Shi Mei's beautiful eyes accused her master of being fickle. How could he like such a person? She simply couldn't accept it.
Xi Lingfeng didn't know what she was talking about for a moment, so he nodded to signal her to continue.
"What?!"
"Sir, you actually like that woman? Her?"
Before Shi Mei could finish speaking, she noticed that her master's expression had changed. His eyes were unusually sharp, and a chill emanated from him. He was angry, and his anger was terrifying. Shi Mei dared not continue. She hadn't even said anything bad about that woman yet, and her master was already furious. If she said anything more, she would probably lose her life. So she decided to keep quiet.
However, Xi Lingfeng had no intention of letting her go, and spoke in a chilling tone.
"How is she?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing, she's actually a good person."
Shi Mei spoke against her will; her heart was bleeding, but she dared not say it aloud.
Xi Lingfeng didn't care what she was thinking. He toned down his coldness and gave a light warning: "Your responsibility is to protect her. Don't have any other thoughts."
"Yes, I understand."
Shi Mei dared not stay in the study any longer; the cold air in the study was almost freezing. She decided to leave, said her goodbye, and went out.
As soon as she stepped out of the study, she saw Shizhu, who also looked uneasy. It seemed that Shizhu, like her, had also learned of her master's thoughts.
The two were filled with resentment when, at that very moment, a seductive and alluring voice rang out at an inopportune time.
"Little Mei'er, why are you looking so sad again? It breaks my heart when you look so sad."
Shen Ruoxuan playfully teased Shi Mei, unaware that Shi Mei was furious. His words were a direct hit to her.
Without saying a word, Shi Mei flashed a silver light, her sword in hand, and she charged straight at Shen Ruoxuan. Shen Ruoxuan stepped back, looking completely bewildered, but he still couldn't resist trying to get back at her: "Little Mei, Little Mei, who made you angry? Tell your brother Ruoxuan, and I'll definitely get revenge for you. Don't be angry, women age easily when they're angry."
Shi Mei ignored him and pressed forward relentlessly, forcing Shen Ruoxuan to fight her.
As Shen Ruoxuan dodged, he didn't forget to shout into the study.
"Xi Lingfeng, Xi Lingfeng, your little Mei'er has killed someone, and you, as her master, aren't you going to do anything about it?"
Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention, and he was unlucky enough to be forced to fight Shi Mei for a hundred rounds.
...
In the Crown Prince's residence, Hai Ling slept soundly until nightfall in Linxiang Courtyard. However, her sleep was not good; she drifted in and out of consciousness, dreaming of being surrounded and chased by countless people in a thrilling and terrifying experience. Fortunately, in the end, someone seemed to rescue her like a knight. Unfortunately, when she desperately tried to see that person's face, she woke up, so she saw nothing.
The luxurious surroundings made Hailin momentarily disoriented, and she didn't even know where she was.
Then Rouge's distressed voice rang out: "Miss, you had a nightmare."
Yes, what you think about during the day, you dream about at night. How could she have good dreams when she's constantly surrounded by such intrigue and backstabbing?
"It's alright, it's getting dark."
"Hmm, are you hungry? Let me help you get up and have something to eat."
Hailing nodded, got up, washed up, and went out. Yanzhi ordered someone to bring up dinner, and the two of them sat down to eat.
After dinner, the two strolled around in front of the gate of Linxiang Garden. Having slept all afternoon, Hailing was now full of energy. Although she had a nightmare, she had long since let it go.
Only then did Rouge dare to ask, "Miss, you seemed unhappy when you returned from the palace this afternoon. Did Princess Fengyao say something to you?"
She knew that her mistress's unhappiness must be related to Princess Fengyao.
Hai Ling didn't hide anything this time, and said calmly, "I originally thought that Princess Feng Yao was willing to marry into the Northern Dynasty, but who knew that she didn't want to marry. It was Consort Yun who made her marry, and she couldn't resist. Yan Zhi, do you know? I saw my own shadow in her. It had nothing to do with her, but she became a pawn. Yet no one cared about our feelings at all."
"Miss, don't overthink it."
As expected, Princess Fengyao upset the young lady.
“Princess Fengyao is blaming me. She vaguely knows that I sent Feng Qian away from the capital, which is why she had to marry into the Northern Dynasty for a political alliance. So she hates me, but who should I hate?”
As she finished speaking, Hai Ling's face darkened.
She was living a good life in the General's Mansion. She had originally wanted to persuade her mother to leave the mansion, but unexpectedly, an imperial edict made her a pawn. So who would ask about her feelings? As for Feng Qian's matter, she only helped her from a friend's perspective. Who knew that she would harm Feng Yao in the process?
“Miss, you only helped your friend. As for Princess Fengyao, it was her mother who harmed her. What does it have to do with you, Miss? Please don’t pay any attention to her.”
"Yeah, that's true. I can barely take care of myself, how can I have the energy to care about others? Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore."
Hai Ling let go of her frustration, stretched her arms, and ordered the servants not far away to leave and not follow them. Only she and her servant could wander around the courtyard.
There is no moon tonight; in the dark and magnificent sky, countless stars twinkle and shimmer, like a magnificent tapestry.
Lanterns were lit throughout Linxiang Courtyard, casting a soft, warm glow that draped the scenery in a delicate veil, making it exceptionally beautiful.
To distract her mistress, Rouge quickly changed the subject.
"Miss, look how lovely this Linxiang Courtyard is."
"Yes, that's right. This place was originally built for the Crown Princess, and everything here is of the highest quality. I've actually benefited from it."
Hai Ling smiled, showing no sadness or grief, because she was prepared to leave the Crown Prince's residence.
In the darkness, the two women laughed without a care in the world.
Suddenly, there was a faint ripple around them. Hai Ling's expression shifted, her smile vanished, and she quickly reached out to pull Yan Zhi up. But Yan Zhi's body went limp and fell to one side, still smiling. What amazing skill! How did this person do that? Hai Ling was horrified. If this person attacked her, she probably wouldn't stand a chance. No longer caring about Yan Zhi, she focused all her attention on the movements in the shadows and spoke calmly.
"Who's there? Come out."