Chapter 135: Will You Hate?

"If you didn't investigate it clearly, why are you in such a rush to come back and report?"

The woman's voice carried a hint of irritation.

Xiao Qingling naturally recognized this as the voice of his fourth sister-in-law.

What was his fourth sister-in-law trying to investigate?

Next came a respectful and submissive female voice, saying: "This servant felt that it would be impossible to investigate everything clearly in the short term, so I reported the news I obtained to you, Miss, in a timely manner, so that you wouldn't have to wait in anxiety."

Xiao Qingling recalled for a moment; what was this maid's name...

Zisu?

Right, Zisu.

One could tell by her appearance that she was quite clever, and she had her own little schemes in her heart.

Sure enough.

Yan Zhirong was still somewhat displeased, but she didn't reprimand her much, asking: "So, what have you found out now?"

Zisu lowered her voice: "This servant heard that there is a formidable female Assassin by the Prince's side, but for some time recently, the Prince has been frequently assassinated, yet that female Assassin is nowhere to be found. This servant boldly guesses, is it possible that this female Assassin is Nan Xueyin?"

Yan Zhirong couldn't help but be stunned, "You're saying that Nan Xueyin, who is by the Crown Prince's side, is the Prince's Assassin?"

"Yes! Otherwise, how could she have saved the Crown Prince at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet? How could an ordinary woman have such quick reflexes, and how could she not be afraid upon seeing such a ferocious leopard?"

But Yan Zhirong remained cautious, "Even if she really is an Assassin, how can you be certain that she was sent by the Prince?"

"Doesn't Miss feel that the Prince is always very unusual when he sees her?"

"..."

Yan Zhirong's expression darkened.

She had, of course, noticed this point; otherwise, she would not have sent Zisu to investigate Nan Xueyin.

"An even more important point: just now, when this servant went out, I ran into Yan San."

Yan San, the Hidden Guard who protected Yan Zhirong year-round.

Later, because Xiao Mingyu was frequently assassinated, Yan Zhirong's heart softened, and she temporarily lent Yan San to him for the specific purpose of protection.

Zisu said: "Yan San said that back when Miss and the Prince were at the painted boat... discussing matters, a woman had rashly appeared, was noticed by him, and later escaped in the chaos. At the time, Yan San noted her scent. Today, Yan San saw the woman Nan Xueyin by the Crown Prince's side from afar, and he felt that Nan Xueyin's scent was extremely similar to the woman who appeared that night. This servant feels that if she has nothing to do with the Prince, why would she have appeared outside the painted boat that night?"

Yan Zhirong suddenly laughed.

Zisu was right; when many things and many details are connected, no matter how outrageous or bizarre the possibility, that will be the reality.

She was only afraid that she had truly wronged that Hua Lianying.

What the Prince murmured in his dreams was not "Yingying," but "Yinyin."

Xiao Mingyu had fallen for the female Assassin by his side, yet he dared not admit it.

As for him coming to the Yan Family to ask for her hand...

It was merely because he had taken a fancy to the power of her Yan Family.

As Yan Zhirong laughed, tears suddenly fell.

Clearly, today was the betrothal banquet she had long looked forward to; after today, she would be entitled to be called the Duan Prince Consort.

"Fourth sister-in-law, who hurt your heart?"

Xiao Qingling spoke abruptly, and at the same time, walked slowly out from behind the rockery.

Zisu hurriedly bowed: "Your Highness."

Yan Zhirong turned away in a rush, facing Xiao Qingling with her back, while pulling out a handkerchief to quickly wipe away her tears.

She asked in a low voice: "Why are you here?"

Xiao Qingling had an innocent expression, pointing to his injured abdomen, "I was stabbed by someone, didn't dare go out and be seen, so I snuck here to treat the wound myself. I didn't expect to happen to hear fourth sister-in-law crying. As a younger brother, how could I turn a blind eye? Of course, I had to come out and show some concern."

