“Young Lord Xu, in the future… Qingyin will certainly repay you. This favor the Young Lord has shown — Qingyin will remember it.”

Feng Qingyin walked closer, seemingly wanting to say more, but her foot caught on something beneath her.

She let out a soft cry, her body swaying delicately as she tipped toward Nanmen Xu. It looked as though that frail, supple figure was about to fall right into Nanmen Xu’s arms — but Nanmen Xu merely gave a casual wave of his hand and pushed her back.

Feng Qingyin swayed. The body that had been falling forward was sent back by the force of his palm, and before she knew it, her ankle twisted, and she landed squarely on the ground.

Looking up at Nanmen Xu, her face was full of disbelief. “Young Lord, you…”

“My apologies. Men and women ought not to touch one another — it would be improper for me to offer assistance. Farewell.”

And just like that, he truly walked away, without the slightest trace of attachment.

Qin Xue had only just managed to calm herself down; the turbulent feeling swelling in her chest had only barely settled.

She took a deep breath and walked over, helping Feng Qingyin — who was still sitting on the ground, unable to collect herself — to her feet.

“Miss, this Nanmen Xu — everyone knows he’s a bringer of misfortune, someone who is completely ignored and disregarded within the Nanmen clan. You…”

She hesitated before lowering her voice to say: “You still want to… get close to him, Miss? What are you trying to do?”

“Is he not Feng Jiu’er’s future husband?” Feng Qingyin rose with her support, letting her brush the dust from her skirt.

She gazed in the direction Nanmen Xu had walked off toward, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

“If I can seduce Feng Jiu’er’s future husband, won’t I be able to watch her live a miserable life from then on?”

“But this Young Lord Xu seems…” Qin Xue was not sure whether she should say it, but she could not let her mistress remain so arrogant. The truth of the matter had to be seen clearly first.

“Miss, I don’t think he seemed very moved by you.”

Qin Xue did not intend to mock Feng Qingyin — but facts had to be faced.

Just now, the Miss had clearly made advances, practically throwing herself at him, yet Nanmen Xu had shown no reaction at all, and had even pushed her away.

“That was in public, in broad daylight. Even if he wanted it in his heart, he would not have dared to act rashly.”

Feng Qingyin finally understood why Young Lord Xu had pushed her away just now — how had she not thought of that?

Young Lord Xu was afraid of being seen and having people talk, since everyone knew she was the unrivaled candidate to become the Crown Prince’s consort.

So that was why!

Feng Qingyin at last felt relieved. Otherwise, having been pushed away by Nanmen Xu like that, she would have been devastated inside.

With her looks, any man who saw her ought to be utterly captivated. If she couldn’t bewitch anyone, what was the point of living?

Fortunately, it was only because they were outside, for fear of being seen and talked about — not because she lacked charm.

“Qin Xue, let’s go. Let’s take a look at the Imperial Guards’ courtyard.” Feng Qingyin composed herself and headed in that direction.

“Miss, do you think His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is there?” Qin Xue was somewhat doubtful.

“I don’t know. I’m just going to try my luck.” Since last night, she had not seen her Crown Prince elder brother again.

The Empress had sent someone to Yuyang Palace to summon him, yet he was not there either. She had heard that the Ninth Prince had gone to Yuyang Palace last night, but whatever had happened, no word had gotten out.

All that was known was that afterward, Feng Jiu’er had followed the Ninth Prince away. As for her Crown Prince elder brother — there had been no news of him since.

He might still be in Yuyang Palace, or he might not.

But if he was not there, then with the Imperial Guards’ courtyard as a secondary possibility — her Crown Prince elder brother had no particular official duties of late. Where on earth was he now?