Chapter 14: "The Latecomer."
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A gentle breeze rustled as Qingfeng stared at the group of people walking toward them. His eyes were full of disbelief.
Was he seeing things?
That woman in the center of the group—it was definitely the maid from Liu Fang Pavilion, no doubt about it. But the way she looked now… she could've easily passed for a young lady from some high-ranking noble family.
"What's the holdup up there? If we really can't get through, I might as well get off and walk the rest of the way to the Prime Minister's manor," came a voice from behind him. Just as Qingfeng turned around, Huangfu Haotian lifted the curtain at the front of the carriage.
"Master…" Qingfeng started, but trailed off as he caught a strange change in Haotian's expression. Subtle, but definitely there.
"You think that girl ahead looks kind of familiar too, don't you?" Qingfeng couldn't hold in his curiosity any longer and asked outright.
Huangfu Haotian's sharp phoenix eyes were now wide open, quietly watching the group approach.
Familiar?
That stunning woman in the center—"familiar" didn't even begin to describe it.
They had only met twice before, but even those brief encounters had left an impression he couldn't shake. Something about her had stirred something deep in him both times.
"A'Li…" Before he even realized it, her name slipped from his lips. "What's she doing here?"
As he thought about it more, the memory of the Phoenix Mountain incident surfaced. Come to think of it, A'Li and the two Miss Yuwens did seem pretty close back then. If they were good friends, her being here now made sense.
But one thing still didn't add up: she was just a maid at Liu Fang Pavilion—how did she end up so close to the Yuwen sisters?
And now… she didn't just look close with them, she looked like one of them.
"She was just a little maid, right? How come now she looks more like some nobleman's daughter?" Qingfeng finally said what was on both their minds.
Narrowing his eyes, Haotian suddenly asked, "That guard walking behind her—have you seen him before?"
Qingfeng studied the man closely, then shook his head. "No, Master. I know most of the guards from the noble families in the capital, but I've never seen this guy before."
"Oh?" Haotian smiled, the corners of his lips lifting. "Interesting. This is turning out to be way more entertaining than I expected."
The group was getting closer now. Qingfeng turned to ask, "Master, should I go invite her over to speak with you?"
But Haotian let the curtain fall again and said calmly, "No need. Some things are more fun to find out on your own."
Qingfeng bowed slightly. "Understood."
"Mhm." Haotian's voice came again from behind the curtain. "Since they're going this way, make room for them to pass. We'll go in after they're gone."
"Yes, sir." Qingfeng nodded and steered the carriage to the side of the road. The two of them sat silently, watching Xiao Li board her carriage and leave the street outside the Prime Minister's manor—completely unaware that anyone was watching.
Only after she disappeared down the road did Haotian tell Qingfeng to drive their carriage onto the main street. But as they rounded the corner, Haotian suddenly spotted two familiar figures.
"Master, isn't that Lord Wu and Miss Yuwen standing ahead?" Qingfeng asked, surprised. "That's odd. Why would they be standing there together at this time? Oh… wait…" Realization hit him. "You don't think… they're here to see someone off, are they?"
"Mhm." Haotian had already noticed the same thing. More than that, he'd picked up on something unspoken from the expressions on both of their faces.
Lord Wu—standing dazed outside the gates of the manor, staring down the street like he couldn't let go of something.
That alone said a lot.
And the fact that Yuwen Ruoxue was standing beside him only confirmed Haotian's suspicion.
If anyone was still in Ruoxue's heart, it would be the Second Prince, Huangfu Haobo. But as for Lord Wu—there was clearly someone else occupying his thoughts.
The Second Prince was known to be a regular visitor at Liu Fang Pavilion.
Could it be… that he also had feelings for A'Li?
Just a maid from Liu Fang Pavilion, and yet she now had multiple guards and maids attending her like some highborn lady? There was no way she pulled that off on her own—someone powerful had to be backing her.
And yet that person clearly wasn't Huangfu Haotian.
A cold smile flickered at the edge of his lips. He closed his sharp eyes slowly.
"Lord Wu… Second Brother…" he murmured, some faint annoyance creeping into his tone.
"Master, we still can't get in from here. You might have to get out now," Qingfeng said, not having heard Haotian's muttering.
Haotian took one last look at the two figures ahead, then stood up inside the carriage. "Fine. Find a spot to park the carriage. I'll walk the rest of the way."
"Second Brother? Ruoxue? What are you doing out here instead of inside? Don't tell me… you came out just to welcome me?" Haotian asked as he approached them.
"Ah, so it's Fourth Brother," Haobo quickly gathered himself. "Did you finish everything Father asked of you?"
Haotian nodded. "I did. That's why I rushed over to visit my cousins. Good thing everyone's still here—I guess I'm not too late, right?"
Haobo chuckled, "Not at all. The others are still inside, keeping Auntie company."
Ruoxue quickly stepped up too. "Cousin! We're so happy you came, especially when you're so busy with official duties. Why would we ever blame you for coming late?"
Then she turned with a bright smile. "Why don't I walk in with you both? When Mother and my sister see you, they'll be thrilled."
The three of them headed inside, and Haotian first went to pay respects to Madam Yuwen.
She smiled and helped him up when he bowed. "I'm just glad you're here. Earlier, A'Cai was still wondering why you hadn't shown up with the other princes. Then Lord Wu told us His Majesty had called you away for something urgent. It's a relief you've made it, now I can relax."
Haotian grinned. "Of course I know how much Aunt cares about me. That's why I rushed over the moment I finished the errand."
But then he noticed a hint of worry still on her face. "Is there something else on your mind, Aunt? Maybe I can help?"
She sighed. "What else could be bothering me? It's just… seeing all you boys here today, I can't help thinking of your eldest brother. I wonder how he's doing these days."
Haotian's smile faded. "You're right, Aunt. I was supposed to come here with the others originally. But then Big Brother suddenly fell ill again, and none of the royal physicians could help. That's when Father remembered the herbalist I mentioned from Phoenix Mountain—Doctor Mo—and asked me to bring him to the palace."
Madam Yuwen's brows furrowed. "So the Crown Prince… he's not doing well again?"
Haotian quickly reassured her. "Don't worry. Doctor Mo may just be a mountain herbalist, but he's skilled. While he can't bring people back from the dead, he did manage to improve Big Brother's condition a little after examining him."
"Really?" she asked anxiously, pressing a hand to her chest. "Are you sure the Crown Prince is doing better?"
When she saw Haotian smiling again, her face finally softened.
"I know how much Aunt loves Big Brother," Haotian said gently. "How could I lie to you about something like this?"
Madam Yuwen nodded slowly, patting her chest. "You're right. Among all of you, it was the Crown Prince I raised myself. And the reason he ended up like this… it's all because of Youlan…" She trailed off, tears suddenly falling down her cheeks, her face filled with sorrow.
"Mother!" Ruoxue and Ruocai rushed to her side in alarm. "Why are you suddenly crying again? Didn't we all agree not to mention Sister Youlan anymore? And today's supposed to be a happy day, with all our cousins visiting. You're going to ruin the mood!"
Madam Yuwen wiped her tears away and forced a smile. "You're right, both of you. Today's not the day to bring her up again. Since everyone's here, how about we ask the steward to arrange a family banquet tonight? I want to have a few drinks and enjoy myself with all my nephews."
Ruocai jumped up excitedly. "Yes! Brother Haotian, you have to sit next to me tonight. You have to drink a few cups with me, okay?"
"....."