Chapter 251 Green Tea Meng Xi
Xiao Yeming ignored him and turned to Lu Zhaoruo, whispering, "Madam Lu, Princess Yongfu has been waiting over there for a long time, wanting to discuss riding and archery with you. Let's go over there."
Lu Zhaoruo nodded in agreement: "Okay."
Seeing that the two were about to turn and leave, Meng Xi calmly spoke again: "General Xiao, why are you so aloof? I was merely exchanging a few words with an old friend, and you act as if I were facing a formidable enemy... Could it be that you fear that someone as idle as me might disturb your and your wife's... 'important business'?"
He deliberately paused slightly on the word "important matter," but looked at Lu Zhaoruo with feigned innocence.
Xiao Yeming paused in his steps.
Lu Zhaoruo sighed inwardly, Meng Xi's actions were truly unusual.
He has always been arrogant and distant towards me, so what is his intention in this current entanglement?
She couldn't help but turn to look at Meng Xi, but her gaze suddenly stopped as it swept over him.
Today he was wearing a dark blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, the color like an empty mountain after rain, and the patterns like flowing clouds.
This robe was a gift she gave me years ago in Jizhou City.
He accepted it with a nonchalant expression, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, which she assumed meant he might not think much of it.
I never expected that he would wear it on such an occasion.
Meng Xi followed her gaze and lowered his eyes, straightening his robe sleeves. His tone was languid and suggestive: "Is Madam Lu looking at this dress? I am very pleased with it. Thank you for your trouble in the past."
He paused slightly, his gaze lingering on her face, his voice low and intimate: "You fit so well, it's as if you personally tailored this for me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming, who was standing beside Lu Zhaoruo, remained expressionless, but his gaze suddenly darkened, and his aura turned colder.
Meng Xi seemed oblivious, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yeming. Feigning surprise, he added a touch of innocent sharpness to his tone: "Eh? Why does General Xiao look so displeased? Could it be..."
He drew out his words and slowly uttered the most fatal question: "Could it be that the general and Lady Lu are so familiar with each other, visiting each other almost every day, yet he has never had the honor of having a dress made by the lady herself?"
Xiao Ye felt as if a fine needle had pricked his heart.
He had no idea when Sister Lu had ever made clothes for this person, and now this person was even wearing them in front of him.
Looking at myself, I have never received any clothes sewn by her own hands.
A hint of grievance flashed across his pale face, but he quickly concealed it. He didn't look at Meng Xi, but instead focused his gaze on Lu Zhaoruo: "Zhaoruo, His Highness has been waiting for a long time. Don't let trivial matters delay you."
After saying that, he gently patted her arm, indicating that they should go together.
Lu Zhaoruo was slightly taken aback by his slightly intimate "Zhaoruo," but then she realized that he had been provoked by Meng Xi.
The reason she gave him the clothes was as simple as it gets.
So she smiled gently, her expression calm and composed, and looked at Meng Xi with an open and generous air: "Young Master Meng, you flatter me. When I gave you the clothes in the past, it was only because I wanted to ask you about someone that I gave you the clothes from the embroidery pavilion."
Her gaze swept over the robe, and she said, "Since you are dressed so well, if you ever feel like getting some new clothes, Yunshang Pavilion will be happy to welcome you."
After speaking, he nodded slightly and was about to turn around.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeming smiled.
How could Meng Xi allow her to escape so easily? He immediately raised his voice, loud enough for everyone around to hear: "Lady Lu, please wait! Two months ago, I accidentally fell into the water, and fortunately, you bravely jumped into the lake to save me. This kindness is heavier than Mount Tai, and I will never forget it!"
He changed the subject, his tone becoming concerned yet seemingly meaningful: "But my wife's clothes were soaked that day. I wonder if everything was alright after she returned home? Did it cause any gossip? If it has damaged my wife's reputation, I will be held responsible even if I die a thousand deaths!"
Lu Zhaoruo didn't expect him to bring this up.
Glancing at Xiao Yeming beside her, whose face was slightly flushed with anger, she smiled helplessly and looked at Meng Xi: "Young Master Meng, you are overthinking it. The situation was critical that day, and saving lives was the priority. Your loyal servant handled it properly, so there was no inconvenience. As for your reputation—"
Her eyes were clear, and her tone was frank: "A righteous heart is naturally pure, so why fear rumors and disturbances? It is a person's duty to help others and do what is right. Even if the person who fell into the water was a stranger, I would still lend a helping hand. If you, Young Master Meng, are truly grateful for this kindness, you should do more good deeds in the future, which would be the best way to repay you."
He finished speaking.
She turned her head to look at Xiao Yeming, her gaze gentle: "A-Ming, let's go, don't keep Princess Yongfu waiting."
The way he called out "Ah Ming" was so natural and affectionate that Xiao Yeming's heart skipped a beat, and his ears instantly turned a light red.
He was young and promising, but his understanding of romantic love was as blank as a sheet of paper. At this moment, he was at a loss and just stared at her blankly.
Just before turning away, he couldn't help himself. His gaze swept over Meng Xi, and a hint of youthful smugness flashed in his eyes.
After Lu Zhaoruo finished speaking, she was also taken aback, and the tips of her ears felt slightly hot.
She hadn't expected that she would blurt out such a private term of endearment in an attempt to comfort him.
Meng Xi stood there, watching the two figures walk away side by side. The distant words of Lu Zhaoruo and that jarring "Ah Ming" still lingered in his ears. He felt as if something was blocking his chest, making him feel suffocated.
Today, he was completely different from his usual arrogant self. He didn't speak ill of me or show any contempt. This was an unprecedented initiative to make amends.
Why...why is she treating him with even greater distance and indifference than before?
He had inquired about it.
Back when Lu Zhaoruo was temporarily staying at the Xiao residence, Madam Xiao took the initiative to arrange a marriage between Xiao Yeming and Lu Zhaoruo. However, Xiao Yeming refused in public. Since he refused, it must have been unintentional. However, the things that happened afterward did not seem to be unintentional.
but.
Since the two of them are not together.
Then Meng Xi would naturally have a chance.
On the other side.
Princess Yongfu, dressed in a smart riding outfit, frequently craned her neck to look around, eagerly searching for that slender figure in the bustling crowd.
“Brother Gu…he said he would come.”
She murmured to herself, her clear eyes filled with anticipation and worry.
Lu Zhaoruo walked to her side, gently took her hand, and said softly, "Your Highness, rest assured, since Young Master Gu has promised, he will definitely come."
Anzhai.
Gu Xian, leaning against the door frame, burst into a fit of coughing, his frail body trembling like a withered leaf in the wind.
He hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and when he caught his breath, the snow-white silk handkerchief was stained with a glaring crimson.
"Xian'er!"
An Linglong rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing the bloodstains on his palms and his pale face, she felt sorry for him and supported him. "It's windy today. With your health, you absolutely mustn't go to that garden! Take good care of yourself at home. His Highness Yongfu will understand."
Gu Xian leaned against the door, his breath weak, and his vision blurred.
He knew perfectly well that his aunt was right. At this moment, he could barely stand, so how could he possibly go to the bustling autumn hunting grounds?
However, he could picture Yongfu looking up at him with her bright, starry eyes that day, asking in a clear voice, "Brother Gu, will... will you come to see me?"
Those pure, hopeful eyes were like an invisible thread, tightly binding him.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the churning blood in his throat, his voice hoarse but unusually firm: "Erzhong...prepare the car."
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