CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 125: THAT SCOUNDREL REALLY KNOWS HOW TO PRETEND

Yun Ran was taken aback, Cousin Yan and aunt?!

This aunt of Lin Wanyue treated her extremely well.

She only had one son, Yan Zichu, and Lin Wanyue’s biological mother passed away early, her negligent father ignored her, so, nominally an aunt, she treated Lin Wanyue as her own daughter.

Lin Wanyue had deep feelings for her, which were both respectful and reliant; the two were not mother and daughter, yet better than mother and daughter.

But if she couldn’t stop her tears first, she wouldn’t be able to meet guests! Otherwise, they’d think she suffered a great grievance in the manor!

"Ying Yue, please invite them to the flower hall and treat them well, don’t neglect them, I’ll be there shortly."

"Rest assured Princess, Ying Yue will take good care of Madam Yan."

Ying Yue brought Yun Ran a basin of hot water, handed her a towel, then quickly headed to the flower hall.

Yun Ran rapidly prepared an antidote, stopping her tears, but her eyes remained severely red and swollen. Even though she used a hot towel for a while, it didn’t completely subside.

Not wanting to keep people waiting, Yun Ran hurried to the flower hall, still applying the towel to her eyes on the way, hoping to reduce the swelling further, and only tucked the towel away when she reached the courtyard gate.

From afar, she saw Madam Yan standing in the flower hall, dressed in a plain gown, with fair skin, gentle and graceful appearance, her eyebrows and eyes extremely soft.

"Aunt, Cousin."

Yun Ran walked over to greet them, and Madam Yan’s gentle and affectionate smile froze abruptly upon seeing Yun Ran’s swollen eyes, her expression changed slightly.

"Yue’er..."

Madam Yan took Yun Ran’s hand, hesitating to speak, yet the complex and intense emotions in her eyes were unmistakable.

Yun Ran sighed softly in her heart, and casually greeted that black-clad silver-masked person.

"Aunt, I didn’t know you were coming! I was just grinding medicine powder in the courtyard, who knew a gust of wind, and the powder accidentally blew into my eyes, it ended up like this! Do I look ugly?"

Madam Yan looked at the girl’s sweet and charming smile, but felt unable to smile inside.

It was as if two pounds of bitter herbs weighed upon her heart, bitter and oppressive, choking her.

Just a couple of days ago, Weixi even came to tell her that Prince Qin was not the cold-blooded and ruthless person the rumors made him out to be; on the contrary, he treated Yue’er extremely well, gentle and considerate.

He even told her not to worry.

She was half believing and doubting, thinking of coming personally to see today.

Yet didn’t expect...

It seems that Prince Qin was just putting on a show, deliberately acting for Weixi to see that day.

"Aunt, why aren’t you speaking? Is it because I look too ugly and made you unhappy?"

The more Yun Ran smiled brightly, the more sour and teary Madam Yan’s heart felt.

She tightly grasped Yun Ran’s hand, her heart aching, "Yue’er, tell Aunt the truth, how does Prince Qin really treat you?"

As her hand was clasped, Yun Ran clearly felt her fingers trembling slightly, revealing the suppressed emotions in her heart at that moment.

"Aunt, he treats me very well! I have the best of food, clothing, and everything, and he gives me lots of silver to spend. Look, haven’t I grown fatter?"

Madam Yan scrutinized her, indeed she appeared a bit plumper, and her complexion was also much rosier than before.

However, upon seeing her swollen eyes, her gaze dimmed again.

"Yue’er, wealth is just external; him giving you these does not prove anything, he is a prince, not lacking such things."

Yun Ran blinked softly: Silver may be external, but without it, what joy would her life have?

"Besides that, he would stand by me unconditionally, protect me, not let others bully me."

"And, when I’m in a bad mood, he doesn’t retaliate when I hit him or talk back when I scold him, he lets me bully him."

Madam Yan was somewhat bewildered, "Huh? You, you hit him?"

Yun Ran nodded with a blooming smile, "Mhm! I’ve hit him many times, and he never hit back."

Madam Yan had almost believed it, but then on second thought, their family’s Yue’er had a gentle disposition, always getting bullied without knowing how to fight back, how could she possibly hit someone?

And to hit someone who was her husband, the princely Nangong Mo.

She only said that to ease her mind.

This child, always understanding from a young age, making people feel heartache.

"Yue’er, perhaps there are things you don’t want to say, but Aunt just wants to tell you one thing, no matter when or where, whatever happens, Aunt will always be behind you."

Something constricted in Yun Ran’s heart, and she couldn’t help but softly call, "Aunt..."

"Aunt has thought it through clearly, whenever Yue’er wishes, we as a family can leave the capital, or even Tianchu, to find a peaceful place amongst rivers and mountains to live quietly."

Madam Yan is an extremely gentle woman, serene and graceful, always handling matters smoothly, rarely being so resolute.

Yun Ran looked at the determination in her eyes and suddenly felt a bit sad.

Lin Wanyue may not have had a good father, but she had an aunt who truly loved her dearly. However, she was no longer here...

If Madam Yan knew her beloved niece was no longer, how heartbroken she would be!

"Aunt... actually I..."

Yun Ran was just about to say something when suddenly a graceful and dignified male voice wafted over from behind:

"This prince greets Aunt and Cousin."

Yun Ran twitched the corner of her mouth, turned around to look

Under the bright and gentle sunlight, Nangong Mo, in an all-white outfit pristine as snow, sat quietly in a wheelchair, extraordinarily handsome, unparalleled elegance.

As if a deity descended from the celestial palaces, detached yet graceful, inherently striking awe amongst the people.

Yun Ran: "..."

[Yet another day being captivated by the handsome dog man!]

Madam Yan paused at the sudden appearance of Nangong Mo, instinctively taking a closer look at him.

The name of King Qin was renowned like thunder, not only in Tianchu but throughout Jiuzhou; there were likely very few who hadn’t heard of his name.

However, few had the opportunity to observe him up close like this.

This appearance, demeanor, and elegance did not quite match the fearsome rumors from the streets.

It was only his eyes, an exquisitely beautiful pair, yet the gaze was scattered, empty, and ethereal.

Such a pity he’s blind!

Madam Yan’s gaze slowly moved down, landing on his legs.

As a competent blind man, Nangong Mo sat leisurely there, displaying an air of ease and calm for others to scrutinize.

But within, he secretly ground his teeth: He’d only just left for a little while, yet someone wanted to whisk his princess away again.

Being a prince was truly too challenging!

Suddenly, Madam Yan took a few steps forward, speaking softly: "Your Highness Prince Qin, may I trouble you for a word?"

"Aunt’s words humble this prince! With your guidance, this prince would not dare refuse."

Nangong Mo slightly raised his hand, making a ’please’ gesture.

The man was elegant and poised, courteous and respectful, as dignified as an immortal from a painting.

Yun Ran couldn’t help rolling her eyes internally:

[The dog man really knows how to put on an act!]

Nangong Mo glanced at her discreetly.

Could he not perform well for the family introduction?

Especially since this family member wanted to whisk away his princess.