Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Mingyi only hoped that Zongxian would remember and then return it on his own initiative.

"Why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking?" Madam Liu noticed that Mingyi hadn't touched her chopsticks and asked with concern.

While talking to the old lady, Madam Yu glanced at Ji Mingyi with obvious contempt in her eyes, as if she were looking at something that was not presentable.

Mingyi quickly composed herself and softly said that she was full. Liu then asked the maid to bring her some refreshing and palate-cleansing pastries.

Having spent time together, Liu knew that she loved all kinds of pastries.

After dinner, Zong Ying stayed at the Zong residence for a while before leaving with her husband in a carriage.

Mingyi would usually have gone home by this time, but tonight she stood under the eaves for a long time and didn't leave.

She first stopped a maid and politely asked when Fang Zongxian would return.

The maid had no idea about this, so she shook her head and Mingyi let her go.

Mingyi was unaware that her eager anticipation had been observed by others.

It was Hua Yan, the head maidservant of Madam Zong. She squinted and stared at Mingyi's back for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

Mingyi had not seen Zongxian return for a long time, nor had she seen any of his attendants come looking for her, so she suspected that he might have left the handkerchief nearby.

She was worried she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if she couldn't find the handkerchief, so she lowered her head and started searching on the ground.

"What are you looking for, young lady?" Yuegui asked.

"My handkerchief," Mingyi said softly as she looked down to search. "My second uncle took my handkerchief by accident. I'm checking to see if he threw it away. Can you help me look for it too?"

Upon hearing this, Yuegui immediately recalled what had happened during the day.

She struggled for a long time before finally speaking: "Miss, the Second Master might have done it on purpose."

Mingyi paused slightly, then straightened up and looked at him. "What did you say?"

Laurel first looked around, and only when she saw that no one was around did she dare to reveal what she had seen during the day.

"How could that be? You must be mistaken." Mingyi denied it instinctively.

It wasn't that she didn't trust her maid; it was simply that she couldn't find any motive behind Zong Xian's actions.

If the intention was to embarrass her in public, that doesn't make sense, since she hasn't offended him.

Mingyi subconsciously recalled her two previous encounters with Zongxian, but couldn't find any clues. Suddenly, Yuegui whispered an extremely terrifying guess in her ear.

"Miss...do you think the Second Master has taken a fancy to you...that's why he did this?"

Mingyi's expression suddenly changed, and she looked up at Yuegui.

Yuegui hesitated, then said cautiously, "Actually, I felt that Second Master's attitude towards you was a bit strange. It wasn't like an elder treating a junior. He was very good to you, but something just wasn't right..."

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Yuegui wanted to continue speaking, but Mingyi quickly covered her mouth.

"Laurel, oh Laurel, please don't say another word! Do you know how terrifying your reasoning is?! If I have nightmares tonight, it'll all be because you scared me!"

Yuegui looked bewildered, not understanding why Mingyi was so afraid. Was being favored by the Second Master really that scary?

Second Master isn't an evil spirit.

At this moment, Mingyi's gaze suddenly stopped, as if she had seen something.

She immediately released the laurel wreath. "Let's stop looking. Let's go back now."

He immediately turned and left, quickening his pace as if a demon were chasing him from behind.

"Girl, the roads are slippery at night, please watch your step!" Yuegui hurriedly followed.

Not far behind.

Zong Xian's tall figure stood under the eaves, his gaze deep as he looked in the direction Ming Yi had left.

In his hand, he was clutching a soft handkerchief that smelled of perfume.

He watched Mingyi walk away, his five fingers slowly clenching into a fist, his narrow eyes gleaming with a determined light.

-

Mingyi actually saw Zongxian, and also saw that he seemed to be holding something in his hand, perhaps it was her handkerchief.

If Yuegui hadn't said those things, she would definitely have gone to him and asked him to take her things back.

Yuegui's words left Mingyi terrified, and she even had a nightmare that night!

