Chapter Eighty-Five: Arch-Nemesis Comes Knocking

  Xu Ruoyi walked into Xu Mingxia's courtyard.

  A large patch of chrysanthemums in pink, purple and yellow were blooming vigorously, making one's eyes light up at first sight. The entire Xu manor had no other place with more beautiful chrysanthemums than this one. Xu Ruo Yi stared at the patch of chrysanthemums, recalling that it was three years ago when Xu Ming Xia pestered him to plant some chrysanthemums in her courtyard. He was so annoyed that he ordered his servants to buy two hundred chrysanthemum seedlings outside the manor and plant them by this wall. He still remembered how Xu Ming Xia had enthusiastically participated in planting the flowers herself, ignoring his scolding as she worked among the tender green shoots, her face radiant with joy, her slender figure evoking a deep sense of pity...

  It's only been three years, but the beautiful face no longer has the innocence and joy of before. A thin face is forever shrouded in sorrow. Completely different from before.

  Xu Ruoyi let out a sigh, turned his head, and happened to see Xu Mingxia standing not far away, her eyes fixed on this side, her expression seemingly happy yet sad, worried yet resentful. Upon seeing her, Xu Ruoyi finally felt a sense of relief. Although Xu Mingxia's appearance couldn't be compared to how she was before, it was still better than the frail state she was in after fasting those few days. It seemed that this child had brought about quite a change in Xu Mingxia...

  Xu Ruoyi let out a sigh and walked over, Xu Mingxia bowed slightly and said softly: "Greetings to Father."

  Xu Ruoyi's expression stiffened upon hearing this. When did Xu Mingxia start calling him father along with Xu Mingjin? From young to old, wasn't she always calling out "Dad" in a spoiled manner? Moreover, when she saw him, her eyes no longer held that joyful anticipation and expectation. Xu Ruoyi felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart. He suddenly wanted to leave this place. He didn't want to see this resentful face.

  "Just now I have discussed with Li Yu Shi, your wedding date has been changed to October 9th. That day is a auspicious yellow calendar day, you should prepare well for the wedding!" After finishing speaking, Xu Ruo Yi wanted to leave.

  "Dad, why do we have to move up the wedding date?" Xu Mingxia asked in confusion, but when she saw Xu Ruoyi's gaze at her belly, she suddenly understood: "So Dad is afraid that my belly will get bigger and lose face for the Xu family. I understand now. Let's just move it up then! Besides, I don't have to embroider the wedding dress myself, Cuiyun and the others have already almost finished it."

  Xu Ruoyi saw the sarcastic smile at the corner of Xu Mingxia's mouth and knew she had misunderstood, so he explained: "Xia'er, this is not Father's intention. Li Yu Shi, he is very much looking forward to the child in your belly, because that is his eldest grandson. The wedding date was also brought forward by him. He is really too eager for the child in your belly."

  "Oh, I see!" Xu Mingxia nodded and said: "It turns out that I was just basking in the glory of having a child in my belly. It seems that I need to eat more and raise him to be plump and white." Xu Mingxia's eyes were gentle as she lowered her head to caress her flat abdomen. However, this scene frightened Xu Ruoyi, who took a step forward and solemnly said: "Xia'er, don't take out your frustrations on the child. He is your reliance after marrying into the Imperial Censor's household. Listen to Father, eat well, rest more, and stop thinking wild thoughts. Do you understand?"

  Xu Mingxia smiled and said: "Father, you're worrying too much. I understand what you're saying. He is my life, of course I will treat him well."

  Xu Ruoyi looked at Xu Mingxia, who didn't seem to be lying, and felt relieved. He said: "You rest well, if you lack anything, just let the servants come find me, I will definitely take care of it properly."

  Xu Mingxia nodded and said, "Father, I understand."

  Xu Ruoyi finally left, and as he walked away, he thought to himself, "It's not good for girls to stay at home too long!" It would be better to hurry up and marry them off one by one, so he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

  Xu Mingxia watched Xu Ruoyi leave, a strange smile spreading across her face.

  When Xu Mingjin heard about this, she was reading a letter, a letter sent by Fan Yicheng, and didn't have time to care about this matter. Xu Mingxia's wedding date was moved up, and it had nothing to do with her, so Xu Mingjin forgot after hearing about it. Her mind was all on Fan Yicheng's letter. Yu Zhu and Qiu Yun also gathered around, eagerly looking at the letter, wondering if Uncle Fan had obtained the consent of Yan Zhifu to marry Miss Yan, they had been waiting anxiously for a month too.

  Xu Mingjin finished reading the letter and burst out laughing, saying: "Governor Yan actually agreed without a word! I thought Uncle would be given a hard time before it was okay! Didn't expect that Governor Yan had been searching for his daughter for over a year, he had already gone crazy, didn't hold any hope anymore. Unexpectedly, the daughter suddenly returned and brought back a future second imperial concubine's uncle, so happy that there wasn't even any trouble given to him!"

