Chapter 31: Angry She was angry that she was powerless
Princess Roujia's Mansion, Night.
In the bedroom, smoke rose from the incense burner. The maids were preparing hot water for bathing in the side room, and Ji Xun also returned to the east wing.
Yun Xi changed into clean clothes and sat at the table, listening to the Jinyiwei report on what they had learned today.
Today, not only she and Ji Xun were attending the flower viewing banquet, but also the Jinyiwei she had sent to eavesdrop. Although it was against the rules to bring Jinyiwei into someone else's residence without permission, thankfully, thanks to her father's influence, the Xie family didn't specifically investigate.
After all, it was common for the emperor to bring a few more guards with him when he left the palace. The Xie family had no right to ask about it and was too lazy to interfere.
According to the Imperial Guards, the most suspicious of the guests at the Xie Mansion today were from the Shangshu Mansion. The Shangshu Mansion had sent their legitimate son, Zheng Si, to the banquet, and this Zheng Si was one of the men at the Imperial Academy who had been trying desperately to get close to her.
As soon as this person entered Xie's house, he deliberately looked for her and asked her sisters about her replacement of guards.
Yun Xi never announced the assassination attempt last time, but he somehow got the news of Ji Xun's injury and told Xie Yange the news, so Xie Yange took advantage of her absence to cause trouble for Ji Xun.
Unfortunately, even though Ji Xun was injured, he still easily crushed him. Shortly after Yun Xi returned, she heard about the incident where the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion broke her leg while picking flowers. Xie Yange probably felt too embarrassed to tell anyone about it, so he just made up an excuse.
Although Yun Xi was unaware of the affairs of the imperial court, she was aware of some of the stakes involved. Minister Zheng was a distant relative of the Empress's mother, and the Empress's sister was married to Yun Li, the Prince of Nanzhao, her uncle, whom she had never met.
"System, check the information of my uncle, the King of Nanzhao."
[System: Okay host, I'm looking for relevant plots for you...]
Yun Xi vaguely remembered that this person was written about in the original book, but she didn't remember it clearly.
After Yun Li's failed attempt to seize power, he was granted a fiefdom by the Wei Emperor and became a free prince. The Nanzhao fiefdom was remote and desolate, and Yun Li spent many years in that desolate place before finally returning to Chang'an.
Looking at the frail and weak eldest daughter of the Wei Emperor before him, Yun Li's heart throbbed. He had never known when his brother's daughter had grown into such a charming beauty. His sharp eyes rested on Yun Xi, and his large hands grasped hers...
Yun Xi: “Stop, stop, stop!”
"Why is this the plot again?" Yun Xi was speechless. "Are there no male characters in this story who have nothing to do with me?"
[System: Host, what do you think?]
Yun Xi: “…”
She shouldn't have asked.
Although the plot was somewhat unbearable, Yun Xi still managed to extract some information from it. If she guessed correctly, this person must have a great grudge against her father.
If the assassins were targeting her, it would be understandable. But if they were targeting Ji Xun, could it be that her uncle had also had a conflict with him?
Nanzhao... She didn't know yet whether Ji Xun was from Nanzhao.
Apart from his name and the origin of the scars on his body, she knew nothing about Ji Xun's past.
Yun Xi suddenly realized that she seemed to know too little about him. He didn't remember the past, but he should have some impression of why he was being hunted, right?
In fact, she also wanted to know more about Ji Xun. For some reason, she cared a lot about his past.
It wasn't dislike or fear, it was just pure curiosity. For some strange reason, she wanted to know about him.
Just go and ask him.
Yun Xi made a decision and called him over to guard behind the screen while she took a bath that night.
The room was filled with white mist as the steam from the bath lingered.
Ji Xun came from the east wing, having already cleaned himself up. He had taken off his embroidered attire, wearing only a simple black robe. His expression was calm, and his soft, smooth black hair flowed down his back, weakening his original aloofness and adding a touch of nobility.
In fact, he didn't want to guard Yun Xi's bath any longer: "Your Highness, I will just stand outside the door."
Yun Xi: "No, come in."
Otherwise she would feel insecure.
"Otherwise I'll deduct your salary."
Ji Xun frowned, but finally compromised and walked silently behind the screen. He held the scimitar and turned his back to the screen, not making the same mistake as before.
Seeing that he was obedient, Yun Xi thought that these words still had weight. Although she was reluctant to withhold his benefits, it was not bad to use them to threaten him occasionally.
He took off his clothes and got into the water.
"It's so warm."
Yun Xi felt much more relaxed all over her body. She couldn't help but close her eyes and lean back in the bathtub.
There was a soft sound of water in the room and a whistling sound of wind outside the window, blowing the bead curtains and making a jingling sound that fell into Ji Xun's ears. He stared at the vase on the table with an expressionless face.
Even though she was soaked all over, Yun Xi still brought back the peach blossom. The broken branch looked out of place in the expensive porcelain vase.
Strange flowers of unusual seasons usually do not bloom for long and will wither in less than two or three days, but the red flame flower from last time was still well preserved.
One is bright red, the other is pink, and both look like her.
