The old butler continued, "The General instructed before leaving that once he returned, the Princess Consort was to be invited to the study!"
This, it seemed, was the real point!
Qin Jiujiu mused. It was clear that Xing Zhan’s summoning her this time was for his own purposes, and it must be related to Yue Bei Yang.
Yue Bei Yang's gaze fell upon Qin Jiujiu. Naturally, he could guess Xing Zhan’s intention.
But why did Xing Ru block the sword for him? Those masked men were surely sent by Xing Zhan. Their target wasn't Prince Yue, but him! Yet, if they intended to kill him, why would Xing Ru step in to take the blow?
This point, no matter how intelligent Yue Bei Yang was, he couldn't figure out.
Therefore, over these past few days, he had been observing Xing Ru even more closely.
Qin Jiujiu, not being Xing Ru, merely let out a faint "Oh" in response to the old butler’s words. Then, she said to the butler, "Grandpa, I understand."
The old butler lightly shielded his eyes, as if wiping away tears, and then continued to lead the way.
Xing Ru’s courtyard was on the south side of the General’s mansion.
"Your Highness the Second Prince, Her Royal Highness the Princess Consort, the rooms have been cleaned. If there's anything else you need, feel free to instruct the servants in the courtyard."
After a moment’s thought, the old butler added, "The servants in this courtyard are the same ones as before. Princess Consort, please feel free to command them as you wish..."
This statement was clearly directed at Qin Jiujiu.
"Alright! Thank you, Grandpa!" Qin Jiujiu readily agreed. After the old butler left, only a group of maids and servants remained in the room, along with Yue Bei Yang.
"Perhaps I can have them prepare a side chamber for you, and you can stay there?"
Qin Jiujiu's words were meant to consider Yue Bei Yang's comfort, but she hadn't expected him to not only fail to appreciate it but to also change his expression.
Yue Bei Yang said sarcastically, "Could it be that the Princess Consort wants to do something behind my back, and that's why you..."
Qin Jiujiu didn't want to listen to Yue Bei Yang's nonsense any longer and quickly said, "Do whatever you want! If you don't mind, you can live with me..."
After she finished speaking, Yue Bei Yang's eyes deepened, appearing extremely displeased. Qin Jiujiu heard him say, "Naturally, I wouldn't mind sharing with Princess Consort!"
He said these words through gritted teeth. Qin Jiujiu, however, didn't care. Xing Ru didn't have to be as deferential to Yue Bei Yang as she was to Xie Jing!
Although Xing Ru didn't possess martial arts, her status and position here were enough to restrain Yue Bei Yang, ensuring he wouldn't make a move easily!
"Then it's as you wish..."
Qin Jiujiu: Giving up…
The system hadn't appeared for a long time. Qin Jiujiu guessed it was because nothing closely connected to the plot had happened.
After all, the system usually only appeared when there was a mission to drive the plot forward.
"Someone, bring me a table full of good food!"
Everyone in the room was somewhat surprised. How had their young lady, after becoming the Princess Consort, become like this?
Just listening to the conversation between the Prince and Princess Consort made them a little nervous, fearing that the Princess Consort might accidentally anger the Second Prince. After all, rumors painted their Second Prince as a ruthless figure in Anzhou!
"Yes!" Despite their confusion, they immediately complied with the instructions.
Soon, the table was filled with food.
"You may all withdraw now!"
Qin Jiujiu sat down. As maids and servants were about to serve food according to custom, with many people gathered around the table, Qin Jiujiu felt a bit awkward. She had no choice but to put down the chopsticks she had just picked up.
Only after they had all retreated did Qin Jiujiu pick up her chopsticks again.
The room was very quiet, but the person standing beside her was hard to ignore.
Qin Jiujiu sensed Yue Bei Yang's gaze and guessed his expression. She merely glanced at him indifferently and then politely asked, "Do you want some?"
He still didn't answer.
Qin Jiujiu, confident that he wouldn't reply, didn't look at Yue Bei Yang’s face and naturally didn't see his current somber expression!
"Princess Consort truly has a good appetite!"
Qin Jiujiu ate slowly and methodically.
Seeing Qin Jiujiu's lack of reaction, Yue Bei Yang, however, sat opposite her. His eyes roamed her face, filled with disdain.
"Is Princess Consort deliberately making a spectacle of me?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Jiujiu finally stopped and looked at him.
"You... don't frame me...!" She attempted to explain with food in her mouth, but her words were intermittent. She swallowed the food in her mouth and then continued, "You didn't want to eat it yourself!"
She spoke with righteous indignation, unaware that Yue Bei Yang didn't mean that at all!
Yue Bei Yang laughed in anger. What kind of person had he married?
Was she playing dumb?
Such an idiot, and Xing Zhan would choose her to help him?
He couldn't believe that Xing Zhan, with his intelligence, would come up with such a plan!
"What I mean is, has Princess Consort not been able to get enough to eat in the palace?"
This time, Qin Jiujiu understood. She quickly retorted, "So what if I'm hungry and eating a meal? People are iron, rice is steel; a meal skipped makes one feel weak! Don't you eat? Do those gossips not eat?"
The implication was, you have too much free time!
Yue Bei Yang felt a surge of anger, but he couldn't find fault with her words. He could only say, "Princess Consort has a sharp tongue!"
His voice trembled, sounding extremely provoked. Qin Jiujiu, however, felt a little pleased. Looking at the face before her, she treated him as if he were Xie Jing and took out all the accumulated grievances on him!
Who said she didn't know how to retort!
Unlike the naturally aloof and unfeeling Yue Bei Yang!
Seeing his face slightly red with anger, Qin Jiujiu decided to call it a day. She quickly said, "Second Prince, please don't hold it against me. I was just speaking carelessly!"
Yue Bei Yang’s temper, now somewhat calmed, was not due to Qin Jiujiu. He simply had other plans, and talking more with Xing Ru was a waste of time.
He let out a cold snort and stood up, walking towards the bed.
The bedding wasn't pink; it looked quite elegant!
Yue Bei Yang remained silent, merely lying down on the bed without taking off his shoes.
His gaze fell upon Qin Jiujiu's back, lingering for a long time before he closed his eyes.
The room was eerily quiet. Qin Jiujiu turned around and saw Yue Bei Yang lying on the bed with his shoes still on. How could she tolerate that!
"Why aren't you taking off your shoes? You'll dirty the bed..."
At this moment, Qin Jiujiu was like a bristled rabbit, her every movement somewhat exaggerated, but she was indeed quite anxious!
Yue Bei Yang opened his eyes, his peach blossom eyes filled with impatience.
Qin Jiujiu immediately fell silent. Although the person before her was still Yue Bei Yang, she distinctly saw a shadow of Xie Jing in him.
She had truly lost her mind, mistaking the person before her for a記憶-lacking Xie Jing!
If he suddenly came to his senses, wouldn't she be in a worse predicament!
"You... you don't have to take off your shoes..." Qin Jiujiu coughed lightly and continued, "It's just a bedsheet, it can be replaced..."
At this moment, her survival instinct was at its peak!
System: Host is truly weak and loves to play!