  "Is it? It seems Uncle Lao is going to laugh at the good things that are about to happen!" Yuzhu clapped her hands and laughed.

  Xu Mingjin suddenly remembered something and smiled: "Chun Xing's injury has almost healed, just in time. Hurry up and arrange her marriage to Zhang Shouzhi, and next year she can follow me to the Second Prince's mansion as a housekeeper!"

  Qiu Yun and Yu Zhu both clapped their hands in delight, laughing so hard that their eyes were shining with tears. Xu Ming Jin looked at the two of them, so happy, and said: "Now that Chun Xing's matter is settled, it's your turn next. Tell me, do either of you have someone you fancy?"

  "Miss, I'll go pour some tea," said Qiu Yun.

  "Miss, I'll go get some dim sum," said Yuzhu.

  These two people slipped away faster than rabbits, and in the blink of an eye, there was no one left in front of Xu Mingjin. Xu Mingjin blinked her eyes, carefully thinking about every word she had just said, and it seemed that she hadn't said anything she shouldn't have? Why did these two run like a dog with its tail between its legs?

  Xu Mingjin shook his head and read the letter from Fan Wuzi again from beginning to end.

  The next day, Xuan Yuan Jing Lin came to find Xu Ming Jin to go out and play. After thinking for a moment, Xu Ming Jin tactfully declined. Xuan Yuan Jing Lin looked at Xu Ming Jin's uncomfortable expression, smiled and pulled her away: "I know what you're afraid of, don't worry, today it's just the two of us, my second brother didn't come today."

  Xu Mingjin rolled her eyes speechlessly and looked up at the sky, as if she was particularly eager for the second prince to appear.

  Xuan Yuan Jinglin took her to a place outside the city, which was an osmanthus forest. In October, when autumn is in full swing, it's the season when osmanthus flowers are in bloom. Xu Mingjin had never seen so many tall osmanthus trees before and couldn't help but curiously walk into the forest, looking around left and right. Suddenly, she felt something on her head, and when she reached up to touch it, she found a small, delicate jade hairpin carved into the shape of a butterfly, so lifelike that even the fine antennae on its head seemed to be moving. Xu Mingjin was touching the hairpin, thinking to herself, what is Jinglin up to, giving her a hairpin for? Just as she was about to turn around, she heard a low voice behind her ear: "Do you like it?"

  Xu Mingjin gritted his teeth as soon as he heard this. Xuan Yuan Jinglin had just sworn that Xuan Yuan Ze wouldn't come today, so why was he here? Xu Mingjin turned around and saw Xuan Yuan Ze wearing a black robe, with a pale face like a painting and red lips that seemed to be dripping...

  Xu Mingjin hastily turned his head away, searching everywhere for Xuan Yuan Jinglin's shadow, but where could he find it? Xuan Yuan Ze chuckled and stretched out his hand to pull Xu Mingjin into his arms.

  Xu Mingjin hastily said: "You quickly let me go, otherwise..."

  Xuanyuan Ze raised an eyebrow, "What if not? Hmm?" As he spoke, he tightened his arms and hugged Xu Mingjin even tighter.

  Xu Mingjin had no choice but to take out her trump card and lifted her foot to viciously stomp on Xuan Yuanze's foot. Unfortunately, she was wearing embroidered shoes, not modern high-heeled shoes with a sharp heel that was at least five centimeters long, so it didn't have the effect she had expected. That one kick, for Xuan Yuanze, was simply not painful or itchy. Xuan Yuanze chuckled: "Jin'er, you can use more force, I'm not afraid of pain."

  Xu Mingjin's face turned red with anger and embarrassment, Xuan Yuanze saw that she was angry and quickly let her go. Xu Mingjin immediately retreated three feet away from Xuan Yuanze.

  "Come on. I have to leave the city tomorrow for business and probably won't be back for two or three months, so let's consider today as a farewell! " Xuan Yuan Ze looked at Xu Ming Jin with reluctance: "Don't you miss me?"

  Xu Mingjin was shocked and forgot to avoid Xuan Yuanze: "Didn't you just come back? Why are you going out again?" As soon as he finished speaking, he found himself in Xuan Yuanze's arms again. But this time, Xu Mingjin didn't struggle because of what Xuan Yuanze had just said. Seeing this, Xuan Yuanze was secretly delighted and thought that when dealing with Xu Mingjin, he couldn't be tough, but must be gentle.

  Xuanyuan Ze pulled Xu Mingjin's hand, and the two of them strolled slowly through the Osmanthus forest. Because they would be parting soon, melancholy filled both of their hearts. At this moment, Xu Mingjin suddenly felt a strong reluctance in her heart.

