Chapter 044 Chapter 44
Just left the yard.
Lingji felt that the prince, who was originally walking slowly, suddenly quickened his pace. He was not aware of it and did not have time to catch up immediately. By the time he reacted, the prince was already several feet ahead of him.
This naturally made Lingji shocked and puzzled.
Shouting "Prince, wait for me", Lingji quickly quickened his pace and ran after him.
The master and servant walked quickly all the way to the screen wall.
Lingji saw from a distance that there was a carriage that had been prepared in advance, and several servants were waiting there.
Obviously waiting for the master to speak.
But suddenly there was nothing beside me.
Lingji turned around in surprise and discovered that the prince, who was walking quickly forward, suddenly slowed down and fell behind him in a short while.
Lingji was completely confused.
I wonder what happened to the prince?
He stopped and turned around to ask, "Prince, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
The prince's cold reply came to my ears.
Lingji was still confused. He didn't understand why the prince suddenly slowed down his pace if there was nothing wrong and he was fine.
It was so fast just now.
But seeing the indifferent features on the prince's profile, he had been glared at by the prince twice in a row today. Fearing that he would be scolded if he said more, he naturally did not dare to continue asking questions. He could only slow down his pace inexplicably and follow the prince, walking forward slowly at a much slower pace than before.
The carriage was ready.
When the servants waiting there saw Xie Qingya coming, they hurriedly bowed and saluted.
However, Xie Qingya did not ask anyone to follow him. He only asked Lingji to drive the car, and the master and servant left the palace and went to Shiyongfang in the west of the city.
The Liu family is located in Shiyongfang in the west of the city.
At that time, Yongfang could not be compared with the Nan'an Prince's Palace and the Huguo Duke's Palace, but with the Five Armies Commandery behind it, it was also a place where many officials and families liked to build offices and houses.
This house was purchased by Liu Xunnian at the beginning of the year.
After all, the girl he wanted to marry was the jewel in the Huguo Mansion, so he naturally couldn't bring her to live in that small household.
Even with such a small house, it was looked down upon by many people in the Duke's Mansion.
I heard that Liu Xun spent a lot of money to buy this house.
However, no one except the Liu and Xiao families knows whether there was any help from the Duke Protector's Office.
After leaving the palace, Xie Qingya looked at the darkness outside and could not help but scold Lingji: "Didn't you eat? Why are you so slow?"
Lingji felt very aggrieved after being scolded again for no reason.
I just felt that my master was really weird tonight.
He's not slow, is he?
Isn't it the same as usual?
Moreover, when he saw his master suddenly slow down his pace just now, he thought he was deliberately going slower.
Sometimes it's fast, sometimes it's slow, I don't know what the master is going to do.
Ever since he was called into the house by his master, Lingji felt that his master was acting a little strange tonight. It seemed that he had some thoughts in his mind that were about to come out, but there was still some opportunity missing, which prevented him from finding out everything.
As a subordinate, you have to share your master's worries.
Lingji whipped the chariot to speed up, and asked his master behind him with a concerned tone: "Master, are you unhappy tonight?"
Think about it.
Could it be because Aunt Deng insisted that the master go to pick up the princess?
Although I feel like there is something wrong with this timing.
But after thinking about it, Lingji couldn't think of any other possibility besides this.
He was thinking of a solution for Xie Qingya outside: "If you really don't want to go, why don't you go back first, or find a place to rest for a while, and I can go to Liu Mansion to pick up the princess myself."
Xie Qingya felt even more annoyed when he heard what he said.
He himself couldn't explain why he was so upset.
But hearing the concern in Lingji's words, Xie Qingya also realized that he was deliberately venting his anger tonight, and it was all because of himself.
He suppressed his bad temper, pressed his eyebrows and lowered his eyes and said, "No need, just hurry up."
Finished.
He apologized again.
"I'm in a bad mood tonight, I didn't mean to hurt you."
When Lingji heard this, he immediately got rid of his previous aggrieved mood and became happy again. He certainly didn't care about these things.
Now he smiled and said outside: "It's nothing, I'm glad you're okay."
"But my Lord, why are you in such a bad mood tonight? Is it because of the princess?"
Lingji's question came from outside the car curtain, but Xie Qingya remained silent this time.
It's because of her, but it has nothing to do with her.
In fact, just now, even if Aunt Deng didn't come, he was already prepared to find an excuse to go out.
But that's why he is so irritated.
It seemed like... he was increasingly unable to control his own heart.
He knew he shouldn't do this.
...but it seems that nothing can be changed.
…
The master and servant spoke in silence all the way to Liu Mansion.
