Hui'an's words fell, she struggled free from the grasp of the Nan mansion's servants, and turned to rush towards a pillar.
Her spirit surged, attempting to dash herself against it in suicide!
"Quickly, stop her!" Nan Chaoyin's veins bulged, he roared with ferocity, but his body remained rooted to the spot as if embedded in the earth.
Nan Shiying's eyes flickered, and she seized the chaos to move beside Nan Chaoyin.
The Nan mansion's servants reacted swiftly, grabbing Hui'an by the waist. Another maid darted in front of Hui'an, using her body to shield the pillar. Hui'an slammed her head into the maid's chest, causing the maid a sharp pain that almost made her faint.
Hui'an also felt the impact, but fortunately, the maid's chest had some padding, acting as a buffer. Her head only buzzed.
Nan Chaoyin let out a sigh of relief, the bulging veins gradually subsiding. However, Nan Shiying, observing him closely, detected something from his subtle expression!
Nan Chaoyin wanted Hui'an dead!
He did!
But he didn't want Hui'an to die in the Nan mansion!
Nan Shiying's gaze lingered on Nan Chaoyin for a moment before shifting away. Those who had intended to leave with Wang Qiancheng and the others were stunned by the scene. Their farewells, stuck in their throats for a long time, finally found their way out.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister, Imperial Prince, Imperial Princess, I..."
Everyone took their leave, departing without looking back. The purpose of the banquet had, in fact, been achieved. However, the process was undeniably chilling, and the aftermath left everyone anxious.
Would Lin Yuan truly go to war with Da Li?
No, they wouldn't. As long as Princess Hui'an remained alive, this war should not erupt!
While reassuring themselves, they hurried out of the Nan mansion, carrying the news back to their fathers so they could be forewarned and avoid losing their composure upon hearing it at court the next day.
When Mu Baiyu arrived, everyone was rushing out. Mu Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up upon seeing Mu Baiyu. She ran forward, grabbed his hand, and pulled him outside without explanation.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Mu Baiyu's gaze flickered. Recalling Hui'an, who had remained in the Sui Hua Pavilion after his departure, a sudden unease surged within him. He resisted Mu Xiaoxiao's attempt to pull him away, trying to head towards the Sui Hua Pavilion.
Mu Xiaoxiao pulled him with all her might and whispered, "Don't go. Princess Hui'an is in trouble. That Nan Chaoyin is shameless; to complete the task assigned by His Majesty, he made his son..." she spat.
As Mu Xiaoxiao spoke, the image of Nan Yujin's bare form flashed in her mind, and she spat in disgust. She continued, "Princess Hui'an is trying to kill herself inside. You absolutely must not go, and furthermore..." Mu Xiaoxiao paused. "The three parties inside – Da Li, Nan Chaoyin, and our Highness – are locked in a power struggle. Going now would be suicidal! Hurry and come with me!!"
"Hui'an... how could this happen? I clearly..."
Mu Baiyu moved his lips, feeling an indescribable ache in his heart, like a hand suddenly clenching and then quickly releasing.
"Clearly what? Brother, you..."
Mu Baiyu's face turned pale, his trembling lips conveying a mixture of shock, disbelief, and pain. Mu Xiaoxiao was slightly taken aback. Having experienced separation and unrequited love, she understood the deeper meaning behind Mu Baiyu's reaction.
But it shouldn't be like this. When did her brother have any dealings with Princess Hui'an?
"No, it's not like that!" Sensing Mu Xiaoxiao's changing gaze and her hesitant demeanor, Mu Baiyu vehemently denied it. If he had any feelings for Hui'an, it was merely a hint of good impression. What he found hard to accept was that he had saved her, yet not entirely.
It was just a change of people!
From Zhang Silang to Nan Yujin!
He deeply regretted leaving Hui'an alone in the Sui Hua Pavilion. If only he had taken her with him when he left with Zhang Silang... no, that shouldn't be right, Xuan Yi was there!
So... was it Jin Mo?
Was it for Nan Shiying?
Mu Baiyu clenched his fist, unable to suppress the anger and dissatisfaction churning within him.
"Brother, if you want to go up, then I will accompany you!" Mu Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth and decided to throw caution to the wind. What was the big deal about getting involved in this turmoil? Their Gong Prince's mansion might not meddle in state affairs, but they were not to be bullied. She refused to believe that the people upstairs would dare to do anything to them, a brother and sister!
"No, let's go!"
Mu Baiyu said with finality. He grabbed Mu Xiaoxiao's hand and hurried towards the main gate of the Nan mansion!
Some things did not need to be asked now!
As most people had left, the Sui Hua Pavilion became eerily quiet. Nan Yujin then slowly woke up.
He suddenly opened his eyes, his blurry vision gradually focusing. This feeling... this familiarity sent a jolt through Nan Yujin's heart. He looked around.
As he moved, his clothes slipped.
Ji Jinmo quickly covered Nan Shiying's eyes, his gaze sweeping over Nan Yujin like a blade.
Nan Yujin trembled all over, then quickly pulled his falling clothes back. The scene before him, combined with his current situation, allowed Nan Yujin to guess what had happened with eight or nine tenths certainty in an instant.
Damn it!
He had been schemed against again!
This was the second time!
And this time... Nan Yujin had no time to think further. He tightly wrapped his clothes, ran behind the screen to dress properly, and then walked out again.
He saw Princess Hui'an, who looked as though she wanted to kill him; he saw the disheveled Nan Yuan'er, who sneered at him when their eyes met; he saw the indignant Da Li contingent; he saw Nan Shiying with a playful expression; and he saw... his father, whose face was so grim it seemed water could drip from it.
So, he and Princess Hui'an?
Seeing Nan Yujin's gaze, Hui'an struggled again, roaring at him, "Don't look at me with those filthy eyes!"
Nan Yujin suddenly knelt down and looked at Nan Chaoyin, crying out in anguish, "Father, although I do not know what happened, I have guessed most of it. But Father, your son is truly wronged!"