"What's wrong?" Zhang Yun looked up at him in confusion from his arms.
Qin Zheng tried to keep his voice calm: "A-Yun, why do you believe that I didn't kill Hong'er?"
Zhang Yun laughed, "Is that even a question? Hong'er saved your life before, and while it's wrong for her to falsely accuse you, she was coerced. You've already made it clear that you're cutting ties with her, so there's no need to go back on your word a few months later and want to kill her for revenge. Besides, even if you really wanted to kill her, you wouldn't be stupid enough to commit such a crime in her room when her parents were both there. And another thing..."
Zhang Yun looked up, her clear eyes meeting his: "Our relationship is so close, even if you wanted revenge, you wouldn't choose to kill someone on my birthday, right?"
Although I know the male lead will become a ruthless and cold-blooded villain who kills without hesitation, he hasn't turned evil yet, has he?
After spending so much time together, Zhang Yun felt that she still held a tiny bit of a place in Qin Zheng's heart.
Qin Zheng stared at the pretty face of the person in his arms, momentarily captivated.
He recalled how, when Hong'er had just died, the people around him insulted and beat him without asking any questions, just like every time before.
When he was young and naive, his family was accused of treason, and he was exiled to the border, where he nearly died on the way...
When they were abducted by the Hu people and enslaved, they were often subjected to verbal abuse and beatings without warning...
She was tortured and abused when she was picked up by human traffickers...
And when I first entered the Prince's mansion, I was wantonly bullied and abused for all sorts of trivial matters...
It seems that no matter what role he plays in an event, even if he is just an unrelated bystander, he is always held responsible.
After experiencing so many things, his heart began to grow numb, and he no longer had any expectations for this world.
This was the first time he had been trusted and favored without reservation.
It feels so good to be favored.
He was like a traveler walking alone in the extreme cold and darkness, when suddenly someone put a ball of fire in his arms, warming him from head to toe.
Suddenly, I felt a pang of grievance, like a child who had lost their parents finding a warm embrace for the first time.
He choked up and said, "Hong'er... she said before she died that she hated me, hated me for saving her. If I hadn't saved her, I would still be a stable boy, and she might have become the manager's wife, instead of being like this now, not only ruined in reputation, but also being used to frame her benefactor before she died."
“Ah Yun, I don’t understand. At that time, she was very unwilling. She was the one who called for my help. I just saved her. Was I really wrong?”
Zhang Yun hugged him tightly, "No, you did nothing wrong. Hong'er, Hong'er did nothing wrong either."
"When faced with problems, everyone makes their own choices, and different choices lead to different consequences."
"At first, Hong'er chose you over the man surnamed Ma. After you saved her, she chose you over protecting herself."
"People are selfish and self-interested. Her choice was not wrong. You kindly saved her, but she framed you and almost killed you. It was not wrong for you to cut ties with her afterwards."
"Now that she's been driven to a dead end and is coming after you, she's simply reaping the consequences of her own choices."
"Everyone in this world makes choices in order to live and live better, and that's not wrong. But the world is cruel, and there aren't many choices left for people like Hong'er."
"All our efforts now are for the future so that we can become people who change the world, not only to control our own destiny, but also to give countless people like Hong'er more choices when facing difficulties, so that they don't have to face death."
"Ah Zheng," Zhang Yun cupped his face and looked him in the eye, "would you like to become that kind of person?"
Qin Zheng could not describe the shock he felt at that moment.
Zhang Yun's words were truly eye-opening.
To become someone who changes the world, to take control of one's own destiny, and to create more choices for others...
The tiny, soft child in his arms actually possessed such a grand ideal!
Qin Zheng didn't notice at all that Zhang Yun only asked, "Are you willing to become that kind of person?" instead of "Are you willing to become that kind of person with me?"
“I do,” he said in a trembling voice.
"Then live well, enrich yourself, and strive to become stronger."
Then Zhang Yun gently patted his back to change the subject: "Alright, let's not talk about these ideals anymore, they're too far away. The most important thing right now is to focus on recovering from your injury. As long as you can win the match, I'll have a reason to explain things to Mother..."
"If you don't win, it's nothing. At worst, I'll pretend to be angry and send you to the estate first. My mother is very busy. If she can't see you, she won't remember to punish you."
Qin Zheng buried his head in his shoulder, smelling the unique, faint fragrance on his body, and listening to the boy's detailed words of advice. An uncontrollable sweetness spread from his heart to his whole body.
This sweetness was the finest nourishment, completely catalyzing the seed of desire buried deep in his heart, causing it to grow wildly like weeds.