  Xuanyuan Ze was also reluctant, he said: "I'll be back soon, you can rest assured to wait for me in the capital, Yuzhu will serve you by your side. In addition, I have also handed over a group of dark guards to Yuzhu, let them listen to your orders. When you return, they will meet with you. You just take care of yourself and come back to me, don't think about anything else, do you understand?"

  Xu Mingjin nodded, feeling deeply moved. Xuan Yuanze had already considered everything for her, so she didn't need to worry about anything at all. Xu Mingjin nodded again.

  Returning from the Osmanthus forest, the sky had already darkened. As soon as Xu Mingjin entered the Emerald Garden, Yu Zhu came forward and said: "Master, do you want those bodyguards to come and pay their respects now or wait until after you've eaten dinner and rested for a bit?"

  Xu Mingjin considered it was already late and said: "Now! How many people are there in total?"

  "Miss Hui, there are twenty people in total. All of them are top-notch experts."

  Xu Mingjin couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. She was just one person, yet Xuan Yuanze had arranged so many bodyguards to protect her. Was he worried about her too much? She wasn't a child, and no one came to assassinate her every day, did she really need this kind of protection? Although she thought so, Xu Mingjin couldn't help but feel happy. After all, being cared for and worried about by someone was such a wonderful feeling.

  Jade Bamboo saw the corners of Xu Mingjin's mouth curve up and knew that she was actually very pleased with Master's actions. She withdrew, and in a short while, a group of black-clad masked guards appeared in the hall, standing in two neat rows, respectfully saluting Xu Mingjin and saying, "Subordinates pay respects to Master."

  "No need for formalities, let's get up!" Xu Mingjin raised his eyes and looked over, seeing that these dark guards were all young people in their twenties and thirties, it was really hard to believe they were the top-notch masters mentioned by Yu Zhu.

  "Do you all live there?" Xu Mingjin suddenly asked out of the blue.

  The guards were stunned. This was the first time they had met their master, shouldn't their master be giving them orders and whipping them? Why would he ask such a question? Although it was strange, the guards still stood there expressionless. One of the guards spoke up: "In response to Master's words, we guards take turns standing watch around Miss, so we don't have a fixed residence. We can rest wherever, whether on treetops or rooftops."

  Xu Mingjin heard this and sighed: "You guys are too hardworking."

  What Xu Mingjin didn't know was that these bodyguards originally had a fixed residence, but this time when they came to the Shangshu Mansion, Xuan Yuanze specially instructed them that at least ten people would be guarding Xu Mingjin every hour. They couldn't get too close, but they also couldn't be too far away. These bodyguards knew that Xu Mingjin was the future crown prince's consort and didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, so even when sleeping, they were hiding on treetops or rooftops.

  "Go down and rest!" Xu Mingjin said.

  The guards responded in unison with a "Yes!" and all retreated.

  Xu Mingjin finally spoke up and said to Yu Zhu: "I'm hungry."

  Jade bamboo suppressed her smile and went on with the arrangements.

  The next day, Princess Yang Lian of Pingxi suddenly visited Xu Mingjin. The doorman reported to Xu Ruoyi, who was surprised and politely declined, citing that Xu Mingjin needed to focus on her upcoming wedding. He thought to himself, surely Princess Yang wouldn't be coming to cause trouble for Jin'er? After all, Xuan Yuan Qiyue had once snuck into the Minister's residence at night because of Jin'er. This Yang Lian should know about her husband's feelings towards Jin'er...

  But Yang Lian said sincerely: "Don't worry, Mr. Xu, I just want to have a few words with Miss Xu Liu and then leave, I won't take up her time, please be assured."

  Xu Ruoyi heard this and thought that the princess's attitude was already so humble, it would be inappropriate to refuse again. However, he was still worried that she might not treat Jin'er well, so Xu Ruoyi thought of a compromise: "How about this, I'll send someone to ask Jin'er, if she has some free time, then call her out to meet you, what do you think?"

  Yang Lian thought for a moment, then said: "Lord Xu, how about this? I'll follow the person you sent over. If Miss Xu Liu is willing to see me, I'll go in directly. This way, it will also save Miss Xu Liu some time. If she doesn't have time to see me, then I'll just follow your servant back. What do you think?"

  Xu Ruoyi's face turned slightly ugly upon hearing this, he was just casually saying that, planning to send someone to the inner courtyard to make a mess and then come back and say that Jin'er is busy, and thus get rid of Pingxi Wang Shizi's wife. But unexpectedly, she insisted on following him, so the person he sent would have to report this matter to Jin'er, what if Jin'er wants to see her? However, his words had already gone this far, and Pingxi Wang Shizi's wife was speaking sincerely, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. In the end, Xu Ruoyi steeled himself and thought: even if you came with an ulterior motive today, my Jin'er is not someone to be trifled with, fine, let them meet! Let's see who ends up losing in the end!

