27 - Exposed

Chapter 27 – Exposed

The Ninth Prince stared dazedly at Pan Zeming who was hugging the ugly monster in his arms and calling the person Yan’er………

Yan’er? Is he Shangguan Yan?

The Ninth Prince was in disbelief and showed a shocked expression. After he came back to his senses………

This Pan Zeming called him Yan’er? But Shangguan Yan is not a woman. With both of them hugging like this, if others see them, they will surely think that Pan Zeming is calling his wife!

Somehow, when the Ninth Prince saw the two people hugging each other, suddenly a feeling of anger rose in his heart.

Shangguan Yan did not expect Pan Zeming to be so excited. Usually, when the two people meet, he would be shy and polite and display a gentleman’s manners. He would not even dare to touch her little hand but in contrast, she was broad-minded and bold.

When she was enveloped in a warm hug, she was rendered silly for a moment.

Pan Zeming had seen her ugly face before, so he could instantly recognize her at a glance.

“Yan’er, it’s good to see that you’re alright. I thought you……” Suddenly his collar was pulled by a great force and he was thrown aside unceremoniously.

The Ninth Prince hurled Pan Zeming away without courtesy.

A big man like him is hugging his Brother Shangguan! He, the Ninth Prince, had never hug Shangguan Yan like this before, so if Shangguan Yan is to be hugged, by right, it should only be him!

“Shangguan Yan, how did you become like this? I almost couldn’t recognize you.”

The Ninth Prince lifted her chin with his hand and lowered his head to study her face carefully. “Who did this to you? Is it because of their abuses that you became like this? Don’t be afraid. No one will dare to bully you with me here!”

The Ninth Prince had one hand around Shangguan Yan’s body and his other hand was touching her face. This intimate gesture made Di Jing frowned but someone was feeling even more peeved than him.

For a moment Pan Zeming was overcome with anger when he saw his woman being treated inappropriately by another man. He was so angry that he forgot that Shangguan Yan was presently disguised as a man and only desired to claim back his rights. So, he rushed back towards the two people and pushed the Ninth Prince away. Then he pulled Shangguan Yan behind him to shield her and angrily warned the Ninth Prince……..

“Your Highness, please respect yourself. Don’t take advantage of her* !”

(When Pan Zeming referred to ‘her’ in the last sentence, he is not wrong and neither is the author because the Chinese characters for ‘him’ and ‘her’ differ slightly in written form but they have the same pinyin. Therefore, when one is listening, both words sound the same.)

However, when has the Ninth Prince ever been offended so rudely? He felt shocked as well as angry and then he threatened. “You are indeed daring! You even dare to push this Prince away?!”

“Why shouldn’t I be daring? Yan’er is my woman and even if you are a Prince, you can’t act inappropriately towards someone else’s wife!”

These words were said too quickly and Shangguan Yan could not stop him even if she wanted to. She could not help but rolled her eyes……..this Dumb Pan!

Although it is good to be honest………but honest to the extent not to look at the situation is foolhardy impulsiveness!

The angry handsome face of the Ninth Prince froze and he asked suspiciously. “What did you say? Shangguan Yan is a woman?” His eyes were fixed on Shangguan Yan. After the initial shock, the anger in his eyes disappeared and had turned into dazzling lights.

Shangguan Yan noticed it and wanted very much to strangle this Dumb Pan. But the Dumb Pan did not realize that he had a slip of tongue and was only anxious to declare his ownership.

“Yes, she is a woman and she is my…….* hiss *……..” Pan Zeming was pinched on the back of his hand and hissed out in pain. When he turned around, he saw Yan’er staring at him, and only then did he realize that he had a slip of tongue. He could not help but feel guilty. At the same time, thinking that there were only a few of them here, so it was good to let the other person know that men and women should refrain from intimate behavior and that others should not behave inappropriately towards his Yan’er.

Thinking about it in this way, he did not feel guilty anymore. At most, he would apologize properly to Yan’er later as she has always been broad-minded and would not hold grudges after her anger had subsided.

However, he has to be on guard against this Ninth Prince!

But why is the Ninth Prince staring so eagerly at Yan’er?

Di Jing observed everything. Showing a calm face and keeping his thoughts to himself, he interrupted the tense atmosphere with a loud voice at just the right time.

