Chapter 19

The atmosphere became slightly tense. Under Ran Dong’s gaze, Sang Yao calmly reopened the curtain without changing her expression. She explained, “I only know one Xie, Xie Yun, so I thought you were talking about him. I’m saying I didn’t see him.”

Ran Dong didn’t speak. Sang Yao felt embarrassed and continued, “I wasn’t deliberately paying attention to him, I just…”

She racked her brains, trying to explain. It wasn’t really strange. She was at Xie Yun’s door, so it was normal to think of him. Moreover, she really only knew one Xie, so she felt like she couldn’t explain it clearly.

But Ran Dong laughed, understandingly saying, “Miss, there’s no need to panic. Mr. Xie is outstanding, so it’s natural to notice him.”

Xie Yun was almost the dream lover of all the girls in the capital, but except for Li Yaoge, few dared to express their feelings to him. Everyone thought that someone like him, so lofty, should only be admired from afar.

So it was completely normal for the miss to pay attention to him.

Sang Yao said, “I’m not panicking…”

She waved her hand, suddenly feeling that it was meaningless to be tangled up in this. She said, “Forget it, let’s go. It’s not that important—”

“Miss!”

Sang Yao: “Huh?”

“You look… Mr. Xie is really here!”

Sang Yao looked over. In front of the tall vermilion gate, a familiar man got off the carriage, followed by a refined man.

There was a stranger standing in front of Xie Yun. This should be the Mr.Xie that Ran Dong mentioned.

They were separated only by a not-so-wide street. Because the street was empty, the carriage where Sang Yao was sitting was quite conspicuous. At this moment, with the curtain wide open, Xie Yun could easily catch a glimpse of her.

“…”

The worst thing she feared had happened.

Sang Yao stiffened, desperately resisting the urge to pull the curtain closed.

Without any excitement in her tone, Ran Dong said, “Miss, why aren’t you looking? Mr. Xie looks even more handsome than the rumors.”

Ran Dong said, “Miss, Miss, aren’t you looking? Are you too nervous?”

Nervous? Ridiculous.

Sang Yao released her tightly held fingers and boldly looked over. Unlike Ran Dong, who sneakily stole glances, Sang Yao’s gaze was direct, almost palpable. If Xie Yun just glanced to the side, he would notice her.

Even Jing Lian, who was standing next to Xie Yun, noticed Sang Yao under the magnolia tree. But Xie Yun, at this moment, was not looking around. He was talking to the man in front of him with great ease.

Taking advantage of the second young master turning to talk to the servant, Jing Lian couldn’t help but step forward and kindly remind him, “Sir, it seems Miss Sang is watching you from across the street.”

Xie Yun remained unchanged, “I hope that someday your mouth will stop spewing nonsense.”

Jing Lian: “…”

Annoying! Why is he always so rude!

With his temperament, how could Miss Sang be interested in him? This guy really hit the jackpot!

“I apologize for my mistake.”

He stepped back, intending to sneak a glance to see if Miss Sang was still looking at him.

Before he could even turn his head, Xie Yun’s cold voice came, “If you dare to look at her, you can forget about your eyes.”

Jing Lian froze.

Why not? What right does he have?

If you don’t look, you don’t let me look. If you’re jealous, just say it!

He silently thought, “Yes.”

Xie Yun, of course, wouldn’t let Jing Lian look at her. He still remembered the last stupid thing this guy did. Now, he would never give this woman a chance to turn things around.

He never expected that this woman would go to such lengths just to see him, waiting for him here. She was really shameless.

Sometimes he really didn’t understand what she was thinking, how she could be so blatantly intent on something.

Sang Yao stared for a long time and found that the man didn’t even glance at her.

At first, she was afraid to meet his eyes, but now she was suddenly puzzled. She was in such an obvious place that Xie Yun must have seen her.

He seemed a bit deliberate in ignoring her.

