Chapter 67 From this day forward, your life is mine
Su Xiaoyu was taken aback by the question and subconsciously began to answer according to the way of thinking in this era.
"This servant...this servant is just a maid. Protecting my mistress and risking my life for her is my duty. The Second Miss is of noble status and cannot be harmed. This servant's life is worthless."
"Who says it's worthless?"
Xiao Jingheng suddenly spoke, his voice deeper than before, yet carrying a seriousness that Su Xiaoyu had never seen before.
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Su Xiaoyu, speaking each word carefully.
"I saved your life, and from now on, it belongs to me."
"No one is allowed to belittle you without my permission, including yourself."
"Did you understand?"
It wasn't a tender confession, nor were it sweet words. Instead, it was a domineering declaration, carrying a heavier weight, that struck Su Xiaoyu's heart.
She was completely stunned. Her heart felt as if it had been clenched tightly by a large hand and then suddenly released, bringing a strange shiver.
My life... belongs to him?
What does the Crown Prince mean by this?
Su Xiaoyu dared not think too deeply about it; she only felt her face burning and her heart pounding so fast it was almost out of control.
For some reason, she remembered the kiss in the carriage a few days ago.
Could it be that the Crown Prince really has feelings for her...?
No, no, no!
wrong!
The prince should have liked Lin Wan'er, but in the end he would only be with Lin Wan'er.
How could he possibly have any ideas about a mere maid like her?
[Could it be that the young master is so grateful because I saved the second young lady that he's saying these comforting words? But his eyes are so serious, it doesn't look like he's just trying to comfort me at all...]
Looking at the ever-changing, self-doubting expression on her face, Xiao Jingheng felt a tightness in his chest.
That's it. At least, she didn't completely reject his announcement.
She has just woken up; it's not advisable to push her too hard.
Some seeds, once planted, will sprout in their own time.
"Get some rest and remember to take your medication on time."
Xiao Jingheng abandoned his usual aloofness, gave a word of advice, and turned to leave.
"Your Highness!" Su Xiaoyu suddenly remembered something important and called out to him.
"There is one more thing, please be sure to grant this servant's request."
Xiao Jingheng paused and turned to look at her.
Su Xiaoyu took a deep breath: "Please make sure that Second Miss stays away from that Shen Moyan. He is definitely not a good match for her. He has ulterior motives. Second Miss will suffer if she stays with him!"
After speaking, she looked at Xiao Jingheng nervously, waiting for his questioning.
However, Xiao Jingheng simply nodded, his expression remaining calm.
"Okay, I understand."
After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to leave.
Su Xiaoyu was stunned!
【knew? 】
[That's it? This reaction is too... too calm, isn't it?]
Could it be... that the young master already knew about the second young lady and Shen Moyan?
Why didn't he stop him? Or... did he have other plans?
Su Xiaoyu frowned, thinking for a long time, but still couldn't figure it out.
——
Meanwhile, at the Grand Tutor's residence.
With a "thud".
The wolf-hair brush in Lin Wan'er's hand snapped in two, and a fine landscape painting was ruined by a blot of ink.
She looked at the servant kneeling on the ground replying with a sinister gaze, her tone carrying the calm before a storm.
"Did you see clearly?"
The maid knelt on the ground, trembling, and replied, "...Yes, yes, this servant saw it with her own eyes. Prince Xiao wrapped that maid in a cloak and personally carried her down from the carriage into the Marquis's mansion. He looked very nervous. The servants in the mansion are all saying that Prince Xiao, in a fit of rage to save her, went so far as to wipe out the entire Black Wind Stronghold. Just this morning at the imperial court, even His Majesty praised Prince Xiao, saying that he had rid the people of a scourge and was rewarded."
"Get out!"
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Wan'er was already hoarse and exhausted, completely losing her usual serene and elegant demeanor.
The maidservant felt as if she had been granted a pardon and scrambled out of the room.
Qingdai stepped forward, waved away the surrounding servants, and carefully advised:
“Miss, there’s no need to be angry. She’s just a lowly servant. Even if Prince Xiao is temporarily infatuated with her, he’ll let it go once the novelty wears off. With her background, the Marquis of Yongning and his wife would never allow her to rise in rank. At best, she’ll only be a concubine, and she’ll never surpass you.”
Lin Wan'er's chest heaved, her eyes filled with malice. "What do you know! Xiao Jingheng... has he ever cared so much for any woman before? He actually risked his life to save her himself!"
The mere thought of that scene drove Lin Wan'er to the brink of madness with jealousy.
However, Qingdai's words did enlighten her.
If we're talking about who's in charge of the Marquis's household, besides the Marquis of Yongning, it's only his wife, Lady Liu.
Lady Liu valued rules and social standing, and placed the greatest importance on her son's future.
If she knew that the dignified heir of the Marquis of Yongning, her own son, was completely infatuated with a maid, she would definitely not sit idly by!
Thinking of this, a calculating glint flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes.
"Qingdai, go and inquire whether Lady Yongning is at the manor today?"
A short while later, Qingdai returned with the news and reported: "Miss, the Lady of the Marquis went to Fahua Temple outside the city to worship Buddha early the day before yesterday, saying that she wanted to pray for the Marquis of Yongning who is far away at the border."
Fahua Temple? For Buddhist worship?
Lin Wan'er's lips curled into a cold smile. Heaven was truly helping her!
"Get the car ready!"
Lin Wan'er stood up, quickly tidied her appearance and expression, and instantly regained her elegant, refined, gentle and noble demeanor.
“Go to Fahua Temple and say… I was frightened recently, and I am going today to fulfill my vow, praying for peace in my home and for my grandmother to recover soon!”
...
The following day, a storm swept through the imperial court.
An imperial censor belonging to the Third Prince's faction stood up to impeach Xiao Jingheng, saying that as an official of the court, he had, for his own personal gain, mobilized the troops of the capital region to attack Black Wind Village without the order of the Ministry of War. This was an act of usurpation and perversion of the law, showing no regard for the laws of the court.
It is also said that Black Wind Stronghold has been entrenched for many years, with complex terrain. Xiao Jingheng rashly sent troops out for a maid. If he falls into an ambush and suffers casualties, what crime should he be punished for? This is disregarding the lives of soldiers and acting recklessly.
This impeachment was sharp and incisive, directly escalating Xiao Jingheng's act of saving lives to the level of being unlawful, reckless, and immoral. In particular, it deliberately emphasized Su Xiaoyu as a maid and a beauty, going to great lengths to belittle her, attempting to incite the righteous officials and the emperor to feel disgusted by Xiao Jingheng's indulgence in women and his inability to distinguish between public and private matters.
On the dragon throne, the emperor's face was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
At this point, officials from the Crown Prince's faction immediately refuted the claim.
It is said that the Black Wind Stronghold was a scourge to the region, and it is the imperial court's duty to eliminate bandits. Xiao Jingheng's actions were to rid the people of a scourge. As for mobilizing troops, it was an expedient measure taken in an emergency. Successfully suppressing the bandits is the result.
Officials from both factions argued in the main hall, neither willing to give an inch.
The emperor, seated above, watched the dispute below. His gaze swept over Xiao Jingheng, who stood still, and then at the Third Prince, whose eyes were darting around and who was clearly pushing this matter forward. He already understood what was going on.
"Enough!"
The entire hall fell silent instantly.
The emperor looked at Xiao Jingheng: "Minister Xiao, what do you have to say?"
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