Chapter 037 Chapter 37

Even until he reached the screen wall and actually saw Changfeng waiting outside the carriage, Xu Duanyi still had a look of disbelief on his face.

Looking at the carriage in front of her, she even stopped moving forward because she couldn't believe it.

"princess."

It was not until Changfeng called her that the confusion in Xu Duanyi's eyes faded a little.

Bixi's voice also came from beside me.

"master."

Only then did Xu Duanyi calm down the turbulent emotions in his heart, and continued walking forward with his eyes lowered.

Walk to the carriage.

After Changfeng exchanged greetings with her, he took the initiative to lift the car curtain for her.

The scene inside the carriage was completely revealed to Xu Duanyi. She saw Xie Qingya still sitting in the same position as before.

And saw his gaze falling on her face.

It had been nearly half a month since they last saw each other after they parted behind the wall that day.

When they suddenly met at this moment, Xu Duanyi's usual composure unconsciously faltered for a beat when their eyes met.

"My Lord."

Perhaps because he felt guilty about his crime, Xu Duanyi's brain's reaction was slower than usual.

After bowing slightly and greeting people outside.

Xu Duanyi did not get on the carriage immediately, but stood outside, with the curtains lowered, and asked Xie Qingya hesitantly, "Is the prince not busy today?"

This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. Xie Qingya naturally knew what she meant by asking this question.

Glancing at the awkwardness and embarrassment on Xu Duanyi's face, Xie Qingya seemed to recall the aggrieved and pitiful look she had on her face when she threw herself at him that night.

The original duplicity was also replaced by——

"not busy."

The unexpected answer made Xu Duanyi's reaction slow down again.

She originally thought that Xie Qingya would say he was busy and then she would let him go. She really didn't want to trouble Xie Qingya.

Who would have thought he would say "I'm not busy".

This left her at a loss for words to say after that.

There were other servants at the screen wall. Bixi saw that many people were looking at them, so she lowered her voice and said to her master, "Master, it's almost time."

Although it is not clear why the Prince of Nan'an accompanied his master out today.

But it's a good thing in the end.

Otherwise, if the master went there alone like this, it would inevitably cause gossip among others.

Changfeng also said, "Princess, please get in the car quickly. There is a big celebration in the Duke's Mansion today, so the road will definitely be crowded."

Xu Duanyi didn't say much.

After saying "OK", she let Bixi help her up.

She didn't ask Xie Qingya to help.

She lifted her skirt, bent down and entered the carriage, then sat on the other side of Xie Qingya out of habit.

Just like when the two of them entered the palace that day.

But Xu Duanyi's mood today was obviously more nervous than that day.

Just after sitting down, Xu Duanyi felt that after the car curtain fell, most of the light in the room suddenly disappeared, and his heart tightened for no reason.

Especially the person sitting opposite me.

Xu Duanyi was even more nervous and didn't even dare to raise his head.

She hadn't felt this way for a long time.

Even when facing the two most distinguished people in the palace, she was always calm and dignified.

Only when facing Xie Qingya, she couldn't control herself like this.

I have sneaky thoughts and therefore feel guilty like a thief, that's why I am like this now, I dare not look at her, I dare not face her, I just wish I could shrink myself into a void shadow so that no one can see me.

The carriage is about to move forward.

Changfeng and Bixi were already seated outside. At this moment, Changfeng was asking them if they were going to set off now.

Xu Duanyi could feel that Xie Qingya's gaze on her seemed to be waiting for her answer.

Xu Duanyi hesitated for a moment, but did not immediately answer Changfeng's question.

Instead, he looked at Xie Qingya and mustered up the courage to say, "Did Aunt Deng say anything to the prince? In fact, it doesn't matter if the prince doesn't go. They won't say anything."

She still didn't want to trouble Xie Qingya.

Xie Qingya didn't expect that after she hesitated for a long time, she would finally say such a sentence.

Xie Qingya frowned and looked at her.

"Xu Duanyi——" he blurted out subconsciously.

Xie Qingya wanted to ask her if she really didn't want to go with him. But seeing the awkwardness on her face, he knew that was not the case.

Finally, I softened my heart.

Xie Qingya did not ask any questions, but just said, "I have nothing to do today."

It’s the same meaning as before.

Without waiting for Xu Duanyi to say anything, he spoke to Changfeng outside, "Let's set off."

