Chapter 174
As Yingning closed the door to the side courtyard, she ran into Bai Chuning.
"Royal sister," Bai Chuning called softly.
As expected of Wuwei, after just a few doses of medicine, Bai Chuning was no longer as sickly as before.
"Ah Chu, how are you feeling?"
"Master Wuwei's prescription is very effective." Bai Chuning moved closer to Yingning and whispered a few words to her.
"At first I thought he was a fraud."
Wuwei's performance at the time was indeed not very convincing.
Moreover, once Wuwei arrived at the mansion, he ate and drank without restraint all day long. Bai Chuning even caught him drinking alone under the moon once.
Although Bai Chuning was still somewhat wary of Wuwei, he didn't speak again since his elder sister trusted him.
"By the way, Your Majesty, what about the Western Regions..."
"It seems like another letter has arrived."
Upon hearing Bai Chuning's words, Ying Ning immediately understood.
It's likely that the message from the Emperor of the Min Dynasty a while ago reached Bai Lirong's hands, which prompted him to send another letter in a hurry.
"It's alright, I'll go take a look."
Along the way, Bai Chuning mentioned in a low voice that there had been several patrols on the streets today. Rumor had it that the Fourth Prince had gone missing, and His Majesty had fallen seriously ill from worrying about Yan Qizhen's disappearance.
At this time, the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince were in charge of the court.
Bai Chuning did not ask Yingning whether anyone lived in the secluded courtyard.
Or perhaps, is that person the missing Yan Qizhen?
If his elder sister didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't ask.
*
When Yingning returned to the inner chamber, she indeed saw a familiar envelope with the elegant and refined characters on it: "To the Imperial Elder Sister."
She opened the letter.
"Sister A-Ning, why are you still unwilling to reply to A-Rong's letter?"
"It's been over a year since I last saw my elder sister. Is she doing well in the Min Dynasty?"
...
"Recently, I received a message from the Min Dynasty regarding the marriage alliance between my elder sister and Yan Qizhen. After much thought, I decided to send a letter to my elder sister as well."
"Who is Yan Qizhen?"
"How can you be compared to my elder sister?"
"I have already replied to the letter, refusing on behalf of my elder sister. I hope my elder sister won't hold a grudge against A-Rong."
...
"If Your Majesty has had enough fun in the Min Dynasty, then return to the Western Regions."
"The Western Regions are your home, and A Rong is here with you."
"My conditions have never changed."
*
Yingning glanced at the letter casually, then lightly folded it with her delicate hand, as if she intended to burn it to ashes over a candle flame.
"Regent, do you really intend to stay in the women's quarters like this?" She raised her phoenix eyes and saw the dark figure standing in the hall.
"There is no one in the courtyard."
"I didn't say a word while you were reading the letter," Yan Chaoji said as he walked over.
Eagle Eyes glanced at the letter and asked, "This paper is the rare Snow Cicada Paper, which I've heard is a favorite of the Emperor of the Western Regions."
He paused, then asked, "Bai Lirong's letter?"
"Regent, you're meddling a bit too much." Interrupted by him, Yingning didn't intend to burn the letter again, but instead casually placed it on the candlestick.
Although Yan Chaoji was somewhat curious, he did not press the matter, but instead brought up another matter:
"In recent days, there has been turmoil in the court."
"The Fourth Prince's whereabouts are unknown. Unless it's urgent, you should not go out." His deep voice carried an undeniable composure.
"What happened?" Yingning pretended not to know.
Yan Chaoji paused for a moment: "Yan Qizhen has disappeared."
"Missing?"
Yan Chaoji nodded slightly, a hint of worry appearing in his usually cold and stern eyes.
Although Yan Qizhen was not informed of his alleged usurpation and unforgivable crime at this time, Yan Chaoji keenly sensed the turmoil in the court.
His usually extremely greedy and vengeful elder brother surprisingly did not issue the execution order this time.
Could it be that Yan Qizhen did something to him?
Thinking of this, Yan Chaoji reminded the girl beside him once again: "The court is not stable recently, and Bai Chuning's health is not yet fully recovered."
"You should stay home as much as possible. If you need anything, have the servants take care of it."
Yan Chaoji did not say that he was worried that his elder brother would take his anger out on her because of Yan Qizhen's matter.
In the state government where people from the Western Regions lived, she was surrounded by trusted people from the Western Regions, which reduced the danger she faced.
Outside the mansion, Yan Chaoji had also planted many spies to constantly observe any suspicious people from the palace arriving.
The emperor was naturally suspicious, and at this moment he couldn't even think about the marriage alliance between Yan Qizhen and her.
If Yan Qizhen cannot be found for a long time, it will be difficult to avoid inspecting the Western Regions Prefecture.
"Zhao Ning, have you seen Yan Qizhen these days?"
"The Fourth Prince?"
“I haven’t seen it before,” Yingning replied softly, looking into his eyes.
*
In the dead of night, the door to the secluded courtyard was gently pushed open.
The courtyard, overgrown with weeds and withered trees, seemed even more desolate at this moment, as if no one had stepped into it for a long time.
Yingning pushed open the dilapidated door and stepped inside under the moonlight, but she had only taken a few steps.
Then I heard the male's panting.
In the darkness...
A pale hand emerged from the darkness, and the scent of pirimica flowers emanating from him filled the entire room.
The flower of lust bloomed, and its strange, fishy smell nearly drove him to his death.
His whole body yearned for her touch.
Just touch a little...
More...
He gently put his arm around her shoulder, his voice filled with passionate desire:
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