Lu Qingye's grandmother was the empress dowager and had led a glorious life. The woman was born into a powerful family and was an excellent cultivator. She was a model among all the young ladies in her time. She was childhood friends with his grandfather and she was perfect in every way including her status, talent, and good looks. She naturally married his grandfather and became the empress. When his grandfather passed away, his uncle took over as the emperor making her the empress dowager.
Even though she was one of the most powerful women in the country, she had suffered defeat over one thing. 15 years ago, the emperor had decreed the daughter of the Zhan family the crown princess even though she could not cultivate. Although her grandson had picked the girl himself, he was just three years old. What could he possibly know about marriage? Ever since the incident, she blamed the emperor for it. All these years, his grandmother kept trying to get his uncle to change his mind and revoke his decree and remove Zhan Yunge as the crown princess, but she had failed.
Lu Qingye's grandmother hated Zhan Yunge. How else could his grandmother feel about Zhan Yunge's return to the capital?
"I want to hear the truth."
Zhan Yunge could see it in his eyes that he intended to lie. Lu Qingye was not as stupid as he seemed. He was a politically savvy young man.
"What else could Grandma say about you? She does not like you and you know it," said Lu Qingye as he raised his head and glanced at Zhan Yunge.
"I know she does not like me but is she doing anything about it?" Zhan Yunge looked at Lu Qingye with anticipation in her eyes.
"Like what?" For some reason, Lu Qingye could sense a chill running down his back.
"For instance, did she get the officials to come together and demand the removal of my title to stop Nangong Xuan and I from marrying?" suggested Zhan Yunge.
Lu Qingye asked quizzically, "What do you mean?"
Why did he have a feeling Zhan Yunge was looking forward to this? It sounded as though she did not want to marry Nangong Xuan. Was she an idiot? All the women in Shengyu Empire wanted to marry Nangong Xuan, but she did not want to.
"Nothing much. I was just wondering if there was anything interesting going on in the capital." Zhan Yunge could already figure out the answer judging from the way Lu Qingye reacted.
Lu Qingye contemplated before he said, "Grandma will never stop trying to remove you as crown princess. She prefers, Cao Yihan."
"Cao Yihan? She is the most talented young woman in the capital."
Zhan Yunge could remember Cao Yihan. The empress dowager's family name was Cao. Cao Yihan was her biological older brother's granddaughter. Zhan Yunge had met Cao Yihan when she was in the capital. Each time they crossed paths, Cao Yihan treated Zhan Yunge with arrogance. She clearly looked down on Zhan Yunge. Zhan Yunge was unable to become a spirit cultivator and she was not feminine at all. In fact, Zhan Yunge was even cruder than a boy. From the looks of it, she not only hated Zhan Yunge, but she was also jealous of Zhan Yunge.
Lu Qingye noticed she did not seem displeased, so he continued speaking, "Cao Yihan joined the Royal Academy last year and earned herself quite the reputation. She is number one at everything. She is the school belle, the most talented female scholar, and the most gifted female cultivator at school. My grandmother is not alone. Everyone in the capital, including the government officials down to the common citizens, thinks only a girl like her is worthy of my cousin. Everyone feels she is the perfect candidate for being the crown princess."
"It does not matter what these people think. Only Nangong Xuan's opinion matters." Zhan Yunge did not feel upset at all and hit the nail on the head.
Zhan Yunge was deeply aware of this. If public opinion mattered at all, she would have lost her title as crown princess ages ago after giving Nangong Xuan a lukewarm attitude all these years. She had behaved poorly earning herself a terrible reputation when she was living in the capital, but she was still the crown princess. From then on, she realized only Nangong Xuan's opinion mattered.
She was equally bewildered. Back in the day, she was just a month old. What on earth did he see in her? What would a three-year-old boy know?
Lu Qingye initially felt worried about her. The moment he heard what she said, he suddenly felt she made a lot of sense.
If Nangong Xuan did not fancy her, why would he keep staying at the Zhan residence all these years? He spent far less time in the capital. Every time the emperor threw a temper at Nangong Xuan, he would curse him by saying, "Are you a Zhan or something?"
However, Nangong Xuan's words would always leave the emperor choking in fury. "No. If I were a Zhan, I would never be able to marry Yunge."
No one in Shengyu Empire could make Nangong Xuan change his mind, including the emperor himself. If anyone wanted to be the crown princess, the only way was to win his heart. Sadly, Cao Yihan did not understand this simple logic. Cao Yihan simply thought she could get her way if the empress dowager favored her.
Despite Zhan Yunge's tender age, she had a full appreciation of this concept.
