Chapter 122 Confrontation
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After hearing what Zhong Min said, Xiao Mingzheng suddenly fell silent. He didn't say anything for a long time, but just stared at Zhong Min with his eyes, as if he wanted to see through her from front to back.
Seeing this, Zhong Min could only lower her eyes slightly and stand there waiting quietly. At this moment, she didn't know what Xiao Mingzheng was thinking, but that expression really made her feel extremely strange. It was different from the previous gentleness, and also different from the indifference when they first met, but it made her feel even more uncomfortable.
Xiao Mingzheng remained silent for a long moment. Zhong Min couldn't help but look up, only to be met with his scrutinizing, unfathomable gaze. She didn't know what he was hesitating about. He could let her go if he wanted, or not. He had the final say, so why make it so formal?
He had always been decisive, never one to drag his feet. But now, while his gaze and expression betrayed no hint of hesitation, his prolonged silence spoke volumes about the struggles within him. Xiao Mingzheng didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't lie to himself. He had indeed hesitated. It wasn't just hesitation; it was also accompanied by a lingering sense of loss and defeat, feelings he had almost never experienced before.
Meeting Zhong Min's bright eyes, he finally stopped hesitating and said calmly, "Now you have naturally fulfilled the original agreement. I always keep my words, so from now on you are no longer a maid in my Prince Mu's Mansion, and no one can restrict your freedom."
When Zhong Min heard this, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on her face involuntarily. She was originally worried that Xiao Mingzheng would be embarrassed, but now she got such a positive answer, she was really happy.
Just as he was about to express his gratitude, Xiao Mingzheng continued, "However, you cannot leave Prince Mu's Mansion for the time being."
"Why?" Zhong Min was now anxious and blurted out, "Since I am no longer a maid in the palace, why can't I leave Prince Mu's palace?"
Xiao Mingzheng seemed to have anticipated Zhong Min's reaction and spoke without hesitation, "This arrangement is for your own good. Now both the court secret service and that so-called mysterious young master know that you have pledged your allegiance to me. They will certainly not let you go. If you leave Prince Mu's mansion alone, they will surely attack you. Therefore, to ensure your safety, you should remain at Prince Mu's mansion for the time being. With the protection of Prince Mu's mansion, they will naturally be wary and won't dare or have the opportunity to attack you."
"But I can't hide here forever. The worst that can happen is that I can disguise myself and sneak away to a place where no one knows me. It's impossible for those people to stop doing their work and come looking for me just for someone like me, right?" Zhong Min was naturally unwilling. Although Xiao Mingzheng's words sounded reasonable and he seemed to be thinking about her completely, even if there was such a risk, it was just normal. There was no need to keep her in Prince Mu's Mansion in disguise because of this.
"Don't worry, after some time, when those people are no longer paying so much attention to you, I will send someone to take you away from here." Xiao Mingzheng's tone clearly left no room for negotiation.
But Zhong Min was not willing to do that. Although she didn't know any martial arts, if she was set free, she would naturally find a way to leave Muzhou safely and find a remote place where no one could find her. Then there would be no trouble at all.
"How long do we have to wait? One month, two months, a year, or two years?" Zhong Min shook his head and said, "Zhong Min naturally understands the prince's good intentions, but..."
"Since you understand that I am doing this for your own good, then don't say anything more." Xiao Mingzheng interrupted Zhong Min. He looked very determined, as if he could not be questioned at all, with a hint of loneliness in his expression. He stopped talking, but stared at Zhong Min's eyes without any reservations, and looked into her heart.
Seeing this, Zhong Min was suddenly speechless and could not help but turn her eyes away to avoid such a gaze. She knew that these so-called reasons were just excuses for Xiao Mingzheng to keep her, but even if she knew this, if he insisted on not letting her leave, she would have no choice.
Seeing Zhong Min subconsciously looking away, Xiao Mingzheng sighed slightly, then opened the door and walked out. Zhong Min stood there motionless, a little annoyed, while Xiao Mingzheng's voice soon came from outside the door, speaking to Xier and Ziyan.
"From now on, Zhong Min is no longer a maid in Prince Mu's mansion, but a distinguished guest in this palace. You two must serve her well and not neglect her in the slightest."
After Xiao Mingzheng finished his instructions, he left without looking back. Soon Xier and Zi Yan came in and congratulated Zhong Min excitedly.
