Chapter 8

Xie Yun frowned slightly, not understanding.

He didn’t doubt his ability to lip-read, but was the girl in front of him really talking to him?

Xie Yun glanced back, but there was no one behind him.

Indeed, she was talking to him.

Before he could figure it out, the girl opposite looked even fiercer.

Although she had a red apple-like face that seemed to lack intimidation.

He asked Jing Lian indifferently, “Is it very hot today?”

Jing Lian was puzzled and patiently replied, “Master, after the heavy rain, the sun is shining brightly, it’s not hot.”

Xie Yun said, “Then it seems that your friend probably had to leave early.”

What friend?

Jing Lian was puzzled and responded with an “um,” looking at Sang Yao opposite.

In his sight was a cute, apple-red little face, like a small apple. Her long eyelashes drooped, her beautiful black hair contrasted with her fair skin, her delicate and bright features exuding a contradictory innocence and charm. The exposed skin emitted a kind of pure and enchanting beauty.

Among the plain colors, she was the most dazzling pearl.

So beautiful.

He boldly imagined, “How about it, you wooden block, finally noticed Miss Sang’s beauty? Planning to have a secret meeting with her and do some indecent things?”

“You two go ahead, I’ll make sure to keep watch.”

After his reverie, he respectfully asked, “Why does Master say so?”

Xie Yun said, “Perhaps she has a fever, she seems to be a bit unclear in her mind now.”

As expected, he couldn’t say anything nice.

But wait, when did Master start to care about whether others have a fever or not?

…

After the warning, Xie Yun indeed did not stare at her again, and Sang Yao felt relieved.

She sighed, picked up a piece of lychee pudding on the table, and was about to put it in her mouth when she suddenly noticed the rise and fall on her chest.

“…” Annoying.

She thought angrily, nowadays, women pursue slender and delicate figures. Someone as naturally voluptuous as her is at a disadvantage and appears improper.

She silently scanned the surroundings and angrily discovered that she was the most improper one among them.

She put down the lychee milk pudding with a snap, no longer in the mood to eat. After a while, her father next to her leaned over and muttered, “Take a look at her.”

Sang Yao then looked up again, only to see the daughter of the Minister of Rites, who had just been praised by her father all day, going up to the stage to perform a dance.

The woman on stage was graceful like a willow in the wind, dressed in smoke-purple chiffon, dancing gracefully with long sleeves. Her dance was charming and graceful, yet she remained dignified and beautiful, leaving no room for extravagance.

Almost everyone’s gaze fell on this soft figure on stage.

Sang Yao was also looking.

This was the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Li Yaoge, whom her father often mentioned. Sang Yao used to like her very much, thinking she was like a fairy, just like her sister.

But later, she didn’t like her anymore.

In fact, Sang Yao was not originally afraid of socializing with others. On the contrary, she had a good personality, and others were willing to deal with her. She and Li Yaoge could barely be considered friends.

But Li Yaoge didn’t lack friends. She was always surrounded by a group of sisters. At first, when Sang Yao was with them, they would intentionally or unintentionally belittle her family background, making her run errands. At that time, Sang Yao naively thought they might not be intentional.

But later, Li Yaoge and the others started to insult her appearance, believing that Sang Yao was approaching her to seduce Minister Li, intending to be her father’s concubine.

Minister Li was almost fifty years old, while Sang Yao was only sixteen.

At that time, she was very angry, but she was not good with words. Every effort she made to explain was twisted into something else. She cried in despair, pale-faced, saying, “I didn’t,” but those people pointed at her and laughed even more happily.

She didn’t tell her father about these things, but after returning from the Minister’s house that day, she became more resistant to socializing with others and didn’t want to show her face again.

Lost in thought, she saw Li Yaoge on stage had already moved lightly to Xie Yun’s side. At this moment, the jade bead hanging from her waist accidentally fell and bounced on the wide table, then stopped by Xie Yun’s hand.

Sang Yao looked at Xie Yun, who seemed not to notice the playful bead, his gaze fixed on the beautiful girl on stage.

Xie Yun was always like a rare flower in the capital, beautiful but unapproachable, not only because of his noble status and his handsome, indifferent face but also because of his attitude. He treated all men and women who expressed love for him equally, without any false pretenses.

But even so, the ambiguous relationships between the high-born and noble families have always been a topic of joy for people. In the eyes of the public, Li Yaoge, with her distinguished family background and gentle and virtuous demeanor, was the most suitable match for Xie Yun.

He seemed to be looking at her with some seriousness.

Sang Yao thought expressionlessly.

Xie Yun did indeed seem to be looking seriously. She pondered for a moment and analyzed, “Is Miss Li intentionally seeking a marriage alliance with the royal family?”

It’s no wonder Xie Yun would think so. This is the Prince’s thousand-year banquet, and performing at such an occasion is often a sign of seeking a marriage alliance. However, the position of the Prince is currently unstable, and Minister Li does not seem to be such a reckless person.

Xie Yun glanced at Jianling, “What is your opinion?”

Clearing his throat Jianling said, “I think, Miss Li’s dance is mostly for your benefit.”

Xie Yun ignored him.

