The night deepened, and the Xin Yuan Pavilion was brightly lit.
Lü Wan and the others stood with their hands clasped, their eyes darting towards the door. As the sky grew darker and the Prince’s mood soured, they silently prayed for the Princess Consort to return soon.
Shi San pushed the door open, observing Ji Jin Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed. He couldn't help but swallow.
"Where are they?" Ji Jin Mo asked.
Xuan Shi San coughed and, steeling himself, replied, "At the Huan Cai Pavilion!"
"What are they doing?"
Xuan Shi San’s throat bobbed. Recalling Xuan Wei's report, he felt that if he told the truth, he might lose his life.
"Hmm?"
Ji Jin Mo’s eyelids flickered open, and he looked at Xuan Shi San, who had been silent for several seconds.
Xuan Shi San felt a chill down his spine, a cool, ticklish sensation on his neck. "They are... chatting with Miss Yin'er!"
In reality, Liu Cheng and the others were also present, but… to avoid the Prince’s anger, it was better not to mention them!
"Crack~"
Ji Jin Mo applied a little more force, crushing the teacup in his hand.
Xuan Shi San’s eyes widened. His gaze flickered over the shattered teacup before he abruptly lowered his head, a single thought forming in his mind – why was His Highness jealous even of women?!
Ji Jin Mo reached out, and Lü Wan handed him a handkerchief.
He delicately wiped his hands and then tossed the handkerchief aside.
…
Liu Cheng and the others were practically mere attendants, watching Yin'er and Feng Luan converse animatedly.
They had moved from discussing zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting to poetry and songs, and now they were talking about which family had the best fabric for clothes and the best rouge. Qin Mo looked at Feng Luan with admiration, wishing she could learn from her.
Liu Cheng lowered his head, recalling her various guises: gentle as jade, fierce and cold, unrestrained and wild!
Was this person truly pure on the outside and dark within, dark on the outside and pure within, or a disguise of pureness covering darkness?
Liu Cheng suddenly felt that perhaps he should distance himself from her, but remembering his grandfather's instructions, he suppressed this thought.
"Feng Luan, your hands are so beautiful. I recently acquired a jade thumb ring that would suit you perfectly. I..."
Yin'er held Nan Shiying's hand. Her hand was fair and slender, unlike her true self. Although her demeanor was gentle, a coldness emanated from her bones. It felt soft and warm. Yin'er couldn't help but touch it a few more times. She then remembered the thumb ring she had bought a few days ago. She had originally intended to give it to Wei Yuan as a return gift for the hairpin he had given her, but now she couldn't recall him at all.
"Clang~"
The door was pushed open forcefully. Yin'er’s voice abruptly cut off. She knitted her brows and turned her head in fury, only to see the tall, straight figure standing in the shadowy doorway. Her anger instantly turned to astonishment.
Master?
Everyone looked towards the door, their pupils constricting.
Ji Jin Mo strode into the room, his cold, deep phoenix eyes sweeping over everyone's faces. When his gaze landed on a particular spot, he paused. The chill emanating from him dispelled the warmth in the room, like a gust of cold wind suddenly blowing in. Everyone shivered, instinctively hugging their arms. After a few seconds of stunned silence, they all abruptly stood up.
Chairs scraped across the floor, emitting piercing sounds. The noises followed in succession, making Nan Shiying’s scalp tingle. Sensing the direction of Ji Jin Mo's gaze, Nan Shiying swiftly pulled her hand away from Yin'er’s.
Yin'er was startled by the sudden release and only then noticed Ji Jin Mo’s gaze.
Yin'er was immediately shocked!
"Your, Your Highness!"
Liu Cheng and the others swallowed. The oppressive aura emanating from him made their breathing tighten.
The Regent of Lin Yuan.
Just his gaze sweeping over them gave them the illusion of being instantly enveloped in coldness.
It was truly terrifying!
But… why was he here?
"Yin'er greets Your Highness!"
Yin'er bowed to Ji Jin Mo. Facing her imposing master, she dared not say anything more at this moment.
Nan Shiying waved at Ji Jin Mo, her expression still casual, and greeted him familiarly, "Your Highness, have you eaten?"
Everyone suddenly looked up, casting a quick glance at Nan Shiying.
Their eyes widened in shock, their pupils dilating.
They were filled with admiration!
Ji Jin Mo’s face darkened, his gaze wishing it could pierce her hand. Then, he felt a pang of heartache, thinking it would be better to chop off Yin'er's hand. Yin'er, for some reason, felt a chill run through her, as if something bad was about to happen.
Ji Jin Mo strode over to Nan Shiying and lifted her up.
He grabbed her by the collar and walked out.
"Miss Yin'er, we'll meet again another day~~"
Nan Shiying, being carried by Ji Jin Mo, still remembered to bid farewell to Yin'er. Yin'er twitched her lips, not daring to respond.
Everyone else thought Feng Luan was a man, but only she knew that Feng Luan was a young woman disguised as a man. She just hadn't expected this woman to be the one dearest to her master's heart.
Then what about the Princess Consort?
Yin'er thought of Princess Consort Nan Shiying again.
Only after Ji Jin Mo's figure disappeared down the corridor did the hearts of Liu Cheng and the others finally relax. They slumped onto their chairs, like shipwrecked dogs just dragged out of a cold abyss.
"Too terrifying!"
Qin Mo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, exclaiming with lingering fear.
Wang Qian, pretending to be composed, picked up his teacup and drank the tea in one gulp before seeming to recover. He nodded in agreement.
Liu Cheng's hands were still trembling. Heaven knew how terrified he had been just now.
The Liu family… his grandfather had always supported the Emperor. He had truly feared that Ji Jin Mo might simply crush him to death out of displeasure. Fortunately, Ji Jin Mo hadn't noticed him.
But this Feng Luan… was she acquainted with Ji Jin Mo?
He had to inform his grandfather quickly!
With this thought, Liu Cheng abruptly stood up and said to Yin'er, "Miss Yin'er, it is late now, so we shall not disturb your rest!"
Yin'er was still lost in thought. After Feng Luan left, she had no inclination to entertain these纨绔子弟 (fùkù zǐdì - wealthy idlers/dandies). Hearing Liu Cheng's sensible departure, she rarely showed him a smile and stood up to see them off.
…
In the carriage, Nan Shiying tilted her head, looking at Ji Jin Mo, who was radiating coldness.
She pondered for a moment, then moved closer to him, reaching out to grasp the corner of Ji Jin Mo’s robe. She looked up at him from below. Sensing the movement beside him, Ji Jin Mo lowered his head slightly. From his perspective, the soft light haloed the determination in her eyes, as if veiled by a hazy mist. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her whites were so clear they were almost bluish, making her appear incredibly endearing.
The coldness on Ji Jin Mo’s face subsided, but he still wore a stern expression and remained silent, simply gazing at her.
"Your Highness, are you angry?" Nan Shiying asked tentatively.
Ji Jin Mo replied indifferently, "No!"
Nan Shiying responded with an "Oh" and, taking the opportunity, loosened her grip, about to move back. Ji Jin Mo’s face darkened, and he quickly pulled her closer, drawing her towards him.
Nan Shiying placed her hands against his chest and looked up at him, glaring.
Ji Jin Mo held her hands, his thumb rubbing gently against her skin, bringing a tingling sensation. Nan Shiying's cheeks immediately flushed.