Chapter 24: You Investigated Me?!

It was only early summer, so the temperature wasn’t very high yet. The street vendors were all shouting with gusto, creating a lively scene.

At the entrance of Qiao’s Restaurant, an inconspicuous carriage slowly came to a stop. A round-faced girl jumped out first, turned around, and reached out to help the person behind her. A younger girl, with a small, pale yellow embroidered shoe peeking out from under her white pleated skirt and a light blue gauze shawl draped over her shoulders, gracefully stepped out of the carriage.

The newcomers were Bai Jinxi and Banxia.

Seven days had passed since the summer solstice. Today was the day they had agreed to meet at Qiao’s Restaurant, as per Xiao Chuyi’s request.

Qiao’s Restaurant was the largest restaurant in Liangzhou City. The first floor was the main hall where ordinary people dined. The second floor was for private rooms, costing five taels of silver each, while the third and fourth floors were guest rooms.

The entire building was elaborately decorated with carved beams and painted columns.

As they entered the restaurant, a very clever waiter came forward to greet them. “What would the two ladies like to order? Are you dining alone or with someone?”

“My young lady has an appointment. May I ask if Master Chu has arrived?” Banxia replied.

When they had been rescued, Xiao Chuyi had said his surname was Chu and his given name was Yi. Since he was hiding his identity, he naturally wouldn’t reveal his royal surname.

“Oh, you’re Master Chu’s esteemed guest. Master Chu is already waiting in the Poppy Flower Hall. Please go to the second floor, the farthest room on the left.” The waiter’s smile became even warmer when he heard that they were Xiao Chuyi’s guests.

Knock knock knock…

“Come in.” Xiao Chuyi’s clear voice came from inside.

Bai Jinxi gently pushed open the door. A young man wearing a green robe and playing with a folding fan came into view. His tall and straight figure and his carefree, elegant demeanor exuded an air of nobility.

But upon closer inspection, his smug expression, as if he wanted to imprint the words “I’m handsome, aren’t I?” on his forehead, instantly transformed him from an elegant and ethereal immortal into a carefree, dissolute young master.

Perhaps because he had been so disheveled during their encounter in the countryside, Xiao Chuyi had specially dressed up today, determined to turn the tables and redeem his image.

What mud monkey?! This king is the notorious number one playboy in the capital!

Bai Jinxi was indeed stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Even Banxia couldn’t help but smile. His attempt to regain face was too obvious.

Seeing Xiao Chuyi’s face darken, Bai Jinxi quickly took the initiative to greet him, changing the subject. “Master Chu, we meet again. How is your leg injury?”

“Humph! Thanks for your concern. It’s much better.” Xiao Chuyi said with a touch of displeasure.

He gestured to the seat next to him. “Please, young lady. The dishes at Qiao’s Restaurant are quite good. Their signature dish is even comparable to…”

When he said “comparable to,” Xiao Chuyi deliberately left it vague. He actually wanted to say “comparable to the imperial kitchen.”

Bai Jinxi strode to the table. A few delicate dishes were already laid out.

“I invited you here today mainly to thank you for saving me seven days ago. I will be staying in Liangzhou City for a while. If you need anything, you can come to Qiao’s Restaurant and find me.”

As he spoke, Xiao Chuyi stood up straight, clasped his hands together, and bowed slightly to Bai Jinxi.

Although the process had been a bit roundabout, the young lady had saved him after all. It was only right to thank her properly.

Bai Jinxi was a little surprised. She raised an eyebrow slightly.

Hmm? No sworn brotherhood? Just because I accidentally cut his leg? He’s too petty!

Bai Jinxi secretly complained in her heart. In her previous life, he had sworn to protect the woman who collected herbs for life. Why was it just helping her now? But it was enough.

Don’t look at Xiao Chuyi now, acting carefree and dissolute. He was actually very protective of those he cared about. With him backing her up, it would be much harder for Yun Moyi to do anything to the Bai family in the future.

