Chapter 138 Talking about Marriage
A few days ago, I was so irritated by her words that I stayed in Jinzun Tower for several days. I rushed back home tonight. I originally wanted to say something to her, but seeing that she was in a bad mood, I gave up. It’s the same to talk about it in a few days. Anyway, the engagement has been called off.
Song Lingyi retracted her gaze and tilted her head, saying, "Nothing, I'm tired. Please get out now."
His sight fell on the young lady's profile, Lu Qian's eyes moved slightly, and finally he glanced at the document of annulment of engagement, turned around and left Zhilan Garden.
The next day, the eighth day, the wind and snow subsided a little.
The Pei family's carriage headed for the East City Gate after noon. There were many people who came to see Pei Zhao off, and they filled the entire city gate.
A carriage with a red tassel and a canopy came hurriedly. When the crowd saw the imperial banner on the carriage, they hurriedly made way for it.
The palace maid lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Princess Changyang, dressed in gorgeous clothes, get out of the carriage with her skirt lifted, and walk quickly towards the moon-white figure.
"Jianzhi!"
Pei Zhao turned around and saw Princess Changyang, who looked confused and lost. He bowed respectfully and said calmly, "I wonder what brings you here, Princess?"
"Can't I come and see you off if there's nothing wrong?" Princess Changyang's eyes were slightly red.
She was surprised enough to hear that the Lu and Pei families had broken off the engagement yesterday. It was only when an imperial edict came down in the evening to transfer her to Qizhou that she understood why this person broke off the engagement.
Officials in the court avoided the post of Censor-in-Chief, but he actually volunteered to go to Qizhou. He probably knew the risks of the trip and was afraid of delaying the girl from the Song family.
Pei Zhao lowered his eyes to avoid the other person's hidden and fiery gaze, and said calmly: "Of course you can, but it's windy today. Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold. Please return to the palace early."
Knowing that he was trying to avoid suspicion, Princess Changyang didn't mind. She gestured to the palace maid to bring the food box over and said with a smile, "I know you have everything you need. There are some cakes in it. If you get hungry on the way, you can fill your stomach."
Pei Zhao glanced at the food box and said, "Thank you, Princess."
"And this." Princess Changyang took out a lavender amulet and handed it to him. "This is the amulet that my mother brought back from Baohua Temple. It will ensure a safe and smooth journey for you."
Pei Zhao didn't take it, his expression calm. "Since it was brought to you by the Empress, it means so much. Princess, you should keep it for yourself."
Princess Changyang's eyes flashed with disappointment. She slowly lowered her raised hand and looked around the crowd of people seeing her off. She wondered, "Why isn't Sister Song here to see you off?"
As far as she knew, although the two families called off the engagement, their relationship did not become strained.
"We've already called off the engagement. It's normal for her not to come." Pei Zhao said expressionlessly.
"But you broke off the engagement clearly for her own good. If she was a woman with conscience and integrity, she should have waited for you to return to the capital," said Princess Changyang.
"Princess, you're wrong." Pei Zhao's tone was very normal. "There aren't so many things in this world that are taken for granted. Now that the engagement has been broken off, whatever choice she makes is hers."
"Master Xiao Pei."
Xuanfeng rode over on a tall horse, clasped his fists in greeting towards Princess Changyang, and then urged, "It's getting late, it's time to set off."
Pei Zhao nodded in agreement.
The carriages and horses continued to move forward slowly on the official road, and the farewell team surrounding the city gate tower gradually dispersed.
Not far from the city wall, there was a low-key and inconspicuous green-covered carriage parked.
A corner of the gray cloth curtain was lifted, and the pair of bright black eyes were always looking in the direction where the carriage was leaving.
"Why don't you go meet Master Pei and say goodbye in person?" Hongju frowned.
"Why would I meet him?" Song Lingyi sighed and said slowly, "Meeting him would only add to the embarrassment and trouble."
Hongqi fell silent.
The wheels rolled steadily, Song Lingyi rested her forehead against the carriage, and the shouts of the vendors filled her ears.
Halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped.
The master and servant swayed forward due to inertia and hurriedly held onto the car wall to steady themselves. "What happened?"
"Girl, there's someone blocking the road ahead."
This road wasn't a main thoroughfare in the city, so there weren't many pedestrians or vendors. Hearing someone blocking their way, the master and servant felt a pang of anxiety. Kyoto's security was fairly good, and their carriage was quite simple, so they wouldn't be robbed.
Song Lingyi opened the curtain with her slender fingers like white jade, and looked forward. She saw several black horses with shiny fur standing in front of the carriage. The strong men sitting on the horses were dressed in tight clothes and wearing swords. The formation was inexplicably familiar.
The man squeezed his legs against the horse's belly and steed the horse to the window.
"Miss, my young master is waiting for you in the teahouse."
Hong Qi leaned over and said sternly, "Who is your young master? This is the Duke's carriage. How dare you block its way?"
The man said nothing, just stared at the girl by the window in silence.
After a brief standoff, Song Lingyi sighed and compromised.
"Hongqi, just wait for me here, I'll be out soon."
"But..." Hongqi was worried.
These men were all so strong, and the so-called "young master" was definitely not a good person, but seeing that the girl should know them, Hongju didn't say anything more.
…
The teahouse is quiet.
The hall was filled with strong men in brocade clothes and carrying swords, and there were almost no other tea drinkers to be seen.
Song Lingyi followed the instructions and came to an elegant room. She hesitated for a long time before pushing the door open and entering.
The abundant afternoon sunlight shone on the man, his tall and straight body wrapped in a smoky fox fur coat. The light and dark shadows made his profile look even more profound. It was feared that there would be no other man as handsome and majestic as him in Kyoto.
Noticing that the person at the door had not moved, Xiao Mingyi shifted his gaze slightly, and his deep dark eyes met those clear autumn eyes.
Song Lingyi gathered herself together, walked in, and asked in an unnatural tone, "Your Highness, what do you want me to do?"
Xiao Mingyi knocked on the table with his fingers, motioning her to sit down.
The kettle on the small red clay stove was boiling hot. He picked up the teapot and poured water into the tea bowl to bring out the tea fragrance.
Song Lingyi slowly moved to the other end of the couch and sat down. She lowered her eyes to glance at the tea bowl he pushed over, feeling extremely puzzled.
Even Yun Yao didn’t know about this trip, let alone other people in the mansion.
In film and television dramas, it is often said that the movements in Kyoto cannot be hidden from the eyes and ears of the emperor. I thought it was an exaggeration, but I didn't expect that he even knew which route she took.
"Look at you, and by the way..." Xiao Mingyi raised his eyes and said with a smile, "Let's talk about marriage."
Song Lingyi raised her eyes.
Perhaps because she had been in a daze for two days, her mind hadn't come to its senses. She looked at him strangely, was silent for a while, and said, "What marriage? Are you here to laugh at me too?"
Xiao Mingyi's face darkened slightly. "Master Pei volunteered to go to Qizhou out of righteousness for his country and family. He canceled the engagement out of fear of delaying his beloved. You haven't done anything wrong. Who dares to laugh at you?"
Song Lingyi sneered.
That sounds nice.
She wasn't the one who fought for the greater good of her country, nor was she the one admired by everyone. If others wanted to laugh at her, they had a thousand reasons to do so.
Xiao Mingyi picked up the teacup, the moist mist enveloping his brows and eyes. He took a sip and said, "Besides, what I want to discuss with you is naturally our marriage."
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