The standoff in the street grew increasingly suffocating. Pei Qingmin stood frozen in place, already aware deep down that he had misunderstood Qu Moying, yet unable to take a step back first due to his pride as a prince.
On the other side, Qu Moying’s strength was fading further. The aftereffects of the earlier carriage collision had not yet subsided, and she had already been shaken by Pei Qingmin’s absurd accusations. Now, after rushing all the way here, she had exhausted nearly all her remaining strength.
At this moment, her body went weak, and she nearly collapsed completely into Yudong’s arms.
“Miss! Miss, please hold on!” Yudong supported her tightly, but dared not speak further due to Pei Qingmin’s identity.
She instinctively looked around, hoping someone familiar might pass by and break the deadlock. At that very moment, a familiar figure came into view. Her eyes immediately lit up as she urgently tugged Qu Moying’s sleeve and whispered, “Miss! It’s the Prince!”
Qu Moying forced her heavy eyelids open. Through the blurred light and shadow, Pei Yuanzhun’s figure gradually became clear. The tension in her mind suddenly loosened, and the last thread of strength within her snapped. She instinctively reached out, then her body went limp as she fell straight forward.
Pei Yuanzhun moved extremely quickly, stepping forward in a few strides and catching her firmly in his arms. Looking down at her face as pale as paper, his brows furrowed tightly, and his entire presence turned cold. His sharp gaze cut toward Pei Qingmin like a blade, his tone filled with displeasure and questioning. “What happened?”
“Your Highness,” Yudong hurriedly replied, “Miss was already unwell after the earlier carriage incident. She rushed here in haste, and also because of…”
She hesitated, glancing subtly at Pei Qingmin, whose expression was equally unpleasant. Out of concern for her mistress’s reputation, she did not say everything directly, but her implication made it clear that this matter was inseparable from him.
Pei Qingmin’s throat tightened. The frustration and coughing in his chest tangled together, leaving him unable to speak. He could only force out a strained address. “Uncle…”
Pei Yuanzhun looked at his pale, weak appearance and a trace of disdain flickered in his eyes. So fragile and useless, unable even to protect himself, yet he dared to trouble others.
He let out a cold snort. “Then tell me, how do you explain today’s matter?”
The surrounding guards and attendants held their breath. Minghai was drenched in cold sweat, yet none dared to step forward.
Just as Pei Qingmin’s body began to sway, on the other side Leng Yue’er stepped forward slightly. In that single movement, Pei Qingmin’s body leaned precisely into her arms. She caught him firmly around the waist, steadying him as securely as Pei Yuanzhun held Qu Moying.
She looked up at Pei Yuanzhun with slightly curved brows, her expression obedient and well-behaved, yet her tone remained neither humble nor arrogant, carefully balancing both sides. “Please forgive us, Lord Prince. My master has recently caught a cold and is somewhat muddled in his thinking. He did not understand your relationship with Fourth Miss Qu and offended her. I hope Your Highness will be magnanimous and not hold it against a junior.”
As she spoke, Leng Yue’er’s eyes curved slightly. From a distance, she had already felt that this man was dangerous. Now standing this close, that feeling only intensified.
“……” Pei Yuanzhun did not expect the one speaking to be a mere dark guard. Yet this guard was not even standing in the shadows. Why was she wandering about in the open? And this one… she should be the one who had been whistling earlier, yes? Quite interesting.
He gave Leng Yue’er another glance. She returned him a perfectly obedient, fake smile.
Then Pei Yuanzhun left.
Leng Yue’er casually handed Pei Qingmin back to Minghai and stepped back into the group of guards, resuming her proper dark guard posture. Yet the laziness in her expression had not fully faded.
After this incident, Minghai became even more convinced that this dark guard was no ordinary person. To be able to stand so calmly before the intimidating Pei Yuanzhun and resolve the situation for the prince, such courage and presence were far beyond that of an ordinary guard.
“Guard Leng, about this matter…” Minghai hesitated before continuing, “Could I trouble you to send His Highness back to the carriage?”
Leng Yue’er lowered her gaze at the man being pushed back toward her, then looked at Minghai. A trace of impatience flashed in her eyes, though she said nothing. She simply stared at him in silence.
She was a dark guard responsible for covert protection, not a servant to handle errands and support duties. Was this sickly prince planning to cling to her now?
Covert protection?
Suddenly, something clicked in her mind.
Dark guard?
She glanced around.
She was not in the shadows.
Then… was she standing in the wrong position? Was this even considered being on duty correctly?
Though thinking this, her actions did not slow.
Minghai felt increasingly uneasy under her silent gaze and awkwardly withdrew his hand, no longer daring to insist. He quickly called over two servants. Together they supported and carried Pei Qingmin back to the carriage.
The guards mounted their horses and escorted the carriage back to the Prince Wei residence in silence.
By dawn, the residents finally discovered that Pei Qingmin had developed a high fever and was barely conscious. The household was thrown into panic, and messengers were immediately sent to the palace to request an imperial physician.