Chapter 12

With a cold expression, he said, "It's nothing, the Crown Princess is looking for you."

The title "Crown Princess" seemed to be a reminder to Leng Ying that she was already married, and to the Crown Prince no less, so how could she possibly covet other men? Looking behind Leng Xue Ran, Leng Ying stood. Helpless, Xi Yi Min had no choice but to get up and put on his outer garment. Seeing that Xi Yi Min was dressed, Leng Ying came to his side and said cheerfully, "Hao Shan, I saw you were a little angry last night, so I didn't dare to bother you anymore. But it's already past 5 a.m., you should have calmed down and have breakfast!" Xi Yi Min looked earnestly at the humble Leng Ying in front of him, feeling sorry for her, and said softly, "Leng Ying, we can't be together. Even if you're not the Crown Princess now, even if your sister isn't here, we still can't be together!" Leng Ying asked anxiously, "Why?" "Because I don't love you! From now on, call me Xi Yi Min. I don't want to be hunted down!" After saying that, he took Leng Xue Ran's hand and went out the door. Leng Ying followed him out in a huff. Xi Yi Min had originally planned to have breakfast in the inn, but seeing Leng Ying following behind, he directly pulled Leng Xue Ran out of the inn. As soon as they left the inn, Leng Xue Ran shook off his hand! He angrily said, "I didn't realize that a woman like you had such a romantic history!" Xi Yimin looked at her with a smile and said, "Xue Ran is jealous!"

"Xi Yimin, I think you're really shameless!" After saying that, he went straight to the stable, took a horse, and left, ignoring the people following behind him.

Leng Xueran left Shaomingba and headed towards Fengcheng. Xi Yimin did not follow, sending guards to protect her. He returned to his residence, twenty kilometers south of the capital. That night, he went directly into the inner palace and sneaked into Consort Xiu's bedchamber. The woman on the bed screamed in fright, but stopped when she saw who it was. A maid outside the door called out, "Your Highness, what's wrong?" Consort Xiu quickly replied, "Nothing. You may all leave. Don't let anyone in!" The maid replied, "Yes," and retreated to the outer hall to wait. Consort Xiu quickly got up and went to Xi Yimin's side, happily saying, "Yimin, did you remember me?" Xi Yimin smiled and said, "How could I forget Xiuer? Let's get down to business. What's the Emperor's recent activity?"

"There's been no movement, but I did learn a secret from Consort Yao! The person the Emperor is looking for is named An Ye'er!"

“I’ve already found out about that, but why are you looking for that woman? An Ye’er used to stay at the Leng residence, but her whereabouts are unknown now. And what about Consort Yao…?” Xi Yimin didn’t mention that An Ye’er was Leng Xue Ran’s mother, because she didn’t intend to tell Consort Xiu about Leng Xue Ran’s existence.

"The Third Prince's Mother".

"Oh...I see! Xiuer, have you found out where An Ye'er is now?"

"No!" After a long silence, Xi Yimin looked at the woman before him and said, "I won't come here again. I want to take Xiu'er away from here!" Hearing this, Xiu'er asked anxiously, "Why? Has something happened?"

"No, it's just that some things are more important and need to be done now, and some things need to be investigated again." Xiu'er looked at the person in front of her with suspicion, as if something had changed, and her heart panicked and she became anxious, "What is it?" Xi Yimin understood Xiu Fei's feelings for him, but he really couldn't give this woman named Xiu'er what she wanted, so his guilt deepened. "Xiu'er, do you want to leave the palace?" Xiu'er said with worry in her eyes, "Yimin, has something really happened? We haven't avenged ourselves yet, have we? Why are you making me leave here?"

"Xiuer, our previous speculations are different from what we've found out now. We may have gone in the wrong direction. The enemy we thought we had isn't the real enemy. I can't figure it out now. I don't want to see you sacrifice yourself for me anymore."

"But I did it voluntarily. I am willing to make this sacrifice for the sake of the revenge against the Guan family."

