He was good-tempered, but he couldn't be bothered to endure their unnerving gazes. He swaggered past them and left.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, the craftsman in charge of the flowers and plants heard the noise and came over.
Seeing him, Huangfu Yunkun asked with interest, "Looking at you, have you found the flowers and plants I asked for?"
"Yes." Although they usually didn't pay much attention to the young master, he was the sole master of this manor. Moreover, he was unusually generous this time, promising ten taels of silver if they could find the flowers and plants he needed.
Even though they worked in the prince's manor, their actual living conditions were worse than those in a fourth-rank official's residence. Since there was no master here, and the only master was stingy, they lived a very austere life with low monthly wages and no tips at all. Therefore, they took this promised reward seriously and worked diligently.
"Quick, quick, move them all into my room. I, your young master, have decided to stop gambling from now on. All my money will be spent on these flowers and plants. I want to live the life of an old man in retirement ahead of time." When he said these words, he had a grand, heroic air about him, as if he were about to take the imperial examinations and become a top scholar. Everyone couldn't help but twitch the corners of their mouths before quickly lowering their heads.
His actions quickly became the talk of the town. Having seen him wandering around outside so often, they thought he had mended his ways. It turned out he had removed all the potted plants and vegetation from the manor to plant inconspicuous flowers and plants instead, treating them like treasures, personally planting and watering them.
When the young noblemen in the capital gathered, they had a new target for their mockery. After all, everything he did was subject to criticism. This time was no exception. They felt that having grown up in the palace and being the Qin Prince's heir, he shouldn't be so uncultured like a country bumpkin.
Wu Caiwei found out the reason behind his actions as soon as she inquired. It was simply that he felt frail and sickly, unable to practice martial arts, and thus lacked self-preservation abilities. These flowers and plants, however, were different; when used correctly, they could be weapons for killing.
However, it was difficult for people to associate a dissolute young man with someone skilled in medicine, so they didn't think in that direction. Furthermore, she had inquired and found that he needed all sorts of inconspicuous flowers and plants on the market. Therefore, the real and the fake were mixed together, confusing the public.
Although his medical skills were decent, they were still far inferior to Wu Caiwei's. Moreover, he didn't have a trustworthy person by his side. Wu Caiwei always felt uneasy and thought she had to find a way for them to be together openly.
Thus, she gave up on buying a house and boldly went to the Qin Prince's manor. She knocked on the gate not so gently. As soon as the gatekeeper showed his head, she said angrily, "I'm looking for your young master."
The gatekeeper looked her up and down. He assumed she was there to cause trouble. Although the Prince and Princess were in a difficult situation, and no one wanted to get involved with their household, not just anyone could come to their door. He clapped his hands, and immediately several servants armed with clubs appeared before her.
She feigned fear and quickly retreated to the street outside. Just as the Qin Prince's manor servants thought she would be scared away, she suddenly sat on the ground and wailed loudly.
"Everyone, please judge! Your Qin Prince's manor is bullying people. The Qin Prince's heir clearly promised to marry me. Yet, when I just came to your door, you threatened me with clubs. How could I be so unfortunate?"
There were plenty of idle people in the capital, and soon a crowd of onlookers surrounded her. The manor servants, seeing that the situation had escalated, quickly argued back, "What nonsense are you talking, woman? We just scared you with sticks. When did we hit anyone?"
"Everyone, look! So many grown men with clubs threatening me, a weak woman. What else could they be doing if not trying to hit me? My son calls him father, yet he sends these people to drive me away. Does he not intend to acknowledge his responsibility?" She sobbed loudly while arguing.
The information was explosive. Although some things were clearly not true, and this woman was obviously a shrew trying to extort the Qin Prince's manor, they were still happy to see the Qin Prince in trouble. After all, the Qin Prince was currently being denounced by everyone for rebelling.
Soon, the housekeeper received the news and rushed out of the Qin Prince's manor. Seeing everyone pointing and discussing at the manor's plaque, he knew without thinking what they were talking about. He was furious seeing the woman throwing a tantrum.
He had instructed everyone in the manor to keep a low profile recently, but unexpectedly, this woman had ruined all his plans. The Qin Prince's manor would soon become the talk of the capital again. He knew the condition of his young master better than anyone else. He would never be able to marry in this lifetime, and this woman, not fearing death, had set her sights on the Qin Prince's manor's power, wanting to latch onto it. Didn't she fear becoming a widow?
Indeed, with her impoverished appearance and her ability to throw tantrums, being a widow would be better than living the life of an ordinary commoner. This matter was truly unsolvable.
He suppressed his anger and approached her in a conciliatory tone, "Madam, if you have something to say, let's talk properly. It's not good with people coming and going on the street. It not only affects our Qin Prince's manor's reputation but is also not beneficial for you. Come, let's talk inside. If our young master has indeed done something to wrong you, we will take full responsibility. But if he hasn't, please leave quickly."
"With so many people on the street, can't we talk here? I was almost beaten at your doorstep, and who knows what you'll do to me inside? I'm not that foolish." Wu Caiwei's eyes rolled as she perfectly portrayed an ignorant woman seeking petty gain.
"Yes, yes! Who knows what you'll do to our big sister once she's inside? With her small frame, she'd be helpless even if you beat her to death."
"Yes, yes! Big sister, don't worry, we'll help you seek justice. If your Qin Prince's manor doesn't give a satisfactory explanation today, don't expect this to end easily."
"How do you know there's nothing between the Qin Prince's heir and our big sister? The young master doesn't even dare to show his face. Is he guilty?"
...
Wu Caiwei looked at them with a moved expression, knowing that these people wanted to see the Qin Prince's manor make a fool of itself. She hid behind them, using each other.
Soon, the Qin Prince's heir, supported by a servant, walked out. He saw Wu Caiwei with a sense of inevitability. Only she would do something so crazy. Knowing her purpose for coming, he was very touched, but he didn't want her to get involved.
"Madam, I heard you have a child. We've only met once. There's no need to pester me like this. Besides, I am a notorious dissolute young master in the capital. Marrying me would ruin your life. Anyone else would be better than me." Huangfu Yunkun gave her a suggestive look.