Chapter 28: Who likes it more?

  Yun Shallow Moon looked at Rong Jing, her face pale and cold.

  Rong Jing also looked at Yun Qian Yue, separated by a beaded curtain, the two of them one inside and one outside, as if separated by thick clouds and fog.

  "Is it that I must erase all the memories of my fourteen years of life to be me? Is it only after you saved me from the palace on that day that I became me? Must I be bound by you, with a single heart and mind, thinking only of you in every thought, to be me? Is it because you want to erase my entire past life?" Yun Shangyue spoke again, her voice devoid of warmth. "Is it that without Ye Tianyi, this world would not be at peace?"

  Rong Jing pursed her lips and remained silent.

  "What a pity! Although I've lost my memory, I still can't erase the memories of my past life and the people connected to it. Unfortunately, there's someone in this world named Ye Tianyi, and it seems like he's deeply connected to me too. What should I do?

  Yun Shuoyue looked at Rong Jing, her gaze falling on his poetic face, her voice suddenly very soft. "Rong Jing, if you can't tolerate the small disturbance in my heart caused by Ye Tianyi, then how can you tolerate the even greater turmoil that might arise when I regain my memories? If that's the case, what reason do we have to continue?"

  Rong Jing suddenly stood up.

  "Let me tell you, I've lost my memory! Not my mind! I'm always clear about what I'm doing!" Yun Shangyue angrily threw down a sentence, not wanting to say more, and turned to leave.

  As soon as she moved her feet, Rong Jing had already arrived at the door and grabbed her arm. His strength was great, holding her arm tightly, also blocking her footsteps that wanted to leave, unable to move an inch.

  Yun Shallow Moon's footsteps paused, without turning her head, her face cold and stern, "What are you pulling me for? Let go!"

  Rong Jing didn't speak, his thin lips pursed tightly, the joints of his fingers grasping Yun Shang Yue's arm turned pale blue, but he seemed to feel it wasn't enough, and he applied more force again and again, as if afraid that if he loosened his grip even a little, he would never be able to grasp it again.

  "Is it not until I cut off your hand that you will let go?" Yun Qiu Yue turned her head, raised an eyebrow and coldly stared at Rong Jing. "Cut it off then! Even if you cut it off, this hand is still holding onto you, won't let go." Rong Jing's voice was low and husky.

  Yun Shallow Moon stared at Rong Jing, only to discover that his complexion was unusually pale under the sunlight. She looked at him coldly, "Why aren't you letting go? You've been mocking me and scolding me repeatedly, isn't it because you want me to leave? Now that I'm leaving, isn't it just as you wished?"

  Rong Jing pursed her lips and remained silent, simply gazing at Yun Qian Yue.

  Yun Shallow Moon turned her face away, not looking at Rong Jing. She lifted her head to gaze up at the sky. At this moment, the sun was shining brightly, its rays intense. The warm sunlight shone down on her body, making her feel a bit scorched, but the hand grasping her arm was cool, and even through her clothes, she could still feel its refreshing chill. Perhaps she could sense the depth of Rong Jing's feelings for her. His hand was as cool as his heart was deep.

  She couldn't help but question her own feelings for the first time, Rong Jing's emotions were not just liking, but far beyond liking, and even more than that. He conveyed these to her clearly, and she received them clearly too. But could she give back in return?

  Can you give me a ride?

  Even without the entanglement of Ye Tianyi, could she have let go?

  These past few days, being with him every day, she felt as if she were in a dream, so beautiful it was like a reflection of flowers in the water, and could shatter at any moment. And now, sure enough, it has shattered!

  "What are you thinking?" Rong Jing suddenly reached out and grasped the body of Bo Yan Shuang Yue, his phoenix eyes gathering a thick misty color.

  Yun Shang Yue looked at Rong Jing, the person in front of her was so young, with a face as beautiful as jade and eyebrows like paintings. She remembered the scene when she first saw him, "A stranger on the road is like jade, a noble son without equal." From then until now, whenever she looked at him, there were no other words in her mind, only this sentence. Even if he was angry, furious, jealous, calm, restrained, with a poisonous tongue and deep thoughts, he was still Rong Jing, still the Rong Jing who was admired by everyone under the sky, the proud son of the Rong Wang Fu, Rong Jing Shi Zi.

  And what about her?

  She is just an otherworldly soul!

  Still a wisp of soul lost in the memory of survival in this world!

  Between her and him, the differences were not only in their reputation as heaven and earth, but also in her sealed memories, the unwritten rule that the Rong and Yun royal families could not intermarry, the old emperor's big hand, and most importantly, the difference in their thinking across two time and space. Her deeply rooted thoughts were understanding, tolerance, and trust; what about Rong Jing's? It was hers entirely, including her soul belonging to him.

