"Le'er, be careful!"
Yi Zixing reacted quickly, catching her.
But Qian Leer's knees still hit the ground.
He looked down and realized her knees were injured and bleeding, possibly worse than her palms.
"I'm fine," Qian Leer said, biting her lip bravely.
Her strong, stubborn, yet slightly vulnerable appearance could easily crumble anyone's defenses.
Yi Zixing, however, said with a stern face, "Your hands and knees are quite badly injured. Let's get them treated first, and then it won't be too late to leave."
Qian Leer looked troubled and glanced towards the door, lowering her voice slightly. "Your Highness, the Marquis dislikes me. If I stay at the Marquis's mansion for too long, he will surely be angry. He is already ill, and my injuries are really minor. Please believe me, the Marquis's well-being is the priority. Please, Your Highness, do not break the Marquis's heart!"
Such words were beautifully delivered.
The Qian Leer of the past would never have imagined being able to say such things so naturally.
To manipulate people's hearts so thoroughly.
Seeing Yi Zixing's emotional shift within such a short time.
"Silly girl," Yi Zixing sighed softly.
Qian Leer curved her lips into a smile.
Their eyes met.
The old man was speechless at the sight, truly a vixen! The young lord had always been so discerning, yet he was still swayed by a vixen!
He was so angry he could die!
He immediately pushed open the door and went to the Marquis's bedside, softly persuading, "Marquis, please do not be angry. Getting angry only harms your own body. In my humble opinion, the young lord will surely see through her true nature; it's only a matter of time. Marquis, please take care of yourself!"
The Zhongyong Marquis's face was already ashen with fury. "Scoundrel! Unfilial son! Such a worthless son, I wish I never had him! You don't need to represent me anymore; he is unworthy to be my son! Go and drive him away! I can't breathe just hearing their voices! If you want your Marquis to live a few more years, drive them away!"
At this moment, the Zhongyong Marquis's face was incredibly pale.
Completely devoid of color.
Yi Zixing, who had stopped not far from the door, halted, his feet feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.
The Marquis's words were like thorns piercing his heart.
"Your Highness, it's all my fault. If I had been born a noble lady in the capital, you wouldn't be in such a difficult position now. Your Highness, we face too many challenges together." Qian Leer said with tear-filled eyes.
They looked at each other.
Yi Zixing continued, "We do indeed face many challenges, but all these difficulties will be resolved. Leave them all to me."
At this moment, Qian Leer truly felt her heart warm.
Unknowingly, he had become more and more important in her heart, irreplaceable, so she couldn't let anyone separate them.
Just then.
A sound came from not far away.
"Miss Yun Er, please this way."
Qian Leer's spine stiffened.
Miss Yun Er?
Could it be Yun Shu?
What a coincidence! Why would Yun Shu be at the Marquis's mansion? She wasn't ready to meet Yun Shu.
Yun Shu, who was already walking briskly and about to reach Yi Zixing and Qian Leer, hadn't noticed Qian Leer at first. She was focused on seeing the Zhongyong Marquis as soon as possible and not wasting time.
Her gaze suddenly caught sight of Qian Leer.
A familiar figure.
Just like the figure she had seen that day.
At this moment, the woman was almost pressed against Yi Zixing, their posture very intimate.
Was that woman Yi Zixing's concubine?
A concubine who could make the Zhongyong Marquis cough up blood must be no ordinary woman. However, why did she seem a little familiar?
As she approached, Yun Shu's eyebrows suddenly rose.
No wonder the figure was so familiar!
"Qian Leer?"
No wonder Qiu Lu hadn't appeared even though she was alive and had come to the capital.
So, the person who had taken her in the capital was Yi Zixing, and she was known as Yi Zixing's concubine.
"You know Le'er?" Yi Zixing asked, surprised. He hadn't expected Yun Shu to know Le'er!
When Qian Leer saw Yun Shu, she had already lowered her head, trying to make herself less noticeable. She thought that if she kept her head down and Yun Shu couldn't see her face, she would be safe.
But to her surprise, Yun Shu's gaze was so sharp that she saw her immediately.
Her luck today was truly terrible!
"Long time no see, Miss Yun Er," Qian Leer said, taking a deep breath and looking up at Yun Shu.
She was completely different now from a few months ago.
No matter where she walked in the capital, people would assume she came from a prestigious family.
She used to be a foolish girl from the countryside, but now she was the beloved sweetheart of Yi Zixing.
Therefore...
She slightly raised her chin.
Becoming a little proud.
Yun Shu merely nodded, gave Qian Leer a deep look, and then turned her gaze to Yi Zixing.
Before she knew that Yi Zixing's concubine was Qian Leer, she hadn't thought much of it.
But now.
She felt that something was not simple.
However, the Zhongyong Marquis was the priority now; other matters could be discussed later.
She looked at Yi Zixing and said sternly, "I'm going to see the Marquis."
Then, carrying the medical kit, she strode past them.
The old man, hearing the commotion, came out and, upon seeing Yun Shu, said with some excitement, "Miss Yun Er, you've finally arrived. The Marquis is inside. Just now, the Marquis said that no one else could heal him, but Miss Yun Er certainly could."
"How is the Marquis?" Yun Shu asked, walking over and inquiring solemnly.
The old man glanced at Yi Zixing and Qian Leer, then sighed, "You'll know when you see him, Miss Yun Er."
"Alright."
Qian Leer was surprised to be so thoroughly ignored by Yun Shu.
A mere glance, a nod, and no surprise in her eyes.
This feeling of being overlooked made her uncomfortable, as if, despite her current luxurious life, she was still the foolish girl from the countryside.
Damn it!
Why was Yun Shu so condescending?!
Damn it!
"Le'er, do you know Miss Yun Er?" Yi Zixing asked, staring at Qian Leer with suspicion. He thought he hadn't misread; Qian Leer had been nervous when she saw Yun Shu, but now there was a hint of hatred in her eyes.
He had been unaware of this matter before.
How could Le'er, who came to the capital alone, know Yun Shu?
Qian Leer's expression changed abruptly, and her face turned pale with fright. She lowered her head and replied, "Yes, I know Miss Yun Er. I originally didn't want to mention that past, but now I have to. I met her once. She and Prince Ye passed through our village, and shortly after they left, people came to our village and massacred everyone. If I hadn't been lucky, I wouldn't have escaped."