Chapter 68: Where Are We Going

Yan Zhirong looked down from a high position, sizing up the maidservant as she walked back and forth.

Her appearance was plain, her stature small, and with her hands placed in front of her, one could see thick, short fingers—the kind of hands only someone accustomed to rough, tiring labor would have.

Yan Zhirong lifted her chin slightly: "If you truly lead me to find Miss Yingying, you may ask for whatever you want."

The maidservant lowered her head a few inches further, yet the corners of her mouth could not help but curl into a smile, "This servant thanks Miss Yan."

With her leading the way, Yan Zhirong turned and wound through the paths, finally arriving at a secluded little courtyard.

This place was almost at the edge of Jiaoyuan; no wonder Yan Zhirong had never seen such a person—it turned out Xiao Mingyu had hidden her well.

Outside the courtyard, there were two Guards stationed on each side, yet they all recognized the visitor as the young lady of the Yan Family, and also the current apple of their Prince's eye.

Yan Zhirong walked inside with an expressionless face, and for a moment, no one dared to stop her.

There was no one in the courtyard; she stepped into the main room and, finally, saw the woman combing her hair in front of a mirror under the window.

She had not tied up her hair; three thousand strands of black silk cascaded like a waterfall, all draped to the left, revealing a stretch of fair, white nape.

The days were growing warmer, and her clothing was light and thin; a bean-green palace sash cinched a very slender waist.

With just one glance, Yan Zhirong could be certain: it was her.

"Miss Yingying."

The maidservant who had led the way called out.

That midnight, Hua Lianying had been knocked unconscious by Nan Xueyin and dumped on the side of the road; although she had returned to Jiaoyuan safe and sound, she had, after all, taken two solid slaps, and her cheeks were still red and swollen. She was currently desperately trying to cover them with powder, but when she looked into the mirror, they were still conspicuous.

Hearing that someone had come, her mind became even more agitated; she turned her head with a frown, just about to ask what was the matter again, when she suddenly met Yan Zhirong's gaze.

Hua Lianying naturally recognized her—this was the woman the Prince of Duan was currently trying every possible means to obtain, that noble young lady of the Yan Family.

It was precisely because of her appearance that the Prince of Duan had not come to see her for a long time.

Hua Lianying felt resentment in her heart, but she did not show it on her face; instead, she put on an easygoing and obedient smile, stood up, and greeted her eagerly: "This must be Miss Yan, right?"

Yan Zhirong frowned: "You recognize me?"

Hua Lianying nodded with a smile, "With the aura Miss carries, who wouldn't recognize you? I have also often heard people speak of Miss's beautiful reputation in the past..."

As she spoke, she reached out to take Yan Zhirong's hand.

Yan Zhirong, however, sidestepped to avoid her, the corners of her mouth pulling up: "You are Yingying, then."

She scanned her from head to toe, "No wonder; when the Prince was unconscious, he was always calling your name. So it turns out you are born this delicate and lovely. Not to mention the Prince, even I feel pity upon seeing you."

The words were spoken pleasantly, but as a woman herself, Hua Lianying instantly sensed the ill intent from the person opposite her, as if, once it was confirmed to be her, she would certainly not be let off easily.

She pursed her lips and said, "Miss Yan has misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?"

"Yes," Hua Lianying said, "The Prince abandoned me here, so how could he call my name while unconscious? What he misses is actually my older sister."

"Your sister?"

Hua Lianying nodded, "Exactly. My sister's name also contains the character 'Yin'."

Yan Zhirong asked: "So, where is your sister now?"

Hua Lianying paused; thinking of the two slaps Nan Xueyin had given her that day, she was still very angry, and said: "She has disappeared; perhaps she is dead."

Yan Zhirong let out a cold laugh: "Do you believe these words yourself when you hear them? You say the Prince likes her, yet you say she has disappeared and her life or death is unknown. If the Prince truly cherished and loved her, he would certainly keep her in the manor with fine clothes and food. Like you. How could he possibly let her remain missing without going out to search, and without showing any worry?"

