After last night, the attitude of the crowd towards Qi Rong shifted from mere fear to admiration, even anticipation.
Although they feared death and valued their official careers, not all of them were cowards. There were still those with a heart for the country and its people.
Hearing the guard's voice, Yun Xi was startled and quickly pushed Qi Rong.
"You've summoned the officials. Why are you still lounging around here? Hurry up!"
Remembering her argument with Qi Rong that almost delayed important matters, Yun Xi felt a twinge of guilt.
"Those old fellows are no match for you."
Qi Rong looked teasing and showed no sign of getting up, which made Yun Xi anxious.
"Stop joking around! I don't want to be labeled a woman who brings disaster to the country because of you!"
Yun Xi's cheeks flushed red as she scolded Qi Rong. But Qi Rong's eyes lit up, intrigued.
"I think that's a great idea!"
Maybe, when he avenged his great hatred and stood above ten thousand people, he would dote on her and make her above ten thousand and one people!
If she liked to be the so - called "woman who brings disaster to the country", he would offer her the whole kingdom!
As long as it was what she desired, he would spare no effort to bring it to her!
"You're so annoying!"
Yun Xi pounded him, feeling he was just being glib and teasing her on purpose.
"Go quickly, or I'll never talk to you again!"
Yun Xi threatened, deliberately putting on a fierce look.
But she didn't know that in Qi Rong's eyes, that look was like a coquettish pout, which he found irresistible.
He couldn't help but peck her cherry - like lips gently, smiling boldly.
"Wait for me. I'll give you a surprise when I'm back!"
Then he quickly got up and left the room before Yun Xi could refuse.
After Qi Rong left, Yun Xi waited for a long time until there was no sound outside before quietly slipping out of his room.
It was already a big deal for them, a young man and a young woman, to stay in the same room all night.
Moreover, after last night's dinner, others probably already knew her identity. The courtyard they lived in was provided by the prefect of Lingchuan. With so many people around, it was easy for rumors to spread.
Sure enough, as Yun Xi was thinking this, she saw the servants in the courtyard gathered in groups, seemingly whispering to each other.
Yun Xi's heart skipped a beat. She wondered if people already knew she had spent the night in Qi Rong's room.
She approached them nervously, only to hear the name Cheng Caijie from their mouths.
"Did you hear what happened last night?"
"I did!"
An old maid said mysteriously and gossipingly, "Such a well - bred young lady was defiled like that. How can she find a good match when this gets out?"
"Yeah. For an ordinary woman, after being seen in such a situation in public, she'd probably have hanged herself already. But this young lady, after such a thing happened, even confessed her love to the Prince Xian in public, saying she didn't even care about the title... But the Prince Xian didn't even bat an eye at her! He even announced in public that the only woman he loved, both now and in the future, was the princess!"
At this, the group of maids and old women got excited.
"If I were ten years younger, I'd definitely find a handsome young man like the Prince Xian."
As soon as the woman finished speaking, someone spat at her.
"Come on! The Prince Xian didn't even fancy a beauty like Cheng Caijie. Do you think he'd take a fancy to your sallow - faced self?"
"With a celestial beauty like Princess Yongning around, who would notice other women?"
When talking about Yun Xi, everyone's faces were full of envy. But they accepted their fates, knowing that everyone had their own destiny.
After all, Lingchuan Prefecture was a small place, and people loved to gossip. Any news would spread like wildfire the next day.
The group was chatting animatedly, but Yun Xi was stunned and couldn't listen anymore.
How could Cheng Caijie end up like this?
That was the prefect's mansion! Who had the guts to do such a thing?
And Qi Rong, did he really say such things in front of others?
Qi Rong was shameless and loved to tease her in public, making her look awkward. But he had never said such straightforward and solemn words before.
It was hard for her to believe.
However, the facts were right in front of her, and she couldn't ignore them.
Yun Xi returned to the courtyard absent - mindedly. As soon as she entered the door, she bumped into Yingying, who was about to go out.
"You're back?"
The moment she saw Yun Xi, Yingying gave her a kind smile.
It seemed as if she already knew where Yun Xi had spent the night but didn't expose it to save Yun Xi's face.
Yingying's kindness made Yun Xi even more embarrassed.
"Yingying, I want to ask you something."
Yun Xi hesitated, with doubts in her heart but couldn't bring herself to speak.
She was a bit afraid. What if Yingying also liked Qi Rong? Even if there was an age gap, so what?
Moreover, after getting along with each other for some time, Yun Xi felt that Yingying was truly kind to her.
Although they weren't as close as Yuzhu and Hongluo, Yingying would sometimes accompany her like a friend and was even willing to risk her life to protect her!
Yun Xi wasn't cold - hearted. So even though she had warned herself, she still felt a sense of closeness to Yingying.
Knowing Yun Xi's hesitation, Yingying said before she could speak.
"Some things, Your Highness, you don't need to ask me. You can easily figure them out if you observe carefully."
Yingying smiled mysteriously because she had promised Qi Rong not to reveal her identity to others.
So, the fact that she was the "Prince Xian's woman" would probably have to be kept a secret for a while.
However, she didn't want Yun Xi to misunderstand, so she tried to give her a hint.
Seeing Yun Xi looking confused, Yingying continued.
"If Your Highness knows what happened to Cheng Caijie, you'll know what the Prince thinks of other women."
"What? Qi Rong did this to Cheng Caijie?!"
Yun Xi stared blankly.
She suddenly remembered what Qi Rong had said before, that "Cheng Caijie was part of the plan".
If Yingying hadn't told her, she wouldn't have known that Cheng Caijie had also been set up by Qi Rong!
Recalling the gossiping scene, Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh. She felt both sympathy and pity for Cheng Caijie from the bottom of her heart.
What a cold - blooded demon she had fallen in love with, to have landed herself in such a hopeless situation!
However, just as she thought of this, Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh again.
She even had the time to worry about others? She seemed to be the most vulnerable and pitiful one.
Seeing Yun Xi frowning, Yingying didn't know what she was thinking. Finally, she added deliberately.
"In the Prince's heart, Your Highness is the only exception. So Your Highness can just relax."
Yingying's last words were almost straightforward. How could Yun Xi not understand? Her face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
Thinking of Qi Rong's smug face, Yun Xi couldn't help but retort.
"Who wants to be his exception? He always likes to bully people!"
Seeing Yun Xi looking so guilty, Yingying rarely smiled.
"No wonder the Prince said you were stubborn - mouthed. It seems he's right."
After saying this, Yingying didn't stay to tease Yun Xi anymore.
"I have a task to do. See you later, Your Highness."
Then Yingying turned around and walked out of the door, leaving Yun Xi standing there dumbly.