Chapter 13. Who Is Behind This?
‘If Xingyun’s leg is completely ruined, there’s still a chance the Marquis position could come to us!’
It was only after reaching a deserted place that Xingyun finally managed to suppress his emotions.
“Did you find her?”
Deungyun bowed respectfully and answered solemnly.
“I have found out where she is.”
Hope flashed in Xingyun’s eyes.
“Where is she? Is she safe? Who took her?”
Deungyun spoke with an uneasy expression.
“It’s… Prince Jing’s Residence.”
Xingyun was greatly startled and hurriedly asked,
“Why is she involved with Prince Jing’s Residence?”
Prince Jing was notorious for being cold and ruthless, and his power was formidable.
Even the Crown Prince was most wary of Prince Jing.
Why had Prince Jing taken Jiui?
Could it be… that Prince Jing’s Residence had discovered something related to what happened in the past?
Xingyun’s face gradually turned pale.
Deungyun lowered his head.
“This subordinate does not know the exact circumstances. However, Prince Jing’s Residence handled everything very secretly.”
“This morning, they sent people to take Miss Song’s maid, A-Hui. After following them, this subordinate finally discovered that Miss Song is in Prince Jing’s Residence.”
He paced restlessly around the room, his face clouded with worry.
“Prepare a carriage immediately. I need to see the Crown Prince.”
A-Hui was dragged into Prince Jing’s Residence.
As she looked at the imposing and heavily guarded residence, she could not hide her nervousness.
She came from a poor family and had rarely seen such a magnificent estate in her entire life.
‘And yet, after following Young Miss around, I’ve met the daughter of the Prime Minister and even the Crown Heir of the Anjing Marquis Residence. And now I’ve actually entered Prince Jing’s Residence.’
‘In the past, I would never even have dared to imagine something like this.’
“My lord, is our Young Miss really here?”
A-Hui had been so worried about Jiui that she had not slept a wink all night.
Before dawn, she had gotten out of bed, intending to go to the Anjing Marquis Residence to find out what had happened.
But as soon as she reached the entrance of the alley, a fierce-looking guard carrying a sword stopped her.
Then he told her that she was to go see her Young Miss.
Although A-Hui was frightened, her desire to find Jiui was even stronger.
In the end, she followed the sword-wielding guard into the carriage.
When she called him “my lord,” the corner of Jingxun’s mouth twitched slightly.
“I’m merely a guard of Prince Jing’s Residence. I’m no lord.”
A-Hui nodded and cautiously asked,
“Then what should I call you?”
“Call me Jingxun.”
Since they were both servants, Jingxun had no intention of making things difficult for the young girl.
“Brother Jingxun, my name is A-Hui.”
‘Thank goodness. He isn’t difficult to deal with.’
Seeing that Jingxun treated her kindly, A-Hui finally relaxed.
“Why is our Young Miss at Prince Jing’s Residence?”
Jingxun cleared his throat lightly.
“His Highness heard that Miss Song’s medical skills are excellent, so he specially brought her here to treat his illness.”
A-Hui’s eyes widened when she learned yet another fact.
‘Our Young Miss is actually such an amazing person.’
‘His Highness Prince Jing personally summoned her to treat his illness.’
Looking at A-Hui’s innocent expression, Jingxun felt a little awkward.
He had merely dressed things up to make the situation sound better.
Once A-Hui saw the handcuffs around Jiui’s wrists, she would naturally understand the truth.
Pretending to remain calm, Jingxun entered Yunshe Pavilion.
“Miss Song, may I come in?”
Jiui’s languid and bored voice came from inside.
“What is it?”
Although her voice sounded lazy, she hurriedly put on the handcuffs.
‘If the people of Prince Jing’s Residence find out that I can unlock these handcuffs, they’ll definitely deal with me even more harshly.’
“Miss Song, His Highness was worried that you might feel uncomfortable staying in the residence, so he ordered A-Hui to be brought here to serve you.”
