Xun Ying had been trained as a secret guard since childhood. Secret guards were not strategists. An excellent secret guard did not need too many personal thoughts. They had to learn to obey unconditionally. Therefore, Xun Ying sometimes seemed innocent, yet in many cases, showed a kind of sincerity that could no longer be found in those in high positions.
If Ji Yundan had told her that it was not Wen Yu's fault and she didn't need to blame herself, she might have only believed it to a certain extent.
But when these words came from Xun Ying, her heart truly fluttered.
"Xun Ying, you're so sentimental. If the Crown Prince ever asks you to assassinate someone, will you... hesitate to do it?"
Actually, Wen Yu originally wanted to ask if he would feel aggrieved, but such a question seemed too ambiguous. So, at the last moment, she changed the words.
Unexpectedly, Xun Ying didn't find the question strange at all. His originally deep almond - shaped eyes looked extremely pure.
He looked at Wen Yu seriously and explained on behalf of Ji Yundan, "His Highness is dedicated to the country and politics. He rarely has selfish motives and will never harm anyone because of factional struggles. So, I believe that those His Highness wants to kill are all extremely evil people. There's no hesitation for me."
"Moreover, although His Highness seems difficult to get along with on the surface, in fact, his character is very simple. As long as one doesn't threaten the court, he can be lenient on many things. There are few people in the Crown Prince's Mansion who are severely punished for making mistakes."
Xun Ying explained very seriously and sincerely.
Wen Yu didn't doubt his words.
Ji Yundan was indeed a complex person, but his complexity was all used in the court affairs. Since he was established as the Crown Prince, all forces had been closely watching him.
Even so, Wen Yu had never heard that there was anything about Ji Yundan that could really be impeached by the Censorate.
He seemed cold - hearted, yet also easy to talk to.
Just like when she had boldly approached Ji Yundan to seek cooperation, although he hadn't fully trusted her, he hadn't made things difficult for her either.
Wen Yu didn't think it was because of Wen Xun that he had given her a chance.
He was just confident that even if what Wen Yu said was false, he wouldn't be affected at all.
But if what she said was true, he was willing to give Wen Yu a chance to become a sharp blade for his revenge.
Moreover, the conditions Ji Yundan had offered her were actually quite generous. He had even promised that if she failed, he would try his best to protect the Wen family. Even the only harm the poison would bring to a woman was infertility.
For Wen Yu's situation, infertility was actually a kind of life - saving medicine in a sense.
"You've been well - trained by the Crown Prince," Wen Yu praised subconsciously.
Unexpectedly, Xun Ying didn't respond. She turned her head in surprise and saw that Xun Ying had left at some point, and Ji Yundan himself had taken his place.
"It seems that Miss Wen thinks highly of this prince," Ji Yundan said as he sat on her beauty's couch in a very casual posture, as if he was at home. "Thank you for Miss Wen's kind words. This prince is very pleased."
Wen Yu subconsciously closed the window and lowered her voice. "Your Highness, why did you come here suddenly again? Didn't you take all the Luoshen Poison last time? What are you here for this time?"
"What are you so nervous about? With this prince's skills, I won't be discovered."
"Or does Miss Wen not trust this prince at all? Pei Shen has kindly dismissed the servants. Do you think Pei Shen himself has the chance to discover this prince's whereabouts?"
"This prince suspects that Miss Wen is deliberately saying these things to annoy me."
Ji Yundan was displeased at being doubted. He sighed and then spoke again. "Forget it. Miss Wen is now like a frightened bird. This prince won't beat around the bush. This prince came here this time to praise Miss Wen for her efficiency. The court has been quite lively these two days."
Wen Yu took a deep breath, suppressing her annoyance. Then she showed a smile to Ji Yundan. "Thank you for the Crown Prince's appreciation. Next time, you can just ask Xun Ying to convey such things."
"Hey, this prince hasn't finished yet. Don't be in a hurry to thank me. This prince came here specifically to ask about your next plan."
"Now, this prince's third younger brother has indeed caused some trouble for Pei Shen, but this is not the final result this prince wants."
"Moreover, this prince has to remind you that if Pei Shen is suppressed too much, the embezzlement of the Pei Mansion may be exposed in advance. Have you found the evidence of Pei Qing's crimes?"
Ji Yundan said casually as he picked up Wen Yu's book and flipped through it. He couldn't help raising his eyebrows in surprise. "This prince used to think that a well - behaved person like Miss Wen would only read books on female virtues even when reading. It turns out that you also like idle books."
"I'm afraid I've disappointed Your Highness. I do like reading idle books usually," Wen Yu didn't know how to respond and just casually perfunctorily replied.
Then Wen Yu said seriously, "As for Pei Shen and Ji Yunqing, I don't plan to make them completely turn against each other now. What I want is to use Pei Shen to cut off Ji Yunqing's right - hand men and make him completely isolated in the court."
"As for the account books, I haven't found them yet. It will take some time. I've checked the servants in the Wen Mansion. There are a few suspicious people. I've asked the butler to observe them secretly."
Ji Yundan was a little surprised at Wen Yu's speed. But after a brief moment of surprise, he resumed his usual rascally manner and said, "Your idea is very good. Neither this prince's second nor third younger brother is innocent. Since Pei Qing's master was the Second Prince back then, Miss Wen may have to think of a way to drag him into this as well."
"The murkier the water, the easier it is for the big fish Miss Wen wants to catch to show its flaws."
Ji Yundan made his point and then got up, nodding slightly to Wen Yu. "This prince hopes that next time we meet, Miss Wen will give this prince another surprise. Keep up the good work. This prince still has faith in Miss Wen's ability."
"Oh, right, Miss Wen. This is a friendly reminder. Xun Ying is this prince's secret guard. Although he is now sent to Miss Wen's side, he still belongs to this prince. This prince will know about your conversations with Xun Ying."
"However, Miss Wen, don't worry. Now Miss Wen and this prince are on the same boat. This prince won't talk nonsense. Telling Miss Wen this is also because this prince thinks that Miss Wen has endured so much hardship. After this matter is done, Miss Wen may even be retaliated against by others."
"This prince always finishes what he starts. As long as Miss Wen can satisfy this prince with her work, this prince can let Xun Ying follow Miss Wen all the time in the future. But at the same time, this prince has to remind Miss Wen that although Xun Ying has a good character, it doesn't mean that all secret guards are like this. In the future, Miss Wen should be more cautious when confiding her feelings."
After saying that, he didn't give Wen Yu a chance to reply and left the room directly.
After Ji Yundan left, Wen Yu sank into deep thought about his words.
This man might like to act like a rascal in private, but he would never talk nonsense when it came to serious matters.
The big fish Wen Yu wanted to catch was the Third Prince from beginning to end, and Ji Yundan was very clear about this.
One of the conditions of their negotiation back then was that as long as Pei Shen could be dealt with, Ji Yundan would try his best to give her a chance to kill the Third Prince with her own hands.
So, fishing in troubled waters was the hint Ji Yundan had given her.
Did he just mean to use the struggle between the Second Prince and Ji Yunqing to stir up the muddy water?
Wen Yu always felt that with Ji Yundan's character, he wouldn't give her such an obvious hint.
So, who or what was it that could make Ji Yunqing show his flaws?