"Miss Murong, is it truly right for you to speak with a clear conscience?"
Yun Jinhe knew that Murong Qing disliked Yang Jingrui, yet he uttered such an outrageous remark. There must be a reason for it...
Furthermore, ever since arriving in the capital, Murong Qing's behavior had been somewhat peculiar, as if she were concealing something from Yun Jinhe.
"Young Master Yun, did you hear that?" Yang Jingrui was overjoyed and looked smug. "Miss Murong said that by staying with me, she gains knowledge and wisdom, and she is also very happy. As the saying goes, a gentleman fulfills others' wishes, while a villain seizes what others desire. If I were you, Young Master Yun, I would have stayed far away and let Miss Murong go. Why would I seek humiliation?"
Yun Jinhe: "..."
So, where does your confidence come from?
Is it based on Miss Murong's few flattering words, or is it your pretense of foolishness, merely to satisfy a fleeting sense of vanity?
Although he didn't know why Murong Qing would say that, Yun Jinhe firmly believed she wouldn't collude with Yang Jingrui...
"Young Master Yang, I need to prepare dinner. Let's chat again another day!~" Murong Qing curtsied gracefully. The moment she turned, her expression instantly changed, her eyes filled with intense disgust and contempt.
Hmph, he's just a playboy. Although he has some talent, he's not the type she likes...
The only reason Murong Qing smiled and greeted Yang Jingrui was to go to the Yan Kingdom and find her younger brother.
A few days prior, Murong Qing had inquired and learned that Yang Jingrui's father, Prime Minister Yang, had several friends in the Yan Kingdom. Moreover, those friends had traveled extensively and were well-informed. It wouldn't be difficult to inquire about someone...
Therefore, Murong Qing wanted to use Yang Jingrui's connections to ask Prime Minister Yang to help her ascertain if her brother was indeed in the Yan Kingdom...
"Miss Murong is leaving already?" Yang Jingrui looked reluctant, his eyes lingering on Murong Qing's graceful figure and exquisite hairstyle. "I will be hosting a banquet at my residence in three days. Miss Murong, you must come..."
Murong Qing paused and turned back, "It's possible, but in what capacity would I attend?"
Judging by Yang Jingrui's selfish and arrogant demeanor, he certainly wouldn't invite Jinhe...
Yang Jingrui smiled faintly and waved his fan, "Of course, you'll attend as my friend. Miss Murong, rest assured, as long as I am here, the servants at the Prime Minister's mansion wouldn't dare to trouble you!~"
As the saying goes, familiarity breeds connection. As long as Miss Murong agreed to attend the banquet, it meant he still had hope...
After he completed his studies and entered officialdom, he would marry Murong Qing as a concubine. Then, he would see if Yun Jinhe dared to oppose him.
Upon hearing this, Murong Qing glanced at Yun Jinhe. Seeing his angry expression, as if he wanted to kill Yang Jingrui, she softly agreed, "Alright, I will be there on time..."
Yun Jinhe: "???"
Is this woman crazy?
Why is she going against him today?
Yang Jingrui was overjoyed, his eyes disappearing as he smiled. "Very well, I will send a carriage to pick you up. Young Master Yun, Miss Murong, I bid you farewell..."
With that, Yang Jingrui strode out of the Yun residence with a beaming smile.
The backyard fell silent, with only the occasional chirping of orioles. A dark, heavy cloud drifted across the sky, and rumbling thunder echoed from behind the clouds, indicating an approaching thunderstorm that evening...
"Jin... Jinhe, actually, this matter..."
"No need to say more!~"
Just as Murong Qing was about to explain, Yun Jinhe interrupted her angrily and walked out of the backyard without looking back.
Although he didn't know what had happened, Miss Murong's actions today were too excessive and heartbreaking...
Even if she had some unspeakable secret, what harm would it do to speak of it?
Yun Jinhe considered himself not an omniscient being, but if she encountered any difficulties, he could help Murong Qing make a decision. Why remain silent?
Seeing Yun Jinhe's receding back, Murong Qing lowered her beautiful eyes and sighed...
She knew her brother was intelligent and exceptionally talented. No matter where he went, he could stir up a storm and achieve great things.
It was precisely because her brother was too clever that Murong Qing dared not reveal his identity too early, lest it attract unnecessary trouble...
After all, although the five kingdoms appeared peaceful and harmonious now, they were secretly recruiting talent and accumulating strength.
If they discovered her brother's existence, they would undoubtedly fight and scramble for him...
That night, outside the door of the old Yun family in Dashui Village.
A nimble dark figure leaped over the courtyard wall and searched the premises.
The moment Xue Ling and the other dogs barked, the dark figure threw several pebbles, instantly knocking the dogs unconscious...
"In which room is the princess being held?" The dark figure frowned, unable to decide.
Since she was being held hostage, her living conditions must be very poor.
So, the dark figure quietly crept into the storeroom. There were only a few smelly sauerkraut vats and daily杂物, and not a soul was seen...
Just then, a burst of laughter suddenly came from a guest room not far away.
"Hahaha, you two losers, you lost again! Hurry up and stick the paper strips on, don't try to cheat!~"
Upon hearing this, the dark figure's expression suddenly changed.
Wasn't that Princess Jiaojiao's voice?
As a hostage, why was she so happy?
She was even laughing and playing with everyone...
The dark figure suppressed his inner doubts and slowly approached the window, poking a small hole in the window paper.
He couldn't believe what he saw.
He saw Han Chi Jiao playing poker with Kong Xing Zhuo and Xiao Xin Ling. All three had small paper strips stuck to their faces...
Their playful and teasing expressions clearly indicated they treated this place as their own home.
The poker cards were brought out by Xiao Xi Tian from her space. Old Man Yun and Madam Gu would also play them occasionally to pass the time.
Xiao Xin Ling reluctantly stuck a paper strip on her face, pouting, "Hmph, for you to be a barbarian princess, your heart is too narrow-minded, not even as good as a child..."
"What?" Han Chi Jiao squinted at Xiao Xin Ling. "This is called accepting defeat when you lose. If you're afraid of sticking paper strips, then you don't have to play. Anyway, Brother Kong is with me!~"
Xiao Xin Ling: "..."
You brute, just you wait. When Si Man returns, we'll show off our affection in front of you every day until you die.
Kong Xing Zhuo chuckled foolishly and said nothing.
Outside the window, the bewildered dark-clothed figure didn't know what to say.
He lingered in place for a moment before leaving the Yun residence to report back...