The door flew open.
A cold glint appeared in Jiui’s beautiful eyes as she glared at Jingxun.
“Locking me up wasn’t enough, so now you’ve brought A-Hui here to threaten me?”
How was this supposed to be concern? It was clearly a threat!
A-Hui was frightened when she saw the handcuffs around Jiui’s wrists.
“You lied to me! You said the residence had brought Young Miss here to treat an illness! Is this how Prince Jing’s Residence treats its guests?”
‘The people of Prince Jing’s Residence aren’t good people at all.’
It wasn’t enough that they had knocked Young Miss unconscious and dragged her away. Now they had even imprisoned her here.
How could there be something so unreasonable in this world?
Jingxun frowned.
“Miss Song, A-Hui, you have both misunderstood. His Highness truly has both of you in mind…”
The Song family was also in the capital.
If His Highness really wanted to threaten Miss Song, he could simply use the Song family.
Before he could finish speaking, A-Hui pulled a dagger from inside her clothes and stabbed at him.
Ever since she had been knocked unconscious by poison last time, she had started carrying a weapon for self-defense.
She had never expected to use it so soon.
A-Hui shouted loudly,
“Young Miss, don’t be afraid! I’ll save you!”
Although she had not known Young Miss for very long, Young Miss had never treated her harshly.
Of course, she had to do everything she could to repay her.
Jingxun dodged the dagger, unable to hide his surprise.
A-Hui was young and did not know any martial arts techniques, but the force behind her attacks was quite impressive.
‘She definitely has a talent for martial arts.’
If she were properly trained, she could become quite accomplished in the future.
Naturally, A-Hui was no match for Jingxun.
Jiui was worried that she might get hurt.
“A-Hui, don’t be rude.”
Jingxun was merely avoiding her attacks, but there was no telling when he might lose his patience and retaliate.
If that happened, A-Hui would be the one to suffer.
After hearing Jiui’s words, A-Hui stopped.
She looked at Jiui with an aggrieved expression, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Young Miss, why are these people treating you like this?”
Jiui took a deep breath. Standing beneath the long corridor, she spoke coldly.
“That’s because I’m the only person in this world who can save Prince Jing. They’re treating me this way because they’re afraid I’ll escape.”
Outside Yunshe Pavilion, a dark figure paused for a moment before slightly furrowing his brows.
Jiui looked at Jingxun with clear, cold eyes.
“Go back and tell Prince Jing that I’m a person who keeps my promises. There’s no need to treat us like prisoners.”
After saying this, Jiui took A-Hui back into the room and closed the door.
Jingxun sighed and turned around, only to see Xingyun standing not far away.
“Your Highness.”
He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, but he kept glancing incredulously at the closed door.
Could she have said that deliberately so His Highness would hear her?
But when had she realized that His Highness was there?
His Highness was so skilled at concealing his presence that even Jingxun had failed to notice him.
Jiui had no internal energy and knew no martial arts.
So how could she possess such extraordinarily sharp senses?
Jingxun was secretly astonished, but after thinking about it again, it did not seem possible.
‘It must have been a coincidence. It has to be.’
Xingyun said expressionlessly,
“Guard Yunshe Pavilion. Without my orders, not even a fly is to leave.”
That woman was definitely not someone who would obediently stay put.
“Yes!”
Just then, Steward Xu came to report.
“Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince and Young Master Lu Xingyun have arrived.”
A cold expression appeared on Xingyun’s handsome face.
“What did they say they came for?”
“From what I can tell, they don’t seem to have come with good intentions.”
“Let’s go.”
Xingyun spoke coldly and headed toward the main hall.
A man dressed in bright yellow Crown Prince robes was sitting upright in the main hall.
Beside him stood Lu Xingyun, dressed in a blue silk robe.
“Fourth Brother, it has been a long time.”
As Xingyun entered, his cold gaze swept over the two men.