  Xu Ruoyi has unshakeable confidence in his own daughter. I really don't know where this confidence of his comes from?

  "Since the princess says so, then alright. Li, you personally take the princess to Sixth Miss's Emerald Garden." Xu Ruoyi called over the butler and instructed him.

  "Yes, sir." The steward replied respectfully. Then he turned to the Crown Prince's consort and made a gesture of invitation: "Crown Prince's consort, this way please."

  "Thank you, Master Xu." Yang Lian said, and then followed the housekeeper towards the inner courtyard. Xu Wei watched as her figure disappeared in front of the door, and silently let out a sigh.

  Yang Lian followed behind Guan's family, walking slowly while observing the situation in the Xu Fu inner courtyard. Suddenly, all sorts of thoughts flooded her mind, and she felt infinite sadness. Finally, she saw the person she had been thinking about day and night. She really didn't know what was good about her; after all, she was just a yellow-haired girl. Was it worth letting yourself be trampled into this state?

  After a cup of tea, Yang Lian followed the housekeeper to the entrance of the Emerald Garden. The housekeeper stopped and turned around to say to Yang Lian: "Please wait for a moment, madam, while I go in to report to Sixth Miss."

  Yang Lian nodded, and the steward was about to leave when Yang Lian suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

  The housekeeper stopped in his tracks and turned around.

  "Are the three words 'Jade Garden' written by your family's Sixth Miss herself?" Yang Lian asked, looking at the Jade Garden sign. She thought to herself, "This Xu Sixth Miss is actually just a silly young lady, and she gave her own courtyard such a tacky name - this taste is really too bad!" Suddenly, Yang Lian felt an infinite sense of superiority in her heart, thinking that she was ultimately better than Xu Mingjin. It seemed like it would be a happy thing if Xu Mingjin wasn't as good as her, but immediately, this brief happiness was covered up by a thick layer of sorrow: "What's the use of being talented and beautiful? What's the use of being the most beautiful in the capital? What's the use of being better than Xu Mingjin?" This lifetime would still be just one of being a pitiful and sad woman who couldn't get her husband's heart. In his eyes, in his heart... it was always that Xu Mingjin. Forever unable to see you!

  "Oh, is the Crown Prince's consort referring to the name of the Emerald Garden? That was what our eldest miss originally named it. This courtyard was originally built by Aunt Ye for our eldest miss, but after Sixth Miss returned from Liu City, Master allocated this courtyard to Sixth Miss instead. The name was initially considered too common by Sixth Miss, but she was too lazy to change it, so the name stuck." The steward explained patiently to Yang Lian, fully utilizing his skill of observing and interpreting expressions as a servant. When the Crown Prince's consort first asked him the question, he didn't miss the hint of disdain in her eyes. How could they let their Xu family's most beautiful and promising Sixth Miss suffer this injustice? The steward was indignant in his heart.

  Yang Lian's expression froze, so this wasn't the name Xu Mingjin had mentioned? It was that stupid Xu Mingxia who had brought it up? So, Xu Mingjin wasn't a useless young lady after all? And she herself hadn't been any stronger than Xu Mingjin either? Yang Lian's face turned deathly pale. The steward watched her being heavily struck and felt extremely pleased in his heart, but didn't show it on his face. He still respectfully said: "Is there anything else, Consort? If not, I'll go report now?"

  Yang Lian nodded. Li Guan made a bow and went in to report. Yang Lian stood still, feeling somewhat suspicious: why did she always feel that the butler had just left with a smile on his mouth?

  The warm sunshine was shining brightly, and Xu Mingjin was painting in the courtyard. When he saw Li Guanjia walk in, he smiled and said: "What wind is it today that has blown Li Guanjia here?"

  Li Guanjia sighed and said: "Sixth Miss, there is someone outside the door. You absolutely can't guess who it is."

  "Oh?" Xu Mingjin stopped painting, stroking his chin and said: "You're being so mysterious, it can't be that Prince Ping Xi or his mother or wife has arrived?"

  Mr. Li praised: "Miss is still clever, one guess and she got it right!"

  "Ah?" Xu Mingjin said in surprise: "I was just casually saying it, and it really is one of them?"

  "It's true." Li Guan said: "It is indeed Princess Wangshi of Pingxi, who has come to visit Miss. She is now at the gate of the courtyard."

  Xu Mingjin had just thought of this, Xuan Yuan Qi would make such a fuss for her, and Ping Xi Wangfei and the Crown Prince's wife must be hating themselves to death in their hearts. They absolutely wouldn't let themselves off easily. Once she became the second prince's consort, they would have even less opportunity to deal with her. They would definitely take advantage of this period of time to find trouble for her. But during this time, she wouldn't leave the house or take a step outside. If they wanted to find trouble for her, they could only come visit her in person. Just as she thought of this, Li Guanjia came and said that someone she absolutely couldn't guess had come to visit her. She casually mentioned those two people's names, and unexpectedly, she really did guess correctly.

