The arrogant imperial concubine arrives, the favorite of the regent

Chapter 1392 Breaking the Ice: Ji Ling Makes Xing Mu Pay Compensation

As night falls, the night market in Beijing is bustling and vibrant. Colorful lanterns and shop name flags hanging at the entrances sway gently in the breeze, and a slight coolness drifts in with the evening wind.

Ling Xingmu, dressed in a peacock blue brocade robe adorned with flowers and birds, stood blankly beside a huge potted plant at the entrance of a shop.

Directly in front of him, a woman in a pink dress and a man in a light blue robe were chatting and laughing.

Yun Mujiu linked arms with Ye Xiaohan, and the two stood silently behind Ling Xingmu. Meng Ninglang stood obediently to the side, also looking well-behaved.

Yun Mujiu said, "Ling Xingmu, aren't you going to come forward?"

Ling Xingmu paused. "Forget it. I don't know what role I should play when I step forward."

Yun Mujiu continued, "We've almost figured out the truth, and perhaps Ji Ling has as well. If you really are that boy, then go over there, even just to say hello would be fine." What nonsense about identities—just go!

Ling Xingmu stared blankly at the couple for a long while before saying, "Thank you for helping me, but I think perhaps my personal matters should end here."

His voice carried an indescribable meaning: "I saw that little girl from seven years ago, and I know that she is still alive and well. I think that's enough."

“Oh,” Yun Mujiu and Meng Ninglang replied. Ye Xiaohan remained silent, looking at Ling Xingmu’s retreating figure with a hint of disappointment.

Ling Xingmu watched for a while longer, and seeing the man and woman leaving not far away, he silently turned around.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, and Ling Xingmu swayed and fell straight out.

He instinctively cried out, staggered, and managed to stop before falling.

Turning around, he saw Yun Mujiu and Meng Ninglang laughing. The siblings were pushing him with their hands and kicking him with their feet.

"Young Master Ling?" A sweet female voice rang out.

Ling Xingmu could only turn back and take a few steps forward. "Greetings, Princess Ji Ling." He glanced at the other person, "Big Brother."

Princess Ji Ling asked, somewhat puzzled, "How did you suddenly appear here?"

Ling Xingmu dared not look up directly at her, and lowered his eyes to say, "Your Highness, I was thinking that I would be leaving the capital soon, so I came to take a walk near the city center lake."

Princess Ji Ling smiled gently: "I just went for a walk with your elder brother. Why don't we take a walk together?"

“Yes. Together.” Ling Chiye stared at Ling Xingmu.

"No, I suddenly feel a bit tired. I'd better go back." Ling Xingmu clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, his refined face showing a hint of gloom, and resolutely turned to leave.

Princess Ji Ling stood still, pursing her lips.

Behind a huge flowerpot at the entrance of a shop, Yun Mujiu and Ye Xiaohan, hidden in the shadows, looked at each other and slowly shook their heads.

Yun Mujiu sighed, "Let them do as they please. We can only help them clarify some things."

Ling Xingmu quickly returned to the villa, remaining silent and ignoring Xiao Zhao's questions.

He didn't rest all night, constantly recalling everything that had happened in the past, his heart heavy with worry all night.

He muttered, "Yun Mujiu clearly cured my stomach pain, so why do I feel pain in my heart, liver, and lungs now?"

...

The next morning, Ling Xingmu walked out of the room with dark circles under his eyes.

Xiao Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master, what did you do last night?!"

Ling Xingmu said helplessly, "I didn't do anything!" Her eyebrows furrowed, and she snapped, "And what's it to you? Why are you being so nosy! Hurry up and pack your bags, we're leaving the capital soon!"

He did not send anyone to question his elder brother, nor did he intend to visit Princess Ji Ling.

Yun Mujiu sent Meng Ninglang to deliver a message, inviting Young Master Ling to have a casual meal at the Night King's Mansion.

Ling Xingmu still went, but Yun Mujiu ordered Wei Song and Wei Bai to "beat" him up.

Ling Xingmu was punched a few times, his face was pinched, and Meng Ninglang pulled his ear. Eventually, his mind cleared up a lot.

