"Yes, your subordinate obeys!"
This was the last team of secret guards left to him by the Duke of Wei, and they were loyal to him.
When Prince Ding received news that the Wei family's secret guards had begun investigating the matter of Qingzhou, a person was kneeling before Xiao Tingyi. It was Liang Luo, who had been rescued that day and then sent to the Guo family as a concubine.
After so many changes, she was no longer as arrogant as she once was.
Although her appearance was the same, her temperament had become much quieter, and her eyes held a faint sadness, making it obvious to anyone that she had been through hardships.
"I truly never imagined that the one to save me from the fire pit would be Your Highness."
"What do you want to say?"
"What to say? That my Liang family suffered annihilation? That I myself was shamed into submitting? I don't know what to say either."
She gave a bitter laugh, her eyes filled with sorrow, but her tears had long since dried up.
If it were someone else seeing her like this, they might feel a sliver of pity. Unfortunately, the person sitting before her was Prince Ding; pity was out of the question, and he didn't even spare her a second glance.
"Bai Siruo, whom I once disdained, is now the new bride of Prince Kang, living in harmony with her husband; Xu Mingyue, whom I disdained, is engaged to the most promising son of the Feng family, and upon marriage, will become the wife of a third-rank official, receiving a title; Feng Jinyao, whom I disdained, has actually transformed into the future Princess Ding, bestowed by imperial decree. Heh, fate truly plays tricks on people."
There was more she didn't say.
Wei Lanxuan, who was once at the peak of her glory, had gone mad and was later exiled.
Wen Yuwei, with whom she had shared a brief sisterly bond, had disappeared after the Wen family's annihilation.
And she, what was the difference between being alive and dead?
It was truly laughable.
When Liang Luo mentioned Feng Jinyao's name, Xiao Tingyi frowned slightly.
It was as if Feng Jinyao's name was so sacred that it was blasphemy to utter it from the mouth of someone like her.
Although Liang Luo had been foolish before, it didn't mean she wasn't perceptive now.
"Everyone outside says that Prince Ding is displeased with this imperial marriage, which is why he's delaying the betrothal. It seems it's not true."
That slight frown revealed Prince Ding's importance to Feng Jinyao.
This Liang Luo had truly undergone a complete transformation!
If such a person could be utilized, she would not be a bad asset.
However, no matter how ruthless one was, if their ambitions were misplaced and they dared to target those they shouldn't, death would be their only end.
Prince Ding didn't even need to speak; Liang Luo could feel the coldness and threat.
Thus, she suppressed her fear. At this point, she still had a desire to live, which was to witness the Ninth Prince's true demise with her own eyes, so that she could vent her anger. She spoke:
"Your Highness arranged for me to be at the Guo family to frame the Sixth Prince. But now that the Crown Prince has ascended the throne, if you want to deal with the Sixth Prince, you can do so openly. Therefore, this must be done for others who cannot appear publicly. Besides the Ninth Prince, I can't think of anyone else. So, he is still alive, isn't he?"
Her words earned a bit of admiration from Prince Ding.
She could see the big picture from small details. If this intelligence had been utilized earlier, the Liang family wouldn't have fallen to such a fate.
"You are quite clever."
"I have an irreconcilable hatred for the Ninth Prince. I will repay him a hundredfold, a thousandfold, for what he inflicted upon me! Therefore, I implore Your Highness to keep me in your manor. I am willing to serve you with all my might."
After saying this, she kowtowed three times, her expression resolute.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Tingyi directly refused her.
"There are plenty of people who want to serve me, but you are not suitable. Take the money and live a life of anonymity elsewhere. As for the Ninth Prince, you will know when his death is announced to the world."
"Your Highness, I will be a very powerful pawn for you. No matter which minister's household you place me in, I can uncover the most advantageous secrets. I can do it, I can do it!"
She thought that being a concubine in the Guo family was at Prince Ding's behest.
Therefore, she thought that by relying on this, she could become a spy for Prince Ding's manor, and it would be no problem. To her dismay, she was rejected.
Xiao Tingyi looked at her, his gaze unfathomable.
"I am not plotting rebellion, so why would I need to know so many secrets?"
With one sentence, he completely blocked Liang Luo's opportunity.
She couldn't explain why she was so insistent on staying in Prince Ding's manor as a spy, even willing to be given away as a gift and become a concubine.
Perhaps it was because Prince Ding's subordinates had once saved her from dire straits?
Or perhaps she saw Prince Ding as the only beacon of light in her heart?
She didn't know, and Prince Ding didn't want to know.
He then waved his hand, and Xu Lin appeared in the room.
"Arrange for someone to escort her away."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Liang Luo wanted to say more, but Xu Lin wouldn't give her the chance. He stepped forward, knocked her unconscious, and carried her on his shoulder, leaving the room.
Xiao Tingyi lit the agarwood in the censer, trying to dispel the faint scent left by Liang Luo.
From now on, this person would completely disappear from the capital.
As for where she went, he didn't care.
But he knew that if she dared to reveal even the slightest bit of information, the secret guards of Prince Ding's manor would have ways to silence her permanently before she could even speak.
These hidden matters were, naturally, not meant for the light of day.
However, regarding the matter of the betrothal that Liang Luo had just mentioned, the time was indeed almost right.
To allay Emperor Qi's suspicions, he had endured for a long time.
He had intentionally and unintentionally conveyed several messages to the palace, urging him to quickly send a betrothal gift to the Feng family, only then did he have someone select a date.
He personally went to the Feng family to propose marriage.
Everyone outside said that Prince Ding looked unhappy, and it was likely that this marriage was another victim of political alliances.
But only those close to him knew how long Prince Ding had waited for this day.
Not long after breakfast, the steward came in to report that Prince Ding had arrived to present the betrothal gifts.
Originally, he didn't need to personally deliver the betrothal gifts. It was unknown if it was due to the palace's urging that he reluctantly showed his face.
Now, sitting in the front hall, drinking tea, his expression was so distant that it made people want to retreat.
The maid who stepped forward to serve him tea didn't dare to make eye contact, let alone glance at him more than once.
Didn't they say that Prince Ding had been ill for many years?
Why did he exude such a powerful aura?
Were all royal family members like this?
But the Sixth Prince, who often visited the eldest young master, was as warm and gentle as the spring sun.
It was evident that it wasn't that royalty was difficult to approach, but rather that this Prince Ding was very difficult to approach.
With this realization, even any maid who had a flicker of budding affection quickly extinguished it.
Feng Hai and his wife were genuinely happy to see Prince Ding personally arrive. However, the act had to be played out. As A Yao had not yet entered the prince's manor, there could be no unforeseen complications, so they feigned reluctance while appearing to accept.