Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 575

Chapter 575: Chapter 572: Paving the Way_1

The Crown Prince assumed that Madam Dong, Mrs. Dong, and Mrs. Dong’s daughter-in-law had all fallen ill and were certainly unable to arrange his accommodations. However, when Dong Qingyue led him into an elegant and tranquil courtyard, he was quite pleased. The meticulous details demonstrated the effort put into the arrangement.

After Dong Qingyue and his group left, the Crown Prince stood by a large water vat adorned with lotus lanterns and fed the fish from a container. He remarked with a smile, "A water vat with koi fish and lotus lanterns, Lord Dong does not seem like someone with such refined tastes..."

The Crown Prince’s smiling reflection was seen on the rippling water surface. The ancient tree branches rustled in the wind, accompanied by the faint and sorrowful sound of a zither.

The Crown Prince looked up and listened attentively.

Quan Yu, who stood beside him, quickly said, "Your Highness, this servant sent someone to inquire. They said since Madam Dong, Mrs. Dong, and Mrs. Dong’s daughter-in-law were bedridden, the accommodation was arranged by two of Lord Dong’s concubine-born daughters..."

"Shh!" The Crown Prince gestured for silence before Quan Yu could finish, handing him the fish food and following the sound of the zither out of the courtyard.

Quan Yu, holding the fish food, turned and gestured to the guards stationed under the eaves. The group followed the Crown Prince, maintaining a respectful distance behind him.

The zither music grew nearer and nearer until the Crown Prince stopped by the lake.

In the octagonal pavilion on the lake, white silk curtains fluttered, and candle flames flickered. Under the golden light, a slim woman in plain clothes played the zither with tears in her eyes. The music was filled with indescribable sorrow, bringing tears to those who heard it.

A maid carrying a black lacquered tray was about to deliver hot tea to the Huxin Pavilion. Seeing the Crown Prince’s group standing by the lake, she was so frightened that she nearly dropped the teapot. Trembling, she knelt and saluted, "This servant deserves to die! This servant did not know His Highness was here, please forgive me!"

The Crown Prince gazed at the woman playing the zither in the pavilion and asked, "Who is playing the zither in the pavilion?"

"Reply... replying to Your Highness, it is our young lady! Our young lady misses her elder brother and found this secluded spot to play the zither," the maid replied.

"What is your young lady’s name?" the Crown Prince asked again.

"Replying to Your Highness, our young lady... is named Dong Tingzhi."

The Crown Prince nodded and took a deep look at the woman in the pavilion before turning to leave.

The maid became even more fearful, keeping her head down and not daring to make a sound. Only when the Crown Prince’s group had gone far did she dare to raise her head. Her legs were so weak she could barely stand. She wondered if her young lady’s plan would succeed, for if it didn’t... Madam Dong would never tolerate her young lady after today’s events!

The Crown Prince’s face was full of smiles. He paused his steps without turning his head, thought for a moment, then raised his hand and beckoned to the cautious Quan Yu behind him.

Quan Yu hurriedly took small steps forward, "Your Highness, your orders!"