Chapter 027 Chapter 27

A small house among flowers.

Xie Pingan left after finishing his meal.

Normally he would stay to talk with Xie Changning and then go back to read.

But Xie Qingya is here today.

In order to avoid a dispute with Xie Qingya and upset his younger sister, Xie Pingan finally decided to leave first.

The remaining dishes on the table had already been cleared away by Fuqiu.

Fuqiu made two more cups of tea for the brother and sister.

Xie Changning still wanted a cup of refreshing and sweet honey fruit peel tea. After all, she was still a child and naturally liked this kind of sweet things.

Xie Qingya's was replaced with a cup of Wuyishan black tea.

Drinking black tea at night will not cause you to have trouble sleeping.

But Xie Qingya didn't seem to want to drink.

He now spends less time with his brothers and sisters. He really doesn't know how to get along with them and is afraid to face them.

Although my younger sister did not blame him for harming his father and brother like Ping An did.

But he still felt guilty.

Even as for his younger sister's current stuttering, Xie Qingya felt that it was due to him.

If he had spent more time on his younger sister, instead of being immersed in regret and pain every day...

How did my little sister become like this?

So how should he deal with it?

How could he face her?

If she treated him coldly and hated him like Ping An did, perhaps he would feel more at ease.

But my little sister is still the same as before...

This made him even more confused about how to get along with her.

Xie Qingya heaved a sigh in his heart, he just couldn't face it.

Finally, he was ready to go.

"You take a rest. I'm leaving first." Xie Qingya said as he stood up.

Xie Changning's little face was immediately filled with reluctance and attachment.

But she had been well-behaved and sensible since she was a child, not to mention that her family had become like this now, so she didn't dare to ask for anything. Even if she was reluctant, she couldn't do anything to keep him. She could only reluctantly say to Xie Qingya: "I, I will take my second brother out."

Xie Qingya wanted to refuse.

Seeing that she had stood up, she was looking at him expectantly.

Afraid of hurting her by rejecting me.

Xie Qingya didn't say anything.

The brother and sister walked out.

When they reached the courtyard, Xie Qingya refused to let Xie Changning see him off.

"Come in."

He stopped to talk to Xie Changning.

Xie Changning did not insist this time. He just looked at him expectantly and dependently as usual, and stammered, "Second brother, can you come and have dinner with me and my third brother in the future?"

"I, I want to have dinner with my second brother."

Xie Changning held her skirt with both hands, stood in the corridor, looked up, and mustered up the courage to speak to Xie Qingya.

Xie Qingya looked at Xie Changning's expectant face.

She did not refuse directly in front of Xie Changning, but just looked at him and said, "If I have time, I will."

Although it was not a clear affirmation, it was enough to make Xie Changning happy.

"good!"

She nodded with sparkling eyes.

She still had some thoughts of her own, so she continued to look at Xie Qingya and asked, "Then, then can I call you sister-in-law, sister-in-law, together from now on?"

Xie Qingya frowned.

Obviously, I didn't expect Xie Changning to say such a thing.

He was silent for a moment.

"Second brother, is it possible?" Xie Changning looked up at him and asked again, his heartbeat gradually speeding up.

She was also a little nervous.

She was afraid that her second brother would reject her directly.

Xie Qingya pursed his dry lips in silence, then looked at her and said in a deep voice: "If she is willing."

Although it is the same as the previous question, there is no direct answer.

But I didn’t refuse!

This is enough to make Xie Changning happy!

The smile on Xie Changning's face deepened. This time, without waiting for Xie Qingya to say anything, Xie Changning took the initiative to say, "Then, then, second brother, you go back first. I, I'll go in!"

"Second brother, take good rest. No, don't be too tired." She showed concern for Xie Qingya again before going into the house.

Xie Changning walked very fast.

She was afraid that her second brother would reject her proposal later in the evening.

Xie Qingya watched her leave.

Xie Qingya could feel her joy even from her back.

I thought Changning and Ping'an had forgotten her over the years, or even if they remembered, they would not treat her the same way as before.

That's why he rushed over just now, because he was afraid that Ping An would hurt her.

