Chapter 26

It was like a bolt from the blue.

She couldn’t help but recall the dream she had not long ago, the scene of rolling back and forth still vivid in her mind.

She felt even more ashamed, feeling that she had really wronged Xie Yun. If her mind hadn’t been burned out, she would never have had such a dream.

She felt sorry for herself, realizing that despite secretly scolding Xie Yun as not serious, she didn’t seem much better herself.

She felt like a mess, regretting that she shouldn’t have read that book. How could she now remember it at every turn, when she didn’t even memorize things so well when she was studying?

Sang Yao wore a bitter expression, silently clutching the thick quilt on her body, her toes curled together in shame.

Her mind kept pondering the possibility of secretly slipping back home without seeing Xie Yun, and as she thought about it, she felt her head starting to ache again.

Why did she have so many troubles?

A maid approached, puzzled. “Miss, are you unhappy? It seems that Master Xie has been concerned about you all along.”

Sang Yao shook her head, unable to speak.

After hesitating for a moment, shame overcame her, and she struggled to avoid it. “Can I not go see him?”

This question was obviously unexpected by the young maid. She hesitated before saying, “If you really don’t want to, you… probably don’t have to.”

“When you were locked up here, it was Master Xie who ordered the door to be closed and had a doctor come to see you. Master Xie has been so good to you. Even if you refuse, I’m sure he won’t blame you.”

Sang Yao: “…” Forget it.

She lifted the quilt and sat on the edge of the bed, despairing, “Then bring me the lotus seed porridge.”

The maid’s face lit up, and she quickly brought the porridge over, saying, “Please enjoy, Miss.”

Sang Yao took the bowl and spoon and stirred lightly. The fragrance of lotus seeds spread out, diluting the medicinal smell at the tip of her nose.

Only then did she realize that something was wrong.

Wasn’t this Lu Ting’s private garden? Why was Xie Yun here? It would have been fine if she had slept here after fainting, but how could she have seen Xie Yun after waking up? It was starting to feel like the Xie family’s place.

Sang Yao raised her head and asked, “Do you know why Xie Yun is here?”

“Master Xie was ordered to detain the Fifth Prince today. The rest of us maids don’t know.”

Sang Yao took a sip of the lotus seed porridge, which seemed to have added sugar, and the sweetness eased some of the bitterness in her mouth.

She remembered that when Lu Ting came to see her, he left in a hurry. The little supervisor even said something about trouble. At that time, she didn’t care and thought Lu Ting would come back after dealing with it, but she didn’t expect to be detained directly.

The situation seemed to be more serious than she had imagined. Lu Ting had been so favored over the years, with praise inside and outside the court. Some even speculated that with the current Crown Prince’s mediocre talent, who knew if he could stay in the East Palace in the future.

So even if Lu Ting had made a mistake, most of the time he was just verbally reprimanded by the emperor, and at most he was confined, never seriously punished.

Now he could be detained directly, indicating that this was no small matter.

Sang Yao didn’t understand politics, and she didn’t know if the current situation was advantageous to her father, but she guessed that the situation should be better now.

Since Lu Ting had come to this, he must not be able to investigate her father anymore. This matter would either be shelved or handed over to someone else.

Either way, it should be better than Lu Ting.

Sang Yao couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

But when she remembered she had to go see Xie Yun, her tension returned.

She really had no appetite, only eating half a bowl before setting it down. After a brief tidy-up, she was led out of the door.

By now, the sky had completely darkened.

The night was quiet, with only the bright moon hanging in the sky. Occasionally, there would be a few words spoken, making the large courtyard seem less intimidating.

Sang Yao felt that her life had been somewhat influenced by this manual.

If she hadn’t accidentally picked up this manual, she wouldn’t have so many troubles regarding Xie Yun. Initially, she had assumed that Xie Yun liked her, but apart from this inexplicable manual, there was no other evidence.

From Xie Yun’s own perspective, there were no traces to be seen, and he had never directly stated that he liked her. Perhaps this was just a misunderstanding?

Although Sang Yao couldn’t understand why there needed to be a reasonable explanation for the appearance of this manual, it didn’t matter.

Anyway, she didn’t like Xie Yun, so she might as well pretend she had never seen this manual.

But she couldn’t return this kind of thing to him; she could only seal it away.

As she pondered, the maid had already led Sang Yao into a courtyard. The courtyard was brightly lit, with several guards standing by, looking serious.

Jing Lian pointed to the next room, smiling gently.

Sang Yao nodded and thanked him before turning and entering the room.

The short conversation between the two was clearly audible in the room.

Under the flickering candlelight, Xie Yun sat on the grand chair, with several scrolls placed somewhat untidily in front of him.

The room was filled with warm candlelight, but it did not soften the coldness in the man’s eyes and brows as he lowered his head to read the scrolls, seemingly indifferent.