  So, she's here to cause trouble? Xu Mingjin thought of this sentence in the first place. Li Guanjia said: "Miss, do you want to see her? If not, I'll go tell her that Miss is busy preparing for marriage and has no time to see her."

  Xu Mingjin thought to himself: Is Yang Lian the kind of person who would easily give up? She had already arrived at the door, and if he didn't see her, she would obediently leave? Xu Mingjin felt that this possibility was extremely small. Even if he didn't see her today, she would definitely think of another way to meet him, her husband was the kind of person who would stop at nothing, where could she be good? Xu Mingjin thought back to Xuan Yuan Qi's actions on the night before his wedding, when he had taken him away from the temple. Although it had been a long time since then, every time Xu Mingjin thought about it, he couldn't help but curse Xuan Yuan Qi as a pervert in his heart. Is this something a normal person would do? The dignified Prince of Ping Xi, actually learning from others to be a flower thief? You call that perverted or not? After being with such a perverted person for a long time, one's mind would also become twisted.

  Xu Mingjin imagined Yang Lian as a pervert poisoned by Xuan Yuan's oath in her heart. Then, after careful consideration, she finally said to Li Guanjia: "Let her come in! I want to see what tricks she wants to play!" Li Guanjia hesitated and nodded, waiting for a while, seeing that Xu Mingjin did not change his mind and say no, he slowly walked out. As he walked, he shook his head, thinking that Xu Mingjin didn't need to see the Princess of Pingxi at all.

  Xu Mingjin hastily whispered to Yu Zhu beside him: "Hurry up and let those bodyguards get closer, concentrate their spirits, if Yang Lian suddenly pulls out a knife or something, you must stop her! I'm afraid of pain..."

  Jade Bamboo was speechless and looked up at the sky. How could Miss think that Yang Lian came in with a knife? This idea is too absurd, isn't it?

  Xu Mingjin smiled wryly, she could tell Yuzhu that she was influenced by too many idol dramas from her past life. Those women who couldn't get love would always hate the woman their beloved man loved. Coincidentally, Xuan Yuan Qiyue loved her, Yang Lian also loved Xuan Yuan Qiyue, and now Yang Lian came to find herself. No matter how you looked at it, this scene seemed like Yang Lian was taking revenge on her! Xu Mingjin wasn't afraid, but she felt very wronged. Xuan Yuan Qiyue loved her, what did that have to do with her? The person she loved wasn't him anyway.

  Xu Mingjin was still thinking when Yang Lian walked in gracefully. The two exchanged greetings. As soon as Xu Mingjin saw Yang Lian, he couldn't help but be shocked. How did Yang Lian look just like Xu Mingxia from a few days ago? Thin and weak, had she also gone on a hunger strike? Xu Mingjin thought to himself: She has no reason to go on a hunger strike! Had Xuan Yuan Qi Yu divorced her? Was she here to take revenge on him? As Xu Mingjin thought this, his face couldn't help but show a hint of panic.

  Yang Lian also saw Xu Mingjin, and it had only been a month since they last met. The beauty of this woman had actually increased to another level! Now looking at her, she didn't know how many times more beautiful she was than herself! Yang Lian's heart felt sour, and her eyes turned around, suddenly seeing the painting board Xu Mingjin placed in the courtyard, and couldn't help but curiously walk over. As she walked, she asked: "Miss Xu has a lot of interesting things here!"

  "It's nothing, just some minor skills." Xu Mingjin said humbly.

  Yang Lian walked closer and saw a wooden board propped up by some sort of frame, with a piece of rice paper stuck on it. On the paper was painted a delicate and lovely woman using only light ink, so vivid that she seemed to be about to step out of the painting. Even the shadows on her face cast by the light were visible. The woman looked familiar, but Yang Lian couldn't quite place her until she turned around and saw the little maid standing next to Xu Mingjin. Suddenly it dawned on her - the woman in the painting was this very maid! She was shocked beyond words that Xu Mingjin had such a high level of artistic skill. The two lines of poetry that Xuan Yuan often recited, "The fragrance of flowers has faded in the human world, but the peach blossoms are just beginning to bloom in the mountain temple." "Last year on this day, within these gates, faces and peach blossoms reflected each other's red glow" She had known since morning that they were the work of Xu Liu, the sixth young lady. In the Ping Xi Wang Fu, Xu Liu was famous for her song "A Laugh in the Vast Ocean", from then on, she was known as a talented woman, and who in the capital didn't know or hadn't heard? But no one had expected that this Xu Liu would also have such high painting skills!

