Chapter 39 Apologize

Hearing the noise behind him, Qi Jun turned his head and said:

“Miss Xiao, I have been presumptuous.”

"Why has Your Highness invited you?"

Xiao Yuxuan's gaze swept over the food before she realized that her stomach was empty.

Yes, she had just been befriending Xiahou Yin, visiting relatives, and then chasing after Xiao Yuyao and confronting her. She hadn't eaten much.

However, she didn't think the Crown Prince was just looking for someone to have dinner with, so she decided to get straight to the point, quickly deal with the Crown Prince, and then leave to get something to eat.

"I noticed that Miss Xiao didn't eat much at the banquet earlier, so I took the liberty of having some food prepared for her."

Xiao Yuxuan opened her eyes wide and stared somewhat offensively at the Crown Prince's exquisite and handsome face.

Seeing her expression, the other person probably guessed what she was worried about and said:

"There's no need to worry about Young Master Xiao and Miss Xiao. Everything has been taken care of by the servants."

"Enjoy your meal, I'll be leaving now."

After Qi Jun finished speaking, without waiting for Xiao Yuxuan to refuse, he strode back to the path she had come from.

The setting sun cast long shadows, and by the time she realized what was happening, there were only a dozen or so quiet palace servants and a table full of dishes on the high platform, along with a dumbfounded Bi Sui beside her.

A pale-faced, beardless eunuch stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said with a fawning smile:

"Miss Xiao, please do me the honor of having some. These were specially made by His Highness and they're still warm."

Xiao Yuxuan regained her voice:

"Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Eunuch. However, I have no prior relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince, so I don't know why I have received this honor..."

The young eunuch only said:

"His Highness said that Miss Xiao is young, and it would be bad if she were to suffer from an upset stomach and spleen due to hunger."

Indeed, this was the case. Qi Jun had many eyes and ears. His Qilin Guards collected information about everything under the sun, and his personal bodyguards were also well-informed. What happened by the waterside pavilion reached his ears in no time.

"What a troublesome child."

He considered himself precocious, and he treated a fourteen-year-old girl, who barely reached his chest, almost like a junior.

The Xiao family's affairs are not complicated; it's nothing more than their adopted daughter causing trouble and the Xiao family members being biased. But if Xiao Jue and the Fourth Prince are also involved, then he will have no choice but to intervene.

Xiao Jue was a young man who rose to the rank of Junior Chamberlain, a fourth-rank official. This shows that although he was a bit foolish when it came to matters of the heart, he was not bad at governing the country and would protect those he could.

Although the fourth prince is mediocre, he is still young and not beyond redemption.

If the two girls of the Xiao family want to ruin two people at the same time, they should ask him, the crown prince and elder brother, for permission.

"Miss Xiao has already fainted. I tested her with silver needles from a distance, and this time she's not faking it."

She brought it all on herself.

"Never mind her, where is Miss Xiao Wu?"

"Young Master Xiao is scolding her, but right now, Young Master Xiahou is on his way..."

On the high platform, Xiao Yuxuan thanked the Crown Prince and the young eunuch once again.

She thought about it for a moment, and finally sat down at the stone table. But when she saw the dishes, she was stunned.

Why are all of these her favorite foods?

Spicy scallops, mutton stuffed with fish, guinea fowl, red bean dumplings...

The young eunuch served her food with a smile:

"Miss Xiao, please use them with peace of mind. These have all been tested for poison by our servants."

Xiao Yuxuan: "That's not what I meant, never mind..."

She had already expressed her gratitude enough today. The Crown Prince had many capable people around him; finding out a young girl's favorite dishes wouldn't be difficult. She was only surprised by the speed of the response—

The Crown Prince definitely did not do this today.

When was it? Was it after she was rescued by the Crown Prince that day?

Regardless, she accepted this kindness and will surely repay it in the future.

As she ate her meal, her thoughts drifted far away. Nine months later, would she really be able to save the people she wanted to save in the disaster?

After Physician Wei finished his diagnosis and prescribed medicine, it was too late, so he had to stay at the Zhuangshan Villa for the time being.

Xiao Min looked at Xiao Yuyao lying on the bed, her face as white as paper and her eyes tightly closed, and felt extremely anxious, wishing he could take her place.

This is the girl they've cherished since she was little, but lately she's been getting sick one after another, and as her older brother, he's heartbroken.

"Second Young Master, Young Master Lin said he is about to set off for the Lin Family Manor on the outskirts of the capital and came to inform you."

The servant came in and whispered in his ear.

Lin Chuanxu! Xiao Min's mind raced; he hadn't settled accounts with that kid yet!

Everyone knows that he went into the water to save Yu Yao. If nothing unexpected happens, that good-for-nothing Lin Chuanxu will marry Yu Yao!

Upon realizing this possibility, Xiao Min was both shocked and angry.

"He still dares to leave?! After causing such a huge disaster, he will definitely have to come with me to the Xiao family to apologize. Now that he wants to be a coward, isn't he afraid that our Xiao family will break his legs!"

As Xiao Min spoke, he instructed his servant to lead the way to Lin Chuanxu.

In another guest room, Lin Chuanxu was directing people to pack their belongings.

"Quickly, get out of here before my second cousin gets here!"

He slapped his forehead in frustration.

"How could I forget about my cousin who's ruined his brain with all that studying! If he comes to his senses, I'll definitely be stuck here!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the guest room door was kicked open, and Xiao Min, his face full of anger, appeared before Lin Chuanxu.

His eyes widened, and he slumped weakly into a chair: "It's over..."

Three days have passed since the incident in Zhuangshan.

After finishing his shift that day, Lin Chuanxu was finally forced by Lin Kuangzheng to come to the Xiao residence.

"Father, is it alright if I don't marry Cousin Yuyao? I was just joking before because I was young and naive!"

"Ouch, ouch, don't pull my ear! Be gentle, be gentle! My ear is going to fall off!"

Lin Chuanxu, carrying a bundle of thorns, was lifted by Lin Kuangzheng and made to kneel behind the screen wall.

Lin Kuang's face showed signs of aging, and he no longer addressed Xiao Su as brother-in-law, but instead bowed solemnly.

“Lord Xiao, my son behaved improperly a few days ago and offended your daughter. He has already reflected on his actions and has come today to apologize. No matter how Lord Xiao wishes to punish him, I, Lin, will not say a word!”

Lin Chuanxu cried out in alarm, "Father!"

Lin Kuangzheng glared at him: "Shut up, you unfilial son!"

Did he really want Lin Chuanxu to marry Xiao Yuyao?

In his view, if his youngest son continued to be so unruly and unfilial, he would be wasting his life no matter which young lady he married.

But times are tough, especially for women. These past few days, rumors have been rampant. He could hear people secretly watching him and whispering about the matter even at the Imperial Academy.

He couldn't even imagine how outrageous those people must have been talking about behind his back!

He had written to the Xiao family long ago, but had not received a reply. Today, he finally had time, so he grabbed his youngest son and rushed over to apologize.

Xiao Su, his usual warm expression gone, looked at Lin Chuanxu with disdain and said coldly:

"Chancellor Lin, you are mistaken. I have no idea what happened that day. Young Master Lin and my daughter are cousins, the closest of relatives. How could there be any conflict?"

Lin Kuangzheng paused slightly. Was he preparing to deny it to the death?