Clearing his throat explained further, “A month ago, Miss Li gave you a sachet as a gift.”

Although this sachet was intercepted by him.

Then he added, “Young Master, Madam has been urging you for the past two days. According to my knowledge, Madam has discussed this matter with Lady Li twice. As long as you agree, the wedding can be scheduled soon.”

Seeing Xie Yun’s expression getting worse, Clearing his throat plucked up his courage and said, “Madam has been worried about your marriage for more than two years. Even if it’s not Miss Li, you should consider getting married. Even the Master recently said that if you don’t agree soon, he will directly dismiss you to wake you up.”

Clearing his throat sighed inwardly. The Master is now twenty-two years old, but he has never had a woman by his side.

It was okay before, but these days there have been more and more rumors. Even Madam has started to suspect whether the Master is incapable in that aspect and has consulted a physician for this.

He knew a little about the reasons why the Master had always avoided marriage.

First, it was because of Xie Yun’s nature. He was really not interested in love affairs.

Second, it was because most aristocratic families married for utilitarian purposes, with each side having its own calculations, advancing together.

But Xie Yun didn’t like it. He was solitary by nature, with a strong sense of boundaries. He didn’t want to depend on his wife’s family, nor did he want to give any convenience to anyone because of his marriage. It was best if both sides were unrelated.

He didn’t like the sneaky speculations, calculations, and planning in the inner courtyard. He was a person who demanded absolute control over everything.

He continued, “Young Master, in my opinion, you should indeed consider your marriage.”

Xie Yun replied coldly, “Your opinion is indeed useless.”

Clearing his throat: “…”

He looked ahead as if he hadn’t heard.

Although he really wanted Sang Yao to be with Xie Yun, he knew it was his wishful thinking. So he reluctantly said against his will, “Young Master, you should get married. Madam said there is a good day in April, specially chosen by the master of the Autumn Temple, which is extremely suitable for marriage.”

“Moreover, at present, Minister Li’s daughter is kind, intelligent, and beautiful, and she is indeed the most suitable match for you.”

Bullshit.

“What do you think?”

Xie Yun replied indifferently, “I think you’d better shut your mouth.”

Well, he just didn’t feel like persuading.

At some point, the dance on stage had quietly ended, followed by a chorus of praise, even the Emperor praised.

Sang Yao sat bored, not interested.

Soon, the Emperor left his seat, and the atmosphere relaxed.

As the cups clinked, Sang Yao couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Xie Yun opposite her.

She then noticed that Li Yaoge, who had changed into a different outfit, had somehow come to stand in front of Xie Yun.

Sang Yao didn’t know what they were talking about, but they looked very compatible.

Quietly, many people’s gazes gathered on the two of them.

Li Yaoge had come to retrieve the dropped bead.

The bead itself was not important, but because it had fallen next to Xie Yun, it became important.

However, Xie Yun’s response was as cold as ever. When she asked to take back the bead, he just expressionlessly moved his arm aside, and the white, round bead lay quietly on the table.

He didn’t even want to lift his hand to hand her the bead.

She stared at the man’s handsome yet indifferent features, not taking the initiative to pick it up, but instead reaching out her hand to him, softly saying, “Thank you, Young Master.”

The white palm rested in front of Xie Yun.

Her gesture was somewhat coercive, as if she was certain that Xie Yun would hand it to her himself.

Sang Yao sat opposite them, quietly watching.

She stared at Xie Yun’s features, wondering if he would help her.

In fact, this was nothing major, just a small gesture, and no one would gossip about it. It wasn’t even comparable to the last time she fell next to him.

But the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat strange.

At this moment, Xie Yun was not aware of the tension in the air. He just suddenly noticed the intense gaze from across, as if it were tangible.

He slowly raised his eyelids and glanced over, only to find it was the same girl as before.

However, she didn’t look as red now; she had become a delicate snow pear.

Sang Yao, who was openly peeking, couldn’t help but feel a little shocked and quickly moved.

Opening her eyes, Sang Yao didn’t understand why he suddenly looked at her.

“Young Master?” Li Yaoge gently reminded.

Xie Yun frowned slightly, obviously impatient. He spoke in a deep voice, “Jinglian.”

Jinglian, who was ready, quickly bent down, picked up the bead, and respectfully handed it to Li Yaoge. His movements were smooth and his smile was perfect.

“Here you go, Miss.”

Li Yaoge’s expression stiffened for a moment before she said, “…Thank you.”

After handing over the bead, Jinglian stood up straight, quite satisfied with his master’s indifferent attitude.

He also glanced at Sang Yao across from him.

Miss Sang, rest assured, except for Madam and the old Madam, no woman has ever touched a finger of the Master.

At this moment, Sang Yao remained calm on the surface but felt a surge of emotions inside.

What were they doing? Why were they both looking at her? What did it have to do with her?

No, why did he suddenly look at her before rejecting Li Yaoge?

And what did Jinglian’s relieved and satisfied expression mean?

Sang Yao clenched her sleeve, a bold guess coming to mind. Could it be that Xie Yun thought she cared about this matter, so he wanted to make sure she didn’t misunderstand, deliberately doing it to show her?

Top of Form