Chapter 23: Rescue?

A stone "pat" hit the tree trunk.

The foolish canary standing on the branch was startled, chirped once, and fluttered away. The black snake missed its strike, retracted its tongue back into the flowers, and concealed its presence.

With Ning Yin's "good show" disrupted, he turned his head towards Yu Lingxi. There was no emotion in his eyes, like black ice.

The girl under the flower tree, with picturesque features, clapped her hands to shake off the dust and said, "I don't like snakes. They get warmed by people and then bite back —cold-blooded, ungrateful, that's what they are."

Ning Yin chuckled, a very light sound.

"But Miss, snakes are meant to bite people," he said.

However, there was no trace of a smile in his eyes, just a hint of mockery. "They are born cold-blooded, living in the darkness, unable to adapt to the warmth of humans. How can we blame them for biting back?"

It was a twisted argument, just like in the past, making it difficult for people to refute.

"We need to find a guard to drive it away," Yu Lingxi said, feeling uneasy about the cold thing.

"You should kill it," Ning Yin said suddenly, looking at the coiled black snake on the tree.

Yu Lingxi looked at Ning Yin's side profile, uncertain about the meaning behind his words.

In her past life, when she couldn't figure out Ning Yin's thoughts, she would yield at the right time. So, she lowered her eyes, raised her left hand with scabbed bruises, and casually sighed, "My hand still hurts."

Ning Yin's eyes lifted slightly.

She had acted tough but ended up seeking sympathy from him.

"Why does the young lady protect me?" His lips curled slightly, diverting from the topic of the snake.

Yu Lingxi glanced at him. "What do you think?"

Ning Yin shook his head. "The young lady is too clever; I can't understand."

Being praised as "clever" by someone genuinely intelligent, Yu Lingxi didn't know whether to be proud or ashamed.

"Owing me a favor is better than harboring more hatred towards me," she said frankly. "Besides, I also bear responsibility for this matter."

Ning Yin fell silent.

A white magnolia flower fell from the branch, landing at Yu Lingxi's feet, making a soft sound.

She crouched down to pick up the intact magnolia petal, and then she heard Ning Yin's indifferent voice beside her, "Is the young lady satisfied with my performance?"

"What performance?" Yu Lingxi still held the flower, her pomegranate skirt flowing elegantly.

"I didn't cut off Qingxiao's right arm," Ning Yin said. His lips curled slightly, and his tone was chilly. "Does the young lady think Qingxiao's arm is more useful than mine?"

He referred to the day when she visited Xue Cen. Yu Lingxi ignored him and chose to ride in the carriage with Qingxiao instead.

It had been three days!

He didn't reflect or calm down at all; he was pondering over this matter in a gloomy manner!

Yu Lingxi's head throbbed, losing all patience. She stood up and sighed, "Wei Qi, don't you have a bit of compassion and love for the world?"

"Love?" Ning Yin suddenly laughed.

After encountering each other in this reincarnation for so long, it was the first time Yu Lingxi saw him reveal such an indulgent yet cold smile. Like a spring breeze melting snow, it also mocked all living beings.

"I was raised in the gladiatorial arena."

Although he smiled, his eyes were like frozen ponds, calmly gazing at Yu Lingxi. "No one taught me such things."

Holding the white magnolia flower, Yu Lingxi's emotions fluctuated but eventually calmed down.

She finally became certain that merely relying on small favors and kindness wouldn't change Ning Yin's nature. He lived in the cruel darkness, lacking the emotions of a normal person. To teach him principles and morals, he first needed to become a person who understood love and compassion.

They stood quietly for a long time until the petals covered the ground.

After Yu Lingxi left, Ning Yin stood in the distance, still holding a fragrant white magnolia.

The wild beast, uninterested in pretense, revealed its sharp fangs, not bothering to hide its hostility. He thought Yu Lingxi would be angry, but after pondering for a long time, the girl just handed him the magnolia flower, saying, "Wei Qi, we are not enemies. The Yu Mansion is not an arena."

Ning Yin looked down at the delicate words while looking at his palm. After a moment, he slowly clenched his slender fingers.

With a soft sneer, he wasn't sure whether to call her foolish or clever. If she was foolish, she was bold and straightforward, always able to dispel his hostility at the right moment. If she was clever...

A faint "hiss" came from the flower branches above. Ning Yin's eyes turned cold as he accurately caught the snake attempting to ambush.

With a firm grip at seven inches, the black snake convulsed violently and then hung limp, lifeless.

Ning Yin tied the dead snake into a knot and threw it on the ground, looking at his fingers, now tainted with a fishy smell, with a strong sense of disgust.

If she was clever, she didn't know that to deal with problems, one had to eliminate the roots to prevent future troubles.

...

Eastern Palace.

"What did you say?"

Crown Prince Ning Tan stood up. "Mother disagrees with making Yu Lingxi the Crown Princess. Why?"

Cui An, the eunuch in crimson attire with a jade belt, stood by, slowly saying, "It is heard that Miss Yu has a marriage agreement with the second young master of the Xue family. As the future heir, the Crown Prince cannot be involved in forcibly taking another minister's wife. Moreover, the covert assistance from Minister Xue is crucial, and the Crown Prince is well aware of it."