I didn’t expect…

Changning still likes her so much.

Just like when she was a child, she pulled his sleeve and asked him to marry Xu Duanyi so that she could see Xu Duanyi every day.

Unexpectedly, he actually married Xu Duanyi.

But... things and people have changed.

Some things are no longer the same as they used to be.

"Take care of your girl."

Before leaving, Xie Qingya and Fuqiu, who was waiting on the side, gave some instructions.

Hearing Fuqiu bow her head and respond.

Xie Qingya did not stay any longer and turned around to leave the Flower House.

After going out, Xie Qingya walked towards a familiar path out of habit. Halfway through, he suddenly remembered that this was the road leading to Linfeng Pavilion.

But now, he no longer lives in Linfeng Pavilion.

Long eyebrows wrinkled.

Xie Qingya consciously turned around and walked towards the study.

But the footsteps stopped the next moment.

There are lanterns hanging far away from the path, some distance away.

The moon was not very bright tonight, with only a little light shining on Xie Qingya's body, but actually nothing could be seen.

All I could see was him lowering his head, his brows looking a little furrowed.

I don’t know what I’m thinking.

Time passed little by little, but Xie Qingya remained motionless.

It was unknown how long it took before his body finally moved. In the end, Xie Qingya still walked towards the road leading to Linfeng Pavilion.

Don't want others to find out.

Xie Qingya deliberately avoided people and walked towards Linfeng Pavilion.

When he arrived outside the Linfeng Pavilion, Xie Qingya did not go in. Instead, he touched the ground with his toes, jumped up, and sat directly on a big tree outside the Linfeng Pavilion.

The dense leaves just concealed his figure in the darkness.

The high angle of view was enough for him to see the scenery inside the courtyard wall clearly.

The window was open.

Xie Qingya could see Xu Duanyi inside the window.

She was sitting on the couch by the window.

Xie Qingya has practiced martial arts since he was young and has excellent eyesight. Even from such a distance, he can see what Xu Duanyi is doing.

Xu Duanyi is mounting the painting he painted today.

——The peach tree in Linfeng Pavilion.

Suddenly, she paused, as if subconsciously, and looked up to the window.

Heading towards the direction where Xie Qingya is.

Even though I knew Xu Duanyi couldn't possibly see it.

But at this moment, Xie Qingya's figure sitting on the thick tree trunk froze uncontrollably.

"Master, what are you looking at?"

Bixi and Shiyu, who were beside Xu Duanyi, saw her action and looked outside as well.

But there was nothing special outside.

It was pitch black, and apart from the lantern, only the shadows of the trees could be seen.

Xu Duanyi couldn't explain.

She just felt like someone was watching her outside.

But when she looked around, there was no one there. She laughed and shook her head: "Go ahead, finish it tonight, and hang it up tomorrow after drying it."

As she spoke, she continued to work without looking outside again.

I just thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me.

The lamp stand beside the table cast a warm yellow light, and Xu Duanyi's already gentle face was enveloped in it, as if she herself was also covered by a layer of soft light.

This night.

Xu Duanyi was busy until very late before falling asleep.

When Shi Yu was about to close the window, he suddenly frowned and looked outside.

Bixi had closed several other windows and saw Shiyu standing there stiffly, looking outside. She didn't know what he was thinking, with a frown on his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

After saying that, Bixi also looked outside in the direction of her sight.

But she couldn't see anything unusual.

"Wait for me first."

After Shi Yu finished speaking, he walked out holding his sword without caring about Bi Xi's reaction.

She just saw a dark shadow, but she didn't know if she was seeing things.

Planning to go outside and take a look.

"Shigure——"

Bixi didn't know what she was going to do, so she shouted in a low voice.

As her master was still awake, she did not dare to speak loudly. She could only close the window and follow him out.

Go outside.

Shigure also came back.

Bixi lowered her voice and asked her, "What happened?"

Shi Yu frowned and said, "I just saw a black shadow. Maybe I saw it wrongly."

She went out and looked carefully, and checked all around, but found nothing unusual.