Meanwhile, in Liu's residence, Xu Duanyi had no idea that Xie Qingya had come to pick her up.
She had just come out of her new house.
At night, she accompanied Xiao Baozhu to have dinner in the new house again. This time, Xu Duanyi waited for Xiao Baozhu to take a bath and wash up before saying goodbye to others and leaving.
It was late at night.
Xu Duanyi didn't want to stay here any longer, so he prepared to go back first.
But today, she came here with her sister-in-law, so it would not be easy for her to leave alone.
After asking Bixi where the women had meals, Xu Duanyi took Bixi there.
I was thinking about going to see if my sister-in-law is okay and whether we should go back together.
If her sister-in-law was not well yet, she would ask the servants of the Liu Mansion to prepare a carriage for her and she would go back first.
Unexpectedly, I met a few young people dressed as scholars on the way.
Liu Xun came from Hanlin.
He is the new top scholar last year.
The people he interacted with were either students or members of the Imperial Academy. At this time, these young people would gather together to recite elegant poems.
There is only this one road, and there is no way to avoid it.
Xu Duanyi didn't want to disturb them and planned to take Bixi with him.
Unexpectedly, someone discovered it first.
"The eldest princess?"
One of them had sharp eyes and saw Xu Duanyi first, so he shouted out.
The others were saying, "Where is she? Where is the princess?"
Then they all looked over.
Sure enough, I saw Xu Duanyi's figure not far away.
All of a sudden, the eyes of the group of young people who were talking loudly just now lit up and they walked towards Xu Duanyi. One of them, a scholar in gray, looked particularly excited.
When Bixi saw this scene, she frowned subconsciously.
She wanted to stand in front of her master and shout them away.
"It's OK."
Xu Duanyi patted Bixi's arm lightly, indicating that it was okay.
She originally wanted to leave immediately, firstly because she didn't want to cause any trouble, and secondly, she didn't want to disturb their good mood.
But now that I've been discovered, there's nothing wrong with just saying hello.
She stood where she was.
Seeing a dozen scholars swarming towards her and greeting her, Xu Duanyi also greeted them politely.
She didn't want to talk any more here, nor did she want to disturb their fun.
I wanted to leave after saying hello.
But a scholar in gray suddenly asked her excitedly, "Your Highness, do you still remember me?"
This sudden remark was indeed somewhat offensive.
Especially with so many people here.
If this gets out, there's no telling what kind of controversy it will cause.
But Xu Duanyi saw that although the scholar looked excited, there was no lustful look in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of gratitude and admiration.
Xu Duanyi looked at his features carefully again, and felt that they looked familiar.
Looking at the scholar's attire and the people around him, Xu Duanyi had an idea in mind, so he said to the scholar, "Is it Mr. Li from the Hanlin Academy?"
Li Wengao never thought that Xu Duanyi actually still remembered him!
I was immediately overjoyed.
Normally he was a bit aloof, and in fact he didn't like to associate with people like Liu Xun. However, when his mentor discussed officialdom with him, there were a few words that made him very alert and he quite agreed with them.
My teacher once said, "You don't have to live without bad neighbors, and you don't have to meet without bad friends. Only those who can control themselves can achieve both."①
He also said, "To be able to keep silent is to be able to speak, to use obscurity is to be in the light, to blend in with the common people is to hide oneself, and to be at ease is to adapt to the environment."②
He learned a lot from this speech.
Not all people you meet in life are good people or friends. Instead of avoiding them and guarding against this and that, you might as well learn something that is beneficial to you. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. In this world, you will always encounter many things and many people. Instead of being on guard, you might as well calm your mind, not follow the crowd, not be too ambitious, and not be too high-handed. Only in this way can you understand and stand in the world.
Not to mention the ups and downs in officialdom.
If you want to get something done, you can't just be a lone official.
In addition to this reason, there was another reason why he came to Liu Mansion today -
He had heard in advance that the eldest princess would also come to the Liu Mansion for a banquet today.
Although Li Wengao knew clearly that there was a world of difference between himself and Princess Jiashun, and he did not dare to disturb her, he could not help but hope in his heart that he might have the honor to catch a glimpse of her from afar.
I thought the banquet would end soon.
He was feeling frustrated because he had no chance to meet the princess today, but unexpectedly, he actually had the chance to chat with her.
Still such a close distance.
What's more, I didn't expect that His Highness still remembered him!
How could he not be excited?
Li Wengao was so excited that even his face turned red.
The man who usually never lost in debates about character was so excited that he couldn't even finish his words.
"Yes, it's your humble servant!"
