Yang Ruxin returned from the grove, her mind heavy with concerns. She had no interest in the outcome of what had transpired at the old mansion—whether there were deaths or survivors. Moreover, with Sanni there, she would undoubtedly learn the result in due time.
What troubled her now were the words of Widow Lü. Indeed, someone had approached her several months prior, asking her to find a way to destroy Xun Hui and had given her a hundred taels of silver, promising another hundred once the deed was done.
The person had always visited Widow Lü in the middle of the night, dressed in black with a black hat covering their head, making even their eyes invisible, and their voice had been altered.
The only thing she was certain of was that this person was a man.
"Lady Xinxin." She had not gone far when someone caught up to her from behind, "I saw you just now and I couldn’t believe it was really you..."
Yang Ruxin stopped and turned around: "Doesn’t Young Master Qi enjoy watching the bustle? Over there..."
"So you are the Xinxin little sister Brother Bage mentions all the time? Truly as remarkable as he says." At that moment, Qi Jingrong hurried over as well, "I am Qi Kang."
"How can that be?" Qi Jingyi glared at Qi Jingrong, "Little brother, you can’t just speak without evidence..."
Yang Ruxin frowned and then turned to Qi Jingrong, "Have I offended you in some way, sir? By speaking in such terms, do you intend to smear my reputation?" This person called him Bage, so he must be Qi Jingrong, the tenth prince known as Prince Rong, and this Qi Kang was probably his style name.
Gu Qingheng had told her about the Imperial Family members; the eighth prince was part of the Crown Prince Party, while the tenth prince belonged to the third prince’s faction.
Now these two, from different factions, had come together. Interesting.
Gu Qingheng had already aligned himself with the Crown Prince, which meant he stood in opposition to this Qi Kang.
"Oh no," replied Qi Jingrong with an innocent face, his attractive eyes blinking at Yang Ruxin, "Brother Bage really does talk about how delicious Xinxin little sister’s cooking is every day. Those stir-fried intestines and the like—he has made me drool with anticipation..."
"Young Master Qi, it goes without saying who you are, and I’m just a village girl with little experience. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to address me as ’little sister’? Shouldn’t you save that title for someone over in that direction?" Yang Ruxin said, pointing towards Beijing.
Qi Jingrong suddenly felt awkward, "That... uh..."
Qi Jingyi, however, couldn’t help but laugh, appreciating the girl’s skill at retort. She was appealing to him. Yet, why had that kid, Gu Qingheng, gotten ahead of him?
"I’ll gladly pay for meals—one tael of silver per meal per person, and lodging is extra," Yang Ruxin said, glancing at the two men before turning to leave.
Qi Jingyi chuckled and quickly followed her, "No problem, Weng Ji and I..."
Yang Ruxin glanced sideways at Prince Qi, who was still in a daze behind her, and suddenly lowered her voice with a smile, "For you, it’s free." Considering he had saved her from whipping, she owed him some hospitality.
"Generous!" Qi Jingyi was delighted, "I’m finding myself more and more fond of you..."
Yang Ruxin stopped dead in her tracks, turned, and stared at him with a serious look.
"Um..." Qi Jingyi felt a chill in his heart under her gaze and quickly corrected himself, "What I meant by ’fond of’ was admiration..."
Yang Ruxin then pursed her lips and continued walking forward.
Qi Jingyi breathed a sigh of relief; her glare had been terrifying. It seemed he should refrain from speaking in such a manner in the future.
Qi Jingrong touched his own face. Had his charm diminished?
Guard Yun Yang quickly stepped forward to remind him, "My lord, she’s getting away."
Qi Jingrong snapped back to reality and quickly strode after her, "Wait, I have plenty of silver, I will pay..."