"Xiao Yao, they say my Fourth Brother brought you back. Did he give you a hard time?"
Feng Jin Rui rushed over as soon as he heard the news.
Xiao Yao pursed her lips, wanting to say many things, all of them complaints.
How could he not have given her a hard time?
He made her sleep on the ground all night, and the moment she woke up, he threw her out of his room.
Did these count as giving her a hard time?
However, she didn't seem to like complaining.
So, the words that reached her lips faded away.
"It's nothing, I just picked a few of his flowers. He wants me to compensate him, and I can't afford it."
Fu Ning watched Xiao Yao's expression, not missing a single detail.
The more he looked, the more familiar she seemed.
Why did he still have that feeling, that the young girl before him truly resembled A Li?
"How much does Fourth Brother want you to compensate? I'll pay him for you."
In Feng Jin Rui's mind, his Fourth Brother had always disliked Xiao Yao, so if Xiao Yao stayed here, she would definitely be bullied.
He had to get her away first.
At this, Xiao Yao's face was filled with even more resentment.
"Your Fourth Brother told me to compensate him for the flowers, the ones I picked and the ones I crushed, and they must be returned to their original state."
Feng Jin Rui was stunned, he couldn't quite process what she said.
What did "returned to their original state" mean? They were already picked, could they be reattached?
In that case, would it be acceptable to find a few living ones elsewhere?
Fu Ning, however, smiled. "Fourteenth Prince, Prince Xuan's intention is to keep Xiao Yao here by force, with no room for negotiation."
The matter of compensating him with flowers in their original state was merely a specious argument.
Feng Jin Rui also realized belatedly that his Fourth Brother had no intention of letting Xiao Yao "afford" the compensation.
"Fourth Brother must still think you are a spy from another country and wants to keep you here for torture and interrogation."
Xiao Yao's body was so frail, she couldn't possibly endure it.
"I'll go and explain to Fourth Brother that you are not a bad person."
Fu Ning smiled again. "From Xiao Yao's appearance, she doesn't look like someone being mistreated, let alone subjected to torture and interrogation."
Look at this table full of breakfast, not to mention how rare it was, but it was certainly not a perfunctory meal.
What kind of treatment would a prisoner receive like this?
"I'm afraid Prince Xuan just found an excuse because he wants to keep Xiao Yao here."
But as soon as these words were spoken, Fu Ning's heart gave a sudden lurch.
Why would Prince Xuan go to such lengths to keep a young girl in his courtyard?
Prince Xuan already had Her Majesty the Empress by his side!
Feng Jin Rui thought for a moment, then tugged at Xiao Yao's sleeve and started walking out of the courtyard.
"I'll take you out first. I'll talk to Fourth Brother about it later."
In any case, he just felt that his Fourth Brother didn't like Xiao Yao.
His Fourth Brother keeping Xiao Yao confined in his courtyard must have a purpose.
However, before they could leave, two figures appeared out of thin air at the courtyard entrance.
"Jing Ri, Wang Yue?"
Feng Jin Rui was startled.
These two were two of the Four Killers by his Fourth Brother's side. Weren't they supposed to be working outside before?
When did they return?
"Fourteenth Prince, His Highness has ordered this young lady to remain in the Wu Zhou Yuan. We ask that the Fourteenth Prince not interfere."
Jing Ri cupped his fists, his attitude was considered respectful, but the Prince's orders were not to be questioned.
If the Prince forbade anyone from leaving, they had to guard them.
"Fourteenth Prince, you should know that we absolutely obey His Highness's commands," Wang Yue also said.
Feng Jin Rui had no intention of fighting them.
Moreover, he was no match for them.
Seeing their stance, Xiao Yao knew that if she and Feng Jin Rui tried to force their way out, although they might win, they would at least be severely injured if not killed.
Why bother? She hadn't lived enough yet.
"Since we can't go out, I'm going to take a nap."
Xiao Yao yawned and turned towards the west wing.
"Xiao Yao, don't worry, I'll definitely find a way to persuade Fourth Brother."
Feng Jin Rui also followed her.
Fu Ning, left behind, continued to gaze at Xiao Yao's retreating figure, lost in thought.
How could there be people with such similar backs in the world?
Was it a coincidence, or was there something more to it?