Although Yun Mu Jing’s gaze seemed more like an “accidental” glance, the faint hint of hurt in her eyes was clearly captured by Mo Han Zhao.
For a moment, Mo Han Zhao’s self-blame and guilt surged to their peak once again.
While comforting Yun Mu Jing with words, he was also doing things that hurt her, just like the others.
What kind of good person did that make him?
“Actually, I think I should have died outside and never returned to the General’s Mansion,” Yun Mu Jing said, her emotions slowly becoming uncontrollable. Her shoulders began to tremble slightly as she wept with profound sorrow.
“If it weren’t for me, my parents wouldn’t be so troubled every day. My second sister wouldn’t have to worry about my arrival affecting her. Even Your Highness… wouldn’t have to worry about whether the events of that night, if known by my second sister, would hurt her.”
“My existence has made everyone’s lives worse.”
“What nonsense are you saying!” Mo Han Zhao scolded in a low voice. “If it weren’t for you saving me, I would have died long ago! When have I ever thought you were not good?”
Yun Mu Jing was slightly taken aback. She looked at Mo Han Zhao in disbelief. “Your Highness, do you… think I am good?”
“Of course,” Mo Han Zhao blurted out, then was himself startled by his own words.
In the past, aside from Si Yu, no other woman had ever caught his eye.
When had he started to think that Yun Mu Jing was also an exceptional woman?
The desolate and lonely look in Yun Mu Jing’s eyes seemed to slowly brighten with a faint glow. She gazed at Mo Han Zhao, her eyes lighting up.
At this moment, Mo Han Zhao, noticing Yun Mu Jing’s change in demeanor, no longer dwelled on those chaotic thoughts.
His usually cold and clear voice softened slightly. “You have never been an unnecessary presence, at least not in my eyes.”
“Your Highness’s words are like sending charcoal in snowy weather,” Yun Mu Jing said, wiping away her tears with a smile. “Whether true or not, Jing’er thanks Your Highness.”
“Your Highness is the best man Jing’er has ever met.”
“I… was not speaking falsely,” Mo Han Zhao replied, his heart stirred by Yun Mu Jing’s words. He coughed lightly twice. “Actually, I came today to apologize to you.”
He opened the package beside him, took out a box of ointment, and gently applied it to the red swelling on her wrist, apologizing as he did so. “I have investigated and confirmed that the poisoning incident had nothing to do with you. I wronged you.”
A cool sensation swept over her, instantly easing the original pain and making Yun Mu Jing let out a long, relieved sigh.
“Mm…” Yun Mu Jing tried to withdraw her hand somewhat awkwardly, but Mo Han Zhao’s grip was firm, as if giving her no chance to evade.
“Don’t move.”
“Thank you, Your Highness… As for those matters, it’s enough that Your Highness has clarified them,” Yun Mu Jing said shyly.
Yun Mu Jing’s expression was incredibly relaxed, as if she had completely let go of the things Mo Han Zhao had done to her before.
But the more innocent and kind-hearted she was, the more unsettled Mo Han Zhao felt.
Could someone as gentle as her truly live well in the General’s Mansion, where her parents showed no affection, and even the servants looked down on her?
Was there any way to help Yun Mu Jing without betraying Si Yu?
Mo Han Zhao pondered, a hint of conflict flickering in his eyes. After finishing applying the ointment, he took out a bag of pastries from the package and handed it to her. “Eat.”
Yun Mu Jing’s face lit up with delight at the sight of the pastries, though she still hesitated slightly, her innocent eyes fixed on Mo Han Zhao.
Seeing her cautious demeanor, Mo Han Zhao sighed with a hint of helplessness and tucked the brown paper bag into her arms, murmuring softly, “Eat without worry.”
Only then did Yun Mu Jing take out the pastries from the bag and begin eating them bite by bite.
Though she ate ravenously, for some reason, her every movement remained graceful and pleasing to the eye, not at all damaging her image.
Instead… it made her seem rather adorable.
“Take your time, there’s plenty more. I’ve prepared enough food for you for several days,” Mo Han Zhao said, his mood lightening as he gazed at Yun Mu Jing’s face. “By His Majesty’s order, I will depart for Moqian Mountain in two days to suppress the bandits.”
“During this time, I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit you,” Mo Han Zhao added, his eyes tinged with concern. “I will surely find a way to change your current situation without harming Si Yu. Wait for my return.”
“You saved my life. I won’t let any harm come to you.”
Yun Mu Jing was already suffering in the Ancestral Hall, and now with the added accusation of secretly meeting an outsider, her already difficult life would only become harder in the General’s Mansion.
