After a brief chat, the Marquis and Marchioness of Yongning were finally ready to leave.
Before departing, Yuan Qingrong led Ning Ywan aside. "Next month, Yuqin will be meeting potential suitors. If you're free, come back and have a look, Wanwan."
Although Ning Yuqin had caused a scandal last time, she had been raised under their roof for so many years. Moreover, after the incident, she had attempted suicide to show her submission and beg for forgiveness.
Ning Fengnian and Yuan Qingrong couldn't bear it in the end and released her from the woodshed.
However, they had become a bit more rational. Several maids were assigned to watch over Ning Yuqin, greatly restricting her freedom.
Ning Yuqin had indeed been well - behaved for a month, except that she was unwilling to marry the man Ning Fengnian had arranged for her.
But she had already had an intimate relationship with Tang Sanjin.
How could she still have the luxury of choosing?
The Ning couple was soft - hearted and couldn't resist her.
Thinking that Ning Ywan's personality had changed, becoming straightforward and calm, they hoped she could go back and persuade Ning Yuqin!
Ning Yuqin?
Ning Ywan saw through the hesitation in Yuan Qingrong's tone. "Don't worry, Mother. I'll go back in a few days!"
It was also time to give the grand gift she had prepared for Ning Yuqin!
"Mother knows you're a sensible child."
Yuan Qingrong left her rabbit - fur cuffs for Ning Ywan before getting into the carriage with Ning Fengnian, looking back several times.
The two walked side by side, their backs creating a serene and beautiful picture.
They were truly a sweet couple, a rarity in the world.
Ning Ywan curved her slender eyebrows. The Ning couple had always doted on her.
Although she wasn't the original person, she had still inherited the consequences.
After dealing with Ning Yuqin, she should think about how to repay them.
The moon was setting in the west, and a cool breeze blew.
A thick cloak landed on her shoulders, still retaining some warmth. Yan Zhao had taken off his own.
"My lady."
He gently twirled the loose hair behind Ning Ywan's ear with his finger. Tenderness flickered in his eyes, and there seemed to be a deep, intense emotion hidden beneath. He seemed to have misinterpreted Ning Ywan's thoughts.
"My lady and I will be a loving couple for a lifetime."
There was a hint of ambiguity in his tone. He sized up Ning Ywan's slender waist and lingered on her fair neck. "When we get back, I'll show my lady with my actions."
Ning Ywan averted her eyes uncomfortably. Her spiritual energy was depleted, and she did need Yan Zhao to "provide" spiritual energy.
But remembering what Doctor Yan had said, she straightened her expression. "My lord, abstinence is the key to preserving life!"
Yan Zhao's eyes grew moist again. "My lady."
Ning Ywan resisted the itch in her heart and said coldly, "Let's go back."
With such beauty in front of him, but having to restrain himself!
Ning Ywan's fingers twitched slightly. It was time to find a new way to save Yan Zhao's life.
Behind them was the palace gate. The moment they stepped out, A Da relaxed his expression.
He nudged A Er with his shoulder. "Do you think the young master will follow Doctor Yan's advice?"
A Er had been tricked by him too many times and remained silent.
Unexpectedly, Lianzi also joined in, stroking her chin. "No."
She didn't really understand the hidden meaning in A Da's words, but she was still excited!
Lianzi was the younger sister of A Da and A Er and was usually very stingy with money.
Since she was Ning Ywan's personal bodyguard and was willing to place a bet, it meant she knew the answer.
A Er's expression wavered. "Then I'll also choose no!"
"Let's place a bet when we get back!"
A Da's eyes lit up. "A Si will be back tonight. We'll drag him into it."
He secretly exchanged a sneaky look with Lianzi and snickered. A Er was so easy to deceive, despite having the same shrewd and cold - looking face as him.
After they left, An Ruoqian led her maids and appeared at the palace gate.
She looked thoughtfully at the group from the Young Master's Mansion. A thick mist swirled in her eyes, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"An Ruoqian, wait for me."
Out of the corner of her eye, An Xingzhi slowly caught up. She bit her lip and supported her waist. Her face was pale, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
"I'm in so much pain!"
She pinched her maid's arm hard. Although the maid didn't dare to make a sound, her expression revealed her discomfort.
Lan'er had been detained in the palace, and as the mistress, An Xingzhi had also been left for questioning.
But she was good at shirking responsibilities and had come out unscathed.
However, due to the delay and her first time, she felt even more uncomfortable.
She endured it with great difficulty, but An Ruoqian walked too fast and didn't consider her situation at all!
An Xingzhi's anger could no longer be contained, and she took it out on her maid.
Unexpectedly, her wrist was tightly grabbed. Looking up, she saw An Ruoqian frowning with a cold face. "Xing'er is my maid, not the punching bag you can bully."
An Xingzhi usually thought that An Ruoqian's fits only lasted for about three hours at most, which was why she dared to be a bit more presumptuous.
She didn't expect that today, after so long, An Ruoqian still looked so cold.
An Xingzhi didn't dare to say anything more. She secretly glared at Xing'er and then followed An Ruoqian into the carriage.
However, at An Ruoqian's signal, Xing'er didn't help her get in.
And the coachman was a big, burly man. How could she allow him to touch her?
After making the coachman lie on the ground, An Xingzhi managed to climb into the carriage with difficulty.
Unexpectedly, the voice of Chu Heye came from behind.
"Xingzhi."
An Xingzhi's face turned pale. All she wanted now was to get into the carriage and go back to the mansion to apply medicine.
But Chu Heye was the Third Prince. For the sake of future high positions, she had to feign circumstances with him.
"Your Highness, the Third Prince."
An Xingzhi turned her back to Chu Heye. "Today in the Chengqian Palace, I finally understood Your Highness's intentions. I misunderstood you before. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience I've caused Your Highness."
She deliberately sniffled a few times, as if she were sobbing.
Chu Heye couldn't see her face and only thought she was delicate and pitiful. He quickly explained, "My mother was in a bad mood today. I was going to plead for you after she calmed down. You know, cousin has always cherished you and doesn't want to see you sad."
Explanation was one thing, but what he really thought in his heart was another.
Chu Heye needed the power of Grand Tutor An behind An Xingzhi. At the banquet today, he had been humiliated because he had led Yan Zhao to present a gift, and he had also been warned by Empress Chu. He didn't know how much of this Grand Tutor An had seen.
Would Grand Tutor An be dissatisfied with him because of this? So he came directly to An Xingzhi to find out.
Unfortunately, An Xingzhi only knew about love and didn't understand his deep meaning. Although he was anxious in his heart, he could only patiently comfort her.
Chu Heye reached out and grabbed An Xingzhi's wrist, pulling her off the carriage. "Xingzhi, don't be angry with cousin, okay?"
"Ouch!"
Chu Heye's action wasn't gentle. An Xingzhi felt even more pain all over her body and couldn't help but cry out.
Chu Heye let go of her and looked at her. "Xingzhi, what's wrong?"
An Xingzhi naturally wouldn't tell the truth. "I sprained my ankle while practicing dance."
She was half - hugged by Chu Heye but met An Ruoqian's eyes through the curtain of the carriage. The latter looked half - smiling, giving her a silent warning.
An Xingzhi pushed Chu Heye away. "Your Highness, please respect yourself. I should go back to the mansion."
She turned her head away as if she couldn't bear it. The tip of her small nose was red. "In the future, Your Highness, please don't see me again. I don't want to endure the pain of hope followed by disappointment a second time."