"Alright, alright. Since you're so determined, you may stay by my side from now on. Don't think about anything these days. Just stay in your room and recuperate. Silly girl, never do anything so self - harming again."
Her eyes were sincere, as if she had truly regarded the person in front of her as her younger sister to dote on.
Yun Xing lowered her head and responded with a soft sound. A glint of harshness flashed in her eyes.
After the young girl comforted her for a while, she left.
Under the cover of night, Yun Xing made her way to another courtyard.
What she didn't know was that as soon as she left, two figures emerged from the shadows.
"This Yun Xing is deeply in love with Qing Bai. It's really interesting that she can watch He Hui take advantage of them all the time."
Jing Hong smiled. She was already used to all this.
"Maybe the Empress Dowager doesn't know that birds of a feather flock together. Even the Crown Prince doesn't know that this once - most - familiar sibling actually has another true face. Both He Hui and Qing Bai are good at calculating people's hearts. So, Yun Xing naturally can't escape their schemes. Moreover, a lonely girl, even if she can't be used by them, what waves can she make?"
"You're right. Then let's go and see what these people are up to. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
...
As soon as Yun Xing entered the room, she knelt in the outer chamber. With her head down and eyes submissive, she slowly spoke only after the two people inside fell silent.
"Your servant pays respects to the masters."
He Hui casually grabbed a robe. The two of them walked out, snuggling against each other.
"How's the matter going?"
"Your servant has already gained the trust of the Empress Dowager. I believe that given some time, our plan will succeed. I just need a little more time from the masters."
"Um, it seems you've put in a lot of effort. Alright, that's all for today. Go back and don't let anyone notice."
A flicker of struggle flashed in Yun Xing's eyes. Finally, she lowered her eyes and retreated to the door.
Just as she was about to leave, the voice she had been longing for sounded from inside the room.
"Wait."
She looked up and met those eyes she was so infatuated with.
"What is it, master?"
The man didn't say a word but directly stepped closer. He stroked her forehead, making her heart flutter.
"Master."
The tone changed from the previous indifference to a bit of ambiguity now, which made He Hui beside them find it rather amusing. But she didn't say a word.
Qing Bai spoke softly, but the concern in his words made her want to go through fire and water for him.
"Why are you so careless? Even if there was no other way, you didn't have to risk your life. I have plenty of other ways to complete the plan. It's not good for you to hurt yourself like this."
"Mas... master, don't worry. Your servant is fine. All this was calculated. Besides, your servant is the key to making this plan succeed quickly. No mistakes can happen to me."
"Sigh, if such a beautiful face were to be ruined in the future, I'd be heart - broken."
"Your servant will be more careful in the future and will never use such a risky method again."
She stammered as she spoke. There was only one reason: the man in front of her hadn't shown concern for her for a very long time.
However, all the hardships she had endured and all the sacrifices she had made for this man seemed worth it.
She could give up everything as long as this man could see her efforts.
"Then don't be so reckless in the future. I'll be heart - broken."
"Okay."
Yun Xing left happily. After she left, Qing Bai waved his hand and closed the door.
But before he could hold that soft hand, the woman had already flounced back to the bed.
He followed her up, puzzled.
"What's wrong? Did I handle things in a way that displeases you?"
"Hehe, how dare I say anything against the master? Since the master has a beauty in his arms, why waste your thoughts on me?"
Hearing this, Qing Bai laughed instead of getting angry.
He Hui used to seem just a proud and aloof woman in his eyes. He never thought that she would be jealous of him today.
This was a good thing, indicating that He Hui was falling deeper in love with him.
He smiled and patiently coaxed the woman in his arms, "Hui'er, you're the only one in my heart for my whole life. Don't you understand this?" The words I said just now were just a stop - gap measure. You're so jealous that I can smell the sourness."
"Who says I'm jealous? I just feel that you seem to be so affectionate to everyone. Suddenly, I don't know if I should trust you anymore."
For the first time, a look of real fear appeared on He Hui's face, which made Qing Bai start to feel nervous.
"Just think that for so many years, you've always been the only one by my side. Will that make you feel more at ease?"
After hearing this, it did seem so. Finally, He Hui calmed down under his coaxing.
Seeing the two people entangled on the bed again, Shi Muwang pursed her lips.
"I didn't expect Qing Bai to be such a master in the art of love. We underestimated him before. Alright, we still need to be more careful in the future. Collect more evidence of the two of them together. It might be useful to us later."
"Understood."
Ji Huang didn't know that there was such a stir in the backyard. He was sitting in the study, frowning at the letter in front of him.
Just as Shi Muwang had heard, the head of the He family had sent another daughter here, saying it was to make up for him and to prove the He family's sincerity.
He had refused several times, but it seemed to be of no use.
Seeing that the girl would arrive in Yijin City tomorrow, he felt a headache coming on.
A guard stepped forward and said, "Master, this can further prove the head of the He family's sincerity. We need a mistress in the backyard. Her arrival might not be a bad thing."
"But I don't plan to put my heart into these women. I've already had a bad experience."
As he was speaking, he suddenly remembered what Shi Muwang had told him and was at a loss.
The guard saw through his thoughts.
"We can just put her in the backyard. Then there will be a mistress in the backyard, and the head of the He family will do his best to assist the Crown Prince."
I have to say, these words really hit Ji Huang's heart.
He gritted his teeth and finally agreed to the guard's suggestion. He also planned to go and see for himself tomorrow if this He Rou was really as good as described in the head of the He family's letter.
If she was, it would save him a big headache.
Early the next morning, Ji Huang rushed out of the house.
Shi Muwang calculated the date and knew what he was going for today. She curled her lips.
"It's time for a good show."
Lan beside her was completely confused. She looked over like a curious kitten and asked, "Master, what show? Do you want to watch a show? Should I invite the opera troupe back?"
This mischievous girl really made Shi Muwang feel helpless.