Yi Zixing’s young and handsome face bore the stubbornness of youth.
And his confusion about the woman he liked.
This was the first time he had liked a woman so much.
It was also the only time that made him feel he absolutely had to marry her.
If he missed this chance, his life would be filled with immense regret.
Therefore, after seeing her return the tiger skin, he acted more frantically than ever before, directly asking his father to propose marriage.
Seeing Yi Zixing’s insistence on an answer, Yun Shu first pulled her hand away.
"I have no complaints about you."
He was a fine young man, with upright values.
A rare good young man in the capital.
Yi Zixing’s eyes immediately lit up with a smile. "Really? Is it because I came so suddenly, catching you off guard, that you rejected me?"
He hadn’t considered things thoroughly enough!
"No," Yun Shu's voice was slightly cool.
Yi Zixing's smile froze.
"It’s that I have no romantic feelings for Duke Yi," Yun Shu stated decisively.
She had rejected a few people over the past two years, but rejecting Yi Zixing felt somewhat heartless.
It was evident that Yi Zixing had been well-protected by his family.
He had never experienced any setbacks.
Like a flower in a greenhouse, he was very pure.
"I'm sorry," Yun Shu said and then left.
Yi Zixing stood rigidly in place, his body stiff.
He watched until Yun Shu's figure disappeared from his sight.
Marquis Zhongyong arrived behind Yi Zixing at some point.
His broad hand patted Yi Zixing's shoulder.
"Your father was rejected before, too. As a man of integrity, you shouldn't dwell on such a small matter as being rejected," Marquis Zhongyong advised.
Yi Zixing pursed his lips tightly and said in a low voice, "I won't give up easily."
Marquis Zhongyong was stunned for a moment, then he gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of my son, you have such spirit! Being rejected isn't scary; what's scary is easily backing down!"
He supposed he had been a bit too hasty today.
Upon hearing that his son had someone he liked and wanted to propose, he had rushed over like a eager dog.
"However, there are all sorts of rumors circulating in the capital now. Do you truly have no suspicions about Miss Yun Er?" Marquis Zhongyong asked, his eyes flashing, his voice deep.
Only by experiencing heartbreak would a man truly grow up!
What was the point of a smooth sailing life?
Yi Zixing stated decisively, "No."
"A true man!"
Marquis Zhongyong clapped Yi Zixing's shoulder again with force.
The father and son soon left the General's residence.
Just as they departed, Jing Heng returned from outside.
"Master, we have found the person impersonating you."
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Lu Hao, a traveling physician with some skills. He has recently been befriending the Regent under your name," Jing Heng said.
"No wonder. When the Regent was in the palace, he kept mentioning 'divine doctor' this and 'divine doctor' that. It turns out he truly has a divine doctor by his side," Yun Shu chuckled lightly.
Jing Heng asked, "Do you want us to strip Lu Hao naked and throw him onto the street, writing on him that he's not a divine doctor? Not enough... should we also break his limbs and cut out his tongue?"
A mere traveling physician dared to impersonate his master.
If his master hadn't constantly reminded him not to be too brutal, he would have wanted to tear this person into five pieces and dry them into jerky!
To be displayed for all the bold ones to see, a consequence for impersonating his master!
Yun Shu, mid-sip of tea, nearly spat out the liquid upon hearing Jing Heng's words.
"Did he go to the Yun residence today?" Yun Shu asked, wiping her mouth.
"Yes."
Yun Shu nodded. Yun Yueyin's wound ointment had been tampered with, but apart from her, no one else could have detected anything amiss within the ointment.
She wanted Yun Yueyin to be disfigured.
No one could stop her.
"Lu Hao? Tonight... No, tonight we need to capture Yun Xiao Jing. Tomorrow night, tie him up and bring him to Ruan Xi for interrogation," Yun Shu tapped her leg with her curved finger.
"Understood."
Jing Heng was about to leave.
He remembered something else and stopped.
"Duke Yi proposed marriage to Master?" Jing Heng's voice was filled with a chilling coldness.
"Yes, I've already rejected him."
Jing Heng narrowed his eyes. "He's quite bold!"
"Has Elder Han arrived in the capital?" Yun Shu changed the subject.
Jing Heng replied, "He will arrive this afternoon."
"Good, we'll visit Elder Han tomorrow." Yun Shu opened a brocade box on the table.
The box was filled with banknotes.
Elder Han's advance consultation fee.
A few more years of this would be enough for her to raise Yun Xiao Jing and Zhan Xiao Li.
...
The news of Duke Yi's proposal at the General's residence spread like wildfire, quickly engulfing the entire capital.
Moreover, Marquis Zhongyong himself had accompanied Duke Yi to propose.
One could imagine the hearts filled with jealousy among those secretly harboring feelings for Yi Zixing in the capital at this moment.
The news also reached the Night King's manor.
Yun Xiao Jing overheard several people in the manor discussing this matter.
His eyes widened.
Someone was pursuing his mother?!
Yi Zixing, Duke Yi, who was he?
No, after he avenged his mother tonight, he would go and meet Yi Zixing! He had to screen him for his mother.
Meanwhile, Qiu Lu was pushing Zhan Tianye for a walk in the garden.
He accidentally overheard their discussion.
"Duke Yi actually proposed to Miss Yun Er!" Qiu Lu exclaimed in surprise.
He then added incredulously, "Duke Yi never seemed to favor any particular young lady before. This time, he actually went to propose directly! However, if Duke Yi knew about Miss Yun Er's peculiar hobbies, would he be frightened?"
Zhan Tianye's eyes seemed to be covered in a layer of frost. The image of Yun Shu and Yi Zixing walking hand in hand flashed before his eyes.
Instantly, dark clouds gathered in his eyes.
A deep, oppressive aura enveloped the surroundings.
"Your Highness?" Qiu Lu keenly sensed the change in Zhan Tianye.
"Issue a decree: no one in the manor is to discuss this matter," Zhan Tianye said, his voice tinged with anger.
"Ah, yes." Qiu Lu found it strange.
Why did it feel like His Highness's tone had a hint of anger?
No, it couldn't be anger.
It should be joy.
Now His Highness wouldn't have to worry about being pestered by Miss Yun Er!
Duke Yi was going to marry Miss Yun Er!
After a while.
Zhan Tianye returned to his room to rest.
Qiu Lu came out to warn the servants.
He happened to see Yun Xiao Jing.
Yun Xiao Jing's bright eyes flickered with confusion. "Uncle Qiu, why are you telling them not to discuss Aunt Yun Shu?"
"Because His Highness doesn't want to hear anything about Miss Yun Er," Qiu Lu replied directly.
Yun Xiao Jing's eyes widened. "Why?"
Qiu Lu smiled and patted Yun Xiao Jing's head. "You're still young, and there are many things you don't understand. Just remember that His Highness strongly dislikes Miss Yun Er. Don't mention Miss Yun Er in front of His Highness, and from now on, if you see Miss Yun Er in the capital, you should run the other way and never approach her."
"Ah? Why? Aunt Yun Shu is so good, the best person in the whole world!" Yun Xiao Jing's small mouth twitched.
Also, his scumbag father hated his mother the most?!