It was actually the deposed Crown Prince Feng Xian!
He was dressed in dark brocade robes. In the scorching summer heat, the smile on his handsome face was like the winter sun—superficially warm, yet bone-chillingly terrifying.
“Since the Marquis has chosen neutrality, it’s best not to overreach. Otherwise, you might tarnish your reputation in your later years.”
Feng Xian casually toyed with the hilt of the sword at his waist. His tone was neither light nor heavy, yet it was filled with threat.
Marquis Ningyuan’s aged face flushed red with anger. “Your Highness, by acting in such a manner, do you even hold His Majesty in regard?”
Feng Xian smiled dismissively. “If the Marquis finds it displeasing, feel free to go to the palace and complain before my father. I care least about idle gossip—just don’t say it to my face.”
Marquis Ningyuan trembled with rage, his fists clenched. He had always held a respected position in the court, yet only Feng Xian disregarded him so blatantly, pushing him too far.
But recalling Feng Xian’s ruthless and brutal methods, and for the sake of his own family’s standing, he ultimately flicked his sleeve coldly, his face ashen, and remained silent.
Xue Ning’s heart sank. Witnessing the conversation between Feng Xian and Marquis Ningyuan, if they were to notice her, it could bring disaster upon the Xue family.
Just as Xue Ning planned to slip away quietly, she turned around and caught a whiff of alcohol in the air—someone was lunging toward her!
“Cousin, so you’re here! I’ve been looking all over for you!”
Zhao Pan, with a lecherous look on his face, took advantage of his drunkenness and tried to grab Xue Ning directly.
He had obtained a handkerchief of Xue Ning’s from Xue Mingzhu. Later, he could claim that Xue Ning had privately arranged to meet him, completely ruining her reputation.
After all, no one in the Xue family ever believed Xue Ning’s words. With Xue Mingzhu testifying for him, his marriage to Xue Ning would be a done deal!
“Zhao Pan, why are you here?”
Xue Ning’s face paled, and she grew anxious. Glancing at the handkerchief peeking out from Zhao Pan’s chest, she recognized the embroidery as one she had lost before. Instantly, she pieced everything together!
Zhao Pan grinned. “Of course, it was you who asked for me, cousin, so I came looking for you. Don’t worry, after tomorrow, I’ll go to the Xue family to propose marriage. I won’t let you suffer.”
He didn’t actually intend to do anything to Xue Ning. As long as the two of them were seen pulling and tugging at each other, and Xue Mingzhu and the others happened upon them, Xue Ning’s reputation would naturally be ruined.
Then she would have no choice but to marry him!
Xue Ning lowered her voice in warning. “Zhao Pan, if you value your life, you’d better shut up immediately and leave now. I can pretend nothing happened.”
Zhao Pan burst into wild laughter, as if he had heard a joke, and remained unmoved.
Xue Ning heard footsteps behind her, and her heart leaped into her throat.
Because what was more terrifying than Zhao Pan was that the noise had attracted Marquis Ningyuan and Feng Xian!
This time, she couldn’t even run away.
Immediately after, Zhao Pan’s agonized scream echoed as someone kicked him squarely in the chest.
Before Zhao Pan could even react in anger, he saw who had arrived, and his face turned deathly pale. He trembled like a leaf, visibly terrified.
“Cr… Crown Prince… Your Highness… This humble subject greets the Crown Prince…”
Feng Xian sneered. “I have already been deposed. By addressing me as Crown Prince, are you disregarding my father’s authority? Do you hold no regard for my father, or are you trying to falsely accuse me of rebellion?”
Xue Ning thought to herself that this was just an excuse. If Feng Xian truly felt that way, he wouldn’t refer to himself as ‘I, the deposed prince.’
Zhao Pan was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead thudding loudly against the blue bricks.
“Your Highness, spare my life! This humble official misspoke out of foolishness…”
Feng Xian cast a casual glance at Xue Ning. “Miss Xue the Fifth may pretend nothing happened, but I cannot.”
