Chapter 323: Chapter 323:1 Can Tell Him Where It Is_l

A gift?

What kind of gift could Chu Lan prepare for me?

If he wanted to bestow rewards, he could simply send them over. Why all this mystery?

Besides, he’s a prince, and I’m a maiden yet to leave my boudoir. It’s inappropriate for him to privately summon me.

Despite her suspicions, Wei Ruo had no choice but to agree.

Chu Lan’s invitation had left her no room to refuse.

“Then I will have to trouble Nanny Qin to lead the way,” said Wei Ruo.

“My lady, there’s no need for formalities. Please, follow me.” Nanny Qin replied.

Wei Ruo, accompanied by Xiumei, got into the carriage sent by Chu Lan, following Nanny Qin’s lead.

The carriage took Wei Ruo to the Yusheng Tea House. Afterward, in the company of Nanny Qin, they entered a tea room.

Inside the tea room, there was only Chu Lan.

He wore a dark green brocade robe adorned with circular patterns, his hair held up with a jade crown. Sitting leisurely by a window-side tea table, he appeared to be immersed in savoring his tea.

Outside, the lake stretched out to meet the sky, with the East Lake sparkling as the mild breeze drifted into the room, rustling the green plants on the tea table.

The scenery was beautiful. If it were in front of the original Wei Qingruo, she would be entranced.

Unfortunately, to Wei Ruo, it looked like a jackal had spoiled this moment of beauty.

■■My humble self pays respects to Your Highness,” Wei Ruo greeted Chu Lan. Before Chu Lan revealed his true identity, Wei Ruo didn’t need to show this kind of deference whenever she saw him. But ever since he formally came to Taizhou Prefecture in his officially disclosed capacity as the Military Governor, she could no longer pretend not to know who he was when she saw him.

“Miss Wei, please, have a seat,” Chu Lan offered after glancing at Wei Ruo, inviting her to take a seat opposite him.

Wei Ruo knew she couldn’t refuse, so she walked over generously and sat down.

The last time she sat with Chu Lan drinking tea, he was still under the guise of

Xu Heyou, and there was a third party present.

This was the first time she was sitting with Chu Lan as Wei Ruo, the Wei family’s legitimate daughter, and they were the only two people in the tea room.

“When I was in Xingshan County last time, I didn’t tell Miss Wei my true identity. I hope you’re not upset,” said Chu Lan.

“I dare not.” Wei Ruo replied, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Chu Lan. Inwardly, Wei Ruo thought: if there’s anything to be upset about, it would be the fact that you – the original story’s love interest – didn’t disclose your true identity. There’s so much more about you that I could be upset about.

“I have heard from Nanny Qin that Miss Wei is bold and spirited, not inferior to a man. Yet, you seem timid around me. Why is that?” Chu Lan asked.

“I am fearful, Your Highness. You are of noble birth, and I am but a commoner. It is only natural for me to feel intimidated in your presence,” Wei Ruo replied. Chu Lan laughed, “Fair enough. Regardless, your intelligence and brilliance are admirable, Miss Wei. Thanks to you, Taizhou Prefecture has best managed the migrant crisis among all seats of power in Zhejiang Province.”

“I cannot claim sole credit for this. Your Highness and the Commandery Princess have demonstrated understanding and empathy towards the common people. The Government Office loves its people as if they were its children. It is a collective contribution of everyone working towards the same goal,” Wei Ruo said.

“In gratitude, I have a gift I wish to present to you,” Chu Lan said.

“I am honored to have been of service to Your Highness. I don’t seek reward and cannot accept your gift,” Wei Ruo replied.

If you really wanted to give me something, you could have simply gifted me a pile of gold. Why go to such lengths, unless you don’t really want to give me anything?

“No, this gift might be something you need. It has to do with your elder brother’s whereabouts,” Chu Lan said.

Listening to this, Wei Ruo was taken aback, then asked, “Does Your Highness know where my elder brother is now?”

“Not only do I know his whereabouts, I also know what has taken place during this period,” Chu Lan answered assertively.

As he spoke, Chu Lan observed Wei Ruo’s expressions with apparent interest.

But Wei Ruo kept her facial expressions well under control.

“I thank Your Highness then. My family has been worried about finding my brother’s whereabouts,” Wei Ruo commented.

“Does not Miss Wei wish to hear about what happened?” Chu Lan gazed intriguingly at Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo did not know what Chu Lan was plotting. She only felt like a prey eyed by a predator, filling her with discomfort.

“I dare not pry. If Your Highness is willing to share, I would be most grateful, Wei Ruo said, her response perfectly suiting the persona of a cautious and modest lady from a noble family.

“Is Miss Wei familiar with the Qi Family from Capital City?

Chu Lan started to unravel the mystery but posed a question seemingly unrelated to their discussion so far.

“I have heard a little of them,” Wei Ruo answered.

The di Family was the maternal family of the sixth prince’s mother, Consort Qi. The current head of the family was the sixth prince’s uncle, Qi Yansong, who also served as the Chief Minister in the imperial court.

This revealed the power and status the Qi Family held currently.

Even if Wei Ruo did not concern herself with court politics, she would still have heard of such a prominent family. Moreover, having known the original plot, she naturally had knowledge of the rival to the main character in the story.

“Chief Minister Qi has three sons. His eldest son died at a young age, and his second son perished in the war against Japan’s pirates, leaving only his youngest son, Qi Zhen. Qi Zhen is known in the capital for his hedonistic lifestyle, particularly his love for beautiful women and mingling in pleasure quarters,” Chu Lan explained.

“I have heard tell of some of this,” Wei Ruo responded.

Wei Ruo was unsure why Chu Lan suddenly mentioned the Qi family; although they were the rising nobility in the court, the Wei family held no power or influence, and the two families had little interaction with one another.

“This Young Master Qi, although hedonistic, is also quite competent in undertaking tasks alongside his father and cousin. I’ve heard that he has recently arrived in Taizhou Prefecture,” Chu Lan continued.

Qi Zhen is in Taizhou Prefecture? He must have come for Chu Lan, right? But how does that relate to the Wei family? Wei Ruo felt a momentary sense of dread. Qi Zhen is well known for chasing after beauty; could it be…?

“What business does Qi Zhen have in Taizhou Prefecture?” Wei Ruo asked along the line of Chu Lan’s previous statement.

“I’m not certain of the Young Master Qi’s purpose here. Nevertheless, his notorious fondness for pretty faces led him to become infatuated with a certain beauty in Taizhou Prefecture. When it comes to beautiful women in Taizhou Prefecture, the Wei sisters certainly come to mind, particularly your younger sister, whose beauty is compared to a water lily and a shy moon,” Chu Lan said. Chu Lan’s words confirmed the dreadful suspicion that had flashed through Wei Ruo’s mind.

Wei Ruo could not help but find the scene somewhat comical as Chu Lan commented on Qi Zhen’s fascination with Wei Qingwan.

One must understand that according to the original plot, the person who would have been smitten by Wei Qingwan during a visit to Taizhou Prefecture would have been Chu Lan, not Qi Zhen.

“Miss Wei, you are intelligent, and so I’m sure you understand my meaning,” Chu Lan said.

-So you’re implying that my sister has been in contact with Qi Zhen?” Wei Ruo asked.

-I would say the relationship between your sister and Qi Zhen might be much more intimate than you think,” Chu Lan continued, picking up his tea, observing her reaction from the corner of his eye..