novelaction Chapter 379 (109 words added)
Chapter 379 (109 words added)
Xue Ruanruan entered the Regent's Palace. The moment she stepped inside, she felt an overwhelming aura of authority. The maids cast curious glances at her. Before she could even properly survey the residence, a woman in brightly colored clothing approached with a group of people. The woman's eyes were sharp, and her tone was unfriendly as she said, "Oh, who is this wild girl from, daring to enter our Regent's Palace?" Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened, but she quickly regained her composure, curtsying and saying, "This commoner is Xue Ruanruan, sent by the Empress Dowager." Upon hearing this, the woman's expression changed, but she quickly regained her arrogance, sneering, "So what if you're sent by the Empress Dowager? In this palace, you still have to listen to me." Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, a deep, magnetic voice came from afar: "Qiuling, do not be rude." As she spoke, the Regent slowly approached, his posture upright and his face stern. Xue Ruanruan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly bowed again. The Regent looked at Xue Ruanruan and said, "Since you have come on the Empress Dowager's orders, make sure you are properly settled." Although Qiu Ling was dissatisfied, she dared not disobey the Regent's orders. She snorted coldly and left with a flick of her sleeve.
Seeing her cautious and timid demeanor, Murong Xun's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible tenderness. He instructed the steward beside him, "Take Miss Xue to a guest room and settle her in. Take good care of her." The steward obeyed and led Xue Ruanruan towards the guest room. Along the way, Xue Ruanruan secretly observed the layout of the Prince's mansion—pavilions, terraces, carved beams, and painted rafters, all exuding luxury. Upon arriving at the guest room, she found it warm and elegantly furnished. After the steward left, Xue Ruanruan had just sat down when she heard a commotion outside the window. Curious, she went to the window and saw Qiu Ling grabbing a young maid by the hair and beating and scolding her. The maid was crying and pleading for mercy. Xue Ruanruan felt sorry for her and was about to go out to stop her when the Regent Prince appeared again. He frowned and scolded, "Qiuling, you're becoming increasingly presumptuous!" Qiuling, startled, quickly let go and said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, this maid was incompetent; I was just disciplining her." The Regent said coldly, "The Prince's residence has rules; it's not a place for you to run wild." Qiuling dared not speak further and left dejectedly. Xue Ruanruan stood inside, her respect for the Regent growing even stronger.
Emerging from the spatial dimension, Xue Ruanruan had barely recovered her senses when she heard a soft knock at the door. She opened it to find the Regent standing there. A little flustered, Xue Ruanruan quickly curtsied. The Regent said gently, "I saw you by the window just now; you must have witnessed that shrew Qiuling's wickedness. I apologize for the embarrassment, young lady." Xue Ruanruan hurriedly replied, "Your Highness is too kind; I understand." The Regent's gaze softened, and he added, "If you require anything from the palace, please do not hesitate to tell me." Xue Ruanruan nodded gratefully.
After the Regent left, Xue Ruanruan felt a ripple of emotion. However, she also understood that she was in a complex royal palace and could not let her guard down.
Sure enough, a few days later, Qiu Ling caused trouble again. She deliberately tripped Xue Ruanruan in the garden and falsely accused Xue Ruanruan of bumping into her. Just as Qiu Ling was gloating, a figure flashed by—it was the secret guard who had been protecting Xue Ruanruan. The guard revealed the truth, and Qiu Ling turned pale. The Regent arrived shortly after and severely punished Qiu Ling. Xue Ruanruan looked at the Regent, her affection for him growing even stronger, while the undercurrents within the Prince's mansion seemed to be only just beginning to stir…