“Ah Ning, when I returned to the city, I didn’t see you at Jianzhang Tower, so I came here on my own.” The man had not yet entered, but his voice carried from the courtyard into the room.
Jun Ning suddenly rose to her feet. The wound on her back, not yet healed, split open again, beads of blood seeping out, the pain sharp and dense. But this pain was nothing compared to the suffocating ache in her heart.
The moment she thought of how, in her previous life, everyone she cared about either died because of Xiao Yunjie or was killed by him, she could not control the impulse to kill him.
Yet she could not act now. At this moment, Emperor Yongchu favored Xiao Yunjie’s attitude. If she killed him now, not only would she bring death upon herself, but she would also implicate her cousin’s entire family.
Nanny Wang was overwhelmed by Jun Ning’s aura, and her legs gave way, sending her to her knees again.
Just then, Xiao Yunjie and his attendants entered the room.
The man wore a robe of fine brocade, a jade belt at his waist, with two jade pendants hanging from it. His dark eyes lifted slightly, brimming with youthful vigor.
Jun Ning’s hands trembled beneath her sleeves, clenched tightly into fists. Those two jade pendants—one had been bestowed by His Majesty, the other was the gift she herself had given him during the Lantern Festival that year.
Until today, Yunfei Courtyard has always welcomed Xiao Yunjie openly; whenever he comes, it is as if he were in his own domain.
But upon seeing the scene inside, Xiao Yunjie frowned slightly.
“Ah Ning, I seem to recognize this old servant. Isn’t she from Madam Lou’s side? Why is she kneeling here—did she offend you somehow?”
In the past, whenever Jun Ning looked at Xiao Yunjie, whatever he said or did seemed the best in the world. But now, seeing him again, she realized—his eventual betrayal and her death had never been without warning. It was just like now—every time he opened his mouth, it sounded as though he were accusing her of being willful and unreasonable.
“Your Highness comes in and immediately asks like this—are you trying to speak up for this old servant?”
Even Nanny Momo could feel the distance in Jun Ning’s words, let alone Xiao Yunjie.
This time, Xiao Yunjie truly panicked. He stepped forward, trying to touch Jun Ning’s arm, but she avoided him.
“Please, Your Highness, conduct yourself with propriety.”
“Your Highness? Propriety? Ah Ning, you were never like this before. If something has happened, you can tell me. I would never stand idly by.”
Though he said this, Xiao Yunjie’s face had already darkened. To be treated this way in front of servants left him deeply vexed.
Jun Ning, however, remained unmoved. Had she not been reborn, she would already be a wandering ghost. With her own life, she had seen Xiao Yunjie clearly for what he was—how could she ever believe his words again?
Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, Xiao Yunjie sighed and deliberately changed the subject: “Just now outside, I ran into Madam Lou and your half-sister. It’s nearly noon—if they fainted at your door, it would sound unpleasant if word spread. So I thought to bring them in. You won’t be angry, will you?”
Before Jun Ning could reply, Madam Lou entered from behind the screen with Jun Qingnian.
This time, Jun Ning was truly angered. How indulgent she must have been in the past, to let Xiao Yunjie grow so presumptuous. He knew perfectly well that before her mother’s death, Madam Lou had been nothing more than a hidden concubine. Even if she now managed the household, how could she ever deserve to be called “Madam”? Others might be excused, but Xiao Yunjie knew everything. Was he deliberately provoking her?
Jun Qingnian’s eyes darted between the two, then she spoke with apparent thoughtfulness: “Second Sister, don’t be upset. His Highness is only thinking of you. He’s right—if we were to collapse here, it wouldn’t matter much. But if someone without sense spread the tale, wouldn’t it harm your reputation?”
“Yes, Prince Jing is merciful and considerate. Ning’er, don’t be angry.”
Jun Ning looked at Madam Lou and her daughter, echoing each other’s words. If she hadn’t already known their true natures, every word would have sounded like genuine concern for her.
“Cough, cough…” Suddenly, a few deliberately muffled coughs came from the courtyard, and Jun Ning lifted her head.
“Who’s outside?”
“…” No one answered.
Jun Ning frowned. That was clearly a man’s voice, and certainly not Du Yi’s. Ignoring the unwelcome people in front of her, she walked toward the door. She raised her eyes and saw the figure standing in the courtyard, her breath caught.
Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting faint shadows that swayed across the man standing beneath the tree. He wore a long white robe, his figure slender yet elegant. A thin jade mask covered half his face, leaving exposed skin pale with a sickly hue. His lips were thin, his brows and eyes delicate as if painted. The man held a fist to his lips, suppressing a cough. Hearing footsteps, he lifted his head.
Jun Ning came back to herself, only to meet those pale, faintly colored dark eyes. At that moment, she realized those eyes held no spark of life. His gaze fell upon her, yet it seemed to rest nowhere.
“Sir, are you Prince Xuan?”
Always wearing half a mask, blind, frail in body—apart from Prince Xuan, there was no one else in the capital who fit such a description.
“It is I. Today I returned to the capital with my fifth brother. We were to enter the palace to see His Majesty, but my fifth brother wished to visit Earl Pingkang’s residence. My movements are inconvenient, so I intruded here uninvited. I beg Second Miss’ pardon.”
Xiao Moyuan, noble as Prince Xuan, spoke with words utterly different from Xiao Yunjie’s—like drifting willow fluff, gentle yet distant.
In her previous life, Jun Ning had only met Xiao Moyuan once in passing. After Xiao Yunjie ascended the throne, the princes were either killed or exiled. Only this Prince Xuan vanished as if from the earth, his fate unknown.
Taking advantage of Xiao Moyuan’s blindness, Jun Ning boldly studied this prince who carried himself with “no airs.”
“How dare you! Who allowed you to look at His Highness like that?!” Cang Ying had only stepped away to fetch a small chair, and upon returning, he saw a woman staring openly at the prince. It infuriated him.
“Cang Ying, do not be rude.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Cang Ying glared at Jun Ning in displeasure but held his tongue.
Jun Ning arched her brow. This Prince Xuan seemed no different from the rumors—uncompetitive, gentle, and weak.
Such a kind and gentle person, yet born into the imperial family—if ever a powerful minister sought to manipulate the court, Prince Xuan would be the most suitable puppet.
“It’s hot outside. If Your Highness does not mind, why not come inside and sit?”
Xiao Moyuan’s lifeless eyes shifted slightly, the corner of his lips curving in a barely perceptible arc. He raised his hand and offered Jun Ning a courteous salute.
“Then I must thank Second Miss.”
Cang Ying carefully supported Xiao Moyuan as they walked toward the room. Jun Ning stood by the doorway, stepping aside to make way.
“Careful!” A soft exclamation rang out. In her haste, Jun Ning reached out to steady Xiao Moyuan, preventing him from stumbling over the threshold.
Her warm palm brushed against skin that was chillingly cold. Startled, Jun Ning looked down and realized that in her urgency, she had actually grasped Xiao Moyuan’s wrist.