Chapter 61

This street, because it’s close to the palace, the shops here are filled with exquisite and precious items, and the prices are high. Common people seldom come and go.

At this moment, the street is deserted, with only a few pedestrians. Occasionally, the mimosa flowers are brushed by the gentle breeze. The resentment that was pent up in Sang Yao’s heart suddenly dissipated as Xie Yun arrived.

She stood by Xie Yun’s side, feeling as if the touch of the man’s fingers still lingered on her shoulder.

Li Yaoge pinched her palm. Seeing the man beside Sang Yao, her previously aggressive stance disappeared without a trace. Facing Xie Yun, she wanted to offer a gentle and polite smile, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Her voice softened, lips curved, and she stuttered, “I-I didn’t mean anything else. I was just greeting Yao Yao.”

Then she asked, “By the way, Lord Xie, what are you doing here?”

Ordinary people might pay some attention if they encounter a woman, but Xie Yun’s indifference treats everyone equally.

He said, “Xie thinks this probably doesn’t concern you.”

Li Yaoge pursed her lips and couldn’t help but look at Sang Yao beside Xie Yun.

There was no expression on her face, no gloating, no provocation. She just stood quietly by Xie Yun’s side. But the more she did this, the more Li Yaoge felt humiliated.

This wasn’t the first time. She didn’t know what Sang Yao did to make Xie Yun look at her differently, but no matter what, at this moment, it seemed to announce how ridiculous she was.

She pinched her palm and asked again, “Yao Yao, why are you alone with Lord Xie again?”

The emphasis was on the word “alone.” That’s how Li Yaoge had questioned Sang Yao before.

“Yao Yao, why were you alone with my father?”

But back then, Sang Yao had only gone to the garden to help her pick something up. It happened that Li Shangshu passed by, and out of courtesy, she greeted him. Yet, just because of this seemingly normal courtesy, she was accused by Li Yaoge in front of everyone.

She kept explaining, but it was useless.

Later, she understood that Li Yaoge might not really think she had intentions towards Li Shangshu, nor did she truly dislike her.

She might just feel life was too dull, so she wanted to add some excitement to it, which is why she targeted her.

As for whether it would cause her trouble and hardship, that wasn’t within Li Yaoge’s consideration.

So, when she heard this familiar question now, Sang Yao had a thousand words to refute, to explain, but as soon as she opened her mouth, her clumsy tongue didn’t know how to articulate.

Standing beside Sang Yao, Xie Yun looked at her coldly. He didn’t explain as Sang Yao expected. Instead, he naturally said, “What’s the matter? Do I need your permission to be with my wife?”

What was he saying?

Sang Yao was initially still angry, but when Xie Yun said this, she suddenly widened her eyes.

The words “my wife” seemed to explode in her ears, making her eardrums tremble.

Very strange! She even doubted whether she had misheard.

Her heart was pounding. It wasn’t a big deal, although they hadn’t even been engaged yet, this was indeed improper. But considering that Xie Yun hadn’t done many proper things, it wasn’t surprising.

But since Xie Yun said those words, her heart seemed to skip a beat, and her cheeks began to blush uncontrollably.

They weren’t even married yet, and he was getting into the role too quickly. No, he was so impatient, wasn’t he?

Now she couldn’t care less about being angry; her mind was full of Xie Yun’s calm voice from earlier, leaving her stunned for a while.

Li Yaoge’s expression froze. She looked at Xie Yun, then at Sang Yao, trembling as she spoke, “You two…”

In fact, if it was merely about liking someone, her feelings for Xie Yun weren’t as strong as she outwardly displayed. Even if Xie Yun was indeed someone who could easily make others fall for him.

He was aloof and radiant, with just one glance enough to make people feel affectionate towards him.

But precisely because of this, the aura of nobility around him often kept people at a distance, making it hard for anyone to truly fall in love with him.

So most of the time, her obsession with Xie Yun was usually to prove herself.

But now, what she had been striving for so long without response, was obtained by others so easily.

Xie Yun couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. Without waiting for Li Yaoge to react, he naturally grabbed Sang Yao’s wrist and led her away with big strides.

Sang Yao was forced to let him lead her by the hand.

After a while, the two arrived at the carriage. Xie Yun let go of her hand and said, “Get in.”

Sang Yao was still dazed, bending over with slow movements, and it took her a while to get in.

Xie Yun stood behind her, and because of the angle, it was hard for his gaze not to be attracted by the girl’s raised buttocks as she bent over.

He really didn’t want to look, but his gaze was involuntarily drawn, which was against his will.

After a moment, he suddenly caught sight of the neatly folded clothes in his peripheral vision.

His expression darkened, and he coldly scanned Jianding, “Who allowed you to stand here?”

