"Uncle, you've come to the stables to ride too?" Xie Jing'an's voice pulled Xie Zixuan back to the present.
Looking at his imperial nephew, who was not much younger than him, Xie Zixuan's face was a picture of exasperation. Every time he heard Xie Jing'an call him uncle, he couldn't help but wonder if he was getting old!
"This King has matters to discuss with Qin Yun. If you have nothing to do, then get out of the way!"
Xie Jing'an frowned. "Uncle, Qin Yun is injured. Can't whatever it is wait for another day?"
"Since when did you become so close to him? And how dare you speak to this King like that? You have no respect!"
Seeing that the uncle and nephew were about to clash, Su Man'er's eyes darted around. She quickly stepped forward, trying to play peacemaker and leave a good impression on Xie Zixuan. "Second Prince, this is a matter between Prince Li and Qin Yun. We shouldn't interfere too much!"
Unexpectedly, Xie Jing'an didn't buy it at all. He glared fiercely at Su Man'er and said, "Stop pretending to be a do-gooder here! I heard what you just said to Qin Yun. You're not a good person either! Get lost and don't get in this Prince's way!"
Su Man'er's face turned bright red! With so many people watching, how could she salvage her dignity? Everyone knew Xie Jing'an, this little tyrant, was unruly and unreasonable. Seeing him today, he was truly terrifying! He could get angry and yell at anyone he pleased! That was true grit!
Watching Su Man'er's embarrassment, Qin Yun couldn't help but laugh. Dealing with people like her required power. A vixen meeting a little tyrant was like meeting a formidable opponent!
"Xie Jing'an, how can you speak to Miss Su like that? Apologize quickly!" Xie Zixuan said coldly.
Xie Jing'an snorted. "As long as she apologizes to Qin Yun, this Prince will consider it!"
"This is utter nonsense! What kind of person is Qin Yun? How can he be compared to Miss Su?" Xie Zixuan had always looked down on Qin Yun. Even though he noticed Qin Yun was different now, his inherent disdain remained!
Hearing Xie Zixuan's words, Su Man'er, who had been feeling somewhat awkward, immediately curled her lips upwards. Su Man'er couldn't help but feel narcissistic! Perhaps Prince Li still had feelings for her. The mere thought of this possibility made Su Man'er feel all tingly and flushed!
"Uncle, how can you say that about Qin Yun? To be honest, Qin Yun is this Prince's good friend. If any of you disrespect him, you disrespect me!" Xie Jing'an said, winking at Qin Yun beside him.
Seeing Xie Jing'an defending her so fiercely, Qin Yun felt a little bad! Had she been too harsh earlier? After all, he didn't know she was a woman, and her actions were unintentional. With that thought, Qin Yun decided to forgive Xie Jing'an's earlier frivolous behavior.
"Jing'an?" Xie Zixuan reprimanded. "How can you associate with this person? What is your status? Isn't associating with Qin Yun beneath you?"
"Your Highness Prince Li! Whether the Second Prince associates with someone is none of your business, is it? As an uncle, you're interfering too much!" Qin Yun sneered.
"This is no place for you to speak. Shut up!"
"Is that so? Then why were you holding onto me just now, Your Highness Prince Li? And now you're telling me to shut up. You're quite contradictory!"
Xie Zixuan frowned and roared, "Qin Yun...?"
"I can hear you! Why are you shouting so loudly, Your Highness Prince Li? I'm not deaf!" Qin Yun cupped her ear, a look of disdain on her face.
Su Man'er also chimed in, quickly going to Xie Zixuan's side to curry favor! "Your Highness Prince Li, please don't be angry. It's not worth getting upset over someone like this!"
"Uncle, Qin Yun is with me, and I must ensure Qin Yun returns safely. Qin Yun, let's go!" Xie Jing'an pulled Qin Yun away, completely disregarding the strange looks from others.
"Xie Jing'an, you stop right there! If you continue to be so stubborn, be careful or this King will report you to your Imperial Uncle, and he will punish you properly!" Thinking that Xie Jing'an usually feared Xie Qianmo the most, he thought invoking Xie Qianmo's name would scare Xie Jing'an. However, it seemed to have no effect this time! Xie Jing'an walked away without looking back, unmoved by Xie Zixuan's threats from behind! This enraged Xie Zixuan, and he stomped his feet in fury on the spot!
After leaving the stables!
"Aren't you afraid your Imperial Uncle will find trouble with you?" Qin Yun asked softly. In her impression, Xie Qianmo was truly formidable!
Xie Jing'an glanced at Qin Yun! Of course, he was afraid! However, his Imperial Uncle had previously told him to befriend Qin Yun. He naturally wasn't afraid of his uncle's threats! If his Imperial Uncle hadn't made things clear beforehand, he wouldn't have had the confidence today. He lifted his chin high, saying arrogantly, "Don't forget, everyone calls me the little tyrant. This Prince fears no one! How could I be afraid of a mere Imperial Uncle!"
Seeing Xie Jing'an's smug demeanor, Qin Yun's face was a picture of exasperation! This person looked so punchable! But considering he had helped her today, she decided not to argue with him. "Could you please take me back to the academy, Second Prince!"
Watching Qin Yun limping towards the carriage, Xie Jing'an frowned slightly. Qin Yun had been fine when they came out today, but now she was covered in injuries on the way back. Xie Jing'an felt a bit guilty, as he had asked Qin Yun to come out, yet failed to protect her.
Upon returning to the academy, Xie Jing'an ordered the best wound ointment to be sent to Qin Yun! When she received the ointment, Qin Yun curled her lips into a smile! This little tyrant Xie Jing'an wasn't heartless; he was just a bit too big-hearted, a bit too arrogant, and acted like a proud peacock! Imagining Xie Jing'an as a peacock, Qin Yun laughed heartily while holding the ointment! She accidentally pulled on her wound, and her laughter immediately stopped.
She understood medicine, so when she came to Lanshan Academy, she had brought plenty of medicine with her privately. Moreover, she knew how to mix her own remedies, so these minor injuries were nothing to her!
Prince Li's Manor!
After not staying at the stables for long, Xie Zixuan returned to his manor! Looking at the purplish-gold gourd in his hand, Xie Zixuan's brows furrowed, the tension lingering.
"Someone!"
"Your Highness, what are your orders?" A shadow guard appeared instantly!
"Go and investigate whether this purplish-gold gourd is real or fake!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The shadow guard disappeared as quickly as they appeared. In the study, Xie Zixuan clenched his fists! Li Fengsheng, you better not have lied to this King! Otherwise, this King will never let you off! Meanwhile, Li Fengsheng, living a life of leisure in the Li residence, was constantly doting on his beloved wife, Li Tingting, appearing insatiably desirous! He was completely unaware of the big trap Qin Yun had dug for him! Li Tingting said shyly, "You're a pest, always bullying me as soon as you come back!" Her sweet voice made Li Fengsheng's bones go soft.
"To die beneath the peony's bloom is to be a romantic ghost!" Li Fengsheng's words and actions didn't stop. "Back in the Xiang residence, you were the one who actively seduced me. Why didn't you refuse then! You were so seductive back then!" Li Fengsheng buried his head in Li Tingting's embrace, his face full of lust.
"Oh, you pest! It's because you bewitched my heart, making me love you uncontrollably!" Li Tingting opened her red lips slightly, her slender feet resting on Li Fengsheng!