Yun Mujiu smiled and said, "It seems that the medicine I usually give you, as well as the acupuncture I did for you last night, are quite effective! Look, you still remembered those vague memories you had forgotten."

Inside the flower hall of the Night King's mansion, Ling Xingmu sat there dumbfounded, when someone announced, "The guest has arrived."

Princess Ji Ling and Ling Chiye have both arrived!

It turns out Yun Mujiu also invited them!

Yun Mujiu didn't beat around the bush and introduced him directly: "Ji Ling, this is Mu Shaonian, Mu as in wood."

Princess Ji Ling stood up, smiled slightly, and said to Ling Chiye, "I haven't introduced myself to you yet. My name is 'Miss Shi'."

Ling Xingmu froze, and an old memory suddenly flashed before his eyes.

On the bank of the raging river, a veiled girl in a white dress stood on the shore, smiling as she introduced herself: "Just call me Miss Shi, because I'm too honest."

At this point, Princess Ji Ling continued, "As for why I chose the character 'Shi' (石), besides the fact that I am too rigid and honest, there is another reason: I am ranked tenth, and I am the tenth princess of Zhongyue."

Ling Xingmu suddenly realized what was happening, and his expression changed several times. He didn't dare to look up at Princess Ji Ling.

The lunch ended peacefully.

Afterwards, Yun Mujiu had tea and snacks served. Ji Ling was her good friend, the Ling brothers were also good people, and Ling Xingmu had saved Ning Lang when he was a child, so no matter what, she wanted to help everyone fulfill their wishes.

As for His Highness the Night King, he used to dislike interpersonal interactions, but now that he has Yun Mujiu, he is willing to patiently support and accompany Yun Mujiu in all her actions.

In the flower-scented hall, Yun Mujiu directly encouraged everyone to speak frankly and openly.

Princess Ji Ling calmly recounted her experiences from seven years ago, and then said that she had been searching for that young man, Mu.

Finally, she whispered, "With the help of Mu Jiu and Uncle Ye, I learned that you were him all along."

The final layer of secrecy was broken, and Ling Xingmu nearly fell off his chair. So Ji Ling really was her!

Yun Mujiu added, "Ling Xingmu, I have already informed Ji Ling of the information you now possess."

"Hmm!" Princess Ji Ling responded, then slammed her hand on the table.

"You bastard! Why did you leave without saying goodbye?!"

“I…I…” Ling Xingmu shook his head repeatedly, managing to stammer out, “I didn’t mean to.”

"Does it mean it wasn't intentional? What about the harm you caused me?!"

"I'm sorry, Princess!"

Ji Ling slammed her hand on the table again and shouted, "Call me Ji Ling!"

Ling Xingmu lowered his head: "I'm sorry, Ji Ling!"

Ji Ling said resentfully, "You owe this princess a life, and you left without saying goodbye, making me heartbroken for a long time."

Ling Xingmu lowered his head: "I'm sorry, Ji Ling, I'm a bastard."

These words shocked the group of successful people around them. Ling Chiye and Xiao Zhao said that they had never heard the noble young master belittle himself like this before.

Ji Ling snorted and asked, "Would 'sorry' do any good?"

"Then...what should we do?" Ling Xingmu asked anxiously, at a loss—"Then I'll give my life to the princess!"

"Are you an idiot? What use is your worthless life?!" The gentle and kind Princess Ji Ling rarely showed her domineering side.

Ling Xingmu stood up and bowed to the princess, almost kneeling down.

"I'm sorry, Princess, please give your orders. I'm willing to accept any punishment, any torment, any outcome."

"You bastard!" Ji Ling was so angry that her face turned red, and she slapped him across the face.

She raised her hand high, then gently lowered it, her delicate hand resting on Ling Xingmu's face.

"What use is your life to me, Princess!"

"Uh—you'll have to compensate this princess with yourself!"

The crowd gasped. Yun Mujiu was beaming with delight as she kowtowed, while Ye Xiaohan slightly raised his lips as he looked at the gossipy woman beside him.