Chapter 2: Seeing Each Other But Not Hearing Each Other (2) He can’t die here! …
A tall figure walked into the hall.
The man was dressed in a dark brocade robe, its dark patterns faintly visible in the light and shadow. His features were as clear as a painting, a smile lingering on his lips, yet a rushing wind enveloped him, giving him an invisible sense of oppression.
Meng Xuanli's heart was in turmoil, and he lowered his head. He only heard his father hurriedly approaching, his voice full of flattery: "Your Highness, may you be well. I've been waiting for you."
Prince?
No wonder Meng Xiuyu pretended to be sick and refused to come. It turned out that he was Lu Guanque.
Lu Guanque's eyes were like deep water. He nodded slightly and calmly sat down in the armchair at the top: "Lord Meng, there is no need to be so formal." His voice was clear, his pronunciation was distinct, and his aura was steady and lingering.
This...isn't he a dying person?!
Meng Xuanli looked up curiously, his gaze meeting the other person's deep eyes. Those eyes were unfamiliar, yet held an elusive warmth, like a lotus in bloom in summer.
She felt slightly embarrassed and hurriedly looked away to look at her father.
Meng Zhongliang glanced at him anxiously. Meng Xuanli had no choice but to step forward, clear his throat, and bow as required: "My Lord, are you well?"
"Um."
Lu Guanque's gaze lingered on her earlobe for a moment, then he turned to Meng Zhongliang and said with a cryptic tone, "The second young lady is here, but why isn't your eldest young lady here?"
"My Lord," Meng Zhongliang said, sweat oozing from his forehead, "My daughter Xiuyu... has caught a cold recently and hasn't recovered yet. I'm afraid I might pass the disease on to you, so I haven't dared to come and see you."
Upon hearing this, Lu Guanque straightened his sleeves and said slowly, "That's fine. In that case, I should go and visit him."
"This..." Meng Zhongliang's smile froze on his face, and he said quickly, "We've prepared some light wine in the hall. Your Excellency has been traveling so long, why don't you have dinner first?"
"No rush."
Lu Guanque's voice deepened, implying that he would not tolerate any further discussion. "We can discuss this matter again after I have visited your daughter."
Meng Xuanli stood at one side, watching his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose. Finally, he could not hold back any longer, and with the help of the flow of light and shadow, he quietly raised his eyes and glanced at Lu Guanque.
Although this person's lips are pale in color, they are moist and shiny, clearly a sign of abundant energy and blood, and even revealing the demeanor of a pine-like crane.
No matter how you look at it, he doesn't look like someone who is about to die.
Could it be...
He is all show and no substance?
Or is it that he is suffering from a hidden illness or injury, and his fate is uncertain?
Just as she was pondering, she heard the clear voice again, and her eyes fell directly on her: "In that case, I'll have to trouble the second young lady to lead the way for me."
Meng Xuanli suddenly became suspicious: Why would he specifically ask her to lead the way?
She looked at her father, but saw that Meng Zhongliang looked a little guilty. He only said, "This..."
Then he urged in a low voice: "Go quickly!"
Meng Xuanli nodded helplessly. Just as he was about to take a step forward, he heard Lu Guanque's deep voice order, "Uncle De."
"Go with Lord Meng and bring in the boxes from the carriage outside." Lu Guanque turned his gaze to Meng Zhongliang and said indifferently, "My father is far away in Chang'an and cannot attend to you. This time, I, your nephew, have no choice but to come to your house in person to discuss marriage."
"I hope Master Meng will not blame me for being rude."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhongliang felt as if he had been pardoned and bowed: "No, no, it's a great honor for my humble family to have the prince come in person!" After that, he lowered his head and led the steward named Uncle De out in a hurry.
In the huge hall, there were only two of us facing each other.
Meng Xuanli stood with his head lowered, feeling uncomfortable all over, even the air seemed stagnant.
It turned out that he came today to discuss his marriage with Meng Xiuyu, but he didn't know that his father was planning to replace the original with the fake.
Suddenly, Lu Guanque chuckled softly. Meng Xuanli joined in the laughter, thinking he was about to get up, so he stepped forward to lead him.
Unexpectedly, he spoke lazily, his voice a little weak: "I've been talking for a while, and I feel a little weak. Please help me, Miss."
help?
Meng Xuanli's heart sank: It seems that this person is really empty inside and is just putting on a show.
Whatever, he is a patient after all.
Meng Xuanli walked to his side, but hesitated to extend her hand. Lu Guanque's eyes moved, landing on her slightly curled fingertips.
He asked gently, "Why? Do you dislike me?"
"My Lord, you are too polite. How dare I?" Meng Xuanli blinked and had to gently hold the arm he offered and help him up.
She was afraid that he would lose his balance, so she focused on her feet and was completely unaware that the deep gaze above her head was tracing her drooping brows.
Lu Guanque's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly covered his lips and coughed softly. Meng Xuanli's hands trembled with fear, and he asked anxiously, "My Lord, what's wrong with you?"
