"Actually, you're much luckier than I am," Xiao Jingcheng's words reached Ye Wanmian's ears. Her sobs paused for a moment. She raised her head, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and said with a hint of self - mockery,
"Don't you feel ashamed saying this? What's your status and what's mine? Yet you think I'm luckier than you."
After venting her emotions, she finally felt a bit better and also strengthened her resolve. When she came to her senses, she realized she was leaning in his arms.
Remembering that he was the person she used to hate the most, and that the clothes from his shoulders to his chest were soaked with her tears, she looked a bit uncomfortable. She quickly pushed him away and sat back in her original position.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward. She whispered, "At least you've lived with your parents since childhood. Unlike me..."
"Although my parents are both still alive, I've never really been reunited with them, and I've never had a stable home."
Xiao Jingcheng let out a soft laugh and said, "Status? Right now, I'm actually no different from you."
Ye Wanmian was taken aback. She sniffled and looked at him.
What did he mean by that?
"Today, I intercepted a secret letter from Xiao Yixuan," Xiao Jingcheng leaned against the wall and slowly said, "The letter says that it's widely rumored in the capital that I'm not actually the son of the emperor and the empress. My biological father might very well be the Prince of Mu."
Ye Wanmian clenched her fists.
She had also heard this rumor from the two guards at the mourning hall.
Had this rumor already spread throughout the capital?
Then wouldn't the Empress Dowager...
Xiao Jingcheng's next words confirmed her suspicion: "These rumors reached my father's ears. He flew into a rage, issued an edict to depose the empress, took away her phoenix seal, and sent her to the Cold Palace."
Ye Wanmian was shocked. Was it really so?!
Since this secret letter was sent to Xiao Yixuan, did it mean that this matter might be related to Xiao Yixuan or the noble consort?
"I came here because there's something I must tell you," Xiao Jingcheng said, "The Prince of Mu, together with the military governors of Hexi, Lingyang, and Luozhou, has launched a rebellion. They've captured the capital and he's proclaimed himself emperor."
"I'm afraid your master won't be able to leave the capital and return to Dongli Town."
"What?!" Ye Wanmian was so shocked that her ears were buzzing.
Weren't they just talking about the empress being sent to the Cold Palace? How did it suddenly turn to the Prince of Mu's rebellion? How did these two things get mixed up?
As if seeing her suspicion, Xiao Jingcheng said, "I've calculated that the Prince of Mu launched the rebellion after my mother... my mother was sent to the Cold Palace."
"Or perhaps, the Prince of Mu has always resented the fact that the woman he loved was taken away and that he failed to ascend the throne. So he took this perfect opportunity to launch this coup."
Xiao Jingcheng analyzed calmly, "The rumor about my birth was spread so boldly. Maybe he had a hand in it."
It took Ye Wanmian a long time to find her voice: "But isn't the Prince of Mu in poor health and even has difficulty walking? How could he have the energy to plan such a thing?"
"I've felt his pulse. He's truly a man suffering from a long - term illness."
"I don't know about that," Xiao Jingcheng said meaningfully, "Maybe your master has extraordinary medical skills and cured him on the way back to the capital."
Since the Prince of Mu seemed so frail, Ye Wanmian had never suspected him. But if all this was his disguise and even her master was deceived, then this man...
His scheming was terrifyingly deep!
Would her master be in danger staying by the Prince of Mu's side?
Noticing that Xiao Jingcheng beside her was in a bad mood, Ye Wanmian clutched her sleeves.
Actually, he must be the most uncomfortable one at this time, right?
Out of the blue, his mother was sent to the Cold Palace, his uncle rebelled and ascended the throne, and his so - called "prince" status was questioned by the world, which made his situation awkward.
He couldn't go home and couldn't recognize his relatives. Unexpectedly, now they were "birds of a feather."
"What are you going to do in the future?" Ye Wanmian asked.
Xiao Jingcheng looked up at the rain curtain in the sky and said, "Let's take it one step at a time. This rain came so suddenly and is so fierce. I always feel it's not a good omen."
Ye Wanmian's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but think of seeing him galloping on his horse outside Jiang Zhiqing's door today. At that time, his whole body was already soaked in the heavy rain. Combining this with what Qi Wen had said, she had a faint suspicion in her heart.
At that time, he was in a hurry to rush back to the capital to rescue his mother, so he risked the heavy rain and the danger of being discovered by Xiao Yixuan and moved forward regardless.
But he finally turned back to save her mother.
But how did he know that was her mother?
She thought so and asked, "How did you know something happened there today?"
Xiao Jingcheng looked at her, smiled, and didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "It's a secret."
Since he didn't want to say, Ye Wanmian didn't force him.
Anyway, she couldn't forget this kindness. From now on, all the grudges between her and him would be wiped out.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have slapped you in front of so many people last night without asking," Ye Wanmian whispered, "What I did is no different from what you did to slander me in the capital back then."
Xiao Jingcheng's jaw suddenly tightened. He never expected to hear her apology.
But wasn't this just her personality?
Just like the tough hibiscus flower, no matter how the mountain wind blows, it can still bloom brightly in the morning sun.
Xiao Jingcheng moved his lips. He wanted to say something, but his shoulder suddenly sank. He held his breath and looked to the side. Ye Wanmian was leaning against him, eyes closed, sound asleep.
She had cried so hard just now that she was already exhausted. After relaxing, she couldn't hold on any longer.
Xiao Jingcheng subconsciously held his breath and stiffened his body, not daring to move, for fear of waking her up. It wasn't until the cool raindrops were blown onto his face by the wind that he realized she couldn't continue sleeping like this.
Her mother and father had both fallen ill. At this time, she mustn't have an accident.
Xiao Jingcheng took a deep breath and tried to move his shoulder. The girl was sleeping soundly and wasn't affected at all.
He put his arm around her waist, then passed his arm under her knees and picked her up horizontally.
Qi Wen happened to open Ye Wanmian's door and come out at this moment. Seeing this scene, his eyes widened instantly. He was about to shout when Xiao Jingcheng hissed at him.
Qi Wen quickly covered his mouth and walked quickly to Xiao Jingcheng. He lowered his voice and said, "Brother Jing, you're back."
He looked back at the direction he had come from and quickly explained, "Mrs. Jiang asked me to help take care of Mrs. Jiang. I didn't go into her room on purpose."
Xiao Jingcheng lowered his voice and said, "Is there any other empty room? Let her have a good sleep."
Qi Wen's eyes lit up and said, "I knew Brother Jing would come back. The room you stayed in before is still reserved for you."