Jing Xuan was used to being willful and headstrong!

However, everyone has a sensitive weak point, and Jing Xuan was no exception. What she hated most since birth was others saying she wasn’t pretty enough.

Can’t really blame her. When she was small, Jing Xuan was both dark-skinned and short, earning plenty of disdain from other princesses.

This was also why the Emperor and Consort Xiao had agreed to the distant clan’s marriage alliance for Jing Xuan—nothing more than worry that the ugly, dark-skinned, willful Jing Xuan wouldn’t be able to marry.

But who could have expected that ugly girl to grow more and more beautiful, her skin becoming increasingly fair, blossoming into graceful elegance!

However, Jing Xuan still hated most when others said she wasn’t pretty. At the slightest hint of it, her temper would flare up.

She shuffled backward a step. “But he is a fool! What right does he have to call this Princess ugly?”

“I’ll say this one more time—Wei Yi is not a fool.” Ji Yunshu’s tone intensified.

“I…”

Looking at Ji Yunshu’s sharp eyes, Jing Xuan was momentarily speechless.

“Although you’re a princess and we common people can only obey, since you are a princess, you should know to respect people, not insult them by calling them fool at every turn.”

“What insult? This Princess did no such thing! It was that fool…” She swallowed back the word. “He said it about me first.”

“Anyone might say such things, but Wei Yi wouldn’t.”

Yes, Ji Yunshu firmly believed Wei Yi wouldn’t say such words.

Jing Xuan’s eyes flickered a few times, seeming somewhat guilty. Her voice weakened, lacking confidence. “He… did say it.”

“Forget it. If the Princess had anger in her heart, you’ve already smashed so many potted plants—that should have vented your anger. Right now, His Highness should be coming soon. If he knows the Princess has been making such a disturbance, I’m afraid… the Princess will have to lie in bed for another month.”

Yes, she brought up Jingrong to threaten her!

And the effect was quite obvious. Jing Xuan immediately balked—she truly was somewhat afraid!

But that ball of anger in her chest still lingered, not dissipating. Unwilling to give up, she glanced at the tightly closed room.

She snorted. “Fine, I won’t make a fuss. But this Princess wants that boy to apologize to me.”

Saying this, she prepared to rush over to find Wei Yi. Ji Yunshu was quick with her hands and eyes. Just as Jing Xuan was rounding her shoulder, she grabbed her arm and pulled hard.

Because the ground was covered with water-soaked mud spilled from the pots, when pulled by this force, Jing Xuan’s feet slipped and her body fell straight backward.

Just as her body was about to plunge into the water wheel pool behind her, her eyes widened dramatically, extremely shocked.

Fortunately, Ji Yunshu caught her leaning-back slender waist with one arm, then pulled hard again, drawing her before herself.

Between the two of them was only the distance of a finger’s width.

Jing Xuan’s forehead happened to bump against Ji Yunshu’s brow. Her ice-cold nose tip was also breathing in the warm breath coming from Ji Yunshu’s lips!

Her entire body couldn’t help but tense up!

That feeling was extremely subtle, making Jing Xuan’s heart beat wildly and violently. An unknown emotion surged up, and her cheeks and ear tips immediately flushed red as if burning.

Ji Yunshu released her and stepped back, seemingly not yet noticing Jing Xuan’s abnormality.

She only said, “The Princess should stop making trouble. It’s getting late—you should hurry back to the palace.”

Jing Xuan bit her lip, her hands immediately covering her burning cheeks. Her chest heaved, and after pacing two steps, she immediately rushed out of the courtyard.

What was all that about?

Wasn’t she full of aggression just moments ago?

But at least she’d been sent away. This senseless disturbance had finally come to an end.

Looking at the courtyard full of smashed flowers and plants truly made one’s heart ache.

Ji Yunshu shook her head and sighed!

Then she glanced at the surrounding maids and said, “Please clean this place up.”

“Yes!”

The maids acknowledged.

Ji Yunshu entered the room to see Wei Yi curled up with his legs drawn in, sitting on a pear blossom wood chair. His sturdy arms hugged his knees, and a pair of clear eyes looked straight at her.

Gone was the earlier fright—at this moment he appeared very calm.

Ji Yunshu walked before him, looking down at him.

“Shu’er, I didn’t curse at her!” Wei Yi said very innocently.

Ji Yunshu crouched down. Those slender hands gripped tightly the hands Wei Yi had clasped around his knees.

She said softly, “I know. Wei Yi has a kind heart—how could you curse at people?”

“That sister knocked over a pot of flowers, and I just said those flowers were very pretty and it was a pity they were broken. Then she cursed at me.”

“Alright, it’s already passed. Let’s not mention it anymore.”

Wei Yi nodded!

But Ji Yunshu became contemplative. “Bringing you to the capital—was it right or wrong? Perhaps I should have left you in Jinjiang and shouldn’t have brought you here.”

“No!” Wei Yi shook his head vigorously. “I want to stay with Shu’er.”

“Wei Yi, I promised your parents I would always take care of you. But ever since you met me, you’ve been unlucky—do you know that? If not for me, your parents wouldn’t have died. If not for me, you wouldn’t have experienced the pain of losing family, and you wouldn’t have had to follow me to the capital where you constantly have to live in fear. Wei Yi, I’ve wronged you.”

Ji Yunshu’s eyes reddened, her nose stinging. The guilt and sadness rising from the depths of her heart were like countless knives cutting, churning violently.

As for her words, Wei Yi didn’t quite understand!

He blinked those handsome eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he said, “Shu’er, what I fear most is you leaving me. Don’t send me back to Jinjiang alone, okay? I want to stay with you, and then we’ll go back together.”

“But aren’t you afraid? If you continue staying here, what happened today might happen again.”

“I’m not afraid anymore. As long as Shu’er doesn’t leave me, I’m not afraid of anything. Shu’er, believe me.”

Such a manly appearance!

She suppressed the churning discomfort in her heart, the corners of her mouth lifting. “Alright, I believe you.” Standing up, she added, “It’s quite a mess outside. Shall we go out and help everyone clean up the courtyard?”

“Okay!”

He agreed cheerfully!

Just before the two went out, Wei Yi suddenly pulled her back again, taking out that box from before once more.

Smiling, he said, “This is for you. You said you’d look at it when you came back.”

She took it and opened it to look. What first met her eyes was a plum blossom. Beneath the plum blossom lay a delicate silver collar.

The silver collar was carved with very exquisite wave patterns and some very beautiful antique-style designs. Around the silver ring was also inlaid a circle of gold thread so fine one could barely see it without looking carefully. Beside it hung two small bells, one gold and one silver.

It was indeed extremely beautiful!

However, Ji Yunshu was after all an archaeologist and understood something about antique restoration. Although not an expert, she’d seen much and understood the basics.

So this silver ring was obviously a refurbished version!

In other words, second-hand goods!

This silly boy had simply been cheated.