Qin Zheng turned his head to meet his gaze, and said with focused tenderness, "Don't worry, A-Yun, I will definitely win."
His handsome face still bore bruises, but when he was serious, he possessed an extremely attractive charm, so good-looking that it was impossible to look away.
Zhang Yun felt her heart racing uncontrollably.
To avoid getting too involved, he quickly pushed him away, looked away, and said, "Yes! I believe you!"
Then, Zhang Yun pretended to turn around and took out a bunch of bottles and jars of healing medicine from the cabinet, put them into a box, and handed it to him.
"These are all top-quality healing medicines. Take them and use them to heal your wounds. Don't worry about the cost. Ask me for more when you're done."
A faint trace of regret lingered in Qin Zheng's eyes as he absentmindedly reached out and took the medicine box, giving him a smile.
"Ah Yun, thank you."
Thank you for coming into my life and illuminating my world.
Zhang Yun felt a flutter in her heart when she saw his smile.
Is it just my imagination?
Why does he feel that Qin Zheng is a bit flirtatious today?
After Qin Zheng left, Zhang Yun sat on the soft couch in the room, lost in thought.
Although he had taken it upon himself to leave Qin Zheng in the Prince's mansion, the protagonist's accidental nature still existed, and the days ahead probably wouldn't be so peaceful.
Moreover, Qin Zheng has been learning martial arts from his third sister for so long, but no sparks of love have been ignited. Instead, this incident has attracted a lot of jealousy and malice from neutral NPCs.
He had only encountered Qin Zheng being cornered in the Prince's mansion and threatened with harsh words more than twice, and there were countless other times if he hadn't encountered such incidents.
As a result, Zhang Yun has been having Qin Zheng follow him everywhere lately, and he doesn't dare let him out of his sight at all.
We have to put the matchmaking on hold for now; the most important thing right now is to let Qin Zheng develop his strength discreetly.
Soon, the day agreed upon with Zhang Qi arrived, and the two sides set up their forces in the western suburbs of Xuantong City.
There were also some onlookers, princes and nobles who came to witness the spectacle, making it a lively gathering of about a hundred people.
"Zhang Yun! Don't try to renege on your debt if you lose!" Zhang Qi said arrogantly.
"Heh, I advise you to ride the jade lion a few more times while you still can, because it will be mine soon!" Zhang Yun sneered.
Zhang Qi snorted and said, "Let's see how long you can be so smug," before ordering his men to be summoned.
The subordinate Zhang Qi sent to the competition turned out to be a non-Han Chinese!
The Hu people were naturally skilled at riding and archery, and were also irritable and difficult to tame.
It must have taken Zhang Qi a great deal of effort to find Hu people to serve as slaves.
Seeing that Qin Zheng, whom Zhang Yun had sent out, was only a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy.
Zhang Qi suddenly burst into laughter, "Hey cousin, you didn't just send this kid to compete against my Ali, did you? If you want to give me a Red Star Erke, just give it to me directly. Why waste everyone's time?"
Zhang Yun glanced at him and said, "Just say what you're saying, don't pluck the mane of my jade lion."
Zhang Qi: "You!"
"Everyone's here, let's get started. Let's finish early to save everyone's time," Zhang Yun instructed the person giving the order, not waiting for him to say anything more.
The person in charge of giving the order glanced at Zhang Qi, and seeing that he nodded in agreement, he raised the signal flag and shouted, "Begin!"
At a command, both horses charged forward simultaneously.
Qin Zheng lost the first match.
This result naturally drew ridicule and sarcasm from those around him.
Zhang Qi was so proud that his nose almost pointed to the sky.
Someone set up betting odds on the spot, betting on the outcome of the next two rounds.
Zhang Yun remained completely calm and instructed Zhao Xu to bet all the money he and Zhao Xu had on Qin Zheng that he would win both rounds.
The trope of first showing weakness and then slapping someone in the face is practically the perfect template for a protagonist trying to be cool, isn't it?
During the halftime break, Zhang Yun rode over and stood beside Qin Zheng, leaning close to his ear to whisper encouragement: "Zheng, relax, I believe in you."
Qin Zheng looked down at the little head that was almost touching him so that she could whisper to him, and his heart softened.
He lowered his body slightly, brought his lips close to his ear, and whispered, "A-Yun, watch me win him for you."
The man's voice was deep and alluring, accompanied by warm breath that entered the sensitive ear, making one's heart itch.
Zhang Yun blushed instantly.
By the time he came to his senses, Qin Zheng had already spurred his horse onto the designated track.
