Chapter 189 - 189: Blame
“Miss Lin secretly sent someone to attack Eldest Miss Jiang on the way.”
“You mean Yao Er?”
Turning to look at Pei Wu, Xiao Junhao’s eyes were full of surprise.
Meeting his gaze, Pei Wu nodded.
Originally, Pei Wu did not plan to tell Xiao Junhao about this matter, but after thinking about it, he eventually spoke up.
After Xiao Junhao found out about this, he fell silent.
After a long time, he turned to Pei Wu and said, “Go to the Lin Mansion and invite her over.”
“Yes.”
After Lin Mengyao’s poison was neutralized, she went directly back to the Lin Mansion. When she heard from Pei Wu that Xiao Junhao wanted to see her, she hurried to Prince Qing’s mansion.
As always, Lin Mengyao walked straight into Xiao Junhao’s study, but the man who was usually full of smiles now looked at her with a complex expression.
Xiao Junhao already knew; Lin Mengyao wanted to kill Jiang Peihuan.
With this thought in mind, his gaze towards Lin Mengyao was filled with complexity. He seemed to have lost the desire for Jiang Peihuan’s death. Instead, he wished for her to witness his success and reveal a regretful look.
As for what he regretted, only Xiao Junhao himself knew.
“Your Highness, you called for me. Is there something wrong?”
Lin Mengyao had been waiting for Xiao Junhao to take the initiative to speak, but after waiting for a long time and seeing no signs of him doing so, she finally spoke.
Hearing Lin Mengyao’s voice, Xiao Junhao spoke directly, “1 heard that you had someone attack Jiang Peihuan on the road.”
He spoke in a definitive tone, and Lin Mengyao’s eyes showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this.
But then she looked at Xiao Junhao with a bitter expression and asked, “Are you blaming me for acting on my own initiative, Your Highness?”
Seeing the grievance in her eyes, Xiao Junhao paused, then his face softened. He stood up, walked over to Lin Mengyao, gently held her hand, and whispered, “I’m not blaming you, it’s just…”
Just what, he couldn’t articulate.
Seeing the look in Xiao Junhao’s eyes, Lin Mengyao’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at him and spoke directly, “Your Highness, you seem to be growing increasingly fond of Miss Jiang from the Jiang family?”
At these words, a hint of anger flashed in Xiao Junhao’s eyes. He looked at Lin Mengyao and said coldly, “My interest in her is solely because of the Jiang family.”
Before Lin Mengyao could continue, he coldly added, “I will deal with Jiang Peihuan myself. In the future, do not act independently.”
Lin Mengyao was unwilling, but facing his emotionless expression, she still gently nodded, “Yes.”
Seeing her nod, Xiao Junhao’s expression softened slightly.
“Yao Er, after some time, 1 will go and ask Imperial Father to bestow a marriage,” he assured her.
“Don’t worry, the position of Princess Consort of Qing’s mansion can only be yours.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Highness,”
In the past, hearing these words would have filled Lin Mengyao’s heart with joy, but now, she perceived them as Xiao Junhao’s compensation to her, and suddenly her heart was devoid of happiness.
“You should return to the mansion first. 1 will be busy for a while and may not have time to accompany you.”
“I understand; official duties are important.”
“Then, 1 will take my leave.”
Seeing Xiao Junhao nod, Lin Mengyao left his study. Her eyes were full of tenderness as she looked back one last time. But the moment she stepped out of Xiao Junhao’s study, the warmth in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, steely darkness.
As for what was happening in the capital, Jiang Peihuan was completely unaware.
For several consecutive days of traveling, Jiang Peihuan was completely exhausted. So when she lay down in Jiang Changbai’s tent, she immediately fell asleep.
However, she was still worried about Xiao Nanye’s injuries, so after sleeping for over an hour, she opened her eyes.
Jiang Changbai had not returned to his tent; only Ye Xiao was at the door. Hearing the noise, Ye Xiao immediately lifted the curtain of the tent. Seeing Jiang Peihuan sitting up, she quickly approached, “Eldest Miss, are you awake?” “Mmm, how is Xiao Nanye?”
Hearing Ye Xiao’s voice, Jiang Peihuan nodded and then whispered.
Ye Xiao came over to help Jiang Peihuan with her coat and spoke softly, “There is Han Feng watching over His Highness, and we haven’t heard any news. I think everything is fine.”
“I’ll go take a look.”
As she spoke, Jiang Peihuan headed straight towards Xiao Nanye’s tent.
Han Feng was guarding the entrance of Xiao Nanye’s tent, resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the sound, he immediately opened his eyes.
Seeing that the visitor was Jiang Peihuan, he unconsciously smiled, “Eldest Miss, why are you here?”
“Are you here to see the master? Please, go in.”
Before Jiang Peihuan could say anything, Han Feng spoke first, and then helped Jiang Peihuan lift the curtain.
Nodding to him, Jiang Peihuan walked directly into the tent. Ye Xiao, who was following Jiang Peihuan, was about to enter, but was stopped by Han Feng grabbing her wrist.
Seeing his action, Ye Xiao’s eyes were full of confusion. Meeting her gaze, Han Feng whispered, “The Eldest Miss rarely comes here, let her have some quality time with the master. Don’t go stirring the pot.”
Hearing this, Ye Xiao’s eyes were speechless, but she didn’t proceed any further.
Xiao Nanye was still sleeping. Jiang Peihuan walked to the bedside and first checked the wound. Seeing no signs of infection, she let out a sigh of relief.
Then, Jiang Peihuan reached out to hold the man’s pulse.
It must be said that Xiao Nanye’s physical condition was excellent, and his pulse was already very steady.
Just as Jiang Peihuan was about to let go, her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by the man.
Jiang Peihuan instinctively looked at him, but saw that his eyes were still tightly closed. This was a completely subconscious reaction.
Jiang Peihuan lightly struggled, but couldn’t break free. Sensing her struggle, the man not only did not let go, but instead increased his grip.
If it were not for the man’s steady breathing, Jiang Peihuan would have suspected that Xiao Nanye had already awakened.
Worried that she would wake Xiao Nanye, Jiang Peihuan did not persist and complied, simply sitting down by the bed.
Jiang Peihuan had woken up because she was worried about Xiao Nanye. Now knowing that he was alright, her eyes were once again filled with drowsiness.
At first, Jiang Peihuan could force herself to stay awake, but unknowingly she fell asleep leaning against the bed.
Early morning.
“Huan Er?”
Jiang Changbai went to his tent early in the morning, but when he lifted the tent, he found it empty and devoid of people.
He walked up and touched the quilt on the bed. It was completely cool, indicating that someone had long since left.