Lin Mengzhi's expression changed again when she mentioned Ming Jiuxiao.
"Second Uncle, this is my personal matter. You don't need to worry about it," Lin Mengzhi said casually.
"You're just too foolish. You'll never get Ming Jiuxiao by clinging to him like this," Lin Zhenfan said meaningfully.
"Why?"
Lin Mengzhi was instantly confused upon hearing this.
"Because he doesn't like you at all."
Lin Zhenfan's words struck Lin Mengzhi directly in the heart.
Hearing this, Lin Mengzhi's face gradually changed color, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and a terrifying, blade-like cold light burst from her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, her slender, sharp fingernails digging deeply into her palms.
"Second Uncle, stop talking!" Lin Mengzhi reprimanded.
"Zhi'er, I know you don't like what I just said, but I have to say it. If you want to get Ming Jiuxiao, simply pestering him is useless. You need to use some methods, preferably by capturing his fatal weakness to control his lifeline," Lin Zhenfan reminded her.
"His weakness?" Lin Mengzhi murmured.
"Yes, you need to capture his weakness. According to the news I received, the person who abducted the Cold King's consort on the night of his wedding was Ming Jiuxiao," Lin Zhenfan said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"I know about this matter." Lin Mengzhi wasn't surprised at all.
After all, she had also attended the banquet at the Cold King's mansion that night. When Ming Jiuxiao, dressed in a red robe, abducted Leng Ruoli, she had recognized him as Ming Jiuxiao at first sight.
However, she couldn't understand how Ming Jiuxiao got involved with Leng Ruoli.
"Since you recognized him, why not do this..."
As Lin Zhenfan spoke, his voice grew quieter and quieter, to the point where only Lin Mengzhi, leaning in, could hear him clearly.
A moment later, a malicious smile played on the lips of both Lin Zhenfan and Lin Mengzhi.
Several days later, a nursery rhyme began to circulate throughout the streets and alleys of the capital:
On the Cold King's mansion, on the wedding night, a man in red abducted the bride... The Cold King pursued... Look closely, the one who abducted the bride was none other than the Ming Zunzhu.
This nursery rhyme quickly spread throughout the entire capital, reaching not only the Cold King's mansion but also the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the noble ladies in the palace.
...
In the Cold King's mansion, Ye Ying rushed back from outside.
"Your Highness, something bad has happened."
"What is it? What's happened again?"
At this moment, Jun Mohan was alone in his study, busy dealing with state affairs.
"Your Highness, the matter of you being abducted on your wedding night has become a widespread rumor. The entire capital is now spreading a nursery rhyme: On the Cold King's mansion, on the wedding night, a man in red abducted the bride... The Cold King pursued... Look closely, the one who abducted the bride was none other than the Ming Zunzhu," Ye Ying reported to Jun Mohan with a solemn expression, frowning.
Hearing Ye Ying's words, Jun Mohan's face turned dark. He had thought that the matter had ended after his and the Emperor's and Empress Dowager's pressure, but he didn't expect that there were still people who were not afraid of death and wanted to blow this up.
"Have you found out who spread the news first?" Jun Mohan asked in a deep voice.
"Your Highness, as soon as my subordinate heard the rumor, I went to investigate. The beggar piles in the south of the city were the source of the rumor. My subordinate has already apprehended the beggars spreading the rumors and brought them to the back gate of the Cold King's mansion. They said a woman with a slender figure, wearing a black hooded cloak, gave them a hundred taels of silver each and told them to spread this nursery rhyme that insults Your Highness and the Consort." Ye Ying answered honestly.
"Are you sure it was a woman wearing a black hooded cloak?" Jun Mohan murmured in a deep voice.
"Yes, that's what the old beggar told my subordinate. Should I go and confirm with that beggar again?"
Ye Ying thought Jun Mohan didn't believe him, so he made another suggestion.
"No need!"
Jun Mohan waved his hand at him.
Immediately, he fell into thought.
The couple had offended quite a few people. This woman in the black hooded cloak was likely one of them. However, he felt that this woman in the black hooded cloak must have attended the banquet on his and Li'er's wedding day, otherwise, she wouldn't have known the events of that day so clearly. There was also a possibility that this woman knew Ming Jiuxiao.
After a moment, Jun Mohan instructed Ye Ying, "Go to the West Lin Courtyard and find the 'human demon.' Ask him which women he knows in the capital."
"Yes, Your Highness." Ye Ying responded respectfully.
Then, he quickly arrived at the West Lin Courtyard, where Ming Jiuxiao resided.
Meanwhile, Ming Jiuxiao had just learned about the rumors from his bodyguard, Lin Feng.
"Zunzhu, the Cold King is also aware of this matter," Lin Feng reported truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Ming Jiuxiao slapped his forehead fiercely.
"That cold-faced blockhead must want to kill me now. Alas, it's my own fault for acting rashly that day and abducting that girl in full view of everyone, not only ruining her reputation but also causing..."
Ming Jiuxiao was now filled with regret for his impulsive actions that night.
"Zunzhu, it's too late for regrets now, but we must quickly find the mastermind behind this rumor! Otherwise, the Cold King and the Cold King's Consort will be here to settle the score with you any moment," Lin Feng reminded him.
"They have already sent someone."
Ming Jiuxiao said this as his gaze swept towards the door. In a moment, they saw Ye Ying, holding his sword in his left hand, walking into the West Lin Courtyard.
"Ming Zunzhu, my King sent me to ask you..." Ye Ying began directly.
But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Ming Jiuxiao.
"The mastermind behind this is definitely Lin Mengzhi. You don't need to investigate further, I can be certain."
"Ye Ying, go back and tell your master to suppress the rumors as quickly as possible. I will deal with the mastermind. I will make her wish she were dead and unable to die."
As Ming Jiuxiao said this, although a smile played on his lips, the aura emanating from him was bone-chillingly cold.
Don't be fooled by Ming Jiuxiao's effeminate and unserious demeanor; it's all a facade to disguise himself and lower others' guard.
In fact, his methods of dealing with matters were even more ruthless than Jun Mohan's. He either didn't act, or when he did, he made sure the person suffered a fate worse than death.
"Since Ming Zunzhu says so, I will immediately return and inform my King." Ye Ying cupped his hands towards Ming Jiuxiao.
Then, he quickly left Ming Jiuxiao's residence and returned to Jun Mohan's study to report.
After Ye Ying left, Lin Feng remembered something else.
"Zunzhu, I went to find Mama Feng at Yichun Tower today to get something for you. She told me something astonishing," Lin Feng said, frowning.
"What is it? Speak quickly!"
Ming Jiuxiao detested Lin Feng's rambling.
"My subordinate heard from Mama Feng that last night, she accidentally discovered that Lin Mengzhi had used a tracking蛊 on you." Lin Feng reported truthfully.
"Tracking蛊? No wonder she can find me wherever I go," Ming Jiuxiao said, his face turning ashen with anger.