Chapter 19

Qi Ziyue and Gu Xiyan's wedding date is set for the 18th of this month, which is ten days from now. In Fengcheng, everyone is curious about who the person who took Miss Gu away that day was, and how he managed to make Miss Gu willing to marry him, and the wedding date has already been set.

Inside the study of the Xi family mansion, the person standing before the desk remained silent, while the person sitting behind it watched her with a smile: "Ziyue, I underestimated you. This Miss Gu is known for her fiery temper in Fengcheng. How did you manage to subdue her so easily? I'm quite curious!" Qi Ziyue looked at Xi Yimin's amused expression and felt disdain. "Young Master, how can I control matters of the heart? Since it's in my heart, how can I deny it? I might as well follow my heart and marry Xiyan." Xi Yimin teased, "Ziyue, you're not answering my question. I didn't ask you..." "Why did you marry Miss Gu? I'm asking how you won her heart." Qi Ziyue really didn't want to answer her question, but what could he do? She was his master, so he helplessly replied, "We fell in love while bickering." Xi Yimin looked at Qi Ziyue with a mischievous grin. "So, you and Miss Gu are a pair of bickering lovers? But how could a woman like you fall for another woman? I don't understand." Qi Ziyue looked at the man with the mischievous grin and said disdainfully, "Isn't that the same for you, young master?" Xi Yimin laughed loudly, letting out a long "Oh... Ziyue knows quite a lot!"

“I know, but that’s all. What I’m really concerned about is whether Miss Leng has developed feelings for Young Master?” Xi Yimin’s face darkened, and he said unhappily, “Xue Ran definitely has feelings for me, but she’s just a bit cold and not good at expressing herself.” Qi Ziyue smiled and said, “Then congratulations, Young Master.” Xi Yimin said somewhat dejectedly, “What’s there to congratulate? Although Xue Ran no longer resists me, I feel like this road is still long. Unlike you and Miss Gu, who are mutually in love and happily married.” Hearing this, Qi Ziyue’s mood also dropped, his face full of worry, “But I haven’t told her yet!” Xi Yimin looked at the person in front of the table in astonishment, “But you’re getting married, why don’t you tell her?” Qi Ziyue was silent for a long time before finally speaking, “I’m afraid!”

"Then you won't be afraid anymore? The longer the relationship lasts, the deeper the affection will grow. In the end, you'll surely be doomed, your heart will be torn apart, and you'll feel like you're living a life worse than death. What will you do then?" Qi Ziyue's eyes were calm, revealing neither joy nor sorrow, but Xi Yimin knew that she was actually heartbroken and deeply grieved. "Perhaps, Xi Yan won't be able to let me go in the end?" Xi Yimin pressed on, "So you plan to keep it a secret forever, waiting for her to find out herself, living in constant fear, lying to each other, afraid to be honest with her, right? Ziyue, perhaps Miss Gu isn't as conservative as you think." "It's all part of the system, otherwise why would they have done so many outrageous things to force you out?" Hearing this, Qi Ziyue's eyes lit up, his spirits lifted, as if he had made up his mind. "Ziyue knows what to do now, thank you for the pointers, young master." Xi Yimin blinked, looking blankly at Qi Ziyue's enlightened expression: "What did I remind you of? I'm not even sure myself." Qi Ziyue smiled at Xi Yimin, "If Xiyan refuses to forgive me, I'll learn from you, young master, and pester her relentlessly. A good woman fears a persistent suitor, and a virtuous woman fears a meddlesome husband." Hearing this, Xi Yimin was so angry he almost jumped up. "Get up. You... I rarely argue with you. I was just infatuated, not clingy. You should read more books and not use words carelessly. Although your name is Ziyue, it's very different from the words of the sages. Sigh... Seeing how obsessed you are with Miss Gu, you're quite the infatuated one. The worst thing is being hurt by infatuation. Let's leave the matter in Meizhou for now. Anyway, we can't find anything there. Let's stay in Fengcheng. I think the Third Prince is a bit suspicious. He hasn't left since he came to Fengcheng last time. I wonder what he's doing there." "First, investigate what that Third Prince is doing." Hearing this, Qi Ziyue said seriously, "Yes." Qi Ziyue had just turned around when he remembered he had something to ask Xi Yimin, so he stopped, turned back to the desk, and asked with a smile, "Young Master, are you serious about Miss Leng?" Xi Yimin looked serious and said firmly, "Yes! I will marry no one but you." Reflecting on the determination in Xi Yimin's eyes, he was somewhat worried, "But her parents are the ones who harmed us. How can we reconcile love and hate?" After a long silence, Xi Yimin said slowly, "Perhaps we really can reconcile them."

