Xie Lingqin gave a slight bow, her expression gentle. "Since Your Highness cares so much about my sister, please catch the person who injured her face and ruined her reputation as soon as possible and avenge her."
"What do you mean by ruining her reputation? Miss, please watch your words." As soon as Xie Lingqin finished speaking, her second aunt immediately stopped her.
Xie Lingqin seemed oblivious, her eyebrows twitching with a mixture of confusion and innocence, "But what about the rumors outside..."
“Those rumors are all unbelievable, Lingqin, don’t take them to heart.” General Xie said, and Xie Lingqin immediately nodded and fell silent, then took her leave.
However, when he turned his head, he met Xie Lingyu's gaze and revealed a hint of something deeper.
Xie Lingyu's body trembled.
She knew Xie Lingqin wasn't doing this out of kindness; she must have done it on purpose.
She deliberately brought up things she had been desperately trying to forget.
Yes, she must find the person who ruined her face and touched it, and make them wish they were dead.
A ruthless glint flashed in Xie Lingyu's eyes, but she quickly realized what kind of occasion she was in. When she looked at the Prince Xian again, she regained her dignified and elegant appearance, which was heartbreaking to see.
“The young lady caught a cold earlier, and I might be partly responsible for it. I’ll go and see her off,” the wise prince suddenly said gently.
General Xie was clearly surprised by how well the Prince Xian handled things this time, and he was satisfied. In the past few days, he also felt that he had let his daughter down, so he bowed slightly and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled the Prince Xian."
"General Xie, you are too kind. Lingyu and I are of one mind, and I do not want the two sisters to have any rift because of me."
After speaking, the wise king strode out.
Meanwhile, Xie Danling, who hadn't uttered a word from the beginning of the meal to the end, was somewhat displeased and muttered under her breath, "She just caught a cold, and she's already better, yet we still have to make the Prince of Xian go see her."
"Danling, you can't talk like that. She's your sister too," Xie Lingyu quickly advised.
Her soft, gentle voice was as melodious as a nightingale singing in a valley.
Xie Pinling was immediately pleased by Xie Lingyu's look and said, "You're so generous, Second Sister."
“Lingyu is sensible, but you…” General Xie looked helplessly at Xie Danling, “I heard from the academy’s teachers that you haven’t been paying much attention to your studies lately.”
"Father, don't worry, I know." Xie Pinling seemed a little impatient.
General Xie frowned upon seeing this, "Danling, you are the eldest son of my General's Mansion, and in the future, the General's Mansion will need you to take charge..."
"Alright, General, the young master knows perfectly well, so please don't say anything more about him." The second concubine also hurriedly tried to smooth things over, seemingly helping Xie Danling in every way, but in reality, she had her own plans.
If Xie Danling becomes truly clever and capable, what if she later loses interest in her? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble? It's better for her to remain as she is now, mediocre and unambitious.
"You only know how to favor him." General Xie seemed somewhat angry.
The second concubine immediately felt aggrieved. "Although the young master is not my biological son, I have watched over him since he was a child. I have taken good care of him and only wanted what was best for him. How can it be considered favoritism..."
Looking at the pitiful appearance of the second concubine, and thinking about how she had indeed neglected her these past few days, she realized that as a servant, she was responsible for managing the household affairs and it was inevitable that she would make mistakes.
Lingyu must have injured her face that day to be so out of control.
Thinking this through, General Xie's tone softened somewhat. "Alright, I didn't say anything to you." General Xie sighed again, looking at Xie Danling. "If you understand, then go back to the academy." With that, he turned and left.
Xie Danling sat for a while, then talked with his second aunt Xie Lingyu for a bit before leaving the table.
For a moment, only Xie Lingyu and the second concubine remained in the front hall.
"Mother, Xie Lingqin is acting strangely," Xie Lingyu whispered.
Second Aunt nodded, a hint of coldness in her eyes. "He is indeed quite different from before. Although he hasn't said much, his demeanor is more confident than ever before."
"Then tell me, Prince Xian will escort her..." Xie Lingyu suddenly became a little worried.
"Do you think the Prince Xian would be interested in her, who is so sickly?" The second concubine patted Xie Lingyu's shoulder without any concern. "Don't worry, looking at the entire capital of Beirong, if it's for the sake of his future, he wouldn't want to marry Xie Lingqin."
Xie Lingyu's eyes widened in surprise, then she understood. "I understand, daughter."
...
The moonlight is cool and clear, and a subtle fragrance lingers on my sleeves.
The wise prince walked beside Xie Lingqin, exuding the air of a refined gentleman, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a graceful figure.
No wonder he could capture the hearts of young girls in the capital at first glance.
Fortunately, the original owner didn't have much affection for this wise king, and didn't fall head over heels for him or become heartbroken.
The day the engagement was called off, I was only extremely surprised and embarrassed.
"Lingqin, after you slept for two days that day, was there anything unusual?" Yuwen Xian finally asked the question that had been on his mind.
She needed to determine whether the woman was faking it or genuinely knew nothing.
Xie Lingqin had anticipated the Prince's question and was prepared, but the way he addressed her so intimately...
Xie Lingqin then pretended to be shocked and puzzled. "Your Highness, to tell you the truth, when I woke up that day, I found myself injured and locked in a dark room. But when I woke up again, I was in my own room. I was afraid of causing trouble, so I kept it a secret and didn't even dare to tell my father."
Yuwen Xian looked at Xie Lingqin, raising an eyebrow in obvious surprise. He seemed not to have expected Xie Lingqin to tell him the truth. Moreover, Xie Lingqin's fingers were clenched together in nervousness, which did not indicate that she was lying.
So, who was it that injured Xie Lingqin's face and seriously injured him that day?
He was seriously injured by that palm strike.
"Then let's not mention this matter again," Yuwen Xian said gently after a short while.
Of course, there's no need to mention it, because I've already kept that pain and hatred in my heart.
"Actually, Your Highness doesn't need to see me off. I know you like my sister. Don't worry, Your Highness, I won't say anything out of line," Xie Lingqin said, looking at Qingfeng Pavilion, which was not far away.
His tone carried a subtle hint of apprehension.
The wise prince looked at Xie Lingqin's pale face, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes, and then stopped. "Then I will escort you here."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xie Lingqin curtsied before turning and walking away.
She had just taken a step when she felt something strange under her feet. She instinctively wanted to dodge, but when she thought of the wise prince behind her, Xie Lingqin's eyes narrowed. She could only follow the strange object, cry out in surprise, and fall forward.
However, instead of falling to the ground, she was caught by a pair of strong arms.
It is Yuwen Xian.
This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!
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