On the street, Xiuxiu watched her master walk swiftly ahead. Sometimes she really couldn't understand her master. Why could she trust someone so easily?
Like that fat man, like Wanwan, what if they took the silver and didn't do the job? Wouldn't she have accomplished nothing?
"Hurry up, what are you thinking about?"
The person in front urged, and Xiuxiu responded and followed closely, finally unable to help but ask.
"Master, what if Wanwan takes the silver and leaves?"
"Xiuxiu, you worry too much. Half of that five hundred taels of silver is a gift to her. She will serve me from now on, and that's her severance pay. The medicinal materials don't cost much. Let's go back quickly."
"Mm," the two of them spoke as they headed towards the Yun Prince's mansion. This time, they entered from the back as usual.
Yuxuan, Xiao He, seeing the two of them return, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Niangniang, you're back. It almost fell through. Qiao'er has been clamoring to come in. I managed to send her off to do something else. Who knew that Young Master Yun would come to visit you.
Also, Princess Yun came to visit you. I reported that you were tired and resting. They didn't say much and left.
However, Young Master Yun sent someone to ask again if you were awake and said he wanted to take you to tour the garden."
Yun Xiao nodded, her eyes flickering.
The Yun Prince's mansion is not a place to stay for long. Yun Zhen is so sharp.
If she stayed with him for a long time, she might reveal clues sooner or later. Now is not the time for her to pretend to be foolish. Unless Yun Mo withdraws his political power, she can truly tell them that she is not foolish.
"Tell the servant that I will come to find him later."
"Okay," Xiao He nodded and walked out.
In the room, Yun Xiao and Xiuxiu nimbly changed into men's clothing, washed their hair and accessories, tidied up, and transformed into two beautiful women. Just as Xiuxiu hid the dirty clothes, Qiao'er rushed in.
"Miss, Miss, you're awake?"
Yun Xiao looked at her without speaking.
Xiuxiu stood aside and quickly said, "Qiao'er, the eldest young master wants to take Niangniang to tour the garden. Can you lead us there? We don't know where the eldest young master lives?"
"Okay, let's go," Qiao'er immediately walked over happily, supporting Yun Xiao, and the three of them left the room and headed towards where Yun Zhen lived.
Yun Zhen's residence was not far from Yuxuan, separated only by an artificial lake. A vermilion bridge spanned the center of the lake, with a pavilion on it.
At this time, the lake was calm. The clear lake water was as clear as a mirror, reflecting shimmering ripples under the sunlight.
If it were summer, there would be lotuses on this lake. At a glance, the green water would blend with the sky, a beautiful sight to behold...
Yun Zhen did not suspect anything. He doted on this sister dearly, not only because she was foolish but also because she had become a pawn in political struggles. Even though her mind was not well, she still bore the burden of being used by others.
Yun Zhen had tried to prevent this marriage, but he had not succeeded. Their father had also tried to stop it, even willing to relinquish his great power for Xiao'er.
However, the imperial family was always contemptuous. The Empress Dowager wanted to use the Yun family for her own purposes while also wanting to control the Yun family. Thus, Xiao'er became a pawn.
But such things ultimately could not prevent the coming storm. Sooner or later, the Yun family would be devoured, and Xiao'er would be the first to die.
The new emperor already detested her.
If his guess was correct, people from the palace would come to take her back tomorrow.
"Xiao'er, brother is sorry for you." Yun Zhen put his arm around Yun Xiao's shoulder. The siblings stood on the vermilion bridge in the center of the lake, watching the setting sun. The bloody red hue dyed half the sky.
Yun Xiao's heart ached. Nestled against his chest, Yun Zhen was truly her brother at this moment, from the bottom of her heart.
"Xiao'er, I won't let anything happen to you. I, I will definitely make Father hand over his great power as soon as possible. Then, our family will leave the capital. Let's find a place without conflict and live happily, okay?"
Yun Zhen said softly. That beautiful picture moved Yun Xiao. In the twilight, tears welled up in her eyes, and she smiled charmingly.
Brother, Father, you are my family, and I will not let anything happen to you either.
Yun Xiao whispered in her heart. The sky darkened, and the wind picked up. Yun Zhen released her shoulder and said softly, "Xiao'er, let's go back. It's windy, be careful not to catch a cold."
Xiuxiu and Qiao'er walked over, supporting Yun Xiao's body, and walked back along the hollow lake bridge.
Yun Zhen's gaze followed her retreating figure. She was so delicate. His eyes were hazy and sorrowful, slowly sinking into the dim twilight.
Yuxuan.
Quiet and peaceful. Yun Xiao finished her dinner and leaned on the soft couch, lost in thought. The candlelight flickered in the room.
A gust of wind blew, the light gauze fluttered, and a thin chill seeped in, causing one to shiver. Xiuxiu, standing by the screen, felt it immediately and walked to the window to close it.
Yun Xiao coughed. Xiuxiu stopped her movement and looked back. She saw that Niangniang shook her head, signaling her not to close the window.
The cool night wind was refreshing.
She was thinking about how to resolve the current situation. Father was worried about her, so only she could leave the palace. This time, she might have to return soon, and then the next time she left the palace...
A cold light flashed in Yun Xiao's starry eyes. If she couldn't do it openly, she would do it covertly. She had left the palace without authorization. This matter could not be blamed on the Yun Prince's mansion. Let's see what the people in the palace would say. Yun Xiao thought happily, her eyes smiling.
Qiao'er stood under the lamp, braiding her hair. Everything was gentle.
It was late, and it was time to rest. Yun Xiao waved her hand. Xiuxiu walked over and pulled up Qiao'er, who was diligently working. "Qiao'er, Niangniang wants to rest. You can go down and rest."
"Okay," Qiao'er raised her pure smiling face. On her, one could not see any extraneous thoughts; she was the purest color in the world.
Qiao'er and Xiao He both left, and only Xiuxiu was serving in the room, with some eunuchs and servants guarding the door.
"Niangniang, go to bed early," Xiuxiu said respectfully. Yun Xiao nodded, washed up, and got into bed to rest. Before falling asleep, she did not forget to instruct Xiuxiu, "Wanwan will come tomorrow. Have you thought about how to explain this matter to everyone?"
Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment, then understood what Niangniang meant.
"I know what to say, Niangniang, don't worry."
"Mm," Yun Xiao fell silent. She was indeed tired today and fell into a deep sleep.
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