Behind Nguyen Thanh An, the horse impatiently raised its hooves, and a moment of silence fell. But then—
Ji Wuyu suddenly stepped forward, bent down, and his dark eyes held an ambiguous meaning as he closed the distance between himself and Ruan Qing'an, their breaths almost mingling.
Ruan Qing'an was slightly stunned. Before she could react, the man's large, slender hand brushed away the fine snowflakes that had fallen into her hair.
"Qing'an, are you using yourself as bait?"
Ji Wuyu's long, dark eyes, which were usually filled with a smile, now seemed like those of a large wild beast, brimming with intense aggression and possessiveness, almost devouring her completely.
She, who had been calm just moments before, seemed a little nervous, licking her slightly dry lips: "So what if it is?"
"...because it is very dangerous."
Ji Wuyu spoke softly, his cool fingertips already pressed against her soft lips. With a little force, they were stained with a bright red color, captivating and alluring.
She has no idea how tempting it is to use herself as a bargaining chip...
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he finally took a half step back: "Now I know why my second brother not only wants the Yongle Marquis's mansion, but also you."
"Does Your Highness also wish to?"
"...I don't want to, but I don't mind having more allies."
Ji Wuyu casually shifted his gaze, his expression unreadable.
【Affection Points: 20】
Ruan Qing'an secretly rolled her eyes and gave a lukewarm "Oh," waiting for this jerk to slap her in the face.
After a moment of silence, Ji Wuyu finally spoke.
"Well then—it's a pleasure to work with you, my princess consort."
"May your wish be fulfilled, Your Highness."
Ruan Qing'an bowed and spoke softly. Only then did she raise her hand again, signaling the guards waiting around to come over. She no longer had the sickly and fragile appearance she had just shown, but instead appeared cold and stern.
Ji Wuyu gazed at her beautiful profile, his eyes darkening slightly.
Ruan Qing'an mounted his horse and suddenly said, "Your Highness, although the Second Prince noticed something three days ago, in order not to alert the enemy, we should maintain a subtle and overt discord."
"Is Qing'an going to use a man as a shield again?"
The atmosphere froze after those words were spoken.
Ruan Qing'an blinked, and before she could react, she grabbed the reins, and her horse neighed loudly, its hooves flying high, kicking up a cloud of snow as it hurtled towards Ji Wuyu.
Her sickly pale face turned bright red with anger.
"Hmph, Your Highness need not trouble yourself!"
The next moment, Nguyen Thanh An rode away on horseback, his petite figure wrapped in a heavy fox fur coat, followed by a large number of guards.
Ji Wuyu glanced at the corner of his clothes, which was damp and soiled by the fine snow and dust, and couldn't help but shake his head: "Sigh, so stingy."
"Who told you, Master, to insist on teasing that young girl..."
Ji Wuyu paused, glanced back at the "bandit leader," and the man who had spoken immediately shut his mouth and remained silent.
But afterwards, Ji Wuyu couldn't help but chuckle: "That guy is indeed quite cute when you tease him."
I rarely feel this relaxed anymore...
...
By the time Ji Wuyu returned to the palace, it was nearly dusk. His men had long since disappeared, and since he was not valued in the palace, no one paid him any attention.
However, Ji Wuyu didn't care.
He bypassed popular places like the Imperial Garden and finally arrived at a palace even more remote than the Cold Palace after walking for a long time—this was the former residence of Ji Wuyu's mother.
Nobody usually comes here, but...
Ji Wuyu had just stepped into the hall when he suddenly stopped.
The feigned smile in his eyes was like a thin layer of ice, which would shatter at the slightest touch, but beneath it surged a chilling killing intent and ferocity that sent shivers down one's spine.
But the moment Ji Wuyu walked in—
"This servant greets His Highness the Ninth Prince."
"...Eunuch Zhao?"
He was slightly taken aback. Looking at the chief eunuch, Eunuch Zhao, in front of him, the coldness in Ji Wuyu's eyes immediately disappeared. He bowed slightly, his attitude respectful and humble: "What business does Eunuch Zhao have with me?"
Within this palace, if one is not favored by the emperor, one has no status.
Even though Ji Wuyu was a prince, Eunuch Zhao still held a condescending attitude towards him. The fact that Ji Hao was still keeping him alive was already an act of sympathy for his biological son.
But Eunuch Zhao smiled and said, "No, no, I'm just here to convey His Majesty's decree. His Majesty heard that His Highness and the young lady from the Yongle Marquis's mansion went to Cining Temple, and sent me to inquire about it."
"Oh, about that..."
Ji Wuyu said, feigning surprise.
But his heart sank. He hadn't expected Ji Hao to get the news so quickly. Was he spying on him and the Yongle Marquis's mansion?
Coming to his senses, Ji Wuyu cupped his hands and gave a wry smile: "Qing'an is, after all, my future princess consort. I thought it wouldn't be bad to get to know her better, but..."
"I'm not afraid to tell you, Eunuch Zhao, but even though I shamelessly tried to please her, Qing'an didn't appreciate it and remained very cold. I'm afraid it's because of what happened to me last time, and she's still blaming me. Our personalities don't match, and I'm afraid we're just not meant to be."
"Your Highness, what are you saying?"
Eunuch Zhao smiled and said, "His Majesty said that Your Highness should not force things now. Perhaps things will be different after the wedding. There is no need to worry too much about this matter."
"Furthermore... Your Highness is a prince. The Yongle Marquis's family has treated you like this. Sigh... It's not appropriate for us to say anything. His Majesty was furious when he heard about Young Master Sun's matter. Your Highness has been wronged."
Is it about the secret affair between Ruan Qingan and Sun Tianyuan?
Ji Wuyu raised an eyebrow slightly. He now knew that Ruan Qing'an had done it on purpose, but others would not think so.
"Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Zhao, and thank you for your concern, Father Emperor."
"Alright, we'll be leaving now."
Eunuch Zhao bowed again before leaving the palace, leaving Ji Wuyu standing there, his dark eyes growing colder and colder—he was now increasingly certain that what Ruan Qing'an said was true.
"My father, the emperor, really had some clever methods."
The Yongle Marquis's mansion and he were in the same boat.
The Yongle Marquis's mansion is feared; as long as they remain tied to Ji Wuyu, they will never have a peaceful day.
By befriending Ji Wuyu, Ji Hao believed that Ji Wuyu had no chance of winning. He thought that once the new emperor ascended the throne or did something to seize the throne, Ji Hao would find a reason to immediately execute the Yongle Marquis's family.
If Ruan Qing'an doesn't befriend Ji Wuyu, but is bound by the marriage contract, which prince would truly trust the Yongle Marquis's mansion? If she doesn't befriend Ji Wuyu, she will be all alone and unable to resist others.
Therefore, the Yongle Marquis's mansion is now in a predicament, besieged on all sides!
Ji Wuyu pondered for a moment. It was precisely because of the Yongle Marquis's situation that he truly trusted Ruan Qing'an.
A moment later, a man in black appeared behind Ji Wuyu. He looked exactly like the "bandit leader" from before. He had been beaten and still had a faint smell of blood on him.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Go and contact Ruan Qingan."
The leader was taken aback, while Ji Wuyu took a deep breath: "Ruan Qing'an and I are the same kind of people. The Yongle Marquis's mansion is in a bad situation, and cooperating with me will benefit them the most. She will not betray our interests."
Upon hearing this, the leader nodded and quickly disappeared.
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