Yang Ruxin nodded, "I know him." With a faint smile, she added, "Not just know, we even considered betrothal." If it weren’t for him, she would not now possess the dagger and whip that were so handy. Yet, at the time, she had also taken an engraved black piece that she had never opened – could it also contain something important?
Not only was Qian Er surprised, but Zhou Xiao also raised her head in astonishment. Sister Ruxin was considered for marriage?
"It was my second aunt who wanted to exchange me for silver," Yang Ruxin explained with a shrug.
Both of them understood the implication without needing to ask about the consequences.
"Then... we..." Qian Er blinked expectantly.
"Chengzi has already gone in; let him continue with the task. You and Liang Zi shouldn’t go, it’s too dangerous," Yang Ruxin shook her head. "Let Chengzi introduce someone else to go inside. In the event of trouble, they can also help Chengzi escape..."
Qian Er frowned slightly. Was Sister Ruxin dismissing them as useless?
"I know you want to work for me, but remember, you must act according to your capabilities. Those people are desperadoes. Your self-preserving skills are too weak. I’ll find an expert to go..." Yang Ruxin explained, "That way, we can also ensure Chengzi’s safety at critical moments... I hope all my people remain safe..."
"Understood." Qian Er nodded respectfully, knowing he had not followed the wrong person.
Yang Ruxin finished the dumplings in her bowl, took out a copper coin and placed it on the table, then stood up to leave. Just as she reached the doorway, she turned back to look at Qian Er: "Has Yang Baihe returned?"
Qian Er shook his head: "She left early in the morning and hasn’t come back since."
Yang Ruxin nodded, surmising that the young girl might have followed the tenth Prince to Beijing. But that was no longer her concern.
After confirming the time of their next meeting with Qian Er, she left the Tian Family hurriedly, heading back. Although she had stated she needed to find someone else to approach Tian Geng, she felt uncertain because she had no one herself. Thus, she must seek Gu Qingheng’s assistance, but it was unknown whether he would have someone available. Surely, she couldn’t send Gu Yao, could she?
At this moment, Yang Baihe had not gone to Beijing because Qi Jingrong had not gone there; instead, he returned to the town and went directly to the Shen Family. Following him, Yang Baihe reached the Shen residence. Naturally, she couldn’t enter the Shen Family’s doors, yet the young lady had patience and schemes. She waited at the entrance – if she wasn’t allowed to see the tenth Prince, she wouldn’t leave. She refused to believe that Qi Jingrong would stay inside the Shen Family forever.
Qi Jingrong was harboring feelings akin to wanting to kill someone.
"Your Highness, Prince Qi," just as Qi Jingrong was considering how to dispose of Yang Baihe in secret, a soft voice came from outside, "I have made some ginseng soup..." It was the voice of Shen Wanyin’s eldest daughter, Shen Yizhen.
Qi Jingrong’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly resumed his usual innocent and harmless expression, then personally went to open the door: "Zhenzhen, please come in."
Shen Yizhen’s heart skipped a beat wildly; he had called her Zhenzhen. Her cheeks instantly flushed to the roots of her neck.
Even though her mother incessantly advised her to captivate Prince Jingyi Qi, given that he was of the Crown Prince’s lineage, the Crown Prince being the legitimate successor, she couldn’t help but fancy this Prince Qi. From the first glance, she liked the slightly suggestive way he looked at her.
As for Prince Jingyi, despite being acceptable, she just felt he was no match for the tenth Prince.
"This is... something I personally prepared..." Shen Yizhen handed over the ginseng soup, stealing a glance at Qi Jingrong. "You... try it..."