The two bumped into each other, and at the same time, Dongfang Youyu saw the little figure not far away. A smile appeared on his lips as he strolled towards Xi Xizhi.
"I didn't expect to run into you while just strolling around." Dongfang Youyu spoke with a touch of gentleness, his elegant attire untouched by the murky atmosphere of the palace, as if he were simply a noble young master born into a prominent family, who had never been involved in the cruel struggles within the palace.
However, it was precisely this point that told Xi Xizhi that he was a very good at disguising himself. Such people are often extremely patient.
He and An Honghan look very similar, except that the masks they wear are completely opposite.
One is gentle and refined, the other is cold and ruthless.
Xi Xizhi's opinion of this person is complex.
Just as An Honghan said, this person is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface. His smiling, handsome face is a perfect match for a smiling tiger. And last time, when he helped her, Xi Xizhi was especially grateful.
As Xi Xizhi spoke, she couldn't help but soften her tone, "Your Highness, what a refined taste you have. How did you end up here while taking a stroll?"
Dongfang Youyu smiled faintly, his folding fan creating a cool breeze. "What if I said that I didn't just wander here by chance?"
His words were quite thought-provoking, and the two guards behind him also looked deep in thought. Lately, whenever His Highness the Crown Prince had free time, he would always stroll along the green lawn. To be honest, apart from the lush green grass, there wasn't anything particularly attractive about the place. They really couldn't understand their prince's thoughts; what was it about this place that made him linger?
Xi Xizhi was at a loss for words. After a long pause, she asked, "Then what brings you here?"
Dongfang Youyu looked around and sighed deeply, seemingly because he didn't see what he was hoping for.
"I have nothing to hide from you. Do you know about the Phoenix Cloud Sable that His Majesty keeps? I encountered it here once. The sable was very cute and extremely endearing. Since I have nothing to do in the palace anyway, I thought I would come here to wait and see if the sable would come again."
Xi Xizhi was stunned for a moment before realizing that Dongfang Youyu had come for her. A hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, and Xi Xizhi asked, "Is that ferret really that cute? I heard that An Honghan also likes it very much?"
Hearing the other party call An Honghan by his real name, Dongfang Youyu was surprised for a moment, then laughed and shook the folding fan in his hand vigorously, "Isn't it cute? That mink is very intelligent, especially its pair of watery eyes. Anyone who looks at it will soften their heart."
Dongfang Youyu's gaze suddenly fell on the little girl's deep blue eyes. He seemed to be thinking about something, and then slowly and seriously said, "Speaking of eyes, your eyes are very similar to those of that ferret. They are both deep blue, like precious gems."
Dongfang Youyu didn't hold back in praising him.
The two guards behind him were speechless with astonishment. His Highness the Crown Prince was taking half an hour every day to come here, just to see that sable...
It should be noted that they still have many unfinished tasks in Fengze Kingdom, such as searching for the Grand Preceptor's whereabouts, for which they have yet to find a single clue.
"Your Highness, I heard that the Phoenix Cloud Sable has been missing for two or three days. There's no point in you waiting here." One of the guards reminded him, fearing that His Highness might delay important matters.
Dongfang Youyu's expression darkened, as if blaming his subordinate for meddling.
"It's quite a coincidence, the Phoenix Cloud Sable disappeared on the very day you arrived." Dongfang Youyu seemed to adore the Phoenix Cloud Sable, and when he said this, there was even a hint of regret in his voice. "Otherwise, you would definitely have fallen in love with that sable after you saw it. How could a sable that could be cherished by the emperor of Fengze Kingdom be ordinary?"
Xi Xizhi's expression was unnatural, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
She thought to herself, "If I look in the mirror, I'll see that mink every day!"
She simply didn't realize how likable she was.
Besides, An Honghan never cherished her; he only enjoyed bullying her day and night.
The voice of resistance within Xi Xi grew fainter and fainter as she gradually recalled how, every time she was bullied, An Honghan would avenge her and get revenge; every time she was injured, An Honghan would personally apply medicine for her. And the Phoenix Golden Scale Fish—such a precious fish, yet An Honghan was willing to let her eat it. Bathing her, dressing her, grooming her—An Honghan had done everything for her.
Considering all this, it seems that An Honghan has indeed treated it very well.
And so, the little brat felt ashamed.
"After His Highness's introduction, I'm also eager to meet him," Xi Xizhi said, feigning interest.
Dongfang Youyu waved his folding fan and smiled slightly, "No rush, there will always be an opportunity. In my opinion, after Fengyun Diao disappeared, His Majesty did not rush to look for her, so he must know where Fengyun Diao is. Therefore, we will be able to meet her in the future."
Xi Xizhi looked at him with newfound respect. No wonder he was the Crown Prince of Luyun Kingdom! He was able to guess to this extent.
"That's true." Xi Xizhi always felt a little guilty talking about her own affairs with others, especially when they were unaware of her situation. Remembering An Honghan's words about avoiding contact with Dongfang Youyu, Xi Xizhi was considering leaving to avoid getting involved with Dongfang Youyu.
"I'll head back now. If Your Highness wishes to continue sightseeing, I'm afraid I cannot keep you company any longer." Xi Xizhi tried her best to be polite when she spoke. She had learned almost all of these phrases from An Honghan, watching him deal with the ministers every day, and gradually she had picked them up herself.
Just as Xi Xizhi was about to leave, Dongfang Youyu suddenly called out to her, "Wait, how should I address you?"
Dongfang Youyu spoke very politely.
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, and besides, Dongfang Youyu wasn't making things difficult for her, so Xi Xizhi said, "My name is Xi Xizhi."
Dongfang Youyu repeated the words to himself and smiled, "In three days, Fengxianju will be holding a food tasting competition. I wonder if you'd be interested?"
Xi Xizhi immediately stopped in her tracks. The name of Fengxianju was renowned and well-known. Anyone who came to the capital and did not eat there would have wasted their trip.
Looking at the smile on Dongfang Youyu's lips, Xi Xizhi felt that he was not simple.
Why would a prince invite a little kid like you to dinner? Xi Xizhi didn't dare to agree immediately, afraid that the other party might play some tricks.
His bright eyes flickered again and again.
It's no wonder Xi Xizhi was suspicious; this was the imperial palace, a palace that devoured people without spitting out their bones.
Dongfang Youyu also noticed something amiss, but he didn't give up. He continued, "This food tasting competition is only held once every five years. If you don't want to go, you'll have to wait five years. I heard that the winner will receive a reward of one thousand taels of silver."
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