315 Thoughts
“What did you say? Change places?”
Before Qian He could finish explaining his purpose for coming here, the fourth prince lost his composure and turned around to glare at Qian He, who was kneeling on one knee, in disbelief. He shouted angrily, “If Mr. Pei leaves, what will happen to my safety?”
As if he felt that it was inappropriate for him to say this at this moment, the fourth prince’s expression changed slightly as he quickly added, “You should know that although the assassin has been captured, those northern barbarians have always been cunning and sinister. What if, what if they come back?”
“Your Highness, to be honest, I made this arrangement according to Mr. Pei’s previous instructions.” Qian He lowered his eyes with a calm expression.
Qian He said respectfully, “Now, Mr. Pei is injured and what he did previously has already made those northern barbarians hate him to the core.
If he continues to stay by your side, he will bring you danger and trouble.
“Don’t worry, not only will the guards in charge of protecting you not evacuate, but I also instructed the second young master of Marquis Suining Ministry and the second young master of the Zhou family, Zhou Hengchang, to lead the Zhou family’s army to protect the safety of Duke Huai Yang’s ministry.
Young Master Zhou was very influential in the entire northern region.
With him around, you can rest assured, Fourth Prince.”
After Qian He finished speaking, he seemed to be afraid that his words were not convincing enough and even turned to look at Princess Ning Fu, who was standing at the side. “Princess, what do you think?”
“What?” Princess Ning Fu was startled to be called out by Qian He and was flustered.
She froze for a long time before she smiled awkwardly at the fourth prince and explained, “Yes, General Zhou is very impressive. It would naturally be best if he could come over and protect Your Highness.”
“But Song Tao’s injuries…” Upon hearing both of them say this, the fourth prince was tempted, but he was still a little worried.
After all, in his opinion, there was no one in this world who could reassure him more than Pei Qian.
Even though Pei Qian was injured now, he still wanted to stay with him.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ve already asked Madam Liu to help take care of him. Moreover, even if we go back, I’ll report to Your Highness immediately if anything arises.”
Qian He explained to the fourth prince very considerately and even told him about the following arrangements.
However, it would have been better if he had not said it. The moment he did, the fourth prince’s expression became much uglier than before. He stared at the medicine bowl on the table for a long time before saying, “Madam Liu is quite devoted to Song Tao.”
“Your Highness, Madam Liu’s husband has a close relationship with Mr. Pei.” Although Qian He didn’t know what the fourth prince meant by this, his intuition told him that it wasn’t good.
Therefore, Qian He explained to the fourth prince.
“You mean that she’s willing to help because of her husband?” As the fourth prince sized up Qian He, who was kneeling on the ground, he suddenly laughed. “But that’s very strange. From what you’re saying, Song Tao’s relationship with Gu Erlang is quite solid, but why haven’t I heard Song Tao mention such an important person before?”
“Your Highness, Mr. Pei has been working hard to expand his connections for your cause all these years. He probably hasn’t mentioned some people to you yet because of his own considerations.
I’m just following orders, so I don’t dare to say anything presumptuous!
“If you really want to know, why don’t you ask him yourself after he wakes up?”
Qian He spoke calmly with a smile.
“Alright, since you said that all of this was arranged by Song Tao, we’ll do as you say.” The fourth prince knew that he probably wouldn’t be able to get anything out of Qian He, so he couldn’t be bothered to waste any more energy. He waved his hand, indicating that Qian He could leave.
Qian He kowtowed again and thanked him before standing up and leaving.
After sending Qian He off, the fourth prince turned around and said to Princess Ning Fu, who was standing at the side, “Who’s Zhou Hengchang?”
“He’s the second son of the Marquis Suining and he’s the head of the entire family.” Although Princess Ning Fu didn’t know why the fourth prince asked this, she still replied very honestly, “He leads the Zhou family’s army. In the north, even the general who stabilizes the north has to give in to him.”
“He’s neither a marquis nor a prince, so it’s quite impressive that he has such abilities.” The fourth prince couldn’t help but marvel. After he thought about it for a moment, he continued to ask Princess Ning Fu suspiciously, “His brothers don’t think anything of it?
I heard that the Marquis Suining has an heir.”
“I heard from my grandmother that the Zhou family had previously fought with my grandfather outside. The old marquis left his grandson at home for the women of the Zhou family to take care of and raise. Later on, when he returned home, he realized that his children and grandchildren who stayed at home had already been raised to be good-for-nothings who only knew how to enjoy themselves.
At that time, the second son of the Zhou family had just been born, so the old marquis brought him to his side to raise him personally. According to the old marquis’s plan, Second Young Master Zhou should have been the heir, but later on, the old marquis suddenly passed away, so this matter was left unsettled.
Although he didn’t gain much in terms of status, the Zhou family’s army was still in his hands.
Therefore, Grandmother has always said that the Zhou family’s future conflict is inevitable.”
Under the fourth prince’s interrogation, Princess Ning Fu didn’t dare to hide anything and she told him everything she knew. Then, seeing that the fourth prince was still sitting there without saying anything, she thought for a moment and continued, “However, compared to his brother, Mr. Zhou is indeed more capable.”
“In that case, why didn’t you choose to marry him? Why did you choose to become my concubine?” The fourth prince raised his eyebrows at Princess Ning Fu. For once, he became more interested in her. “If I’m not mistaken, Zhou Hengchang has ties to you, right?”
“I don’t. I don’t have any thoughts about him.” Princess Ning Fu was shocked by the fourth prince’s words. She quickly knelt down and explained anxiously, “Your Highness, please understand.”