In her dream, she was trapped in a room. The room was decorated in a luxurious style, with gold and silver jewelry everywhere. But strangely, there were many mirrors, and she saw many versions of herself with frightened and uneasy expressions.

Mingyi felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively wanted to run away, but she couldn't find a way out.

Just as she was feeling lost and desperate, someone suddenly appeared behind her!

The man stretched out a strong hand and grabbed her throat, but he didn't strangle her. He just held it loosely, like teasing a kitten or puppy.

He leaned down, his face close to hers, and whispered in her ear like a lover, "Why are you running away? Aren't you satisfied with the golden house that Master has built for you?"

That deep, slightly chilling voice... it's Zong Xian!

Mingyi woke up with a start.

I sat on the bed for a long time to recover, and a little cold sweat appeared on my forehead.

I glanced out the window; it was still dark.

Yuegui slept in the outer room; the girl was sleeping soundly, even snoring.

Mingyi slowly lay back in bed, tossing and turning until dawn before finally falling asleep.

...

From that day on, Mingyi began to avoid Zongxian intentionally or unintentionally. Even when they occasionally met in the mansion, she would adopt a respectful yet distant attitude.

As for finding the handkerchief, Mingyi dared not mention it again, and simply pretended it was lost.

Zong Xian treated her as usual, occasionally asking her a few words of concern and concern, asking if she was getting used to living in the mansion and if she needed anything.

He also gently suggested that if anyone encountered any difficulties, they could send someone to Songhe Garden to find him.

Zong Xian was like any other elder, not particularly warm or friendly. He would only ask a few words of concern when he saw him, which made Mingyi wonder if she was overthinking things.

Later, she overheard that the old lady intended to have Zongxian take a maidservant as a concubine.

She recalled that there were indeed two young and beautiful maids around Madam Zong, who were quite different from the other maids. It seemed that she had chosen from among them, or perhaps Zong Xian had taken them both.

Mingyi remained indifferent to this; if it weren't for preparing medicinal meals for Madam Zong, she wouldn't even want to leave the house.

That day, as usual, she came to deliver medicinal meals to Madam Zong. As soon as she entered the door, she met Zong Xian's gaze.

This was the first time Mingyi had seen him wearing an official robe and a black gauze hat.

His scarlet official robes made his skin appear very fair, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist. A jade pendant hung casually from his waist, and a jade thumb ring adorned his hand resting on the armrest of the chair. He exuded an aura of authority, resembling a powerful minister.

When Zong Xian looked up, he didn't have time to hide the cold, murderous intent in his eyes.

Mingyi was startled by his gaze and her hand trembled slightly. She hurriedly lowered her eyes.

Zong Xian's murderous intent was naturally not directed at her. When he saw that it was her, he immediately concealed it without making a sound and returned to his usual gentle demeanor.

"Is that Mingyi?"

When the old lady behind the screen spoke, Mingyi snapped out of her daze and responded with lingering fear into the room.

Madam Zong: "Come in."

Mingyi lowered her eyes and stopped looking directly at Zongxian, then stepped inside.

Just as she was about to greet Zong Xian, he raised his hand, indicating that she could skip the formalities and go straight in.

After taking the medicinal meal from Mingyi's hands, Cui's mother asked her to sit down for a while.

Mingyi paused, guessing that the old lady would probably need her again later, so she obediently sat and waited.

The maid named Hua Yan was also there. Mingyi glanced at her and was surprised to find that her eyes were red, as if she had been wronged.

I couldn't help but feel strange, so I took a second look.

Hua Yan noticed Ming Yi's gaze and immediately changed her expression, glaring at her fiercely as if she were looking at an enemy.

Why are you glaring at her?

Mingyi, not understanding the reason, calmly withdrew his gaze.

Mrs. Cui glanced at Hua Yan and frowned.

So what if she wasn't chosen by the Second Master and couldn't become a concubine? It's not good for the master to see her like this.