"Yes," Yi Zhen had no choice but to speak up. "Miss Yun is just straightforward and innocent. Master, please don't take it to heart."
After all, she was the one who had invited Yun Qianying, and it was with her tacit approval that Yun had provoked the Immortal Slowping. If something went wrong, all of the Shen family's plans would fall through. By then, her mother would surely punish her again.
Yi Zhen regretted having flattered Yun Qianying too much and indulged her to the point of recklessness. She silently cursed Yun a dozen times in her heart.
Before Hunyuan could say a word, Sai Xing sneered and mocked, "Oh - That's a good one. Isn't everyone a young lady? When Miss Yun was pestering our master just now, she didn't seem very magnanimous."
"You..." Yun Qianying's face turned black, and she almost spat out blood in anger. She instinctively wanted to curse back, but then remembered what Hunyuan had said earlier. Afraid that it might reach the emperor's ears and bring disaster, she forced herself to hold back. She forced a smile but ignored Sai Xing and only looked at Hunyuan eagerly. "Master, you are the most reasonable person. I was just joking with the Immortal Slowping out of curiosity."
"Master is the royal celestial master, always putting the people first. You are the most just. I believe you won't just blindly favor your junior sister and wrongly accuse others of crimes."
"Or perhaps..." Yun Qianying rolled her eyes and cast a meaningful look back and forth between them. "There is some special relationship between the two of you, Master..."
"Qianying!" This time, even Yi Zhen couldn't help but speak up and quickly interrupted Yun's self - destructive words.
The words of praise had already put Hunyuan in a difficult position, but Yun Qianying had to add that last sentence.
Not to mention that they were both people of the Taoist faith. Since Hunyuan had taken on the responsibility of the Great Master Qingyi and guarded the imperial palace, he had to devote himself completely to the royal family, free from any distractions and never allow any selfish motives.
Otherwise, if Hunyuan used his power to act unjustly, the palace would surely be in turmoil.
Yun Qianying's veiled insinuation about their relationship seemed to be a way to control Hunyuan. But in fact, if there were any such hint, the royal family would be the first to take action. And it wouldn't be Hunyuan who would be dealt with.
Instead, it would be the person who spread the rumor and the target of the rumor. Among them, the latter might have a glimmer of hope to clear their name, while the former... would surely disappear from the world quietly.
So, when Yun Qianying said that, the most disadvantaged person was actually herself!
"You can eat randomly, but you can't talk randomly." Yi Zhen showed a stern face in front of Yun Qianying for the first time and said seriously, "Everyone knows that Master Hunyuan and the Immortal Slowping are like siblings. You shouldn't make random remarks."
"You have overstepped your bounds today. Quickly apologize to the master and the immortal."
Yun Qianying still didn't know what she had done wrong, but since Yi Zhen had spoken, even though she was arrogant, she didn't dare not listen.
Fortunately, she had no prior acquaintance with these two people, and they weren't like Ye Xi, whom she detested. So, apologizing wasn't such a big deal.
She apologized reluctantly and then turned her face away, refusing to say another word.
Yi Zhen tried to smooth things over and said a few more words. Since they were in the wrong, she casually found an excuse and was about to lead Yun Qianying away.
To prevent Ye Xi's identity from being exposed, Hunyuan and the others naturally wouldn't stop them.
Just as the group had separated with feigned friendliness but hidden animosity, they turned around and saw Shen Zhou sitting pale - faced in a wheelchair, his deep eyes looking at Ye Xi from afar.
"Azhou." Yun Qianying was very happy. She lifted her skirt and ran over. "Why did you come now? I thought you weren't going out today either."
Shen Zhou didn't say a word. He just quietly looked at Ye Xi.
Yun Qianying keenly noticed Shen Zhou's gaze, and doubts welled up in her heart.
Just as she was about to observe more carefully, Shen Zhou had already withdrawn his gaze and looked normal.
Although Ye Xi had been mentally prepared for Shen Zhou's difficult situation, she didn't expect it to be this bad. Even she, a layperson, could tell at a glance that he must have been seriously injured. With his pale face showing signs of qi and blood deficiency, it was even doubtful whether he still had his martial arts skills.
It seemed that the Shen family was even more ruthless than she had thought.
A sense of guilt instantly overwhelmed Ye Xi. Her lips parted and closed several times, but she couldn't say a word. And she couldn't say anything now.
Hunyuan subtly tugged at Ye Xi's sleeve and whispered, "Let's go. This isn't the place to talk."
Ye Xi nodded, temporarily suppressing her guilt, and followed Hunyuan out of the palace.
However, as soon as she turned around, she saw Yi Yuan standing tall and straight on one side.
Her heart tightened. Ye Xi quickly turned to the other side, with her back to Yi Yuan. A feeling of being caught red - handed suddenly welled up in her heart.
Hunyuan also felt a twinge of guilt and instinctively turned his head, avoiding Yi Yuan's gaze.
Seeing the guilty looks on both of their faces, even if Yi Yuan hadn't suspected anything before, he couldn't help but have some doubts now.
He lifted his legs and took steps, approaching the two of them one by one.
Ye Xi and Hunyuan were so nervous that they looked around furtively, up and down, but they just didn't dare to look at Yi Yuan.
In an instant, Yi Yuan had walked up to them.
His black pupils swept over them coldly. Yi Yuan then walked straight past them and came in front of Shen Zhou and the others.
Their eyes met. Finally, Shen Zhou gave a faint smile and spoke first, "Prince Yu'an, long time no see."
That smile was extremely annoying. Although his face was weak and pale, it instantly became vivid and coquettish when he smiled. The unhidden pleasure in his eyes, even with a hint of triumph, made Yi Yuan want to slap him to death.
Yi Yuan pursed his lips and tried his best to ignore Shen Zhou's annoying smile. He reached out his hand to feel Shen Zhou's pulse.
"What are you doing!?" Thinking that Yi Yuan was going to harm Shen Zhou, Yun Qianying instantly stood in front of Shen Zhou and looked at him warily.
Next to her, Yi Zhen also grabbed Yi Yuan's arm and called out to him softly but with a hint of warning, "Uncle Wang."
The place where Yi Zhen grabbed him seemed to be burned. A flash of loathing passed through Yi Yuan's eyes, and he suddenly shook off her hand.
In front of everyone, he took out a brocade handkerchief and wiped his hand. Yi Yuan rarely explained coldly, "I just saw that he looked like he was about to die, so I kindly wanted to feel his pulse to see if he could be saved. Since you all don't want me to, I've shown my kindness anyway. So, I'll just let it go."
What he meant was that he had come to repay the favor Shen Zhou had once done for him. It was Shen Zhou's people who didn't want his help, so it had nothing to do with him. But since he had shown his kindness, from then on, they would be even.
Yun Qianying and Yi Zhen naturally didn't believe him, but before they could argue, Shen Zhou curved his lips even more and said slowly, "It's okay. Your kindness is more than enough, Your Highness."
"Anyway, the sincerity I want..." Shen Zhou casually glanced at Ye Xi, who was standing not far behind Yi Yuan with Hunyuan. He covered his lips with his fist and coughed lightly before continuing, "Isn't from Your Highness."