He could not wait for Zhan Yunge to move to the capital. Her presence would undoubtedly liven up the atmosphere in the city.
Lu Qingye reminded her out of the kindness of his heart. "Cao Yihan is no ordinary girl. Her reach in the capital is far deeper than yours. You have to watch out. Otherwise, you might lose your title as crown princess."
Lu Qingye felt Zhan Yunge probably would not be as arrogant as before. Now that she had grown up, she would be more cautious. The empress dowager did not like her as it was. If she made any mistakes, her life as crown princess would be even harder.
"If she wants to be the crown princess, she can be my guest"
Zhan Yunge genuinely did not care about losing the title. Even if she did not die when she was 16 years old, she did not want to live in the palace amid the palace intrigue.
Zhan Yunge liked freedom and a life without restriction.
"Tsk. I know you are just saying it. If you really lose your title, I guarantee you will cry." Lu Qingye did not buy what she said.
If it were that easy to lose her title, it would have happened ages ago. Zhan Yunge said nothing. She simply tossed him a pill. "Eat this if you do not want to get a tummy ache when you get back."
Lu Qingye was at a complete loss. Moments later, he stood up and said, "Zhan Yunge, did you give me something? I thought you would have changed now that you have grown up."
"I am not deaf. Do you have to shout? You are in my territory, but you raised your voice at me? If your cousin hears the commotion, you are in big trouble." Zhan Yunge glanced at him nonchalantly before she continued speaking, "I suggest that you stop having high hopes for me. I will never change. I will always be a bully."
Lu Qingye pointed his finger for some time at her speechlessly before putting down his hand dejectedly. He threw the medicine into his mouth and headed out. After he walked out of the hall entrance, he walked back, leaned against the door, and asked, "When did you dope me? Where was it?"
Zhan Yunge used her chin to point at the very spot Lu Qingye's hands were on now. "You touched the doorframe when you came in. It's the very same spot you have your hands on now. Every time you get anxious, you will place your right index finger on your lower lip and drink tea."
"How did you know I would touch the door frame and place my finger on my lip?" Lu Qingye instantly jumped away from the door nervously and kept his distance from it.
"It was something you used to do as a child. You always touched the door frame with your right hand. Each time I defeat you, you will place your finger on your lower lip thinking about it. I just knew that old habits were hard to change." Zhan Yunge shrugged.
Lu Qingye looked at his right hand. Was he in the habit of doing that? Why did he not know? He looked up at her. He could not wrap his mind around it. Why would people say she was badly brought up? She was clearly an intelligent woman. Even when she was eight years old, she was very observant. He had not seen her in seven years, but she could still remember such a minor detail about him. Even if she could not cultivate, it would be a huge mistake to touch her, especially now that she was older!
He should keep a safe distance from her.
After he made up his mind, he turned to leave quickly.
Zhan Yunge burst out laughing and watched as he left from behind. "It's my birthday tomorrow. Don't forget to give me a present!"
Lu Qingye instantly trembled. He had to go back and think hard about what to give her for her birthday. He had to ensure she would like it. Otherwise, she might come after him.
Before he left for Mount Qingnan, his mother looked at him in a strange way. In hindsight, he realized what it was. She was looking at him with pity. She knew he was going to get bullied again.
Since he left the compound in a hurry, he inadvertently walked into someone. The moment he raised his head and saw who it was, he retreated three steps back. "I am sorry."
Nangong Xuan flicked his robes in disdain. He glanced at Mingzhu Garden before looking at Lu Qingye. "Have you gone to see Yunge?"
"Uh huh." Lu Qingye nodded immediately and said, "We chatted in the main hall."
"What did she ask you? Why are you so scared?" Nangong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back.
Lu Qingye trembled the moment Nangong Xuan glanced at him. It felt as though Nangong Xuan could read his mind. Lu Qingye answered candidly, "She was worried that things were boring in the capital. She asked what my grandmother thought about her. I told her the truth."
"I see." Acknowledged Nangong Xuan before entering the compound.
Lu Qingye heaved a sigh of relief. He patted his chest and said to himself, "Curiosity always kills the cat. I should get my ass to the guest room right away."
Nangong Xuan walked in and encountered Zhan Yunge walking towards him from the bridge, so he waited for her.
"Yunge, where are you going?"
"I am going to see my father," said Zhan Yunge before walking past him.
Nangong Xuan reached his hands out to hold her wrist. "Your father has gone to Yangxin Garden. You can visit him later. I have something to tell you."
The moment he finished his sentence, he pulled her back into the room.