The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Was It You?

Prince Li read those pages of the letter again. He did not actually favor his eldest son.

His most outstanding son was his third son, Huangfu Jinglun, and he intended to give the title of the Princely Heir to Jinglun, which is why he had delayed making an appointment.

For the Emperor’s grand birthday, all the imperial grandsons were originally summoned to the Capital City, but his eldest son Huangfu Jingwei was not included because he had returned a few months earlier to attend to some affairs before the celebration.

However, on his way back, Huangfu Jinglun encountered an accident.

The Emperor had said that if Jinglun had been around, he would surely have made him the new Crown Prince.

But by that time, Jinglun was no longer there, and the Emperor gave the position of Crown Prince to Prince Zhuang.

It is very likely that Jinglun was killed by Jingwei.

But now that Jinglun is dead, Jingwei has contributed to the success, perhaps it is time to present a report to the Emperor to appoint Jingwei as the Princely Heir.

While pondering, a servant reported that a letter had been delivered.

Another letter?

Prince Li frowned, but still ordered it to be brought over.

After ensuring there was nothing unusual inside, Prince Li opened it.

A thin piece of paper had only three words: ”Yifeng Building!” But it bore the private seal of Huangfu Yuxuan.

Since the Crown Prince became Prince Liang, everyone in Prince Liang Mansion has been very low-key, almost reclusive. Huangfu Yuxuan sending him a letter? They had no previous contact. What could he want?

However, after much consideration, Prince Li decided to go.

He understood that the message indicated a private meeting.

It was not necessary for an uncle and nephew to meet so clandestinely, but it suited Prince Li’s intention. After all, his presence as a Vassal King in the Capital attracts a lot of attention.

Prince Li changed into casual clothes, brought only one guard, exited through a side door, and got into a carriage. The carriage took several twists and turns, making a few loops before heading to Yifeng Building.

This trip, presumably no one saw.

Located in a bustling area with people constantly coming and going, Prince Li, being a leisurely prince fond of poetry and wine, was no stranger to renowned restaurants in the capital and knew the less noticeable paths to take.

By the time he arrived, it was not mealtime, so there were not many guests. A waiter kept glancing outside, and when he saw Prince Li, he immediately approached enthusiastically: ”Mr. Ninth, it’s been some time since you last came. Are you here for a meal? Please come in!”

Prince Li was ninth in rank, and did not like to be called Ninth Prince or Prince Li, preferring to be addressed as Mr. Ninth outside.

Prince Li replied, ”I’m meeting a friend!”

The waiter quickly said, ”Then, sir, please go up to the third floor!”

Prince Li followed him inside, heading straight for the third floor.

At the door of a private room, he saw two people standing guard, one of whom he recognized as Pei Huan, the close aide of Huangfu Yuxuan.

Pei Huan stepped forward and said, ”Sir, my master has been waiting for you!” He gestured for Prince Li to enter.

Prince Li glanced around, and Pei Huan reassured him, ”Sir, rest assured, this place is quiet and won’t be disturbed!”

Prince Li nodded. He wasn’t overly concerned about being seen here, as he was a frequent visitor to such places, but he did not want others to see him meeting Huangfu Yuxuan here.

He pushed the door open, and his attendant peeked inside, then automatically stood outside with Pei Huan.

Inside, Huangfu Yuxuan was dressed in a delicate cyan brocade, his complexion fair, lips thin and red, his features handsome, exuding a noble aura as he sat there.

At that moment, he was pouring steaming water into already steeped tea leaves. Seeing Prince Li, he smiled slightly: ”Uncle Nine, you came just in time. This is a new tea I recently acquired, Jinshangtianhua Tea! Please taste it, Uncle Nine!”

Prince Li’s gaze deepened. Though he was over thirty, he was well-maintained, with fair skin and a perpetual smile, calm demeanor. His lifelong engagement with poetry and painting lent him an air of scholarly elegance and gentility.

It was said that although many women in the capital knew he was married and had children, including an eighteen-year-old eldest son, many still yearned to be his concubine.

This showed that Prince Li not only had outstanding looks but also treated women with gentle gestures and subtle attentiveness, being proficient in poetry, wine, and the four arts, exuding exceptional grace, which explained why those women sought to be by his side regardless of status.

Facing Huangfu Yuxuan, he knew they were not here to appreciate paintings, compose poetry, or play instruments leisurely. What was in Huangfu Yuxuan’s gourd, he didn’t know. But he knew, there was no such tea as Jinshangtianhua Tea, was there?

He laughed heartily: ”Yuxuan has put in a lot of thought, and since it’s new tea, Uncle Nine must have a taste.”

Huangfu Yuxuan poured two cups, pushing one towards Prince Li.

Prince Li reached out, the White Jade cup was crystal clear, the green-blue tea emitted swirling hot steam, and its fragrance was refreshing. He took a sip; this was not Jinshangtianhua Tea! It was actually Liangzhou’s Jinkui Tea. However, this tea was indeed top quality, classified as tribute tea, something he often drank in the palace.

Prince Li smiled and said, ”The brewing of this tea is just right, capturing the full aroma entirely, filling the mouth!”

Huangfu Yuxuan also smiled, sipping gracefully, ”Didn’t Uncle Nine already discern what tea this is? I changed its name, is Uncle Nine satisfied?”

Prince Li’s heart stirred, this was tribute tea with an established name, how could it be changed? Him telling me this certainly is not aimless. What does he want to say? He responded, ”A name is merely for the occasion. What matters is one’s happiness with it. Yuxuan says this is a certain tea, then it is that tea, guest follows host’s preferences!”

Huangfu Yuxuan said, ”Uncle Nine is truly a free spirit. Who in the Capital City is unaware of Uncle Nine’s literary talent and grace? The first gentleman of the Capital City back in the day, still retains the same elegance! Uncle Nine is still undoubtedly the first gentleman of the Capital City!”

Prince Li laughed, ”Yuxuan, you jest. I am now an old man with many children, long past that name! That is the business of the younger generation, what does it have to do with me now?”

”Of course, it suits you!”

Prince Li felt quite elated. Back in the day, boasting the title of the first gentleman of the Capital City truly brought great glory, that the Emperor even joked: Since you’re the first gentleman of the Capital City, wouldn’t it be a disappointment to the vassals if you went there, so stay a few more days!”

Seeing Prince Li only smile without speaking, Huangfu Yuxuan straightforwardly remarked, ”Uncle Nine doesn’t need to return to Ningzhou these days, it must be pleasing, this tea renamed, is to congratulate Uncle Nine!”

Prince Li glanced at Huangfu Yuxuan; he was smiling, but his eyes were an unfathomable abyss of darkness. At the same time, his earlier suspicion resurfaced, and he said, ”Then, thank you, Yuxuan. Yuxuan caring for Uncle Nine, Uncle Nine is very glad. In truth, our bond as uncle and nephew, why need such formality?”

”It’s necessary, certainly necessary. Uncle Nine may have been unkind to my father, but as a nephew, I do not wish to be disloyal to Uncle Nine.” Huangfu Yuxuan said, smiling while pouring tea.

Upon hearing this, Prince Li’s heart sank, and he stood up abruptly, saying in a low voice, ”The one who sent the letter, was it you?”