Yun Xiao did not move, her pupils flashing with cold light, gazing at Xi Menyao with a chilling intensity. She had not wanted to bring up the past, but since this man dared to provoke her, she would tell him the story of a man and a snake.
Xi Menyao, seeing Yun Xiao’s proud and aloof expression and her elevated posture, felt a touch of displeasure. He cupped his fists.
"Very well, since you say so, I shall not be polite."
"Good, please speak."
Yun Xiao turned and slowly walked along the cobblestones to the side, not back towards the main house, but towards the garden beside Xin Lan Yuan. She moved leisurely and gracefully, as if she were simply out for a stroll, completely unfazed by whatever Xi Menyao had to say.
Xi Menyao's heart trembled slightly. The woman exuded a bone-chilling coldness that was terrifying. He felt as though he had made a mistake coming here, but since he had, he owed it to Miss Yingxue to state his case.
"Although the young lady is deeply favored by the Palace Master, you cannot harm Miss Yingxue and cause her such grievous injuries."
As Xi Menyao spoke, Yun Xiao let out a soft "Oh." She lightly adjusted the white silk gauze draped over her arm. The gauze fluttered in the wind like clouds and mist, ethereal and celestial, even her face and expression appeared vague and indistinct. A faint, water-like smile touched her lips, very cold.
"So, Mr. Xi Men, you have come to seek justice for Miss Murong."
"Yes."
Xi Menyao gritted his teeth and responded decisively.
"While Miss Yun is favored by the Palace Master, you must remember that the Palace Master's life was saved by the Old Manor Lord. When the Old Manor Lord was dying, the Palace Master promised to care for Miss Yingxue for his entire life. Therefore, Miss Yingxue will never leave the Palace Master. Thus, Miss Yun should get along with Miss Yingxue and support each other in the future."
As soon as Xi Menyao finished speaking, Yun Xiao couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter was as clear as silver bells, yet the surrounding coldness grew more intense, seeping into one's very bones.
When her laughter subsided, she abruptly stopped and turned to face Xi Menyao with a placid expression.
"Sir, you have a good sense of humor. I forgot to tell you something; Murong will only marry me in this life, he has said so."
Xi Menyao was stunned. He hadn't expected the Palace Master to make such a promise. How was this possible? He was to be the Emperor of Dong Qin in the future.
Could the harem have only one woman? This thought was truly earth-shattering. If he said that the Palace Master would take fewer consorts for this woman, he could believe it, but if he said only one, he was truly shocked. xxs1
Even if he didn't marry others, he had promised to care for Miss Yingxue for her entire life. Was he going back on his word?
"I don't believe it. What about Miss Yingxue?"
"Murong will find a good husband for her. She will have a lifetime of food, clothing, and happiness. Isn't that caring for her for a lifetime?"
Yun Xiao smiled strangely. Did caring for someone for a lifetime only count if she married them?
She believed that when Murong ascended the throne, Murong Yingxue would be a princess of Dong Qin. Whoever she married, who would dare to bully her? Wasn't that caring for her for a lifetime?
"You, you?"
Xi Menyao was speechless, shocked by this woman. A fleeting glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
However, when he heard Yun Xiao's next words, his whole body trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.
"Let me tell you a story."
Yun Xiao paced slowly a couple of steps, then stopped, gazing at the flowers blooming in riotous splendor under the night sky, each like a graceful beauty.
In the night breeze, they swayed gently, dancing gracefully, as her voice, like water, slowly began.
"Once upon a time, someone saw a snake frozen stiff. This person felt pity for the snake and brought it home to warm it. Later, the snake revived and, instead, bit the person."
Xi Menyao began to listen with some impatience, not understanding why this woman was telling him such things late at night. His brows furrowed deeper, his gaze profound as he stared at her.
When she finished, and he was about to speak, Yun Xiao suddenly turned and looked at him.
"Sir, you are that snake."
Xi Menyao was struck as if by lightning. His entire body trembled with rage. He had merely come to reason with her!
How had he become a snake, a cold-blooded, heartless snake? It implied he was ungrateful. He didn't know what kindness or favor he owed her that she would compare him to a snake.
"You?"
This woman was truly infuriating. It seemed she really needed a lesson. He truly wondered what the Palace Master saw in her.
Yun Xiao had already walked out of the garden and was heading back towards the main house along the cobblestones. As she passed Xi Menyao, his hand suddenly clenched; he truly wanted to finish this woman off with a single move.
But at that moment, she lightly tossed another sentence: "If I hadn't saved your life at the inn back then, you wouldn't even have the right to be alive, let alone be here acting so righteously."
After speaking, she did not even glance at Xi Menyao, drifting coldly past him. But those words in that instant...
Xi Menyao suddenly loosened his grip, his expression a mixture of shock, bewilderment, and disbelief. Finally, with a sudden realization, he fell to his knees with a thud and choked out, "Xi Menyao deserves to die."
Yun Xiao, from a distance, faintly called back, "You should ask your young lady to be more well-behaved. I have already given her face. Moreover, if she continues to harbor malicious intent, won't that make things difficult for Murong in the future? Should she really cause a death and you let her get away with it?"
Her feet seemed to catch the wind, and she vanished in the blink of an eye. But judging by her qinggong, even if he had made a move just then, he might not have succeeded.
If he had attacked just now, he would truly have become that ungrateful snake.
So she was Feng Guan. Although he had vaguely seen her once before, her face was so dark that he couldn't see her true appearance clearly. However, those bright eyes were indeed somewhat similar. And if it weren't for her, no one would have known about him being rescued at the inn.
He heard the waiter say that not only did she treat his illness that day, but she also gave the waiter a large sum of silver to help him recover. He never expected to have done such a thing, and felt truly ashamed.
Under the moonlight, Xi Menyao's face was filled with remorse. He remained kneeling motionlessly, thinking of this girl named Yun Xiao. She was not only the daughter of the Yun family but also skilled in medicine and had saved him.
Most importantly, the last time the young lady led people to cause trouble at the Poppy Medical Clinic, he had saved her. He had heard her mention that the Palace Master liked Young Master Leng Yue, and he had found it strange at the time.
He knew the Palace Master's character well. It was not easy for him to like someone, how could he suddenly like two people? Now, after careful consideration, it turned out that Feng Guan and Leng Yue were both Yun Xiao.
Xi Menyao gave a wry smile. Young lady, it seems you truly have no hope. It's best to be more content.
In Yingxue Yuan, Murong Yingxue had already woken up. In reality, she had only fainted from pain and had no major injuries, only superficial ones on her cheeks and buttocks.
But the moment she thought that her injuries were all inflicted by that girl named Yun Xiao, her stomach and her entire being ached with hatred. She wished she could cut that woman into a thousand pieces.
When the serving maid told her that Uncle Xi Men had gone to find that girl, her hope ignited. She hoped that Uncle Xi Men would help her teach that woman a harsh lesson.