After a long silence, Meng Zhuqing saw that Wild Goose Jade was still not speaking, so she no longer waited, nor asked further, but instead said, "If Minister Tao has done any harm to you, Miss, you can speak freely without hesitation."
Wild Goose Jade remained silent, but inside she sneered: No need to hesitate? Ha, I thought I didn’t need to hesitate around you, that I could trust you, but what happened? You brought me here?
Meng Zhuqing continued, "No matter if Minister Tao is the enemy you seek or not, if that enemy has harmed you, and that is why you had no choice but to seek revenge, you can speak out."
Wild Goose Jade stayed silent, as if Meng Zhuqing didn’t exist at all.
Meng Zhuqing pursed her lips, then went on to say, "I am but a deputy general, and I’m someone who serves as a slave to others. I hold little influence and probably can’t help you much in this regard, but my lord can."
Finally, Wild Goose Jade spoke, her voice laced with derision. "And who might your master be that you’re so certain he can help me?"
Meng Zhuqing replied, "Prince Yi, Su Changyi."
Wild Goose Jade was initially taken aback, then disbelieving, "Do you take me for a three-year-old child to believe you just like that?"
Immediately, Meng Zhuqing swore to the heavens, "If I am deceiving you, may I not die a good death."
Hearing Meng Zhuqing swear an oath to heaven, Wild Goose Jade started to wavering, somewhat believing her. But then she thought that she couldn’t afford a single misstep, for if she did, she might never be able to avenge the deep-seated hatred she held; so, in the end, she chose not to believe.
Seeing that Wild Goose Jade still looked unconvinced, Meng Zhuqing added, "You are now within Prince Yi’s Mansion."
Wild Goose Jade’s lips trembled slightly.
"Our lord—Prince Yi’s character is known throughout Xiyun. He has told me that if your enemy truly harmed you, he would seek justice for you."
Wild Goose Jade looked down at the bed, yet she remained silent.
Meng Zhuqing, seeing that Wild Goose Jade was still apprehensive, presented her with the token that her lord had just thrown to her, "This is Prince Yi’s token, my master is indeed Prince Yi."
Wild Goose Jade sat there, lifting her head to look at the token in Meng Zhuqing’s hand. Her family had owned a similar one; born of noble descent, she could tell the authenticity of the token.
And this token was indeed authentic.
So, it turned out that Xiao Changyi truly was Prince Yi.
Seeing Wild Goose Jade simply staring at the token without speaking, Meng Zhuqing thought she still didn’t believe, and so she continued, "When my father was wrongly accused of treason and the Meng Family (Nine Clans) were to be executed, it was Prince Yi who defied the emperor’s orders, vindicated my father’s innocence, and saved the Meng Family (Nine Clans). Before my father died, he was grateful for Prince Yi’s kindness to our family, which is why my brother and I serve Prince Yi as slaves."
It was then Wild Goose Jade finally understood why Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing, the sons of generals, would serve as slaves, and why Meng Zhuqing was so loyal to Xiao Changyi.
If it were her, she would also be unwaveringly loyal.
"Our lord, he really is Prince Yi!" Meng Zhuqing earnestly tried to convince Wild Goose Jade.
"If you truly have your own difficulties, you can speak up. Since our lord has promised to fight for your cause, he will certainly do so!" Meng Zhuqing pressed urgently.
Only then did Wild Goose Jade respond, "I don’t believe you," not believing her claim that Prince Yi would fight for her cause.
Meng Zhuqing immediately pressed her lips together, feeling terribly upset.
After a long silence, Wild Goose Jade spoke again, "I want to see Prince Yi."
Hearing this, Meng Zhuqing’s sorrow was alleviated greatly. Wild Goose Jade wasn’t entirely disbelieving her. She wanted to see Prince Yi, which meant she believed her claim that her master was Prince Yi.