Chapter 113

Zongren Mansion.

Since there were no orders from the Emperor, everything here at the Zongren Mansion was handled according to standard procedures. All the items provided to the Second Prince were in accordance with the old regulations.

The Second Prince had a severe case of cleanliness OCD. He hadn’t slept all night, and at this moment, he sat behind the desk with his own outer robe spread out on the floor.

Zhou Bo noticed the bloodshot eyes of the Second Prince and couldn’t help but feel heartache written all over his face.

He knew that the Dog Emperor was beginning to test His Highness. He knew His Highness couldn’t stand dirtiness, yet he deliberately confined him to this rudimentary Zongren Mansion!

The Second Prince’s expression was dark, but he didn’t voice any complaints, only asking, “Zhou Bo, has there been any news from Zhufeng?”

Zhou Bo shook his head, then asked anxiously, “Your Highness, is it a matter of utmost urgency? Should this old servant go and…”

“No need.”

The Second Prince refused without hesitation.

Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to get involved with the Northern Kingdom.

The power of King Jin Yu could indeed be a great help to him, but conversely, if someone got ahold of evidence, he would never be able to turn things around!

The Second Prince habitually tapped the desk with his fingers, feeling the unfamiliar and rough texture, then suddenly withdrew his hand.

“It seems she hasn’t made up her mind yet…”

The Second Prince muttered to himself.

Zhou Bo tilted his head in confusion, not understanding whom the Second Prince was referring to.

“Zhou Bo, continue to wait. Don’t act rashly.”

The Second Prince solemnly instructed, evidently worried that Zhou Bo might take matters into his own hands again.

Zhou Bo had learned his lesson from the last Lantern Festival incident and didn’t dare to overstep, nodding respectfully.

—

The Meng Mansion.

After Meng Guxue returned home yesterday, she was severely scolded by Mr. Meng. She was supposed to be punished with a spanking, but Mrs. Meng managed to persuade him to let her off.

However, Mr. Meng was still angry and ordered Meng Guxue to be confined to her room. Without his orders, she couldn’t take a single step outside.

Mrs. Meng felt both angry and pained. Leading Meng Guxue back to her room, she went on and on.

But Meng Guxue, for some reason, seemed absent-minded, lost in her thoughts.

Mrs. Meng suddenly frowned, “What’s wrong with you, Snow? Have you been listening to a word I’ve said?”

Meng Guxue muttered to herself, “Things are really different now.”

Mrs. Meng was now also somewhat annoyed, “What’s the matter with you, child? Not only did your temperament change drastically, but you’ve also forgotten all the manners you learned in the women’s quarters!”

Meng Guxue was already extremely frustrated, and being scolded by Mrs. Meng made her blurt out her innermost thoughts:

“Do you think I wanted to be your daughter? I didn’t even have a choice! If you want to blame anyone, blame this—”

Meng Guxue’s voice abruptly stopped.

Because she saw Mrs. Meng covering her mouth in disbelief, her face filled with shock and hurt, tears already forming in her eyes.

Seeing this, Meng Guxue suddenly felt deep regret.

She didn’t mean to hurt Mrs. Meng, but the things the Second Prince said during the day had left her feeling restless.

“Mother…”

Meng Guxue hurriedly reached out to hold Mrs. Meng’s hand, wanting to say a few words to make amends.

But Mrs. Meng was truly hurt.

She never expected that her daughter, whom she had raised and nurtured with so much effort, would one day pierce her heart like this.

“Forget it, just take care of yourself!”

Mrs. Meng trembled as she uttered a sentence and left with tears in her eyes.

“Mother!”

Meng Guxue felt deeply regretful. After all, Mrs. Meng had been the kindest person to her since she crossed over.

However, just as she reached the door, two stout maids sent by Mr. Meng blocked her way.

“Miss, Master has ordered that without his consent, you cannot step out of the room.”

Feeling anxious, Meng Guxue couldn’t help but curse, “You dog servants who think chicken feathers are arrows!”

The two maids rolled their eyes secretly but still firmly stopped Meng Guxue.

Meng Guxue watched Mrs. Meng’s figure disappear into the courtyard and stopped struggling, feeling deflated.

Feeling exhausted, she returned to her room and sat on the bed, lost in thought.

During the daytime eavesdropping, she sensed that something was amiss. She hurriedly ran to Yuhua Lake, but in no time, King Jin Yu suddenly appeared in front of her.

She was foolish, panicked, and didn’t confess.

“King Jin Yu, I… I didn’t hear anything!”

King Jin Yu smiled lightly at her words, his gentle demeanor exactly like what she had seen in her dreams.

“No need to panic like this. I… won’t do anything to you.”

“Those words you heard are inconsequential. I’m straightforward, even in front of Father, I dare to argue for myself.”

“It’s you, acting recklessly by yourself. Although the palace hasn’t explicitly forbidden it, you’re still taking risks. Leave quickly.”

She froze upon hearing this. King Jin Yu not only didn’t harm her but also cared for her like this…

At this moment, the King Jin Yu in front of her seemed to overlap with the one in her dreams.

Excited, she blurted out the script she had prepared earlier, expressing her admiration.

King Jin Yu’s expression froze for a moment, making her uneasy.

But the next moment, he actually leaned down slightly and whispered to her, “Actually, I also admire Miss Meng’s talent.”

At that moment, she seemed to smell a faint scent of pine, lingering lightly around her nose, making her heart pound.

So, even with the change of scenery and timing, King Jin Yu was still infatuated with her at first sight, just like in her dreams!

She couldn’t express the joy in her heart, feeling as if she had foreseen that everything would go smoothly, and they would eventually stand together at the top of the world!

At this moment, she wanted to reveal the matter of the formula to let King Jin Yu see her worth.

However, at this moment, Yu Zhaoyi and the palace maids next to her ran over in panic. When Yu Zhaoyi saw King Jin Yu, she rushed forward and pushed her aside.

“Shen Lang, it’s the Western Emperor—”

As she turned her head, she happened to see King Jin Yu covering Yu Zhaoyi’s mouth with a dark expression, silencing her words.

“Yu Zhaoyi, don’t lose your composure.”

King Jin Yu’s voice was extremely cold, making her shiver involuntarily.

Was this still the King Jin Yu who spoke softly to her just now?

At this moment, Yu Zhaoyi also noticed her presence.

She would never forget the expression on Yu Zhaoyi’s face when she looked over, full of jealousy, panic, and despair.

“It’s Miss Meng from the Meng family. Indeed, such a talented and wealthy lady is most suitable for you.”

Yu Zhaoyi slowly raised the corners of her mouth, smiling with a sense of desolation, then walked away in a daze.

She was a little frightened because she heard Yu Zhaoyi say “Western Emperor—” just now.

Her heart suddenly pounded. She remembered in her dream that the Western Prince was found drowned in Yuhua Lake at the end of the palace banquet.

In her mind, she vaguely seemed to have strung together a thread called truth.