  Rong Jing's feelings for her were not in doubt, but she didn't have the confidence to give him what he wanted. Love had always been as elusive as clouds and smoke to someone as aloof as her; at present, all she could offer was something a little deeper than liking. But now, facing Rong Jing like this, she suddenly felt that even something a little deeper than liking seemed impossible for her to give...

  What if I can't afford it?

  "What are you thinking?" Rong Jing's voice suddenly became very soft, like a cloud or smoke.

  Yun Shallow Moon pressed her lips, and her eyes suddenly shattered with a hint of determination. Since she couldn't give it to him, she might as well not give it at all. She had never been the kind of person who would compromise herself; she always knew what she wanted. In her past life, she was afraid of ruining the faith she had always held onto in her heart, and vowed not to cross that line, allowing that person to live on in her heart - so why couldn't she do it this time around?

  Rong Jing suddenly let go of Yun Shangyue, turned his back on her and didn't look at her. His voice was suppressed and restrained, "Leave now!"

  Yun Qian Yue looked at Rong Jing's back, and a strange emotion suddenly rose in her heart.

  "I couldn't help but feel annoyed and angry, just like even if you lost your memory, the entanglements with others in the past would still be there. Even when you're by my side, I still can't feel at ease, secure, or reassured, and I couldn't help but feel jealous. Just because I'm jealous, do you have to take back your affection for me?" Rong Jing suddenly let out a cold laugh, "Yun Shu Yue, how cruel are you?"

  The cloud is shallow and the moon is slender.

  "Strip away the title of Wangfu's Young Master, strip away this dazzling exterior, and I'm just an ordinary man. Whether in the past or now, I've never pretended to be someone else in front of you. I am who I am, and you should know that I've always been true to myself in front of you. Didn't you already understand that? Do you want me to restrain myself, hide my emotions, and not get angry or jealous just because it makes you afraid? Does the fact that I care, that I'm overbearing, that I'm petty make you think you can take back your feelings?" Rong Jing sneered again.

  Clouds shallow moon pressed lips speechless.

  "Have you ever taken me seriously? Have you ever been sincere with your feelings? Even when you said you liked me, it was a liking that kept me outside the gates of your heart. You've always pretended in front of me, hiding your thoughts deep within like the ocean. Even these past few days, sleeping together and sharing a bed, even when you were moved to emotion in my arms, I still couldn't reach your heart.

  Jing's smile remained cold. "You never thought about marrying into the Rong Wang Fu, did you? You never thought about us being together forever, did you? You said it wasn't just a game we're playing, but are you certain you weren't just playing with me? You said I didn't trust you, but when have you ever trusted me?"

  Clouds shallow moon did not make a sound, lips pursed into a line.

  "I'd be willing to overthrow the emperor to marry you, I dare say it and I'll do it. I'm willing to brave the greatest taboo in the world, no matter who you are, even if it means giving up everything, I'm willing to welcome you into my home. I don't mind waiting for you to fall in love with me, no matter how long it takes, but you've locked away even the right to let me wait within the boundaries you set for yourself, sealing yourself off with a heavy lock and not letting me enter either. How can I possibly wait?

  Rong Jing continued to sneer coldly, "Have you found another reason to dislike me now? You're so rational, dividing like and dislike so clearly. Then I hope when you see the Seventh Prince, you'll also be able to distinguish it clearly!"

  Yun's body shook slightly.

  "Don't say another word to me, leave now, immediately, at once!" Yong Jing didn't look at Yun Qian Yue again, turned around and entered the room. As he stepped in, the pearl curtain made a crisp sound, and the white jade brocade robe drew out a clear and cold arc. His warm voice was cold and low, "Xuan Ge, prepare the carriage. Qing Shan, come in and pack up things to send Miss Shallow Moon back to the manor!"

  Xuan Ge and Qing Shang had been hiding in the shadows, originally because of Yun Qian Yue's departure and return with joy, but unexpectedly the two talks collapsed, looking at each other, both of their faces turned somewhat pale.

  "Didn't you hear?" Rong Jing said again.

  "The young master's carriage has just been unloaded. Let's send Miss Yun Shallow Moon back tomorrow instead!" Xuan Ge intended to keep Yun Shallow Moon behind.

  "It's today!" Rong Jing said with an air of finality.

  Xuan Ge immediately stopped talking and looked at Yun Qian Yue, seeing Yun Qian Yue standing still, the sunlight shining on her face, her complexion also showing an abnormal paleness compared to usual, her purple silk clothes seemed to be stained with frost, making her whole person look misty. Even in the scorching noon sun, there was no warmth visible on her body at this moment, he turned his head to look at Qing Shang, hoping Qing Shang would have a solution.