The next two matches, though slightly dramatic and thrilling, had predictable results.
Really? Really?
Surely no one really thinks they can outdo the main character in a public display of superiority?
Qin Zheng, dressed in a black riding outfit, dismounted with a graceful movement.
He took the silver whip, which represented the ownership of the jade lion, from the referee, walked up to Zhang Yun, knelt on one knee, and handed the whip to him.
Qin Zheng raised his head, his gaze fixed on his one and only master in this life, and his thin lips slightly turned up: "I have not failed you."
With that posture and that tone, anyone who didn't know better would think he was proposing to the woman he loved!
Zhang Yun is a total sucker for good looks, and being looked up at like that by him made her feel like her heart was about to jump out of her mouth.
Good heavens, Qin Zheng has been incredibly shrewd lately!
Suppressing his excitement, Zhang Yun calmly took the silver whip from Qin Zheng, helped him up, and smiled brightly.
"I knew you could do it!"
Then, Zhang Yun looked at Zhang Qi, whose face was ashen, raised his chin defiantly, and deliberately provoked him, saying, "Brother Qi, I'm going to try out my new jade lion. Do you want to come with me?"
Actually, he didn't want to be so childish, but he couldn't help it; his public image wouldn't allow it.
Zhang Qi's anger level visibly soared, but unfortunately, he lost the game and had no way to retaliate.
He could only snort angrily, kick the Hu slave kneeling at his feet begging for mercy away, and left the arena with a livid face.
Zhang Yun laughed heartily, rode the jade lion around the city for a long time to show off, and then returned to the palace.
Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, Zhang Yun immediately went to the Princess to report the good news and took the opportunity to recount the events that had transpired between Qin Zheng and Hong'er.
He didn't defend Qin Zheng, but deliberately said, "I thought this Hong'er was a good person. After asking around, I found out she was such an ungrateful wretch. If A-Zheng had told me earlier, I would have ordered her to be killed long ago without him having to do it."
The princess is not a fool; she is the virtuous wife of the Northwest King.
In recent years, the imperial court has been unable to pay the military, so she has focused her energy on managing the family business and raising funds for the Northwest King's military expenses, thus neglecting the management of the household affairs.
Over time, decaying insects will naturally breed.
On the surface, Zhang Yunming spoke as if reciting a script, telling the convoluted story of how Qin Zheng saved Hong'er, how he had no way to seek help and went to court, only to be bitten back by Hong'er.
The princess, however, uncovered a scheme involving the stable manager and the head steward of the mansion, who, using the prestige of the royal residence, had the local prefect help them distort the truth and disregard human life.
The princess did not lash out in front of her son; instead, she summoned Qin Zheng.
Seeing that Qin Zheng was handsome, knew proper etiquette, and knew when to advance and retreat, and knowing that he had been wronged in the previous matter, he offered a few words of encouragement.
He told him to serve Zhang Yun well, and that the Prince's Mansion would certainly not mistreat him.
After Qin Zheng thanked her and left, Zhang Yun grabbed her arm and shook it, asking, "Mother, can we forgive his previous mistakes?"
After hearing Zhang Yun's explanation, the princess's impression of Qin Zheng had changed.
Seeing that his beloved son genuinely liked this servant, he simply granted his wish and spared Qin Zheng from punishment.
After Zhang Yun left happily, the princess's face immediately darkened.
"The Prince has been stationed at the border for many years. Do the people in this manor think I'm dead? Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! I want to see how many parasites have been sucking the Prince's blood all these years!"
A purge quietly unfolded among the servants of the Prince's mansion, with half of the stewards being replaced.
Manager Zhang's faction suffered a great misfortune, and the truth about Hong'er's deliberate suicide to frame Qin Zheng was also revealed.
During this investigation, the princess also learned that Qin Zheng was the loyal follower who protected Zhang Yun when he got lost last time.
A wave of rewards fell directly on Qin Zheng, which greatly enhanced his status in the Prince's Mansion.
Everything went pretty much as Zhang Yun had predicted.
The only unexpected thing was that Yu Tao, his head maid who had always served him closely, and several other maids who had always been flirting with him, had done something wrong and angered the princess. They were assigned to be servants on an estate outside the palace and were all sent away.
These maids had a close relationship with the original AI and were quite cunning, always trying to seduce him, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Zhang Yun had previously used the excuse of needing to study hard to temporarily fool these people and keep them away from him, but it was ultimately just a delaying tactic.
Now that he's sent them all away at once, it's actually made him feel much more relaxed.
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