“Yes, I do have something I need help with.” Bai Jinxi didn’t stand on ceremony and went straight to the point.

As if he hadn’t expected her to reply like that, Xiao Chuyi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled meaningfully. “You don’t even know who I am, and you already know I can help you?”

“Of course! I don’t need money or power for my favor. I just need you to show up. So, you can definitely help.”

Bai Jinxi paused, looking up and down at Xiao Chuyi.

“Besides, judging from your clothes and appearance, you must be from a wealthy family. I’m just a little girl. I wouldn’t ask you to kill or set fire. What can’t you help with?” Bai Jinxi said matter-of-factly.

Xiao Chuyi couldn’t possibly help her get rid of Yun Moyi and Lu Yian just because of a few words from her. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, they were two innocent lives.

Moreover, he was hiding his identity at the moment. If she revealed it all at once, he would definitely suspect that she had some ulterior motive in saving him. He would probably have to reconsider his “debt of gratitude.”

So, she had already thought about what she wanted. Even if Xiao Chuyi wanted to swear brotherhood with her, she would stick to her choice.

She wanted to become stronger! She also wanted to gain Xiao Chuyi’s recognition and become someone he considered his own!

Prince Yi’s identity was useless now, but it didn’t mean it would always be useless. At a critical moment, it might save her life.

“I want to learn medicine, but I can’t learn openly. Someone in my family doesn’t want me to make progress… I need you to cover for me and make people think I’m out playing.”

Bai Jinxi said with a serious expression.

“That’s all? No other requests?” Xiao Chuyi felt like he might have missed something. His debt of gratitude to the Eighth Prince of Nanyue was being repaid by pretending to play with a little girl?

“Little girl, you wouldn’t really have fallen for me, would you?!” He looked at Bai Jinxi, his serious, inquisitive expression making Bai Jinxi want to jump up and beat him.

What is this? Is this Prince Yi reliable or not? In her previous life, she had heard that he would protect the woman who collected herbs for life. Was that a rumor…

Seeing the little girl’s face flush red and her serious gaze, Xiao Chuyi quickly waved his hands.

“No, no, you’re too young now. Oh, no, we don’t even know each other… No, well, we’re not suitable. Don’t get any ideas!”

Bai Jinxi’s face flushed red because she was angry! Her serious gaze was because she was doubting his reliability!

Before she could retort, Banxia couldn’t help but speak.

“Master Chu, my young lady is engaged. Don’t ruin my young lady’s reputation!”

Although she and her young lady didn’t take that so-called engagement seriously, after all, rumors spread fast. They had to be careful until the matter was resolved.

“Heh, engagement? You mean that Lu Yian?”

Xiao Chuyi’s handsome face suddenly flashed with disdain.

“You investigated me?!”

When Bai Jinxi heard the three words “Lu Yian,” she was a little surprised, then she glared at Xiao Chuyi angrily.

Thank goodness she hadn’t acted abnormally all this time. Otherwise, she would be in big trouble!

“Don’t worry, little girl. It wasn’t me who investigated.” He shrugged, feigning innocence.

“You’ve probably noticed that my family is quite wealthy. My father… my father wasn’t at ease with me going out on my own, so he sent a family guard to follow me. After you saved me, he took the liberty of checking your family’s situation.”

Hearing Xiao Chuyi say this, Banxia broke out in a cold sweat.

Thank goodness she hadn’t told Zhang Ze about her young lady’s unusual behavior that day. Otherwise, wouldn’t she have harmed her young mistress!

She secretly warned herself that in the future, if she discovered anything related to her young mistress, she would keep it to herself!

Seeing that Bai Jinxi was still glaring at him, her face full of displeasure, Xiao Chuyi smiled slightly. “Little girl, you’re probably still in the dark about some things. It’s thanks to Anba going to investigate that you haven’t been kept in the dark for much longer!”

Things I don’t know?!

Hearing this, Bai Jinxi’s pupils contracted, and her breathing became a little rapid.

Could it be that the truth she had been searching for was about to be revealed?