The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 432 - 431: Feigning Nonchalance

"Crown Prince, you haven’t had breakfast yet!"

Qi Xiao signaled Jun Ning to look at the breakfast he brought. He had prepared it with care, and he would be disappointed if Jun Ning left to search for someone without eating a bite.

Jun Ning glanced at the breakfast on the table and then at Qi Xiao, who seemed a bit upset.

"Xiao Er, alright, I’ll eat. Don’t look so down." Jun Ning extended her hand, "Help me over, will you?"

When Qi Xiao was young, Jun Ning always called him Xiao Er. At that time, Qi Xiao was small, and calling him that or treating him with a touch of affection was harmless, and nobody thought much of it.

But that was then, and this is now.

Now Qi Xiao had grown up, and he could still hear the affection in Jun Ning’s tone.

However...

He couldn’t figure out whether this affection was because Jun Ning had called him that since he was young, out of habit, considering him family from the bottom of her heart. Or if she truly held different feelings for him.

He couldn’t understand.

The only thing he understood was that he had different feelings for Jun Ning, and he had had them since he was young.

Seeing Qi Xiao standing still, lost in thought, Jun Ning placed her hand on his shoulder and asked, "Xiao Er, what’s on your mind?"

Qi Xiao blushed deeply for his distraction, "Nothing, nothing. I wasn’t thinking of anything. Crown Prince, I’ll take you over now."

Qi Xiao placed Jun Ning’s hand on his shoulder, held her other hand, wrapped his arm around her waist, and helped her to the table set with breakfast.

Jun Ning sat down and took a few bites, finished the soup, and prepared to go find Ye Ying.

Ye Ying was severely injured, and instead of resting, he had gone out and not returned all night. Jun Ning was truly worried about Ye Ying.

Qi Xiao, on the other hand, was worried about Jun Ning’s leg, so he helped her look for Ye Ying.

The two of them took two teams of elite guards along to search for him.

The guards were efficient, some searching, and others protecting, each with a clear role, dutiful and responsible, without any issues.

But despite searching for most of the day, they still couldn’t find him.

Jun Ning was also tired from searching, finding it hard to keep walking, and her injured foot kept aching.

Seeing this, Qi Xiao said with concern, "Crown Prince, why don’t you go back? I’ll help you find him, I promise I’ll find Ye Ying for you."

Jun Ning waved her hand in refusal, "No, I must find him myself."

Qi Xiao’s expression slightly changed, and he asked, "Crown Prince, I’ve never seen you so concerned for anyone before, that you’d even go out injured to find them?" He paused, pursed his lips, looking somewhat sad, "Is this Ye Ying really that important to you?"

This question was somewhat overstepping.

After all, Jun Ning’s status now was quite different, and she wouldn’t casually share her privacy or inner thoughts with others.

Others asking such questions would only offend her.

Qi Xiao’s inquiry was a bit inappropriate.

But Qi Xiao just wanted to know, he just wanted to ask, and he couldn’t resist.

Jun Ning didn’t reprimand him. Instead, she looked at him and answered truthfully, "Yes, very important."

Qi Xiao: "........."

Jun Ning wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt at that moment, Qi Xiao was stunned, and his body seemed slightly stiff, as if it were difficult to accept.

It was unclear why he found it so hard to accept.

Ye Ying had worked for her for many years, often risking his life. Their relationship was no longer just one between a horse and its rider or a superior and subordinate.

They were friends, confidants, life-and-death companions...

Isn’t it normal for him to be important?

Ah, children will be children.

Jun Ning shook her head and continued walking forward.

Qi Xiao, lost in thought, saw her leave him behind. He rushed forward without a word and picked her up, his face tense, holding her as they continued to search.

Jun Ning didn’t say much else and let him be.

Jun Ning eventually found Ye Ying deep in the forest based on information provided by the servant left by Ye Ying’s side.

Ye Ying was kneeling on the ground with his back to them, so they couldn’t see his expression or know what he was doing.

But just from seeing his slightly lonely back, one could feel his sadness and pain.

"Put me down?" Jun Ning struggled to get down, not wanting Qi Xiao to continue holding her.

Qi Xiao put her down.

Jun Ning limped to Ye Ying’s side, "Ye Ying..."

Hearing this call, Ye Ying slightly moved but did not turn back.

Jun Ning vaguely saw him lift his head and wipe his face, his shoulder moved as if adjusting his emotions. But she still didn’t know what was wrong with him? Why did he need to adjust his emotions?

Understand, a killer like Ye Ying, to make the most rational, wise, and advantageous judgments, generally has no emotions.

For so many years, Jun Ning had never seen Ye Ying express emotions or have an emotional breakdown.

This was the first time.

"What’s wrong with you?" Jun Ning took a few more steps forward, circling to face Ye Ying.

By this time, Ye Ying had adjusted himself. Apart from looking a bit pale and his eyes a bit red, there were no other emotions visible.

It was Jun Ning who had nervousness written all over her face, walking hurriedly, and even tripped on some grass, almost falling.

Ye Ying quickly supported her, saying gently, "Ah Ning, be careful."

"I’m okay. I’m just very worried about you." Jun Ning carefully examined Ye Ying, "You don’t look well. Can you tell me what’s wrong? What happened?"

Ye Ying smiled, unconcerned, "Ah Ning, how many years have we known each other? Don’t you know me? What could possibly be wrong with me? How could anything be wrong?"

His tone was so light, cheerful, and open. As if the gloomy look Jun Ning had seen when she first found Ye Ying was all an illusion.

It was as if she had seen wrong, as if her eyes were misled.

Jun Ning was sure she hadn’t seen wrong.

Ye Ying was troubled.

"Is that really so?" Jun Ning questioned, "Then why did you go out and not return all night? When I found you, you were crouched here, looking so desolate, and I have no idea what you were thinking?"

Ye Ying chuckled, "Of course I’m desolate, how could I not be?"

"Desolate over what?"

"Desolate over being in Bei Xia for so many years, and suddenly returning, only to be considered a traitor..." Ye Ying still smiled lightly, his words full of banter, "Ah Ning, if it ever comes to that, you have to put in a good word for me? I don’t want to be driven out of East Chu by my own people. I was born an East Chu man, and I’ll die a ghost of East Chu."