Chapter 11 Deceiving the Brother
Back in the capital, I went to see Zhao Yan.
He was in bed recovering. When I said Qi Wanwan had disappeared, he nearly spat blood.
"Tangyue, what happened?!"
I shook my head innocently and called Qi Wanwan's maid.
"Imperial Brother, I don't know. Ask her; she has words for you."
The maid knelt and kowtowed to Zhao Yan.
"Third Highness, I'm Little Pear, Miss Qi's maid. Before leaving, Miss Qi asked me to pass a message:
She said her low birth doesn't match Your Highness's favor. She rejected your advances because she has a childhood sweetheart.
But his family is noble, forbidding their union. So for happiness, they eloped.
Please don't search for them; let her be free.
Wanwan is eternally grateful."
After the maid spoke, Zhao Yan's expression turned bitter for a moment.
"She really said that?"
"Absolutely true; I wouldn't dare lie to Your Highness."
I approached Zhao Yan and whispered comfort.
"Imperial Brother, seems that's why she refused you. The world has plenty of women; don't grieve too much."
Zhao Yan closed his eyes and waved the maid away.
He truly stopped looking for Qi Wanwan.
Wei Chuan's disappearance soon spread through the capital.
I had people embellish their childhood bond.
It became a fated romance, lovers eloping for love.
The missing gold from Wei's house was proof.
The silver he prepared for Qi Wanwan's fake death over three years.
Now seen as their elopement funds.
The matter closed.
After discussions, no one pursued if they were dead or alive.