Princess Ningde's eyes flickered upon hearing this.
She lowered her gaze and softly hummed in agreement, "Okay, brother, don't worry."
"It's getting late, you should go rest." Zhen Lin felt a wave of exhaustion, his mind a muddled mess. He had never felt so utterly defeated.
To be protected by Ningde all this time.
And he had accepted it so readily, never once considering that Ningde was the one making sacrifices behind the scenes. If not for Ningde's efforts, how could things have remained so peaceful?
As Princess Ningde reached the door, she paused, recalling an event from the day. She turned back to Zhen Lin and said, "Brother, I was indeed a bit excessive towards Miss Ning today. This was my mistake, and I will apologize to her when I have the chance."
"However... I still feel that His Highness Prince Jin looks at her in an unusual way. Perhaps it's because she... also knows medicine?" Princess Ningde's gaze deepened for a moment, then she spoke in a low voice.
Although Zhen Lin had a headache, he still understood the implication of Princess Ningde's words. "Ningde, you said she also knows medicine... Does it mean the person His Highness Prince Jin truly favors also knows medicine?"
Where on earth did Ningde get this information?
So many people in the capital had investigated Prince Jin, and none had found anything. Yet, from Ningde's words, it seemed she had some understanding of Prince Jin's past.
Princess Ningde shook her head again. "Brother, the less you know about Prince Jin's affairs, the better. I'm leaving. Rest well tonight and don't forget your medicated bath."
Zhen Lin sighed heavily in his heart again.
If His Highness Prince Jin hadn't come today, he would still have been kept in the dark.
Princess Ningde, who had already left, felt a deep sense of regret. She knew her brother would overthink things. From now on, she couldn't pretend to be the little girl who needed protection in front of him.
Now, she...
had revealed a part of her true self to her brother.
This was the part she least wanted her brother to know.
Under the twilight, Princess Ningde's lips once again pressed into a thin line.
Lu Qiao approached, and seeing Princess Ningde's extremely stern expression, she was startled. "Your Highness, what's wrong...?"
"Let's go back," Princess Ningde said, only these three words.
Lu Qiao still had questions, but seeing Princess Ningde's grim expression, she knew the conversation with the young lord couldn't have been pleasant. It must have been something important.
She decided not to ask anything and followed Princess Ningde, waiting for her orders.
After walking a short distance, Princess Ningde suddenly stopped at a fork in the road.
Lu Qiao almost bumped into her. She asked with confusion, "Your Highness, what is it?"
"It's not too late for Miss Ning to be resting. Let's go see Miss Ning." Princess Ningde suddenly felt that some things were better discussed in person.
Lu Qiao followed Princess Ningde, and she felt that after the conversation with the young lord, her mistress seemed to have changed.
The princess seemed...
like...
a sense of unfamiliarity she couldn't quite describe. It was as if the person in front of her was Princess Ningde, and yet, not quite.
Yun Shu was a little surprised when she heard the knock on the door.
She had just finished bathing and had changed into her clothes, lying on the bed.
When asked who it was and told it was Princess Ningde, she was slightly surprised and got up to open the door.
"Please come in."
Princess Ningde nodded. "I apologize for disturbing you so late, Miss Ning. However, there are some matters I need to discuss with you."
"Oh? What matters?" Yun Shu walked over and sat down, gesturing for Princess Ningde to sit as well.
She suddenly recalled the events in the garden that day. Could it be about that?
Princess Ningde looked at Miss Ning's cool, elegant face. While her beauty wasn't exceptional, her demeanor was exceptionally rare.
"Miss Ning, you have met His Highness Prince Jin twice. What is your impression of him?" Princess Ningde's eyes moved slightly as she asked, her mind racing with thoughts.
Upon hearing the words "His Highness Prince Jin," Yun Shu smiled inwardly. Princess Ningde was indeed astute.
She hadn't missed any subtle clues.
It was normal for her to be suspicious.
She replied calmly, "His Highness Prince Jin is peerlessly handsome."
This was her genuine, heartfelt opinion. She didn't believe anyone in this world could surpass him! Even if others thought differently, in her eyes, he was unrivaled.
Princess Ningde curved her lips and smiled, "Miss Ning, would you like to marry His Highness Prince Jin? I can help you."
Her words sounded very sincere.
It was as if she genuinely wanted to help Yun Shu and Zhan Tian Ye get together.
However, Yun Shu heard countless traps hidden within her words.
Was she waiting for her to fall into them?
Princess Ningde carefully observed the person in front of her, looking for any blush or hint of expectation from Miss Ning.
Anyone who had seen His Highness Prince Jin that day had been somewhat dazed.
If those women were given a chance to marry His Highness Prince Jin, they would certainly seize it. She knew very well that those in the capital who had seen His Highness Prince Jin at the palace banquet were all harboring this ambition.
This was an opportunity she was offering to Ning Ruan.
If Ning Ruan genuinely agreed, she would help, out of gratitude for Ning Ruan saving her brother.
It was merely to pacify His Highness Prince Jin's affections, no, his affections, which she wasn't sure of yet. Some things, when unobtainable, are desperately sought after, but once acquired, the desire fades.
She didn't want His Highness Prince Jin's attention to linger on other women for too long.
A good way to achieve this was to present Ning Ruan to His Highness Prince Jin. If his affections waned, that would be ideal. Even if he had affections, they could be made to disappear.
However...
Yun Shu's expression was too indifferent. There was not the slightest hint of covetousness for Prince Jin.
"Thank you, but I am already betrothed," Yun Shu said faintly.
"What?" Princess Ningde was somewhat taken aback.
Already betrothed?
"You are already betrothed?" Princess Ningde confirmed once more.
Yun Shu nodded. "Yes."
Princess Ningde immediately chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I must have overthought things. I assumed Miss Ning had feelings for His Highness Prince Jin and would, like other women, wish to marry him. I apologize if I have caused you any trouble. It is late, so I will not disturb you further. Regarding my attitude towards you in the garden today, I was not very pleasant, and I ask that you do not take offense."
She was too surprised. She was already betrothed!
And judging by Miss Ning's demeanor, she wasn't lying.
"It's nothing," Yun Shu replied.
As soon as Yun Shu saw Princess Ningde out, Qin Yiqing rushed in.
"What did she come to see you about? It doesn't feel like good news," Qin Yiqing whispered.
Yun Shu's beautiful eyes twinkled, a mischievous thought forming. "It's great news! Tremendous good news that fell from the sky."
"What?" Qin Yiqing looked utterly disbelieving.