“Aunt, good fortune will prevail. She will be fine,” Meng Jiangming said.
Madam Jiang nodded and said, “We can only hope so.”
Wanjun Restaurant
Xue Xingyue pushed open the door and looked at Qi Yuming, saying coldly, “May I ask why Your Highness the Second Prince sought me out?”
Qi Yuming, upon hearing Xue Xingyue’s cold tone, did not get angry. Instead, he enthusiastically poured a cup of tea and placed it before her. “Princess Xingyue, please have some tea.”
Xue Xingyue looked at the teacup before her but did not reach for it.
Seeing this, Qi Yuming was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled and said, “Princess Xingyue, if I had no reason, I wouldn’t be able to invite you for a cup of tea, would I?”
Xue Xingyue replied, “Of course not. However, Your Highness the Second Prince is sure he only invited me for tea?”
Qi Yuming smiled slightly. “I also came to apologize.”
Xue Xingyue frowned slightly, looking at Qi Yuming. For a moment, she couldn’t figure out what he was up to. She said lightly, “Apologize? With a cup of tea? Your Highness the Second Prince’s apology seems rather cheap.”
Qi Yuming’s expression shifted slightly. “Then how does Princess Xingyue believe I should apologize?”
“An apology, one should bear the thorns to seek forgiveness. What do you say, Your Highness the Second Prince?”
Although Qi Yuming’s expression had changed compared to before, his smile remained unchanged. “I would like to bear the thorns to seek forgiveness, but can Princess Xingyue endure it?”
Xue Xingyue sneered, “If Your Highness the Second Prince dares, I can endure it.”
“How dare you…” Qi Yuming’s nearby guard said angrily.
Qi Yuming reprimanded, “No disrespect.”
The guard stepped back, but before he could take two steps, a shadow flashed past. The guard had no time to dodge, only hearing a muffled groan as he fell to the ground, having been thrown over his shoulder with a loud thud.
Feng Jiu placed his foot on the guard’s back and bowed, saying, “Your Highness the Second Prince, my subordinate was rude. However, your subordinate was too weak, and I couldn’t stand by and watch. I took the liberty to teach him a lesson. Your Highness the Second Prince will not blame me, will you?”
Qi Yuming twitched his lips. Although the hand holding the teacup had changed slightly, his smile remained the same. “How could I? It was my subordinate who provoked Princess Xingyue. This is the punishment he deserved.”
Feng Jiu heard this, released his foot, and kicked the guard away, saying coldly, “If you are outmatched, don’t come out to embarrass Your Highness the Second Prince.”
The guard looked up at Qi Yuming. Qi Yuming said coldly, “Why are you still standing here? You are merely soiling Princess Xingyue’s eyes.”
The guard quickly retreated.
Qi Yuming silently endured the setback, yet still smiled and said, “Princess Xingyue, I will discipline my subordinates. I apologize for startling you.”
Xue Xingyue said indifferently, “I was not startled, as I have spent some time in the military camp. However, Your Highness the Second Prince should indeed discipline his subordinates. If it weren’t for Your Highness the Second Prince’s sake today, I would have severely punished him.”
“Princess Xingyue is correct,” Qi Yuming said.
“Your Highness the Second Prince has finished his apology. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave,” Xue Xingyue said, standing up to leave.
Qi Yuming’s gaze flickered slightly, and he said, “Why is Princess Xingyue in such a hurry? I haven’t finished speaking yet?”
Xue Xingyue turned back to look at Qi Yuming and said coldly, “If Your Highness the Second Prince has something to say, please speak.”
Qi Yuming stood up and walked to Xue Xingyue. He smiled and said, “I heard that the Duke of Ning’s mansion is going to break off the engagement?”
Xue Xingyue’s gaze turned cold. She and the Duke of Ning had agreed that this matter would not be leaked. She believed the Duke of Ning would not joke about the Duke of Ning’s mansion. But who was it? Could Qi Yuming have spies in the Duke of Ning’s mansion?
“From where did Your Highness the Second Prince hear this news? I was unaware,” Xue Xingyue said.
Qi Yuming looked at Xue Xingyue, whose expression had not changed at all. He began to suspect that the information might be incorrect.
“I merely heard it through hearsay. If there is no such matter, then it is for the best.”
“Your Highness the Second Prince, do you believe mere hearsay?” Xue Xingyue said sarcastically.
Qi Yuming heard this but was not annoyed. He said, “I am merely concerned for Princess Xingyue. Is there not a saying that concern can cloud one’s judgment?”
Xue Xingyue said coldly, “If that is the case, I thank Your Highness the Second Prince for your concern.”
Qi Yuming said, “You are most welcome. Since there is no such matter, I assume Princess Xingyue and Young Master Meng of the Duke of Ning’s mansion will attend the tea party I am hosting tomorrow, correct?”
Xue Xingyue looked at Qi Yuming. Qi Yuming smiled and said, “Yes. Then I shall trouble Your Highness the Second Prince tomorrow.”
“Princess Xingyue is too kind. Tomorrow, I will await the arrival of Princess Xingyue and the future son-in-law!” Qi Yuming said.
Xue Xingyue said, “There is nothing else. I shall take my leave!”
Saying this, she walked out.
After leaving Wanjun Restaurant, Xue Xingyue thought for a moment and said, “Go to the Duke of Ning’s mansion.”
Feng Jiu said, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing of Princess Xingyue’s arrival, Madam Jiang was truly overwhelmed, but more so, she felt a sense of shame.
Therefore, she quickly led the servants in the mansion to greet her.
The graceful figure at the entrance caught Madam Jiang’s eye. Following her was a young lady dressed in a light blue dress.
She was exceptionally beautiful, noble, and radiant.
Madam Jiang liked her more and more, but she was also filled with a sense of regret, wondering why her foolish son had so many other thoughts and didn’t pursue her if he didn’t like her or have her in his heart. She was a goddess, and her foolish son, her foolish son!
“Madam,” Xue Xingyue stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Madam Jiang dared not accept Xue Xingyue’s bow, feeling somewhat guilty.
She quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “This humble subject greets Your Highness. Please do not bow to this humble subject, Your Highness. This humble subject is unworthy.”
Xue Xingyue heard this, helped Madam Jiang up, and said, “Madam, you are too kind. You are an elder from now on, and these courtesies are deserved.”
Madam Jiang genuinely liked this princess, who was neither humble nor arrogant, neither proud nor impatient.
“Your Highness, are you here for something today?” Madam Jiang asked.
Xue Xingyue said, “Indeed, I am. May I know where Young Master Meng is?”
Madam Jiang’s heart secretly rejoiced. “So, Your Highness is looking for Jiang Ming. Peony, quickly go and call the young master.”
Xue Xingyue saw this and stopped her. “Madam, Young Master Meng was caned yesterday, and I fear he may have difficulty moving today. Perhaps I should go and see him myself!”
“This… how can this be?” Madam Jiang was greatly surprised.
Xue Xingyue said, “It’s alright.” She looked at Peony and said, “Peony, please guide me there.”
Peony quickly curtsied and said, “This servant obeys!”
After Xue Xingyue left, Madam Jiang quickly instructed her attendant, Wan’er, “You… you quickly take the shortcut to the young master’s courtyard and tell him that Princess Xingyue has arrived.”
Wan’er said, “Madam, please rest assured, this servant will inform the young master immediately.”