We have to wait for Xu Duanyi to give orders, but we don’t know how long we have to wait.

He didn't care whether he went to that damn Duke's Mansion or not, nor did he care whether he was late or not, but he didn't want her to be late because of him.

"yes!"

After Changfeng agreed, he quickly got on the carriage.

Now, Xu Duanyi had nothing to say.

Naturally, she would not be self-indulgent and think that Xie Qingya accompanied her on this trip because of her.

It was probably because of Aunt Deng.

Perhaps Changning had some influence on this.

Just thinking about this, Xu Duanyi felt more and more unworthy.

It was really difficult for her to remain calm and composed in front of Xie Qingya.

All the way in silence.

Until I heard the sound of flowing water.

Following the sound, I saw Xie Qingya pouring tea.

Xu Duanyi wanted to look away, but she saw Xie Qingya actually handed one of the cups of tea to her.

Xu Duanyi looked stunned.

Even the eyes that originally didn't dare to look him in the eye couldn't help but raise and look towards Xie Qingya.

But Xie Qingya still had that normal look on his face.

He held the teacup in his hand and drank slowly, not bothered by the action, as if it was just a trivial matter.

Insignificant indeed.

Xu Duanyi just didn't expect that he would do this.

She thought they would still get along as before.

Say nothing, do nothing.

But Xie Qingya's action also made her originally worried mood relax a little.

At least it is certain that he doesn't know about Xuefu anymore.

Just don’t know.

I don’t know, that’s good.

Otherwise, she really didn't know how to get along with Xie Qingya.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xu Duanyi thanked the person quietly, picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Perhaps because he was in a relaxed mood, Xu Duanyi's tense expression also eased a lot.

They each held a cup of tea and drank it slowly.

After leaving the palace, the carriage headed east of the city.

The Duke of Huguo's Mansion is located in Mingyufang in the east of the city. It is also the most prestigious place under the emperor.

The identities of those who live here are not just rich or noble. Most of them are relatives of the Liu clan, or have been given the house by successive emperors.

The predecessor of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion was the Prince of Xian'an's Mansion.

Prince Xian'an Xiao Lu was the regent during the reign of Emperor Ming. At the beginning, he single-handedly supported the four-year-old Emperor Ming to ascend the throne.

To Emperor Ming, Xiao Lu was like a teacher and a father, so how could his residence not be honorable?

It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most noble.

Although after the death of Prince Xian'an, the palace of Prince Xian'an was confiscated and exiled, and gradually fell into decline and dust.

But as Emperor Ming grew old, he felt regretful about his past, so he brought Xiao Lu's remaining relatives back to the capital.

King Xian'an is no longer with us.

The Prince Xian'an's Mansion also became the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.

But the most distinguished among them are still the most prominent in the capital, especially the Xiao family, which now has the Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.

Compared with the Ming Emperor's reign, the Xiao family's heyday is now even greater than before.

The residence of Xie Qingya's mother, the Grand Princess Liu Yi, is also in Mingyufang.

However, their family had always lived in Yueya Hutong in the south of the city, the Nan'an Palace given by Emperor Ming.

The Grand Princess's residence remained idle.

As soon as the carriage entered the east side of the city, it started to get noisy outside.

Because the jewel in the crown of the Duke of Huguo's mansion is getting married today, the road leading to Mingyufang is extremely crowded today.

Although Xiao Baozhu's marriage was not favored by Empress Dowager Zhaoyu and the Xiao family.

But she is the only girl in the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.

Naturally, her wedding couldn't be too stingy.

Anyone who has any connection with the Xiao family went to the Duke of Huguo's mansion today. Even those who could not go in to drink sent their servants to give gifts, so as to avoid being secretly remembered by the Xiao family and having their future official careers hindered.

Xu Duanyi and the others came out quite early.

But when we arrived at Mingyufang, the traffic ahead was already very congested.

Walk for a while and stop for a while.

Xu Duanyi was originally worried that Xie Qingya would be impatient, but looking over, he seemed to be very relaxed and at ease, even lifting a corner of the curtain to look out.

Seeing this, Xu Duanyi felt a little more relaxed.

This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team "Wang Ye."

She hesitated for a moment.

Finally, he looked at Xie Qingya and called out softly.

Xie Qingya was a little surprised.

