Whoever knew that the Plum Blossom Palace was a restricted imperial area must either frequently enter and exit the palace or have been warned by their family; their status and social standing certainly wouldn't be low.
Jiang Ning's gaze swept over the group of noble ladies, finally coming to rest on a single figure standing in an inconspicuous corner...
Yan Ruoxi
Yan Ruoxi's spot wouldn't draw any attention, yet from her vantage point, she had a clear and unobstructed view of everything.
Her expression was cold and aloof—a stark contrast to the gentle facade she wore before the crowd—and right now, it was tinged with a chilling frostiness.
As if sensing the gaze fixed on her, she lifted her face and locked eyes with Jiang Ning. Her gaze flickered, and she instinctively looked away to avoid it.
Seeing Yan Ruoxi's evasive gaze, a suspicion began to form in Jiang Ning's mind.
The only person present who had any entanglements with her was Yan Ruoxi.
Yan Ruoxi had previously poisoned the wound-healing ointment in an attempt to frame her; this time, it was likely her again, using Princess Hualian as a pawn to get rid of her once and for all.
Jiang Ning's gaze turned icy.
After a brief wave of panic, Yan Ruoxi steadied her nerves and lifted her chin. Looking at Jiang Ning with a calm expression, the corners of her lips curved into a faint, provocative smile.
Beneath her sleeve, Jiang Ning clenched her hand into a tight fist, her fingers gripping a silver needle.
Even if she guessed that Yan Ruoxi was behind it, there was nothing she could do—she had no proof.
Even if she accused Yan Ruoxi of orchestrating it, no one would believe her. Yan Ruoxi was the Prime Minister's daughter, a pampered favorite of high society, and on top of that, she possessed brilliant medical skills as the personal disciple of Divine Doctor Ye...
With such talent and beauty, she had won everyone's adoration and affection. To claim that she was the one behind it? Absolutely no one would believe it.
Even so, she had marked this score down—she would make her pay for it!
As Princess Hualian was dragged away, the noble young ladies had yet to recover from their shock, breaking out into a flurry of animated whispers and discussions.
The Empress said coldly, "Let's go. Everyone, move to the banquet hall."
"Yes."
Only then did the noble young ladies quiet down and make their way to the banquet hall.
Throughout the entire celebration banquet, Jiang Ning sat quietly in her seat, not wanting to draw any attention to herself.
Even so, gazes still drifted her way from time to time. The noble young ladies looked her over with curiosity, realizing that an ordinarily unremarkable woman had suddenly thrust herself into the spotlight because of the incident where Princess Hualian tried to frame her.
Yet Jiang Ning had no desire whatsoever to be the center of attention.
Just then, something hurtled through the air and dropped straight into her empty wine glass.
Jiang Ning froze for a second. Lowering her gaze, she saw it was a small slip of paper crumpled into a tight ball.
Quietly, she fished out the paper ball, unfolded it beneath her sleeve, and glanced at it.
After reading it, her expression flickered slightly. She looked up and glanced around in all directions, but didn't see a soul.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ning stood up.
Right away, a noble lady sitting beside her asked, "Where are you going, Miss Jiang?"
Jiang Ning replied, "I've had a bit too much to drink... I'm going to the restroom. Would Miss Lin like to come along?"
Miss Lin immediately shook her head—she wouldn't dream of going.
With an ordinary expression, Jiang Ning walked out. But instead of heading to the restroom after leaving the banquet hall, she turned and made her way toward the quiet, secluded rear of the palace.
Night had fallen, and the air had turned chilly. As a cold breeze swept past, it dissipated the lingering smell of alcohol on her, leaving her mind sharp and clear.
Just then, she suddenly sensed movement behind her. Growing alert, Jiang Ning clutched a silver needle hidden beneath her sleeve and, as the footsteps closed in step by step, abruptly whirled around.
Her wrist was grabbed, and she was pulled straight into a broad, sturdy embrace.
It was a familiar feeling.
Jiang Ning put her silver needle away. "Yunli?"
With one hand around her waist, Chu Yunli held her gently in his arms.
After waiting for a long time without seeing him release her, Jiang Ning frowned slightly and pushed him away.
Only then did Chu Yunli reluctantly let her go—though if he could, he would have loved to hold her tightly in his arms forever. Pushing down that urge in his heart, he spoke up, "I've heard about what happened. Are you alright?"
