Yun Si Yu smiled with curved brows and eyes, saying, “It’s getting late, and I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. I wish you pleasant dreams tonight.”
Since His Highness wasn’t here, there was no point in staying any longer.
With those words, she quickly turned and walked toward the door.
Watching Yun Si Yu’s gradually receding figure, Mo Han Zhao, who had earlier hidden himself in a blind spot, finally stepped out slowly.
Through the open door, he gazed at Yun Mu Jing, who was leaning unsteadily against the table in the room, his dark eyes filled with an indescribable complexity.
If he hadn’t overheard the conversation between Si Yu and Yun Mu Jing earlier, he wouldn’t have known that tonight was also Yun Mu Jing’s birthday.
General Yun and his wife were truly unkind. Since both were their daughters, they should have treated them equally. How could they leave Yun Mu Jing alone in the remote backyard?
Mo Han Zhao pursed his lips. He had originally wanted to see if Yun Mu Jing was pretending, but he clearly hadn’t expected her to be so sincere.
Not only did she not reveal a single word to Si Yu, but she also tidied the room so thoroughly that there was no trace of intimacy to be seen.
Yun Mu Jing had gone to such lengths to cover for him… Could it be that he had truly misjudged her?
But if Yun Mu Jing had no ulterior motives, why had she sent her maid out earlier? At this thought, Mo Han Zhao’s expression, which had just softened, darkened once again.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, Zhu Ye appeared like a shadow, landing beside Mo Han Zhao and clasping his fists. “I followed Miss Yu Ning all the way to the General’s Mansion’s medicine room and saw her…”
At this point, Zhu Ye cautiously glanced at Mo Han Zhao, pausing for a moment before continuing, “She bribed the medicine room physician with silver to prepare a dose of anti-conception decoction for Miss Yun. She is now brewing it in the kitchen.”
Anti-conception decoction? Mo Han Zhao’s breath hitched abruptly, and he was momentarily stunned.
He never would have imagined that Yun Mu Jing had sent her maid out for an anti-conception decoction.
After all, in all of Dongliang, there wasn’t a woman who didn’t want to bear his child.
Earlier, he had thought that since Yun Mu Jing had risked herself to save him, and he had just used her, giving her an anti-conception decoction would be somewhat humiliating.
That was why he hadn’t brought it up.
Although it was a small possibility, Mo Han Zhao had genuinely been struggling with what to do if she were to become pregnant.
Unexpectedly… Yun Mu Jing had taken the initiative to have her maid brew and drink the anti-conception decoction, directly dispelling his worries.
Mo Han Zhao remained silent for a long while before suddenly pursing his lips, a trace of shame flickering across his handsome face. “It was I… who misjudged her.”
“I thought she was no different from those women who go to great lengths to get close to me.”
But now, Yun Mu Jing not only abided by their agreement but also took the initiative to drink the anti-conception decoction, clearly drawing the boundaries that should exist between them.
This was enough to prove that Yun Mu Jing truly had a pure and kind heart, without any scheming intentions.
Everything that had happened earlier was truly an accident. In the end, he had taken the girl’s innocence, and he was the one who had wronged Yun Mu Jing.
“Zhu Ye,” Mo Han Zhao said, his handsome face revealing a hint of pity. “Although Yun Mu Jing has returned to the General’s Mansion, it seems her life here is not easy.”
“The many items in that room are also worn and tattered. Take good care of her on my behalf, and also…” Mo Han Zhao paused here, then continued, “Today is Yun Mu Jing’s birthday. Take the Blue Water Brocade from my private treasury and gift it to her.”
Zhu Ye was taken aback. “But wasn’t the Blue Water Brocade originally intended as part of the betrothal gifts for Miss Si Yu…”
“I have already prepared all of Si Yu’s betrothal gifts. Having one more or one less makes no difference,” Mo Han Zhao said with a frown. “Just do as I say.”
As the legitimate heir of the General’s Mansion, Yun Mu Jing was already pitiable enough, left all alone here. Especially since he had hurt her so deeply on her birthday.
