"Young Master, you really are something else. Why bring up breaking off the engagement out of the blue? Look at you, you're beaten so badly, I don't even know if you'll be able to walk on your wedding day."
Meng Jiangming heard this and said, "You're everywhere. Shut up and apply the medicine properly to this young master."
He never expected his father would actually beat him. He had already been beaten several times over this engagement.
Sensing Wu Yi's hesitation to apply the medicine, Meng Jiangming pulled up his trousers and turned around angrily, "Wu Yi, are you asking for it..."
When he saw the figure walking in through the doorway, Meng Jiangming froze in place.
Xue Xingyue saw Meng Jiangming's trousers slipping and quickly turned her back, saying with a hint of annoyance, "Meng Jiangming, can you please put on your trousers properly?"
Meng Jiangming was startled. He instinctively lowered his head, only to realize his trousers had indeed slipped down. He quickly pulled them up, his face flushing crimson. After taking several deep breaths, he said, "Prin... Princess, I am fine now."
Xue Xingyue turned around and saw Meng Jiangming standing there, clearly uncomfortable. She said, "Did I disturb your rest? If so, I can come back tomorrow!"
"No... no, you're not disturbing me," Meng Jiangming said quickly. He simply couldn't believe that Princess Xingyue would actually come, and to his room personally.
Xue Xingyue heard this and said, "Since that's the case, won't you invite me in to sit for a while?"
Meng Jiangming only then remembered that he had kept Princess Xingyue standing outside for so long. He hurried forward, but the injuries on his backside had not healed. The more anxious he became, the slower he walked. It was only a few steps, but it took him much longer than usual.
Xue Xingyue stepped forward and said, "Don't move anymore, just lie back down. I didn't come for anything else, I just have something to tell you."
Meng Jiangming dared not lie back on the bed in front of Princess Xingyue. Such an unseemly sight, he certainly wouldn't do it.
"Princess, please sit. Wu Yi, go pour some tea." Meng Jiangming called out for a long time but no one came. He cursed Wu Yi silently, cursing him to death. Normally, people were always hovering around, impossible to shoo away, but today, the person was nowhere to be found. Once his injuries healed, he would definitely not let this brat off easily.
Not far outside the courtyard, Wu Yi sneezed twice. He said to Shao Yao beside him, "Shao Yao, do you think Young Master is looking for me and secretly scolding me?"
Shao Yao heard this and said, "What did you go for? To mess things up? Let me tell you, Madam said if you go in and ruin something that's going well, she absolutely won't let you off. Then, our matter, we won't need to mention it again. Madam definitely won't agree. Do you want me to marry someone else?" Shao Yao looked at Wu Yi and questioned him.
Wu Yi heard this and quickly shook his head, "How could I? How could I bear to see you marry someone else? It's just that Young Master's injuries haven't healed yet. Will this be alright?"
Shao Yao slapped the back of Wu Yi's head. Wu Yi winced in pain and said, "Shao Yao, why are you hitting so hard?"
Shao Yao said resentfully, "You really are a blockhead. Isn't Princess Xingyue there? Why are you going in to join the fun?"
Wu Yi heard this, his eyes lit up, "Yes! Princess Xingyue is here. Maybe right now..."
Shao Yao shook her head helplessly, "Don't overthink it. Princess Xingyue wouldn't."
At this moment, Meng Jiangming forced himself to sit on a chair. Although the injuries on his backside made him restless, he still held himself up. He absolutely could not lose face in front of Princess Xingyue.
"Young Master Meng, the Second Prince is hosting a tea party tomorrow and has invited this consort and you to attend. Can Young Master Meng go?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Meng Jiangming was stunned and said with some surprise, "He invited me and Your Highness?"
Xue Xingyue nodded, "The Second Prince heard from somewhere that the Duke of Ning's manor is breaking off the engagement. He likely wants to verify this."
Hearing this, Meng Jiangming realized he had underestimated the situation. He thought that by speaking to the Emperor about breaking off the engagement, he would only suffer some physical pain. But now, he understood that in front of everyone, if he were to say it, not only would the royal family lose face, but this Second Prince from Qi would also take the opportunity to step on him.
At that time, it would be more than just him being punished.
The most crucial point was that Princess Xingyue would also be ridiculed because of it.
Thinking of this, he slowly raised his head. The beautiful and clear face was right before his eyes, so noble, so radiant. How could he have been so misguided, fixated on breaking off the engagement?
Didn't he know from the very beginning that Princess Xingyue didn't have him in her heart? Speaking of which, didn't he himself go to Princess Xingyue and say those outrageous things in the first place? Why? After he said those outrageous things, why should Princess Xingyue still look at him differently? Why?
Thinking of this, Meng Jiangming felt nothing but shame and guilt.
"Young Master Meng, if your body is not up to it, this consort can go by herself," Xue Xingyue said.
She did not believe Meng Jiangming would go, especially since he had just received a beating yesterday. Her visit to the Duke of Ning's manor was entirely for show, for Qi Yuming to see. She knew Qi Yuming would definitely send people to follow her.
Therefore, since he wanted to watch, she would let him watch.
"Princess, I will go," Meng Jiangming said.
Xue Xingyue was slightly taken aback, "But Young Master Meng, your injuries..."
Meng Jiangming said, "It's nothing. I've almost recovered. Look, I..."
Meng Jiangming accidentally pulled at his wound. Although the pain was excruciating, he endured it.
Xue Xingyue saw this and said, "Since Young Master Meng feels he can go, I will come to pick you up tomorrow."
Meng Jiangming was somewhat flattered, "Your Highness, it should be me fetching you."
"It's fine. The Duke of Ning's manor is closer to the Second Prince's residence. You can suffer less bumpy travel," Xue Xingyue said faintly.
Meng Jiangming felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this. He said, "Thank you, Princess, for your consideration. I am immensely grateful."
Xue Xingyue stood up and said, "Young Master Meng, please recuperate well. This consort will take her leave now."
"I respectfully see Your Highness out," Meng Jiangming said, rising and bowing.
Meng Jiangming secretly glanced up, watching the slender figure, his heart beating exceptionally fast.
Xue Xingyue bid farewell to the Jiang family, left the Duke of Ning's manor, and got into the carriage.
Feng Jiu, who was waiting in the carriage, said, "Your Highness, your calculations were indeed precise. The people following you left after you entered."
Xue Xingyue heard this and said, "Since he wants to watch, I'll let him watch. It's just an act. Who can't do that?"
Feng Jiu asked, "Did Young Master Meng agree?"
Xue Xingyue nodded.
Feng Jiu was slightly surprised, "But he is injured, isn't he?"
Xue Xingyue said, "Feng Jiu, prepare the carriage with extra padding."
"Your Highness, rest assured. This subordinate will arrange it upon our return," Feng Jiu said.
Xue Xingyue nodded and said, "Let's return to the manor. I'm a bit tired."
"Yes, Your Highness." Feng Jiu got out of the carriage, took the reins, and drove away.