He thought Xu Duanyi was going to pretend to be unfamiliar with him again.

Retracting his gaze, Xie Qingya leaned against the carriage and looked at Xu Duanyi opposite him. Although he did not ask any questions, his eyes were on Xu Duanyi, waiting for her to continue.

Xu Duanyi is under the gaze of Xie Qingya.

Because I was nervous, I suddenly clenched my fingers.

But this time, she did not turn away her face and eyes, but faced Xie Qingya and continued to talk to him: "There are many guests in the Duke's Mansion today. If anyone is disrespectful to the prince, the prince can..."

Xie Qingya suddenly felt in a good mood.

He couldn't explain the reason, but looking at Xu Duanyi's serious expression, he really wanted to speak up and tease her.

"But what?"

How could Xu Duanyi know his evil intentions? She still said to him seriously: "Your Highness can tell me."

She didn't want Xie Qingya to argue with them.

She was also afraid that those people would not take Xie Qingya seriously and would continue to bully him, so she thought about making the decision for him herself.

She didn't feel anything when she said this.

She just instinctively wanted to protect him and didn't want him to be bullied.

However, Xie Qingya, who originally wanted to tease her, suddenly became silent.

Since his parents and eldest brother passed away, he became the oldest person in the family. His younger siblings depend on him, and even the emperor in the palace has to support him.

He had long forgotten what it felt like to be protected by someone.

No one had ever said such words to him.

Xie Qingya's hands on his knees suddenly tightened a little.

Xie Qingya couldn't tell what he felt in his heart.

Confused.

not understand.

He didn't understand why the person who cried and said sorry to him at night would say such words to him now.

His face was full of concern and worry.

Afraid that he would be bullied by others.

Or maybe, he actually understood.

At this moment, Xie Qingya even wanted to ask her directly.

Ask her.

Xu Duanyi, what are you thinking about?

Ask her.

Xu Duanyi, are you tired like this?

Ask her.

Xu Duanyi, you are...

But in the end, he didn't ask any of the questions he wanted to ask, and he didn't even show any unnecessary suspicious expression.

The fool in front of him was very timid.

If he revealed something he shouldn't, she would probably run away completely.

"Xu Duanyi——"

Xie Qingya still looked like that carefree and unruly dandy. He leaned against the carriage, his face shrouded in a hazy light under the sunlight outside.

The handsomeness and sharpness are thus restrained.

But it also hid the tenderness in his eyes that could not be hidden.

"Are you protecting me?"

He asked Xu Duanyi, and even his tone revealed the casualness of a playboy.

Xu Duanyi's courage seemed to fade away suddenly, and even his eyes, which were looking at him, flickered twice as if he couldn't control it.

She suddenly hesitated.

I was wondering if it was not a good idea for me to do this.

Does Xie Qingya dislike him?

But under the gaze of Xie Qingya's passionate yet ruthless peach blossom eyes, Xu Duanyi struggled for a moment, and finally looked at him and said softly: "...If you don't mind."

Xie Qingya didn't say anything for a long time.

The noise outside made their carriage even quieter.

Just when Xu Duanyi couldn't stand Xie Qingya's gaze anymore and wanted to look away, she suddenly heard a voice from outside: "Is the princess here?"

Then, Bixi's voice came in: "Master, it's Li, the steward of the Duke's Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Xu Duanyi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She finally had a reason to look away and no longer had to look him in the eye.

Outside the carriage, the voice of Butler Li was heard.

"Don't worry, Princess. I have already told the carriages in front to move aside. You will be able to pass soon."

"Thank you, Butler Li." Xu Duanyi thanked him.

Butler Li did not dare to accept the thank you, and said with a smile outside: "Did the princess come here by herself today?"

Xu Duanyi suddenly looked across.

Unexpectedly, Xie Qingya was also looking at her. When she raised her head, their eyes met again.

Xu Duanyi's eyes flickered slightly, and he quickly retracted his gaze and said to the butler Li outside: "The prince is here too. I'll have to trouble Butler Li to take the prince to my eldest cousin later."

She was specifically referring to her eldest cousin.

But she didn't bring her second cousin Xiao Yuanfu.

Her second cousin had always been a playboy, relying on his status to often stir up trouble. She had always disliked him, so naturally she would not let Xie Qingya go to him to suffer grievances.