His handsome face revealed nothing that could easily be read.
Crown Prince Xiao Ningyuan rose from his seat and smiled warmly.
“Fourth Brother, it has indeed been a long time. Have you been well?”
Lu Xingyun bowed.
“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing.”
Xingyun glanced at him coldly, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
“Brother, how could you bring a dog with you when you came here?”
Lu Xingyun’s face stiffened, instantly turning red.
He stood rigidly in place, not knowing what to do with his hands or feet.
The Crown Prince hurriedly tried to ease the awkward atmosphere.
“Fourth Brother, Xingyun came to see you because he was worried about you. Why are you insulting him?”
Xingyun’s gaze darkened ominously.
“Did I say anything wrong? I always thought he enjoyed being treated like a dog by others.”
The Crown Prince’s lips moved slightly, but he did not know what to say.
Xingyun took a deep breath and clenched his fingers tightly.
“If I can be the Crown Prince’s dog, it is my honor. But no one would willingly become Prince Jing’s dog, so it is only natural for Your Highness to be jealous.”
‘Hmph. Judging by the way Xiao Jingyun is insulting me, he already knows that I betrayed him.’
But he had come to Prince Jing’s Residence for another matter today, so he could only endure it for now.
As the two men exchanged verbal blows, the atmosphere in the main hall became heavy.
Xingyun’s face was gloomy, and killing intent seemed to radiate from his entire body.
The Crown Prince had no choice but to intervene.
“The word ‘dog’ is unpleasant to hear. I have always regarded Xingyun as my own younger brother.”
‘Since Xingyun has already pledged his loyalty to me and shown his sincerity, I should protect him and preserve his dignity.’
Xingyun bowed respectfully.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and generous. It is only natural that His Majesty values His Highness so highly.”
A hint of mockery flashed beneath Xingyun’s eyes.
“I used to regard him as a brother as well. Unexpectedly, he bit me hard from behind.”
“If Brother wants to remain securely seated in the position of Crown Prince, you should be careful not to get bitten.”
Fury surged through Lu Xingyun, and he glared fiercely at Prince Jing.
“Your Highness Prince Jing, I came here out of goodwill. Why do you keep insulting me?”
“Do you think I don’t know what you’re really after? Lu Xingyun, the grudge between you and me is far from over.”
The Crown Prince hurriedly intervened again.
“That’s enough. Stop it. You and Xingyun are practically family. Is there really a need to behave like this?”
Once the two men stopped trading barbs, the Crown Prince finally revealed the real reason for his visit.
“Xingyun, I heard that Miss Song, who treated Xingyun’s leg, happens to be staying at your residence.”
“I happen to have been feeling unwell these past few days as well. Could you call her here and let her examine me?”
The Crown Prince’s tone was gentle, and his face was filled with smiles.
It was a request that would be difficult to refuse.
Lu Xingyun took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
‘No matter how powerful and overbearing Prince Jing is, he won’t be able to refuse the Crown Prince’s request.’
As soon as he heard that Jiui had been imprisoned in Prince Jing’s Residence, he had gone to the Crown Prince’s Residence and explained the advantages and disadvantages of the situation.
The Crown Prince had also promised to help him bring Jiui out.
Now that the Crown Prince wanted to see Jiui under the pretext of being ill, if Prince Jing refused, it would mean going against his elder brother and showing disrespect toward him.
‘As long as we can get her out, I’ll find a way to free Jiui.’
Xingyun’s dark eyes turned cold.
“Where exactly are you feeling unwell, Brother? Are the imperial physicians in the palace so incompetent that not a single one of them can treat you?”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily.
“As you know, they are utterly incompetent. Even though you have been poisoned for years, they have been completely helpless.”
“Since Brother has put it that way, I suppose I should at least show you some respect.”
He immediately ordered Jingxun,
“Bring Miss Song here.”
“Yes.”
Jingxun immediately left.