She deserved compensation.
“As you command,” Zhu Ye replied.
Mo Han Zhao gave a slight nod. Worried that his prolonged absence might cause Si Yu concern, he gave Zhu Ye a few more instructions before striding off in the direction Yun Si Yu had gone.
Yun Si Yu’s delicate, beautiful face was now filled with seriousness as she instructed Yin Suo beside her, “Quickly report to Father. Tell him we cannot find His Highness anywhere. Have Father enter the palace immediately to relay the message to the Emperor and seek His Majesty’s decision.”
Yin Suo asked doubtfully, “But Miss, if the Emperor learns of this and blames us…”
“Fool!”
Before Yin Suo could finish, Yun Si Yu raised her hand and slapped her across the face, angrily saying, “His Highness’s disappearance is no small matter. How long do you think we can keep it hidden?”
“If the General’s Mansion is found guilty of withholding information, that would be a grave crime!”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Seeing Yun Si Yu’s anger, Yin Suo had no time to tend to her burning cheek and hastily agreed.
But as soon as she turned around, she quickly sensed a dark shadow looming over her.
“This servant greets the Crown Prince!”
“Jun Yan brother!”
Seeing Mo Han Zhao appear out of nowhere, Yun Si Yu couldn’t help but be startled. Then, with a tone of grievance, she said, “Where have you been? Everyone in the General’s Mansion has been searching for you, nearly frantic with worry. I’ve been looking everywhere for you too!”
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the direction from which Mo Han Zhao had come, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind.
Wasn’t that the direction of Yun Mu Jing’s courtyard…? But she had just returned from Yun Mu Jing’s place and hadn’t seen His Highness there.
It must just be a coincidence.
Seeing Yun Si Yu’s anxious, red-rimmed eyes, Mo Han Zhao couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, saying softly, “I was feeling unwell and went out for some fresh air.”
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. I never imagined it would cause such a commotion.”
“Feeling unwell?” Yun Si Yu immediately grew concerned. “Are you better now? Should we call a physician?”
“No need!” Mo Han Zhao avoided her gaze, coughing lightly. “I’m fine now.”
“If you’re fine, then I can rest easy,” Yun Si Yu said, relieved.
She glanced sideways at Mo Han Zhao, a maidenly shyness coloring her expression. Reaching out to grasp his arm, she whispered, “It’s late now. I have a guest room prepared for you in my courtyard. Would you like to come back with me?”
Normally, if Yun Si Yu invited him, Mo Han Zhao would have happily agreed.
Although the Yun General’s Mansion maintained strict family discipline, and he would never do anything to compromise her honor before she was officially married, even so, being able to talk with Yu’er through the night and sleep in a room just a wall away was enough to satisfy Mo Han Zhao.
But as his lips parted slightly, the memory of Yun Mu Jing’s miserable state in the side courtyard suddenly resurfaced in his mind.
Yun Si Yu, an adopted daughter, enjoyed endless favor and affection, while Yun Mu Jing, the true young lady of the General’s Mansion, suffered such hardships in the most remote courtyard.
What was worse… he, as Yun Mu Jing’s fiancé, had been indulging in romantic affairs with her sister, showering her with affection, all while intending to abandon her.
If Yun Mu Jing had made a fuss about it, it might have been easier to bear.
Yet her obedient demeanor—knowing everything but neither fighting nor competing—made him feel… truly despicable.
Suddenly, Mo Han Zhao lost all interest. After a long silence, he subtly removed Yun Si Yu’s hand from his wrist, forced a smile, and said, “I’m sorry, Yu’er, I’m a bit tired today.”
“I’d like to return and rest first. Another day, I’ll accompany you.”
At these words, the smile that had lingered on Yun Si Yu’s lips froze instantly, though her expression returned to normal in just a moment.
“Then Yu’er will see Your Highness off…”
“No need, I know the way. You should return and rest early.” After saying this, Mo Han Zhao straightened the crooked hairpin on Yun Si Yu’s head, then stepped past her and disappeared into the night.