"If Prince Jin truly liked someone, it would be..."
That mysterious woman!
So, Prince Jin didn't like Princess Ningde, and he couldn't possibly like Princess Ningde!
Xiao Huan looked at her mistress in utter astonishment. "Mistress, who do you think he likes?"
Qin Linglong's expression faltered. Realizing she had spoken out of turn, she shook her head. "Some things are too complicated. I'm just guessing, but remember this: no matter what, I will marry Prince Jin. I will soon be Prince Jin's secondary consort."
No one could change this.
She was determined to win!
Prince Jin was so formidable, so handsome and distinguished; how could he possibly be without a woman by his side? Therefore, she had to secure a position, a position that belonged to her!
Xiao Huan glanced around, seeing no one. She wanted to urge her mistress not to be so fixated, especially after the scene that had just transpired, which had shocked many.
But the words felt too cruel. Xiao Huan knew that saying them would deal a severe blow to her mistress.
So, she bit her lip and decided not to speak.
Meanwhile, Qin Linglong twisted her handkerchief tightly in her hands. She knew some things very clearly in her heart.
But she didn't want to admit them. Regardless...
No matter what, she had to escape the mire of the Minister's mansion and make everyone look at her with newfound respect.
At this very moment, Yun Yueyin and Zhen Xu were enduring torment similar to Qin Linglong's.
The imperial physician examined Zhen Xu thoroughly once more, confirming that his internal injuries were quite severe and would require prolonged recovery, not just ten to fifteen days. Furthermore, the wounds on his face would leave scars, as would his other injuries.
Following this string of blows, coupled with his utter humiliation today, Zhen Xu spat out a mouthful of blood upon hearing the physician's words and then fainted uncontrollably.
Yun Yueyin, standing by, was not flustered at all. In fact, her face wore an expression of disappointment, as if he had failed to live up to expectations.
He couldn't even handle a mere frail woman!
Instead, he had brought such calamity upon himself!
Without a doubt, his status in the capital would be completely ruined.
He had truly lost all face!
Hong Ling, standing nearby, didn't think much of it, assuming her mistress was simply too heartbroken. She quickly busied herself with the other servants, attending to Zhen Xu.
The unconscious Zhen Xu had no idea that the woman he cherished was currently indifferent to his plight.
This was because Yun Yueyin's mind was consumed with the thought that everything had turned to dust!
The man she had chosen was so utterly incompetent!
How would she face others from now on?
Could she possibly rely on this disfigured man to lead her to the pinnacle? Absolutely not! He couldn't even accomplish such a simple task; what else could he possibly do?
Yun Yueyin's heart churned, unable to find peace.
The hideous scars on Zhen Xu's face were like a constant reminder of her past failures.
"Madam, should we... should we return to the capital now?" Hong Ling asked Yun Yueyin with concern, seeing that the situation was becoming untenable.
Moreover, she had just gone out to fetch something and overheard people gossiping, seemingly discussing the second young master and the madam.
If the second young master and madam were to hear this, it would be a fatal blow.
Yun Yueyin raised her eyes to look at Hong Ling. "You went out just now. Did you hear those people discussing me and the second young master?"
Hong Ling bit her lip, hesitating whether to answer.
However, Yun Yueyin let out a self-mocking cold laugh. "Of course, they would discuss it. They'd be delighted if my husband and I were even more disgraced. Did you see the Princess and the Heir?"
It was those two!
Princess Ningde and Zhen Lin had orchestrated the entire situation today, leaving her no opportunity to turn the tables!
No, there was also Prince Ye.
Thinking of Prince Ye, Yun Yueyin felt as if a mountain stood before her, just like in Dongning Kingdom. Prince Ye's affection for Yun Shu had enabled him to utterly defeat her, leaving her in a pathetic state.
And now, Prince Ye no longer favored Yun Shu, but instead favored Princess Ningde!
She didn't want to lose so miserably again!
She gritted her teeth. If she were to announce Prince Ye's true identity to the world...
Suddenly, she shivered. General Li De had warned her.
This path was far too difficult!
"The Heir and the Princess seem to be enjoying tea in their room. The maid just saw someone deliver tea." Hong Ling quickly reported.
Princess Ningde's face darkened upon hearing this. "My husband and I are in dire straits, and they, brother and sister, still have the leisure to enjoy tea."
Hong Ling quickly looked outside. "Madam, let's speak more softly. If the people around the Heir and the Princess hear us... it won't be good."
Yun Yueyin's gaze was filled with dread as she stared at Hong Ling. "Given the current situation, how much worse can it get?"
She was already in such a pathetic state; how much worse could it possibly be?
...
Zhen Lin and Princess Ningde sat facing each other, enjoying tea.
The freshly brewed tea steamed, filling the room with its aroma.
After drinking a few sips, Princess Ningde found her breathing stabilizing and her thoughts clearing.
As her thoughts returned, her cheeks couldn't help but blush when she thought of Prince Jin.
Zhen Lin, seeing Princess Ningde's flushed cheeks, knew she was thinking of Prince Jin. The strange feeling in his heart persisted.
He still felt that something was being overlooked.
Princess Ningde, lost in thought, naturally didn't notice the hesitation and solemnity in Zhen Lin's eyes.
However, Zhen Lin spoke a moment later. "Ningde."
"Yes?" Princess Ningde looked up at Zhen Lin with a smile.
Observing the smile on Ningde's face, Zhen Lin frowned slightly. "Today's events were somewhat unusual. I don't believe Prince Jin would have intervened for you and me so easily."
Princess Ningde's eyes sparkled. "Actually, I was also a bit surprised. He clearly said he wanted to break off the engagement and didn't like me, yet he still appeared at the critical moment, rescuing you and me from our predicament. This shows that sometimes, people are unaware of their deepest feelings, perhaps even he himself was surprised."
Princess Ningde, believing she had met many people and seen much, felt she could guess the situation with considerable accuracy.
After today's events, she believed Prince Jin himself would realize some things.
"Ningde, I think differently from you. Don't assume Prince Jin has feelings for you yet. Otherwise, you will be the one heartbroken in the future. In my opinion, he may have intervened for other reasons," Zhen Lin said with a heavy tone.
As a man, he felt that Prince Jin's emotions towards Ningde lacked tenderness or romantic affection, a mere intuition.