell me you didn't notice it this morning?"

"…" The Third Prince had no way to refute what his brother had said. It was true that if they really wanted to make a move this was the best period to do so.

"In the future tell your people not to worry about that girl anymore. She's already so pitiful, she doesn't even know when her backer would suddenly disappear from her side."