  Qing Shuang thought that today might not be good, but she also wanted to try to keep Yun Shallow Moon. Miss Shallow Moon could go and come back, naturally, there was a son in her heart. The son didn't need to say more about Miss Shallow Moon. If it wasn't for being too mindful, he wouldn't have lost his composure these days and become unlike the son's usual style. They were the clearest as people who grew up following the son. For a while, she couldn't think of a solution, seeing Xuan Ge looking at her, could only stiffen her scalp and say: "Son, it's almost noon now, should have lunch, Miss Shallow Moon hasn't..."

  "When did you become so talkative? Are you also thinking of going with her to the Yun King's Mansion?" Rong Jing interrupted Qing Shang.

  Qing Shang immediately fell silent.

  Rong Jing didn't say anything else.

  The courtyard was quiet once again, with no one speaking up.

  The cloud is shallow and the moon is still, her face doesn't reveal what she's thinking.

  After a brief moment of silence, a voice suddenly came from outside the purple bamboo forest. It was Yong Fu's voice: "Young Master, the Sixth Princess has arrived at the manor! She says she wants to see you, but I don't know if you can see her?"

  Xuan Ge, with his head lowered in a blue robe, suddenly lifted it up and looked towards the inside of the house.

  Yun Jian Yue suddenly lifted her feet and walked out.

  Rong Jing stood in front of the window watching Yun Shang's figure leave, without saying a word.

  Xiang Ge waited for half a moment, saw Yun Shang and Yue Chu exit the Purple Bamboo Villa and enter the Purple Bamboo Forest, but still didn't wait for Rong Jing to respond. He lightly tapped his toes and chased after them. Of course, he had to prepare the carriage before Miss Yun Shang reached the main gate, couldn't let her walk back to the Cloud King's Palace like this.

  Qing Shang also hastily walked into the house to pack up his things.

  "The Crown Prince, may I see the Sixth Princess?" Rong Fu waited for half a moment without hearing any sound from inside, and asked again tentatively.

  Rong Jing seemed as if she hadn't heard, standing in front of the window with a complexion that appeared even colder, as if even sunlight couldn't warm her up.

  Rong Fu seemed to have sensed the chill emanating from the Purple Bamboo Garden and no longer heard any sound.

  Soon, Qing Shang had packed up all of Yun Qianyue's clothes and was hesitating over the embroidered sachet that Yun Qianyue had left on the soft couch. She looked at Rong Jing and asked softly, "Young Master, should we also send this sachet back to Miss Yun?"

  Rong Jing turned his head to look at the sachet, the moon-white silk brocade with a half-mandarin duck embroidered on it. The needlework was dense and smooth, although it was her first time embroidering, it was in no way inferior to any skilled embroidery maid. Although it was only half of a mandarin duck, it seemed lifelike. He gazed at it quietly for a moment before slowly turning around, his tone devoid of emotion, "Return it to her!"

  "Yes!" Qing Shang walked over and picked up the sachet, just about to put it away with the embroidery thread and pattern, but saw the pattern on the other side, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Master, Miss Shallow Moon's technique is amazing, there's actually a pattern on the back too!"

  Rong Jing turned around and looked at the sachet again. Sure enough, the back of the sachet also had a pattern, which was only half-embroidered like the swan just now, with fine needlework and smooth lines, identical to the front embroidery method, but with a different pattern. As he gazed at the pattern, his eyes suddenly revealed a hint of emotion.

  "This seems to be a peach blossom... I've never seen anyone use this double-sided embroidery technique before! Even if Yinniang's skills are good, Shallow Moon Miss has only learned embroidery for one day and can already embroider such a two-sided pattern, it's really...” Qing Shang admired the sachet in her hand, thinking that it was a pity that only half of it was embroidered. If it were all embroidered, this sachet would be priceless, not to mention that it was made of snow-silk brocade, but just for the double-sided embroidery technique alone.

  Rong Jing remained silent and didn't say a word.

  "The young master, Miss Shallow Moon is actually sincere towards you, you... " Qing Shang raised her head and looked at Rong Jing. Seeing that Rong Jing didn't interrupt her, she gathered her courage again to persuade him, "You can't be angry with her just because she helped the Seventh Prince today. Now that Miss Shallow Moon has lost her memory, if the Seventh Prince treats Miss Shallow Moon well, wouldn't you... be pushing Miss Shallow Moon towards the Seventh Prince?"

  Rong Jing suddenly turned his back and continued to look out of the window, but this time he did not scold Qing Shuang.

