Yun Shang smiled and said, "Cousin Ying Ying, you're too polite. Shall we go then?"
Yun Shang and Zhao Ying Ying walked back, chatting and laughing.
Zhao Ying Ying got into the carriage with Yun Shang, and the carriage swayed through the streets towards the Prime Minister's mansion.
Along the way, Zhao Ying Ying's gaze was fixed on Yun Shang, with a hint of envy in her eyes.
Yun Shang knew that Zhao Ying Ying must be envious of her talent. Yun Shang smiled and said, "I don't play the zither, so I didn't play."
"Oh. So Cousin doesn't play the zither," a hint of disappointment flashed in Zhao Ying Ying's eyes.
"However, I can write poetry and lyrics." Yun Shang smiled.
Yun Shang had stayed in the capital for three or four years and had learned some ancient culture. In fact, she only had a superficial understanding and could only write rough drafts. She had no practical experience, so she hadn't practiced anything.
When Yun Shang said this, Zhao Ying Ying became excited. "Really! Cousin, hurry and write, let me see your skill."
Yun Shang heard this, smiled, and did not refuse. She picked up the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table and began to write diligently.
Seeing this, Zhao Ying Ying closed her mouth tightly and quietly watched Yun Shang write.
Yun Shang quickly finished her poem and handed the paper to Zhao Ying Ying.
Zhao Ying Ying took the paper handed by Yun Shang and read it carefully. After a while, her brows furrowed into a frown.
Seeing her expression, Yun Shang couldn't help but ask curiously, "Cousin Ying Ying, what's wrong?"
Zhao Ying Ying looked up at Yun Shang, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Just say it, it's fine, I don't mind," Yun Shang said with a smile.
Zhao Ying Ying hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Cousin, I want to ask you to paint a portrait for me."
"A portrait? What kind of portrait?" Yun Shang was stunned.
"It's like this, I want to depict my appearance in this portrait, so that my cousin won't be infatuated with other women anymore." Zhao Ying Ying pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Yun Shang heard this and laughed, "Cousin Ying Ying, you're thinking too much. We cousins have deep affection, how could your cousin be infatuated with other women? Moreover, your cousin is the crown prince of the royal family, so he naturally won't be infatuated with any woman."
Zhao Ying Ying did not speak upon hearing this, her eyes darting away, as if she dared not meet Yun Shang's gaze.
Seeing this, Yun Shang became even more confused.
However, Yun Shang did not ask any further questions. She nodded, agreeing to Zhao Ying Ying's request, and handed the scroll to Zhao Ying Ying, telling her to find someone to paint it.
Zhao Ying Ying put away the scroll and left in a hurry.
Yun Shang watched Zhao Ying Ying's retreating back, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Yun Ran, you're thinking too much. If my cousin were truly infatuated with another woman, he wouldn't choose me. Because I am your cousin, and I pose no threat to you.
Yun Ran sat in the carriage, thinking about her conversation with Zhao Ying Ying today. She felt something was not right, but she couldn't pinpoint it.
"Your Highness," a shout came from outside, and then a tall figure flashed past the carriage and entered it.
"What is it?" Yun Ling asked the man.
The man had an ordinary face but was clearly a martial artist. He cupped his fists and bowed, "Reporting to Your Highness, today, that county princess went to a brothel with a young man. That young man is Cousin Yun Shang's cousin. Cousin Yun Shang said she wants to invite you over to see."
Yun Shang was actually mingling in a brothel with that young man. This was something she never expected. What was Yun Shang trying to do? Was she not miserable enough after marrying into the official's mansion?
Yun Shang, are you forcing me? Have you forgotten the purpose of your marrying me? I never agreed to marry you. What right do you have to force me like this?
"Tell Yun Shang that I am currently handling some important matters. If she has nothing urgent, she doesn't need to bother me." Yun Ling's tone was somewhat cold.
The man in black was stunned. "But Your Highness, the county princess's portrait is already with the painter on the pleasure boat."
Yun Ling's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "Since that is the case, present the portrait first."
"Yes, Your Highness," the man in black responded, turned around, and left the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Yun Ling stared at the scroll, his eyes flickering slightly.
"Your Highness?" a soft call came from outside.
Yun Ling looked up and said, "Go and get the scroll. I want to examine it personally."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yun Xi entered the carriage with a teacup and couldn't help but exclaim when she saw the carriage filled with all sorts of pastries and snacks, "Wow, so lavish?"
"These are all specially prepared for you by the maids. Try them and see if they are delicious. If they are, I'll have them prepare more," Yun Ling said with a curved smile, his gaze gently falling on Yun Xi.
Yun Xi was startled by Yun Ling's sudden gentleness, her cheeks inexplicably flushing with a hint of shyness. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Xi'er, you are my concubine. I will bestow these things upon you. Don't thank me," Yun Ling reached out his long hand and stroked Yun Xi's head. "By the way, why do you suddenly want to learn to paint? Do you have someone you fancy?"
"No, no," Yun Xi quickly denied.
Yun Xi's reaction surprised Yun Ling. "Oh? Who is it? Don't you like the Beauty Pavilion I bestowed upon you?"
"No, I like the Beauty Pavilion Your Highness bestowed upon me very much. It's just that I only want to serve Your Highness well and have no other thoughts," Yun Xi shook her head.
Seeing Yun Xi say this, Yun Shang felt relieved. However, remembering the matter of the portrait mentioned by Zhao Ying Ying earlier, Yun Shang felt a little worried.
How could this portrait depict Zhao Ying Ying's appearance?
Yun Shang pondered for a moment, then ordered the coachman to drive the carriage to the entrance of the brothel.
Yun Xi got off the carriage and looked up, feeling a surge of anger rise in her heart, wishing she could tear apart the scene before her. However, Yun Xi forced herself to endure it.
Because, at this moment, Zhao Ying Ying and Su Yu Zhi were still standing at the entrance, both with faint smiles on their faces, as if chatting about something happy. They had no idea Yun Shang had arrived and were engrossed in their conversation.
Yun Shang was slightly stunned when she saw Yun Shang. "County Princess Yun Shang, what are you doing?" Yun Shang's voice was crisp but also carried a hint of coldness and distance.
Yun Shang's icy demeanor startled Zhao Ying Ying. She then quickly smiled and said, "Cousin, I invited Cousin over. It has nothing to do with Cousin."
"You invited me over?" Yun Shang frowned, her phoenix eyes filled with a hint of inquiry. Why would this woman invite her here?