"It's not like that, Father! I... I don't know how this jade pendant ended up on him either."
Yun Xi was so anxious that steam seemed to be coming out of her head, but she stammered for a long time without being able to come up with a reasonable explanation.
At this moment, she was unable to defend herself. She couldn't very well admit that she had "loaned" this jade pendant to Qi Rong before he left, could she?
That would be like slapping herself in the face and indirectly showing that she had a close relationship with Qi Rong!
Yun Xi bit her lip tightly, her palms clenched so hard that her nails dug into her flesh. She glared at Qi Rong with hatred in her eyes, cursing him in her heart.
She had been soft - hearted before, thinking that Qi Rong had no family and lending him the jade pendant to keep him safe as a kind deed.
She never expected that this villain would use it to ruin her reputation! He was truly despicable!
Even the gratitude she had felt towards him for saving her life vanished in an instant. She just wanted to draw a clear line from this shameless villain and never have anything to do with him again!
"Are you angry?"
Qi Rong turned his head to look at Yun Xi's puffed - up cheeks, feigning ignorance. Yun Xi forcefully shook off his hand that was holding hers.
"Can't you see with your own eyes? You know very well that this jade pendant is not a token of love. Why are you lying through your teeth?"
She knew that Qi Rong had a bad reputation, but since he was the one who caused this mess, only he could explain it clearly.
Qi Rong stroked his chin, looking innocent, and asked Yun Xi carefully,
"Do you want me to explain for you?"
Hearing this, Yun Xi wavered and couldn't help but look at him expectantly.
If he could take back his previous words and say it was just a boring joke, maybe her father wouldn't be so angry, and it would be easier for her when she got back home.
"Alright."
Qi Rong nodded, as if he had made a certain decision.
Just when Yun Xi thought he was going to explain seriously, he did explain very seriously, just as she had asked.
"Prime Minister, and all of you present, I made a slip of the tongue just now. Please don't take it to heart."
"I have definitely not made a private promise of marriage with the eldest young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion. It's just that I am unilaterally in love with her and want to marry her. She has no idea about this. I hope everyone won't misunderstand her. I will take full responsibility for this matter!"
Saying this, Qi Rong looked down at the jade pendant in his hand, looking a bit embarrassed.
"As for this jade pendant, I specifically asked Miss Yun for it before I left for the northwest."
"I didn't know before that this jade pendant was something Miss Yun wore close to her body. But every time I saw the character 'Xi' engraved on it, I couldn't help but admire Miss Yun's kindness!"
"A beautiful woman like her shouldn't be burdened by rumors. I hope everyone won't blame her. It's all my fault!"
The usually domineering and sinister Prince Xian was actually explaining to everyone in a kind - mannered way. Everyone was almost stunned.
They deeply suspected whether this handsome and affectionate man in front of them was still the notorious Prince Xian they knew!
"Yun Xi, what on earth is going on?"
Yun Sheng's face was ashen. He wanted his daughter to explain in public, otherwise, rumors would surely spread!
"Dad, what he said is true. He's not lying."
Yun Xi felt like crying.
She had hoped that Qi Rong would clear things up, but instead, he made the situation worse. The truth had been completely distorted in his mouth!
But he was not wrong in what he said, and she couldn't even find a single point to refute!
"That jade pendant is really not a token of love."
Yun Xi mumbled in explanation, but even as the words left her mouth, she felt lacking in confidence.
After Qi Rong's chaotic explanation, who would dare to believe her words?
The more Yun Xi thought about it, the more frustrated she felt. However, someone else was looking leisurely and smiling as if asking for credit,
"Yun Xi, are you satisfied with my explanation just now?"
Qi Rong smiled wickedly, showing his bright white teeth. Yun Xi felt like punching him right then and there.
"Please, can you just shut up for a while?"
Yun Xi was so frustrated that her head ached. She wondered if this was the retribution for eating Qi Rong's food for free just now. It had come too quickly!
If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have believed Qi Rong's nonsense, let alone seriously considered wandering the world with him.
Now that she thought about it, it was all a trick played by this demon star. And even more stupidly, she had fallen for it!
Yun Xi suddenly felt disheartened and decided to just let things go. She didn't want to explain anymore.
She walked up to her father, took his arm, and said guiltily,
"Dad, it's my fault for being naive and not being able to see people clearly. I will definitely listen to you from now on. Let's go home now. I want to see how Yu Zhu is doing."
Since she had gone missing, Yu Zhu must not have slept well.
Now that she was back and had been brought here by Qi Rong to eat, she felt a bit guilty towards Yu Zhu.
Yun Sheng originally wanted his daughter to clarify in public, but now that his daughter wanted to leave without a clear result, he got even angrier and scolded her,
"If you miss this chance, it will be even harder for you to explain things clearly in the future. Don't you understand?"
Yun Xi hung her head in silence because that was exactly the case. Even if she stayed and argued with Qi Rong, she might not be able to clear her name.
Especially since Qi Rong was being so shameless and clearly determined to pin this on her!
"Prime Minister, I believe your daughter is a woman of good character. She must have her difficulties. Please don't force her."
At this moment, the Crown Prince, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward and spoke gently.
His words immediately caught everyone's attention. This was the current Crown Prince, the future heir to the throne of the Liu Kingdom!
He and Prince Xian were the two most handsome men in the Liu Kingdom. Standing opposite each other, one cold and the other warm, they were both extremely handsome and elegant. One was as cold as the snow on the mountain, and the other was as bright as the moon among the clouds, with completely different temperaments.
It was really a sight for sore eyes!
"Thank you."
Yun Xi looked at Qi Yu gratefully, but Qi Yu just smiled and shook his head,
"Princess Yongning has been racking her brains to come up with solutions for the refugees outside the capital. All the common people have seen your hard work, and your achievements are beyond doubt."
"I believe in your character and that of Uncle Seven. And I'm sure everyone here won't spread rumors randomly, right?"
Qi Yu was gentle and humble, without the slightest bit of arrogance of a Crown Prince. His eyes slowly swept over everyone present, and immediately there were people echoing him.
Some people really remembered Yun Xi's good deeds and believed that she was not the kind of woman who would make a private promise of marriage behind her parents' backs.
As for the others, they were naturally afraid of the authority of these people. Whether it was the current Crown Prince, Prince Xian, or the Prime Minister, they were not people that ordinary commoners could afford to offend.
Unless they were tired of living!
Although it was human nature to like to watch a show, in order to avoid causing trouble for themselves during the New Year, the people around gradually dispersed.
Yun Xi gave Qi Rong a fierce look, snorted, and then left with her father.
Qi Rong watched her back, a deep smile on his lips. He seemed to be bathed in the warm sun, completely free of his usual coldness.