Her guards

Chapter 199 Seeing Zhu Yunxiao

"Jiang Rui".

A young lady who was accompanying the student strode into the classroom and called out loudly.

Inside the princess's academy, the young ladies who accompanied the princess either chatted and laughed around her or sat reading.

Upon hearing this call, everyone in the hall looked over.

Jiang Rui put down the book in her hand.

"Prince Zhu is waiting for you outside the Imperial Academy," the young lady accompanying the student said with a smile.

Jiang Rui was slightly taken aback: "Why is he here?"

"She must want to see you." A companion girl covered her mouth and laughed.

These words made many people laugh, and even Princess Heisei looked over with a slight smile.

"Ah Rui, you two are getting married this year, right?" someone asked.

Jiang Rui blushed and didn't answer the question. She got up to leave, but Liu Chan, who was sitting next to her, quickly grabbed her.

Perhaps because Yang Luo and her servant left the Princess Academy, Liu Chan had to find a new companion. Since visiting her in the hospital, Liu Chan had been by her side at all times.

"Ah Rui, you mustn't go back with the prince!" she said nervously. "The teacher will definitely test me in this class, so you have to help me."

Jiang Rui had originally taken sick leave from school, but she was persuaded by Liu Chan to attend the palace banquet. Then Liu Chan reminded her that it was inappropriate for her to miss school while attending the palace banquet.

Jiang Rui was faking illness to avoid the rumors spread by Zhu Yunxiao and Yang Luo, but too many things happened at that palace banquet: Yang Luo was attacked, Yang Luo's true identity was a survivor from Baima Town, and rumors circulated that Yang Luo might be the emperor's...

There were so many rumors that no one mentioned the rumors about Zhu Yunxiao and Ms. Yang anymore.

She then took the initiative to come to school.

Of course, this was not discussed with Zhu Yunxiao beforehand.

So Yunxiao is worried that she's come looking for him?
Jiang Rui smiled reassuringly at Liu Chan, "I'm not leaving." Then she chided, "Go and read your book again."

Liu Chan nodded and said, "I'll tell the instructor to come back right away when he arrives."

Jiang Rui smiled and strode out.

……

……

"Your Highness is mistaken."

Yang Luo looked at Zhu Yunxiao and said calmly.

"You've come to see my young lady, haven't you?"

Zhu Yunxiao ignored her words and said directly, "Since Your Majesty is going to investigate Chai Du, I can also step forward to testify against him. His previous plot was heinous, and his current plot is equally despicable."

Yang Luo said, "The plot to kill you hasn't gone through yet, and there's no evidence. If you just rely on your words, you'll only be accused of colluding with my young lady and framing Marquis Yichun. This will only confirm the rumors that you and my young lady have an unusual relationship."

He looked at Zhu Yunxiao, raised an eyebrow, and sneered.

"Zhu Yunxiao, this is your real purpose, isn't it?"

Zhu Yunxiao was already used to the maid's sharp tongue.

"Let me be clearer then," he said in a deep voice. "Although the Marquis of Yichun has a large and powerful family, in my eyes there is no sign of prosperity or longevity. I would never conspire with them to harm Miss Yang."

Yang Luo looked at him and suddenly realized that he wasn't lying.

Ah Sheng had told her that although Zhu Yunxiao had confessed to her about scheming to arrange the marriage in this life, it didn't mean that Zhu Yunxiao was different from the one in the previous life.

If Zhu Yunxiao is the same as in that life...

In this life, he directly betrayed Marquis Yichun; in the next life, he will surely do the same.

In that life, he wouldn't have fallen for Miss Yang. So who was he for?
This was probably the first time the maid had looked at him so seriously, her gaze probing, mocking, and slightly eerie. Zhu Yunxiao frowned, about to say something, when the maid smiled.

"Prince Zhu," she asked, "what is your request?"

Zhu Yunxiao was taken aback: "What do you want?"

Yang Luo did not answer, but looked at the carriage behind him: "I need to go to the Dali Temple, Your Highness, please take me there."

Zhu Yunxiao didn't ask any further questions, and reached out to lift the carriage curtain: "Please, young lady."

The driver, quick-witted, brought over a bench.

Yang Luo lifted her skirt and stepped onto the stool, while Zhu Yunxiao stretched out his arm.

Yang Luo did not refuse and reached out to help her into the car.

After Yang Luo got into the car, Zhu Yunxiao followed her in.

"To Dali Temple," he said to the coachman. The carriage turned around and headed towards the city. Jiang Rui stood behind the gate of the National Academy, watching the carriage slowly disappear into the distance.

