"She... and they?"
Yan Zhao swept his eyes over Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin, especially noticing Pei Yunlu's little fidget.
She had a little habit of subconsciously tugging at others when she was nervous since childhood.
At this moment, she was carefully tugging at Lu Jin's sleeve.
Yan Zhao's gaze paused imperceptibly for a moment and collided with Pei Yunlu's in the air.
Pei Yunlu was intimidated by the warning in his eyes and immediately let go of Lu Jin's sleeve.
She didn't dare to meet Yan Zhao's gaze either and buried her head deeply.
But in the eyes of others, it seemed that she was afraid of the methods of the Princess Yong'an.
Yan Zhao gave a soft snort. His voice was low and his demeanor cold. "Get out!"
The crowd around, which had been a bit noisy just now, fell completely silent.
But they didn't dare to look at Yan Zhao or Chu Yuanyuan.
They only dared to fix their eyes between the two and prick up their ears, waiting for Chu Yuanyuan to fly into a rage.
"You!"
As expected, Chu Yuanyuan flew into a furious rage. Her round eyes bulged with anger and she was about to utter wild words.
But she was immediately covered by the guards. They whispered a few words in her ear.
These guards were the secret guards of the Prince of Huainan. On weekdays, they not only protected Chu Yuanyuan's safety but also privately kept track of the current situation in the capital.
In just a few words, they quickly analyzed the pros and cons.
If Chu Yuanyuan really went against the unfathomable Yan Zhao, she wouldn't get any good results.
That was why Chu Yuanyuan slapped the guard's hand away and exhaled heavily several times.
How could she let it go so easily?
It was just that both Yan Zhao and Gu Xiao were protecting those people. She couldn't afford to offend Yan Zhao and couldn't beat Gu Xiao either.
Moreover, the guards behind her always advised her to be tolerant for the sake of the current situation.
Stamping her feet hard, Chu Yuanyuan, as cold and venomous as a just-dead snake, released her malice towards Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin. "Just you wait for this princess!"
Sooner or later, Pei Yunlu and that scholar surnamed Lu would be alone!
Chu Yuanyuan left in a fit of anger. The crowd that had surrounded them had already scattered, making way for her.
Everyone was afraid that if they were not careful, they would be targeted by this female devil from Huainan and be "chopped off"!
That was why, except for Lu Jin, there was no one else around Pei Yunlu.
Only then could she hear Yan Zhao's soft voice. "Come and see me tonight."
Pei Yunlu bit her lower lip and looked up nervously. Her palm was even pinched with a bloodstain due to nervousness.
But Yan Zhao's sharp and gloomy gaze shifted to Lu Jin, filled with countless layers of ice.
With his excellent eyesight, he naturally recognized the scholar in front of him as the man under the window that Ning Yuwang had observed in the private room.
Seeing what was happening now, he thought the scholar was amorous and had provoked Pei Yunlu again.
In the situation just now, Pei Yunlu had even risked her life to protect this scholar.
If it hadn't been for Gu Xiao's quick eyes and hands, Pei Yunlu's outcome would have been unimaginable!
For a moment, he was both jealous and angry.
He was jealous that Ning Yuwang had taken a fancy to this useless and fickle scholar.
He was angry that Pei Yunlu had such poor taste and was close to such a "two-timing" person!
Gu Xiao was out of the loop. His gaze hovered back and forth between Pei Yunlu and Yan Zhao.
A sense of pleasure welled up in his heart. If Ning Yuwang knew that Yan Zhao had a private connection with Pei Yunlu, he wondered what expression she would have.
Because of his affection for An Xingzhi, he naturally wanted to see Ning Yuwang in great pain.
However, things always went beyond his expectations.
Not long after Yan Zhao left angrily with a flick of his sleeve, Ning Yuwang slowly came.
She had clearly seen everything, but she seemed not to care at all.
There was definitely no trace of disappointment and helplessness on her face that Gu Xiao had expected.
Instead, her lips curved slightly, showing her beauty. "Is Miss Pei frightened?"