Upon hearing her name, Xue Ning stiffened all over. She didn’t know whether Feng Xian was merely referring to Zhao Pan or implying something else, but she felt as if needles were pricking her back, her heart pounding like a drum.
“Guards, drag him out and administer one hundred cane strikes. Today, I shall properly discipline this presumptuous official on behalf of His Majesty.”
Feng Xian said this with a smile, but Marquis Ningyuan, taking it personally, felt the words were directed at him—a case of cursing the mulberry while pointing at the locust tree.
Marquis Ningyuan’s expression darkened further. “Your Highness, do not go too far. This is, after all, this old official’s residence!”
Feng Xian paid little heed, his tone languid. “Rest assured, Old Marquis. My Jinyiwei are quite efficient. They will drag him outside and administer the punishment at the entrance, ensuring your residence remains unsoiled.”
Zhao Pan was nearly frightened out of his wits, shaking his head desperately, but before he could utter a single word, someone covered his mouth and dragged him straight out…
Marquis Ningyuan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and departed. Xue Ning bit her lip, doing her utmost to shrink her presence.
However, Feng Xian, who had walked a few steps away, glanced back at her. “Miss Xue the Fifth, do keep close. After all, you are my witness—you personally heard what he said, proving I am not abusing my power.”
With Feng Xian’s words, Xue Ning could only resign herself, silently following, praying inwardly that he would not press her further.
At the entrance of Ningyuan Houfu.
Xue Ning stood behind Feng Xian the entire time, listening to Zhao Pan’s agonized screams. Zhao Pan had already been beaten to a bloody pulp and had fainted.
For a profligate like Zhao Pan, receiving one hundred strikes administered personally by Feng Xian’s Jinyiwei, it was uncertain whether he would even survive.
Xue Ning’s face turned pale with fear, convinced that Feng Xian was making an example of him. Was she to be next?
Yet, after waiting for what felt like an eternity, no punishment from Feng Xian came.
Instead…
Feng Xian lifted the carriage curtain and fixed his gaze on her. “I feel apologetic for delaying Miss Xue the Fifth for so long. Allow me to personally escort you home as compensation.”
Before Xue Ning could speak, her body reacted first, swiftly stepping back in an attempt to flee.
“There is no need to trouble Your Highness. This humble girl…”
Feng Xian scoffed, his narrow eyes filled with menace. “Is the Fifth Young Lady refusing me? My patience is limited. Think carefully before you speak.”
Xue Ning bit her lip. “In that case, I thank Your Highness for your kindness.”
Now, she had no choice but to board the carriage, for she was in no position to negotiate with Feng Xian.
Xue Ning entered the carriage, which slowly made its way toward Xue Zhai.
Feng Xian’s carriage was crafted from luxurious, exquisite wood, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance that created an illusion of tranquility.
But Xue Ning’s heart was anything but calm at that moment. Sitting as far from Feng Xian as possible, she kept her eyes lowered, her heart pounding like a drum.
Xue Ning remained silent, while Feng Xian merely leaned back with his eyes closed, his well-defined fingers idly toying with the bracelet on his wrist.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xue Ning mustered the courage to steal a glance upward. Seeing Feng Xian feigning sleep, as if weary, she inwardly sighed with relief. She wondered why Feng Xian insisted on escorting her. Could it truly be out of goodwill? And would he not pursue the matter of her eavesdropping?
From Xue Ning’s perspective, Feng Xian did not seem like the kind of person who would show kindness. The first time she saw him, he had killed someone; the second time, he had casually ordered someone to be beaten with a hundred strokes…
Xue Ning couldn’t help but think that he truly lived up to the rumors in Jingdu—exceptionally handsome yet as terrifying as the King of Hell, inspiring fear in all.
Just as Xue Ning was about to avert her gaze, she inadvertently noticed Feng Xian’s wrist, where a string of prayer beads was worn…