  Yang Lian felt a pang of discomfort, but this Miss Xu Liu was indeed superior to her in every way. No wonder, Xuan Yuan Qi's heart belonged only to her.

  Xu Mingjin smiled slightly and said, "Please, Princess, come have some tea." She also noticed the desolation in Yang Lian's expression, but she wasn't intentionally putting up the painting to strike at Yang Lian. After all, when she arrived, she was already working on the painting. Alas, would Yang Lian be jealous of her because of this? Xu Mingjin thought to herself. She used her eyes to signal to Qiu Yun to quickly put away the painting.

  Yang Lian put away her thoughts and followed Xu Mingjin to the living room. Autumn Cloud presented tea, and Xu Mingjin took a sip before asking, "I don't know what brings the young master's wife here today?" This question had been tormenting her since earlier, and now that it was finally asked, Xu Mingjin felt a wave of relief in his heart.

  Yang Lian suddenly looked around and said: "May I ask Miss Xu Liu to dismiss the attendants?"

  Xu Mingjin's heart immediately tensed up, she told everyone to go down, was it for convenience? Yang Lian saw Xu Mingjin's tension and said: "Miss Xu, please be at ease, I came today with a request, absolutely no intention of harming you, please broaden your mind." Yang Lian smiled wryly, it seemed that Miss Xu thought he had come to harm her today. He really didn't have such thoughts.

  Xu Mingjin finally felt at ease, but then became suspicious again - what could she possibly need to ask him for? Unable to guess, Xu Mingjin could only say: "They are all my trusted confidants and won't leak anything out. Princess Shizi, please speak!" He firmly couldn't let Yuzhu retreat, otherwise, being alone with Yang Lian would make her uncomfortable.

  Yang Lian nodded, took a deep breath, and suddenly stood up from her chair, walking to Xu Mingjin's front. Xu Mingjin thought: She won't be pulling out a knife, will she? Hurriedly sending a distress signal to Yu Zhu. Yu Zhu seeing the situation, hastily stood in front of Xu Mingjin.

  Yang Lian suddenly knelt down slowly, her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at Xu Mingjin.

  Wow! Xu Mingjin's jaw dropped to the ground.

  Xu Mingjin was stunned, what's going on? Why is it completely different from what she had expected? Yang Lian didn't come to stab her with a big knife, but instead knelt down in front of her with tears in her eyes. Heaven, what happened, please tell me! Yuzhu saw the situation and thought that she wouldn't harm the young lady, so she slipped aside.

  Xu Mingjin composed himself and hastily said to Yu Zhu, "Don't you hurry up and help the Crown Prince's consort up? The ground is cold, don't let her catch a chill."

  Yu Zhu's mouth twitched, "Is the floor cold? Don't catch a chill?" What was this girl thinking? Yang Lian also felt speechless upon hearing Xu Mingjin's words. Xu Mingjin always had unexpected reactions.

  Xu Mingjin actually originally wanted to help Yang Lian up herself, after all, the other party had knelt down for her. However, just as she was about to stretch out her hand, she suddenly thought that it would be better if she kept a distance from this Crown Prince's consort. Therefore, she instructed Yuzhu to help her up instead, since Yuzhu knew martial arts. With Yuzhu around, the Crown Prince's consort wouldn't be able to play any tricks.

  "Miss Xu Liu, I beg of you, please go and see the young master! He's ill to the point of near death!" Yang Lian suddenly burst into loud sobs.

  "How is this possible? He's so strong, how can he be dying from illness? Are you kidding me?" Xu Mingjin was shocked at first, then disbelieving. Xuan Yuan Qi had been fine and healthy, how could he suddenly be on the verge of death?

  Yang Lian wept and said: "How could I possibly deceive you? If he weren't dying, why would I come to find you and kneel down to beg you? Even if you become the crown prince's consort in the future, I will still have to bow to you when I see you. But now, you are nothing! I'd rather not see you for the rest of my life!" Yang Lian wept and said: "Do you think I wanted to come find you? Do I want him to see you? If he weren't dying soon, I wouldn't have run here to kneel down and beg you!"

  Xu Mingjin said in dismay: "What's the use of asking me? Do you think his illness will be cured just because I go see him?"

  Yang Lian wiped away a tear and said, "He's been ill and confused, constantly calling out the name 'Jin Er'. No matter who speaks to him, he can't hear them. The imperial physician says this is a heart disease that cannot be cured by medicine. Heart disease requires heart medicine, and you, Miss Xu Liu, are the only one who can cure his heart disease. His Majesty and Her Majesty have tried every method, but to no avail. I don't want to watch him die, even if he's been thinking of you in his heart all along. He is my husband, and I want him to live. So, no matter how unwilling or difficult it may be for me, I will come to beg you without hesitation. I only hope that he can recover."