"Ji Xun, I think I have found some clues about the assassin's incident last time." Yun Xi took the initiative to bring it up while lying beside the bathtub.
Hearing this, Ji Xun's back stiffened, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He clenched the hilt of his knife and said in a cold tone, "Your Highness, why do you want to interfere in my private affairs?"
Yun Xi was frightened by his tone and was stunned: "..."
His words had always been cold, but never with such strong emotion. It was as if he was questioning and accusing her.
She could feel that he was angry.
Why?
He hadn't reacted like this before, and he never stopped her from investigating.
"We agreed that I would protect you." Yun Xi said, "Of course I have to intervene in this matter, because you..."
Before she could finish her words, Ji Xun interrupted her. He said in a cold tone, "Your Highness, what kind of close relationship do you and I have? I can stay in the princess's mansion today and go somewhere else tomorrow. Everyone has their own path to walk. Even though you are a princess, you have no right to interfere in other people's private affairs."
From the very beginning, Yun Xi did not lock him up as a slave. Instead, she returned the indenture to him, so he was indeed free.
"I……"
He spoke again, his words sharp and blunt: "With your Highness's wisdom, it is best for you to live your life well first."
"You think I'm stupid too?"
He was so serious that Yun Xi felt uncomfortable. She never took it to heart when others mocked her for being stupid, but when these words came out of Ji Xun's mouth, she felt upset.
Ji Xun did not answer her. His tone returned to calmness as he said calmly, "Your Highness, please take a bath quickly. The water is getting cold."
Yun Xi lowered her head. She had wanted to ask him something, but now she lost the desire to ask. She was silent for a while.
"Do you want to follow a smart master?"
For example, someone like Duan Song.
He had met many dignitaries these days and was no longer as ignorant of the world as before. His nature was inclined to pursue fame and fortune, and with his vision, he naturally wanted to climb higher.
Ji Xun was no ordinary person. He was able to fight his way out from slavery and was granted titles and noble rank along the way. His talent and intelligence were evident.
Birds of a feather flock together. Ambitious people will naturally want to follow a smart master.
Yun Xi could understand Ji Xun's thoughts, but she didn't expect that this day would come so soon.
She said nothing, put on her clothes quickly after taking a bath, and got into bed.
Ji Xun, who was standing behind the screen, heard her movements and reminded her, "Your Highness, your hair hasn't dried yet."
“…”
"You'll catch a cold at night."
“…”
"Angry?"
“…”
After he finished speaking, the room fell into silence.
Ji Xun's eyelids twitched, and after a long silence, he compromised and sighed, "I shouldn't have spoken so hastily and made such a rash comment on Your Highness."
He took a step forward and turned to look in the direction of Yun Xi. She was curled up on the couch, her whole body hidden in the quilt, only her black head was exposed, her back facing him.
Ji Xun walked over, picked up her wet hair, and clumsily tried to soften his voice, but he was born with a harsh voice and rarely bowed his head to others. No matter how softly he spoke, he always seemed a little cold.
"What I mean is that Your Highness should just enjoy a peaceful life and avoid the dirty things outside."
After a while, Yun Xi rolled over, her wet hair slipping through his fingers. Her freshly washed fair face turned around, and her round, almond-shaped eyes looked up at him: "I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself."
"If I had more intelligence and talent, I could keep you. Unfortunately, I don't." She said with regret, "Ji Xun, if one day you want to leave, just go. I won't force you to stay."
Ji Xun had helped her a lot, and she hoped that he would take a better path in the future. After all, the person she snatched away did not belong to her, so she had to let go when it was time to do so, lest the ending become too awkward.
"...Your Highness wishes me to leave?"
"How could I bear to kick you out?" Yun Xi said, "I just think you're right. You can't stay in the Princess's Mansion forever. There are many opportunities waiting for you outside."
Ji Xun pursed his lips, not knowing what to say. He really couldn't stay in the princess's mansion for long, because his enemies would soon come knocking on his door, and he didn't want to bring disaster upon Yun Xi.
But before that, he didn't want to leave the princess's mansion for the time being because she still needed him.
"Being able to enter the princess's residence is the best opportunity for me."
Yun Xi sat up from the bed: "Why do I feel like you've become more slick?"
Ji Xun remained calm: "Really?"
"Yes." Yun Xi said seriously, "Have you...recovered your memory?"
"No. I just dreamt about things from the past lately." Ji Xun said calmly, "Your Highness always complained about my harsh words before, and I'm trying to correct that."
Yun Xi thought thoughtfully: "You really took it to heart? Actually, I think you were cuter before."
cute.
His eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he remained silent for a moment.
No one had ever used this word on him, and no one had ever dared to.
"So, Your Highness likes the previous minister more?" Ji Xun said softly.
A fool who has no manners and no common sense makes Yun Xi think he is "cute"?
"Aren't both of you you? There's actually no difference." Yun Xi said, "Get out of the way. I need to get up and dry my hair."
However, Ji Xun just stood there, not moving for a long time.
“There is a difference.”
"In your Highness's eyes, what was so good about my former subject?"
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