Arriving at the gates of the estate, she caught sight of a young, pale-faced eunuch sitting behind the stone lion not far away.
The sunlight was glaring; he furrowed his brows tightly and raised a hand to shield his eyes, yet his gaze remained fixed on the estate gates.
As soon as he saw Cui Yunfeng, his eyes lit up instantly. Second Miss, this servant has finally managed to see you. Please come with this old servant quickly.
This person was the head eunuch by Xiao Yi's side.
Cui Yunfeng stood still. Is he doing alright?
Oh, my little ancestor, how could His Highness be alright when he cannot see you? His injuries are visibly worsening day by day.
Cui Yunfeng immediately grew anxious. How could this be? Have you summoned an imperial physician to treat him?
Second Miss, you will know if you just come and see for yourself.
Cui Yunfeng bit her red lip so tightly she could not even feel the pain. Tell him to rest and recover well. Once his injuries are healed, I will go see him.
Hearing that Cui Yunfeng refused to go, the young eunuch grew frantic.
Second Miss, do you not know His Highness's temper? If he doesn't see you, I'm afraid something terrible will happen. Please, just make the trip with this old servant.
Cui Yunfeng dug her nails into her palms, forcing herself to harden her heart. Since I said I will go in a few days, I will definitely visit him then. Until then, the people from the Prince An Estate need not come again.
Looking at Cui Yunfeng's cold little face, the young eunuch's heart sank.
Could it be Second Miss Cui truly intended to marry another and abandon his Highness?
Wouldn't the sky fall then?
What was previously just a guess could now be considered a certainty. Cold sweat broke out on the young eunuch's forehead. Having received Cui Yunfeng's final word, he hastily rushed back to the Prince An Estate to report the news.
Cui Yunchu watched the eunuch's hurried departing figure, then looked up at the sky, feeling as though a dark haze was silently approaching.
Prince An Estate.
As soon as the young eunuch entered the estate, he headed straight for the main courtyard.
But before he could even enter the main courtyard, he caught sight of a tall, straight figure standing under the corridor, as unyielding as a pine tree.
He raised his eyes toward the young eunuch's direction. The look in his eyes shifted several times before finally settling into complete, dead silence.
The young eunuch's legs felt as if they were tied with thousand-pound weights, rendering him unable to walk. Cold sweat drenched his back, and his scalp went numb.
Where is she? Xiao Yi's voice was incredibly calm.
Yet beneath that calm surface hid the raging fury of a violent storm.
S-Second Miss said...
Did I not say that if you couldn't bring her, you were not allowed to return?
The young eunuch's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees with a thud. Forgive me, Your Highness! Forgive me! This servant saw Second Miss and specially returned to report.
Hmm. The man's voice grew noticeably lighter, and the sharp gaze directed at the top of the young eunuch's head slowly faded.
Did the Cui family refuse to let her leave the estate?
If only that were the case. The young eunuch once again felt as though a blade was resting against his neck.
No? Xiao Yi's lips curled into a smile. Then, is it that she refuses to see me herself?
The young eunuch hurriedly shook his head, afraid that if he was a second too late, the roof beams of the Prince An Estate would collapse. Second Miss Cui said it is inconvenient these next few days. She asked Your Highness to wait a few days, and she will definitely come to find Your Highness in person.
In a few days? Xiao Yi scoffed. His hands, clasped behind his back, rubbed together slightly. His devilishly handsome face bore a faint, desolate smile. She is deceiving and coaxing me again.
The young eunuch kept his head bowed low, not daring to utter another word.
Xiao Yi stood under the corridor with no intention of entering the room. He slowly closed his eyes. She is always so disobedient.
What happened to her?
The young eunuch knew the Prince was asking about the inconvenience Second Miss Cui mentioned for the next few days.
What happened? He didn't know either; it was just a bunch of excuses. The young eunuch already had his suspicions but didn't dare voice them.
Xiao Yi looked back, the cold ruthlessness in his eyes undisguised. The young eunuch immediately bowed his head to the ground and said, Second Miss Cui didn't say, but... but...
Steeling his heart, he braced himself and said, This servant encountered Prime Minister Cui at the estate gates. Accompanying him was this year's new top scholar, Lord Zhou. Presumably... presumably...
They were busy with a matchmaking meeting.
Or perhaps, it was already set in stone. Just as the Prince said, Second Miss Cui's words were all lies meant to stall him.
The young eunuch's heart leaped into his throat.
No one knew better than him how the two of them had gotten along over the years. If Second Miss Cui married someone else, wouldn't that take the Prince's life?
The expected violent storm did not come, and the tranquility left the young eunuch trembling with fear.
Xiao Yi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the courtyard scenery, his lips actually curling into a smile. How many times has this been?
What? The young eunuch looked up in confusion.
He only heard Xiao Yi continue, How many times has another man appeared by her side?
He chuckled softly. It never ends. Fortunately, I have a good temper. It doesn't matter. He looked down at his long, well-defined hands, clenching them repeatedly. The new top scholar, huh? One more doesn't amount to anything.
As long as it wasn't her wish, it was of no great concern. He would handle it, just like he had since they were young, crushing them to death one by one.
Prime Minister Cui is truly so tactless.
He had tolerated him time and time again. Even when he colluded with the Crown Prince in the imperial court to oppose him, he had never held it against him.
It was all because he had given birth to a good daughter. But unfortunately, he was pushing his luck.
The young eunuch felt that the Prince's calmness was far more terrifying than his madness. Standing there, it made one's scalp tingle and sent chills to the depths of one's heart.
Cui Yunchu stayed with Cui Yunfeng for most of the day. Fortunately, Cui Yunfeng's mind was entirely on Prince An, and she had not noticed the activities within the estate.
Cui Yunchu felt that their father and grandmother were being a bit too hasty. Yunfeng had not yet completely let go of her feelings, so having her meet with someone else to discuss marriage was truly premature.
But clearly, Old Madam Cui and Prime Minister Cui had their own considerations.
Yuner led Nanny Li into the room.
First Miss, Second Miss, dinner has been set in the Songhe Courtyard. The Old Madam asked this old servant to invite both misses to dine together.
Cui Yunchu immediately looked at Cui Yunfeng.
Let's hope they aren't forcing her into a corner.
