Nan Chaoyin's face was grim. Ji Jinmo's kick had directly broken Qin Yushan's neck. The broken bone had pierced her skin, and blood flowed from her neck, spreading across the cobblestone path by the lake in the backyard. The gaps between the stones were filled with pool after pool of blood.
Hearing Yu Chengxuan's malicious inquiry, Nan Chaoyin turned and gestured to him, "Seventh Prince, please!" he said, leading him towards the banquet hall.
Yu Chengxuan fiddled with the fan in his hand and strode towards the pavilion.
Go to the banquet hall at this time? Impossible!
Nan Chaoyin watched Yu Chengxuan's retreating back, his expression so dark it seemed to drip with water.
Wang Qiancheng glanced at Qin Yushan as he passed by her. Her eyes remained open, staring fixedly at the sky. Even at the moment of her death, she probably hadn't figured out how she had met her end.
Liu Cheng pulled Wang Qiancheng aside, dragging him and Qin Mo away. Nan Chaoyin and his group followed the Prince and Yu Chengxuan to the pavilion by the lake. The act of putting their heads on the line just to catch a glimpse of the excitement was simply a new form of suicidal artistry. They'd best stay far away to avoid getting splashed with blood later.
The three of them huddled to one side. The general from Dali, who had been kicked away by the Prince, was limping towards the pavilion. Nan Yujin remained in place, directing servants to deal with Qin Yushan's corpse.
After a hasty burial, the body was carried away by servants.
Young maids carried buckets of water and knelt on the cobblestone path to clean the bloodstains.
Nan Shiying tidied her sleeves and slowly stood up. She said to Ji Jinmo, "My Lord, there are too many flies here. It's not worth staying. I see the sky indicates it's almost noon, and the banquet should begin. Shall we go inside?"
"Alright~"
Ji Jinmo rose, pulling Nan Shiying's hand. Their fingers intertwined tightly.
Just as Yu Chengxuan was about to step onto the stairs, Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo emerged from the other side of the pavilion hand in hand, leaving Yu Chengxuan with only their retreating backs as they walked side by side.
Yu Chengxuan watched their receding figures, a flame seeming to spread in his eyes, an inferno that engulfed the sky and earth, but it vanished in an instant. If Huian hadn't been watching him since he entered the pavilion, she might not have been able to glimpse the true emotions that involuntarily welled up from his heart.
Huian became even more certain that no matter how much turmoil Yu Chengxuan stirred up in Linyuan, his fundamental goal was definitely not to obtain Nan Yuan'er.
She wasn't worthy!
Nan Yuan'er helped Liu Shi to her feet. She lowered her head, the skin beneath her lower eyelids slightly reddened, giving her a fragile, pitiable appearance that evoked a protective instinct.
Yu Chengxuan concealed it well, but Huian still saw a flicker of disgust in his eyes.
Huian picked up her handkerchief and lightly dabbed her lips, covering the cold smile that spread across them.
"Miss Nan, have you been bullied?" Yu Chengxuan asked with feigned concern.
Nan Yuan'er quickly looked up, then rapidly lowered her head again, shaking it gently. "This humble subject has not been insulted. It is this humble subject's fault for appearing before the Princess Consort and causing her displeasure."
Huian felt a wave of nausea. She even considered handing her teacup to Nan Yuan'er. Coincidentally, the tea today was excellent pre-rain Longjing, and a bloomed tea leaf floated in her cup, a perfect match for Nan Yuan'er!
"I recall Princess Consort is also a young lady from the Nan residence. Even married, you should not be so overbearing towards your own sisters. What a truly exemplary Princess Consort, and indeed, the wife of Ji Jinmo. You two are truly alike!" Yu Chengxuan sneered repeatedly, feeling indignant on Nan Yuan'er's behalf.
Nan Yuan'er did not respond, only saying, "Your Highness, please speak with caution. Even if the Princess Consort is displeased with me, you cannot insult the people of my Linyuan."
"Pfft!"
Huian couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Yu Chengxuan and Nan Yuan'er turned their heads simultaneously, looking at her.
Huian waved her hands at the two of them, signaling them not to mind her and to treat her as if she were air. "I am truly sorry. I just thought of something amusing and couldn't help but laugh. Please, Miss Nan, don't think too much of it. I certainly don't mean to mock you!"
Huian's words claimed she wasn't mocking, but the implication was clear to everyone: she was indeed mocking her!
She was laughing at Nan Yuan'er for overacting!
A hint of coldness flickered in Nan Yuan'er's eyes, but she shook her head at Huian. "Your Highness is too concerned. This humble subject hadn't thought much of it, but now hearing your explanation, Your Highness, I do feel rather touched."
Huian stood up, her hair ornaments swaying above her head. She wasn't wearing a veil today. This was the first time she had shown her face in public since arriving in Linyuan.
The Linyuan onlookers who had accompanied Yu Chengxuan all showed a flash of astonishment in their eyes upon seeing Huian.
Purely in terms of appearance, Huian surpassed Nan Yuan'er, and then some!
She adjusted her flowing sleeves, finding the Linyuan attire a little unfamiliar.
"Miss Nan, keeping your thoughts to yourself and not revealing them is being discreet. Revealing them, however, makes you a laughingstock. Sometimes, being overly clever can make you seem calculating. I've said all I need to say. I hope Miss Nan will remember this, so you won't be ridiculed again next time!"
"Huian!"
Yu Chengxuan glared at Huian with displeasure.
Huian smiled at Yu Chengxuan. "What, my dear brother is heartbroken? Very well. After all, this Miss Nan is someone you favor. I understand, so I won't disturb you any further!"
With that, Huian turned and walked away.
Nan Yuan'er's teeth were almost ground to dust. She suppressed the hatred in her heart, only allowing her eyes to redden slightly.
Yu Chengxuan sighed. "I apologize to you on behalf of my sister. Please, Miss Nan, don't take it to heart and don't be sad."
Liu Shi carefully examined Yu Chengxuan. He was even more slender than the Emperor, with well-defined features and an extraordinary demeanor. His bearing was noble and expansive, truly embodying the phrase, "A man like jade on the path, a peerless gentleman." She had heard before that a prince from Dali had once asked to marry Yuan'er in front of the Emperor. Now, looking at him, he seemed to care more deeply for Yuan'er than the Emperor did, appearing thoroughly smitten.
Liu Shi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Her daughter was truly captivating, enchanting all the talented men in the world.
She couldn't help but think that if the Emperor still had no intention of marrying Yuan'er by next year, marrying her off to this Seventh Prince of Dali wouldn't be impossible.
After all, if she remained in Linyuan and the Emperor refused to marry her, her Yuan'er would become a nun. It would be better to go to Dali!
It would be another path!
Thinking this, Liu Shi's gaze towards Yu Chengxuan became much more amiable.
Sensing the change in Liu Shi's gaze, Yu Chengxuan fiddled with his fan. Ji Fei watched, his scalp tingling again.
Why was this lord fiddling with his fan again? Ji Jinmo and Princess Huian had already left the pavilion. Who had displeased this lord now???
It was ridiculous!!