Near ink is black

  Zhu Changren went to the front hall of Qianmen, while Yuan Yi followed the servants to the main house's Tangwu Hall, where Rui Wangfei Yun Jie was.

  As soon as the curtain was lifted and they entered, they saw the elegant and noble Empress Rui sitting at the top, with Zhang Shi sitting beside her. The two were chatting about something, and Yun Xiang Rong couldn't help but smile happily, while Zhang Shi, although smiling, had a hint of awkwardness in his smile.

  Yun Jie Rong quickly understood the meaning, directly waived her courtesy, and let her sit on one side, holding her hand and saying: "You came just in time, we were just talking about you."

  She glanced at Zhang with a hint of disdain and smiled behind her hand, "I don't know what's going on, but it seems to be worth the Crown Princess's hearty laughter."

  Yun Jie smiled and said, "Do you still remember the painting you did in another courtyard? I liked it so much that I secretly kept it for myself. Who would have thought that Xiao Heng would make a fuss and demand it from me? He's really shameless. Doesn't he know that a woman's treasure is not something an outsider like him can get?"

  Her words revealed the relationship between the two people, and Yuanyi's thoughts suddenly became clear. No wonder Tieliang Wangfei was particularly attentive to her in the other courtyard. It seemed that Xiao Heng had let something slip in front of her, which caught her attention.

  Yuanyi hastily lowered her head, seemingly shy, and said in a low voice: "It's just a clumsy work, let the princess see the joke." She avoided the main topic and didn't mention Xiao Heng.

  Yun Jie raised an eyebrow, seemingly smiling yet not quite, and glanced at her with a teasing gaze. "I suppose after today, I can give him the painting. We'll all be one big happy family, and I'll finally have some peace and quiet."

  At this moment, Yuan Yi's face was really red, not from shyness, but from being annoyed by Rui Wangfei. A dignified princess, how could she be like a rogue? Was it because of the saying "near ink and you'll get stained"?

  "Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking out of turn," said Zhang Shi, taking over the conversation. "My husband has always doted on Yi, and I'm afraid he can't bear the thought of her suffering after marrying into another family."

  This remark is so venomous, anyone with discerning eyes can see that the Rui King and his wife are here to mediate on behalf of Xiao Heng, while Zhang Shi secretly intends to sabotage them. Marrying into their family would be a miserable experience, isn't this implying that Xiao Heng is not worthy of Yuan Yi? Xiao Heng has a notorious reputation, yet Zhang Shi wears an appropriately troubled and apologetic expression, vividly displaying her concern as the legitimate mother towards the concubine's daughter. As a result, her rebellious words don't seem so abrupt. Those who are unaware would even praise her for having a kind heart.

  Seeing her hypocritical face, Yuan Yi felt a wave of nausea and quickly looked away, not wanting to stay on her for another moment. When it came to discussing marriage, as a woman in the inner chamber, she naturally couldn't interrupt, otherwise she would be considered frivolous or embarrassing, so she remained silent with an awkward expression.

  Yun Xie Rong's gaze swept across Zhang Shi and Yuan Yi's faces, a hint of unusual color flashing in his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into a disdainful smile as he said: "My younger cousin Yun Xie Rong, son of the Minister of Justice, could it be that you, Fourth Miss of the Zhu Manor, are still being humiliated?"

  Her body suddenly burst forth with a sharp and majestic aura, carrying the pride and confidence of a superior, the dignity and nobility of the imperial family was revealed, and only at this moment did Yun Jie Rong reveal her true character. The so-called kindness and gentleness were just a facade, in fact, she was extremely proud and arrogant, and even her kindness to Yuan Yi was just for the sake of Xiao Heng's face.

  Madam Zhang's face turned slightly pale, and she said, "So it turns out that Young Master Xiao is actually the king's nephew, I was blind to this." While her mouth spoke these words, her heart couldn't help but be filled with doubts. Why had there been no rumors of this news in the capital? It must be because they are distant relatives after all.

  Yun Jie Rong didn't respond to Zhang Shi, but instead looked at Yuan Yi who was calm and composed under her intense gaze, his eyes slightly dim.