35 The Hidden Hand

Upon reading the letter, Aman could no longer contain her disbelief. She said, "My lady, how can he be betrothed to you while also writing such sentimental letters to Lady Rui? Is there really someone who can juggle two hearts like this in this world?"

"Juggle two hearts?" Murong Yu chuckled. "You're absolutely right."

'Be it towards Murong Rui or his own cousin, Huo Yuan was always gentle and affectionate.' Murong Yu thought.

Setting Aman's discomfort aside, Murong Yu took the letter and read it herself. The letter expressed Huo Yuan's longing for Murong Rui. 

Huo Yuan wrote that whenever he looked at the mountains, rivers, or even rocks, he couldn't help but think of Murong Rui. It had been a while since they last met and he was wondering when she'd be free to join him for a meal. He was eagerly looking forward to the day she would grace him with her presence. 

While Huo Yuan didn't write it explicitly, that was the essence of the message.

"He's never written anything like this to you, my lady!" Aman said, visibly incensed. "He's shameless!"

Murong Yu grinned, a bit embarrassed. She thought, 'Aman's tone when she curses was uncannily similar to mine. In my past life, even when Ji Chengxuan forced me into humiliating positions, I would call him shameless. Ji Chengxuan would laugh it off and say my cursing sounded like coquettishness. It irritates me even more, but he'd just laugh and roll around on the bed with me.'

Murong Yu couldn't pinpoint what exactly made Ji Chengxuan laugh, but he was just that unpredictable—sunny one moment and thunderous the next. No wonder people said his mood was as fickle as the weather.

"My lady, what should we do with this letter?" Aman asked.

"Keep it," Murong Yu instructed.

Aman tossed the letters into a sealed box and said, "It's no wonder you wanted to support Lady Rui. She really did you a favor!"

"A favor?" Murong Yu asked as she raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, you're lucky you didn't marry into that family! I've seen shameless and hypocritical people, but someone pretending to be so honorable is the worst. He and Lady Rui are a match made in heaven. She's done you a great service; she deserves a reward!" Aman said, relieved.

Murong Yu laughed.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuan was at home nursing his injuries. He snarled, "If I find out who dared to attack me, I'll kill them!"

Huo Yuan didn't think that even in the capital, someone would have the audacity to put a sack over his head. Not only was his face bruised, but he had also been severely beaten all over his body. This made him wonder whom he might have offended.

'Could it have been the Crown Prince's men? Is this a warning?' Huo Yuan wondered.

Huo Yuan pursed his lips. Recently, he had started to connect with Prince Ming under the guise of his relationship with Lord Li. Initially, Huo Yuan wanted to side with the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince's faction dismissed Huo Yuan as irrelevant, prompting him to look elsewhere.

But now this incident forced Huo Yuan to be cautious.

Huo Hongyu came to visit Huo Yuan and said, "Yuan, Rui'er wants to see you."

Huo Yuan softened at the mention of the name. He said, "I'm not fit to see Rui right now; I need time to heal my face."

Just thinking about Murong Rui's fragile and obedient demeanor when she was in his arms filled him with affection.