  Qing Shuang felt a glimmer of hope and her courage grew slightly, but her voice was still cautious. "You were injured while saving Miss Qin, and although Miss Shallow Moon was jealous, she understood that you had no choice at the time, so she didn't blame you. Later, when you stayed in the water and wouldn't come out, Miss Shallow Moon pulled you out without regard for propriety because she cared about you. After that, because of your words, Miss Shallow Moon waited until midnight for the Seventh Prince to leave before avoiding him and going up Cloud Mist Mountain. For the past two days, she has been keeping you company in Purple Bamboo Pavilion, ignoring all other matters, and learning needlework and embroidery from you. Now, with such dedication, she has embroidered a double-sided pattern... I'm not biased towards Miss Shallow Moon, but I can see that she also cares about you deeply. Even if Miss Shallow Moon helped the Seventh Prince deal with Fifth Miss today, it was only because Fifth Miss didn't know what to do when the Seventh Prince clearly shifted the blame onto her, and she became angry."

  "You, young master, should be well aware of Miss Shallow Moon's feelings for you. Even a servant like me can see it clearly. After spending time with her every day, I don't believe you can't see it either. Today, Miss Shallow Moon left and came back, she was just angry with you. If you had said something gentle or softened Miss Shallow Moon as usual, she would not have been angry anymore. But now you let Miss Shallow Moon leave like this, I really don't understand."

  "Your Highness, Miss Shallow Moon has not left the palace yet. You... you go and bring her back! If you want to send her off, she hasn't left for half a day, but when she heard that the Sixth Princess had arrived, she left immediately. If it's really because of this that you're pushing her towards the Seventh Prince, you'll regret it later." Qing Shang said in one breath, seeing Rong Jing still unmoving, anxious to the point of wanting to go forward and pull him, but borrowing courage from somewhere, she didn't dare to actually do so.

  Rong Jing continued to silently gaze out of the window, his back turned towards Qing Shuang, who couldn't see the expression on his face.

  Another half a moment passed, Qing Shang pleaded: "Young Master, you used to be unable to make a move because of the cold poison in your body. Now that your body is fully recovered, can't you give up just because Miss Shallow Moon has a special relationship with the Seventh Prince?"

  "Do you think I'm giving up?" Rong Jing suddenly spoke out, his voice still emotionless.

  Qing Shuang nodded silently, and indeed felt that the prince was giving up. At this time, the prince was actually in the most advantageous position. The prince was so clever, how could he not know what would be most beneficial to him? As long as Miss Shallow Moon was tied down, now that Miss Shallow Moon had lost her memory, even if the Seventh Prince was special to Miss Shallow Moon, it wouldn't work anymore.

  "It takes more than one cold day for a river to freeze three feet deep." Suddenly, Rong Jing let out a sigh.

  "I don't understand!" Qing Shuang looked at Rong Jing, she was usually meticulous in her thinking, but today she really didn't understand. The Crown Prince had been keeping a close eye on Shallow Moon since he recovered from his illness ten years ago, no one could get within arm's length of her, whether it was the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, or even Dye Xiao Wangye who was friends with Shallow Moon, or Feng Gongzi who had connections with Shallow Moon, and now especially for Shallow Moon, the Seventh Prince who held a special existence. But now that Shallow Moon had already developed feelings for him, they were having a falling out at this time, the Seventh Prince would surely take advantage of the opportunity, how unfavorable was this!

  "A drop of water can pierce a stone, but it's not the work of one day. I'm still too impatient!" Rong Jing didn't turn his head back, his gaze was distant and hazy, "Master Yin once gave me a phrase, 'to hold is to release, to release is to hold', but I haven't been able to grasp its meaning. I've fallen into madness! Fortunately, it's not too late yet!"

  The blue shirt silently repeated "to receive is to let go, to let go is to receive", but still didn't understand.

  "Off you go! Take her clothes and that sachet back with you, no need to say anything." Rong Jing waved his hand, his sighing tone changed, restoring his usual calm and collected demeanor. "Also, make a trip to the Seventh Prince's estate and pass on a message for me: 'I said it, the two jars of Sheng Ling Quan wine that the Seventh Prince sent over today are very good, but from now on, he should not send out such good wine again. Who knows, maybe the brewer will stop brewing Sheng Ling Quan from now on, and even if he wants to drink it himself, he won't be able to get any.'"

  "Yes, I'll go right away!" Qing Shang was taken aback for a moment, seemingly understanding something, and turned to walk outside.

  Rong Jing stopped speaking, watching Qing Shuang's figure leave, rubbing his forehead with his hand, and looking towards the purple bamboo forest, "Is Fu Shu still here?"

  "Hui Shi Zi, Lao Nu is here, waiting for your response. The Sixth Princess is still waiting at the gate of the mansion!" Rong Fu immediately responded, but his voice sounded a bit shaky.

