The closer the carriage got to the mansion, the more unusual Xiao Xi felt.
"There's someone following us," Zheng Yong suddenly warned.
Xiao Xi kept a cold face, the carriage moved at a leisurely pace, his gaze secretly sweeping over the surroundings, his lips slightly moving, and his soft voice drifting into the carriage.
"There are many more eyes on the street."
"Ignore him, just keep going." Nan Yi said calmly. This place is close to the prince's residence. If they openly make a move here, they will be surrounded by guards in no time. The man in black is not that stupid.
Nan Yi wasn't afraid, but Xiao Xi wasn't as calm as her. It concerned Nan Yi's safety, and she was, after all, a prince's concubine.
There are too many hidden dangers along the way. If something happens to Nan Yi, how will Xiao Xi ever be able to survive in the capital again?
"I have a suggestion?" Xiao Xi said cautiously.
"explain."
Xiao Xi pulled on the reins, glancing at a tea stall nearby, and whispered, "Let's take a stroll around the Fourth Master's residence first, and investigate while we're at it. Don't go back to the residence yet. Then I'll find a way to inform the Fourth Master. Didn't you say that a large number of men in black were trying to assassinate you? Perfect. Let them think you haven't returned to the residence and are still out there. Let them search for you. We'll also have a chance to find out who wants to kill you."
"How come I didn't think of this? You're always so clever. I'll listen to you. We can't go back to the manor. The best course of action now is to go to Ninth Master's manor and ask for his help. Let Ninth Master handle it properly and legitimately."
Her friendship with Ah Tang was only conducted in private. However, she had recently saved Ah Tang and Eighth Master, and if she went to them for help, no one would say anything.
Zheng Yong had no objection to Nan Yi's decision. Xiao Xi knew about the relationship between Nan Yi and the Ninth Prince, but she remained silent, which was considered tacit agreement.
As the carriage passed in front of the Fourth Prince's mansion, Nan Yi lifted a corner of the curtain. There was nothing unusual in front of the mansion gate, but as they passed through the side gate, the figures of a mother and daughter came into view.
They looked somewhat familiar, but I couldn't quite place them. They were carrying a small package and talking to the manager at the side gate. The manager was very polite to them.
Nan Yi clutched his chest, feeling a strange, inexplicable pang of sadness rising within him, making him feel rather uncomfortable.
Did she know them? Or rather, did the original owner of this body know them?
Once the carriage had gone far away, the steward at the side gate invited them into the mansion, and she inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.
The subtle changes in her expression did not escape Zheng Yong's notice, who was sitting opposite her. "You know them?"
Nan Yi was also completely confused. "I don't know, he looks kind of familiar."
She didn't take it to heart. It wasn't until she arrived at the Ninth Prince's residence that she learned Xiao Xi was a frequent visitor and a friend of the concubine. The steward of the residence greeted her very politely, but…
The steward tried his best not to show any disgust. He looked at the two beggars behind Xiao Xi and his lips twitched slightly. He thought to himself, "This Lord Xiao is really too inconsiderate. Bringing two beggars into the prince's residence is fine for him, but if he frightens the noble ladies in the residence, he'll be in big trouble."
"They, they...hehe." The steward stopped Nan Yi and Zheng Yong behind Xiao Xi, and smiled apologetically at Xiao Xi, "Lord Xiao, the wives are all in the manor."
Xiao Xi smiled, indicating that he understood his concerns, and explained, "They are Ninth Master's guests. I specially sent them over. We need to keep our trip a secret, so we took precautions to avoid being discovered. Please trouble the steward to take us to see Ninth Master."
Upon hearing this, the steward dared not stop him any longer. Since it was a matter to be kept secret, he took a secluded path through the mansion and escorted Xiao Xi and the other two to a small courtyard to wait.
The Ninth Prince was having a meal with his primary wife when he heard that Xiao Xi was looking for her. He was a little puzzled, as he had no connection with Xiao Xi. Their acquaintance was due to Nan Yi, while Xiao Xi and Wan Qing had a good relationship.
He wiped his mouth and put down the handkerchief. "Did Xiao Xi mention anything else?"
Steward: "Reporting to Your Excellency, no, Lord Xiao brought two beggars, saying they have something very important to discuss with you."
Xiao Xi wouldn't make baseless accusations.
"Madam, have someone send some warm clothes and food to Qingtian Courtyard. The master has business to attend to tonight and will be resting in his study," said the Ninth Prince.
Lady Dong'e smiled, her watery eyes shining, and rose to straighten the slightly wrinkled cuffs of the Ninth Prince's sleeves. "I will make the arrangements. You may go ahead and attend to your business. Lord Xiao is still waiting for you."
The Ninth Prince patted her hand, "I'm entrusting it to you, I can rest assured."
After taking the hat from the steward, the Ninth Prince headed towards the Sunny Courtyard.
Standing in the courtyard, the Ninth Prince's face was ashen. Why hadn't the head steward told him that it would be Nan Yi who came?
This woman, she, she… Ninth Prince pointed at Nan Yi, his face ashen. Could she have dressed any more shabbily?
It's absolutely an eyesore.
It's filthy and disgusting, could it be any more gruesome?
The Ninth Prince pressed his throbbing temple hard, pulled Nan Yi into the house, and Zheng Yong immediately wanted to follow, but Xiao Xi stopped him, "Don't worry, they are very good friends."
“But they…” Zheng Yong was initially puzzled, but then he thought that Nan Yi still became his friend.
He is narrow-minded.
Inside the room, the Ninth Prince was rubbing her messy hair, clearly annoyed that she didn't take care of herself.
"Do you even know that you are a prince's wife? You are a woman, and you've made yourself into this mess. No one else but you would do that."
"Do you think I wanted this? I was forced into a corner, I had no other choice but to ask you for help. Besides, isn't it all your fault?" Nan Yi took off her tattered cotton robe. She herself was disgusted with it, but compared to her life, pretending to be a beggar was nothing.
The Ninth Prince wrinkled his nose and took a few steps back. "Why are you blaming me? I didn't do anything to you."
Nan Yi didn't actually turn herself into a beggar; she just changed into a tattered cotton coat, her hair was disheveled, and her face was smeared with ash. She was wearing clean clothes underneath.
"I'll explain in a bit. Is there anything to eat? Hurry up and get me some food. I haven't tasted salt for almost half a month."
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