Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

When it came to the iron ore, Shen's expression hardened, and he felt even more panicked. In the autumn garden, a falcon lingered on a ginkgo tree for a moment before continuing its flight into the gloomy sky.

She felt that nothing about the iron ore should be discussed in the open garden; saying too much would be a death sentence.

Shen was suspicious and hurriedly tried to stop Feng Xingye from speaking.

"Seventh Prince, Qingyin, if you have something to say, why don't you... go to your room to talk?"

Her tone was tactful, hoping the two of them could understand.

Contrary to expectations, Feng Mingjing did not accept Madam Shen's good intentions. The man turned to her and asked, "Madam, can't we talk here?"

Even her daughter beside her asked, "Mother, this is our home, is it alright to talk for a while?"

Madam Shen was almost furious. It was one thing for Feng Mingjing, a prince, not to know how to avoid danger, but Xiao Qingyin clearly understood what she meant and acted as if nothing was wrong.

She said to Feng Xingye and Xiao Qingyin again, "Seventh Prince, the iron mine is a big deal, and it can't be explained in just a few words. If you really want Fengyi's help, I can have Bishu prepare a room for you to stay at the manor for a while, so we can discuss this further. To be honest, there are many people watching our Xiao State Duke's manor. Walls have ears, and we can't just talk about everything. What if... someone overhears us?"

In order to explain clearly, Ms. Shen was almost drenched in a cold sweat.

Persistence pays off. Feng Mingjing finally understood what she meant. He said to Madam Shen and Xiao Qingyin, "Thank you for reminding me, Madam. Otherwise, I would have done something foolish."

Upon hearing the Seventh Prince's agreement, Madam Shen revealed a smug smile.

Actually, she didn't just keep Feng Mingjing overnight because of the iron mine; she also had her own selfish motives, which was to get the Seventh Prince to marry Xiao Qingyin.

However, this matter is difficult to handle. If it blows up and the Seventh Prince denies it, then Qingyin's reputation will be ruined, and she will have no way to get married.

Given the immense risks involved, the Shen family had to make careful plans, but they were unsure how to ensure that everything went smoothly.

As night fell, while Xiao Fengyi was having dinner with the old lady, Lianqin, a maid from Changyi Courtyard, came to report that Feng Mingjing would soon be staying at Qixia Courtyard.

Xiao Fengyi was unaware of this matter at the time and thought that Lianqin had come to talk about something else, so she obediently held her meal.

Seeing the maid's flustered expression, the old lady put down the jade chopsticks in her hand and asked seriously, "What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? Speak slowly."

Lianqin took a few deep breaths and, after calming down, replied to the old lady: "Old lady, young lady, the Seventh Prince will be staying at our Xiao residence for a while. Madam has arranged for him to stay at Qixia Courtyard."

Qixia Courtyard? Isn't that very close to Qingya Courtyard? Upon hearing this, Xiao Fengyi finally put down her chopsticks and slowly stopped chewing.

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!" The old lady slammed her fist on the table in anger.

The maids and nannies behind her all pleaded, "Madam, please don't be angry."

The old lady turned around and said, "How can I not be angry? Is Madam Shen out of her mind? There are two unmarried girls in the family, one of whom is engaged to Prince Zhao, and she actually allowed one of them to stay at the Xiao residence. Although the other party is the Seventh Prince, Qishan and Ye'er have not been home for the past few days. What kind of behavior is it for a prince to stay overnight in our house full of women? If this gets out, won't it give people something to talk about?"

After the old lady finished speaking, she felt a little thirsty. After drinking a few sips of soup, she continued, "I can imagine what the neighbors will say about our Duke Xiao's mansion. We are accused of flattering the prince and bewitching the emperor. What if the emperor and the imperial concubine find out and think that the Xiao family is trying to win over the prince or that the Xiao family has ulterior motives?"

Xiao Fengyi felt that her grandmother was very thoughtful, but also a bit of an overreaction.

She thought this way because she knew that arranging Feng Mingjing in Qixia Courtyard was definitely aimed at her.

Xiao Fengyi placed a shrimp ball on the old lady's plate. "Grandmother, you don't need to be angry. The Emperor may not blame the Xiao family, and the neighbors may not even know that the Seventh Prince is living in the Xiao residence. You should just eat well and sleep well. You don't need to pay any attention to them. Leave everything to me."

Arranging for Feng Xingye to stay at Qixia Courtyard was definitely Shen's doing. Since she made this arrangement, she certainly wouldn't let others know that the Seventh Prince was staying here. Even if it wasn't for the sake of the Xiao family's reputation, she would at least consider Xiao Qingyin's reputation.

After all, of the two unmarried young ladies of the Xiao family, she was already engaged to Prince Zhao, while Xiao Qingyin was still unmarried. If there were to be any unpleasant rumors, they would definitely be about Xiao Qingyin.

Although Xiao Qingyin and Feng Mingjing were just having a brief affair, the outside world didn't know. If word got out, it would be fine if Feng Mingjing was willing to marry her, but if he wasn't, Xiao Qingyin's reputation would be ruined.

She even felt that Shen's decision to let someone stay overnight was an attempt to force Feng Xingye to give Xiao Qingyin a formal status.

I don't know what the Shen family will do, but they will definitely take advantage of her.

Xiao Fengyi was very certain.

After hearing Ah Jin and Xiao Fengyi's words, the old lady felt relieved but also expressed some doubts, "Fengyi, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

"Let nature take its course."

She didn't need to handle this matter at all; she just needed to observe how the Shen mother and daughter acted before she woke up.

Moreover, Feng Mingjing's decision to stay overnight must be related to the unfinished matter from that morning. Judging from his words, it should be related to Feng Xingye, otherwise he wouldn't have been constantly instigating her relationship with King Zhao.

After hearing Xiao Fengyi's words, the old lady was stunned for a moment, then said with relief, "Our Fengyi has finally learned the principle of 'If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move'!"

After they finished talking, they finished their dinner.

After dinner, the grandfather and grandson went for a walk in the garden and unexpectedly saw the towering ancient banyan tree in Qixia Courtyard.

The old lady said she wouldn't interfere, but she still said with great distress, "This is outrageous, truly outrageous."

"Grandmother, don't you think it's strange that the Seventh Prince suddenly visited the Xiao residence?" Xiao Fengyi changed the subject.

The old lady pondered for a moment, her eyes revealing a lot of doubt. "Indeed, he has no relation to the Xiao family, so why did he suddenly come here? Fengyi, why don't you stay at Changyi Courtyard for the next few days and not go back to Qingyuan?"

She recalled how Feng Mingjing relentlessly pursued Xiao Fengyi and felt that Fengyi should avoid suspicion and not give that person any opportunity to take advantage of her.

Xiao Fengyi said to the old lady, "Something is bound to happen tonight, Grandmother. I still need to go to Qingya Courtyard tonight to see what they're up to."

Sensing the eerie atmosphere in the air, the old lady warned, "Fengyi, be careful."

Xiao Fengyi nodded: "I know, I will be careful."

After accompanying the old lady on her walk, when she returned to Qingyuan, she saw the guards beside Feng Mingjing.

"Miss Xiao, our Seventh Prince invites you to Qixia Courtyard for a drink."

As expected, they came. Xiao Fengyi said, "I'll change my clothes and then go."