“Miss Shangguan is fine and after a good rest, her appearance will be restored. Since she still has to assist this Officer in handling the case, so please keep the news of her release from prison confidential and not disclose the news. Even if you see her outside, you have to pretend not to know her. First, it would ruin our plan, and second, it’s also for her safety. I believe that both of you will consider the overall situation, do you agree?”

His voice was steady and powerful. Every word from him strictly emphasized consideration for the overall situation. In contrast, it showed that the two men, the Ninth Prince and Pan Zeming, were too impulsive and their thinking was too superficial. It was especially so when Shangguan Yan’s safety was mentioned. They came so recklessly to look for her which was tantamount to putting Shangguan Yan in danger and it was feared that it would mess up the matter.

The Ninth Prince was used to being regarded highly and no one had ever reprimanded him before. However, the words spoken were righteous and every sentence was reasonable so much so that one could not find a reason to refute.

Pan Zeming knew that he had misunderstood and nearly messed up the matter, so he began to feel regretful.

Both of them felt very embarrassed. The difference between them was that the Ninth Prince was born in the royal family, therefore, no matter how embarrassed he felt, he still could not lose his royal dignity especially in front of Shangguan Yan.

Therefore, he said proudly. “So the matter is like this. Since Lord Di is handling the case, this Prince won’t query anymore and hope this case will be solved as soon as possible to prove Yan’er’s innocence.”

Pan Zeming and Shangguan Yan looked at the Ninth Prince simultaneously. They were surprised that the Ninth Prince had suddenly changed the way he called her and the way he addressed her as ‘Yan’er’ seemed so very natural.

Di Jing’s expression remained unchanged. “Of course, this Officer will do his best.”

The Ninth Prince nodded then turned around to walk over to Shangguan Yan. He wanted to take a closer look at her but when he went near, Pan Zeming refused to budge and persisted in standing in front of her. To the Ninth Prince, he was an eyesore and the Ninth Prince glared at Pan Zeming but when his gaze fell on Shangguan Yan’s face, his expression turned gentle.

“Yan’er, I’m leaving. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. If there’s any problem, just let me know.” The gentle tone was different from the past and it was the tone of a man speaking to a woman.

Shangguan Yan lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze and responded respectfully. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

The Ninth Prince gave her a deep look and walked towards the door. However, after taking two steps forward, he suddenly turned around to glare at Pan Zeming.

“Why are you still standing there? This is the Yamen . Is this a place for you, a commoner, to remain? You’ve deceived this Prince and made this Prince come here without clarifying the matter first. This Prince will consider your eagerness to save people and won’t dispute with you. Hurry up and leave!”

Pan Zeming was rendered speechless by the Ninth Prince’s words. Although he wanted to talk a little more with Yan’er, he was too embarrassed to ask again. “Yes, I’m leaving now.”

Then he turned around to look at Shangguan Yan with a face full of reluctance. “Then…….Yan’er, I’ll leave first. Take good care of yourself.”

Shangguan Yan smiled and said. “Alright, I know. You don’t have to worry and go back.”

Pan Zeming saw that she replied straightforwardly and although he wanted to say more, he still had to take his leave from Di Jing with a bow under the glare of the Ninth Prince. Then he followed the Ninth Prince out of the hall and left the Yamen .

After they left, Shangguan Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and holding up her hands, she stepped forward to apologize to Di Jing with a hand clasped over a fist. “My Lord has been burdened with the trouble of this humble one.”

Di Jing gave her a deep look and his words were meaningful. “They’re not your trouble……they’re mine.”

Shangguan Yan was stunned.

Why do those words sound a bit mysterious? She doesn’t quite understand the meaning.

Unexpectedly, Di Jing’s next words were even more mysterious. “The grave robbery case has made progress. I’ll select a day to announce your release from prison. That time, you can restore your appearance.”

Her heart skipped and she pretended to be stupid. “I don’t understand my Lord’s words…..”

Di Jing only gave her a deep and unfathomable look and ignored her effort in pretending to be dumb.

“Regardless of how you have changed, those two people seem not bothered and you can’t keep on pretending. Sooner or later, you have to face them with your true face. So, it’s better to settle it as soon as possible.”