Love at First Sight Chapter 32 The Fourth Prince, Zunzhi, and the Second Prince, Zunxiu

Liu Yi and Kang Qi also saw the Second Prince, Zun Xiu. The two of them exchanged glances with An Guping. They simply nodded at each other as a greeting, and none of them spoke. After all, in a place like this, with their masters all drunk, there was little to say.

"Beauty, don't go—have another drink," Zun Xiu said, his hand caressing a young woman's cheek.

The girl supporting him acted coy, dabbing at him with a handkerchief. "Sir, I haven't had my fill tonight. Next time you come, remember to look for me."

"Heh, of course, of course. Next time, just watch how well I'll treat you," Zun Xiu replied, laughing boisterously as An Guping helped him onto the carriage.

The girl called after them in a charming voice, "Sir, you must come often! I'll be waiting for you here!"

Just before they left, An Guping cast another glance at Wen Yueqing, seeing her looking drowsy and tipsy, leaning against Zun You’s shoulder. He wondered to himself, "Who is this young gentleman? Did he overhear anything they said just now?"

She looked so frail and delicate, hardly like a spy. Still, to be safe, he decided he would mention it to Zun Xiu the next day.

After waiting a while longer, the attendant finally managed to hire a carriage. Liu Yi and Kang Qi hurriedly brought the two back to the residence. Wen Yueqing kept mumbling drunken words along the way, and Zun You actually fell asleep in the carriage.

The maids and servants at the residence struggled to settle the two in. Tong’er had been waiting for Wen Yueqing, and seeing that it was Kang Qi who brought her back, she asked, "Brother Kang, just how much did you all drink?"

"It’s nothing. His Highness and Miss Wen were just cheerful and had a few more cups. Take good care of them. I’ll be off," Kang Qi said with a smile.

"All right, you have a good rest too," Tong’er replied. From the moment he walked in, she caught a strong scent of makeup and perfume. Where on earth had these people been?

Early the next morning, at the Fourth Prince’s residence in the city.

Zun Zhi was already up and practicing martial arts. He had summoned two boxing instructors to spar with him. Though only fifteen, his movements were precise and powerful, each punch landing solidly.

After an hour’s practice, he finished his morning meal, stretched his arms, and prepared to go study in the library. At that moment, Zheng Zhong entered from outside and reported, "Your Highness, the guard who was following the Third Prince yesterday is waiting outside. He says he has something to report."

Zun Zhi acknowledged him and headed for the study. "Bring him to the study."

"Yes, sir," Zheng Zhong replied, withdrawing to bring the guard in.

"What did you find yesterday? Tell me," Zun Zhi asked.

The guard gave a salute and said, "Your Highness, yesterday the Third Prince and that young gentleman were together the whole time. They strolled through the market, bought a lot of trifles, and purchased many fabrics and ornaments."

Zun Zhi thought to himself that this was nothing serious, but it still struck him as odd. Two grown men shopping together and buying so many things? The palace had everything they could want. Then he remembered not long ago, Zun You had bought a widow. His third brother truly was different. That young man, with his fair, handsome face… Could it be that Third Brother had developed a peculiar taste again? Zun Zhi didn’t dare dwell further on the thought.

The guard continued, "At night, the two went to Meijin Courtyard for entertainment and stayed until late, only returning to the Third Prince’s residence together."

Zun Zhi frowned slightly, inwardly thinking, "Well, well, Third Brother’s even visiting brothels now, and he brought that pretty boy home with him. He really goes all out, no wonder—he’s always been cunning since childhood."

Seeing Zun Zhi silent, the guard went on, "While I waited outside, I saw Wu Yuntong, the Assistant Minister of Revenue, come out of Meijin Courtyard alone. Not long after, the Third Prince and his companion left as well."

"Oh? Is that so? Do you suspect Third Brother and Wu Yuntong are colluding?" Zun Zhi’s interest was piqued.

"I can’t be certain, Your Highness, but there’s another strange matter," the guard replied, looking up at Zun Zhi.

"Go on, I’m listening," said Zun Zhi, pleased that he’d decided to have his brother followed.

"Last night, the Second Prince was also at Meijin Courtyard. He left right after the Third Prince."

Zun Zhi gave a cold laugh and waved his hand. "You’ve done well. You may go."

The guard bowed and withdrew from the study.

"Zheng Zhong, what do you think?" Zun Zhi asked, glancing at his attendant who was deep in thought.

"Sir, Wu Yuntong is usually low-key and outwardly neutral, not aligned with Chancellor An’s faction," Zheng Zhong replied gravely.

"The Ministry of Revenue holds the imperial purse strings. The Assistant Minister is a third-rank official—whoever he sides with, it’s not to our advantage," Zun Zhi mused, thinking ahead.

"It seems we should promote our own people in the Ministry of Revenue," Zheng Zhong reminded him.

"Let’s not rush. I’ll discuss this with Mother first," said Zun Zhi, who had always listened to Consort Hui’s advice.

His mother lived alone in the palace, her position always precarious under the Empress’s shadow. Consort Hui was deeply patient and forbearing; unlike Zun You’s mother, Consort Lu, she had never enjoyed imperial favor. All these years, she had only her son Zun Zhi, and had only recently been granted the title of Consort Hui after much hardship. The Zheng family’s influence was still weak, and Zun Zhi planned to visit the palace in a few days to consult with his mother.

Meanwhile, in the Second Prince’s residence.

Zun Xiu had just woken up. His head ached, and a maid brought him a bowl of hangover soup, specially prepared by the imperial physician to ease his discomfort after drinking. As Zun Xiu was often drunk, this soup was kept in regular supply at the residence.

Once he had finished the soup and breakfast, An Guping waited until he looked well before reporting what he’d seen of Zun You the previous night.

"You’re saying that person was following Third Brother?" Zun Xiu looked surprised.

"Yes, Your Highness. You were drunk last night and didn’t notice, but I saw the two of them together, both quite intoxicated," An Guping replied.

Zun Xiu slapped the table. "That Third Brother is too much, sending someone to spy on us!"

An Guping, seeing his master’s anger, quickly added, "I don’t think it was necessarily intentional on the Third Prince’s part."

"Oh? Why do you say so?" Zun Xiu glanced at him.

"That young man looked very frail, just the scholarly type. If they meant to send a spy, surely they’d send someone skilled. Someone that jumpy would be discovered in no time."

Zun Xiu thought it over. "Hmph, you know Third Brother never plays by the rules. Maybe he sent someone like that on purpose."

An Guping knew his master had always disliked the Third Prince, so he said no more.

"But even if he overheard something, it doesn’t matter. Whatever my grandfather is doing in secret, he’ll never find proof," Zun Xiu said with a contemptuous smile.