"Young Master Xie, I feel there are some things I need to clarify with you. If I have misunderstood or overthought things, please forgive me."
Su Muxi spoke indifferently, her tone full of aloofness.
Xie Xuan smiled bitterly to himself, knowing what Su Muxi wanted to say to him, and spoke first: "I admit that I went to Jinzhou with selfish motives, but please rest assured, Your Highness, I will not do anything out of line. I will be satisfied as long as I can catch a glimpse of Your Highness from afar."
After saying that, he shrugged, pretending to be relaxed. "Besides, I really want to take this opportunity to go out and gain some experience, so I won't always be nagged by my dad at home."
Seeing that Xie Xuan had spoken so frankly, Su Muxi didn't know what else to say. She just pondered for a moment and then said, "I am pregnant with the prince's child. So please take good care of me on this journey, young master Xie."
Although Xie Xuan knew he had no chance and didn't expect Su Muxi to treat him differently, he still felt a sharp pain in his heart after hearing that Su Muxi was pregnant.
He subtly clenched his fist and said with a smile, "Of course, I will do my best to take good care of the princess, and of course, I will also help the princess drive away those disgusting people."
If he had just harbored a sliver of hope that Su Muxi had invited him onto the carriage, he now understood Su Muxi's intentions.
Miss Su agreed to let him accompany her, probably because she saw the discord between him and Qiao Ziming.
But it doesn't matter. He already disliked Qiao Ziming, and he was willing to be used as a shield by Miss Su.
At the same time, a carriage quietly emerged from the back gate of the Yong'an Prince's Mansion, taking a side road instead of the main road, heading towards Jinzhou.
Tang Yan sat in the carriage with a serious expression, but her slightly trembling hands betrayed her nervousness.
Aunt Zhong looked at Tang Yan in this state and said with a smile, "Miss Tang, relax. Although I haven't been back to Jinzhou for a long time, I grew up there and am quite familiar with the situation there. I won't delay the Princess's affairs."
“But I’ve never left the capital before. The first time I’ve left the capital is to help the princess. I’m afraid I might mess things up and harm the princess, and delay the epidemic control efforts in Fukang County.”
Tang Yan clenched her hands tightly as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly.
Xi'er trusted her so much, and she really wanted to do all this for Xi'er, but the more she thought about it, the more nervous she became.
Seeing this, Aunt Zhong smiled and took Tang Yan's hand, "It's enough that Miss Tang has this kind heart. Don't worry, I'm here with you."
Before leaving home this morning, she witnessed Tang Yan poison her maid Lan'er. She thought Tang Yan was a ruthless and decisive person, but now it seems that Tang Yan was just grateful to his princess.
Lan'er had impure thoughts, and Tang Yan was afraid that Lan'er would leak information or do something detrimental to the princess, so she poisoned her.
Although Tang Yan killed an innocent person, Aunt Zhong not only couldn't hate her, but on the contrary, she liked her more and more.
This is because Tang Yan is a grateful person who is wholeheartedly devoted to her princess.
It got dark quickly, and before nightfall, Su Muxi and her group arrived in Anping County.
The magistrate of Anping County had received the news long ago and arrived at the city gate early to personally greet them.
"I am Hu Zhi, the magistrate of Anping County, and I respectfully welcome Princess Yong'an and the heir of the Marquis of Anyang!"
Su Muxi lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the tired and hurried people on the street, and then at the obese county magistrate. She immediately developed a prejudice against Hu Zhi.
He remained silent, letting Qiao Ziming negotiate with the other party.
Upon arriving at the inn, Su Muxi frowned as she looked at the table laden with delicacies, losing all appetite.
Although Anping County is close to the capital, judging from the clothing of the people in the city, they are not very wealthy. Yet, a mere county magistrate was able to arrange such a sumptuous dinner for them, which shows that Hu Zhi, this local official, is not an honest man.
"Mu Xi, this is something I specially asked Magistrate Hu to prepare for you. It's all your favorites. See if it suits your taste."
Qiao Ziming spoke with a gentle expression, and even personally picked up a piece of fish for Su Muxi.
Smelling the fishy smell, Su Muxi suppressed her nausea and said in a deep voice, "Is Your Highness sure these are all things I like? These are clearly things Your Highness likes, yet you insist on saying they are. Your Highness really knows how to play the game!"
Qiao Ziming looked embarrassed for a moment, but quickly recovered and said matter-of-factly, "Don't you like these? I saw that you liked them when we were together before."
Qiao Ziming wanted to prepare a meal that Su Muxi liked, but after thinking for a long time, he still didn't know what Su Muxi liked to eat.
So they could only ask Hu Zhi to prepare some of the dishes he usually liked to eat.
After three years of getting to know each other, he felt that Su Muxi's tastes were probably the same as his, since he had never heard Su Muxi say she didn't like it during meals.
Su Muxi sneered: "Ha! It wasn't that I liked to eat it before, but that I had no choice. After all, no one ever asked me what I liked. If I didn't eat it, was I supposed to starve?"
One sentence made Qiao Ziming look embarrassed.
Seeing this, Xie Xuan quickly used serving chopsticks to put a piece of green vegetable on Su Muxi's plate. "After a long day of travel, Your Highness probably doesn't have much of an appetite. You should eat something light first."
As she spoke, she served Su Muxi another bowl of chicken soup and thoughtfully skimmed off the oil from it.
Bai Zhi laughed from the side, "Young Master Xie is so thoughtful. With you here, it seems like I, as a maid, am useless."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan did not continue to fawn over Su Muxi. Instead, he put down the soup bowl and smiled at Bai Zhi, saying, "Miss Bai Zhi is too kind. I was just trying to put myself in her shoes. How could I compare to the thoughtful care you provide?"
As she spoke, she gave Qiao Ziming a provocative look, "I'm just a little better than some self-righteous people!"
"Smack!"
Qiao Ziming slammed his chopsticks on the table, making quite a noise.
"Xie Xuan! Who are you calling arrogant!"
Xie Xuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Qiao Ziming with a half-smile, saying, "Whoever answers is whoever they are, after all, I didn't name names!"
Qiao Ziming glared at Xie Xuan with hatred, then looked at Su Muxi with a wronged expression. However, Su Muxi didn't even glance at him, but just sipped the bowl of chicken soup that Xie Xuan had just served her.
"Ha! Very good!"
After Qiao Ziming finished speaking with a cold laugh, he turned around and walked out.
After leaving the courtyard, he beckoned to a guard, whispered something in his ear, and then revealed a satisfied smile.
Xie Xuan, you just wait and see!
Tonight, I'll make Su Muxi completely despise you!
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