"I..." Hua Lianying still wanted to argue, wanting to shift all the contradictions onto Nan Xueyin.

"As for you," Yan Zhirong stared at her, "You say the Prince abandoned you here, but how is this not a form of protection?"

Hua Lianying was speechless for a moment.

Behind her, the maidservant said at the right moment: "The Prince is concerned about the child in Miss Yingying's womb, so he also comes to check on her from time to time."

Yan Zhirong's gaze focused on Hua Lianying's abdomen, her eyes clear and desolate, "I know the Prince wants to marry me and gain the support of my Yan Family. But since you two are truly in love and already have offspring, I really have no need to come and wedge myself in, breaking up a pair of lovebirds!"

Having said this, she withdrew her gaze, turned around, and strode away.

Xiao Mingyu woke up and immediately called out: "Wu Zhui."

Bai Sheng stepped forward quickly, "Prince."

Xiao Mingyu looked at him, steadied his mind, and remembered that Wu Zhui had long since left Jiaoyuan on his own, saying he must find Nan Xueyin.

His eyes turned a few degrees colder.

Bai Sheng held his breath and focused, observing Xiao Mingyu's expression and movements.

"Help this Prince up."

"Yes." Bai Sheng hurried over.

Xiao Mingyu vaguely felt that something was not right, but his head was dizzy and he could not think of it for a moment; sitting on the luohan bed now, he looked at the square stool placed in front of the bed and suddenly realized that the stool was empty, yet someone should have been sitting there.

Xiao Mingyu knitted his brows and asked Bai Sheng: "Where is Miss Yan?"

Bai Sheng's heart jumped, and he subconsciously knelt down with a "thump."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Mingyu knew there was definitely no good news.

Sure enough, Bai Sheng lowered his head and said: "Miss Yan did not know why she asked this servant if I knew Miss Yingying; this servant did not dare to talk nonsense, so Miss Yan had someone else lead her to find her."

Xiao Mingyu was suddenly startled.

In his daily life, he had already tried hard to restrain himself and not show any emotions regarding Nan Xueyin.

But despite all his calculations, he had not counted on being injured today, dreaming of Nan Xueyin after falling unconscious, and calling out her nickname—and as luck would have it, being overheard by Yan Zhirong.

Xiao Mingyu raised his hand to rub his brow, feeling very troubled.

At this moment, another person entered from outside and reported: "Prince, Miss Yan said she is going back, and she even returned the token of love you gifted her!"

Xiao Mingyu took a look; what the servant was holding in both hands was indeed the mutton-fat white jade ring he had given to Yan Zhirong some time ago.

He furrowed his brows tightly, unable to care about the injury on his arm, and rolled off the luohan bed, "Prepare the carriage! This Prince is going to the Yan Family!"

Xiao Mingyu had to go in person to explain this matter clearly; otherwise, he would not be able to marry Yan Zhirong, and all his efforts over the past period would surely go down the drain.

The servant outside ran quickly to prepare the carriage, and Xiao Mingyu's thoughts shifted slightly as he ordered Bai Sheng: "Go, bring Hua Lianying along as well!"

"Yes!"

When Hua Lianying was brought over and saw Xiao Mingyu, her eye sockets suddenly turned completely red, and she called out to him in a soft tone: "Prince, you are finally willing to see me. You don't know how much I have missed you these past few days..."

Xiao Mingyu's expression, however, was exceptionally cold.

The servant returned to report: "Prince, the carriage is ready."

Xiao Mingyu gave a grunt of acknowledgment, said "Let's go" to Hua Lianying, and strode away.

Hua Lianying subconsciously followed, asking with some unease: "Where are we going?"

Xiao Mingyu did not say a word.

Hua Lianying was not a stupid person; realizing something, she stopped abruptly and turned to flee.

Xiao Mingyu was unhurried and ordered: "Catch her!"

Surrounded by Guards and servants, Hua Lianying was quickly caught and brought back.

Xiao Mingyu kept a cold face, ordered people to bind her hands and feet, gagged her mouth, threw her onto the carriage, and drove straight toward the Yan Family.