eurekapd Chapter 351 The Second Prince's Courtship
Chapter 351 The Second Prince's Courtship
"Second Miss, how have you been? Would you do me the honor of having a drink with me?"
The second sister's face darkened completely: "I just finished my work today and have to go back. Please make way for me, Your Highness."
But the Second Prince refused to give way and continued to block the way: "Second Miss, I am very sorry for what happened before. My father has put me in confinement, and I have realized my mistake. I hope that you can give me a chance to apologize in person."
The second sister was furious. Solitary confinement? He was released in just over a month.
What's this about apologizing in person? Who stops a carriage in the street and calls it an apology?
The second sister suddenly pulled back the carriage curtain and said coldly, "Your Highness, there's nothing to say between us. Please step aside; I'm going back."
Upon seeing the face he had longed for again, the Second Prince could hardly contain the excitement in his heart.
He raised his hand, and a squad of guards came and blocked the way, preventing pedestrians from passing. Only his second sister, her maidservant, and the second prince's men remained in the area.
The maid, Zhiyuan, had witnessed the Second Prince's shamelessness the last time she accompanied Si Muyan.
Last time, Si Muyan was certain that her second sister would find someone to rescue them, but this time they were completely isolated and helpless.
Paper Kite's hands trembled uncontrollably, and she was so frightened that she could barely speak: "Girl, what should we do?"
"In broad daylight, does Your Highness intend to imprison me like last time?" The second sister's gaze was cold, her mind racing.
How can she escape from this predicament under such tyranny?
Normally she finishes her shift at this time, but sometimes she'll be half an hour late looking at files. Her older sister and the others are used to it and don't think much of it.
So if she hasn't returned home in half an hour, her family probably won't send anyone to look for her.
And the people of the Dali Temple...
The second sister was even more distressed. Prince Ning was not here today, Feng Zizhou had gone out on family business, and the other officials had left after their shifts. She was afraid that no one would know she was here.
What should she do?
The second prince gazed at his second sister intently, then smiled and said, "I just want you to give me a chance, nothing more. There's a teahouse up ahead, why don't we go upstairs and have a drink together?"
The second sister was filled with shock and anger: "What if I don't go?"
"Not going? If I want you to go, of course you have to go." The Second Prince said, "Si Mutong, from the moment I saw you, I took a liking to you. You are mine!"
The second sister regretted it now. Why did she refuse when Du Shangge asked her to wield the whip? Even if she couldn't fight against Prince Ning, it would have been better to teach him a lesson.
She lowered the carriage curtain, pulled out a jade hairpin and tucked it into her sleeve, her gaze filled with cold indifference.
The kite was terrified and grabbed her hand: "Miss..."
The second sister shook her head, and after a long while, she lifted the carriage curtain. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a voice coming from ahead.
Who is gathering here?
The second sister was overjoyed; it was Du Shangge's elder brother, Du Zhirong.
A guard stepped forward and informed his master of his identity: "The Second Prince is handling business; all other personnel may leave now."
Du Zhirong had been away from the capital for a long time and was not very familiar with the affairs of the capital. He frowned as he watched from his horse, but did not leave immediately.
The second sister, fearing he would leave, quickly lifted the carriage curtain and called out, "Fourth Brother Du."
Du Zhirong was taken aback. He was about to spur his horse forward when the guards beside him stopped him and shouted sternly.
"Second Prince, you are on official business, so please don't meddle in other people's business."
Seeing that things were not going well, Du Zhirong immediately turned cold and shouted, "Is this how the Second Prince conducts his duties? Detaining a woman here in the street, are you trying to abduct her?"
The second prince was very angry and said, "Cousin, this is my private matter, it's none of your business."
Du Zhirong ignored him, dismounted and walked forward. The guards tried to stop him, but he was a military general and was not afraid. He quickly knocked down the two leaders.
He sneered again: "The guards of Kyoto are truly useless!"
The other guards were at a loss and could only turn to look at the Second Prince.
Du Zhirong strode forward and stood opposite the Second Prince.
He was tall and robust, having spent most of his time stationed and training on the frontier, and had a dark, yellowish complexion. Even in his civilian clothes, he exuded an aura of power.
The second prince seemed much smaller in his presence.
Standing on top of each other.
The Second Prince was annoyed: "I just have something to say to Miss Si."
Du Zhirong turned to his second sister inside the carriage and asked, "Second Miss, he wants to speak with you. Will you allow it?"
The second sister quickly shook her head: "No, he tried to kidnap me, Fourth Brother Du, I would like to trouble you to send me back."
Du Zhirong nodded and looked at the Second Prince: "Your Highness, please allow passage."
The second prince took a deep breath and asked, "Du Zhirong, are you going to oppose me?"
Du Zhirong frowned: "Oppose me? I have no intention of opposing anyone, but is Your Highness planning to use force to coerce Miss Si?"
"I am a prince, while you are merely a young master from a marquis's household. How dare you stop me?"
Du Zhirong said, "Your Highness's words are strange. It turns out that you, Prince Xiang, had a dream, but since the goddess is indifferent, you shouldn't have pursued her. What does it have to do with status? Does being a prince mean you can take whatever you want from anyone? If so, I will go back now and ask my father to go to the palace to ask him what kind of logic this is!"
"You!" The second prince was speechless with anger.
He knew perfectly well that today was the only possibility; if he kidnapped Si Mutong, she would have no choice but to become his concubine.
But what are his chances of winning if he fights Du Zhirong?
Despite his superior numbers, Du Zhirong was known as a young general, rumored to be able to take on ten men single-handedly. Moreover, with Du Zhirong right in front of him, the strategy of "capture the leader first" meant he had no chance to make a move.
Give up?
The second prince turned to look at his second sister, his gaze icy: "Si Mutong, do you know that I love you? I'm willing to defy the world just to be with you?"
The second sister said loudly, "First of all, I have no intention of being with Your Highness. Secondly, if Your Highness is truly interested, please come and ask for my hand in marriage, instead of forcing me to change my name and become your concubine in secret!"
The second prince angrily said, "With your status, it would be a blessing for you to be my concubine."
"Sorry, I don't need this blessing."
After some thought, the second prince realized that with such a big commotion today, if he were to actually make a move, he would only be at a disadvantage.
Finally, he turned and left with his men.
The second sister breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Fourth Young Master."
Du Zhirong escorted her back to her residence, and probably to keep her from being nervous, he chatted with her along the way.
"There's been a lot of talk about you joining the Dali Temple lately, but I haven't congratulated you yet."
The second sister asked, "Don't you think that I, as a woman, shouldn't be on duty at the Dali Temple?"
“I don’t think so. I grew up on the frontier, where women can fight on the battlefield just as well.” Du Zhirong said seriously, “My second aunt, who is Shangge’s mother, was a famous female general! Women can do what men can do.”