  "Uncle Fu, how many years have you been the chief steward of Rong Wangfu?" asked Rong Jing.

  Rong Fu was shocked and hastily replied: "Thirty-three years!"

  "It's been a long time indeed!" Rong Jing said again.

  Rong Fu's face showed a look of shock, and he hastily said: "This old slave shouldn't have come to disturb the young master today, but the Sixth Princess has come to the mansion many times before. This time her attitude was firm, and this old slave couldn't stop her, so..."

  "Is it that you can't stop him or don't want to stop him?" Rong Jing interrupted Rong Fu's words.

  Rong Fu immediately shut up.

  "Is it your grandfather who told you to do this?" asked Rong Jing again.

  "No... it's not old Wang Ye, it's old Nu..." Rong Fu hastily shook his head.

  "Isn't it? Uncle Fu, you'd better think carefully before speaking!" Rong Jing suddenly sneered, "Now that Grandfather is no longer enjoying his twilight years, he's not only meddling in the mundane affairs of the Rong Wang Fu, but also interfering with my personal matters. It seems he's still as vigorous as ever. From tomorrow on, I'll no longer manage the Rong Wang Fu, let Grandfather take charge instead!"

  Rong Fu immediately fell silent.

  "Why did the fifth sister know that the seventh prince was coming to visit the mansion? The seventh prince waited in the mansion for half a time, but she didn't appear. He waited at the door for two incense sticks of time, but she still didn't appear. Coincidentally, when I and Shallow Moon Miss left the mansion, she happened to chase after us to the gate. Why did she, who is usually timid and weak, dare to invite the seventh prince to celebrate the Qixi Festival together? Do you really think she's a foolish and ignorant miss who doesn't understand any etiquette? Are there truly ignorant women in the Rong Wang Fu?"

  Jingrong's voice was calm and clear, as it always was. "You should be familiar with my rules, so why did you come to report that the sixth princess had arrived at the mansion today?"

  Rong Fu's body trembled, his old face turned pale as paper, and he immediately knelt down to plead for forgiveness. "Young Master, please forgive me, this old slave was indeed following the orders of Old Master Wang, but Old Master Wang also did it for your own good, Shallow Moon Miss is really... If she stays here with you any longer, it will be detrimental to you!"

  "What good things have you ever done for me? You tell me!" Rong Jing's voice was devoid of emotion.

  "The Emperor has always been wary of the Rong Wang Fu and you, and Shallow Moon Miss is precisely such an identity. Even if the ancestral teachings are abolished now, she is still the only legitimate daughter of the Rong Wang Fu. How can the Emperor let her go? Now the Emperor must have already suspected that you like Shallow Moon Miss, how can he not see it? You... even if you like Shallow Moon Miss again, can our Rong Wang Fu really withstand the imperial family? Can we withstand the Emperor? Our ancestors relied on the imperial guards to conquer the world, not soldiers or strategies... You also know this, the imperial guards are all over the world...

  Rong Fu's voice trembled, "Even if you have extraordinary talent, and the Rong Wang Fu is rich enough to rival a country, what can be done? The power of one crown prince cannot overthrow the centuries-old foundation of the Tian Sheng dynasty. If the Emperor takes action, not only will the Rong Wang Fu be destroyed, but the Yun Wang Fu will also suffer the same fate..."

  "So Grandfather wants me to marry Sixth Princess?" Rong Jing raised an eyebrow.

  "Old Master Wang didn't let you marry the Sixth Princess, he just told you to keep a distance from Miss Shallow Moon... although Miss Shallow Moon has a good temperament, she is after all the legitimate daughter of the Cloud King's Manor. The Rong and Cloud Manors have an unspoken rule that they cannot intermarry. If you were to break this rule, the consequences would be unbearable... even if you've been planning for years, it's like trying to kill a centipede - no matter how hard you try, it won't die completely! Think thrice, Young Master!"

  "Are these all things Grandfather told you to tell me?" Rong Jing raised an eyebrow.

  "No, Old Master Wang knew that Fifth Miss liked Seventh Prince, so he only let me intercept Seventh Prince when the Crown Prince took Shallow Moon Miss out of the mansion to find Fifth Miss. This was also with Fifth Miss's consent. Also, just now Sixth Princess came to the mansion, I was in Old Master Wang's courtyard, and the guard at the door reported it to me when Old Master Wang heard it, and he let me come. Only these two things, for the rest, Old Master Wang didn't say anything, what I said just now was my own bold words." Rong Fu shook his head.

  "Hmm!" Rong Jing responded faintly and stopped talking.

  Rong Fu knelt on the ground, quietly waiting for Rong Jing's orders.