Of course, Steward Li would not refuse, and hurriedly responded with a smile outside, saying, "The prince was asking about your and the prince's whereabouts earlier. I will personally take the prince there later."

After another round of conversation.

The congested road ahead finally became clear, allowing their carriage to pass.

The carriage continued on its journey.

Butler Li accompanied them outside and talked.

This incident naturally caused a lot of discussion among people outside.

Xu Duanyi could hear the discussions of those people outside, but he did not hear any reaction from Xie Qingya.

Since Xie Qingya did not answer her question, Xu Duanyi's courage, which she had finally mustered, was completely gone.

I was thinking in my heart that I should send someone to tell my eldest cousin and ask him to help keep an eye on it.

Today my eldest cousin is the host.

With him looking after him, naturally no one would dare to bully Xie Qingya.

Thinking like this.

Xu Duanyi felt a little relieved.

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of the Duke's Mansion.

Xu Duanyi was about to talk to Xie Qingya and asked someone to go down first, when she saw Xie Qingya looking at her and suddenly said, "Xu Duanyi."

Xu Duanyi replied subconsciously: "What's wrong?"

Then she saw Xie Qingya looking at her and continued, "Don't worry that I will be bullied. Relax your mind. No one dares to bully me."

Finished.

He even pulled the corner of his lip and sneered: "What you should worry about are those who dare to bully me."

After he finished speaking, he lifted the curtain and walked down.

There were many guests gathered outside.

When they saw the carriage coming, they had many guesses.

When Princess Jiashun and Prince Nan'an got married, there was a lot of gossip, and many people said that Prince Nan'an did not like the noble Princess Jiashun.

He didn't look at her well on the wedding day.

Because of this, a group of people who had previously stopped their love for Princess Jiashun have recently started to behave in a disrespectful manner towards the Prince of Nannan.

The Duke of Huguo's Mansion was very happy today, and many people were wondering whether the Prince of Nan'an would come.

If they don't come, it will prove that what people say outside is true.

The Prince of Nan'an really disliked his new wife.

Unexpectedly, the car curtain was lifted up and a tall red figure jumped out from inside.

Take another look at that handsome face and elegant figure.

Isn’t he the famous King of Nannan?

I didn't expect that he would really come today, and I didn't expect that after he stood firm, he would take the initiative to reach out into the carriage.

This action, let alone outsiders.

Even Bi Xi couldn't help but widen her eyes, fortunately she had a calm personality, if it was Shi Yu, her eyes would probably pop out of her head in shock.

Bixi quietly stepped aside.

Although he felt strange, he did not try to steal the job from the King of Nannan.

Therefore, when Xu Duanyi got out of the carriage, what she saw was Xie Qingya's hand extending to her.

This scene really shocked her.

Even Xu Duanyi was unable to react at this moment.

On the contrary, Butler Li would be very happy.

He is an old man of the Xiao family. He was once protected by Xu Duanyi's mother Xiao Yuan, which is why he was able to survive and had the good fortune to become the steward of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.

He has always been thinking about the friendship they had.

Therefore, he naturally treated his cousin Xu Duanyi with great love and respect.

As early as before, when he heard those rumors outside, he was very worried.

I was afraid that my cousin had been wronged in the palace.

This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team. But now it seems that the King of Nan'an is not as the legend says.

Isn't this showing concern for their eldest princess?

It can be seen that the rumors outside are not accurate.

He was smiling and in a good mood.

"Princess, come down quickly." He reminded Xu Duanyi with a smile.

Only then did Xu Duanyi come to his senses.

Not daring to let outsiders notice anything, she quickly lowered her eyelids, placed her hand in Xie Qingya's palm, and then, with Xie Qingya's support, she stepped on the pedals and slowly stepped down from the carriage.

But she was so shocked that she didn't notice and missed the step.

By the time he reacted, it was too late. Xu Duanyi's face changed slightly, and he thought he was going to make a fool of himself today.

I have also made preparations to face everyone calmly later.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, a strong hand held her waist, and half of her body leaned on Xie Qingya.

The feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Xu Duanyi instinctively raised her head and saw Xie Qingya also looking at her. When he saw her looking up, he frowned and reminded her, "Xu Duanyi, be careful."

Xu Duanyi blinked for a while before softly replying, "...Okay."