Qi Jinxuan leaned against the headboard, turning her face away without looking at her. She said softly, "Go ahead."
Wei Dongling sorted out her thoughts and began, "Whether you believe me or not, I have to let you know. My encounter with the Crown Prince Yun was truly a misunderstanding. I've never had any overstepping thoughts!"
Qi Jinxuan looked over and coldly asked, "What about his feelings for you?"
Cold sweat broke out on Wei Dongling's forehead. Her voice hoarse, she said, "Even if the Crown Prince Yun has special feelings, I'll nip them in the bud. In my heart, I've already fallen for Yu Zixi, and we're engaged."
Qi Jinxuan lowered her eyes. "You told me the same thing last time."
Wei Dongling knelt beside the bed and hurriedly explained, "Miss! My life belongs to you! How could I ever compete with you for a man? I swear on my conscience! Spreading rumors and pressuring the Crown Prince was just a moment of folly on my part! It was never premeditated! Moreover, I've always hoped that you could fulfill your wish and not marry the Crown Prince. How could I do anything to deliberately harm your relationship with the Crown Prince?"
Qi Jinxuan naturally believed her. Having spent so many years together day and night, she knew Wei Dongling better than anyone else.
Over the years, she had pitied Wei Dongling for being alone and had done her best for her. She was willing to give Wei Dongling whatever she wanted.
But this time, it was the Crown Prince Shangguan Yun!
Even if the Crown Prince Yun remained cold and indifferent to everyone, she could still love his arrogance as always.
But he looked at Wei Dongling with so much tenderness and pity.
The man she had loved and yearned for so long only had eyes for Wei Dongling! He didn't even want to spare her a second glance!
Just thinking about it made her heart bleed.
Qi Jinxuan felt a chill run through her. She turned her head and coldly asked, "How can I believe you?"
Wei Dongling was stunned. Her heart was filled with pain.
She had never thought that one day, Qi Jinxuan would stop believing her.
Wei Dongling said bitterly, "Miss, I swear to you! I didn't plan that incident! I will never compete with you for a man!"
Qi Jinxuan looked up at Wei Dongling but didn't say a word.
Wei Dongling added, "Miss! Please believe me no matter what!"
Qi Jinxuan slowly lowered the bed curtain and whispered, "I believe you. I'm a bit tired. You should go back and rest early."
Wei Dongling nodded, bowed, and left.
As she walked out of the miss's boudoir, she couldn't help feeling sad. She actually had to perform the master - servant etiquette to Qi Jinxuan distantly.
What a twist of fate!
Maybe she should go to Yu Zixi and agree to the betrothal ceremony earlier to avoid hurting Qi Jinxuan's feelings.
It would also be a good way to put an end to Shangguan Yun's thoughts. Just thinking about the way he looked at her made Wei Dongling's heart pound with fear.
It had been a few days since she last saw Yu Zixi. It would be good to go and see him.
Wei Dongling groped her way in the dark straight to the Yunzhu Courtyard, but the waiter told her that he had returned to the Yu Mansion.
Alright, she would go to the Yu Mansion to find him.
The guard at the gate of the Yu Mansion looked at the woman in front of him. It was getting dark, and she was coming to look for the young master again. Contempt showed in his eyes. "Our young master is not at home. Please come back tomorrow, miss."
Wei Dongling looked at the somewhat familiar guard and couldn't help muttering in her heart: The lines are the same as last time. Are you a broken record?
Wei Dongling curtsied to thank him and turned to leave.
She had only taken a few steps when she heard familiar screams coming from the Yu Mansion.
Wei Dongling said nothing. She followed the screams and quietly climbed onto the wall to look.
In the courtyard, Yu Zixi was lying on a bench, being severely caned. He howled in pain.
A young man in brocade clothes stood beside him, his face full of anger as he roared at the servants, "Are you all out of energy? Beat him to death!"
The servants quickly caned him even harder. After more than a dozen blows, Yu Zixi's buttocks were stained with blood.
Tsk tsk tsk. He was really in a sorry state. What trouble had he stirred up this time?
Thinking that the wound on his abdomen probably hadn't fully healed and that he might not be able to withstand this beating, Wei Dongling finally couldn't bear it anymore and shouted, "Stop! If you keep beating him, he'll die."
Everyone in the courtyard looked up. The young man in brocade clothes glanced at Wei Dongling, frowned unhappily, and said, "Who are you? Do you have a say here?"
Wei Dongling floated down beside Yu Zixi and said, "I'm Young Master Yu's fiancée. I wonder what offense my future husband has committed to make this young master want to beat him to death?"
Seeing Wei Dongling's protective look, the young man in brocade clothes didn't get angry but laughed instead. "Then you should ask your husband what disgraceful thing he has done to shame the family."
Wei Dongling looked back at Yu Zixi's blood - drained face and whispered, "Did you get caught visiting the brothel again by your father? Or did you sleep with someone else's concubine?"
Everyone in the Yu Mansion:......
Yu Zixi said pale - faced and gasping, "Wei Dongling, don't ask. Just go."
The young man in brocade clothes sneered, "What? Big brother, are you too ashamed to say it? Do you want little brother to tell it for you?"
It turned out that this young man in brocade clothes was Yu Xingze, the second young master of the Yu family.
Wei Dongling said, "Even if the elder brother has made a mistake, as a younger brother, you should advise him, shouldn't you? Young Master Yu, if you treat your elder brother like this, aren't you afraid of people's gossip?"
Yu Xingze's face darkened, and he sneered, "He's not afraid of being laughed at by the whole world for taking a brothel woman as a concubine and shaming the Yu family! Why should I be afraid of criticism?"
Wei Dongling was stunned.
Yu Zixi argued, "Cuihuan is a virgin courtesan!"
Yu Xingze was so angry that his face turned ashen. He roared, "Yu Zixi! No one cares about how dissolute and licentious you usually are! But if you dare to take a brothel woman as a concubine and bring her back to the mansion, shaming our family in front of the whole world, I'll beat you to death today! You have no shame, but our father does!"
Saying this, Yu Xingze rolled up his sleeves and was about to continue beating him when a white - dressed woman with a tear - streaked face suddenly rushed out from behind the rockery. She knelt in front of Yu Zixi and pleaded, "Please spare him, Young Master Yu. I'll leave."
Yu Xingze looked at the woman in front of him, angrily flicked his sleeve, and turned his head away.
Yu Zixi called out, "Cuihuan, I won't let you go. Don't beg him!"
Wei Dongling had a black look on her face: Who am I? Where am I? Did I come here today just to be fed dog food?
The background music played: The cold dog food hits my face randomly. My heart feels like it's being stabbed by a bayonet. Ai ai~
Yu Xingze ignored Yu Zixi's protest and spat at the white - dressed woman, "Fine! You have three days to get out of the Yu Mansion quickly. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After saying that, he swaggered away with a group of servants.
The woman named Cuihuan cried like a tearful mess. She and a young servant helped Yu Zixi up and limped back.
Yu Zixi turned back to Wei Dongling and said, "Come here. I have something to tell you."
Wei Dongling: "Maybe we can talk next time. I still have some accounts to check in my room."