Chapter 166 When people do bad things, they always...

"...What nonsense are you talking about!"

Zhou Yanling was so shocked she almost jumped onto the table. She stared at Xie Mingke as if facing a formidable enemy, her tone serious: "This is not child's play. Do you know how tough life is in the northern desert? The wind and snow are so strong that your ears can freeze off!"

If a pampered young lady like Xie Mingke, who is too weak to lift a finger, were actually taken to the border, she probably wouldn't even have the strength to cry.

"Don't look down on me." Xie Mingke glared at her, unconvinced. "I'm not as weak as you think. I learned to cook and do laundry from my aunt. I also know medicine, can identify herbs, and can treat the wounded... Didn't you say yesterday that the military camp was short of doctors and medicine? Take me with you. I can be your female soldiers' dedicated doctor."

The more she talked, the more feasible it seemed to her. She turned to the two of them, her eyes sparkling, and said, "As long as I 'suddenly disappear,' Auntie won't be able to conjure up another Xie family girl anytime soon. That way, no one can disrupt your peaceful life, right?"

If Zhou Yanling could run away from her arranged marriage and leave home, why can't she follow suit?

"That's one way..."

Shen Lingyue hesitated before saying something, but Yan Yi interrupted her, "No good."

She looked at Xie Mingke seriously: "Yanling is right. The northern border is bitterly cold and life is difficult. If you go there rashly just to escape an arranged marriage, wouldn't you be asking for trouble? That sacrifice is too great."

Although the Xie family matter was somewhat troublesome, Yan Yi didn't want to see Xie Mingke wronging herself like this, otherwise she would feel guilty.

"I'm not as delicate as you think, really."

Xie Mingke knew that Yan Yi was thinking of her, and she was moved. She became even more determined to do something for her.

She had to leave the capital as soon as possible to thwart her aunt's and the Xie family's plans.

"Ever since I heard Miss Zhou tell her about her experiences in the Northern Territory, I have felt a deep envy. The world is so vast, why are we confined to one place? Although I am not as skilled in martial arts or as courageous as Miss Zhou, I also have a heart that yearns for freedom. So many people can settle down and live in the Northern Territory, why can't I?"

Xie Mingke steeled her resolve, glanced quickly at Zhou Yanling, and whispered, "If you don't take me with you, I'll find my way there myself..."

Now that Lady Liang is stationed at the border, she certainly wouldn't refuse such a "talented person" who takes the initiative to come to her aid.

"Hey, you're threatening me now?"

Zhou Yanling's eyebrows shot up, she was furious but helpless, so she stomped her foot hard. "Fine, you come with me, as long as you don't come crying and begging to go home halfway there."

Xie Mingke was secretly pleased with his successful scheme, but he tried to keep a straight face and nodded seriously, "Yes, I definitely won't hold you back."

Zhou Yanling gave a fierce snort.

At worst, she could consider it solving a potential problem for her older sister. She would definitely keep a close eye on Xie Mingke and prevent her from being taken advantage of again.

Seeing that Xie Mingke was determined, Yan Yi didn't try to persuade her any further. She sighed and said softly, "To be honest, I'm sorry to have to trouble you. Fortunately, my maternal grandparents' family has been operating in the Northwest for many years. I will write to them and ask them to take good care of you."

Xie Mingke stopped crying and smiled, nodding in agreement.

Shen Lingyue clapped happily, "This is perfect for both of us, and everyone has a bright future!"

"It's not time to celebrate yet."

Yan Yi calmly reminded her, "Miss Xie is not as skilled in martial arts as Yan Ling, and she can't just run away whenever she wants. Right now is a critical moment for the Xie family and Prince Gong to conspire together. It won't be so easy for her to leave home quietly."

“That’s right.” Shen Lingyue rested her chin on her hand in distress. “Besides, if Miss Xie suddenly disappears, Madam Ma will definitely suspect that we did it. Then she’ll be making a scene at the Marquis’s residence every day demanding her return, which will be endless trouble…”

Got it!

As the saying goes, people always have inexhaustible energy when they're doing bad things.

This sentence is practically the epitome of Shen Lingyue's life.

Whenever her little brain works at lightning speed, a mischievous idea comes to mind.

Shen Lingyue rubbed his hands together and chuckled strangely.

"Miss Xie, don't worry, we've got this covered!"

Xie Mingke felt a chill run down his spine from her laughter and subconsciously took two steps closer to Zhou Yanling.

