As the daughter of a general, no one could protect Yan Xi five years ago.
Now, how could a frail scholar protect her?
"Brother."
Pei Yunlu gently tugged at Yan Zhao's sleeve bit by bit. "Lu Jin may not be able to protect Yan Xi, but he can protect Pei Yunlu."
She had been Pei Yunlu for five years, and the former sense of unwillingness had long turned into a habit.
Yan Xi's identity was destined to be full of unrest. So she was willing to be Pei Yunlu for the rest of her life.
"Have you made up your mind?"
Yan Zhao twirled a strand of Pei Yunlu's hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Do you not regret it?"
Pei Yunlu tilted her head playfully. "I remember that Father once said that the children of the Yan family should face everything head - on."
The Father she referred to was, of course, the former mighty general, Yan Lin.
What she meant was that she did not regret her current decision.
As for the future, one couldn't be scared before it even came.
"Xi'er, if he dares to bully you, tell Brother."
Brother would surely not let him off.
Just this one sentence made Pei Yunlu raise the corners of her mouth. "Then Xi'er thanks Brother for his approval."
On the ground, two faint shadows intertwined, one tall and one short, still the loving siblings they were in their childhood.
The two of them returned to the front hall one after another. Lu Jin was already playing chess with Gu Xiao with his back turned.
In the originally almost even game, Gu Xiao lost a piece due to a momentary daze.
But at this moment, he had no mind to fight back. He just stared at the faint smile on Pei Yunlu's lips.
What on earth had his cousin and Pei Yunlu talked about?
His gaze was so intense that both Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu looked back at the same time, one coldly and the other curiously.
Even Ning Yuwang, who was sipping tea and enjoying the snow beside them, turned to look at Gu Xiao. A sneer appeared on her lips, as if mocking his stupidity.
Gu Xiao's gaze only lingered on Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu, so he naturally didn't notice Ning Yuwang's look.
Otherwise, he would surely mock Ning Yuwang's "generosity" in his heart.
"The snow has stopped."
Suddenly, Lu Jin looked out of the window and spoke softly.
Before the meal, Doctor Yan had come to check his injury and prescribed several doses of medicine.
He had only taken one dose, and he already felt that the urge to cough had subsided and the pain in his chest had lessened a great deal.
Pei Yunlu carefully examined his complexion before turning around and saying, "In that case, then Yunlu will..."
Take her leave.
But before she could finish the last four words, she saw Ah San rush in quickly. He clasped his fists in salute. "My lord, someone from the Pei family has come."
He had used a bit of light - footed skill, so his speed was naturally faster.
Yan Zhao and Ning Yuwang exchanged a look, both frowning. The coachman from the Pei family had already returned to report that Pei Yunlu was in the prince's mansion.
The Elder Pei was a gentle - tempered man and not an impatient one.
Why did he specifically send someone here?
Just as they were about to ask, a middle - aged man dressed as a coachman entered.
They had all seen him before. He was the coachman from the Pei family who had gone to pick up Pei Yunlu. He glanced at everyone and then quickly found Pei Yunlu. "Miss, the Elder has fainted."
"What!"
Pei Yunlu tightly grasped the coachman's arm. "What happened to Grandfather?"
The coachman didn't hold back. "The Elder fainted when he was sent out of the palace."
Pei Yunlu looked back in a panic. Her first glance was not at Lu Jin, but at Yan Zhao.
At this moment, her mind was in a complete mess.
Although she was not the real legitimate daughter of the Pei family, after getting along with the Elder Pei for five years, she had already regarded him as her own grandfather.
Hearing that her grandfather was injured, she was extremely anxious and wanted to leave immediately.
And this instinctive action proved that the person she trusted the most was her brother, Yan Zhao.
The Elder Pei was once Yan Zhao's teacher. He immediately said, "I'll take you back to the Pei mansion."
Then he motioned to Ah San. "Go and ask Doctor Yan for help."
