Qi Rong's words left no face for the Crown Prince and Princess Eighth. Their expressions stiffened. Qi Yu looked at Yun Xi, who had been silent for a long time, and said to Princess Eighth:
"Auntie, let's go back to the palace."
Given Auntie's confrontational attitude towards Yun Xi, staying here would only embarrass Yun Xi.
Princess Eighth bit her lip. Although she was reluctant and felt humiliated, seeing Qi Rong's cold expression, she finally nodded. Along with Crown Prince Qi Yu, they walked out of the mansion.
When passing by Yun Xi, Qi Yu stopped for a moment. Pale - faced, he looked at Yun Xi and blessed her:
"Yun Xi, you're a smart woman. I believe that whoever marries you will discover your preciousness. You will surely achieve the happiness you desire."
To obtain you is my fortune; to lose you is my fate.
Only if Yun Xi could be happy would he be willing to hide his feelings and silently protect her.
So, she must be happy!
Otherwise, his present concession would be meaningless. He couldn't guarantee what he would do in the future!
"Thank you, and I'm sorry..."
Looking at Qi Yu's pale face, Yun Xi felt ashamed.
Facing such a sincere man, she couldn't return his feelings and had even caused him to get hurt because of her. So she couldn't help but feel sad.
She thanked Qi Yu for his affection and past help, and felt sorry for involving him and being unable to respond to his feelings.
"You don't need to say those things to him."
Before Qi Yu could speak again, Qi Rong stepped between them, staring at Qi Yu with a cold expression.
"Since you've recognized the reality, don't do anything unrealistic in the future. Just be a good Crown Prince!"
Stung by Qi Rong's words, Qi Yu's face turned even paler. He nodded and walked out of the mansion silently.
As for Jing Yao, even though he heard Qi Rong's order to leave, he ignored it and continued to pester Yun Xi:
"Xier, I just arrived in the capital. I've also been to the Fulou Restaurant you mentioned. I originally wanted to buy the restaurant for you, but the owner said not even a mountain of gold could make him sell! I want to ask, besides the Fulou Restaurant, do you have any other favorite places? Let's go there now. I'll buy it for you, okay?!"
Jing Yao chattered on, completely ignoring Qi Rong's livid face.
After the chaos just now, Yun Xi was extremely tired.
She glanced at Qi Rong beside her weakly, fearing that if Jing Yao continued talking like this, he might be killed by Qi Rong with a single palm!
"My friend just came to the capital. I'm going to show him around. I'll be back in the evening."
"Great!"
Hearing this, Jing Yao's eyes sparkled. He even defiantly looked at Qi Rong as if to say:
So what if you're a prince? You dared to take my Xier as a concubine. No wonder you can't compete with me, her best friend!
The bond between him and Yun Xi was unparalleled. Ten princes combined were no match for him!
Yun Xi didn't notice Jing Yao's self - destructive behavior. She gave Yuzhu a look and walked out without changing her clothes.
"Stop. Did I give you permission to leave? Have you forgotten your own status?"
Qi Rong immediately stepped in front of Yun Xi, blocking her way. His face had never looked so ugly!
He hadn't even figured out who this effeminate guy was, yet Yun Xi dared to go out shopping with this person right in front of him?
Did she not take him seriously at all?
Hearing Qi Rong mention the word "status", Yun Xi, who had been suppressing her emotions, suddenly felt irritated.
She looked up, fixedly staring at Qi Rong's cold face. Her lips curved slightly:
"Status? What status could I have? Isn't it just being your concubine, Your Highness? But even as a concubine, I have my own personal freedom. This was agreed upon by us from the very beginning. Does Your Highness want to go back on his word?"
Although she agreed to Qi Rong to save her father, she had also made three rules with him.
She could ignore her status, but she must have personal freedom. She could do business, go back to the Prime Minister's Mansion at any time, and make friends freely! These were things Qi Rong couldn't restrict her from.
Now, bearing this status, being laughed at and pointed at by everyone in the capital, she could ignore it, but Qi Rong shouldn't expect to get more from her!
Qi Rong frowned. His deep black eyes were filled with barely - contained anger:
"But that doesn't include going shopping with a man."
Hearing Qi Rong's words, before Yun Xi could retort, Jing Yao defiantly put his arms around Yun Xi's and shouted:
"To Xier, I'm not a man. I'm her best friend! I'm the closest friend she has in this world! We knew each other long before you even came into the picture. Don't look at our relationship with worldly eyes. Our bond is much deeper than you can imagine!"
Jing Yao spoke with conviction, but to Qi Rong, his words were extremely annoying. He didn't get angry but instead laughed coldly. He gritted his teeth and said:
"Best friend?"
His gaze, however, was fixed on Yun Xi.
Looking at Qi Rong's murderous expression, Yun Xi shivered. She bit her lips and remained silent.
If she nodded, Jing Yao's life would be in danger!
Just as Yun Xi was worried about Jing Yao's life, someone just had to be self - destructive!
"Xier, this guy is so hateful. You should divorce him quickly! Let's go back to Jiangcheng together. I'll marry you as my wife. That would be a thousand times better than being with him!"
Before Yun Xi could react, she saw Jing Yao reach out and push Qi Rong. Then he challenged:
"Don't scare Xier. If you have the guts, come at me! I'll have a one - on - one..."
Before he could finish the word "fight", Jing Yao's collar was grabbed by Qi Rong. He was then thrown out of the mansion like a sandbag over the wall!
"Master!"
"Yaor!"
Lao Xu tapped his toes and leaped after the figure, disappearing over the wall.
Yun Xi's face turned pale. Her eyes were full of horror, and her gaze at Qi Rong was filled with disbelief:
"Qi Rong, you're too cruel!"
Jing Yao was at least her cherished friend. If something happened to him, the Jing family would be completely without an heir!
How could she explain it to the Jing family, who had always been kind to her? And how could the Su family face their next - door neighbors?
Seeing the fleeting hatred in Yun Xi's eyes, Qi Rong's eyes flickered. Yun Xi panicked and ran towards the mansion gate, feeling extremely uneasy and on the verge of tears.
However, before she reached the gate, Jing Yao limped in, holding his waist. Yun Xi was stunned for a moment and then quickly rushed towards him.
"How are you?!"
Yun Xi looked Jing Yao up and down. Seeing that he wasn't bleeding and didn't seem seriously injured, she was very surprised.
"Why are you crying, Xier?"
Facing Yun Xi's concern, Jing Yao acted as if nothing had happened. Seeing her tears, he nervously wiped them away. He patted his chest and said proudly:
"Don't worry. My parents were afraid I'd die young, so they trained me since childhood. Although I didn't learn any martial arts, I'm very tough. He can't kill me!"
Besides, he had a hidden martial arts master, Uncle Xu, by his side. He wouldn't die!
"Also, I heard you call me Yaor just now. Can you always call me that from now on?"