This news spread quickly throughout the entire palace, of course, it also reached the ears of Xuan Yuan City in the front courtyard.
The remaining rays of the setting sun shone on the glazed tiles of the Marquis's residence, creating a layer upon layer of golden hues.
Seated in the study, Xuan Yuan City held a mahogany chair in his hand, flipping through ancient books. His eyes were deep and peaceful.
At this moment, Nan Feng hurriedly walked in, gazing at the master seated on the chair, his expression eager to speak yet hesitating.
Xuan Yuan City looked at him indifferently without lifting his head, saying calmly, "Speak."
Nan Feng thought about the news that came from the rear garden and couldn't help but smile, but felt it wasn't good and restrained himself.
He cautiously cast a glance at his master before reporting, "Reporting to the master, Miss Yu and Miss Wu had a dispute in the garden of the rear courtyard, and they nearly came to blows."
Xuan Yuan City had never cared about the affairs of the rear courtyard and had no idea who Miss Wu was.
But he guessed it was one of the women sent by his mother and the prince.
He had merely been kept in the rear courtyard as a mere ornament all this time.
However, Miss Yu indeed knew it and had a good impression of it.
Thinking about her dispute with others and nearly coming to blows.
Xuan Yuan City frowned at Nan Feng, "What's the matter?"
He asked Nan Feng, "What happened? Just now, that woman was speaking to me in the bamboo forest, and now she's fighting with someone else in a flash. Is it related to me?"
Seeing the prince asked, Nan Feng had kept a lot of words inside him for a long time. How could he conceal it? He spilled out beans like a torrent, chattering about the whole process of what had happened in the rear courtyard.
"It's said that Miss Wu deliberately provoked Miss Yu, calling her a despicable dancing girl from the Western Regions, saying she only knows how to flatter the prince..."
Nan Feng carefully cast a glance at the master's expression, continuing: "Miss Yu was not afraid to retaliate, saying that she came to the palace to serve the master and that she didn't need to flatter him. Why should she be like some people who have been in the palace for half a year and are still a virgin, ending up alone..."
Xuan Yuan City's lips twitched when he heard this, and a faint smile flickered in his eyes, almost imperceptible.
This woman... she's quite bold, really daring to say anything.
However, he deeply agreed with her words.
He also felt that the woman was quite genuine.
The women in this capital city all wear masks, and you have no idea what's inside.
That's also the reason he doesn't like those women, as he finds it tiring to interact with them.
"And then what happened?"
His gaze shifted to Nan Feng, and he couldn't help but ask.
It was obvious that he wanted to know the next development.
Nan Feng continued when the prince inquired: "Miss Wu was hit in the lung, raised her hand to strike, but was instead thrown to the ground by Miss Yu."
"Master, that's how the incident happened."
Nan Feng turned to Xuan Yuan City and continued speaking.
Xuan Yuan City's lips curved up into a delightful arc, and he laughed lightly twice, not making any moves to handle this matter.
He placed the book he was holding aside and casually asked, "About the matter I asked you to investigate a few days ago, how is it going? Any news?"
Since the day Yu Yao was sent to the palace, he has had people investigate her background.
But the news has not been transmitted yet.
Nan Feng heard the master asking about serious matters and his expression grew serious as well. He spoke respectfully, "This matter is being handled by Dongfeng. He has already contacted spies in the Western Regions to investigate this, and it should not take long for news to come."
Xuan Yuan City nodded slightly and didn't say anything else. He picked up another book from the shelf and began to flip through it in his hands.
Nan Feng quietly withdrew upon seeing that his master was engrossed in reading.
The night is as dark as ink, with the silver moon hanging high in the sky.
The lights inside the palace are dim, adding to the tranquility and gravity.
In this tranquil night, under an ancient mulberry tree in the courtyard of the palace.
Xuan Yuan Cheng sat alone on a stone bench, holding a cup of clear tea, his fingertips gently rubbing the rim of the cup. His eyes were deep in thought, it was not known what he was pondering.
"Master."
A light call broke the silence of the night. The bodyguard Dongfeng suddenly appeared, approaching the man in front of him, bowing respectfully.
Xuan Yuan Cheng raised his eyes to look at him, his tone indifferent as he asked, "Regarding the matter I had you investigate some time ago, have you made any progress?"
Dongfeng knew what the master was referring to, and nodded slightly, bowing respectfully as he replied, "Master, according to the information sent from the bottom, Miss Yu's parents died early on and were raised by a neighbor since she was young. Due to her natural beauty and ability to sing and dance, she was chosen by the Western Court as a tribute to our Jing country."
