Ye Xi: ...Suddenly, I don't feel like doing this business anymore.
"Princess," Yun Qianying said worriedly,
"Miss Qiao looked as if something big had happened. Should we follow and have a look?"
"No," Yi Zhen shook her head.
"Although I'm on good terms with A Yan, I'm still an outsider. How can I meddle in family affairs casually?"
"Let's go back first. Didn't you want to see..."
"Princess~" Yun Qianying shyly glanced at Ye Xi and the others beside her, interrupting Yi Zhen's words coquettishly before she could say the name of the person she wanted to see.
"Alright, alright, I won't say it. Let's go then." Yi Zhen replied with a smile on her lips. She nodded slightly at Ye Xi, then took Yun Qianying's hand and left.
"Miss, the Fourth Princess is really as beautiful and approachable as the rumors say," Saim Xing let out a sigh of relief after watching Yi Zhen and her entourage walk away majestically. She said playfully,
"It's just that Miss Qiao is too hot - tempered and stubborn. Once she decides something is bad, she'll lash out at anyone. She never leaves any room for compromise."
"Indeed," Ye Xi had just been on the receiving end of Miss Qiao's harsh words in public.
Ye Xi straightened her clothes, then suddenly let out a soft sigh and changed the subject:
"Actually, it's good that Qiao Yan is like this. She's straightforward and natural. She wears her emotions on her sleeve."
It was true. At least she was a hundred times better than those who were two - faced. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Miss Qiao said she wanted to find us just now. Should we go?" Saim Xing asked.
"Go...," Ye Xi said helplessly,
"The money has already been received. What else can we do?"
Moreover, it was related to Lian Yi. She really wanted to help her and her mother.
As soon as the group stepped out of Nongqiao Garden, they saw Yi Yuan rushing over in a hurry.
"Xiaoxi," Yi Yuan stepped forward quickly,
"I heard that Cao Wei caused a ruckus in Nongqiao Garden. Are you okay?"
Ye Xi recalled what Saim Xing had said earlier about many young ladies admiring Yi Yuan and even being willing to be his concubine. She glanced around at the ambiguous looks, either bold or subtle, that were directed at Yi Yuan. The smile that had just appeared on her face faded away.
"I'm fine." Ye Xi replied sullenly. She stopped walking and lowered her voice,
"Something might have happened to Lian Yi. Qiao Yan has already sent someone to contact me as Man Ping. I have to go there now."
"Then... is there anything I can do to help?" Yi Yuan, who didn't notice the various looks around him at all, easily detected Ye Xi's change in mood.
He glanced at Yan Gui behind him and raised his eyebrows, asking what had happened.
Yan Gui shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.
He didn't understand matters of the heart. He thought Ye Xi was perfectly fine and there was nothing wrong.
"No," Ye Xi was both angry and amused to see the two of them communicating in secret right in front of her. She lifted her foot and walked towards the carriage,
"I'm going there as Man Ping. What can you help with? However...," Ye Xi paused, "Maybe I'll need Yaofeng."
"Yan Gui, you wait in the shadows later and act according to my signal."
"Yes." Yan Gui replied respectfully.
Yi Yuan could only follow Ye Xi's steps anxiously:
"Then when will you be back, Xiaoxi? What would you like for lunch? I'll have someone prepare it first."
Yi Yuan's cautious and aggrieved look made Ye Xi think he was cute, and a twinge of guilt welled up in her heart.
It was just that she had suddenly gotten jealous for no reason. Yi Yuan hadn't even had a thought in that regard. It was truly a wronged accusation.
"Alright," Ye Xi reached out and took Yi Yuan's big hand, softening her voice,
"This is all uncertain. I don't know when it will be over. If I'm late, lunch..."
"Uncle Yu'an." Yi Zhen's gentle and clear voice suddenly interrupted Ye Xi's words.
[Yi Zhen.] Yi Yuan quickly let go of Ye Xi's hand and instantly returned to his cold and aloof self.
Everyone turned their heads and saw Yi Zhen approaching like a moon surrounded by stars. Yun Qianying was still by her side, but there was also a handsome and upright - looking man and - Shen Zhou.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strange.
After they exchanged greetings, Yi Zhen introduced the upright - looking man. It turned out to be Yun Qianying's older brother, Yun Qi, the eldest son of the Yun family.
"Xiaoxi's body hasn't fully recovered yet," Yi Yuan didn't want to look at the person he disliked for another second. His tone was harsh and distant.
"We'll take our leave first."
"Your Highness Yu'an is right." Shen Zhou echoed.
Sheng Yu had carefully investigated Ye Xi's life and experiences in the Ye family. Not long ago, Ye Xi's decisive suicide and severance from the Ye family were still being talked about on the streets.
Shen Zhou felt heartache.
Although Ye Xi had seemed fine when he saw her at Qunying Tower last time, Shen Zhou thought it was just that Ye Xi's injuries weren't as serious as the rumors said, but she must have been hurt.
It was all because he had come too late, which had made his Yingying suffer so much and allowed a heartless person like Yi Yuan to take advantage of the situation.
"Ying... the injury is in the heart. It can be said to be one of the most difficult injuries to heal. Miss Xi should pay more attention."
"Thank you for your concern, but there's no need, Young Master Shen," Yi Yuan was unhappy. The coldness in his eyes was almost tangible,
"I'll take good care of my future wife."
Glancing at Yun Qianying, who was blushing beside him, Yi Yuan insinuated,
"A few days ago, Young Master Shen told me that he hadn't met the right person. But today, he's accompanied by a beautiful lady. It seems that sometimes, fate comes in an instant. Now that you've finally met someone who suits you, Young Master Shen..." Yi Yuan dragged out his words, "You should cherish this opportunity well."
Being hit right in the heart by Yi Yuan, Yun Qianying stomped her foot coquettishly and lowered her head shyly, but her eyes kept stealing glances at Shen Zhou.
"Your Highness is wrong," Shen Zhou remained unmoved,
"Where is there a beautiful lady accompanying me? Your Highness's words will damage the reputation of the young lady."
Seeing that the two were about to argue, Ye Xi didn't have time to listen to their verbal sparring.
Frowning and covering her chest, Ye Xi coughed weakly twice:
"Sorry, everyone. I'm really not feeling well. I'll take my leave first."
Yi Yuan quickly stepped forward to support Ye Xi. Ignoring the others, he ordered:
"Saim Xing, support your young lady well. Mian Xiao, drive the carriage. Let's go back."
The group left in a hurry, leaving the others with different thoughts.
Watching the carriage leave, Yi Zhen's smile remained. Looking back and seeing Yun Qianying looking so dejected, she gently patted her hand and comforted her subtly,
"Brother - in - law has been celibate and focused on his studies for more than a decade. He's really a blockhead when it comes to matters of the heart. This is the first time I've seen him so worried about the reputation of a woman outside his family."
Looking at Yun Qianying playfully, Yi Zhen joked,
"Sure enough, it's our Qianying who has the ability."
After hearing these words, Yun Qianying beamed with joy. The gloom on her face disappeared instantly, and she happily chatted with Yi Zhen again.
Yun Qi, on the other hand, clearly noticed Shen Zhou's strange behavior.
Frowning deeply, Yun Qi didn't say much. He just thought to himself secretly:
The Yun family has been away from the capital for a long time and has heavy troops in their hands. There are countless eyes watching them secretly. Whether it's this Young Master Shen or the girl who pretended to be sick just now, they all need to be carefully investigated...