Chapter 1470: Her Highness the Princess (16)

The system chuckled. “Host, this is getting interesting.”

Tang Guo smiled. “Isn’t it? Now that the three of them are living together, let’s see how they fight among themselves.”

“Happy?”

“Delighted.”

The system was delighted too. Three troublemakers thrown together—who knew what kind of chaos they would stir up?

With the schemes and calculations of those three, none of them would be easy to deal with.

Tang Xi was a princess of noble status and genuinely adored Lu Qing.

Lu Qing, however, had always looked down on Tang Xi and only ever had his eyes on the Host.

As for Juanzhu, though her status was lowly, she had once been the Host’s maid and she also loved Lu Qing.

Lu Qing would certainly treat Juanzhu differently.

And in the end, Juanzhu would still obey Lu Qing in everything.

“Guo’er, are we really just going to leave it at this?” Tang Zhi naturally wasn't worried that the Emperor would object. On the contrary, this resolution was the most perfect.

It would sound terrible if the newly appointed top scholar were executed merely to protect a princess’s reputation.

And sacrificing a princess’s entire life, forcing her to spend it beside ancient Buddha lamps, would sound even worse and diminish the dignity of the imperial family.

Putting the two together, however, made everyone happy and would earn universal praise. His father would certainly have no objections.

What Tang Zhi was truly asking was whether Lu Qing had orchestrated the whole affair from the shadows.

Though there was no evidence, the entire matter was simply too suspicious.

“Isn’t this outcome quite good?” Tang Guo said with a smile. “Imperial Brother, don’t think too much about it. I think Second Imperial Sister is deeply fond of Scholar Lu. Consider it fulfilling the wishes of two lovers.”

Hearing Tang Guo’s words, one of them felt miserable while the other was overjoyed.

“Fortunately, you weren’t the one who fell into the water, Guo’er. Otherwise, who knows what we would have done?” Tang Zhi said thankfully. “From now on, when you go out, your attendants must stay by your side at all times. You’re too bold. Even though Northern Xia enjoys peace and prosperity, accidents can still happen.”

“I know, Imperial Brother. Don’t worry. In truth, Scholar Lu should be grateful it wasn’t me who fell into the water. Had it been me, he might have lost his life.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Tang Zhi caught sight of Lu Qing’s pale face and nearly laughed.

“Very well, then let’s return to the palace. Such a major incident must be explained to Father.”

Turning around, he said to Tang Xi and Lu Qing, “You two are coming as well.”

As for Juanzhu standing off to one side, she was an insignificant person. As Crown Prince, Tang Zhi naturally paid her no mind.

In any case, that maid could never be allowed to return to his beloved sister’s side.

In the end, Lu Qing became Princess Tang Xi’s prince consort.

Juanzhu was sent to Tang Xi’s side. The matter had already been decided; a mere palace maid like her had no power to change anything.

She could no longer remain beside the Eldest Princess, and she had no desire to marry some random man. Neither did she wish to leave the palace entirely. Going to Tang Xi’s residence was the only way she could remain close to Lu Qing.

None of this was what she had expected.

Who could have imagined that so many things would happen? But regret was useless now.

“Now that you’re serving the Second Princess, be careful and do your duties well.”

Yingzhu handed Juanzhu a bundle of belongings and some silver.

“I understand.”

Juanzhu secretly glanced at Tang Guo one last time before kneeling and paying her respects before departing.

There was still a trace of resentment in her heart. She had served by the Princess’s side for so many years, yet Her Highness had not even tried to keep her.

Tang Xi’s princess manor had long since been completed. Once the Emperor’s decree was issued, she married Lu Qing and moved into the residence with him.

Tang Xi was quite happy.

Lu Qing, however, felt a lingering sense of loss. In the end, he could only accept reality, though deep down, he remained unwilling to let go.