Chapter 39

The atmosphere here was tranquil, with lush vegetation adding to its beauty.

Xie Yun’s hand, rather than pinching Sang Yao’s chin, seemed more like he was holding her cheeks.

His broad hand easily grasped the girl’s soft face, his fingers sinking into the flesh, rendering her unable to move.

Sang Yao still clutched Xie Yun’s clothes. Forced to tilt her head back, her hand, which was originally by her eye, was moved by the man, replaced by his slightly rough fingertips.

Sang Yao couldn’t see with her eyes closed, but she could feel that they seemed to be very close. Sang Yao couldn’t help but hold her breath.

The proximity reminded her inexplicably of the last time they kissed, when they were this close.

Sang Yao began to feel nervous for no reason, her heart beating rapidly.

“…”

Why was she so useless?

Sang Yao mentally scolded herself.

Why was her mind still thinking about strange things in this situation?

After a while, Sang Yao felt that her eyes weren’t as uncomfortable anymore, but strangely, the man still hadn’t let go.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable with her neck tilted back, she blinked her moist eyes and asked softly, “Did the bug come out?”

Sang Yao’s cheeks were a bit plump, her skin smooth and tender. With a gentle squeeze, his fingertips sank in, and her rosy lips pouted lightly.

He had pinched her cheek once before in the Princess’s Mansion, but only once.

The sensation was difficult to describe; it was like pinching a cloud.

Strangely, it was satisfying to pinch.

His long lashes swept over the man’s fingertips. Xie Yun didn’t let go, and he calmly replied, “Not yet.”

Sang Yao responded with an “oh” and continued to obediently tilt her head, waiting for Xie Yun to let go.

But her face was starting to ache.

She felt Xie Yun pinching her harder.

Just as Sang Yao was about to protest, the man finally let go.

Sang Yao was finally able to lower her head. She rubbed her neck first, then her cheeks. Sincerely, she thanked Xie Yun, “Thank you.”

The man glanced at her, then gave a faint “hmm,” calmly accepting her thanks.

At the same time, Jinglian, who had been wise enough to step aside earlier, had already moved a few yards away, firmly refusing to interrupt the two of them.

What bug? It was just an excuse for them to get close. He understood.

Because he was far away, he was already standing at the corner. Footsteps could be heard approaching from afar.

He originally wanted to step forward and warn them, but then he thought, what’s wrong with getting something in the eye? It’s not like they were kissing. What’s wrong with being seen?

Moreover, his master and Miss Sang had mutual feelings for each other. Even if someone saw them, what could happen? Given the current situation, one or two more people knowing wouldn’t make much difference.

On second thought, if someone were to make a fuss about it, or even more exaggeratedly, directly use Miss Sang to threaten his master, what should he do?

Should I remind him?

But luckily, the footsteps faded away, and the person didn’t come over.

Jinglian let out a sigh of relief.

In the next moment, someone suddenly patted his shoulder.

Jinglian almost jumped out of his skin, but he remained calm on the surface. He turned around calmly and saw the face of Prince Luli.

He bowed respectfully, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Luli helped him up and said, “No need for formalities.”

Standing next to Jinglian, Luli looked at the ambiguous posture of the men and women in front of them, showing surprise. He asked softly, “Is that Su Bai?”

Jinglian nodded, saying, “Yes, Your Highness, it’s indeed my young master.”

Luli raised an eyebrow, momentarily speechless. After a while, he suggested warmly, “I have a place. Why not invite Su Bai here? I guarantee no one will come.”

“I know Su Bai doesn’t care about gossip, but it’s not good if rumors spread here.”

Jinglian said, “Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood.”

Although the posture just now looked like they were kissing passionately, it really wasn’t.

“Sang Miss got something in her eyes, and my young master was just helping her blow it out.”

Even more bizarre.