This private garden was where Lu Ting lived outside the palace. He rarely came here on ordinary days, and they didn’t really expect to find anything here. They just had to follow the procedure. Besides, there was plenty of evidence of Lu Ting’s corruption, and there had to be a suitable opportunity to bring it out.

So, that’s why they had spent so much time here today.

Xie Yan picked out a few important things from his hand and placed them aside, breaking the silence. He raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. “Huh? Miss Sang, what are you doing here?”

Xie Yun remained unchanged and said, “Just passing by.”

Just by looking at his expression, one could tell he was just brushing him off.

His brother had always been like this. If he encountered a question he didn’t want to answer, he would be sarcastic when he was in a good mood or just dismissive when he was not, which was quite unpleasant.

He was used to it.

Xie Yan nodded and after a while, broke the silence again. “But now it’s getting late, and Miss Sang has not yet been married off. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for Ah Yun to do this?”

After waiting for a while without a reply, Xie Yan’s smile grew even stronger. He cleared his throat and stood up straight. “There’s nothing to search for in this courtyard. Let’s call it a day.”

Xie Yun said, “Take Lu Ting away.”

Lu Ting had been causing trouble for almost two hours now, constantly shouting to see Xie Yun. Since the charges had not yet been decided, the subordinates were not sure how to deal with him.

Xie Yan said, “That’s not my job. Ah Yun, remember to go home early.”

Xie Yun ignored him again.

Xie Yan was not embarrassed either. He casually straightened his sleeves, stood by the door, and, in a brotherly manner, reminded him, “Remember to escort the young lady home.”

Xie Yun finally put down the scrolls in his hand, looking somewhat annoyed. Xie Yan smiled gently and left the room.

Jing Lian entered the room only after Xie Yan left, pretending to ask, “Young Master, the kitchen has prepared a meal. Shall I have someone bring it to you?”

Xie Yun furrowed his brow, looking somewhat weary. He said, “No need.”

Jing Lian was about to remind him when Xie Yun added,

Xie Yun, Sang Yao was in the next room when Xie Yun stood up on his own and walked out.

Sang Yao originally thought she would have to wait for a long time. She racked her brains thinking about how to explain this matter later and why Xie Yun called her over.

She didn’t think he was here to settle scores with her. Someone as busy as Xie Yun shouldn’t bother with these things, right?

Or maybe not.

She poured herself a cup of tea slowly, but before she could drink it, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Moonlight spilled over the man’s broad shoulders, and their eyes met.

Sang Yao’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly stood up, still holding the cup in her hand.

The situation was somewhat embarrassing.

She forced a smile, suppressing her embarrassment, and then cleverly stepped forward to hand the tea to Xie Yun, saying, “Sir, please have some tea.”

Why did that sound so awkward?

She looked up at the man’s perennially cold face, but after waiting for a long time, he didn’t reach out. The smile on her face became more and more stiff, feeling increasingly awkward.

Was he not going to take it? He really didn’t take it!

Xie Yun’s gaze swept lightly over her, then he sat down and said, “Awake?”

Sang Yao silently took the cup back and sat opposite him, muttering, “Awake.”

She lowered her head, silently pinching her fingers.

Xie Yun said calmly, “The aphrodisiac you took should have worn off by now.”

Sang Yao: “…”

Did he have to be like this, mocking her?

She lowered her head even more, whispering to herself, “It was just that fragrance of his, it was really strange, I felt uncomfortable, and someone like Lu Ting, he could do something like this… I didn’t think it was strange, so I just thought…”

She couldn’t go on. Her face turned redder as she spoke.

She pursed her lips, not wanting to face it anymore, and said, “… Thank you this time.”

Xie Yun asked, “Thank me for what?”

She counted, “Thank you for saving me today. I had a fever, and you even called a doctor for me.”

The man’s voice was calm, but he still seemed resentful, looking at her, “What fever? You were poisoned.”

“…”

Sang Yao ignored him and continued, “And thank you for coming in time. Although you may have your own business, but Lu Ting has been arrested, he definitely can’t deal with my father anymore.”

“Is there anything else?” Anything else?

Sang Yao pinched her fingers even harder. She always felt nervous in front of Xie Yun. She felt that this must have been inherited from his father, because her father was also nervous when he saw Xie Yun.

Thinking of the things she had cursed Xie Yun, she became even more nervous, almost wishing she could forget everything on the spot. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito, “And…”

“I’m also sorry for causing you trouble because of my fever.”

“I wasn’t very clear-headed at that time, and I might have said some inappropriate things, although I don’t remember them now… I really don’t remember, but just in case I did say something.”

“Please don’t mind.”

Xie Yun nodded and asked, “Did you say something?”

What does he mean?

Sang Yao saw that he didn’t seem to be joking and couldn’t help but feel a little happy. He didn’t hear it? But she clearly remembered that he had replied to her.

She cautiously probed, “…You didn’t hear it?”

Xie Yun met her gaze. His handsome face looked serious, and he replied calmly to the girl’s hopeful eyes, “I indeed didn’t hear you call me a big jerk.”