Jiang Ning shook her head. "I'm fine, it's already been taken care of."
A cold gleam flickered across Chu Yunli's eyes. Princess Hualian had already pulled stunts targeting Jiang Ning before.
Jiang Ning said, "With the Empress standing up for me, Princess Hualian certainly won't come out of this unscathed. Even if she isn't formally convicted, she'll face a heavy punishment, and she won't dare harbor any malicious thoughts again after this."
Princess Hualian isn't much of a threat. Since she always makes her moves right out in the open, dealing with her is a piece of cake.
What's truly terrifying are people like Yan Ruoxi.
Jiang Ning's eyes darkened.
Noticing her expression, Chu Yunli gently took her hand in his.
Jiang Ning snapped back to her senses, feeling a burning heat radiating from where their hands met. Though they were simply holding hands, the warmth seemed to sink straight into her heart. She didn't pull away, letting Chu Yunli continue to hold her hand.
Behind the dim palace, the two of them walked hand in hand, standing shoulder to shoulder as they watched the glowing evening twilight.
Whether it was from the reflection of the sunset glow or not, Jiang Ning's cheeks were also tinged with a delicate blush.
After quite a while, Chu Yunli spoke in a low, deep voice, "I heard the Fourth Prince was there as well. Did you see him?"
There seemed to be a hint of jealousy in those words.
Oblivious to the hint, Jiang Ning nodded and replied calmly, "Yes, I happened to run into the Fourth Prince on the way. When Princess Hualian's maid disguised herself as a palace maid to lead me away, it was the Fourth Prince who tipped me off."
Hearing this, Chu Yunli's expression darkened even further, a sullen gloom brooding just beneath the surface.
He tightened his grip on her hand slightly.
Only then did Jiang Ning catch on, looking up at him.
Chu Yunli said in a heavy voice, "Would he really be so kind? Everyone else was in the banquet hall—what was he doing lingering in such a secluded corner? ...A-Ning, don't trust him too easily."
The jealousy in those words was so obvious that even someone as dense as Jiang Ning picked up on it.
She couldn't help but be amused, finding Chu Yunli's childishness rather endearing. At the same time, a sweet warmth bloomed deep within her heart—as sweet as candied dates.
She let out a soft chuckle. "I don't trust anyone."
Hearing this, Chu Yunli finally let out a sigh of relief, though a pang of disappointment stirred within him. A-Ning didn't trust a single soul; she kept her guard up against everyone.
The next moment, a calm, gentle voice broke the silence.
"Except for you, Yunli."
Jiang Ning's gaze was clear and earnest. "You said it yourself—that I could trust you a little more..."
Chu Yunli's heart gave a violent quiver.
At that moment, he longed nothing more than to pull her tightly into his arms and melt her into his very being.
"Lord Chu, Miss Jiang, what might you two be doing out here?" Breaking the mood, a man as gentle and refined as jade walked over, his gaze resting upon them both.
Hearing that voice, Jiang Ning couldn't help but frown.
The Fourth Prince? What is he doing here?
Chu Yunli's expression also turned cold.
Li Hexuan strolled over, looking completely unconcerned and breezy—as if he had genuinely just happened to pass by—as his gaze landed on the two of them.
His gaze dropped, landing on their intertwined hands, and paused for a fraction of a second.
Instinctively, Jiang Ning moved to pull her hand away. After all, for an unmarried man and woman to meet alone while holding hands didn't look quite right.
To her surprise, instead of letting go, Chu Yunli gripped her hand even tighter. He turned to look at the Fourth Prince, his expression cold and haughty.
Li Hexuan's calm, unruffled composure shattered as he frowned. The sight of their intertwined hands stung his eyes, a vague sense of displeasure welling up deep inside.
Chu Yunli said indifferently, "What is the Fourth Prince doing out here? This place... doesn't quite seem to be the direction toward the restrooms, does it?"
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
Chu Yunli: “Your Highness, do you have a hobby of following my woman?”
Li Hexuan: “What a coincidence. I was about to ask why you’re holding her hand so shamelessly.”
Jiang Ning: “Wonderful. The two of you can fight over my hand while I investigate attempted murder.”
Chu Yunli: “A-Ning, I’m not jealous.”
Li Hexuan: “Of course not. Your grip is just trying to strangle my romantic prospects.”
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