Bixi felt frightened when she heard her say that. She looked outside the yard and could only see the shadows of the trees swaying. This scene made her feel even more frightened.

She quickly grabbed Shi Yu's arm and said, "Don't say scary things at this time of night."

When Shi Yu saw her like this, the serious expression on his face disappeared and he returned to his usual self.

She said with a smile: "You coward, since you are so scared, I will keep watch tonight."

"Then if I go back, won't I still be alone?" Bixi glared at her, but she didn't want to let her go, and she didn't want to keep watch alone. "You keep watch with me tonight."

Shi Yu naturally had no objection.

She can sleep anywhere.

She nodded without any hesitation and agreed.

The two of them walked back while talking.

Shi Yu was making the bed in the outer room, while Bi Xi went in to see if her master had gone to bed.

"What happened?"

Xu Duanyi was about to fall asleep. When he heard the noise coming in, he opened his eyes and asked Bixi.

Bixi did not hide the truth from her and told her the truth: "Shiyu said he saw a shadow, but after he went out, he saw nothing."

Xu Duanyi didn't think much after hearing her say this: "Maybe it's a wild cat from somewhere."

She was very tired.

Maybe it was because of the calming incense lit in the room, my eyelids were already drooping, and now as I was talking, my eyes closed completely.

Seeing that she had fallen asleep, Bi Xi did not dare to disturb her anymore.

He let down the bed curtain for the man and walked out quietly.

"Master is asleep?"

When Shi Yu saw her coming out, he also asked in a low voice.

Seeing Bixi nodded, Shiyu didn't say anything.

The two of them tidied up and went to sleep outside.

…

the other side.

Xie Qingya has returned to the study.

這會夜已經深了，令吉抱着刀靠着憑欄，已經在打瞌睡了。

聽到外頭傳來的動靜，他倒是立刻就睜開了眼睛，定睛一看，是王爺！

他一邊揉着眼睛站了起來，一邊迷迷瞪瞪看着謝清崖問道：“王爺，您怎麽回來這麽遲？”

謝清崖自然不可能與他說實情。

見他困得不行，也只是發話：“你下去歇息吧。”

“……噢。”

令吉也不是愛多問的性子，何況他這會困得很，大腦早已失去運作了，只想回去躺着。

本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　“那我下去歇息了。”

謝清崖嗯一聲，要進去的時候，想到什麽，又吩咐一句：“明日要進宮，你明早起來，吩咐人把馬車準備好。”

三日回門。

本該去武安侯府。

本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　可武安侯不在京都，武安侯府也就只有幾個下人。

這回門日便成了進宮的日子。

何況他跟徐端宜本就是賜婚，于情于理，都是要進宮一趟的。

他也已經很久沒見陛下了，明日想來能見上面。

但曹達的眼線，肯定會死盯着他，好探查他如今的情況。

想到曹達。

謝清崖臉色又是一沉。

令吉答應着退了出去，謝清崖也沉默着走進了書房。

簡單梳洗一遍。

謝清崖躺在書房的坐床上。

坐床雖然不比他在臨風閣中的拔步床，但比之昨夜他睡得躺椅，已稱得上足夠寬敞了。

可昨夜睡到躺椅上，他倒頭就能睡着。

今日睡在這張明顯要寬敞富裕許多的坐床上，謝清崖竟是輾轉難眠許久也未曾睡着。

最後還是出去練了一套劍。

等到累極了，他才又擦洗一番上床。

這次倒是終于能睡着了，但也睡得夠累，沉沉閉上眼睛，就又夢見了那些他不願面對的事。

*

翌日便是回門日。

徐端宜昨夜睡得倒是挺好。

本以為睡在那張不熟悉的拔步床上，她會睡不着。

沒想到她竟一夜無夢，睡得極好，今早起來，精神也是倍感舒暢。

本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　今日要進宮。

未免姨母擔心，徐端宜一早就起來梳洗了。

鄧姑姑也來回了話，說是東西都已經準備好了。

進宮不比別處，許多東西，按着規矩，都是不能帶進去的，但也不能什麽都不帶，免得昭裕太後對他們心生不滿。

覺得他們沒規矩。

鄧姑姑也是提前問了徐端宜，參考了她的意見，方才給昭裕太後準備了見面的禮物。

免得準備的不好，也惹那位太後娘娘不喜歡。

吃完早膳，徐端宜問鄧姑姑：“姑姑，王爺那邊……”

