Her words, coupled with the way she held their hands in the middle, brought rare, long-lost smiles to the faces of Mu Wanjun and the other. As the three sisters sat chatting about everyday matters, Honglian emerged from a nearby room.
Instinctively heading toward the courtyard where Wanqing was, she passed by a small path along the wall. Unintentionally glancing up, she caught sight of a figure on the wall. Though the figure ducked down the moment she looked up.
Thinking of the various challenges her mistress and Prince Ning might face, Honglian coldly snapped, “Who’s there?” She placed her cloak on a nearby flowering tree and leaped toward the wall.
“Damn it, you little thief! Don’t let me catch you next time…” By the time she reached the wall, all she saw was a fleeting figure disappearing into the distance. When she focused her gaze, the figure was already gone.
Though the intruder’s agility far surpassed her own, since they hadn’t made any aggressive moves, Honglian couldn’t discern their intentions. After chasing a short distance without catching sight of them, she decided to return, mindful of the people in the courtyard.
“Sister Honglian, you…” Chunhong was just about to take tea and snacks to Wanqing with two maids when someone suddenly jumped down from above. Recognizing Honglian, she gasped in surprise. “Why did you jump down from the wall?”
“Nothing, I was just fetching the mistress’s cloak…” Though puzzled by the intruder’s motives, Honglian smiled reassuringly at the maids, who were defenseless, and headed toward where she’d left the cloak.
Chunhong found it odd that Honglian had gone ahead to fetch the cloak but was only now retrieving it. Still, she led the other maids toward Wanqing.
Honglian picked up the cloak and saw Wanqing chatting happily with the two young ladies. Though unsure how the sisters had reconciled so warmly, the genuine joy on their faces—especially Wanqing’s relaxed and relieved expression—eased the weight in her heart.
“Mistress, I’ve brought your cloak. The wind is picking up; you should be careful. Also, when I went to fetch it earlier, I saw someone lurking on our wall. I chased them, but they got away.”
With a light smile, Honglian draped the cloak over Wanqing’s shoulders and whispered the last part into her ear.
“We’ll talk about it later.”
Wanqing, considering the intruder who had easily scaled their walls unnoticed—even by Honglian—realized they must be highly skilled. Since they seemed only to be observing, she calmly dismissed the matter with a smile and continued chatting with the sisters.
“Lord Heir? What are you…”
While Wanqing and the sisters enjoyed tea and snacks, a few figures arrived at the Marquis’s residence. Prince Ning, dressed in fine robes and accompanied by Qingfeng and his brother, raised his hand to knock on the gate.
Suddenly, a gust of wind alerted him. He looked up to see Leng Mingye jumping down from the wall of the Mu residence. Surprised by his sudden appearance, Prince Ning asked, “Lord Heir, why are you here—and jumping out of the Mu family’s courtyard?”
“I was merely passing by. Has Prince Ning come to see the Second Miss Mu again?”
Leng Mingye’s momentary fluster vanished as he replied coolly. Though Prince Ning’s refined demeanor was less striking than his own, it inexplicably stirred an unwelcome irritation in him.
“Indeed. Since you escorted them back from outside the city days ago, her injuries haven’t improved. As her sworn brother, visiting her is only natural. Are you here to see her as well? Though I wonder why you descended from the wall…”
Prince Ning detected a hint of hostility in Leng Mingye’s gaze. Though they had no direct conflicts, Leng Mingye had remained silent in court debates, even as those loyal to the Empress and the Emperor opposed him. His presence here was puzzling.
“You overthink it, Prince Ning. I have no ties to her anymore, and she’s betrothed to the Sun family. I’ve no interest in courting trouble. I was merely passing by. Since you’re here to visit, I’ll take my leave.”
Leng Mingye’s eyes flickered with suppressed anger, but he forced a smile, clasped his hands, and turned away.
“Lord Heir seemed rather odd, my lord,” Qingyun remarked quietly as Leng Mingye departed.
“Indeed. After the incident, he escorted everyone back to the city, acting indifferent toward her, yet his expression betrayed concern. It’s perplexing.” Prince Ning frowned, recalling Leng Mingye’s contradictory behavior.
“If it were merely affection for the young lady, that would be one thing. But I fear he may have ulterior motives…” Qingfeng added, though he couldn’t shake his own lingering feelings for Wanqing despite her rejection.
“True. Leng Mingye wields considerable influence, and his domineering, unpredictable nature makes him formidable. We’ll observe for now. If his feelings for her are genuine, we’ll let nature take its course. But if he harbors ill intent, I won’t let him off easily. Let’s go.”
Prince Ning’s tone was resolute as he led them inside.
“Ulterior motives? You’re the one with ulterior motives. Using her to heal your leg and reclaim your position, yet pretending to be noble…”
Unbeknownst to them, Leng Mingye, hidden in a corner, overheard their conversation. Watching them enter, he stepped out and muttered coldly before leaving.
“Let’s go.” Prince Ning paused briefly at the gate, then continued inside with his attendants.
“Father, what’s wrong? You seem troubled…”
Upon returning to his estate, Leng Mingye found his father, Prince Ji, sitting in the hall with a heavy expression. Concerned, he approached.
“Lord Liu has left…” Prince Ji sighed, thinking of the promises they’d made to the Emperor. “We’re in a difficult position.”
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