"What method?" Qi Ziyue asked urgently. Xi Yimin's eyes darted around, somewhat hesitant to speak. "I'll forget about this grudge! That's the best solution." Qi Ziyue suddenly laughed. "Young Master is quite the romantic, isn't he? Forgive my bluntness, but wouldn't it be the best revenge for them if Young Master married Miss Leng as a woman?" Xi Yimin retorted, "How can Xue Ran be used as a pawn in revenge?" Qi Ziyue asked slowly, "Then what should we do?" Xi Yimin stammered, "Let me think!" Hearing this, Qi Ziyue smiled mysteriously. "Young Master, do you know there's someone outside the door?" Xi Yimin looked at Qi Ziyue in surprise, then at the door, and angrily said, "Why didn't you say so earlier! Who is it?" Qi Ziyue smiled leisurely at the anxious man before her. "Young Master has been too careless. Spending too much time in the lap of luxury has made you decadent. But it's not an outsider; it's Young Master's beloved." Hearing her teasing him like this, Xi Yimin was somewhat displeased. "When did you become so disrespectful to your superiors? You've actually dared to be disrespectful! Do you think I won't punish you, young master?" Qi Ziyue hurriedly replied, "Your subordinate knows his mistake." Watching the figure that had already left outside the door, Xi Yimin smiled and said, "Ziyue, you should deal with your matter with Miss Gu as soon as possible!" Hearing this, Qi Ziyue's expression changed, and he looked somewhat worried. "Yes, your subordinate takes his leave." Xi Yimin waved his hand and followed him out of the study. After Qi Ziyue left the mansion, Xi Yimin wandered around the main room but couldn't find Leng Xueran. He called a servant and asked, only to learn that Leng Xueran had left the mansion just before they left the study. "Did Madam say where she went?" The servant was somewhat apprehensive, having never seen the young master so panicked before. He cautiously said, "This servant doesn't know, young master. Should we send someone to look for Madam?" Xi Yimin remained silent for a long time, then said absentmindedly, "No need, you can go now." With that, he also left the mansion.

Leng Xueran had intended to go to the study to tell Xi Yimin that she wanted to go out for a stroll, but seeing the study door closed, she didn't disturb him and went straight out of the manor. Actually, she had already heard what Xi Yimin said. She had planned to just go for a short while and then return, but now she was caught in this dilemma, forced to make the decision for herself. Perhaps leaving would be better; if they met again, they would be enemies. Leng Xueran felt downcast, filled with reluctance and sadness, wandering aimlessly through the streets of Fengcheng. The busier the streets, the more lonely she felt. Should she leave Fengcheng? Had she made a mistake? Perhaps her mother wasn't in Fengcheng at all. She walked with her head down, lost in thought, when unexpectedly, a man in brocade robes... The young man blocked her way, so she stepped aside, but the other man followed suit and blocked her path. Leng Xueran frowned, looking up to reprimand the man, but seeing it was the Third Prince, her face turned cold. "Third Prince, why are you so persistent? I see you everywhere." The Third Prince chuckled, "This is fate. If Xueran has nowhere to go, she can stay at my residence." Leng Xueran took a step back and said coldly, "No need for the Third Prince's trouble, I've already found an inn." The Third Prince persisted, "An inn is nowhere near as good as my residence..." He was about to continue persuading her when Xi Yimin arrived. "This humble subject greets the Third Prince. The Third Prince is in Fengcheng..." "You've been here quite a while. Has His Majesty assigned you some task to investigate?" The Third Prince, seeing it was that pretty boy again, said unhappily, "Royal matters are none of your concern, a commoner. I advise you to stay away." Xi Yimin smiled at the Third Prince, bowed, and said, "Yes, this commoner will leave immediately." Turning to Leng Xueran beside him, he said softly, "If you're going to come out, you should bring your servants. How can I feel at ease if you come out alone, Madam?" He then took Leng Xueran's hand and was about to leave when the Third Prince stopped him, angrily saying, "When did Xueran become your wife? I've never heard of it!" Xi Yimin pulled Leng Xueran... Hiding behind her, she looked directly at the Third Prince and smiled, "My wedding date with Xue Ran has already been set, so calling her 'Madam' is perfectly normal. It's understandable that the Third Prince, having lived in Fengcheng for so long, is unaware of what's happening in the capital! It's getting late, so I'll take Madam away. I hope the Third Prince will forgive me." With that, she took Leng Xue Ran's hand and left. This time, the Third Prince did not stop her. He opened his folding fan, thoughtfully watching Xi Yimin's retreating figure, and muttered to himself, "Who is this person? It seems I know quite little!" He glanced back at the guards behind him and said disdainfully, "Investigate this person thoroughly. If he's useful, win him over; otherwise, kill him."