徐端宜最為擔心的還是謝清崖，她怕謝清崖不肯去。

鄧姑姑知道她要問什麽，忙道：“王爺已經起來了，奴婢剛才去看過，王爺都已經準備好了，就等着您這好了，一道去呢。”

說完，她又跟徐端宜補充了一句：“馬車還是王爺親自吩咐的。”

她是想跟王妃說，王爺并沒有不上心。

徐端宜聽她這麽說，總算松了口氣。

還好，這些大事情上，謝清崖還不至于故意做什麽。

不然她也沒法跟姨母交待。

正好她也已經吃完早膳了，進宮也有不短的路程，徐端宜算着時間便起身道：“我也好了，走吧。”

徐端宜讓時雨留下。

自己帶着碧溪，走出了臨風閣。

鄧姑姑陪同在一側，打算送她到照壁處。

走到照壁處，馬車已經準備好了。

因要進宮，不好帶随從，便由昌豐代替了車夫趕車。

看到徐端宜過來。

昌豐忙與人躬身問好：“王妃。”

徐端宜與人點了頭，目光卻往他身後的馬車看去。

車簾垂落着。

看不到馬車裏的景象。

倒是不知道，謝清崖來了沒有。

不等徐端宜詢問，鄧姑姑就先她一步開了口：“王爺呢？”

昌豐答：“王爺已經在裏面了。”

鄧姑姑聽他這樣說，也松了口氣。

還好王爺在這件事上，沒出岔子。

“王妃，奴婢扶您過去。”鄧姑姑說完，便親自扶着徐端宜過去。

碧溪上前，先一步掀起車簾。

徐端宜已走到馬車旁，擡頭，就能看到坐在馬車裏的謝清崖。

謝清崖原本閉着眼睛，正在閉目養神。

大約是簾子掀起來後，光照了進去，徐端宜見他不适應地皺了皺眉。

不過也就一瞬的光景。

未等徐端宜為此說什麽，他便又恢複如常，只依舊沒說話。

對此，徐端宜也不在意，倒是鄧姑姑有話要說：“王爺，您別光坐着，扶王妃一把啊。”

徐端宜聞言，神色微變。

她正要婉拒。

她不想麻煩謝清崖，更不想讓他為難。

“不……”

後面的話，徐端宜還來得及吐出，就看到謝清崖朝她伸出來的手。

一如他們大婚那日。

修長分明的手指，帶着十足的力量感。

此時就在她眼前，等着她去握。

徐端宜曾經被這只手握過，自然知道那是一種什麽樣的感受。

“王妃。”

耳邊傳來鄧姑姑的笑聲，是在提醒她快點握住。

徐端宜心底有些不好意思。

“多謝王爺。”

她垂下眼簾，輕輕說了一聲，便借着謝清崖給予她的力道，踩着腳踏，低着頭，彎腰上了馬車。

徐端宜坐在謝清崖的對面。

兩人的手也在這時候分開了。

鄧姑姑對他們沒坐在一道，有些不滿。

但想到王妃昨日說的話，也就按捺着沒說什麽，只交待昌豐慢些駕車，然後就讓到了一旁。

車簾已經落下。

碧溪也上了馬車。

不過她沒進去，就坐在外面，和昌豐一塊。

很快。

昌豐趕着馬車離開了照壁。

車裏車外，都沒人說話，只有車輪滾過地面，還有那馬車外頭懸挂的銅鈴，随着風，發出清脆的聲響。

這并不是徐端宜和謝清崖第一次，一起坐馬車。

不算小時候的那些，只說前日大婚，他們也是坐在一處的，甚至坐了很長時間。

可那回他們是并肩坐着。

她的臉上還有團扇遮擋，并不像如今面對面。

徐端宜其實早就練就了，在各種各樣的場合，都能神色自如的本事。

偏偏此時她所面對的，是她最不知道該怎麽面對的謝清崖，一時說話和沉默，都成了為難的事。

不知道是該繼續保持緘默，還是該開口說些什麽。

就在遲疑間，徐端宜忽然掃見謝清崖眼下的青黑。

徐端宜蹙了蹙眉。

顧不得謝清崖會不會理她了，她看着謝清崖問：“王爺昨夜沒睡好嗎？”