Hearing this, Ning Tan felt a surge of anger.

"Worthless!"

Ning Tan swept away a table full of paper and ink with a wave of his sleeve, making a loud clattering sound. Pointing at the two dark guards kneeling on the ground, he exclaimed, "All worthless!"

If Xue Cen had died, there would be no obstacle. However, his subordinates failed in their task; Xue Cen survived, and it even alerted the Xue family. Early today, Minister Xue came to the Eastern Palace, ostensibly to request the Crown Prince to investigate the incident of Xue Cen falling into the water. However, who knows if it was also a subtle warning?

Eunuch Cui An didn't lift his eyes and spoke in a slow manner, "Your Highness, you must not act rashly again. Even without Xue Cen, you cannot marry Miss Yu Lingxi."

"Why is that?"

"Recently, there have been rumors in the capital that Miss Yu was in danger during the spring hunt, spending a day and night alone with a slave, compromising her chastity. With such a stain, she cannot become the Crown Princess."

Cui An continued, "The Empress said she would choose Miss Yu's older sister as your consort. The valuable gift you sent to the Yu Mansion should be considered a reward for Miss Yu's sister. Don't let rumors spread."

Ning Tan's mind was not on Yu Xinyi anymore; he only asked, "Did you say Yu Lingxi has lost her chastity?"

Cui An replied, "Rumors say so; it seems there's some truth to it."

"What kind of enchanting beauty could make Xue Cen endure such a shame and insist on marrying her?"

Ning Tan sat back, absentmindedly playing with his jade finger, increasingly curious and intrigued.

Not sure what came to his mind, he licked his dry lips. "Since she has already lost her chastity, what does it matter if she loses it again?"

Cui An raised his eyes, knowing that the Crown Prince wouldn't give up until he had that woman in his bed.

Ning Tan was extremely lustful, and if left unchecked, he might do something even more outrageous and reckless. By then, it would be the Empress who had to clean up the mess.

"If Your Highness only wants to experience it once, it might not be impossible."

Suppressing a sneer, Cui An spoke slowly, "The day after tomorrow is Princess Deyang's birthday celebration."

Ning Tan was momentarily stunned, then smiled. He patted Cui An's shoulder and said, "You're truly clever. Go and make the arrangements!"

"Yes." Cui An bowed and withdrew.

Leaving the main hall of the Eastern Palace, the young eunuch in crimson attire and jade belt couldn't help but laugh and pat his shoulder, brushed off by the Crown Prince.

Yu Mansion.

Princess Deyang was the current emperor's biological sister, and when the current emperor was still a prince, he relied on this very capable princess for support, leading to his current position.

Therefore, Princess Deyang's status was extraordinary, and all the influential families in the capital would send their female relatives to attend her birthday celebration. The Yu family was no exception.

Originally, Lady Yu planned to attend the celebration with her eldest daughter, Yu Xinyi. However, yesterday, a palace attendant came with an invitation specifically inviting Yu Lingxi to attend.

After some consideration, Yu Lingxi, who had been sickly and rarely appeared in public during her youth, had minimal interaction with Princess Deyang.

However, since Princess Deyang lost her husband early on and had no children, she treated her nephew, Ning Tan, as her own son. Princess Deyang played a crucial role in Ning Tan's successful ascension to the Eastern Palace as Crown Prince.

In the previous life, after Ning Yin killed his brother and father, Princess Deyang even attempted to collaborate with the remnants of the court eunuchs to assassinate Ning Yin for revenge. The result was Ning Yin orchestrating a massacre and turning the palace into a hell on earth.

In the memory of past and present lives converging, Yu Lingxi speculated: The reason Princess Deyang specifically invited her to the banquet was most likely related to the Crown Prince's marriage.

Could it be that she was curious and wanted to see what she looked like?

Even until she set off for the banquet, Yu Lingxi was still pondering this question.

Princess Deyang liked gentle and simple women. Therefore, Yu Lingxi deliberately chose a dress in a vibrant and charming crab apple color, applied makeup, and adorned herself with jewelry, presenting a dazzling appearance.

Watching this, Hutao beside her pouted.

Why did Miss have different preferences every day? Last time at the Spring Banquet, she dressed like a Daoist fairy, pure and simple. This time, she adorned herself like a glamorous goddess.

"Miss, it's time to leave," a maid sent by Lady Yu informed from outside the door.

"I'm coming." Yu Lingxi scrutinized herself in the bronze mirror for a while, still feeling uneasy.

In matters related to the Eastern Palace and the imperial family, she couldn't afford to be careless.

Similar to the imperial palace, Princess Deyang's residence was heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards. Those attending the banquet were not allowed to carry weapons, and servants were also forbidden.

After some thought, she called over Qingxiao, who was waiting in the corridor, and whispered, "Today at the banquet, bring two guards and wait outside the door. Outsiders cannot enter the Princess's residence. If I haven't left the banquet by the third quarter of noon, let Sister Xinyi go find Junior Prince of Nanyang. She will know what to do."

Qingxiao acknowledged, "I understand."

