"If you say another word, I'll cut out your tongue!" Qi Rong glared at Zhan Feng and then turned away.
He walked briskly and with familiarity, as if this place were the back garden of the Prince Xian's Mansion.
Zhan Feng watched his master's back with a look of despair. He thought to himself that no wonder his master, who had always disliked Yun Sheng, had taken the initiative to come to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Now it was clear that his master's real intention was not what it seemed on the surface but was all about the woman in the back courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion!
He wondered what spell had befallen his prince. Instead of showing interest in the outstanding second Miss Luo, who was as brave as a man, his prince was infatuated with the daughter of his enemy.
Apart from her good looks, what else did the eldest Miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion have? She was weak and couldn't even lift a finger. One second Miss Luo could easily defeat a dozen of her!
Because she hadn't eaten enough before and then overate when she got back, Yun Xi was taking a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion. Unaware that someone was bad - mouthing her behind her back, she suddenly felt her nose itch and couldn't help sneezing twice.
Immediately, a cape was draped over her shoulders. It still seemed to carry the warmth of a human body.
"Thank you, Yu Zhu. You're the best!"
Feeling warm both physically and mentally, Yun Xi broke into a smile. She subconsciously turned around and hugged the person behind her.
Since her mother's death, Yu Zhu had been serving her whole - heartedly and taking good care of her in daily life.
For Yun Xi, Yu Zhu was not only like an elder sister but also like a family member!
Yun Xi closed her eyes and pressed her face tightly against the other person's chest. However, soon she noticed that Yu Zhu's chest was hard, nothing like its usual softness.
She frowned and groped around with her small hands. This time, she felt that Yu Zhu's body had become not only hard but also broader at the waist. She could hardly wrap her arms around it.
"Have you groped enough? Shouldn't it be my turn now?"
A teasing voice came from above. Yun Xi suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Qi Rong in surprise. He was smiling wickedly.
She turned her head and saw Yu Zhu standing in the distance, waving to her awkwardly.
"Miss, I'm here."
Yun Xi gritted her teeth. Yu Zhu, the traitor!
Yun Xi quickly let go of Qi Rong and jumped several steps away. Then she looked up at the clear sky in shock. Her black - and - white eyes stared at Qi Rong without blinking.
"How did you get into the Prime Minister's Mansion?"
And in broad daylight! He usually came at night and left at dawn. Although his behavior was hateful, at least he didn't let others see him and cause trouble!
Hearing Yun Xi's words, Qi Rong raised his eyebrows and looked at her with a smile.
"What? Do you prefer me to come at night?"
The ambiguity in his words, combined with his devilishly handsome face, made Yun Xi's face flush instantly. She wished she could slap him right away!
It was unfair! How could such a shameless person be so good - looking? It was like adding wings to a tiger!
"Go away quickly! If others see you, I won't be able to explain myself even with ten mouths!"
Looking at this plague god, Yun Xi felt a headache coming on.
Her father had just warned her this morning not to get too close to Qi Rong. If her father found out that she was defying his order, he would surely lock her up in the Prime Minister's Mansion!
She still had a lot of things to do and couldn't let Qi Rong cause more trouble for her!
Seeing that Yun Xi was issuing an order to leave and even stretching out her thin arms and legs to push his back in an attempt to drive him out of the courtyard, Qi Rong found it amusing.
"Your father invited me."
Qi Rong explained, but Yun Xi didn't believe him.
"How is that possible? If my father invited you, why aren't you with him but in my courtyard?"
According to her father's instructions to her, he would surely strengthen the guards around the Prime Minister's Mansion and would never allow Qi Rong to come and see her privately.
Although they couldn't stop this thief secretly!
Facing Yun Xi's suspicion, Qi Rong crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her pouting face leisurely.
"I left the palace with your father at the same time. His carriage hasn't arrived yet, so I came here first."
Yun Xi looked at Qi Rong doubtfully.
"Really?"
Looking at Yun Xi's skeptical eyes, Qi Rong was almost angry enough to laugh. He reached out and scraped the tip of her nose.
"Truer than real gold!"
This little girl had said on the city tower that he was a good person. How quickly she had changed her mind!
If he didn't keep a close eye on her in the future, she might be easily deceived!
Thinking of Qi Yu, a hint of coldness flashed in Qi Rong's eyes. He stared at Yun Xi intently and said,
"Don't you want to know why I came to find you at this time?"
"Why?"
Not used to Qi Rong's unexpected intimate gestures, Yun Xi subconsciously kept a distance of two arm - lengths from him.
Qi Rong let her make this small move and didn't grab her back immediately. He stared at Yun Xi's expression without blinking and said,
"I'm leaving for the northwest tomorrow to deal with the snow disaster. I'm here to say goodbye to you."
Hearing Qi Rong's words, Yun Xi frowned in surprise. Concern involuntarily showed in her eyes.
"Why do you have to go?"
Although Qi Rong was from the royal family, he was only in his twenties. His ability surely couldn't compare with the more experienced ministers in the court.
Even if the emperor wanted to appease the people, it would be more appropriate for the crown prince to go.
"Are you worried about me?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Yun Xi retorted immediately, but Qi Rong raised his eyebrows. A carefree smile spread across his face, like the first thaw of ice and snow.
Qi Rong's smile almost dazzled Yun Xi's eyes. Realizing what she had said, Yun Xi blushed. She stammered,
"After all, the northwest is different from the capital. The situation there is complex and changeable, and there will be many difficulties. If you're not careful..."
Yun Xi's voice became softer and softer. Her throat seemed to be blocked with a ball of cotton, and she couldn't say the rest of the words.
Qi Rong gently rubbed her head with a tender smile, but Yun Xi awkwardly waved his hand away. Qi Rong said,
"In that case, I'd like to ask you for something as a blessing for me!"
In the Kingdom of Liu, there was a tradition. Before a man went to war, his family or wife would give him something they wore on their bodies, which meant 'being with you'.
Firstly, it was a prayer from the family, hoping that the man would return safely. Secondly, it would remind the man of his family when he was in trouble, so that he would fight desperately and turn the tables!
"Something of mine? Isn't that inappropriate?"
Yun Xi twisted her fingers, looking hesitant. But then she thought of Qi Rong's lonely situation with no family left, and her heart ached.
Knowing that Yun Xi was a bit stubborn, Qi Rong suddenly leaned over, hooked out the jade pendant around her neck, and held it in his palm.
"Consider this as the return gift for the buns you ate."
Seeing Qi Rong being so domineering and trying to take the jade pendant her mother had given her, Yun Xi immediately showed her reluctance.
"I only ate one bun of yours!"
"No, two carts of them!"
Qi Rong shook his finger and quickly untied the jade pendant from Yun Xi's neck.
Thinking of the buns she had distributed to the refugees and of Qi Rong's uncertain fate on this trip, Yun Xi bit her lip and finally compromised.
"Okay. But this is the jade pendant my mother gave me. There's only one like it, and my name is engraved on it. You must return it to me when you come back."
Qi Rong looked at the name on the jade pendant, gently caressed it with his finger, and then put it into the pocket over his heart.
"Okay! Do you have anything else to say to me?"
Qi Rong's deep black eyes stared at Yun Xi intently, as if he wanted to engrave her in his mind.
Yun Xi pursed her lips. After a long time, she said,
"Don't die."