But Sang Yao didn’t quite understand why. After pondering for a moment, she came to a conclusion.

Perhaps he had heard the news.

She was going to be a concubine to Lu Ting.

Regardless of whether she liked it or not, at least in the eyes of others, it was a mutual agreement.

In this way, Xie Yun’s indifference seemed justifiable.

Sang Yao looked at Xie Yun with a few more traces of pity in her eyes.

She sighed. In fact, she didn’t care much about who she would ultimately marry. In the end, she would have to submit to a man she didn’t like, so let it be. It was just a change of place to live anyway.

And now, in front of the Xie family’s gate, after the second young master Xie Yan finished instructing the servant and turned to look at Xie Yun, he said:

“Does Second Uncle know about this?” Xie Yan is Xie Yun’s cousin and is currently on duty at the Dali Temple.

Xie Yun said, “He might know.”

Xie Yan chuckled softly, his voice smooth, “Aren’t you afraid that Second Uncle will blame you for being rash when he finds out? This matter could lead to complications, which wouldn’t be easy to handle.”

Xie Yun said expressionlessly, “What complications could there be? What I did was not framing but exposing. There are not many loyal and wise ministers like me in the court.”

As for his father, it goes without saying.

Xie Yan smiled without saying a word. Loyal and wise? It’s really something for him to say that.

But Xie Yun was right.

What the court most abhorred was clever schemers, especially in the current situation where the tallest tree catches the most wind. Lu Ting was that bird sticking its neck out.

The aristocracy was willing to step back, allowing the royal power to reign supreme. This was originally a game of give and take, a gradual return of power in the court to the glory of the prosperous era centuries ago.

However, this retreat did not mean they would allow the royal family to actively eradicate, threatening their intentions. The current emperor had been in power for nearly forty years and had expressed his intention to weaken the branches several times, but most of them did not seriously affect the Xie family and were still within tolerance.

Lu Ting, on the other hand, openly sought to unite other aristocratic families to suppress the Xie family’s branch. Even before ascending to the throne, he acted as if he were already in power. If he were to ascend to the throne one day, who knows what he would do.

But then again, this situation would not happen. If it were the old Xie patriarch, he would only suppress. Xie Yun didn’t have that much patience. He would choose to kill once and for all, letting this prince, whose life was as fragile as paper, remind everyone never to forget the glory of the Xie family in Guanzhong.

Xie Yun asked, “Are you not going in yet?”

Xie Yan glanced at the bright and beautiful girl under the magnolia tree behind Xie Yun. She was propping up her cheek, pretending to admire the magnolia flowers. Every time she pretended to look at the flowers, her gaze would inevitably fall on Xie Yun.

He said, “Ah Yun, it seems someone is waiting for you.”

Xie Yun pursed his lips, “Ignore her.”

Xie Yan: “…”

Jing Lian’s spirits were lifted. This was an angle even he hadn’t thought of.

This proves what? The master said not to look at the young lady, but he’s been paying attention to whether she left or not.

Seeing Xie Yun’s displeasure, Xie Yan walked side by side with him into the gate and sighed, “But speaking of which, Ah Yun, you should really worry about this marriage.”

Jing Lian listened silently without speaking. His second master always brought up what annoyed him the most, and since he was tired of being nagged, he had always avoided talking about marriage, which was always a sore spot for his master.

Xie Yun replied with a hmm and then kindly asked, “Second Brother, I heard that Second Sister-in-law has returned to her family again. Did you two have another argument?”

Xie Yan’s smile froze, and he didn’t say anything.

Xie Yun didn’t say anything more to him either. The two brothers walked side by side with cold faces and didn’t speak a word along the way.

In the evening, the lights were on, and the streets were brightly lit.

The night was dark, and the bright moon hung above, casting a radiant glow.

On the third floor of the Magpie Tower, Fifth Prince Lu Ting, who was currently in the limelight, and Sang Yin, an attendant at the Ministry of Punishments, were enjoying themselves.