In front of Princess Deyang's residence, the carriages from various mansions had stopped about thirty feet away, creating a lively scene.

As Lady Yu descended from the carriage, Yu Lingxi followed suit. On the opposite side, Zhao Yuming and Zhao Madam also got out of their carriage together.

When the two families met, an obvious awkwardness and discomfort appeared on the faces of Zhao mother and daughter.

Zhao Madam and Lady Yu were sisters with different mothers. Since their maiden days, they had competed for everything, from clothes to jewelry. In the end, Lady Yu became the respected mistress of the general's household, while Zhao Madam married an inconspicuous official from the Ministry of War.

The Zhao family fell on hard times, and Zhao Madam felt that she had lost face. Consequently, she severed ties with the Yu family.

Encountering each other now, they found that Zhao Yuming and Yu Lingxi were wearing the same crab apple-colored dress. At first glance, the two figures from behind seemed quite similar, but a direct look revealed a clear distinction.

Although Zhao Yuming was beautiful, her appearance was slightly immature, unable to carry off such a vibrant dress. On the contrary, Yu Lingxi, with her refined and exquisite features, radiated brilliance.

As the Yu mother and daughter walked away, Zhao Madam immediately darkened her face and scolded Zhao Yuming, "I told you not to wear this dress, but you insisted! Now, you've clashed with her dress, and she looks better than you. You've really lost all face!"

Zhao Yuming's face turned slightly pale, wringing her sleeves in silence.

Zhao Xu limped over and stood in front of Zhao Yuming, saying, "Stepmother, Yuming dressed up carefully for this banquet. Besides, your son thinks Yuming looks better than Miss Yu."

"You think so?"

Zhao Madam sneered, casting a disdainful glance at the cripple who had fallen off his horse and broken his leg. "What's the use of your opinion?"

As Zhao Yuming followed Zhao Madam up the steps, she stopped and turned to look at Zhao Xu. Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Xu's eyes surged with dark resentment. He nodded at Zhao Yuming.

Princess Deyang's residence was magnificent, with a lively garden filled with fragrant flowers. Ladies gathered in groups, chatting and enjoying the festivities even before Princess Deyang made her appearance.

The General's Mansion, with its high status and influence, has always been the object of favor and flattery from various families. Lady Yu found herself surrounded by the madams from different mansions and couldn't break away for a while.

In such social gatherings, interpersonal interactions were inevitable. Yu Lingxi turned to Lady Yu and said, "Mother, you're busy; I'll go find Tang Buli."

Yu Lingxi didn't find Tang Buli but instead saw Xue Cen. His complexion had improved significantly, dressed in white like snow, maintaining a polite distance. He was smiling and chatting with Zhao Yuming.

Catching sight of Yu Lingxi, Xue Cen's eyes brightened. Politely excusing himself from Zhao Yuming, he walked towards Yu Lingxi.

"Sister Lingxi," he called out clearly.

"Brother Cen," Yu Lingxi nodded in greeting, showing concern. "Is your health much better now?"

"It's fine, completely recovered."

Xue Cen guided her to her seat, personally brewed a pot of tea, and said, "This is the latest tea variety of the year. Would you like to taste it?"

Yu Lingxi took a sip after raising the cup to her nose and found it to be very fragrant.

She asked, "Is this a tea variety that just came out this year?"

Xue Cen's tea-pouring posture was extremely elegant, nodding, he said, "Exactly."

Yu Lingxi exclaimed softly, sniffing it again. Why did the aroma of this tea seem somewhat familiar?

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince stood on a high terrace in his everyday attire, shaking a paper fan impatiently, asking, "Where is Miss Yu?"

A large shadow cast by clouds gradually moved westward in the direction of Princess Deyang's mansion.

In the quiet and secluded corner of the back street of the General's Mansion, the sound of wings cutting through the air was heard, and a peregrine falcon spread its wings, landing on the arm of a young man.

Taking off the bamboo tube tied to the bird's leg, the young man unfolded the secret letter and, upon glancing at it, his eyes, belonging to Prince Ning Tan's whereabouts, darkened with coldness. 

Prince Ning Tan quietly went to Princess Deyang's mansion. Since it wasn't done openly, there must be some dirty dealings.

Thinking of Yu Lingxi, who attended the banquet in splendid attire today, his eyes grew colder. 

"Miss, I've said it before," he chuckled softly, his low voice carrying a hint of playfulness, "to eradicate the roots, otherwise there will be troubles later."

Her meager cleverness and kindness were nothing in the face of absolute power.

Should he save her?

He leaned against the wall, contemplating lightly.

Forget it.

If he appeared for no reason, she might accuse him of being cunning and scheming, planning to torment her again. After all, she had made preparations with Qingxiao and Prince Nanyang. She didn't need him, did she?

He sneered, turned around to leave, but his steps unconsciously slowed down and finally stopped in place. Clutching his fingers tightly, the peregrine falcon fluttered away, and the secret letter turned into powder, scattered between his fingers.

However...

The untamed youth raised his head, squinting at the sun obscured by clouds.

With a slight closure of his thin lips, he said, "In a bad mood, it's advisable to kill."

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