Pei Yunlu wasn't really frightened by Chu Yuanyuan. There were many women in the capital, and there were quite a few who were vicious and bullying.
Although Chu Yuanyuan was more arrogant and domineering, her means were all about harming others.
Pei Yunlu had seen so many of them that she wasn't afraid anymore.
But with just a casual glance from Yan Zhao, Pei Yunlu seemed to see all his disappointment and impatience.
Coupled with Ning Yuwang's gentle inquiry, after all, she was just a 14 - year - old girl.
No matter how calm she pretended to be on weekdays, there was still a vulnerable side in her heart.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Under the human - skin mask was a face similar to Yan Zhao's, looking aggrieved. "Princess Heir..."
Others didn't know her true face, but Ning Yuwang had the dragon's pupils.
Dragons were fond of beauty, regardless of gender.
It wasn't just about romantic love; they also had pity and affection for women.
Pei Yunlu and Yan Zhao were from the same mother, so their looks were naturally similar.
Seeing her looking so aggrieved, Ning Yuwang's heart melted.
If it weren't for the fact that Pei Yunlu's identity couldn't be exposed, she would surely hold Pei Yunlu in her arms and comfort her.
Pei Yunlu showed the bloodstain on her palm and let out a weak sob. "I wasn't careful for a moment and got a little injury. It hurts so much. Does the Princess Heir have any wound medicine?"
Although the crowd on the deck had dispersed, there were still people observing secretly.
Pei Yunlu had received the care of Gu Xiao and Yan Zhao today, which was extremely eye - catching.
After all, she was usually elegant and aloof and didn't like to show off.
Although her appearance was also delicate and charming, her personality was a bit boring.
Everyone was also curious about the reason why she had received such care.
It was okay for Gu Xiao, who was a single man.
But Yan Zhao already had a beautiful and talented wife, whose appearance was stunning and whose family background and knowledge were not inferior to any of the young ladies present.
Some gossips even maliciously speculated whether Pei Yunlu would be disliked and excluded by Ning Yuwang.
But seeing the two of them talking gently and getting along well, they were surprised.
Listening to their conversation, there was nothing wrong or off - topic. There was no sign of the tit - for - tat situation they had imagined.
Those who were eavesdropping out of curiosity, like Gu Xiao, lost all interest and walked away dejectedly.
"There is wound medicine in the room. Please come in, Miss Pei."
Ning Yuwang invited generously. Her gaze then fell on Lu Jin, who had been worried about Pei Yunlu. "Mr. Lu, would you like to come with us?"
Finally, Lu Jin had the opportunity to talk to her. He immediately bowed. "Lu pays respects to the Princess Heir."
He knew Ning Yuwang's identity after hearing Pei Yunlu's address just now.
Ning Yuwang smiled. She carefully observed his movements. Just like that night, his etiquette was elaborate, but he was a meticulous person.
"Mr. Lu, you don't have to be so polite. Just call me Miss Ning."
Lu Jin understood what Ning Yuwang meant. She didn't plan to pretend not to know him.
He pursed his lips and smiled embarrassedly for his petty thoughts. "Miss Ning, it's been a long time."
"Indeed, it's been a long time. I still owe Mr. Lu an apology."
Lu Jin shook his head awkwardly. "It should be Lu who apologizes to Miss Ning."
After all, he had mistaken Ning Yuwang for a ghost at first.
"It doesn't matter."
Pei Yunlu listened curiously. "Do the Princess Heir and Mr. Lu know each other?"
Ning Yuwang nodded. "We've met before."
Lu Jin responded. "It was a coincidence."
There was a faint trace of joy in Pei Yunlu's eyes. Ning Yuwang was her sister - in - law.
She was also considered family.
Lu Jin had known her for a long time, and it didn't seem like they had any old grudges.
Did it mean that Lu Jin had passed the test in front of her?
Her eyelashes fluttered like a flying butterfly as she thought about how to ask Ning Yuwang to persuade Yan Zhao.
But...
Pei Yunlu secretly glanced at Ning Yuwang's back. Her brother and sister - in - law were so close. Shouldn't he have already told her their identities?