The Crown Prince hurriedly went forward to support Zhou Haiqing and Jiujiu, who was bowing behind Zhou Haiqing. He said warmly, "Biyu is Bitao's younger sister, so you are my brother-in-law. There is no need for formalities between us."
Zhou Haiqing laughed coldly in his heart, but he still pretended to be pleasantly surprised. He hurriedly said, "Your Highness is too serious."
The Crown Prince exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhou Haiqing before turning to look at Jiujiu.
Although Jiujiu and Xue Bitao's faces were seventy percent similar, their temperaments were completely different.
Perhaps it was because she had learned the four arts from a young age, but Jiujiu's temperament was tranquil and gave people the feeling that she was a scholar. Especially when she lowered her head, the spring breeze rippled the lake water. It made people feel what was called gentleness from the bottom of their hearts.
"Bitao." The Crown Prince looked at Jiujiu and called out softly. His voice was gentle and magnetic, like a male displaying his charm in front of a female.
The moment she raised her head, Jiujiu saw Xue Bitao standing behind the Crown Prince.
Although Xue Bitao was dressed beautifully and had heavy makeup on her face and looked flawless, it still couldn't hide the haggardness on her face and the weakness of her body.
It was only one or two steps from the carriage to the door, but Xue Bitao panted weakly for a long time. It could be seen how badly her body was drained, and it could also be seen that she wasn't living as well as she appeared to be.
Zhou Haiqing brought the Crown Prince to the guest hall, while Jiujiu and Xue Bitao went to her place.
Although they were married, it was common knowledge that female guests couldn't be together with male guests.
Even if the Crown Prince was reluctant, he could only watch as Jiujiu left with Xue Bitao.
Zhou Haiqing and the Crown Prince chatted with fake civility, while Jiujiu and Xue Bitao did the same.
Jiujiu and Xue Bitao didn't get along well. After Jiujiu led Xue Bitao to her territory, she had Dong 'er serve the pastries and then started to eat.
Seeing Jiujiu eating the pastries by herself, Xue Bitao's eyes revealed a trace of envy: "General is very good to sister."
Jiujiu said, "The Crown Prince is also very good to my sister."
Jiujiu raised her head and said innocently, "I think the Crown Prince treats Big Sister better. My husband has never taken me out."
Hearing Jiujiu say that the Crown Prince was good to her, the fake smile on Xue Bitao's face almost disappeared. Her mouth twitched as she said, "The Crown Prince is very good to me. I heard from the general that you are sick."
Jiujiu nodded. "It's been hot these past few days, so I ate too much ice. Then, I started having diarrhea. It's only been a few days since I got better. I've made a fool of myself in front of you."
This was what she and Zhou Haiqing had said yesterday.
After Jiujiu finished speaking, she lowered her head and smiled embarrassedly. Her happiness was evident.
Xue Bitao clenched her fists and controlled her heart so that her voice wouldn't sound too jealous. "I really envy Little Sister."
"I also envy Big Sister." After finishing the mung bean cake in her hand, Jiujiu picked up the handkerchief that Dong 'er had prepared and wiped the crumbs off her hands. She raised her head and looked seriously into Xue Bitao's eyes. "At home, Mother is especially good to Big Sister. Whenever there's something good, whether it's delicious or useful, Mother will take care of Big Sister first."
Xue Bitao: "…"
Without waiting for Xue Bitao's reply, Jiujiu continued, "At the time, I thought that Mother was really good to Big Sister. But now, I understand that the most important thing for a woman is to marry a good man."
Jiujiu smiled. "The general is a good man. The Crown Prince is also a good man. Don't you think so, Big Sister?"
Xue Bitao: "…"
There was no point in saying anything more.
Jiujiu's seemingly unintentional words were fatal. No matter what she said, they kept stabbing at Xue Bitao's lungs. They opened up layer after layer of scars on Xue Bitao's body, making Xue Bitao suffer unspeakably.
Xue Bitao pursed her lips but didn't say anything in the end.
During the meal.
Zhou Haiqing picked up food for Jiujiu like an ordinary couple. He helped her peel prawns and pick out fish bones. He was so attentive that Jiujiu was even more loving than an ordinary couple. In response to Zhou Haiqing's thoughtfulness, Jiujiu returned the favor. Naturally, she picked up food that she thought was delicious for Zhou Haiqing.
The love between the two of them was a stark contrast to the Crown Prince and Xue Bitao.
Naturally, the Crown Prince didn't care about Xue Bitao. Because of the Crown Prince's abuse these days, Xue Bitao, who was already dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's indifference, was even more disgusted with the Crown Prince. It was already good enough that she didn't stab the Crown Prince to death. How could she pick up food for the Crown Prince?
The coldness between the two of them showed the love between Jiujiu and Zhou Haiqing even more.
The Crown Prince rejected this scene from the bottom of his heart. As for Xue Bitao, she was jealous and sad. More than that, she was sad.
Sad for herself.
They were both humans. Why was she so sad for two consecutive lifetimes, while Jiujiu was so happy?
After the meal, the Crown Prince didn't want to stay any longer, so he left with Xue Bitao.
In the carriage, the Crown Prince asked, "What did you say to Biyu?"
Xue Bitao lowered her eyes to hide the indifference and disdain in her heart. She answered softly, "Some family matters. The Crown Prince isn't interested in knowing."
Hearing that Xue Bitao said it was family matters, the Crown Prince snorted and didn't continue to ask. After a while, the Crown Prince spoke again, but the content was to remind Xue Bitao, "Hang out with Bitao more in the future."
Xue Bitao sneered in her heart, but on the surface, she replied obediently, "I won't."
After sending Xue Bitao and the Crown Prince away, Jiujiu immediately returned to her previous appearance. She looked at Zhou Haiqing who was reading a book of military tactics and asked, "What did the Crown Prince want to talk to you about?"
Zhou Haiqing closed the book, "Yes. What did you say to your sister?"
"Nothing. Just some girl's matters. You won't like it. By the way, you haven't said what you said to the Crown Prince." Jiujiu looked curious.
Zhou Haiqing smiled faintly, "Some matters between men. You won't like it."
Zhou Haiqing used Jiujiu's words to shut Jiujiu's mouth. Jiujiu blinked and could only choose to remain silent unwillingly.
Seeing that Jiujiu didn't know anything, Zhou Haiqing curled his lips and revealed a faint smile.
It was best that Jiujiu didn't know anything. He was her husband. Her future belonged to him. He would definitely protect her like a tree so that she wouldn't be hurt at all.
At night, in the study of the Crown Prince's Residence.
"You said that the kitchen maid is missing?" The Crown Prince looked at his confidant who was kneeling on the ground with a gloomy face, "What happened?"
"There was news a few days ago, but there was no news at all these days. I sent another spy to check and he got the news. He said that her hands and feet were dirty. She has been sent out."
"Hands and feet are dirty?" The Crown Prince snorted, "She was found out."
"Your subordinate is useless."
The Crown Prince waved his hand, "Zhou Haiqing was able to climb up from a commoner to his current position. He isn't a mediocre person. It doesn't matter if she was found out. That medicine won't be found out, right?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
