Chapter 89: Huang Yue

Chapter 89: Huang Yue

Cheng Yunshuo finished speaking, tucked the blanket around her, and then left Xing Dairong.

Xing Dairong watched his back, her face darkening with gloom.

Cheng Yunshuo no longer loved her.

She could feel it; he truly no longer loved her.

But how could he not love her!

Xing Dairong went mad.

Three days passed in a blink. After the second day of the second month, Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis set off for their secondary residence.

Lu Lingyun managed the household.

Xing Dairong was brought before Lu Lingyun every day. To Lu Lingyun's surprise, Xing Dairong had genuinely become more obedient each day.

Not only did she comply with whatever Lu Lingyun asked her to do, but she also tried to engage in conversation, seemingly to curry favor.

But all she asked was how Lu Lingyun managed to win Cheng Yunshuo's affection.

How could Lu Lingyun know? Or rather, Cheng Yunshuo didn't actually like her.

Their relationship was one of mutual respect, at most a friendship. There was nothing more.

Because she knew that a man like Cheng Yunshuo wouldn't be attracted to a mature and composed woman; he preferred someone like Xing Dairong—playful, romantic, and innocent.

"Why think so much? Isn't the Prince very fond of you?" Lu Lingyun smiled.

Upon hearing this, Xing Dairong opened her mouth, then finally said, "No, no, he still likes women like you."

Lu Lingyun shook her head gently, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. "There are many ways for women to live in this world. Even if we aren't as free as men, we can still find our own pursuits within our reach."

She almost added, don't make men your everything.

But Xing Dairong couldn't hear it.

At that moment, a servant rushed in, exclaiming, "Young Lady, Young Lady, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?"

"The Prince, he, he..."

"What happened to him!" Xing Dairong stood up first, agitated.

Lu Lingyun frowned slightly, wanting to tell Xing Dairong to sit down and not cause a fuss, when the servant anxiously reported,

"The Prince was beaten! He was brought back covered in blood!"

Upon hearing this, Xing Dairong ran out immediately.

Lu Lingyun sighed deeply, frowning. "Truly a fool who thinks of nothing but love!"

She quickly followed, and on the way, the servant explained hurriedly, "Young Lady, today while patrolling the streets, the Prince saw some hooligans trying to snatch a girl selling tofu pudding. The Prince rushed to save her, but encountered some foolish men who dared challenge him. The Prince was injured in the fight."

Lu Lingyun: "..."

Arriving at the entrance, she saw Cheng Yunshuo being carried back.

Cheng Yunshuo had a makeshift bandage on his head, and there were large patches of blood visible on his face and body. It was clear he had been severely beaten.

Beside him was a young girl in coarse clothing, tightly holding Cheng Yunshuo's hand as they returned together.

Xing Dairong, running ahead, caught sight of the man lying on the stretcher and shouted, "Yunshuo!"

She rushed forward, her pregnant belly leading the way.

The heavily injured Cheng Yunshuo immediately winced, letting out a pained groan.

"Yunshuo, what happened?"

"Yunshuo, don't scare me!"

Lu Lingyun: "..."

"Quickly pull her away!" Lu Lingyun glanced at her disapprovingly. "Where is the doctor? Has the doctor been summoned?"

"He's already on his way, arriving soon."

"Then hurry and carry him into Yaoguang Pavilion."

Lu Lingyun remained calm and gave orders decisively.

Her maidservants pulled the frantic Xing Dairong away and took her to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Soon, Doctor Liu arrived.

He swiftly examined Cheng Yunshuo and re-bandaged the wounds. "Young Lady, fortunately, the Prince suffered only superficial injuries. There are a few bruises, but no serious damage to bones or muscles. With proper rest and daily medication changes, he should recover in half a month."

"Thank you, Doctor Liu. Shuang Hong, go with Doctor Liu to get the medicine."

"Yes, Young Lady."

"Qingfeng, go to the Prefectural Commandant Manor and inform them that the Prince will need a half-month leave."

"Yes, Young Lady."

Lu Lingyun had finished giving her instructions when, on the other side, Xing Dairong was holding Cheng Yunshuo's hand on the bed, asking him if he was in pain.

"Yunshuo, does it still hurt?"

At that moment, a clear and bell-like voice rang out, "Madam, your benefactor is definitely in pain. Why don't you let go of his hand first?"

Her voice instantly drew everyone's attention.

Only then did they notice that there was a young girl, around fourteen or fifteen years old, who had returned with Cheng Yunshuo. She looked fresh and delicate like a young sprout.

She wore a loosely tied headscarf, and her large, watery eyes were as clear and limpid as spring lake water, evoking sympathy with their purity.

"Who are you!" Xing Dairong immediately became alert, eyeing her warily.

"I... I'm Huang Yue. I sell tofu in the southern part of the city," Huang Yue said timidly, clutching the corners of her clothes, her eyes half-cast down like a frightened fawn, looking fearfully at everyone in the room before kneeling down with a thud.

"It was your benefactor who saved me today. Please don't be angry, Ladies. If you must punish someone, punish me!"

Her words circled through Xing Dairong's mind a hundred and eighty times. She glared fiercely at Huang Yue, anger rising to her brow, "So it was you, you wretched woman, who caused Yunshuo trouble! I'll beat you to death!"

She let go of Cheng Yunshuo's hand and rushed over to deal with this unknown troublemaker.

Just then, Cheng Yunshuo woke up from his unconscious state, "Huang Yue!"

"Benefactor!" Huang Yue quickly got up from the ground, dodging Xing Dairong's charge, and rushed to Cheng Yunshuo's side.

Xing Dairong, who had almost missed her target, was caught by the servants just in time to prevent her from falling.

The fire in her eyes burned even brighter, and when she turned her head, she saw Huang Yue already crying with tears streaming down her face.

"Benefactor, you've finally woken up. Little Yue was so scared."

Xing Dairong: "..."

"Let go of Cheng Yunshuo!"

Cheng Yunshuo, who was slowly regaining consciousness, frowned at her shrewish voice, "Dairong, what are you doing? Why are you being so harsh on Huang Yue?"

"Cheng Yunshuo, who is this woman?"

Cheng Yunshuo lifted his eyelids. Looking at Xing Dairong, his eyes showed impatience. Turning to Huang Yue, he spoke with great manliness, "I saved Huang Yue. No one is allowed to harm her!"

"Benefactor! You saved Little Yue's life. Little Yue will be your servant for life, working as a cow or a horse to repay your kindness!" Huang Yue knelt down again before Cheng Yunshuo, her words sincere and gentle.

Seeing this, Xing Dairong became furious and was about to strike again. Before Cheng Yunshuo could get angry, Lu Lingyun instructed the servants to take Xing Dairong back to the courtyard to calm down.

"The Prince needs rest. Everyone, leave."

She told Cheng Yunshuo to rest first and instructed the servants to take good care of him before leaving. As she walked away, she glanced at Huang Yue, who was still beside Cheng Yunshuo, and caught a glimpse of her well-hidden scheming as she lowered her head.