And all of this was because of him. Mo Han Zhao naturally couldn’t stand by and watch Yun Mu Jing continue to suffer as a result.
He needed to think this through carefully.
“I believe in Your Highness,” Yun Mu Jing said with a soft laugh.
“Mm, rest well. I must go now.”
With that, Mo Han Zhao used his lightness skill to leap back onto the rafters and disappeared from the Ancestral Hall.
At that moment, the tears in Yun Mu Jing’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a faint smile.
This move of hers had been a success.
Earlier, Yun Mu Jing had emphasized to Mo Han Zhao that he must “restore her innocence” precisely to make him come and apologize to her personally.
Given the efficiency of the Eastern Palace, the truth would have been uncovered by yesterday at the latest, so it was certain that Mo Han Zhao would come to see her again within a night.
Now that Mo Han Zhao had witnessed her plight in the General’s Mansion firsthand, he had also begun to consider saving her.
As for how to save her… she had already thought of a solution for Mo Han Zhao.
However, at this moment, Mo Han Zhao still harbored feelings for Yun Si Yu and had no intention of marrying another woman into the Eastern Palace.
Thus, Yun Mu Jing still needed a catalyst.
“Suppressing bandits at Moqian Mountain, huh…” The curve of Yun Mu Jing’s lips deepened. “Moqian Mountain is indeed a fitting place for suffering and hardship.”
The food Mo Han Zhao had prepared for her would likely go to waste.
The General’s Mansion intended to marry her off to Prince Yu, and today’s distinguished guests were not limited to the Crown Prince.
She… also had no intention of staying in the Ancestral Hall forever, copying the Female Virtues.
As Yun Mu Jing pondered this, footsteps and the sound of conversation echoed once more outside the door.
“This matter of the Yun family’s eldest daughter secretly meeting an outsider—even if I were deaf, I would have heard about it.”
“Let me make this clear: if Yun Mu Jing doesn’t look like her portrait, I won’t marry her.”
“Your Highness, rest assured, Jing’er is far more stunning than you could imagine,” Madam Yun pleaded earnestly. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Hearing this, Yun Mu Jing sneered inwardly and casually pushed the package under the table. The next moment, the door to the Ancestral Hall was abruptly flung open with a bang.
Madam Yun entered, accompanied by a man whose features were passable but whose figure was somewhat plump.
He waved a yellowed folding fan in his hand, fanning himself incessantly.
“Mother…” Yun Mu Jing still lay on the ground, her entire form as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind, fragile and utterly vulnerable.
Madam Yun paid no attention to Yun Mu Jing at all, instead turning to Prince Yu and asking, “Your Highness, what do you think of Jing’er?”
Mo Yu had been stunned upon seeing Yun Mu Jing, completely captivated by her beauty, as if his very heart had been stolen away.
Only when Madam Yun spoke did he finally snap back to reality.
“Miss Yun is even more beautiful than her portrait,” Mo Yu said, raising his hand and bending down to grasp the silk ribbon tied at her sleeve. He stared at Yun Mu Jing’s fair, creamy neck, a lecherous glint in his eyes.
“Not just her face, but everything else…”
Having bedded countless women, just by looking at Yun Mu Jing’s skin and figure, he could tell what a rare treasure she was.
Today, he had truly stumbled upon a great prize. Compared to the second Miss Yun, this Yun Mu Jing was the true beauty.
Indeed, General Yun and Madam Yun, those two shrewd individuals, had not deceived him this time.
“Miss Yun is as lovely as a celestial being. That marriage arrangement… might indeed be acceptable.” Mo Yu tugged forcefully on the silk ribbon, pulling Yun Mu Jing closer to him, while his other hand rubbed together incessantly.
“But for this prince to take a wife, I must first seek an imperial decree…” At this point, a shadow of malice briefly crossed Mo Yu’s expression.
Recently, Mo Han Zhao had somehow stumbled upon incredible luck, uncovering deeply hidden bandits in Moqian Mountain and earning great merit.
His father, the emperor, held him in high regard and had even entrusted the entire bandit suppression mission to Mo Han Zhao.
If Mo Han Zhao succeeded in eradicating the bandits, his standing in the court and in the emperor’s eyes would undoubtedly rise once more.
He could not simply stand by and watch Mo Han Zhao get his way.
“This prince has been preoccupied with many matters lately. Once I am through with this busy period, I will enter the palace to request His Majesty’s decree for the marriage,” Mo Yu said leisurely. “How does that sound?”
“Prince Yu? Marriage… marriage arrangement?” Yun Mu Jing was first taken aback, then her eyes instantly reddened. She looked at Madam Yun, her entire body beginning to tremble uncontrollably.