  After a moment, Rong Jing suddenly asked, "Fu Shu, who do you think likes the other more, Miss Shallow Moon or me?"

  Rong Fu was taken aback and said without hesitation: "Of course it's Miss Shallow Moon who likes you more!"

  "What a joke, she likes me more!" Rong Jing suddenly laughed, his laughter was light and shallow, low and muffled, with a hint of mockery and sarcasm, as if ridiculing and coldly piercing, leaving Rong Fu stunned. He had never heard the young master laugh like this before, it seemed that there were thousands of emotions in his chest, where was the calm and composed young master who remained unchanged even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of him? He suddenly had a bad premonition.

  "I'm telling you, I like her more! For over ten years." Rong Jing withdrew his smile and said calmly.

  Rong Fu was suddenly shocked and bewildered, his old face completely written with incredulity.

  "Uncle Fu, starting tomorrow, you don't have to take care of the position of the Grand Steward of the Rong Wang Fu anymore! You are an old man by grandfather's side, from today on, focus on serving grandfather. Also, tell grandfather that if he interferes with my affairs again, I will not manage the Rong Wang Fu anymore! Let him weigh it himself, how many more years can he live? How many more years can he control? After his hundredth birthday, if I don't take care of the Rong Wang Fu, it will be a decline and desolation, nothing but a handful of yellow earth. Does he want to sleep with that handful of yellow earth? Only then will he have the face to see the ancestors of the Rong Wang Fu?"

  "The Crown Prince..." Rong Fu's body softened.

  "After a hundred years, the Rong Wang Fu is now either prosperous or declining. I have spoken and it shall be so!" Rong Jing's face was expressionless as he instructed, "Later, you will hand over the authority of managing the household to Fifth Miss! From today on, the inner courtyard of the Rong Wang Fu will be managed by Fifth Miss. The position of Grand Steward will be taken over by Rong Xi."

  "The young master, Fifth Miss is timid and weak, in the past Master was only ten years old..." Rong Fu was thoroughly shocked.

  "How dare you, a timid and weak person, block the seventh prince's carriage in front of me at the gate of Rong Wang Fu? I think she has more guts than anyone else. What does it matter that Rong Ye is only ten years old? The children of Rong Wang Fu are not considered children at the age of ten!" As soon as Rong Jing finished speaking, he didn't see Rong Fu responding to him, so he narrowed his eyes and said, "What's wrong? Uncle Fu, do you have an opinion about my decision?"

  Rong Fu hastily shook his head. He had said all that he should and shouldn't say today, but after all, the decision still depended on the young master. In this mansion, including Old Master Wang, no one had the ability to disobey the young master. "This old slave...this old slave will follow the young master's arrangements! Everything will be decided by the young master. This old slave has long wanted to serve Old Master Wang, but was afraid that there would be no one in the mansion who could assist the young master. Now that the young master has made this decision, this old slave will not interfere with the affairs of the mansion from now on."

  "Well, in that case, you can go!" Yong Jing waved his hand.

  "Yes!" Rong Fu stood up, his body trembling as he walked towards Old Master Rong's house.

  Rong Jing stood in front of the window for a moment, then slowly turned around and walked back to the soft couch to sit down, closing his eyes with some fatigue.

  At this time, at the gate of Rong Wang Fu, Xuan Ge had already prepared a horse-drawn carriage and was waiting at the entrance.

  Yun Shallow Moon walked out of the Rong Wang Fu's inner courtyard, bypassing the front hall, and saw the Sixth Princess standing at the gate of the Rong Wang Fu. The Sixth Princess wore a princess dress made of silk and satin, with jade hairpins and pearl earrings, looking like a flower bud wrapped in brocade from afar, gentle and elegant, with an air of refinement and courtesy similar to Qin Yu Cong's, despite her young age. Her imperial upbringing and her mother, Consort Ming's, favored status made her not dare to be underestimated. She looked at the Sixth Princess, her expression calm, her footsteps steady.

  The Sixth Princess also saw Yun Shangyue at this time, and she found that today's Yun Shangyue was different from the past. In the past, Yun Shangyue walked without style or elegance, swaying with each step, but today she walked lightly and steadily, more dignified than any noble lady in the capital. Moreover, her slender waist was straight, her purple clothes were radiant, and she had a cold and elegant beauty that made people dare not look directly at her. For the first time, she discovered that Yun Shangyue was so beautiful. As she walked out of the inner courtyard of the Rong Wang Fu with slow steps, she looked like a hostess welcoming guests. She found that even in her noble princess attire, she couldn't compare to the dignified and elegant aura emanating from Yun Shangyue's body. A hint of jealousy flashed across her gentle face.

