Hearing this, a trace of gloom flashed through Mo Jinglin’s eyes.
He turned and headed toward the inner residence.
“I’ll go see Jun’er.”
Walking beside him, Yun Zexuan spoke with cold disgust.
“What I said earlier may sound unbelievable, but it’s all true.”
“Yun Ziyao only appears weak on the surface.”
“Your Highness mustn’t be deceived by her.”
“She not only slapped me, she kicked both Jun’er and me into the lake. Jun’er was soaked from head to toe—”
Mo Jinglin suddenly slowed his steps and turned to look at him.
His gaze was dark and thoughtful.
Yun Zexuan stopped as well.
“Your Highness?”
Mo Jinglin spoke quietly.
“Given Yun Ziyao’s current condition, even I find it difficult to believe what you’re saying.”
Yun Zexuan fell silent for a moment.
His brows furrowed.
“It really is hard to believe.”
“The strength she displayed in that instant was astonishing.”
“She wasn’t like her former self at all.”
Not like her former self?
Mo Jinglin narrowed his eyes slightly.
A strange look flickered across them.
Indeed, everything Yun Ziyao had shown today was completely different from before.
During the three years she spent in the Laundry Bureau, Mo Jinglin had seen her more than once.
He had personally witnessed the terror and helpless endurance on her face whenever the matrons tortured her.
Each time he watched her suffer punishment, guilt stirred within him.
It wasn’t that he felt no sympathy.
He simply believed that since she was only the Yun family’s adopted daughter, she should have behaved like one.
To prevent her from continuing to use her former status as the Yun family’s eldest daughter to suppress Jun’er, he had forced himself to ignore his pity and harden his heart.
He had wanted to temper her character.
Who could have imagined that she would instead come to resent him?
Did she really think agreeing to Prince Zhan’s proposal would make him regret his choices?
Mo Jinglin’s expression darkened.
How ridiculous.
With a flick of his sleeve, he stepped toward the gate of the inner courtyard.
Only then did he notice two maids kneeling at the entrance.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Mo Jinglin frowned.
“I am going to Tingyu Pavilion.”
One of the maids, Wutong, lowered her head respectfully.
“Your Highness, the Second Young Lady is unwell.”
“Madam has ordered that she rest quietly and not be disturbed by anyone.”
“Madam also said that men and women should maintain proper boundaries.”
“To protect the reputations of both young ladies, no outside men will be allowed to enter their courtyards freely in the future.”
Mo Jinglin’s face immediately darkened.
“What did you say?”
Without raising her head, Wutong calmly repeated every word.
She seemed completely oblivious to the increasingly ugly look on his face.
“Insolence!”
Yun Zexuan exploded in anger.
“This is the Crown Prince!”
“He is engaged to the Second Young Lady!”
“Upon hearing that Jun’er was unwell, he came personally to visit her.”
“How dare two lowly servants block his path?”
“Eldest Young Master.”
A voice sounded from within the courtyard.
Nanny Zhou walked out with a stern expression.
She looked directly at Yun Zexuan.
“Wutong and Luoye were assigned here by Madam.”
“You call them lowly servants.”
“Are you venting your dissatisfaction at Madam herself?”
Yun Zexuan’s face changed.
“Nanny Zhou, that’s not what I meant.”
“They already explained that they are acting under Madam’s orders.”
“They are guarding the inner residence and protecting the reputations of both young ladies.”
“Yet you continue to argue and insult them.”
“Is that not dissatisfaction with Madam’s arrangements?”
Nanny Zhou’s expression remained completely neutral.
“Though you are a concubine-born son, you have always been registered under Madam’s name.”
“You have enjoyed all the privileges of a legitimate heir.”
“Has Madam ever treated you unfairly?”
Yun Zexuan’s expression tightened.
“Of course not. Mother has always—”
“If Madam’s teachings have somehow gone wrong and caused the Eldest Young Master to develop resentment toward her…”
Nanny Zhou interrupted firmly.
“Then this old servant will have to report it to Madam properly.”
“Otherwise, if word spreads in the future that the Chancellor’s eldest son is disrespectful and unfilial toward his legal mother, and some official seizes upon it as an excuse to impeach the Chancellor for failing to educate his son…”
She looked directly at him.
“Can Eldest Young Master bear the consequences?”
The moment those words fell, Yun Zexuan’s face stiffened completely.
Ordinarily, scolding a pair of maids would have been nothing serious.
Especially since they had blocked the Crown Prince’s path.
Even knowing they served Madam Yun, his reprimand could easily be explained as preserving the Crown Prince’s dignity.
Yet Nanny Zhou had elevated the matter instantly.
She had transformed it into a question of filial piety.
A charge that carried serious consequences.
Yun Zexuan’s expression became increasingly ugly.
He genuinely couldn’t understand what he had done wrong.
Nor could he understand why his mother now seemed to dislike him so much.
Even the trusted nanny at her side dared lecture him publicly, using household rules against him in front of the Crown Prince.
Nanny Zhou was Madam Yun’s most trusted servant.
She had always known her place and exercised good judgment.
Without Madam Yun’s approval, she never would have dared invoke such accusations.
Yet he couldn’t argue.
Suppressing his anger, Yun Zexuan lowered his head.
“I truly meant no disrespect.”
“I have always been grateful for Mother’s guidance and care.”
“I respect and appreciate her deeply.”
“I would never intentionally offend or disobey her.”
“I hope Nanny Zhou won’t misunderstand.”
After speaking, he hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.
“Since Mother’s intention is to protect my sisters’ reputations, then as her son I naturally obey.”
“However, His Highness and Jun’er have always been close.”
“I hope Nanny Zhou can make an exception and allow His Highness to visit her this once.”
Nanny Zhou lowered her gaze.
Then she bowed respectfully toward the Crown Prince.
“Please forgive this servant, Your Highness.”
“The Second Young Lady has just finished drinking ginger soup and fallen asleep.”
“Her clothing is in disarray.”
“It would not be appropriate for her to receive visitors.”
Mo Jinglin cast her a cold glance.
Then he turned and left without another word.
Yun Zexuan unconsciously clenched his fists.
His lips tightened.
Expressionless, he glanced once at Nanny Zhou before following after the Crown Prince.
Watching them depart, Nanny Zhou turned toward the two kneeling maids.
“Continue your watch.”
“Do not allow anyone to enter the inner residence without permission.”
The two maids bowed immediately.
“Yes.”