Xuan Yuan Cheng's lips curved into a smile, "She hasn't lied."
The vigilance in his eyes lessened considerably.
He looked at Dongfeng and asked, "Her mother was from the Jiangyang area of the Yanchang prefecture in our country, wasn't she?"
Dongfeng was slightly startled and paused for a moment to consider. Then he said, "I'm not sure if she is from the Jiangyang district, but Miss Yu's mother was indeed a native of the central plains. It seems that she was taken by Miss Yu's father, who could not bear the harsh climate conditions there and died early."
"Kidnapped?"
Xuan Yuan Cheng furrowed his brow, originally he had thought it was a marriage between the two countries, but he never expected the result to be like this.
His expression turned cold, and the cup of tea in his hand was heavily placed on the desk, producing a crisp collision.
"Indeed, those barbarians are audacious, to brazenly abduct people from the heartland of our central plains."
His voice was extremely cold, with a chilling coldness.
Dongfeng remained silent and did not speak, simply standing quietly in place.
The areas of the Eastern Barbarians, the Northern Barbarians, the Western Barbarians, and the Southern Barbarians have always been a headache, although they appear to be loyal to the Jing country on the surface, their wolfish ambitions have never subsided.
If it were not for the prince's far-reaching reputation, making these barbarous regions fearful and thus preventing them from invading.
Otherwise, the days in the Jing country would not be as peaceful as they are now.
Xuan Yuan Cheng had no expectation for Dongfeng to answer this question. Suddenly, he said, "Bring Miss Yu over."
Dongfeng looked up at Xuan Yuan Cheng, his expression surprised.
Following his master for many years, Dongfeng knew the master's temperament well. The master had always been indifferent to women, even though there were a few women kept in the rear courtyard, he had never touched them.
The days really did pass like a monk.
So late, yet he summons people over, what's his intention?
"Master, it's so late..."
Dongfeng hesitated to speak, but was interrupted by Xuan Yuan Cheng, "There's no need for explanations. Just do as I say."
Dongfeng dare not speak again, and can only accept the order and leave.
But in his heart, there was a murmur. Could it be that the master has really taken a fancy to Miss Yu and wants to sleep with her?
Zzzz... It's really like a barren tree blooming, the sun rising from the west.
In the Fragrant Garden.
At this moment, Yu Yao had not yet gone to sleep. She was very surprised to hear that Xuan Yuan Cheng had summoned her.
However, she was mainly pleased. She quickly tidied up and went to the front yard.
She did not wear the special clothing of the West, but dressed in the attire of women from Jing country.
She wore a simple, elegant dress, her long hair combed neatly. The bright moonlight shone on her, making her face as clear and beautiful as a painting, resembling a moonlit fairy.
If she had always worn Western attire, it would be a constant reminder of her identity to others.
As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," and it can also subtly change others' impression of her.
Yu Yao walked around the winding corridor and quickly arrived at the front courtyard.
The front courtyard was brightly lit, illuminating Xuan Yuan Cheng's cold face. He stood under the mulberry tree, his eyes staring in a particular direction, seemingly lost in thought.
Xuan Yuan Cheng heard the footsteps and slowly turned around.
Seeing her dressed in the attire of a Jing country woman, he was slightly stunned, and an astonishment flashed in his eyes.
He had never seen her dressed in this way before, and this attire from Jing country made her look less exotic.
But it also made her appear more delicate and beautiful, pure beyond the dust of the world, like a fairy descending from the Moon Palace.
A trace of tenderness, almost imperceptible, flashed in his eyes.
"Your attire is quite suitable and looks very good on you."
He smiled faintly.
Yu Yao's face flushed slightly, and she bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your compliment, Your Highness. It's midnight and you summoned me, may I know what your orders are?"
"No need, is it not appropriate for me to summon you?"
Xuan Yuan Cheng looked at the woman's embarrassed and surprised face, and his smile deepened at the corners of his mouth.
He lifted his robe and sat down, pointing to the side with his finger, "Sit down. I summoned you because I'm troubled and want to talk to you."
Yu Yao glanced at him, smoothed her skirt, and sat down comfortably.
"May I know what Your Highness wants to talk about with a servant like me?"
She turned to look at the man beside her, smiling and asking.
"Talk about anything, as long as it's interesting."
Xuan Yuan Cheng poured a cup of clear tea and placed it to his lips, sipping it lightly, speaking casually.
Yu Yao smiled slightly, thinking for a moment, and said, "Then let me tell a story to Your Highness."
Xuan Yuan Cheng looked at her for a moment and nodded slightly. A glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes, and he looked ready to listen intently.