  As she arrived at the gate, Yun Shang Yue walked to the front of the carriage and Ge Xuan hastily lifted the curtain. She didn't jump up like usual, but instead slowly leaned in, got into the carriage, and the curtain fell down, blocking her figure from view, without even giving a glance to Liu Gongzhu.

  Xuan Ge looked towards the inner courtyard, not seeing Qing Shang's figure, and softly said: "Miss Shallow Moon, Qing Shang is helping you pack your clothes! Let's wait for her for a moment!"

  "Just send those clothes over later! Hurry up and catch the bus!" Yun Qianyue instructed.

  Xuan Ge nodded, no longer delaying, and with a wave of his whip, the horse carriage left the entrance of Rong Wang Fu.

  "Wait!" The Sixth Princess suddenly blocked the carriage in front of them.

  Xuan Ge was forced to rein in his horse.

  "The moon is shallow, seeing the princess not paying respects, looking but not seeing, what attitude is this?" The Sixth Princess looked towards the tightly closed curtains of the carriage. A rarely seen stern expression appeared on her gentle face.

  "From childhood to adulthood, I've seen you countless times. Did we ever exchange greetings before?" Yun Shangyue's voice was indifferent.

  The sixth princess was suddenly speechless.

  "Hurry up!" Yun Qianyue ordered Xiang Ge, she didn't have the mood to deal with Rong Jing's flirtation.

  Xuan Ge glanced at Sixth Princess, then pulled on the reins and took a step back, intending to bypass her. But Sixth Princess suddenly reached out and grasped the horse's bridle, angrily saying: "Yun Qian Yue, you don't want to marry Crown Prince, is it because you've set your sights on Jing Shi Zi? You'd rather be beheaded by Father Emperor than abolish the ancestral teachings?"

  Xuan Ge's face sank, and he said in a cold voice: "Sixth Princess, please let go. Otherwise, I won't be polite!"

  "Don't be polite, you can cut off my hand!" The Sixth Princess grasped the reins tightly and wouldn't let go.

  Since the founding of the imperial dynasty, the princes and princesses of the Ye family were not only book-smart but also skilled in martial arts. The men all learned internal strength and martial skills to protect themselves, while the women, although they didn't learn internal strength or martial arts, would still study horseback riding and archery skills. Therefore, Sixth Princess was gentle and refined, but she wasn't a weak woman who couldn't even truss a chicken.

  Xian Ge turned around to look inside the carriage, he naturally couldn't truly draw his sword and chop off Sixth Princess's hand! After all, she was a princess, the Emperor's daughter. Ming Fei was favored, her three princesses were also favored by the Emperor. Now that Qing Wan Princess had lost her mind and Seventh Princess had been bedridden for years, Sixth Princess was now very much favored.

  "What's it to you? What's it to me? What business is it of yours?" Yun Shangyue's voice was cold and clear.

  "If so, do you think you're worthy of Jing Shizi? If not, then that means you still have some self-awareness!" The Sixth Princess's delicate and gentle face was resolute. She had come to the Rong Wang Fu several times, but hadn't seen Jing Shizi even once, and even Rong Linglan couldn't help her. She heard that Yun Shuoyue had moved into the Purple Bamboo Pavilion and hadn't come out in days, so she had been waiting impatiently. Today, she finally saw her come out, and naturally wouldn't let her go without getting a clear answer.

  "Is Princess Liu telling me that you are the only one worthy of Young Master Jing?" Yun Shangyue sneered coldly upon hearing this.

  The sixth princess was taken aback.

  "If Sixth Princess feels that way, then go ask the Emperor for a decree to grant you marriage! If the Emperor agrees and the Young Master of Jing is willing to marry you, I will definitely prepare a generous gift to congratulate you." Yun Shangyue coldly laughed again, no longer paying attention to Sixth Princess, and angrily ordered Xuan Ge: "Drive the carriage! A woman can stop you, I think your family's rules about not approaching within three feet should be abolished!"

  Xiang Ge's face changed, and he immediately waved his hand. A gust of wind swept over, instantly opening the six princesses blocking the car. As he swept through with his palm wind, the reins held by the sixth princess were cut off cleanly. He replaced the reins with a whip in an instant, and the horse carriage didn't stop, leaving the Rong Wang Fu gate.

  The sixth princess stepped back two paces and steadied herself, only to see the carriage already far away. She was both angry and indignant, yet unable to vent her emotions.

  At this time, Qing Shang took the package and slowly chased out of the mansion one step at a time. Seeing that the horse carriage had gone far away, she sighed helplessly. Just as she was about to use her lightness skill to chase after it, she was caught by Liu Gongzhu. She was forced to stop in her tracks and turned around to look at Liu Gongzhu.