  Xu Mingjin listened, and couldn't help but be moved. She stepped forward, grasped Yang Lian's hand, and said sincerely: "For Xuan Yuan to marry such a good wife as you is the greatest blessing of his life."

  Yang Lian heard this and widened her eyes in disbelief, her expression agitated as she said: "Miss Xu Liu, you...you really think so?"

  Xu Mingjin nodded without hesitation and said: "The young master's wife, you have done too much for him, you deserve him to cherish you well."

  Yang Lian's eyes sparkled with surprise, but instantly dimmed: "All that I've done for him, he can't see. In his eyes, there is only you."

  Xu Mingjin shook his head and said, "Crown Prince's consort, believe me, time can make people forget everything. One day, the person in his heart will become you. As long as you can firmly stand by his side!"

  "Really?" Yang Lian looked at Xu Mingjin in disbelief. Her emotions were stirred up and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

  "Thank you," she said. "Miss Xu Liu, whether your words are comforting me or a kind lie, I'm willing to believe what you're saying. Because what you're saying is really too good!"

  Xu Mingjin smiled slightly and said: "Princess, you should hurry back! Guard him well, let the first person he sees when he opens his eyes be forever you."

  Yang Lian widened her eyes: "Miss Xu Liu, aren't you going with me to see him?" Then, she thought for a moment and said coldly: "Miss Xu Liu, could it be that you're afraid of this matter being spread out and affecting your reputation, influencing your marriage into the Second Prince's mansion? Don't worry, I can guarantee that not even a hint of this will leak out!"

  Xu Mingjin shook his head and said, "Princess, you misunderstood me. I just think that if I go see him now, he'll misunderstand and think I have feelings for him. Who knows what extreme things he might do? In the end, it won't be good for you, me, or anyone else! There's a saying: 'A short pain is better than a long one!' If I don't go see him, when he wakes up and realizes he's almost dying, and I still haven't gone to see him, maybe he'll finally let me go. Although it will be a blow to him, once he gets over it, he'll move on from this relationship and only then can you enter his heart."

  Yang Lian stared blankly at Xu Mingjin, seemingly not expecting him to say such a thing. After a long while, she suddenly smiled: "Seemingly heartless, but actually heartfelt! I understand why he likes you! Miss Xu, listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books, I know what to do now! Don't worry, I'll take good care of him!" After finishing speaking, she stood up and said to Xu Mingjin: "I sincerely congratulate you on marrying a man of your dreams, wishing you happiness. Farewell."

  Xu Mingjin looked at the woman who was leaving, still as slender as when she walked in, but her facial expression was no longer hesitant and helpless, but full of confidence in the future.

  Xu Mingjin let out a long sigh of relief, what a close call, finally got rid of this plague.

  Yu Zhuang stood aside, looking at Xu Mingjin's expression, and burst out laughing. Xu Mingjin turned his head to glance at her, saying: "Order the Dark Guards to withdraw, go do what they need to do."

  Jade Bamboo hastily took orders and left.

  Xu Mingjin stood there for a moment, then went back into the house and fell asleep with his head covered.

  Yang Lian returned to her own courtyard in the Ping Xi Wang Fu, when suddenly her personal maid, Xing, came running in excitedly and said: "Wife of the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince has woken up!"

  Yang Lian was overjoyed and hastily turned around to go to Princess Ping Xi's courtyard. Since Xuan Yuan Qi Yu fell ill, he had been taken to Princess Ping Xi's courtyard by her orders. Because the courtyard was close to the outer courtyard, and several doctors who were invited to examine the prince were staying in the guest rooms of the outer courtyard, Yang Lian had no choice but to remain silent despite being dissatisfied with her mother-in-law's actions. She spent most of her time every day guarding Xuan Yuan Qi Yu's side. For the past two days, when Xuan Yuan Qi Yu's condition worsened, she stayed by his bedside without taking off her clothes for two whole days. Her mother-in-law finally looked at her with a kind gaze. Today, her mother-in-law ordered her to go back and rest, but Yang Lian couldn't sleep, so she ran to find Xu Ming Jin, wanting her to take a look at Xuan Yuan Qi Yu. Although Xu didn't come, after listening to her words, Yang Lian suddenly felt full of energy.

  As she walked into Xuan Yuan's house, she suddenly heard a loud shout: "Where have you been? You still have the nerve to come back! Get out of here!" Along with the voice, Princess Ping Xi walked out of the room, her face stern and unkind as she glared at her. Yang Lian sneered in her heart: This was her mother-in-law, the renowned kind-hearted and gentle Princess Ping Xi! As soon as something didn't go her way, she would turn into this shrewish face to show herself!