聽到徐端宜的聲音，謝清崖有些意外，他正撚着指尖上的熱度。

擡頭看。

正好跟徐端宜的明眸對上。

他還以為徐端宜不會開口說話。

他嗯了一聲。

然後謝清崖就看到，徐端宜那雙漂亮的柳葉眉，頓時蹙得更加厲害了。

“是……”

還未等她說完，就被謝清崖打斷了：“不是。”

他知道徐端宜要說什麽。

“我不是因為換了地方，才睡不着，對我來說，哪裏都一樣。”話說出口，謝清崖忽然想到自己名聲在外，也不知道徐端宜會想什麽。

謝清崖忽然很輕地皺了下眉。

張口想解釋，又覺得沒這個必要，索性繼續閉口不言。

徐端宜其實沒想什麽。

她就是單純以為謝清崖是因為換了地方，才沒睡好，想着還是讓人搬回去，她換個地方睡好了。

但被謝清崖打斷，徐端宜一時也不好再開口。

遲疑片刻，她只好說：“還有一段路程，王爺先睡會吧，等快到了，我再喊你。”

謝清崖其實睡不着。

但睜着眼，和徐端宜面對面，也的确尴尬。

便也沒有拒絕。

“嗯。”

謝清崖靠着馬車閉上了眼睛。

雖然閉着眼睛，耳朵反而變得更加敏銳了，他聽到馬車內先是響起一陣很細微的聲音，就跟那日徐端宜在他們新房，弄出的動靜一樣。

生怕吵醒他。

緊接着，謝清崖就聽到徐端宜與馬車外的昌豐說，讓他駕慢些。

漸漸地。

謝清崖就真的睡過去了。

這令他感到神奇。

這樣的環境，他從前是怎麽也睡不着的，也從沒想過要睡，今日他原本也就是避免着和徐端宜面對面，方才随口一應。

沒想到閉上眼睛，還真的犯起了困勁。

或許是這兩日真的睡太少了，又或許……他此刻感到了安心。

安心？

他怎麽會安心呢？

明明，她最危險。

雖然這樣想着。

但很快，謝清崖就沉沉睡了過去。

再醒來時，他聽到昌豐在外頭說：“王爺、王妃，到了。”

有徐端宜這塊活招牌在，馬車直接從東華門進了宮，沒在外頭扣下。

徐端宜跟昌豐應了一聲。

正想着喊謝清崖起來，回頭就看到謝清崖已經睜開眼睛。

睡眼惺忪。

倒是第一次看到他這副模樣。

徐端宜愣了下，反應也跟着慢了半拍，才開口說道：“王爺醒了？”

“嗯。”

謝清崖的聲音有些啞。

大概是剛才睡了一場好覺，倒是都有些睡得口幹舌燥了。

He coughed a few times feeling uncomfortably but ignored it. When he was about to continue talking to Xu Duanyi, he suddenly heard the sound of flowing water.

Follow the sound.

Then Xu Duanyi handed him a cup of tea.

"It's a little cold, but it tastes just right. Your Majesty, moisten your throat first."

Xie Qingya looked at the cup of tea and said nothing.

It was not until Xu Duanyi called him again that he silently took it from Xu Duanyi's hand.

"……Thank you."

He held the teacup and whispered to Xu Duanyi.

"It's okay."

Xu Duanyi said with a smile, her voice still gentle.

From Xie Qingya's perspective, even though he had avoided looking at Xu Duanyi, Xie Qingya still saw Xu Duanyi's calm and gentle gaze.

The smile in the eyes made the face bright and beautiful.

Xie Qingya only felt his heart suddenly beat rapidly, which made him dare not look any longer. He almost fled in panic and turned his face away in a hurry.