“But I don’t want to! You must leave. This palace is too full of intrigue and not suitable for you! I will take you out and live in the relocation house in the southern suburbs. No one can enter there.”

“But I’m willing to do anything for Yimin, even give my life!” Xi Yimin’s gaze softened as he looked down at the person before him. “Xiuer, do you know that I consider you my own sister? Your life or death is more important to me than anyone else’s. Forgive my frivolous behavior before; I was too childish!” After a long silence, Xiuer smiled bitterly. “You gave me the wrong impression back then, and now how can I get out of it!” There was silence again. After a long while, without receiving an answer from Xi Yimin, Xiuer finally gave in. Perhaps the one who loves is inherently inferior. Being able to stay by her side is good enough, no matter the method or the status. It’s better than never seeing each other again. One must know how to be content, otherwise, in the end, one may get nothing at all! “Alright, Yimin, take me away from the palace.”

The following day, another big piece of news came from the capital: the emperor's concubine had disappeared in the palace. They searched every corner of the palace but could not find her. The Imperial Guards did not find anything unusual in the palace that night. She just vanished without a trace, a living person.

In the imperial court, the emperor on his throne glared angrily at the civil and military officials standing before him. "A living person, just taken away like that? Is there any guarantee of safety in this palace? Perhaps one day I too will disappear like this!" The officials cried out in alarm, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" General Leng Shouqing, hearing the emperor call his name, quickly stepped forward and said, "Your humble servant is here!" The emperor glanced at him lightly. "Minister Leng, this case of Consort Xiu's disappearance is entrusted to you for investigation. You are given one month to thoroughly investigate this case!" Filled with resignation, the emperor replied, "Your servant obeys."

Inside the Xi family mansion in the southern suburbs, Xiu'er sighed, looking at the indifferent man. "Xiu'er, the capital has been quite lively lately." "Yimin, with my disappearance, the Emperor is definitely furious. How could it not be lively! It's not that the Emperor cares about me. Although I've only been in the palace for a short time, he hasn't visited even once. His anger probably stems from the threat to his safety. Someone can vanish from the palace without a sound, someone can enter and leave the palace unnoticed—how can he not be afraid?" She smiled at Xi Yimin, whose martial arts skills were unimaginably high, yet still worrying. Even the most powerful can be injured. Xi Yimin looked at the woman before him, bright and cheerful. Having a younger sister at home was wonderful, adding a touch of warmth. "From now on, I'll call Xiu'er 'sister'!" Xiu'er felt a pang of bitterness, helpless. Looking at the man before her, she couldn't change some things, so she had to relinquish her extravagant desires in exchange for unwavering devotion. Her mind raced, and she smiled, "Should I call Yimin 'sister' or 'brother'?"

"Sister can call whomever she likes!"

"In that case, I'd better call you 'brother.' If we go out together and I call you 'sister,' I'm afraid we'll all turn around and stare at me!"

“In that case, call me brother. I will be leaving for a while tomorrow, so you can stay here in this residence. This will be your home from now on.”

"But I want to go for a walk with you!"

"Now, your portrait is everywhere in and around the capital, and I've caused the General a lot of trouble, though he doesn't know it was me who gave him these tasks!" He laughed as he finished speaking. "But I just want to get out of here! I was so bored and dulled while I was in the palace! Are those imperial decrees outside ordering my capture?"

"No, it's an order to find someone. In a few days, Qi Ziyue, who is away on business, will return and disguise you. Then you can swagger out."

"Him? Sigh, I wonder when he'll be back!"

"He'll be back this year, not long. When he comes back, I'll ask him to take you out for a walk. I'll feel at ease with him protecting you." Hearing this, Xiu'er said with dissatisfaction, "But I want to go out with you."

"I'll take you out when I have time."

"It's a deal then!"

"Fine, are you afraid I'll lie to you?"

You've lied to me quite a lot!