Chapter 9: Rong Shizi eavesdropped and was caught on the spot

Duan Yingning turned her head and her expression changed slightly, "It's you?!"

The person who appeared was none other than Rong Xue, whom she had just seen in the morning!

He was still dressed in a white brocade robe, standing not far away with a complex look in his eyes, showing no sign of embarrassment for being caught eavesdropping.

"Miss Duan, we meet again," he nodded slightly.

"Yes, I didn't know my fiancé had a penchant for eavesdropping," Duan Yingning pointed to the railing in the corridor, "I don't have much to offer in my Cold Moon Courtyard, but if you don't mind, please have a seat."

There was a chair under the railing.

Duan Yingning pushed herself up and sat directly on the railing.

Rong Xue did not sit down, but stood with his hands on the railing, showing a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Miss Duan, you really surprised me."

"Is that so? Has Prince Rong never seen me so eloquent? Or has he never seen me so beautiful?" Duan Yingning teased.

Rong Xue actually pondered for a moment before earnestly replying, "I have never seen Miss Duan so beautiful, and yet so eloquent."

This was not insincere flattery, as Duan Yingning was indeed a first-rate beauty in the capital.

Even Duan Qingyun couldn't compare to her stunning beauty!

The sharp words she had just exchanged with Duan Zhineng also surprised Rong Xue greatly!

He had finally witnessed the "sharp-tongued" reputation she had.

Duan Yingning was taken aback for a moment and couldn't help but scrutinize him.

This man was even more formidable with his words than she was!

"So it seems that Prince Rong hasn't seen much of the world?"

"I speak the truth," Rong Xue replied.

Unaware of the sarcasm in her words, he calmly said, "Today's sudden visit and the rash proposal of breaking off the engagement have embarrassed Miss Duan, and for that, I apologize for my lack of consideration."

"?? So why are you here now?" Duan Yingning asked.

For the past five years, she had been doing well in the Cold Moon Courtyard. Today's uproar was indeed caused by Rong Xue's sudden visit, disrupting her peaceful life.

"To apologize."

Rong Xue said.

"Apologize for what?"

"About breaking off the engagement..."

"I agree to break off the engagement!" Duan Yingning raised her hands in agreement, "We have no feelings for each other, and I have even become pregnant before marriage. I know that this kind of thing is probably unacceptable to any man."

"I won't hold you back!"

She immediately made her stance clear.

Little did she know that by agreeing to break off the engagement so readily, she would be eating her words the next day!

Rong Xue frowned, as this was not the reason he had come...

But seeing Duan Yingning's firm attitude, he had no choice but to nod in agreement, "Since you are willing to break off the engagement, I will come with my parents tomorrow to formally dissolve the engagement."

Before Duan Yingning could speak, a black-clad guard leaped down from the roof, "Prince."

He whispered a few words to Rong Xue, and the warm expression on his face immediately turned into a cold shadow!

A murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and the temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees!

Duan Yingning calmly averted her gaze.

This Rong Xue was not simple at all!

"Miss Duan, I have some urgent matters to attend to. I will take my leave."

As he was about to leave, a voice suddenly came from inside the room, "Mother!"

Rong Xue paused and couldn't help but turn to look at the closed door.

He felt that the little voice sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

Seeing Rong Xue stop in his tracks, Duan Yingning quickly said, "Since Prince Rong has something to attend to, please go ahead!"

With the dismissal given, Rong Xue nodded and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Just as he left, Tuanbao rushed out, "Mother, who was that person just now? His voice sounds so familiar, I feel like I've heard it somewhere."

Not only was the voice familiar, but it also felt... a little strange to him!

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

She didn't answer Tuanbao's question directly, but changed the subject.

Li Pozi followed, "Miss, Tuanbao hasn't been asleep at all!"

"Oh my goodness, there was so much commotion outside just now! I was so scared, how could Tuanbao possibly sleep? Has the master left?"

"He's gone."

Duan Yingning squatted down, took Tuanbao's hand, and smiled, "Tuanbao, you like Duan Baoyu's courtyard, right? We can move in this afternoon!"

Tuanbao was overjoyed!

"Really?!"

"Of course!"

Seeing her son happy, Duan Yingning's expression softened even more.

Li Pozi was also somewhat incredulous, staring at her with wide eyes, "Miss, this, this... the master actually agreed to let you move into the young master's sleeping quarters?!"

Who didn't know that Duan Baoyu was Duan Zhineng's precious treasure, he cherished him like the apple of his eye?!

Just now, Duan Zhineng had come in a rage, and yet he just left like that?!

She looked at Duan Yingning, unscathed and unharmed, and was even more dumbfounded!

"Oh my goodness!"

She couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief, "Miss, just now I thought you were done for! I didn't expect, I didn't expect that this matter would just pass like this?"

"If it doesn't pass like this, what else can be done? Let that old man beat me to death?"

Duan Yingning said disdainfully.

Li Pozi knew her young lady was sharp-tongued, so she didn't dare to say anything, just laughed awkwardly, "That's great, that's great!"

"The other sleeping quarters in the mansion are warm in winter and cool in summer. Our Cold Moon Courtyard is 'warm in summer and cool in winter'!"

"The young master's sleeping quarters even have a warm pavilion! After a few months, when winter comes, it won't be cold!"

Mrs. Li excitedly rubbed her hands together, "Even I can follow the Second Miss and enjoy the good life with the Young Master!"

In the Cold Moon Courtyard all these years, there hasn't been a single day of comfort for her!

The summer heat was scorching, and the winter cold was bone-chilling.

But the Zhous and the Duans made things difficult everywhere, not allowing the servants to bring charcoal to the Cold Moon Courtyard.

Even if a small amount was brought after some time, it was only cheap charcoal for the servants, difficult to burn and not at all the high-quality silver frost charcoal used by the Zhous!

"Who said I wanted to take you with me?"

Duan Yingning glanced at her, "If you leave, what will happen to the Cold Moon Courtyard?"

Was she implying that Mrs. Li should stay behind to look after the courtyard?!

Mrs. Li was stunned, her face filled with bitterness, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at her, "But, Second Miss, if you don't take me, who will serve you and the Young Master?"

This old woman was quite good at acting, appearing weak and pitiful.

"If I can move out of the Cold Moon Courtyard, will I still lack someone to serve me?"

Duan Yingning snorted, "However, if you want us to take you out of the Cold Moon Courtyard, you'll have to prove yourself!"

Mrs. Li immediately wiped away her tears, "Yes! I will definitely prove myself to you, Miss!"

"In that case, I'll give you your first task. If you can handle it well, I'll let you move out of the Cold Moon Courtyard tomorrow!"

"Miss, just give your orders, and I will give my all for you, willing to do anything for you!"

"With your abilities, what can you do for me?"

Duan Yingning mocked her.

Mrs. Li's face turned red, "I can do the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and running errands for you and the Young Master!"

"Do you need to give your all for these tasks?"

Duan Yingning beckoned her over, "Come closer."

Mrs. Li hurriedly tiptoed over and leaned in.

Duan Yingning whispered a few instructions in a low voice, "That's it."

But Mrs. Li's face gradually turned pale, and she looked at her in panic, "Miss, have you really thought this through? Do you really want to do this?!"