Zhou Yanling was also stunned. It seemed that a lot of amazing things had happened in the years she had been away from the capital.

Of all the people in the room, only Yan Yi remained seated, smiling as she watched Shen Lingyue explain her "grand plan" with great enthusiasm.

Yes, Director Shen is making a comeback.

...

Evening, Songhe Hall.

Shen Lingyue paced back and forth with her hands behind her back and a serious expression on her face. Suddenly, she waved her hand forcefully at the crowd.

"Family members, the situation is very serious! We must unite, build a united front within the Changning Marquis's mansion, and safeguard the harmony and peace of our family!"

From top to bottom, from the old to the young, everyone in the Hou family was filled with countless questions.

No, how did a perfectly normal family dinner suddenly turn into a pre-battle mobilization meeting?

The old lady rubbed her eyes: "What's wrong? Are the barbarians about to invade the capital?"

What's the point of mobilizing anyone then? Just pack your things and run!

Yan Yi pursed her lips, suppressing a smile, and stood up to add her own words in a calm and unhurried manner.

"Grandmother, aunt, father, mother, the situation is like this..."

After the whole family heard the whole story and learned about the Xie family's "outrageous behavior" and Prince Gong's "unreasonable demands," they were all filled with righteous indignation.

Pei Yuzhen was the first to slam her hand on the table: "The Xie family is out of their minds! I think Prince Gong is seriously ill too! What does this have to do with him? Yunzhao, you haven't offended him, have you?"

Pei Jingyi shook his head with a sullen face, "I don't have much contact with my uncle on a regular basis, but I believe I have always been courteous and have never been negligent."

Pei Jinghuai blurted out, "Did he receive some benefits from the Xie family? Otherwise, why would he suddenly act like this?"

Pei Xian glanced at Meng Wanyin and frowned slightly. "If Prince Gong insists on interfering in Yunzhao's marriage, this matter is likely to escalate."

If it were just Madam Ma coming to his door, Pei Xian could still put on the airs of the head of the Marquis's mansion and refuse her firmly.

However, Prince Gong was Pei Jingyi's maternal uncle, and according to the prevailing social norms, this was a noble relative who absolutely could not be neglected.

Furthermore, given Princess Qinghe's early death, if Prince Gong insists that the Marquis's mansion did not respect the princess's last wishes, and even escalates the matter to the point that the Pei family mistreated the princess's bloodline... even if Pei Jingyi and Yan Yi's marriage was arranged by imperial decree, it will likely be difficult to resolve the situation.

"Alright, you've all been talking and haven't come up with a good idea. Well then, I'll say it: we'll listen to Yue'er!"

Previously, the whole family had tacitly kept the old lady in the dark, not wanting her to worry, but the old lady was much stronger than they imagined, and was even aroused by Prince Gong's unreasonable behavior.

"Hmph, he's Yunzhao's uncle, and I'm Yunzhao's grandmother! Even when the princess was alive, she had to call me 'mother.' If he's so capable, let him come at this old woman."

The old lady beckoned to Yan Yi, calling her to her side. She held Yan Yi's hand tightly and swept her gaze over the entire family with an air of authority.

"I don't care how good that Xie family girl is, I only recognize Yan Yi and her great-grandson. If anyone dares to have any wicked thoughts, don't blame my cane for being blind."

Pei Xian said helplessly, "Mother, you are exaggerating. Yunzhao's wife has been with us for three years, serving the elders and managing the whole family. Everyone praises her. We are more than satisfied. How can we just replace her like that?"

"That's more like it." The old lady was satisfied and patted Yan Yi's hand to comfort her. "Good child, as long as your grandmother is alive, no one can take your place."

Yan Yi forced back the tears welling up in her eyes and said gently with a smile, "Then you must live to be a hundred years old and see us surrounded by children and grandchildren."

Her nose tingled, and she and Shen Lingyue exchanged a smile.

These are their families. How wonderful.

If they didn't know they had the support and indulgence of their whole family, they wouldn't have dared to create such a big scene.

Shen Lingyue clapped her hands to draw the family's attention back, and cleared her throat: "My plan is like this, which may require everyone to endure a little injustice..."

She went on and on, and the whole family's eyes all fell on Pei Jingyi.

It seems like only Yoon-jo is the one who's been wronged?

