When they met again, it was already late at night. In a private room at the Bailixiang Restaurant, Ji Wuyu was leaning against the window, his dark eyes indifferently gazing at the scene below, a scene of singing and dancing.
"Ah, it's time for my good father to leave."
In the true sense, "leaving".
Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open, and Ji Wuyu turned around, a fake, gentle smile in his eyes: "Qing'an, I've been waiting—"
"You're not married yet, don't call her that."
A gruff voice interrupted Ji Wuyu. Ruan Changhong strode in and sat down, showing no respect for the Ninth Prince whatsoever. His eyes were filled with scrutiny as he looked the Ninth Prince up and down.
Although the situation of the Yongle Marquis's Mansion is not optimistic, Ji Wuyu is obviously quite weak and even needs the support of the Yongle Marquis's Mansion. Naturally, Ruan Changhong does not want to be hypocritical with him.
Most importantly...
This guy is Nguyen Thanh An's future husband.
Thinking about this, Ruan Changhong was so angry that his teeth itched. He felt like a well-nurtured cabbage might be trampled at any moment.
Moreover, he seriously doubted that this was an illusion.
At this moment, Ji Wuyu stood up and bowed, saying, "My lord, I have long admired your name. It is an honor to meet you today."
"...Your Highness is too kind. I am the one who has long admired your name."
Ruan Changhong said irritably, sitting down in his chair with an air of superiority, taking a swig of wine, and looking at Ji Wuyu with hostility.
This made Ji Wuyu, who always pretended to be gentle, unable to keep up his act. Why did the Marquis of Yongle hate him so much? Could it be that his previous plot to assassinate Ruan Qing'an had been exposed?
impossible.
He believed his clever princess wouldn't tell.
Ji Wuyu was even more confused. Why was this happening?
As they were allies after all, Ji Wuyu smiled gently and said, "My lord, when will Qing'an arrive at Bailixiang?"
"Soon, she went out for a while."
Ruan Changhong answered casually, then looked at Ji Wuyu with a gaze that could kill.
Ji Wuyu: ...
He took a deep breath: "I wonder what Your Excellency thinks of—"
“You can talk to Qing’an about these things. I believe Qing’an is capable of resolving them. I would like to ask Your Highness about other matters.”
Ruan Changhong paused, then looked at Ji Wuyu with a fierce gaze: "It is extremely risky for Qing'an to discuss cooperation with you, especially since she is also the future princess consort of His Highness. So I have one question for you: Have you done anything to Qing'an?"
"..."
Faced with his father-in-law's imposing presence, Ji Wuyu was momentarily stunned. Recalling the touch of his fingertips caressing Ruan Qing'an's lips, he realized they were indeed so soft that he almost wanted to bite them.
Before Ji Wuyu could speak, Ruan Changhong gripped his chopsticks tightly: "Your Highness, you are not yet married. Qing'an is young, innocent, and naive—"
"Ahem, my lord, rest assured, I truly have not touched Qing'an."
Ji Wuyu immediately said that although he subconsciously rubbed his fingertips as if he could still feel the touch, he could also guarantee that if the Marquis of Yongle, who was protecting his daughter, knew that he had been so intimately close to Ruan Qing'an before he was even married, he would be killed on the spot.
Ruan Changhong then withdrew his murderous gaze: "Your Highness, Qing'an is inexperienced and knows nothing about love. I hope you will not take advantage of this to bully her."
Hearing that "you" made Ji Wuyu's headache even worse.
This father-in-law is difficult to deal with, extremely difficult to deal with!
Ji Wuyu took a deep breath and chuckled, "Of course, my lord, rest assured. Qing'an and I are not only allies but also engaged. We have the closest relationship and I will not bully her."
“If the engagement continues, I will cherish and respect her, and I will not disregard Qing’an’s wishes.”
As Ji Wuyu spoke, he bowed respectfully. His attitude was very proper and serious; he had no desire to be a lecherous rogue who forced others to comply.
Finally, Ruan Changhong leaned back in his chair: "So be it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Your Highness is fine as you are. This engagement is hard to break off, so Qing'an probably has no choice but to marry you."
"However, if Your Highness dares to harm Qing'an—I will personally kill you, chop you up, and feed you to the dogs!"
Ruan Changhong said sternly, his eyes filled with ruthlessness. He came from the battlefield and had countless lives on his hands. His daughter was his last line of defense!
"Rest assured, my lord."
Ji Wuyu didn't say anything more, but those words were already a promise.
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open again, and Ruan Qing'an rushed in, coughing a few times while leaning against the door frame. His already sickly face looked even paler.
Ruan Changhong quickly stepped forward: "Qing'an, are you alright?"
Ji Wuyu wanted to help him up, but he felt that with Ruan Changhong's protective attitude towards his daughter, he would just kick him away...
Ruan Qing'an swallowed the blood that almost rose to his throat, took a breath, and then said, "I'm fine, Father, Your Highness."
"It's good that you're alright."
Ji Wuyu said softly, pouring Ruan Qing'an a cup of hot tea.
After Ruan Qing'an sat down, she glanced at Ruan Changhong and Ji Wuyu, and feeling that the atmosphere was strange, she couldn't help but ask, "Father, His Highness is our ally, you didn't do anything, did you?"
"What are you saying, Qing'an? Is your father that kind of person?"
Ruan Changhong laughed heartily, even acting like a close friend despite their age difference, and patted Ji Wuyu on the shoulder affectionately.
The Marquis Yongle, who had been so menacing just moments before, became incredibly warm and hospitable in front of his daughter...
Ji Wuyu also chimed in, "It's nothing, Qing'an. The Marquis just had a friendly chat with me. It's nothing."
"Yeah?"
Ruan Qing'an's leaden-gray eyes swept over the two of them, but one was her father and the other was her target, so she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she said, "I've gathered some information."
Finally, the three sat down at the table, and Ji Wuyu's guards, even with their hidden strength, were a means to prevent eavesdroppers from overhearing them.
Ruan Qingan then said, "Your Highness, His Majesty's health is deteriorating and he won't last much longer. There are spies in the palace who are spreading the news to Daqing, which has caused unrest on the border."
This is less like intelligence and more like the original text.
However, the two people in front of them wouldn't pry into the details, since Ruan Qing'an must have been confident to say it.
Ji Wuyu's fingertips tapped the table: "It seems like a good opportunity. The more chaotic things get, the more we can seize that position in one fell swoop. After all, my foundation is unstable, but—"
"However, it is very important to ensure that Your Highness does not acquire a defeated Liang. We are at a disadvantage in the struggle for the throne, and only when things fall into chaos will we have a chance."
Ruan Qing'an continued Ji Wuyu's words, and happened to meet his dark eyes: "What is it, Your Highness?"
"No, Qing'an, you continue."
Ji Wuyu chuckled lightly, but didn't say anything more.
He just... really liked the feeling of being on the same wavelength, as if they were born to be one.
Ruan Qing'an narrowed his leaden eyes slightly, subtly withdrawing his gaze: "Alright, then I'll continue. Based on these reasons, and the greatest advantages of the Yongle Marquis's residence and Your Highness."
"Your Highness, you should go to the army."
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