Just as someone was about to say something more, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside. "Young Master Ji... really has a short memory!"
The door burst open! The steward was knocked into the room. Ning Yue stood there in a daze. How could Xiao Xueyi have found them so quickly?
Ji Yeliu was furious. "Lord Xiao, if you were a gentleman..." Before he could finish his words, Xiao Xueyi's golden chain suddenly lashed out at his face. "Whether I'm a gentleman or not, you're not qualified to judge!"
"The prefect must have been waiting in the Tingran Pavilion for quite a while!" At this moment, Xiao Xueyi wanted to kill Ji Yeliu on the spot. But out of consideration for Ning Yue, he simply stepped forward and grabbed Ning Yue's hand. "Let's go!" There was no explanation, no room for negotiation.
Ning Yue had no choice but to follow him meekly. Before leaving, she looked back at Ji Yeliu. He didn't say anything more. There was a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
In this city of Suzhou, Xiao Xueyi was the real king. Xiao Xueyi wasn't afraid that Ji Yeliu would reveal Ning Yue's secret because he had a firm grip on the Ji family's lifeline.
But would Xiao Xueyi really treat Ning Yue well?
Ji Yeliu felt a bit sad. Just as he was about to leave through the back door and take a risky trip to the capital, he was shocked to find Xiao Xueyi waiting for him there.
"Ji Yeliu, for the sake of your father, I've given you multiple chances." Xiao Xueyi said calmly. "Lin Qingge is already dead... Go and accompany her!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was about to make a move.
Unexpectedly, Ning Yue, who had already been in the carriage, turned back. "Stop!" In her anxiety, Ning Yue instinctively stepped in front of Ji Yeliu, just like how Song Jinyu had once grabbed him in the Land of Bliss. Ji Yeliu was deeply touched. "Why did you come back?"
"My lord, no matter what the reason is, please don't kill him." Ji Yeliu might be the only one who knew her origin. Xiao Xueyi must know this too, but would definitely never tell her. So Ji Yeliu couldn't die. If Xiao Xueyi wanted to kill Ji Yeliu now, it meant that Xiao Xueyi had lied to her!
The two of them stared at each other. The golden chain wrapped around Xiao Xueyi's hand made a clear, sobbing sound. His eyes were dark and unfathomable. It seemed as if she had seen this scene somewhere before. Suddenly, Ning Yue felt a splitting headache.
Her face turned pale. She staggered and almost fell to the ground. Ji Yeliu gave up resisting and caught her.
Xiao Xueyi put away his golden chain and took her limp body from Ji Yeliu. After a day of turmoil, she was already exhausted. The sudden tension had triggered her headache, and she fainted instantly.
Staring coldly at Ji Yeliu, he said, "Going to the capital might not be the best choice for her!"
He remembered what Ning Yue had said. She had said that her heart felt empty, as if she had forgotten someone and something very important. So in fact, she wasn't happy.
Ji Yeliu didn't say anything else. There was no doubt that Xiao Xueyi treated her well... But in Ning Yue's heart, didn't Zhongli Mingye treat her well either?
Zhongli Mingye and Xiao Xueyi were both outstanding men in the world. If they were to fall out completely because of Song Jinyu, with Zhongli Mingye's current power over the court, how could he ever forgive Xiao Xueyi?
Xiao Xueyi and Ji Yeliu's father had always had a close cooperation. From Ning Yue's perspective, if she hadn't lost her memory, she would surely return to Zhongli Mingye's side.
Therefore, Ji Yeliu couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Given Zhongli Mingye's deep affection for Song Jinyu, it was only a matter of time before he found his way to Suzhou.
After Xiao Xueyi sent Ning Yue back to her room, he stayed alone in the courtyard for a long time.
The next day, when Ning Yue woke up, she went to find Xiao Xueyi.
"I'm sorry... I didn't think this through. I put you in great danger." Xiao Xueyi apologized first. Ning Yue didn't say anything. They both knew very well in their hearts.
If Ning Yue hadn't suspected Yingran, she wouldn't have left a note.
She was always very smart and could easily follow Yingran out. Presumably, she had wanted to escape from the Tingran Pavilion. Ning Yue sat down beside him and served him food as she used to.
Softly, she said, "You've been up all night. You must be tired."
After waking up, she had heard that Lin Qingge was dead, killed by Xiao Xueyi's own hand.
For her sake, he had killed his right - hand man of many years. Ning Yue felt really bad. This time, she wanted to have a good talk with Xiao Xueyi.
"Xueyi..." She no longer addressed him as "my lord." "I know you're not my fiancé. There should be no engagement between us."
"Because there's always someone in my heart who is extremely important. But that person isn't you!"
Was she being completely honest?
Xiao Xueyi's face darkened slightly. "You're mistaken. That person is me."
He didn't want to listen to her anymore and simply wheeled his wheelchair out of the room. Before leaving, he asked, "Does Ning Yue think I'm useless because of my disability?"
No, no. Ning Yue quickly denied it. There was an inexplicable glint in her eyes. "You're a really good person."
Xiao Xueyi turned around and left. A good person?
He scoffed. "My lord, there have been many unfamiliar faces spotted in Suzhou."
"Who are they?"
"Your subordinate found out that they are the shadow guards and the imperial guards sent by the Crown Prince."
So soon!
The Crown Prince had really searched every one of the forty - five cities along the river? Truly a loving couple. He hadn't given up completely.
Zhongli Mingye was acting so quickly that Xiao Xueyi was a bit dazed.
Time was running out for him. Should he insist on having Ning Yue marry him and hide her in the Tingran Pavilion to live, or should he just let her go back to that man?
Xiao Xueyi couldn't bear to let her go. How could he ever let go!
How could he use her as a bargaining chip? One Ning Yue, or rather Song Jinyu, might be able to get the title for the Xiao family.
Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were at the bottom of the social hierarchy. It was thanks to his efforts that the Xiao family had thrived in recent years. It was also because he had often cooperated with the princes in the court.
When Zhongli Mingye ascended the throne, he might be able to obtain a title. However, if he were to offer Song Jinyu up, he might receive even higher rewards.
This was his initial thought, but after months of getting along, he couldn't bear to part with her.
"A title?"
Ling Feng knew his lord's mind well and advised, "Sooner or later, the Crown Prince will discover this... If we offer her up now, we might gain his favor."
"If you really marry Ning Yue, I'm afraid..." Ling Feng didn't finish his sentence, but Xiao Xueyi understood.
Ning Yue pushed open the window. It was snowing lightly in Suzhou today. It was almost the New Year again. Every street in Suzhou was filled with the festive atmosphere.
Where was her home? She felt a bit stuffy. Since the day she was brought back to the Tingran Pavilion by Xiao Xueyi, there had been no news of Ji Yeliu.
Presumably, Xiao Xueyi wouldn't have killed him.