A sleeve appeared before Ji Yingying’s eyes. Yang Jingyuan shook his hand irritably: “Stunned? Never thought you’d accidentally know the handsome and elegant White Prince?”
“So sour,” Ji Yingying muttered as she looked away. She thought disdainfully, who was looking at whether Sheng Fengze was handsome? He was an enemy, not a lover!
With his keen hearing, Yang Jingyuan caught her mumbled words. He leaned close to Ji Yingying, tilting his head so Sheng Fengze couldn’t see him speaking, and muttered: “Are you blind? Is he better-looking than me?”
Ji Yingying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her eyes flickered as she said loudly: “I’ve long thought Lord Sheng… His Highness exuded nobility, clearly no ordinary person. So he’s the Prince of Nanzhao. I, Ji Yingying, failed to recognize Mount Tai before me. If I’ve caused any offense, I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness. The Ji family’s ancestral graves must be smoking with good fortune to receive Your Highness’s favor! You’re a celestial being from heaven, while the Ji family are mere ants on earth. Wouldn’t it be beneath Your Highness to waste your precious sword on mere ants?”
Her beaming expression fell in Yang Jingyuan’s eyes as pure flattery and admiration for Sheng Fengze. As for Ji Yingying’s latter words, Yang Jingyuan automatically ignored them.
But Sheng Fengze saw contempt and hostility in Ji Yingying’s dark pupils.
He hadn’t planned to see her. Last night he’d instructed Chihu that when Yang Jingyuan took her away, there was no need to bid farewell. Yet Yang Jingyuan insisted on coming to say goodbye. Probably wanting to see Ji Yingying’s reaction in person? Ah, young love. He had reluctantly agreed.
Seeing them standing hand in hand before him, he couldn’t help but recall that night when he saw Zhao Xiuyuan and Ji Yingying together. With Zhao Xiuyuan, she had been fierce as fire—typical love turned to hate. Now, before Yang Jingyuan, she was awkward as a child. Her eyes so vividly expressed her emotions, just short of making faces, sticking out her tongue, and rolling her eyes at Yang Jingyuan.
Like his tamed lioness fawning on another person. The feeling of being ignored was rather disappointing.
Sheng Fengze smiled wryly—he wasn’t a deity, of course, he had emotions. He just knew how to control them. At least, he didn’t yet have any determined intentions toward Ji Yingying.
He smiled and said: “I hear Madam Ji has been long ill, confined to bed. Another day, this prince will certainly pay a visit.”
My mother’s illness is long past, she just hasn’t fully recovered her strength. Sheng Fengze’s meaningful glance sent a sudden chill through Ji Yingying.
Speaking with clever people was indeed simple. Sheng Fengze smiled with satisfaction.
“Come!”
Several guards came forward bearing gifts. Sheng Fengze said: “Regarding last night’s events, please have Young Master Yang explain them to Lady Ji. These gifts are Nanzhao specialties, to comfort Lady Ji after her fright. Please accept them.”
Last night? Does he mean being brought here? Master Sheng—no, the White Prince of Nanzhao had her taken from home? The words “silencing witness” flashed through Ji Yingying’s mind, sending another chill through her.
“What’s wrong? Are you still unwell?” Yang Jingyuan noticed and somewhat regretted giving her such a ‘surprise’ so early. He also worried the poison might not be fully gone.
“I’m fine, but Mother and Brother will worry. I want to go home.” Sheng Fengze wouldn’t have mentioned Mother without reason. Ji Yingying’s heart yearned for home.
Suddenly disappearing from home would surely worry Madam Ji. Yang Jingyuan graciously bid farewell to Sheng Fengze: “I’ll take her home first. I’ll have someone come for these gifts. Thank you, Your Highness.”
Foolish and wealthy—might as well accept what’s offered. Yang Jingyuan decided for Ji Yingying and led her out of the courier station.
Outside the main gate, Yang Jingyuan brought over a horse.
The sun had risen, and people bustled about the streets. Ji Yingying felt somewhat embarrassed to ride with him: “Don’t you think it’s unlucky for us to see each other so many times before marriage?”
Yang Jingyuan pointed at her: “Ji Yingying, you’ve learned to speak in riddles too? Wait here.”
Ji Yingying pressed her lips together in a smile, nodding toward a nearby shop.
Yang Jingyuan snorted, strode over to buy a veiled hat, and placed it on her head: “Better now?”
“Thank you.” Ji Yingying stepped into the stirrup and mounted the horse. “Borrowing your horse! Good horse, let’s go!” Though she said “Let’s go,” she didn’t move, instead watching Yang Jingyuan’s glare and bursting into laughter.
Realizing she was teasing him again, Yang Jingyuan grudgingly leaped onto the horse’s back, took the reins from her hands, and spurred the horse out of the city: “You still haven’t told me why you pretended not to know Sheng Fengze last night?”
“You haven’t told me what happened last night either. Let’s talk at home—I miss my mother.” Ji Yingying remembered Sheng Fengze’s words and expression, her heart uneasy.
Recalling the conversation he’d overheard last night, Yang Jingyuan didn’t know what to do. Accusing Nanzhao of preparing for war was a matter of national importance. His voice carried little weight, and he had no evidence. After sending Ji Yingying home, he’d tell his father and plan their next move.
Both lost in their thoughts, they rode in silence.
They reached the Ji residence near noon. Ji Yingying dismounted, and seeing Yang Jingyuan still on horseback, couldn’t help saying: “Stay for lunch before returning to the city.”
Yang Jingyuan shook his head: “I haven’t slept all night—I’m going home to rest. Anyway, last night was scary but harmless, don’t think too much about it. I’ll tell you another day when I have time. Go on home.”
He had watched over her all night. Ji Yingying lifted her veil and stared at his face: “You didn’t sleep all night? How can you go without sleep all night and still look so handsome? Is there any justice? Hmph!”
She gathered her skirts and darted through the family gate.
Yang Jingyuan couldn’t help touching his face, suddenly realizing Ji Yingying had complimented him. He chuckled and muttered: “Is that any way to praise someone?” He couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across his face, the dark shadows in his heart instantly dispelled by the brilliant sunlight.
Hearing the horse’s hooves fade into the distance, Ji Yingying secretly peeked out from behind the door. Yang Jingyuan was no longer visible in the alley. She leaned against the door, her lips curling up: “However handsome he is, he’s not a good person. How could he compare to you? Petty fool!”
She turned and entered the inner courtyard.
“Yingying! Are you alright?” Ji Yaoting, standing in the corridor, saw her and rushed over.
After her brother examined her up and down from all angles, Ji Yingying hurriedly explained: “Brother, I’m fine. Last night Master Sheng…”
“Brother knows.” Ji Yaoting cut off her words, finally relieved to see her standing safely before him. He glanced inside the house and took her hand, “Let’s talk in your room.”
“Brother, is Mother very worried? Let me see Mother first, then talk with you.”
“Brother received a letter from Master Sheng. I don’t want to worry your sister-in-law.” Ji Yaoting pulled his sister into the small side courtyard.