"Thank you... My lord."
Pei Yunlu even forgot to perform the courtesy and hurriedly left with Yan Zhao.
Lu Jin was obviously also a bit flustered. He simply bid farewell to Ning Yuwang and Gu Xiao before following them.
Gu Xiao was about to follow and asked, "Do you want to go too?"
Just as Ning Yuwang was about to answer, she saw Ah Si jump in quickly. "Princess, something has happened to the Yongning Marquis Mansion."
"What's the matter?"
Gu Xiao, who was about to step out, also stopped. "Why has something happened to the Yongning Marquis Mansion too?"
"I heard that the Marquis of Yongning was assassinated on his way back from the palace."
Again from the palace!
Before Gu Xiao could even sigh, he saw a figure quickly leave in a gust of wind.
It was Ning Yuwang.
He frowned and pursed his lips. He had inquired about Ning Yuwang's past before returning to the capital.
The legitimate eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis Mansion had grown up in the countryside since childhood and had even lived as a beggar for a year. Where did she learn such excellent martial arts?
Even if his cousin was willing to teach her and she was extremely talented, she shouldn't have mastered it so proficiently in less than a year.
Even the footwork she had just used made him, a person who had practiced martial arts since childhood, feel ashamed.
What other secrets were hidden in Ning Yuwang's body?
Ning Yuwang, who was highly suspected by Gu Xiao, ignored everything else at this moment. She even refused Ah Si to prepare a carriage and rushed back to the Yongning Marquis Mansion first.
"Has the eldest miss returned?"
The steward of the Yongning Marquis Mansion was about to perform a courtesy. Just as he heard the words "No need for courtesy", that lively figure had already entered the main house.
"Why isn't there a carriage to bring the eldest miss back?"
He craned his neck to look outside and murmured, "But today is really a good day. There are guests in the mansion and the eldest miss has also returned. I have to hurry to the kitchen to help prepare."
It was a pity that Ning Yuwang was in such a hurry and anxiety that she didn't hear his muttering at all.
Otherwise, she would surely have realized that the Marquis of Yongning was not seriously injured.
In the main hall, the Marquis and his wife of Yongning were drinking tea with a man and a woman.
"I'm afraid I've implicated the Marquis of Yongning in today's matter."
The man sat upright. Even though his clothes were dull and vulgar, he still couldn't hide his noble aura.
It was Chu Heyao, who had traveled all the way back from Xiaoshan.
Most of his former free - spirited and carefree nature seemed to have disappeared, replaced by a sense of stability and self - restraint.
Ning Fengnian stroked his beard with a solemn expression. "Who is so bold as to assassinate a prince right under the nose of the capital!"
But as soon as he met Chu Heyao's bitter smile, he suddenly realized.
Thinking of today's incident in the palace, he couldn't help but repeat, "It shouldn't be..."
He looked out in the direction of the capital city. Dark clouds were gathering, as if a storm was coming.
Although Yuan Qingrong didn't understand the conversation between the two men, she could see a lot of worry from her husband's solemn expression. She was hesitant to guess and just gently placed her hand on Ning Fengnian's.
"Daddy."
Ning Yuwang had just gone to her parents' room but didn't find them. She asked the servant and learned that they were entertaining guests in the main hall.
She was so concerned about her parents that she naturally ignored the identities of the guests.
"Are you injured, Daddy?"
Ning Yuwang's anxiety and concern were not fake. Although she was not the original person, she had gotten along with the Ning couple for a long time and had received a lot of affection from them.
She not only took care of her parents on behalf of the original person but also truly reciprocated their love.
Ning Fengnian cooperatively turned around for her to check. "Dad is fine."
"But Ah Si clearly said that you were assassinated..."
Ning Yuwang hesitated to speak. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two familiar figures. "Second Prince, Miss An?"
The other one of the man and woman was An Ruoqian, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.