Jianding, who was earnestly observing how many birds were on the eaves in front, was suddenly scolded.

He didn’t understand why and took a step back tentatively, then looked at Xie Yun with uncertainty, “I… I apologize, young master.”

Xie Yun didn’t bother with him anymore.

Meanwhile, Sang Yao had already entered the carriage while the two were talking. She lifted the curtain and stepped inside. Xie Yun sat opposite her as before.

The two looked at each other in silence.

Sang Yao pursed her lips, sitting upright with a straight back, trying to appear composed. But in reality, her mind was still very muddled, and his address just now really startled her.

And perhaps, this would become the norm in the future.

For some reason, until this moment, scenes of her future interactions with Xie Yun gradually became clearer in her mind. It was hard to imagine.

Even imagining a little bit made her feel extremely embarrassed.

And Xie Yun had been observing her for a long time.

He watched as Sang Yao’s face grew redder and redder, from her earlobes all the way to her collarbones, with a hint of blush, making her look like a peach blossom petal.

Xie Yun stared for a long time. But the girl opposite kept avoiding his gaze with lowered eyes, obviously trying to avoid him.

Xie Yun even suspected that if there was a hole in the carriage, she would not hesitate to crawl into it.

Sang Yao wasn’t deliberate. When she was alone with Xie Yun before, she rarely felt embarrassed.

But for some reason, she felt extremely embarrassed now.

Xie Yun’s gaze felt substantial, and Sang Yao felt increasingly awkward. Under such scrutiny, she felt as if she were naked.

In the silence, Xie Yun watched her blushing face and added fuel to the fire, “Miss Sang, are you always this shy?”

Sang Yao’s face grew even redder. She shook her head and said, “I’m not shy.”

“Why aren’t you looking at me?”

Sang Yao forced herself to look up, then her gaze fell upon Xie Yun’s cold face. Expressionless, she replied, “I’m looking.”

Xie Yun met her gaze, “You look reluctant.”

Sang Yao said, “I’m not reluctant.”

Xie Yun couldn’t be bothered to argue with her anymore and fell silent.

*The day passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning. When Sang Yao opened her eyes, it was the early hours of the morning.

Thinking about the day ahead, she lay in bed, still. The Xie family was coming to propose.

After grooming herself, the sun rose higher.

When everything was ready, she sat by the flower table. Though she didn’t need to show herself today, she couldn’t help feeling anxious.

To distract herself, she picked up the handkerchief she hadn’t finished embroidering a few days ago. With skillful movements, she threaded the needle and began sewing. The stitches were fine and delicate, using a needlework technique not widely known.

Sang Yao was slow to react, but her hands were swift. Her fingers were slender and agile. The pattern of a meowing kitten began to emerge on the handkerchief.

She wanted to embroider it white.

Before this, Sang Yao had embroidered similar things in her spare time. It was an old handkerchief, but she had somehow lost it, perhaps she had forgotten where she put it.

There was a slight mist in the morning, birds chirped incessantly, and occasionally someone walked outside, their footsteps hurried.

After a while, Ran Dong pushed the door open and stood beside Sang Yao, whispering softly, “Miss, the matchmaker has arrived.”

Sang Yao’s hands didn’t stop moving. She uttered a sound of acknowledgment, seeming indifferent.

But when she finished embroidering the cat’s tail, she slowly stopped. Half of the playful kitten had been embroidered, and she no longer had the heart to continue.

She quietly watched outside the window, occasionally a maid passed by, also in a hurry. Seeing Sang Yao’s anxiety, Ran Dong whispered, “Miss, don’t worry, Mr. Xie isn’t coming today.”

Sang Yao glanced outside the window, although it was far away, she felt as if she could hear the hustle and bustle inside the main hall.

Today was the betrothal ceremony, Xie Yun didn’t need to come, she didn’t need to show up either, everything would be handled by her father. Sang Yao didn’t understand why she was so nervous.

But her heart kept pounding uncontrollably.

After sitting for a while, Ran Dong saw that Sang Yao was really nervous, so she said, “Miss, this is just the beginning. It will take a long time to go through the six rituals.”

“By the time you set the wedding date, it will be at least the end of next month. Not to mention the actual marriage, it should be three months later, by then it will be almost September.”

“You and Mr. Xie might be somewhat familiar with each other.”

Sang Yao pinched the needle, poking at the soft fabric in front of her absentmindedly. She wished it would be so, but for some reason, Xie Yun seemed more anxious than he had imagined.

It was still September. With Xie Yun’s impatient demeanor, he might want to have a baby with her by September. Thinking of this, Sang Yao felt even more distressed.

If only she had discussed this with Xie Yun yesterday.

At least until next year.