"It's okay." Lu Guanque calmly withdrew his hand, forced a faint smile, followed her steps, and slowly walked towards the backyard.
Oh my God!
If this person moves, everything will seem to fall apart. I'm afraid it's not going to be good.
You won’t even make it through this year, right?!
Before he could finish his thought, a muffled sound suddenly came from his side!
Meng Xuanli turned his head quickly and saw Lu Guanque staggering, swaying like a fallen leaf in the wind.
"My Lord!"
Meng Xuanli turned pale, reached out to grab his wide sleeves, and opened her mouth to call for help.
"Don't...don't make it public..."
Lu Guanque took advantage of the situation and grabbed her wrist through her sleeve. His strength was surprisingly steady, but his tone remained gentle: "Help me get to the pavilion and rest for a while."
God...
He hasn't even taken a few steps and he's already in this state. Can his body really hold up until he gets married?
Besides, this place is extremely quiet and there is no one around. If something happens to him here, she won't be able to explain herself even if she grows mouths all over her body.
He can't die here!
Meng Xuanli's eyes were filled with worry. Seeing that he was still able to move, he could only hold his breath and concentrate, and helped him to the pavilion not far away.
"Are you really alright?" she inquired earnestly, her words falling as fast as pearls on a jade tray. "Are you feeling a tightness in your chest? Or are you dizzy? How about I send for a doctor right away?"
This barrage of concern made Lu Guanque's forehead twitch slightly. He lowered his head, supporting his chin with one hand, and a barely perceptible smile crossed his lips.
Seeing him holding his face and remaining silent, Meng Xuanli thought that he was dying and would die soon, so he turned around to find a doctor.
"Need not."
The word "Liangliang" sounded behind her, and her sleeve was gently grasped by the person in the pavilion.
"It was just a trip." There was a barely perceptible hint of mischief in Lu Guanque's voice.
Meng Xuanli's wide sleeves were still being pulled by him, but the force was better than nothing. She turned around blankly: "I am afraid of you, my lord..."
"Are you afraid that I will die here?" Lu Guanque's eyes were serious, locking onto her trembling eyelashes.
Meng Xuanli smiled awkwardly.
"Don't be afraid. I know my body well. It's fine."
Meng Xuanli stared at the bony, slender, and powerful hand on his sleeve, knowing full well that such a touch was against etiquette.
She decisively pulled back her sleeves and forced a faint smile on her face: "It's my fault for not thinking things through. I'll pour the prince a cup of tea to calm his nerves."
"Your maiden name," Lu Guanque suddenly changed the subject, his eyes burning, "is it Xuanli?"
Meng Xuanli was stunned by his question and nodded blankly.
"Are there any small characters?" he asked again.
Meng Xuanli shook his head, feeling completely baffled: "Why is the prince asking this?"
Lu Guanque stared into her eyes, his lips curled up slightly: "In that case, I will call you Ali, okay?"
Meng Xuanli was about to sit down, but when he heard this, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
The air flowing in front of him seemed to suddenly become boiling hot, like hot oil flowing in a lamp, which would cause blisters all over his body with just a slight touch.
Lu Guanque looked at her meaningfully with deep eyes: "No?"
"You can call me Young Master as you like." Meng Xuanli forced a smile and then asked tentatively, "Young Master, has this illness been with you since you were a child?"
Lu Guanque's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was reminiscing. After a moment, he said, "It's a heart disease I contracted five years ago."
Heart disease?
Meng Xuanli looked at his expression. Since it was a heart disease, it must be extremely dangerous.
In addition to what happened just now, I think he really can't survive this year.
"My Lord, have you been taking medicine recently? What is the prescription?" She couldn't help but ask.
"It's just a few herbs prescribed by the imperial physician," Lu Guanque said indifferently, "If you keep hanging like this, you won't feel well any longer."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across her face. "So, when you're out and about, you always need someone to take care of you."
Meng Xuanli lowered his head, a wave of pity suddenly filling his heart. It turned out that this precious prince had been plagued by illness for five years, not only tempering his youthful ambition but also hollowing out his inner self.
It's really pitiful that it has become like this in such a glorious time.
"It's getting late." Lu Guanque said calmly, interrupting her thoughts, "Let's go to the flower hall."
"The Flower Hall?" Meng Xuanli was stunned. "Isn't the prince going to visit my elder sister?"
Lu Guanque's eyes fell on her face, his expression was complicated and difficult to read, and he said lightly: "Let's go to the flower hall."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Meng Xuanli was also happy not to see Meng Xiuyu. He stepped forward again and helped him up. Still worried, he asked, "Is it really not necessary to ask a doctor to check on the prince's health?"
"Um."
Lu Guanque responded, but his eyes were deeply locked on her profile.
Those eyes seemed to contain a thousand thoughts, with undercurrents surging, but in the end, they all turned into a calm tide.
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