Luli looked suspicious, saying, “Um, this…”

Meanwhile, Sang Yao bent down, picked up her big spider, then patted off the dust on her body, and looked at Xie Yun, emphasizing, “I’m not here to stalk you, so don’t think too much.”

Xie Yun said, “So, you were playing with spiders in the bushes?”

Sang Yao pinched the spider’s leg, saying, “How could that be!”

“I am…”

She stopped midway and swallowed the rest of her words.

She silently thought that she didn’t like Li Yaoge, but it had nothing to do with Xie Yun. This man was always arrogant. If she said she was here to spy on Li Yaoge, would he think it was for him?

And although she came to do something bad, she hadn’t done it yet. If she said it like this, wouldn’t it make Xie Yun think she was a bad woman for no reason?

“It’s a secret, I won’t tell you.”

Her secret was obvious.

Although Xie Yun didn’t know why she had a big spider with her, it wasn’t surprising for this strange girl.

Sang Yao looked up at him and emphasized again, “I really wasn’t here to stalk you.”

Xie Yun just hummed in response, not exposing her. “So, do you have anything else to do?”

Of course, she didn’t have anything else to do!

And why did that sound a bit impatient?

“Why are you—”

Xie Yun’s gaze swept over, his voice faint, “Hmm?”

Sang Yao’s heart tightened, and her words halted.

Originally, she intended to continue questioning him if he didn’t believe her. But at this moment, when she met the man’s gaze, she swallowed her words again.

He always had a cold demeanor, exuding a strong sense of oppression. Sang Yao used to be somewhat afraid of him, trembling even when pouring tea, but after more contact with him, she gradually got used to it.

But now, dressed in dark official robes, his aura became even more formidable, reinstating the image of an aloof highborn in Sang Yao’s mind.

She became timid again and whispered, “It’s… It’s nothing, really.”

Just then, Luli and Jinglian came around the corner. Luli approached with a smile and called out, “Su Bai.”

Sang Yao glanced at Luli’s face, feeling a sudden shock. She quickly straightened up and respectfully greeted Luli, “Greetings, Your Royal Highness.”

Luli’s gaze fell on her, and he asked, “Miss, are you…”

Jinglian introduced, “Your Highness, this is the daughter of Sang Yin, an official from the Ministry of Punishments.”

Luli nodded in understanding, saying, “I see.”

Xie Yun asked, “Is there something you need, Your Highness?”

Sang Yao stood silently beside Xie Yun, thinking to herself. If she remembered correctly, Xie Yun didn’t seem to bow to Luli just now.

And why did he seem impatient with Luli as well?

Indeed, Xie Yun was as she expected, always displaying a cold and distant demeanor to everyone.

She decided to forgive him.

Luli stood beside Xie Yun and said, “I heard that Father summoned you, so I came to see you. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Xie Yun replied, “Your Highness, you should attend to your own matters first.”

What’s going on?

Why did she sense a hint of reproach in Xie Yun’s words?

It didn’t exactly sound like reproach, more like guidance from an elder to a younger one. Although the words didn’t sound pleasant, they were probably well-intentioned.

Sang Yao hid the big spider behind her back, feeling that she should stay out of this scene.

Though not very bright, she realized that if Xie Yun and Luli were close, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her, an outsider, to stand by and listen to them talk too much.

As the four walked together, Sang Yao prepared herself mentally and then took the opportunity to bid farewell to Luli, “Your Highness, this humble lady will take her leave first.”

After speaking, she felt something was off and awkwardly added, “…Mr. Xie, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Xie Yun remained silent.

Luli teased, “Miss is leaving? Wasn’t it inappropriate for me to come just now?”

Sang Yao was momentarily confused before her face turned red. She felt embarrassed and stammered, “No… that’s not…”

She stuttered for a while, and Xie Yun coldly said, “Please be careful with your words, Your Highness.”

Luli seemed afraid of Xie Yun’s anger. He immediately said to Sang Yao, “My apologies.”