Lu Ting’s cheeks were slightly flushed, showing signs of drunkenness. He said, “Mr. Sang, four years ago, I knew that you would have a remarkable future. Now, it seems that I was right.”

Sang Yin put down his wine glass and said, “It’s just luck. Your Highness, you’re too kind.”

Although he said so, there was a hint of reluctance on his face.

He had considered many factors before agreeing to let Sang Yao become Lu Ting’s concubine.

Firstly, Lu Ting was a nobleman with a hereditary title, even if Sang Yao was just a concubine, who knows what might happen in the future. Secondly, Lu Ting had always been praised for his politeness and manners. He had shown respect to Sang Yao even before he became an attendant at the Ministry of Punishments. Sang Yin guessed that Sang Yao would not be treated badly in the future.

Moreover, if this continued, if he were to be demoted one day, no one in the capital could protect Sang Yao. She was a silly and naive girl who stood out, and she would be easily bullied.

But recently, things seemed to be getting out of hand.

The man in front of him actually wanted to kill his brother and take his place.

To put it simply, it was fratricide, a betrayal of the emperor. In a broader sense, it could be labeled as treason, which was a major taboo.

“Sang Yin, have you considered what I told you?” Lu Ting asked.

Sang Yin pursed his lips and looked hesitant. “Your situation is unstable right now. Acting rashly might backfire. Moreover, even if the Crown Prince is easy to manipulate, Elder Xie would never allow you to do such a thing.”

Lu Ting, however, was not convinced. He said, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Sang Yin. There are no guarantees in this world. It’s just a matter of whether you dare to do it.”

“As for Elder Xie, if I gain power, I will naturally win them over. What others can offer, I can offer too.”

But these things were not as simple as they seemed. Sang Yin said, “What about Xie Yun? Xie Yun is afraid…”

As soon as Xie Yun was mentioned, Lu Ting’s expression turned cold. He clenched the wine glass in his hand and said, “Xie Yun acts arrogantly and will pay the price sooner or later.”

Sang Yin couldn’t agree with him. “Although Xie Yun has been decisive, he has not made any mistakes in these years. Your Highness, you should be cautious.”

Lu Ting smirked and said, “Mr. Sang seems to like Xie Yun very much.”

Since the conversation had reached this point, there was no point in saying more. Lu Ting leaned back in his chair and didn’t bother to argue with Sang Yin anymore.

Anyway, as long as he accepted Sang Yao into the mansion, Sang Yin would be on his side.

But he detested others praising Xie Yun in front of him.

Outside the railing, the moon was bright and round. Not far away, the lights of a restaurant were brightly lit, and the alluring voices of women could be heard.

His face was noticeably flushed, and he reeked of alcohol. He vaguely remembered the day he had seen the crimson jade under the tablecloth.

At first, he had wanted Sang Yao purely because of her boundless beauty. Her tenderness and whiteness almost hit all his preferences.

But later, he became determined to have her, which was related to Xie Yun.

He had heard that Xie Yun was not interested in women, but he had broken his celibacy with Sang Yao.

He loathed Xie Yun, so he wanted Sang Yao to be his woman.

He lowered his head and said, “The moon is beautiful tonight. Why don’t we invite Yao Yao over to admire the moon with me?”

Sang Yin’s face stiffened. “Your Highness, you’re drunk.”

Lu Ting didn’t speak, but his meaning was very clear.

Sang Yin sat up straight and said, “Yao Yao is a girl from a noble family. It’s not very appropriate for her to be here. Besides, it’s late, and she’s probably already asleep.”

Lu Ting’s expression darkened slightly. “Mr. Sang, are you afraid that I will do something to Yao Yao, or are you deliberately opposing me today?”

The atmosphere became tense for a moment, with only the moon quietly flowing.

Sang Yin pursed his lips, and their eyes met. In the end, he compromised. “Since Your Highness insists, let Yao Yao come and see.”