Chapter 235: Descendant of a General

Qin Yue xi paused while reading, looked up at the maid, placed the book she was holding under the pillow, and asked, "What's happening?"

"Princess, you have been asking me to inquire about Prince Li, and today I happened to hear someone mention something."

When Qin Yue xi heard it involved Mo Junyan, her heart stirred, and she hurriedly said, "What news?"

"They said… said…"

"What did they say!" Qin Yue xi's tone was urgent: "Stop dithering, just say it quickly?"

"They all say Prince Li has a Dragon‑Yang aura, that he is, is a cut‑sleeve."

Cut‑sleeve?

How could that be?

How could he be a cut‑sleeve?

"Where did the rumor come from?"

The maid shook her head: "I only heard it from the little eunuchs in the Palace; I was anxious to tell you, and once I got the news I came back."

Qin Yue xi felt a weight settle in her heart.

So, he has no feelings for her—not because she isn't good enough, but… because of this?

Qin Yue xi frowned slightly, her whole body like a deflated rubber ball, she lay on the bed weakly.

If he truly is a cut‑sleeve, what should I do?

Could it be that I really have to marry into the Marquis of Zhen Guo's household?

No, the young master of the Marquis of Zhen Guo's house is still missing, his life or death unknown!

She tightened the handkerchief in her hand and slowly closed her eyes.

At that moment, a figure appeared in her mind.

Chi Sister!

Perhaps she can help me.

"I will leave the Palace."

For several days, Qin Yue xi could not see Chi Nan Yi's figure at the World's First Villa.

"Where's your master?"

The waiter brought the dishes, smiling, "Sir, you may not know, our shopkeeper has been busy these days and can't return to the shop."

Chi Sister is also not here…

Qin Yue xi bit her lip, feeling like a deflated rubber ball; she looked at the bustling street, yet she could not feel any joy.

This scene was clearly observed by a scout sent by the Crown Prince to monitor the World's First Villa.

"What did you say?" Mo Junheng, after hearing the scout's report, furrowed his brows: "How many times has the Yuqin Guo Princess gone looking for the Southern First Young Master?"

"Yes, these past days the Princess has gone almost every day; once she goes, she sits for a whole day, barely eats, as if waiting for someone. Today the Princess specifically asked the waiter where their master went; I think she's been waiting for the Southern First Young Master these days."

Mo Junheng narrowed his eyes slightly: "I heard that when Yuqin Guo's entourage arrived at Nanpu, the Princess fell gravely ill and was cured by the Southern First Young Master. Could it be that she fell deeply in love with him then?"

"Your Highness, shall I go investigate further?"

"Keep a close watch on their movements," Mo Junheng said with a smile. "Who knows… it might just be unrequited love! If this Southern First Young Master also has feelings for her, perhaps I could gain something from her."

At this moment, while playing chess with Chi Lao's master, Chi Nan Yi also received news that Qin Yue xi was looking for him.

"Miss, the Yuqin Guo Princess has come several times; I have already asked the waiter to tell her you haven't been coming to the shop lately. The Princess looks a bit despondent."

Chi Nan Yi, hearing this, looked at Ji Bai in surprise: "You're quite attentive; before I saw you cold to everything, now you seem to have a hint of humanity."

Hearing her say that, Ji Bai shifted his gaze uncomfortably, coughing softly: "Is… is that so?"

"Yes! Want to look in a mirror and see how you look now? Your face is flushed."

Ji Bai blinked, then turned and ran away.

Watching his actions, Chi Nan Yi couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment.

"What's wrong with this child?"

"His temperament really has changed a lot."

Chi Lao placed a piece, gazing at Ji Bai's back, a smile flashing on his face: "Putting him by your side truly was the right decision."

"Hm?" Looking at his grandfather's satisfied expression, Chi Nan Yi couldn't help but wonder: "Grandfather seems to hold Ji Bai in high regard."

"It's not exactly esteem." Chi Lao's face darkened slightly, he sighed: "Ji Bai grew up under my watch. Though he has always been my Dark Guard, I actually treat him as family. He is a descendant of a military family, but unfortunately his father died in battle, his mother fell gravely ill and also passed, leaving him alone and destitute. I felt sorry for him, so I raised him with me. When his parents died, he already had memories; as a child he was rather cheerful, but after that his face never showed a smile. Now… I finally see him willing to open his heart again."

"Descendant of a General? Which general?"

"Actually this household has some ties to your father; his father was a Colonel serving by your father's side." Chi Lao stroked his beard, smiling lightly: "It's fate, his father was your father's capable aide, and now he is your Dark Guard."

Chi Nan Yi: "……"

What a mysterious fate!

"Ha ha ha! I won! I won!" Chi Lao looked at the board, his eyes shining: "Finally beat you in a game! It wasn't in vain after my careful study for several days."

Chi Nan Yi, watching the smile on his grandfather's face, shifted his gaze from the most critical point on the board and placed the piece he intended to play back into the holder: "Fine, I lost today."

Chi Lao childishly dampened a note and stuck it on Chi Nan Yi's face, nodding approvingly at his handiwork: "Nice, really nice."

Chi Nan Yi smiled without speaking, the courtyard filled with the grandfather‑grandson's joyous laughter.

Standing outside the courtyard, Ji Bai's lips curved into a faint smile.

The head of the house was right; ever since staying by the miss's side, I seem to have regained my smile.

Qin Yue xi returned to the Palace, her mind filled with the maid's words and Mo Junyan's mesmerizing face.

"Cut‑sleeve, how could it be a cut‑sleeve?"

The maid brought in some snacks, sighing, "Princess, you've lost weight these days; you should eat more quickly!"

Qin Yue xi sat upright, staring at her steadily: "Could you have misheard that day?"

"Princess, I would never mishear. In the past two days I also inquired, and indeed there is such a matter; the rumor spreads through the Palace with clear sources, and I even learned who Prince Li favors."

"Who is it?"

"Some say it's the Dark Guard beside Prince Li, others say it's the Divine Doctor who treats Prince Li's illness; the maid thought, it should be the Dark Guard beside the Prince, after all..." The maid's face flushed slightly, she whispered: "After all, those Dark Guards are indeed handsome and suave."

Hearing her say that, Qin Yue xi felt even more stifled.

"Get out."

"Yes." Hearing the master's bad mood, the maid hastily retreated.

When she returned to the bed, her gaze froze; she saw that a letter had appeared on the bed at some point.

Someone broke into the palace at night?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but step back two paces, shouting loudly: "Someone come! Quickly, someone!"