Pei Jingyi frowned even more, and was about to refuse when he met Yan Yi's watery eyes. She tugged at his sleeve and shook it gently: "Husband, just say yes for my sake."

Pei Jingyi gritted his teeth: "...Okay."

With the most difficult part resolved, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The old lady spoke first: "I'm fine here. I'll scare that wicked and heartless man to death."

Pei Yuzhen said with great interest, "Then I'll just play myself? I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

Pei Jinghuai cracked his knuckles a couple of times and sneered at Pei Jingyi: "Big brother, it's been a long time since we've had a proper spar. This is a perfect opportunity."

Dong Lanyi, who had been sitting quietly listening, raised her hand: "Second cousin-in-law, I have another idea."

Shen Lingyue immediately encouraged, "Cousin, speak up!"

Dong Lanyi blinked and said unhurriedly, "The latest issue of 'Langhuan Monthly' hasn't been printed yet. I'll go back and write a new story and have Manager Lian add it to the manuscript..."

Perhaps it was the experience of serializing for so long that honed her quick thinking; she could conjure up a satirical supernatural tale on the spot in no time.

"Cousin, are you a little genius?!"

Shen Lingyue gave a thumbs up and praised without reservation: "Great! Let's do it this way! This time, we'll make Prince Gong lose face far beyond 800 miles away!"

The whole family applauded, and Pei Xian clapped and praised, "Lan Yi has really grown up. People really need to read more books."

Dong Lanyi blushed with embarrassment at everyone's praise and was at a loss for words. She quickly said, "Then I'll go back and write it now, and send it to Manager Lian as soon as I'm done."

Then he ran off happily, his steps light and quick.

A kind laugh came from behind me.

The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious, and everyone's faces were relaxed. They were all eager to put on a show for Prince Gong when he came to them.

Only Pei Jingyi looked displeased, remaining sullen even after returning to Jiusi Academy, and hugged Yan Yi's waist. It was as if he were pleading, "For that Miss Xie, you really had the heart to act with them and deceive me?"

He looked up at her stubbornly, his usually aloof and self-possessed gentleman now bearing a pitiful and aggrieved expression, like a big cat about to be abandoned by its owner.

Yan Yi suppressed a laugh and gently stroked his head to comfort him.

"If I remember correctly, didn't someone really like this style?"

Remembering Xiaoyue's words, she winked at him and said slyly, "Don't you want to see what I look like when I'm jealous?"

Pei Jingyi's face showed a hint of interest, but he still stubbornly insisted, "...That's all an act, I don't believe it."

Yan Yi said meaningfully, "Then please enjoy my acting skills, my husband."

...

At the same time, at the Xie residence.

Madam Ma had already arranged a date with Prince Gong to visit the Marquis's residence again, and she came to Xie Mingke's room in high spirits to bring her the new clothes she would wear the next day.

"Listen to me, if you dress up beautifully, we'll have more confidence when we go to the Pei family to propose marriage."

Xie Mingke's pretty face was as cold as frost. She grabbed a large pair of scissors from the sewing basket and ruthlessly shredded the brand-new dress to shreds.

"I won't go! I won't go! Third Aunt, if you keep forcing me to humiliate myself and make a fool of myself, I'll kill myself right here!"

As he spoke, he raised the scissors to his own throat, which frightened Madam Ma into screaming repeatedly. Several maids and servants rushed to his aid and managed to snatch the scissors away, barely managing to subdue Xie Mingke.

"...I'm going to be driven crazy by you sooner or later!"

Mrs. Ma repeatedly clutched her chest, her brows furrowed, filled with resentment.

If she had known earlier that Xiao Jiu was such a tough nut to crack, she would have preferred to find another obedient and well-behaved person from the clan to replace her...

Unfortunately, Xie Mingke has already entered the Marquis's residence, and it's too late to change people now.

"Keep a close eye on Miss Jiu. If anything happens to her, you'll all be in for a world of hurt."

Mrs. Ma gave him a stern warning and stormed off.

Forget it, it's better not to bring Xie Mingke tomorrow, so she won't cause trouble at the Marquis's residence again and make things difficult to handle.

The following morning, Prince Gong's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Marquis's residence.

Pei Xian came out to greet him, feigning surprise: "Why has Your Highness come so suddenly?"

Prince Gong cleared his throat and said with concern, "I have come here today, naturally for the sake of my poor sister's only child, my nephew Yunzhao's lifelong happiness."

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Author's note: [Sunglasses] More tonight~