Even though she knew it was a dangerous banquet, since she had eaten someone else's food and owed a favor, Yun Xi didn't feel right about backing out.
Yuzhu originally disagreed and wanted to follow her. But seeing that Yuzhu's collar was torn, Yun Xi asked Qi Rong's attendant to call a carriage for Yuzhu and send her back to the mansion first.
This way, if Qi Rong had any evil intentions, Yuzhu could inform the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Yuzhu was convinced and left early, while Yun Xi went into Fumanlou with Qi Rong.
When the previous waiter saw her again, his expression was surprised and his gaze was complex.
He really couldn't believe that such a graceful and celestial beauty would be the one who had eaten a free meal!
Yun Xi felt ashamed and hung her head, covering her face. She didn't dare to meet the waiter's eyes.
Just as she was thinking about it, Qi Rong suddenly pulled down the arm that was covering her face. With a slight curl of his thin lips, he teased,
"So now you know it's embarrassing? You seemed quite happy when you were eating that free meal earlier!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it was just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Yun Xi glared at him, wishing she could stuff his mouth right away!
It turned out that this guy had seen her all along but had deliberately pretended not to know anything, making her think her plan had succeeded.
Now she felt like a fool, being stared and whispered at.
"Caught the culprit? I was just wondering who was so bold as to take advantage of Your Highness. I didn't expect it to be such a delicate beauty!"
Right in front of everyone, Yun Xi hadn't even thought of how to clear her name.
This icing - on - the - cake comment made her want to cry.
Brother, could you please speak a bit softer? How could she ever come to Fumanlou again in the future?
Qi Rong led Yun Xi to a table. Opposite them were a young man and a young woman.
The man was dressed in a red brocade robe. He had bright eyes and was about twenty years old. The woman had fair skin and a beautiful face. She was wearing a white ruqun and had a cold and elegant temperament. She was about the same age as Yun Xi.
The two of them looked somewhat similar. Judging from their temperament and clothing, it was obvious that they were from noble families.
The woman's eyes had been following Qi Rong all the time, but when she saw Yun Xi, a shadow fell over her brows.
Then she put on a smile and said to Yun Xi,
"Hello, I'm Yu Xueming. May I ask your name, miss?"
Surprised and flattered that the woman took the initiative to be friendly, Yun Xi immediately beamed,
"My surname is Yun. Miss Yu can just call me Yun Xi."
This smile was like blooming flowers and the return of spring. It was as if the whole room was filled with sunshine, making everyone who looked at her can't help but sigh:
If it was such a beautiful woman who ate a free meal, they would be willing to pay for it!
The man stared blankly for a moment, then seemed to remember something and stared at Yun Xi in surprise,
"Ah! So it's you!"
His voice was deafening!
Yun Xi covered her heart and couldn't help but complain: Why is this guy so jumpy?
Yu Xueming looked blank,
"Brother, do you know Miss Yun?"
She thought that Brother Rong and Yun Xi seemed very familiar with each other, but she had never heard of this before.
Yu Chengyang answered straightforwardly,
"Don't you remember? There was a rumor that the prince had a young wife. This is none other than the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion - Yun Xi!"
Yun Xi choked on her saliva. She weakly raised her hand, about to stop this guy, but then heard him say,
"And during the royal hunt some time ago. I heard that Miss Yun Xi voluntarily asked to be the prince's target to help him win. Later, Miss Yun Xi was framed for having an affair with an outsider, and it was also the prince who stepped in to help clear her name in front of everyone..."
It was quite rare for the usually cold - hearted prince to protect someone like this.
No wonder the prince was attracted. Before seeing Yun Xi, he thought his sister was the most beautiful woman in the whole capital. But now, there was always someone better.
Hearing this, Yu Xueming's face turned a bit pale, while Yun Xi was speechless:
Why was there such a big gap between her experiences and what this guy said?
"Sir, you've got it wrong. The rumor is false! I helped the prince win because I was coerced by someone. That person didn't help me out of kindness. He just thought it was fun and wanted to see the Prime Minister's Mansion make a fool of itself!"
It was better for her to clarify such an important matter in person.
Otherwise, the rumor might spread that "she had admired Qi Rong for a long time and was desperately trying to throw herself at him"!
"Ah? Is that really the case?"
Yu Chengyang looked at Qi Rong in confusion.
"I thought the prince liked Miss Yun Xi, so he protected her whole - heartedly!"
Qi Rong glanced at Yun Xi, whose lips were twitching slightly, and snorted disdainfully,
"Her? Being a concubine would be okay."
Yu Xueming covered her mouth, and Yu Chengyang was speechless.
She was, after all, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Saying she could only be a concubine was an insult!
Hearing this, Yun Xi almost spat in Qi Rong's face,
"Who would want that! I wouldn't even let you polish my shoes!"
Who did he think he was? Did he think others should fawn on him? He was just good - looking. What was he so arrogant about!
Seeing Yun Xi glaring at him angrily, Qi Rong wasn't angry. Instead, he raised his hand to call the waiter in the restaurant.
"This miss said she would pay for the meal just now. You can settle the bill with her. And return the money I paid just now."
Qi Rong held out his hand to her, but Yun Xi angrily slapped it.
"Don't bully me. You got my dress dirty. I haven't even asked you to compensate me yet!"
Yun Xi pointed at the dress that Qi Rong had splashed dirt on before and said righteously,
"My dress is worth over a thousand taels of silver! Even if you invited me to ten meals, it wouldn't be enough to compensate for it! I only ate one meal from you, and you've actually got a great deal!"
She was the one who had suffered!
Yun Xi wasn't lying. All her dresses were from Su's Embroidery Workshop. At her grandmother's request, from the selection of fabric to the later embroidery, all her clothes were masterpieces. One dress could be worth over a thousand taels.
As for Fumanlou, although it was considered the best restaurant in the capital, a meal only cost about a hundred taels.
So Qi Rong should actually be grateful for her generosity!
Seeing Yun Xi looking so proud, with her nose in the air, Qi Rong lowered his eyes and smiled. The next moment, he took out two silver notes and slapped them on the table.
"Fine. Take off your dress! I'll compensate you right now. Two thousand taels of silver notes. This way, you won't say I'm taking advantage of you."
Looking at the silver notes, Yun Xi was stunned. She immediately grabbed the front of her dress tightly.
"You're dreaming! I'm not selling it!"
Ask her to take off her clothes in public? Was he even human!
Seeing her silly look, Qi Rong couldn't help laughing. In an instant, it was like the ice and snow had melted, warming the earth.
This made Yu Xueming, who had been looking at him, feel a twinge of pain in her heart:
Since that incident, she had never seen Brother Rong smile like this.
She would never allow this Yun Xi to appear!