Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

The guards were surprised that Xiao Fengyi would so easily accept the Seventh Prince's invitation, and they felt somewhat disdainful, thinking that this young lady of the Xiao family was not as aloof and unconventional as she appeared.

She's engaged to Prince Zhao, so why would she accept the Seventh Prince's invitation? On second thought, matters concerning nobles are none of his business as a guard; worrying unnecessarily is just needless anxiety.

Xiao Fengyi had already returned to her room. The guard clasped his hands in greeting to the brightly lit room and said, "Miss Xiao, I'll go back and report now. Please remember to come."

Soon after, a sweet and resonant female voice came from inside the room.

"You go ahead, I'll be there in a bit."

Xuan Hua closed the window, lit the oil lamp, and looked anxiously at Xiao Fengyi, "Miss, are you really going to Qixia Courtyard for the appointment?"

She asked this because she was genuinely afraid, afraid that her master would be framed by Feng Mingjing.

With Zi Hua's help, Xiao Fengyi changed into a dark purple outfit, almost indistinguishable from the night.

She inserted a coral and pearl hairpin into her hair bun, and after tidying up her stray hairs with a rhinoceros horn comb, she comforted Xuan Hua, saying, "Don't worry unnecessarily. Even if Feng Mingjing wants to do something, Shen Shi and Xiao Qingyin will not agree. They will definitely have many people watching that man."

Shen's purpose in keeping Su Fengxing was both to please him and to restrict his freedom, so she would not allow Xiao Fengyi to stay in Qixia Courtyard for too long.

After Feng Mingjing reveals all the matters he intends to discuss with her, she will be kicked out.

Xiao Qingyin was favored by men, so the Shen mother and daughter were not worried that Feng Mingjing would turn against them.

How could he bear to turn against Xiao Qingyin? He loved her too much to even think about it.

These are all speculations; Xiao Fengyi has no idea whether things will actually turn out this way.

"Shall we go to Qixia Courtyard?" Xiao Fengyi said calmly, glancing at the two maids beside her.

After Zi Hua and Xuan Hua sighed, they each lit a lantern to clear the way for their young mistress.

Qixia Courtyard.

Feng Mingjing sat in the octagonal pavilion, looked at the guard who had come to report, and scolded, "Why didn't you keep an eye on Xiao Fengyi the whole time? What if she goes back on her word even though she agreed?"

The guard reported, "Miss Xiao doesn't seem like the type to break her promises."

Actually, he wasn't sure either, since it was quite unbelievable that Xiao Fengyi had agreed to come to Qixia Courtyard.

The evening breeze rustled the willows, and the little fish in the pond bobbed up and down. Feng Mingjing placed his teacup on the table and chuckled, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. You don't understand Xiao Fengyi. Saying one thing and doing another is her true nature."

"You say one thing and do another. Is that what you really think of me, Seventh Prince?" Xiao Fengyi's voice sounded particularly peaceful amidst the rustling leaves and the chirping of cicadas.

Upon hearing the other person's voice, Feng Mingjing's handsome face was filled with astonishment and frustration. In his mind, Xiao Fengyi would not return.

But the result was that she came.

She not only entered the Qixia Courtyard arranged by the Shen family, but also came in a hurry, listening to all the fabricated words she had made up.

When Feng Mingjing saw Xiao Fengyi gracefully and slowly walking towards him, he felt a sense of unreality.

"Fengyi, I thought..."

After bowing to the man, Xiao Fengyi asked in a composed yet firm manner, "Seventh Prince, your guards told me that you have something important to discuss. However, you are speaking haltingly, making it impossible for me to understand what you are trying to say."

Her hairpins were dazzling, her hair was magnificent, and the woman was still stunningly beautiful under the night sky, so much so that Feng Mingjing couldn't take his eyes off her and didn't even hear what she was saying.

The guards couldn't bear to see their master staring intently at Xiao Fengyi, but in front of the young lady of the Xiao family and the two lantern-lighting maids, they couldn't directly expose her shortcomings. They could only cough twice to remind Feng Mingjing to watch his words and actions.

"Cough cough..."

Thank goodness, after hearing the cough, Feng Mingjing finally turned around and looked at the guard, his expression changing from bewilderment to sudden realization.

"I just remembered, I have something to tell you!" The man suddenly became serious, his expression turning somewhat solemn.

Xiao Fengyi saw everything that was wrong with Feng Mingjing, but she didn't say a word or even make any extra expressions.

The two maids beside her also looked down at the gray bricks on the ground when their mistress was not speaking, keeping a low profile as if they were not in Qixia Courtyard.

When Feng Mingjing finally spoke, he was astonishing, immediately uttering shocking words.

“Fengyi, I have discovered that Ninth Prince has been hoarding iron without permission. If the Emperor finds out, Ninth Prince will not be able to escape punishment.”

"Your Highness, are you stockpiling iron?" Her captivating eyes gleamed with disbelief as she looked at the man.

Feng Mingjing's ability to lie through his teeth once again shocked Xiao Fengyi, who had been reborn.

Sensing that the other person didn't believe him, the man confirmed again, "Yes, I'm sure. This matter hasn't reached the Emperor's ears yet. Fengyi, you must sever ties with Ninth Prince as soon as possible, otherwise you will be implicated, and the Duke of Xiao's mansion will also be involved."

"I do not believe."

At this time, there's no need to hide anything; Xiao Fengyi's words are only heard by Feng Xingye.

Xiao Fengyi learned from Ye Si that Feng Mingjing was the one who was hoarding iron ore. How could he be crying wolf after only one day? Feng Mingjing actually came to her and accused Feng Xingye of hoarding iron.

Not only did Xiao Fengyi not believe this strange news, but the two maids, Xuan Hua and Zi Hua, were also puzzled. Wasn't Prince Zhao a general of the Great Yun Army? He was worshipped by the people of Great Yun and was such an upright person. How could he possibly hoard iron?

This must be someone framing Feng Xingye.

Xiao Fengyi's resolute answer made Feng Mingjing grit his teeth.

But in order to persuade the other party, he appeared helpless when facing the woman.

“Fengyi, why don’t you believe it? Ninth Imperial Uncle is a hypocrite who uses his reputation to seize iron mines everywhere and deceive the people. If you don’t break off the engagement with him, you will be considered to be the same kind of person as him.”

Is his aim to break off the engagement?

Her glassy eyes turned to the corner of her eye, glaring fiercely at the man.

Xiao Fengyi wondered what the man wanted to do next. Would he ask her to put aside her own family and personally expose Feng Xingye to the Emperor, as the most important part of Feng Mingjing's scheme?

The woman's gaze made Feng Mingjing clench his fists.

Hmph, Xiao Fengyi is indeed stunningly beautiful, with the looks to make men's hearts flutter, but she is too arrogant and self-centered, not at all a docile little woman. He doesn't like her, he really doesn't like her.

Moreover, her relationship with the Ninth Prince was ambiguous; they were on the same side and were engaged.

If it weren't for the need to get her to expose the Ninth Prince, Feng Mingjing wouldn't have wanted to say another word to her.