Zhong Min naturally had nothing to be happy about. Although she had now gotten rid of her status as a slave, she still had not gained the freedom she wanted. She had been worried that this matter would not go so smoothly, but she had not expected Xiao Mingzheng to handle it in this way. It really made her feel like a dumb person eating bitter herbs.
Why not let her go? Did Xiao Mingzheng think that if he kept her here for a while, she would change her mind? If so, then we'll see. Sooner or later, he'll understand that some things can never be changed.
Xiao Mingzheng, a prince, was probably the first time he'd been rejected so harshly. Given his temperament, it was understandable that he wouldn't give in so easily. Perhaps this had nothing to do with liking someone, but rather a sense of unwillingness. However, this time, the person he'd met had to be her. No matter what, she couldn't change her persistence or her stance, because once something changed, it meant she was no longer herself. Once he understood this, perhaps he'd let go completely.
Seeing Zhong Min's unhappy expression, Xi'er and Ziyan immediately dropped their smiles and dared not say anything. They truly didn't understand why Zhong Min looked so unhappy. If they knew they would no longer be slaves and would be so well-cared for by the prince, they would be overjoyed. Why would they be so depressed and angry?
"Min'er, are you okay?" Xi'er was more familiar with Zhong Min after all. After a while, she couldn't help but ask, "What did the prince say to you just now? Why do you look so unhappy?"
After hearing Xier's words, Zhong Min sighed and weakly moved to a chair beside him to sit down. Then he said, "I didn't say anything. I just said that I can't leave Prince Mu's Mansion for the time being."
"Leaving Prince Mu's Mansion? Why are you leaving?" Xi'er was shocked when she heard this: "The prince said that you are now a distinguished guest of the palace, not a servant anymore. Why are you leaving?"
"Why don't you leave?" Zhong Min asked in return, "This isn't my home. Since I'm no longer a servant in Prince Mu's mansion, why should I stay here?"
"But where can you go after leaving Prince Mu's Mansion?" Zi Yan couldn't help it. She had always thought that the prince would marry Zhong Min, but she didn't expect that not only did he not marry Zhong Min, but Zhong Min also wanted to leave like this.
"Anywhere is fine. There's no place like the world for me. Xi'er, Ziyan, I want to go home so badly!" Zhong Min lazily leaned back in the big chair, feeling extremely depressed. "Even if I can't go home, at least I can live the life I want after leaving here. I'm free and unrestrained. If I'm lucky, maybe I can find someone who can travel the world with me, support each other, and grow old together. But now I'm stuck here, unable to do anything. How can I be happy?"
When Xier and Ziyan heard this, they didn't know what to say for a moment. Although they didn't quite agree with what Zhong Min said, since she thought it made sense, then there must be some truth to it. After all, in their hearts, Zhong Min was an extremely intelligent person.
The two were just wondering how to cheer Zhong Min up when Luo Jiaxing suddenly appeared at the door and knocked twice symbolically. Xier and Ziyan had both seen Luo Jiaxing before, so they naturally recognized him and hurried forward to greet him.
"Is Zhong Min here? I went into the mansion to do some business and came to see her on the way." Luo Jiaxing did not go in immediately, but nodded politely to Xier and Zi Yan.
"Brother Luo, come in. I'm inside." When Zhong Min heard it was Luo Jiaxing, he responded without thinking.
Seeing this, Xier quickly invited Luo Jiaxing in, while Zi Yan smartly ran to prepare tea.
"Please sit down. There is no outsider here. Feel free to sit down." Zhong Min waved his hand casually, indicating that Luo Jiaxing should find a place to sit down.
"What's wrong with you? You're so weak. Could it be that your injury has recurred?" Luo Jiaxing seemed a little worried. As he sat down, he said to Zhong Min, "The prince looked unhappy just now. I think he must have come to see you."
"My wound has healed long ago, you don't have to worry." Zhong Min simply responded without saying anything else.
Seeing Zhong Min's reluctance to speak, Luo Jiaxing immediately felt that something must have happened. Otherwise, how could Zhong Min be so depressed? The prince was also rarely so downcast. "It's nothing, why do you look like that? If you don't want to talk, then don't. I won't force you. But there is always a solution to everything. Don't worry too much, or you'll easily become sick."
When Zhong Min heard this, she suddenly seemed to have an idea. She quickly said to Xi'er and Ziyan, who was serving tea, "Xi'er, Ziyan, you two should go outside for a while. I have something to say to General Luo alone."
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