As Ruan Qing'an stepped out of the palace gate, he saw the Second Prince walking towards him, who carried a faint smell of blood.
Ruan Qing'an narrowed his eyes. It seemed that the Second Prince had just met with Sun Tianyuan, and since Minister Sun was also from the Second Prince's faction, it was likely that the Second Prince had instigated Sun Tianyuan to cause trouble for Ji Wuyu...
Her mind was racing with thoughts when the Second Prince walked over.
"Oh, it's Sister Qing'an. How has the Marquis been feeling lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My father is well."
Ruan Qing'an bowed and replied that the original owner had also studied at the Imperial Academy before. Because of the Yongle Marquis's family behind him, he had good relations with many princes, or at least that's what the original owner thought.
But in Nguyen Thanh An’s view, it was all about interests.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Second Prince asked, "I just saw the Minister taking Young Master Sun to the Imperial Hospital. I heard there was some trouble involved. I wonder if it has been resolved?"
"It's just a misunderstanding."
Upon hearing Ruan Qing'an's words, the Second Prince repeated them with an ambiguous meaning: "It's a misunderstanding..."
"Sister Qing'an really cares about the Ninth Prince, coming all the way from the Yongle Marquis's residence. You're not in good health, you must have suffered on the journey, right?"
The Second Prince spoke cryptically, but Ruan Qing'an's heart sank to the bottom—sure enough, the Second Prince had instructed Sun Tianyuan not to cause her trouble, but instead to provoke Ji Wuyu!
At this moment, the second prince reached out and helped Ruan Qing'an gather her thousand-gold fur coat.
"You've been working so hard for the Ninth Prince, but he's so inconsiderate that he's made Qing'an suffer. Since the wedding hasn't happened yet, you should think about this matter more, including the Yongle Marquis's mansion behind you. What do you say?"
The Second Prince's words were quite clear: he wanted Ruan Qing'an and the Yongle Marquis's mansion to sever ties with Ji Wuyu as soon as possible, and it would be best if they could join his ranks. It would also be best if she married the Second Prince...
Ruan Qing'an took a step back, just as she was about to speak, a hand suddenly pressed on her shoulder and pulled her into his arms. She only had time to see a broad chest.
Immediately, a gentle yet firm voice rang in his ears: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I almost couldn't find Qing'an. Fortunately, Your Majesty helped keep an eye on your sister-in-law."
"Ninth Brother, you're mistaken. You're not married yet. This is too rash and might frighten Qing'an."
The second prince said this, but his eyes turned cold.
Before him, Ji Wuyu still wore a gentle smile, like a warm spring breeze, but he did not back down in the slightest: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty. I will discuss it with Qing'an."
"...Hehe, that's good."
The second prince said with a forced smile, then turned to look at Ruan Qing'an: "Qing'an, remember to think carefully about what I just said."
After saying this, the second prince turned and left.
Only after the Second Prince was out of sight did Ruan Qing'an take a step back and carefully bow, saying, "Thank you for helping me out, Your Highness."
"Qing'an, you're too kind. I was just thinking that since it was because of me that Qing'an had to go through all this trouble, I should naturally take care of seeing you off. I never expected to witness what just happened."
Ji Wuyu explained casually, his tone gentle, but his dark eyes held only a cold scrutiny and appraiser.
Whether it's for profit or for something else.
He wanted to find out the reason from Ruan Qingan.
Ruan Qing'an paused: "Your Highness, may I speak to you in private?"
A moment later, Ji Wuyu and Ruan Qing'an arrived at the carriage outside the palace, while Lüzhu carefully guarded the area.
At this moment, Ruan Qing'an hesitated for a moment, looking at Ji Wuyu with his leaden gray eyes, and said softly, "Does Your Highness understand the meaning of the Second Prince's appearance here?"
What does "Qing'an" mean?
Ji Wuyu had already considered this in his heart, but he still asked in return.
Ruan Qing'an then said, "The matter of Young Master Sun was something His Highness the Second Prince wanted to test the relationship between us. In order to avoid Your Highness being punished, we exposed that we had no discord."
"The Second Prince will then regard you as a rival because of the Yongle Marquis's mansion. In fact, if the engagement is not dissolved, we will be forced to be in the same boat."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuyu's eyes flickered slightly: "What are Qing'an's plans? It seems that my brother has extended an olive branch to you."
"Your Highness, you do not understand the predicament of the Yongle Marquis's mansion."
Ruan Qing'an sighed softly. She looked up and stared intently at Ji Wuyu, as if she could see straight into his heart through his mask of gentleness.
Such a gaze made Ji Wuyu feel unusually flustered.
With a hint of bitterness, she said, "How to proceed is something I must ask Your Highness. I hope Your Highness can give me an answer regarding the visit to Cining Temple in three days. Otherwise... my Yongle Marquis's mansion will also have to consider its own future, Your Highness."
After saying that, Ruan Qingan took a step back.
She was wrapped in a fine fur coat, her whole body petite and delicate. She coughed softly, as fragile as snow falling into the palm of your hand, afraid of melting if you held it. Yet she bowed with restraint and distance.
"Your Highness has not yet made a decision, so there is no need for you to see me off. Our relationship is not close enough, and you have the opportunity to change your mind."
"Greetings, Your Highness."
After Ruan Qing'an finished speaking, he was helped into the carriage by Lvzhu. Soon, accompanied by a long neigh of a horse, the carriage wheels rolled and disappeared at the end of the road. Ji Wuyu pondered for a moment.
He turned around, and only when he walked deep into the palace did a person dressed in black suddenly appear behind him.
"Master, do you have any orders?"
"...The plan will proceed as scheduled in three days, but do not kill her without my permission."
Ji Wuyu said in a deep voice. Only after the person disappeared did he raise his head, look at the vermilion palace walls in the four corners, and fall into silence.
【Affection Level: 10】
Meanwhile, on the carriage.
Green Bamboo was brewing tea for Ruan Qing'an, and as she watched the rising steam and listened to 037's notification, a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
037: [Wow, my affection level went up in an instant!]
"Because, everyone owes something, little system."
Ruan Qing'an's eyes held a cryptic smile, it was unclear whether she was mocking Ji Wuyu or herself: "What you can't have is always the best. If I shamelessly went to him, or offered up the Yongle Marquis's mansion, he wouldn't pay any attention to me."
"Even if he's willing to act with me, he won't show any real feelings after he gets the Yongle Marquis's mansion. On the contrary, when I push him away now, he thinks I'm genuinely cooperating."
037: [Ancestor, are you alright...?]
"I'm fine, you're overthinking it, little system."
Ruan Qing'an's melancholy vanished, and she seemed perfectly normal as she slowly sipped her tea and chuckled, "Just watch, little system."
The one who falls in love first is the loser.
The same applies to those who take the initiative first.
Ruan Qing'an's eyes turned slightly cold; she wouldn't lose a second time.
\u0001
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