Yan Zhirong wiped away her tears but did not turn back, slightly lifting her face, her voice containing sarcasm, "What fourth sister-in-law."

Xiao Qingling then laughed: "I originally wanted to pretend I didn't hear what fourth sister-in-law said, but since fourth sister-in-law puts it that way, I really have no choice."

Yan Zhirong did not speak.

"Is there anything fourth sister-in-law needs my help with?" Xiao Qingling's tone seemed very enthusiastic.

"No need."

Yan Zhirong felt she had calmed down enough and turned around.

Seeing Xiao Qingling's wound, she couldn't help but frown.

"I didn't scare fourth sister-in-law, did I?"

Yan Zhirong retorted: "Who hurt you?"

Xiao Qingling sighed: "Just a lovesick person who had their heart broken."

Yan Zhirong assumed it was some lovesick woman who liked the Jing Prince but had been rejected by him.

She did not pursue the matter further; in truth, she was not curious.

Her own pile of messes was already enough to make her frantic.

Xiao Qingling asked again: "Fourth sister-in-law, will you hate?"

Yan Zhirong sneered instead.

Hate?

Should she hate Xiao Mingyu for being insincere, clearly having someone he loved, yet coming to entice her for the sake of power?

Or should she hate herself for being too stupid, being so easily coaxed by Xiao Mingyu's sweet words, and being so unswervingly devoted that it was laughable?

Thinking about it carefully, the Yan Family's strict upbringing was not without reason.

She used to think it was all just empty formalities, feeling her parents and elders were too pedantic, not knowing that those were the protections of those who had been through it all.

"Actually, I think that you marrying the Crown Prince, fourth sister-in-law, is the most appropriate. From the beginning, wasn't it the Crown Prince you wanted to marry? Your Yan Family elders also all hoped you would marry into the Eastern Palace to be the Crown Princess," Xiao Qingling suddenly said.

Yan Zhirong was indifferent: "I have already become betrothed to the Duan Prince."

Xiao Qingling looked thoughtful, "But if something were to happen to the Prince of Duan..."

He did not elaborate further, merely drawing out his tone and deliberately striking a mysterious pose.

Yet Yan Zhirong knew what he meant, and her heart could not help but flutter wildly, "You..."

Xiao Qingling smiled, his expression innocent and harmless, not at all like someone who would utter such wild words.

"Why don't you consider it, Fourth Sister-in-law? If you have made up your mind, come find me," Xiao Qingling said, "After all, I do hope that you and the Crown Prince will end up together."

He added in his heart: That way, Nan Xueyin will be mine.

Yan Zhirong, of course, did not know his calculations; she frowned and remained silent.

In reality, these words of Xiao Qingling had undoubtedly planted a seed in Yan Zhirong's heart, one that would inevitably take root, sprout, and grow vigorously.

But Yan Zhirong desperately suppressed this emotion.

She told herself, you love the Prince of Duan; besides, the Prince of Duan has never had another woman since he had you, and his heart and eyes are filled only with you.

She said again, internal conflict is useless for some things; one must communicate.

Therefore, after Xiao Qingling left, Yan Zhirong hesitated several times before finally making up her mind to have an open conversation with Xiao Mingyu about their marriage, and also about... Nan Xueyin.

The guests had all dispersed, and Yan Zhirong went to the study.

The door was tightly shut, and there were no guards outside.

Yan Zhirong felt suspicious; what was the Prince doing inside?

She walked slowly closer, and the moment she raised her hand to knock on the door, she heard a suppressed gasp coming from the room.

That was Xiao Mingyu's voice.

He was the only one in the study.

He was panting heavily.

Yan Zhirong had learned about the affairs between men and women from the Momo of the manor, and she knew what he was doing now.

She was somewhat stunned; clearly, that night, she had kissed and hugged him so passionately, yet he had shown no reaction at all.

How could he be like this now...?

Xiao Mingyu's voice was clearly hoarse, and in the throes of passion, it was accompanied by fragmented, burning murmurs: "Yinyin."

"Mm... Yinyin..."