Zhu Yunxiao did not see her.

Perhaps it was because she was hiding behind a pillar at the mountain gate, or perhaps Zhu Yunxiao hadn't glanced at the gate of the National Academy at all.

His gaze remained fixed on... Ah Sheng.

Jiang Rui gripped the stone pillar tightly, her mind in turmoil she had never felt before.

Wasn't Yunxiao here to see her?
When did Yunxiao and Asheng become so familiar?

Was it because of that time at Dengyun Tower when you blocked Chai Wan'er's whip?
Did Yunxiao encounter an assassin at the palace banquet and save the maid?

The maid, Asheng, no longer mocked or looked down on Yunxiao.

She spoke to him with a smile, her gaze fixed on the clouds...
Jiang Rui clenched her hand and brought it to her mouth, unable to resist gently biting it with her teeth.

So, Yunxiao came to see Ah Sheng and Miss Yang?
Yunxiao must know that rumor too, that Yang Luo is His Majesty's daughter who was lost among the common people...

Your Majesty's daughter is a princess, far more precious than the daughter of the Marquis of Yichun.

The thought flashed through her mind, and Jiang Rui quickly shook her head.

What is she thinking? Is she doubting Yunxiao? How could she doubt Yunxiao!

Jiang Rui turned and ran quickly into the National Academy, her skirt fluttering in the wind.

How could Yunxiao be the kind of person who betrays trust and tries to climb the social ladder?
……

……

What kind of person is Zhu Yunxiao?

Yang Luo sat in the car, looking at the young man opposite her.

In his past life, he was blinded and thought he was a gentle and refined nobleman; in this life, he is filled with hatred and thinks he is a despicable villain.

But she never seriously considered his purpose or what he wanted.

Knowing what a person wants is the key to understanding and controlling them.

"...What's the use of asking at the Dali Temple? You should go to the Imperial City to see His Majesty."

"...This time, Marquis Yichun used a strategy of retreat to advance. Once the investigation is over, Chai Du will inevitably still be found innocent."

Zhu Yunxiao was speaking earnestly, considering and planning for Miss Yang.

Yang Luo interrupted him: "The Marquis of Yongwu also had the merit of following the emperor. You, young master, have been outstanding since childhood. Logically speaking, the Zhu family's future is secure."

Zhu Yunxiao was slightly taken aback, not understanding why she was saying this. Before he could speak, he saw the maid shake her head again.

“No, I remember now,” she said, a smile appearing on her face. “The Marquis of Yongwu is mediocre, already disliked by His Majesty, and later made a mistake. Your Highness…”

Although he was said to be a talented man, he failed when he was ordered to suppress Ah Sheng, which shows that his abilities were not as great as the legends said.

If it weren't for Wei Cui's intervention, the father and son would not only have received no credit, but would also have been punished by the emperor.

The future of the Marquis of Yongwu's mansion is in grave danger.

It seems that although the mission to suppress the bandits has not yet taken place, Zhu Yunxiao is well aware of his father's and his own situation, which is why he is so eager to protect his future wealth and status.

Zhu Yunxiao's face stiffened slightly: "Your Majesty..."

He knew he disliked his father, but he never expected His Majesty to tell Miss Yang even that.

What else is meant by "something went wrong later"?

“Yes, my father has accomplished nothing in recent years…” He nodded immediately and frankly admitted, “He has indeed failed to win the Emperor’s favor.”

Nevertheless, he looked down on the Marquis of Yichun, believing that the Chai family was unreliable and that he would not truly obey them.

As for the Chai family, even if Zhu Yunxiao was useful, he was just someone they could use casually. They had the right timing, location, and people, so Zhu Yunxiao was not an indispensable person to them.

What family could he trust? And what did he do that was essential to that family?
If her past life was the same as this one, and her marriage to Zhu Yunxiao was arranged by the Marquis of Yichun, then after her death, her identity would be exposed before the emperor, her mother would die, her daughter would be murdered, the emperor would be furious and could no longer tolerate it, and all the blame would be placed on the Marquis of Yichun.
Yang Luo nodded, now all her previous confusion was clear.

"Zhu Yunxiao." Yang Luo raised his hand, gesturing for him to come closer.

Zhu Yunxiao hesitated for a moment, then followed his instructions and stepped forward.

The carriage was cramped, and the two were very close. He could feel the maid's warm breath and see her bright eyes.

"When did you start conspiring with the Li family?" Yang Luo asked softly.

In the early spring train carriage, Zhu Yunxiao felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

(End of this chapter)