Chapter 48 Remember what you said today

"Huh?" Su Xiaoyu didn't react.

Xiao Jingheng's voice, with a hint of persuasion, echoed in the cramped carriage.

“Answer me.”

"You just said you wanted to stay in the Marquis's mansion for the rest of your life?"

Although Su Xiaoyu didn't understand why he was so fixated on this question, she still thought about it seriously.

For her, being a transmigrator meant that both her parents were in the Marquis's mansion, and the masters of the mansion were all easy to get along with. Although the second young lady was spoiled, she wasn't a bad person at heart. There was also the second young master with whom she could fool around, and the heir who cared about her.

This place seemed to have long been her sole refuge and home in this unfamiliar world.

Su Xiaoyu raised her head, her eyes clear and open:

"Yes! My parents are both in the Marquis's mansion, this is my home, of course I want to stay in the Marquis's mansion for the rest of my life."

"This is my home..."

These words were like a feather, gently brushing against Xiao Jingheng's heart.

A warm current instantly washed away his jealousy and anger, completely softening his tense heart.

His gaze softened and became indulgent: "Okay."

"Remember what you said today."

Since she has decided that the Marquis's mansion is her home, then she will be allowed to stay here for the rest of her life, to stay... by his side.

The moment he finished speaking, he didn't give her any time to think. He lowered his head and kissed her slightly surprised lips.

"Hmm..."

Before Su Xiaoyu could react, a shadow fell over her.

Her eyes widened instantly, her mind went blank, and all the blood in her body seemed to rush to her head.

The whole world was reduced to that unfamiliar yet soft touch on my lips.

And so close, there were Xiao Jingheng's eyes, as deep as a cold pool.

The carriage continued its smooth journey, but inside, springtime warmth and ambiguity were already rising.

...

Back in the courtyard, Su Xiaoyu was still feeling lightheaded.

It feels completely unreal.

She subconsciously raised her finger and gently touched her lips.

There seemed to be a lingering cool and soft feeling there, along with a hint of the prince's unique, refreshing aura.

The prince... he actually kissed her?!

But why did he kiss her?

Shouldn't he be angry and upset after learning about her relationship with Shen Moyan?

She tried hard to recall the scene inside the carriage, from his questioning to his declaration that he didn't want to leave the Marquis's mansion. Then, she saw the young master's eyes suddenly become deep and gentle, and then...

It was that sudden kiss.

Is it because I said I wanted to stay in the Marquis's mansion for life?

Su Xiaoyu thought to herself in a daze.

Suddenly, a bold and absurd idea popped into my head uncontrollably.

【Impossible! Impossible!】

Su Xiaoyu shook her head violently, trying to shake off this absurd idea.

[What is the Crown Prince's status? What is mine... He must be out of his mind, or maybe he's just teasing me on a whim?]

But his eyes were so serious... and that kiss...

Although brief, it carried an undeniable power and possessiveness, and was not at all like a joke.

Oh no! What should we do now?

How am I going to face the Crown Prince after this?

Should we pretend nothing happened?

...

Su Xiaoyu was in the room, lost in her own anxieties, struggles, and speculations.

Little did they know, Xiao Lingxi was the same.

After parting ways with Lin Wan'er, she lost all interest in seeing Shen Moyan and hurriedly returned to the Marquis's residence with a heavy heart.

She knew her older brother's temperament.

Domineering, forceful, and uncompromising. He detests subordinates making mistakes.

Especially such private exchanges, which damage the reputation of the Marquis's mansion.

Having witnessed Xiaoyu and Shen Moyan's 'indiscriminate entanglement' firsthand, given his elder brother's temper, he would surely punish Su Xiaoyu severely upon their return!

Maybe I'll punish her like I did when she was little—slap her hands, make her kneel, make her copy books…

Thinking of this, Xiao Lingxi felt a wave of unease and guilt.

Ultimately, Su Xiaoyu was forced to take the blame in order to protect her reputation.

Now that she's calmed down, the more she thinks about it, the more guilty she feels.

"Faster."

She instructed the coachman to return to the Marquis's residence as soon as possible.

After getting off the car, Xiao Lingxi inexplicably arrived at Moyunzhai and paced back and forth at the courtyard gate, peeking out cautiously.

She wanted to go in, admit her mistake, and tell the truth.

But just thinking about her older brother's cold and terrifying gaze, and the possibility that he might send her to a private school in the suburbs, made her legs feel like lead; she couldn't bring herself to step inside.

Just then, Changfeng came out of the courtyard and was somewhat surprised to see her lingering there.

"Second Miss?"

He cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Lingxi, "Do you have something to discuss with the young master?"

Xiao Lingxi was startled and quickly waved her hand, her eyes darting around.

"N-no!"

"I was just passing by, just taking a stroll..."

She took a couple of steps, forcing herself to remain calm, then couldn't help but ask, "Changfeng, have you... have you seen Su Xiaoyu? How... how is she?"

Changfeng felt that the second young lady was acting strangely today, but still answered truthfully: "Little Fish?"

"Oh, she just came back with the young master. She went straight to the courtyard as soon as she got off the carriage. She's not in the study right now."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief, then, remembering something, asked, "Did...did Big Brother say anything to Xiaoyu?"

Changfeng thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No, it's just that when Miss Xiaoyu got out of the car, she looked lost and disoriented. I called her several times but she didn't respond. I don't know if she was feeling unwell."

What? !

driven to distraction

She can't hear me when I call her?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi's heart skipped a beat, and her face immediately turned pale!

Oh no!

Xiaoyu must have been heartbroken and utterly despondent after being punished by her older brother.

She imagined Su Xiaoyu as a soulless, walking corpse.

I suddenly felt terrible.

Zisu was also a little worried and whispered, "Miss, Xiaoyu... she might be thinking of doing something rash, right?"

These words exploded in Xiao Lingxi's mind like a thunderclap, and she was immediately terrified.

"Oh no! Run!"

She didn't have time to think about whether her older brother would punish her; she lifted her skirt and ran wildly toward Su Xiaoyu's courtyard.

"Su Xiaoyu, please don't do anything foolish!"

Otherwise, she will never have peace of mind for the rest of her life!

Xiao Lingxi rushed out of Su Xiaoyu's courtyard, panting, and looked around anxiously, only to find that Su Xiaoyu was not there.

Where are they?

She started searching everywhere, and when she ran to a back garden, she indeed saw Su Xiaoyu's figure by a pond!

Su Xiaoyu was standing by the water with her back to her, leaning slightly forward, her arm seemingly reaching towards the water's surface...

"don't want--!"

Xiao Lingxi's pupils trembled.

This girl! She's clearly trying to drown herself!

Without thinking, her mind went blank, and she instinctively rushed over as fast as she could and hugged Su Xiaoyu from behind.

"Su Xiaoyu, don't jump! I'm going to apologize to my older brother!"

Su Xiaoyu was holding a handful of fish food, idly throwing it into the water, her mind still replaying the kiss in the carriage.

Startled by Xiao Lingxi's sudden hug and shout, he froze.

Before I could even react, I felt a tremendous force coming from behind!

"ah--!"

"Miss!"

Two exclamations rang out simultaneously!