With the divination sign of “nothing is forbidden” before her, Yun Qingqing followed her heart without a second thought.
She raised her hand and slapped Yun Zhiping again with a resounding “smack.”
“Qingqing!” Old Master Yun couldn’t hold back any longer, looking at her with a pained expression. “Mind your status! No matter what, he is still your elder!”
“Grandfather,” Yun Qingqing replied calmly, “It’s true that he is a generation above me, but my current status is not something he can casually slander!”
“Yun Zhiping and his wife insulted and spread rumors about the Princess Consort of the Prince Regent. I only slapped them a few times instead of punishing them—that’s already being magnanimous!”
“What Princess Consort of the Prince Regent? Since when does the Regent King have a Prin…”
The old master suddenly stopped, staring at Yun Qingqing in disbelief.
Yun Qingqing pointed at herself with a smile:
“That would be me.”
“She’s completely lost her mind!” Yun Zhiping roared angrily. “Father, I think she’s clearly possessed by evil spirits. We can’t let her continue causing trouble like this!”
“That’s right!” Second Madam immediately chimed in. “Look at what she’s done today—does any of it seem like something a normal person would do? We need to find a master quickly to exorcise the evil spirits!”
“Someone, come quickly! Lock the young miss in the woodshed and keep a close watch on her. Make sure she doesn’t run out and cause trouble again!”
The servants immediately rushed over, ready to seize Yun Qingqing.
“Stop!”
A stern shout suddenly came from the doorway.
“Who dares to disrespect our Princess Consort? Do you have a death wish?”
Everyone was startled. When they saw who had arrived, their jaws dropped in shock!
A group of guards swarmed in, surrounding Yun Qingqing protectively and glaring angrily at the Yun Estate servants.
The uniforms these guards wore were unmistakably the standard attire of the Regent’s Mansion!
The one who had shouted was none other than Nanzheng, the Regent King’s trusted aide!
Yun Qingqing blinked toward the doorway, then suddenly pouted and complained:
“Your Highness, you came so late! I was almost bullied to death and nearly locked in the woodshed!”
The Yun family members followed her gaze and gasped in shock.
The man who had entered had deep-set features and an imposing, domineering aura. Even seated in a wheelchair, he couldn’t hide the noble temperament radiating from within. However, from start to finish, he kept his eyes lowered, hiding his unfocused pupils in the shadows.
Who else could it be but the Regent King!
And… what was the meaning of the bright red ceremonial robe he was wearing?
Xiao Changheng spoke softly:
“Qingqing, don’t be afraid. Whoever dares to bully you, I will not let them off lightly.”
Boom!
It was as if everyone had been struck by lightning, standing frozen like wooden chickens.
This fearsome deity had truly come to back Yun Qingqing up…
In the dead silence, everyone instinctively stepped back, clearing a path. The guards pushed the wheelchair through the hall as if no one else were present, stopping beside Yun Qingqing.
Xiao Changheng’s light tone carried a sharp edge:
“If I hadn’t appeared just now, what were you planning to do to my Qingqing?”
My Qingqing!
It felt like another bolt of lightning had struck. The Yun Estate members were completely stunned.
Yun Qingqing raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Changheng, almost laughing out loud.
This man’s pretentious act was quite something. How desperate was he to regain his sight that he’d even say something like “my Qingqing”?
“Oh dear~! Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood~!” Seeing the situation turning sour, Second Madam immediately put on a flattering smile. “This girl Qingqing came back and didn’t explain things clearly. We thought she had gone to find the Crown Prince again…”
Xiao Changheng frowned, displeased:
“Nanzheng.”
Nanzheng wasted no words and kicked Second Madam in the back of the knee, sending her crashing to the ground with a thud.
“What kind of thing are you! Who gave you the right to speak in front of His Highness? Slap her!”
Several guards immediately stepped forward, held Second Madam down, and began slapping her face with loud, sharp cracks!
Second Madam whimpered in agony, unable to even utter a plea for mercy. Yun Zhiping had never witnessed such a scene and was utterly terrified, shrinking to the side without daring to make a sound.
Finally, Old Master Yun snapped back to his senses and hurriedly rose to bow apologetically to Xiao Changheng:
“Your Highness, please calm your anger. It is my fault for neglecting discipline. The younger generation in my family lacks manners and has offended Your Highness. I beg you to spare her this once, considering it is her first offense!”
Yun Qingqing had no intention of intervening, but seeing the old master speak up, she finally said:
“Your Highness, this is my grandfather.”
Xiao Changheng’s brow lifted slightly, the fierce aura around him dissipating considerably as he raised a hand.
Nanzheng immediately ordered the guards to stop. Second Madam collapsed on the ground, covering her face and not even daring to sob aloud.
Xiao Changheng nodded in Old Master Yun’s direction:
“Grandfather, you are too kind. Since you have spoken, I will spare her this once out of respect for you.”
His attitude left the Yun family even more astonished—this was the feared Regent King!
He had actually addressed the old master as “Grandfather” without batting an eye!
Given his status and position, even if he truly married Yun Qingqing, he wouldn’t need to go this far. So there could only be one reason for his actions…
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Yun Qingqing.
Yun Qingqing wore a complicated expression, her lips twitching as she muttered:
“The wedding hasn’t even taken place, and you’re already calling him ‘Grandfather’…”
A faint smile touched the corner of Xiao Changheng’s lips:
“What does it matter? It’s only a day away.”
Old Master Yun stared blankly.
…What?
Nanzheng stepped forward and presented the prepared marriage certificate:
“My lord has prepared betrothal gifts today and has come specifically to propose marriage to Miss Yun Qingqing. Tomorrow, he will welcome her into his household!”