  Yang Lian bit her lip tightly, and her eyes inadvertently swept the room. She saw that Xuan Yuan Qiji had actually woken up! He was sitting on the bed with his back against the pillow, expressionless, staring this way without saying a word. But Yang Lian knew he was actually listening to the commotion over here. Avoiding Ping Xi Wangfei's increasingly sharp gaze, she said: "Mother, I'm going to Xu Shangshu's house to visit Xu Liu Miss."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Lian's sharp eyes caught sight of Xuan Yuan Qi's eyes suddenly lighting up on the bed, and he stretched his neck to look over here.

  "Are you out of your mind?! Why aren't you taking care of Xuan Yuan Xi at home, but instead running to the Xu's house to see that fox spirit?!" Since Xuan Yuan Xi fell ill, he constantly muttered Xu Ming Jin's name in his mouth. The hatred that originally disappeared due to Xu Ming Jin being engaged to Xuan Yuan Ze resurfaced in Ping Xi Wang Fei's heart, and she unknowingly cursed Xu Ming Jin countless times a day. At this moment, she was so angry that she forgot Xuan Yuan Xi had already woken up, and the words she usually used to curse Xu Ming Jin slipped out of her mouth.

  Yang Lian's sharp eyes saw Xuan Yuan Qi's icy gaze glance at Princess Ping Xi, and she suddenly started coughing violently.

  Princess Pingxi heard Xuan Yuan Xi's cough and her heart immediately flew to him, forgetting to scold Yang Lian and Xu Mingjin. She hastily turned around and walked into the inner chamber, rushing to Xuan Yuan Xi's bedside, asking with concern: "Xie'er, where are you uncomfortable? I'll go call the doctor..."

  Xuanyuan Qiji coughed twice, shook his head, and pointed at Yang Lian: "Empress Dowager, I want her to serve me."

  The Empress Pingxi was overjoyed and tearful. For how many days had she been waiting, day and night, for Xuan Yuan Xi to take a good look at Yang Lian, even if it was just one glance? She had almost given up hope, but unexpectedly, Xuan Yuan Xi finally began to pay attention to his wife. The Empress Pingxi hastily nodded her head, turned around and saw that Yang Lian was still standing foolishly at the door, so she hurriedly called out to her: "Lian'er, why don't you come in quickly to serve the young master?"

  Yang Lian stood at the door and didn't come in because of Princess Ping Xi's previous sentence "Get out". She heard clearly what Princess Ping Xi and Xuan Yuan Qi said. In her heart, she knew that Xuan Yuan Qi called her in only because she had just mentioned going to Xu Fu to visit Xu Ming Jin. If it weren't for her previous words, he would not have looked at her again. If it were usual, Yang Lian would have scolded Xu Ming Jin severely, but this time she was different, and upon hearing the words, she only smiled slightly and walked in.

  Xuanyuan Qiyue looked at Yang Lian, not expecting that during his days of unconsciousness, she had become so haggard. But Xuanyuan Qiyue only thought this for a moment before letting it go, as his mind and eyes were now filled with Xuming Jin, urgently wanting to know about her recent situation from Yang Lian's mouth. However, with Queen Pingxi present, he couldn't ask, so he said to Queen Pingxi: "Mother, you've taken care of me for so many days, you must be exhausted, why not go back and rest well? I have the Crown Prince's wife here, that's enough."

  Xuan Yuan Qi woke up after being in a coma for so many days, and Princess Ping Xi naturally wanted to stay by his side. Xuan Yuan Qi's behavior of forgetting his mother as soon as he had a wife was making Princess Ping Xi feel sour in her heart. He said this, but she didn't want to leave anymore. So, she smiled: "Mother isn't tired, Mother wants to accompany you for a while longer."

  Xuan Yuan Xi Ze was eager to learn about Xu Ming Jin from Yang Lian, but upon hearing what Princess Ping Xi said, his expression immediately turned unpleasant.

  The Empress Dowager Ping Xi saw the situation and was afraid that Xuan Yuan Qi would get angry again. So, she hurriedly said: "Let's let Lian'er take care of you for now, Mother is tired, go back and rest for a while, come over at dinner time." After finishing speaking, she looked at Xuan Yuan Qi with reluctance, then left with three steps and two glances back. When leaving, her eyes deliberately glanced at Yang Lian.

  Yang Lian and the others left, then sat down beside Xuan Yuan's bed. At this time, a maid came in with a bowl of medicine, Yang Lian took it from her, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and was just about to feed it to Xuan Yuan when she heard him say: "What did you go to the Xu residence for? Didn't you go to bother Jin'er again? You this poisonous woman..."

  "After taking the medicine, I'll tell you." Yang Lian said calmly.

  Xuanyuan Qiji glared at Yang Lian in anger, but Yang Lian was not afraid at all.

  After a long time, Xuan Yuan Xi Yi lost and came down from the array. He said, "Alright, I'll drink the medicine."

  Yang Lian's face revealed a faint smile.