  "Are you the maid Qing Shang who serves Gongzi Jing?" The Sixth Princess looked at Qing Shang. Her concern for Rong Jing was no less than Qin Yuqing's, and she had naturally inquired from Rong Ling about the people serving by Rong Jing's side, so it wasn't surprising that she recognized Qing Shang from her attire.

  "Yes!" Qing Shang was surprised that Liu Gongzhu recognized her, but thinking about it, Liu Gongzhu often came to the mansion these days, so it wasn't unusual.

  "Where are you going?" Sixth Princess looked at Qing Shang's package in her hand.

  "Deliver clothes to Miss Shallow Moon!" Qing Shang said.

  "Is Yun Shangyue no longer staying at the Rong Wang Fu? Has her body been nursed back to health by Jing Shizi?" The Sixth Princess's heart skipped a beat, thinking that Yun Shangyue was going to leave the Rong Wang Fu and return to her own residence. If she had known earlier, she naturally wouldn't have tried to stop her.

  "Hmm!" Qing Shang nodded.

  "Is Jing Shizi interested in Yun Qianyue..." The Sixth Princess asked tentatively, seeing that there was no one else at the gate except for her and Qing Shuang, apart from the guard.

  "The slave girl doesn't understand what the sixth princess wants to ask?" Qing Shang pretended to be unaware.

  "Does Jing Shizi like Yun Qianyue?" The Sixth Princess asked in a low voice, with a hint of tension and probing.

  The maid couldn't help but laugh at this, and the Sixth Princess actually asked her so bluntly. What could she say? Should she say that the Young Master only liked Miss Shallow Moon? Or should she say that the Young Master didn't like Miss Shallow Moon? She shook her head, "This servant doesn't know!"

  "How could you not know?" The Sixth Princess's slender eyebrows shot up.

  "My young master has always treated Miss Shallow Moon with courtesy and has never had any improper behavior. The young master took care of Miss Shallow Moon due to the kindness of Old Master Wang's gift of medicine back then and the emperor's instructions to cure Miss Shallow Moon's weak body. I really don't know what my young master is thinking in his heart, whether he likes Miss Shallow Moon or not." Qing Shan shook her head.

  The Sixth Princess looked at Qing Shuang with suspicion, thinking that what she said was reasonable, so she nodded and asked: "And what about Miss Shallow Moon to Jing Shizi? Is it...?"

  "Sixth Princess, I'm just a servant. I don't understand the matters between masters." Qing Shang interrupted Sixth Princess.

  The Sixth Princess's face wasn't looking good, but Qing Shuang was Yong Jing's maid, so she couldn't lose her temper. Especially since she wanted to see the Young Master of the Jing family today, she immediately shut up and took off a jade bangle from her wrist and handed it to Qing Shuang, speaking in a gentle tone, "I want to meet with the Young Master of the Jing family today, can you take me in? As long as you take me in, I..."

  Qing Shuang immediately took a step back, not even looking at the emerald jade bracelet handed over by Liu Gongzhu, shaking her head and speaking firmly, "Liu Gongzhu, this humble servant can't help with this matter. The rules of our young master's household do not allow anyone to set foot in the Purple Bamboo Garden without permission. If you want to see my young master, think of a way yourself!"

  The sixth princess did not expect that her valuable bracelet would be ignored by this little girl, and a look of anger appeared on her face.

  "I still have something to do, I won't keep you company!" Qing Shang ignored the Sixth Princess and lightly tapped her toes, heading towards the Yun Wang Fu. She really couldn't help the Sixth Princess, in her opinion, ten Sixth Princesses weren't even worth one shallow moon miss.

  The Sixth Princess looked at Qing Shuang and threw her down, leaving her behind. She had just been scolded by Yun Shangyue, and now even a little maid was thrown away and left to walk alone. When had the proud princess ever suffered such humiliation? For a moment, she felt both angry and resentful.

  "Princess, why don't we return to the palace? This isn't working out. Now that Qingyuan Princess has lost her wits and Seventh Princess is bedridden all year round, the Emperor favors us the most among his daughters. You are now his favorite daughter. Rather than coming here every day without seeing Shengshi, it's better to try our luck with the Emperor or the Empress. After all, you're a princess, marrying into the Rong Wang Fu won't humiliate Shengshi either. Who knows, the Emperor might agree!" Sixth Princess's personal maid, Ling'er, approached her, whispering in her ear as she gazed at the princess's angry yet helpless expression.

  The sixth princess's eyes lit up instantly, "You're right!" As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and walked towards her own carriage.

  Ling'er immediately followed Sixth Princess.

  The grand entrance of Rong Wang Fu was bustling with carriages from morning till noon, but it had finally quieted down.

  Digression

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