By now, the matter had come to light. Qin Junxing dropped his look of watching the fun and stared expressionlessly at the abbot. "Abbot, this incident happened in the temple. I wonder how you plan to handle it?"
The abbot glanced at Qin Junxing, feeling a headache. He didn't understand what this had to do with this nobleman. Did he really think it was a good thing and was eager to wade into the muddy waters!
"Amitabha." The abbot sighed and ordered, "Send Miss Zhang and this donor back to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Jingxin, you go to the Prime Minister's Mansion with Jinghe and explain the cause of this matter."
Then, he looked at Xie Fengran. "As for Miss Xie being frightened in the temple, this old monk would like to apologize to the young lady on behalf of the National Protection Temple. This old monk will ask the National Protection Dharma Master to personally obtain a safety talisman for the young lady."
The National Protection Dharma Master, Master Yuanning, was now in seclusion all the time. Even if the crown prince came to ask for a safety talisman, he might not get such treatment. The abbot had really gone all out.
Xie Fengran didn't want to fall out with the National Protection Temple. She nodded. Just as she was about to speak, Qin Junxing said coolly, "Abbot, you're really good at calculating. You're dealing with this so lightly. As far as this king knows, Master Yuanning gives the abbot three protection talismans every year. You're using ready - made things to curry favor. You're really good at playing your cards. This king didn't know that not only the Dharma Master Jingxin in the National Protection Temple is proficient in worldly affairs, but the abbot is also very good at doing business!"
Others dared not offend the National Protection Temple, but Qin Junxing was not afraid. Especially since the abbot knew this man's temper, he immediately dared not say a word. He directly bowed to Xie Fengran. "Amitabha, Miss Xie. If you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to the National Protection Temple to find this old monk. This old monk will help Miss Xie three times on the premise of not going against the position of the National Protection Temple. This old monk takes his leave."
After saying that, without waiting for Xie Fengran's reply, he directly led his people and escorted Zhang Yao and Zhang's cousin away. He looked as if there was someone chasing him from behind!
As soon as the abbot left, only Qin Junxing's people and those from the Xie Mansion were left.
Qin Junxing had such a strong presence that just standing there, he exuded an air of oppression.
Hexiang braved the pressure and stared into Qin Junxing's eyes, firmly standing in front of Xie Fengran without moving.
Qin Junxing showed no sign of leaving either. His gaze passed over the maids on high alert and landed on Xie Fengran, who was wearing a veil hat.
Finally, it was Xie Fengran who spoke first. "Your Highness, shall we have a talk?"
Qin Junxing raised his eyebrows. "I'd be delighted!"
"Miss."
"It's okay." Xie Fengran patted Hexiang's shoulder reassuringly and motioned for Lanfang to come over. "Take Hexiang and Zhuqing inside." After saying that, seeing the two girls still looking worried, she waved her hand. "Don't worry. His Highness is a gentleman as upright as the moon. He will never do such a scoundrelly thing. If I get hurt in any way, His Highness won't be able to escape either, right?"
The "gentleman" Qin Junxing on one side quite sensibly took a few steps back, keeping a bit of distance from Xie Fengran.
The two of them walked into the bamboo forest one after another. Qin Junxing's people quickly surrounded the forest to ensure that no one could overhear their conversation.
Qin Junxing walked behind Xie Fengran. When he saw her stop, he took a few more steps forward, getting a bit closer to her before stopping. "You don't need to flatter me. If I want to do something, your words won't stop me."
"Your Highness doesn't need to take it to heart. I was just reassuring my maids." A faint look of mockery appeared on Xie Fengran's face. Her eyes fixed firmly on Qin Junxing. "I just don't understand where I offended Your Highness that you bothered to set up such a scheme."
Qin Junxing's eyebrows twitched. "What do you mean? I have no intention of targeting you."
"Your Highness may not have the intention of targeting me, but all these things are so well - linked that I've been used to the extreme. Fengran is not as smart as Your Highness, but I still want to ask if Your Highness just doesn't like me? That's why you put me in such a dangerous situation?"
The beautiful young girl's face was red with anger. She widened her eyes as if demanding justice!
Qin Junxing didn't regret what he had done, but looking at this determined little face, he couldn't deny it at all.
"Since I knew about Zhang Yao's plan, my people have been lying in ambush in the bamboo forest. No one would hurt the young lady."
"No one would hurt me? If Zhuqing hadn't been here tonight, that drunk would have pounced on me. How is that different from hurting me?"
"No!" A fierce look flashed in Qin Junxing's eyes. "If he had touched you, this king would have chopped him up."
Xie Fengran was startled and involuntarily took a few steps back, keeping a greater distance. She propped herself up and asked, "Zhang Yao is lurking nearby, obviously not willing to let this go. Tomorrow, this will spread throughout the capital. Is my reputation really that worthless in Your Highness's eyes?"
Hearing this, Qin Junxing curled his lips. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no word will spread."
Hearing his answer, all of Xie Fengran's suspicions were confirmed.
Sure enough, he had used the situation to get rid of Zhang Yao. It seemed that Jinghe was his person.
Who else in the National Protection Temple was his person?
Just now, the abbot didn't even dare to breathe loudly in front of him. It was obvious how powerful this prince was.
It was rumored that he had been living on the frontier for a long time, was unruly, and was isolated by the noble families in the capital led by the crown prince. Only the emperor truly cared about him.
But now it seemed that this prince's power was not as weak as the rumors said.
The more Xie Fengran thought about it, the more frightened she became. She forced herself to look at Qin Junxing bravely. "According to Your Highness, you're admitting that you used me to get rid of Zhang Yao?"
"... It's not using. It's mutual benefit. Don't you want to teach that woman a lesson?" Qin Junxing looked at the young girl in front of him, his voice a bit alluring. "Avoiding the sharp edge is not Miss Xie's style. Zhang Yao has insulted you several times. Are you really willing to let her go?"
Xie Fengran's pupils shrank. She slightly averted her gaze and said firmly, "Whether I'm willing or not doesn't need Your Highness to worry about. Your Highness once said that you wanted to marry me, but I'm really not blessed enough to accept it. Please stay away from me in the future. The Xie family has no intention of getting involved in the royal family's affairs. I don't want to be dragged by Your Highness to take the blame all the time. Please let me go."
After Xie Fengran finished speaking, she bowed deeply.
"You..." The air around Qin Junxing suddenly turned cold. His eyes landed on Xie Fengran. It was hard to tell his expression, but it was terrifying.
Xie Fengran felt his gaze on her. She endured the urge to run away and straightened her back, letting Qin Junxing stare at her.
If she didn't make things clear this time, there would be a second and a third time in the future. By then, the Xie family would naturally be considered to be on the same side as him, and the Xie family would be dragged into the water.
Just when Xie Fengran thought Qin Junxing was going to get angry, he actually managed to hold it back.
"Get up! If you're not willing, this king won't force you."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xie Fengran couldn't wait to leave and turned around to go.
When she reached the edge of the bamboo forest, Qin Junxing suddenly said, "Miss Xie..."
"Your Highness!" Xie Fengran didn't give him a chance to speak and directly asked, "You told Zhang Yao that I was in the National Protection Temple, right?"