Chapter Forty-Five: Does the Grand Tutor wish to seduce the Princess?

At that moment, Zhuo Yue’an walked in, his brows furrowing when he saw Lin Feifei clinging to Xiao Jingxuan’s arm like a decorative accessory.

“Your Highness, I have something important to report,” Zhuo Yue’an announced, but then fell silent, as if his words had gotten stuck in his throat.

“Commander Zhuo, really, if you have something to say, just say it. There are no outsiders here,” Lin Feifei cooed, her sweet and coquettish tone almost cloying.

“You may leave now,” Xiao Jingxuan said, still tipping cup after cup of wine into his mouth, not sparing her a glance.

“See? If you won’t speak, then off you go. His Highness and I still have to enjoy our drinks together.” Lin Feifei shot Zhuo Yue’an a provocative smile.

“I told you to leave.” Xiao Jingxuan flung Lin Feifei’s hand away with force. How could this woman be so oblivious?

“I…” Lin Feifei’s expression stiffened in embarrassment, her beautiful eyes biting her lips as she looked at Xiao Jingxuan.

“Leave.” His voice was cold as ice, brooking no resistance. Lin Feifei had no choice but to slink away in defeat.

“Your Highness, this is something the Young Lord asked me to bring you.” With Lin Feifei gone, Zhuo Yue’an arched his eyebrows in a challenge. Does she really think she can test the bond between His Highness and me? She clearly overestimates herself.

Xiao Jingxuan took the rattle drum with a look of puzzlement, shaking it a couple of times to produce a dull thumping sound.

“What does Yunbai mean by this?” Xiao Jingxuan had no idea what Yunbai was up to.

“The Young Lord asked me to thank you on his behalf for the gift you gave his mother. She adores it, was so moved she cried and said that His Highness was truly wonderful. He wanted to share this rattle drum with you as a token of childhood joy, and promised that once he’s able, he’ll give you even better gifts in the future.” Zhuo Yue’an embellished his story with praise for the Princess Consort and Young Lord. In reality, all Yunbai had said was that when he grew up and had money, he’d repay his wicked father with even more gifts.

“Really?” Xiao Jingxuan was skeptical as he listened to Zhuo Yue’an’s account. The tone didn’t quite match Yunbai’s usual way of speaking. Still, a father with a child is always eager to believe the best, and though he harbored doubts, he chose to trust that Yunbai was a conscientious and clever boy, making Zhuo Yue’an’s words seem credible.

Zhuo Yue’an nodded emphatically, convinced by his own lie.

“What about the Princess Consort? Did she say anything?” Xiao Jingxuan suddenly turned to ask about Su Jingluo.

“She asked about the Crown Prince. Fearing she might worry, I reported truthfully that Grand Tutor Song escorted the Crown Prince to Mount Ling’s Purple Gold Palace.”

“By the way, does she know the person in the carriage was Grand Tutor Song Yunmo?” Mentioning the Grand Tutor brought back the events of the day to Xiao Jingxuan’s mind. He had originally sought out Song Yunmo to secretly arrange for the Crown Prince, Xiao Chengze, to be sent to Mount Ling, which was the safest option. Who would have thought they’d run into a rogue on the way, leading to Su Jingluo and Song Yunmo crossing paths? The way Song Yunmo looked at Su Jingluo inexplicably irked him.

“She probably doesn't know. But for some reason, as soon as she saw the Grand Tutor, she ran off. I’ll investigate thoroughly,” Zhuo Yue’an replied, puzzled as to why His Highness was so concerned about the Grand Tutor and the Princess Consort.

“Keep an eye on Song Yunmo. Do not let him get close to the Princess Consort.” Xiao Jingxuan took a swig of wine, his heart burning with pain. Could Su Jingluo have developed feelings for the Grand Tutor?

“Did the Princess Consort say anything else? Mention anyone else?” Unsatisfied with the answers, Xiao Jingxuan pressed on.

“No, nothing else.” Zhuo Yue’an, caught off guard, simply told the truth.

“Hmph!” Xiao Jingxuan slammed his cup down on the table, his face dark as thunder.

Zhuo Yue’an wished he could slap himself. How could he be so stupid? He should have said that the Princess Consort wept inconsolably when she saw His Highness angry.