With these thoughts in mind, Wei Shuye looked at Lin Xinyan, whose eyes were brimming with tears and whose heart and gaze were entirely focused on him. His heart softened involuntarily, and with a hint of guilt, he gently comforted her, "I'm fine. It'll be all right after a bandage. Don't cry."
"It's all my fault. You were injured like this because you were protecting me. I'm just too useless."
Wei Shuye watched Lin Xinyan's pitiful, tearful expression, filled with self-blame and regret, and the last bit of discomfort he felt over Changle's departure vanished completely.
Changle possessed a strikingly bold beauty, with a tall and slender figure. Even a single strand of her hair seemed to radiate flamboyance and allure.
In contrast, Lin Xinyan was petite and delicate in appearance, yet there was always a unique resilience in her eyes and brows. Especially when facing him, she never groveled or flattered him because of his status. Instead, she would blush shyly at his words or slightest closeness.
It seemed that only in front of him would she reveal such a shy, pitiable, and endearing demeanor.
This was entirely different from Changle.
Changle always acted like an untamed little wolf in front of him—claws sharp and teeth bared—never knowing how to speak softly to please him.
Wei Shuye thoroughly enjoyed Lin Xinyan's tender concern. Even though he felt Changle's reaction today was unusual, he didn’t dwell on it too much.
After all, Changle loved him and couldn’t live without him.
So this time, he would take this opportunity to teach Changle a proper lesson and make her learn to rein in her foul temper.
When Changle came to him seeking reconciliation, he would then consider whether to forgive her and explain things clearly to her.
Qi Feirou watched Wei Shuye and Lin Xinyan’s affectionate exchange, her heart seething with resentment.
No matter how much Changle acted out, she was still her daughter.
But what was this wretched Lin Xinyan, daring to seduce the Third Prince, sabotaging the relationship between Changle and the Third Prince? She truly deserved to die!
As Qi Feirou looked at Lin Xinyan now, she wished she could skin this little wretch, slash her face to ruin, tie her up, and drown her in a pond.
"Mother," Hua Zhiyu gently took Qi Feirou’s arm and spoke in a soft, soothing tone, "The Third Prince is currently in a fit of anger. You know his temperament—he always acts straightforwardly. If you cause trouble for Lin Xinyan now, it will only make the Third Prince protect her even more."
"I never imagined Lin Xinyan would try to steal the Third Prince from my sister. Otherwise, I would never have considered her a friend, nor would I have invited her to my Hairpin Ceremony today."
"But Mother, you don’t need to worry too much."
"Lin Xinyan’s status is lowly. Forget about marrying the Third Prince as his consort—even becoming his concubine is something the Imperial Consort would absolutely never agree to. So no matter how hard she tries, she could never steal my sister’s position as the Third Prince’s consort."
"Even if, by some remote chance, the Third Prince takes pity on her, she would only be fit to serve as his bedroom maid."
"For someone like her, if we lower ourselves to offend the Third Prince and the Imperial Consort over her, that would truly be a loss outweighing the gain."
Listening to Hua Zhiyu’s gentle comfort and rational analysis, Qi Feirou’s anger gradually subsided, and she finally regained her composure.
Qi Feirou patted Hua Zhiyu’s hand and said with relief, "You are the clever and sensible one. If Changle had even half your understanding, I wouldn’t be so infuriated by her that my heart aches."
"If it weren't for Changle having grown up with the Third Prince since childhood and being betrothed to him early on, you would actually be more suitable to be the Third Princess Consort."
Upon hearing this, Hua Zhiyu lowered her eyes and smiled shyly. "That's because Mother dotes on me and thinks I'm perfect in every way, so she believes I can do anything. But I know my place. Such an esteemed position as the Third Princess Consort is naturally more fitting for my younger sister."
"Besides, my sister has deep feelings for the Third Prince. If she heard Mother say such things, she would likely make a fuss again. Mother, please don't say such things in the future."
"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. I won't say it anymore from now on." Qi Feirou affectionately tucked a stray strand of hair behind Hua Zhiyu's ear. "Our Zhiyu is so outstanding; she is worthy of any man."
Hua Zhiyu blushed, nestling softly against Qi Feirou, a hidden ambition flickering in her downcast eyes.
The man worthy of her in this world should naturally be the most outstanding and powerful one—such as the one who holds sway over the court.
Feng Linlang was still worried about Changle, so she boarded Changle's carriage.
Inside the carriage, Feng Linlang looked at the silent Changle with concern. "Changle, if you want to cry, just cry. Or if you want to make a scene, go ahead and make one. I'll join you."
"Please, don't stay silent like this, okay?"
Cry?
What is there to cry about?
Tears only flow when someone cares enough to feel for you.
Make a scene?
That, indeed, is necessary.
Everything that rightfully belongs to her in the Changan Marquisate, she will take back.
But for now, she has more urgent matters to attend to.
"Linlang, I have something to take care of. You go home first, and I'll visit you another day."
Feng Linlang's carriage followed behind. Though she was worried about Changle, she had no choice but to relent when Changle insisted.
"Alright," Feng Linlang nodded. "Then I'll go back first and come see you tomorrow."
Changle agreed, watching the Zhongyong Marquisate's carriage depart before instructing the coachman, "To Ya Garden."
Ya Garden held a unique status in Shengdu, only receiving guests bearing its special waist token. Those who possessed the token were either wealthy or noble, making ownership of a Ya Garden waist token a point of pride for everyone in Shengdu.
Moreover, the identity of Ya Garden's owner was shrouded in mystery. Countless nobles had secretly investigated, yet none had uncovered who truly stood behind Ya Garden.
Changle stepped out of the carriage, glanced up at the plaque above Ya Garden's entrance, and lifted the hem of her skirt to ascend the steps.
"Young lady."
A steady voice came from beside her. Changle paused her step and turned to see who it was, her eyes lighting up slightly.
Just when she needed it most, help had arrived.
She recognized this person—he was the personal attendant of Xuan Wang, Wei Cheng Xuan, who currently held immense power in the court.
She had met this attendant before when she pleaded with Xuan Wang to preserve her engagement to Wei Shuye.
And her purpose in coming to Ya Garden today was precisely to find Xuan Wang, Wei Cheng Xuan.
Since this attendant was here, Wei Cheng Xuan must also be at Ya Garden.
It was rather strange. Those close to her called her Changle, while those unfamiliar or at odds with her either addressed her as Second Miss Hua or simply by her full name, Hua Changle. Only those around Xuan Wang consistently referred to her as "young lady."
Changle found it quite pleasing to the ear and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "Guard Xu, what a coincidence."
"Greetings, miss." Xu Jin bowed with clasped hands. "I wonder if you might be free at the moment. My prince requests your presence."
Changle was inwardly surprised. She had indeed come to Ya Garden seeking Wei Cheng Xuan's help to annul her engagement, but she was not familiar with him. In fact, due to the discord between Wei Shuye and Wei Cheng Xuan, even though she had once inadvertently saved Wei Cheng Xuan, they had little interaction.
The only time they met was when she brought the token to his doorstep, pleading with him to help preserve her engagement with Wei Shuye.
At that time, whether Wei Cheng Xuan was genuinely too busy to spare a moment or deliberately left her waiting in the rain to warn her against exploiting her favor, he made her stand in the rain for a full day and night before finally seeing her.
Afterwards, Wei Cheng Xuan fulfilled his promise and helped her keep the engagement, but he likely came to despise her for it.
Thus, on the few occasions they happened to cross paths afterward, Wei Cheng Xuan completely ignored her.
Logically, he should not have taken the initiative to seek her out.