Li Wengao was so excited that he couldn't express it in words. His face was full of excitement and admiration, but he didn't dare to look directly at Xu Duanyi for fear of blaspheming her.
He still bowed slightly, lowered his eyes, and said respectfully in the direction of Xu Duanyi: "Thanks to your help that day, I was fortunate enough to pass the exam. I have never had the opportunity to thank you, Your Highness. Today, today..."
He stammered, and suddenly said, "Your Highness, please accept my humble respect!"
As Li Wengao said this, he was about to lift up his robe and thank Xu Duanyi.
徐端宜自是不會受這樣的大禮，她忙道：“李大人，君子膝下有黃金，大人可跪天地，可跪天子，可跪恩師和高堂，卻不該跪我。”
“當日我只是路過施以援手，大人能高中，是大人寒窗苦讀多年應得，不必記挂于心，更不必向我行此大禮。”
“殿下此言差矣，當日若非殿下，卑臣只怕早已心灰意冷，離開京城，哪還有如今站在這裏的機會？”
“殿下于我，亦如恩師二親！”
他言之铿锵，卻是一副認死理的模樣。
此時倒也顧不上那雲泥之別，站直身子，十分莊肅地和徐端宜說道。
徐端宜看着李文高這副神情模樣，內心頗為無奈。
早先便聽說，去年金榜前三的三位新科進士，梅狀元通達知理，十分受清流舊臣的愛戴，張口就能引經據典，因此也被陛下格外看重。
柳探花巧言善語，生了一張好嘴，愛攀談結交，性子卻過于浮誇了些……
至于這位李榜眼，不似梅雪征為人通達，也沒有柳尋的巧言善辯，瞧着有些孤高、認死理，卻十分愛民為民，也愛做實事，是位不錯的臣子。
這樣一位君子，她自然不能輕待了。
但這君子認死理的模樣，也委實令人有些頭疼。
徐端宜見他面上執拗，大有她若不受他的拜謝，就不肯了罷的樣子。
徐端宜心下無奈。
餘光瞥見一端酒作陪的小厮，徐端宜心下有了主意，附耳于碧溪耳側，讓人去端酒過來。
這功夫，徐端宜便先對李文高說道：“李大人，你為朝廷命官，我不過是一個內宅婦人，你的大禮，我今日若受了，只怕明日便有禦史上告天聽，說我弄權不敬士大夫了。”
李文高一聽這話，臉色倏然一變。
他忙道：“長公主為人，天下誰人不知？若有誰敢胡亂誣陷長公主，我李文高第一個不答應！”
其餘士子原先未曾說話。
此刻倒也是一個個都接了話，紛紛表示，絕不會讓人誣陷了她。
“諸位好意，我心領了。”
徐端宜與他們微微颔首，算是道了謝。
恰好碧溪這會也拿着酒壺，和未曾用過的酒盅過來了。
“主子。”
徐端宜接過碧溪遞來的酒盅，微微高舉，與身前的李文高先說道：“李大人既想謝我，不若與我對飲此酒，便算是道了那謝。”
她說罷。
又看向其餘諸人。
“我不善飲酒，但見諸位郎君，我亦高興，便淺飲一盅，也算是今日結識了諸位郎君。”
“日後我大夏，還得有勞諸位。”
徐端宜說完，不待衆人開口，自己先擡袖遮面，飲下此盅酒。
只唇齒才觸碰到這盅酒，徐端宜便覺不對，這酒入口辛辣，絕不是她能承受的。
但如今再想作罷，自是不妥。
徐端宜只能硬着頭皮，繼續仰頭喝完。
未讓旁人瞧出。
徐端宜面不改色放下袖子，又把酒盅傾倒，示意自己已經喝完。
其餘諸人，見她此舉，自是不敢耽擱，紛紛一飲而盡。
本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理 “殿下……”
李文高喝完之後，還想說話。
徐端宜卻先他一步開了口：“大人既飲了此酒，便切莫再說什麽謝不謝的話了，大人功在社稷，只需日後為君為民，我當日便沒救錯。”
李文高原本還有滿腹感激的話想說。
此時聽罷這番話，倒是不知該如何開口了，只覺得說什麽都不夠，說什麽都淺俗了一些。
最終。
他到底沒再說什麽，只退後一步，鄭重地與徐端宜長揖一禮。
“長公主的話，卑臣都已記下，卑臣定不讓長公主失望！”
之後他便不敢再阻攔，退到一旁。
徐端宜朝他們又點了點頭，便先行離開了這邊。
等走遠之後，徐端宜便耐不住輕蹙起眉。
碧溪這會也發現了她的不對勁，忙問：“主子，您怎麽了？”
“那酒應是西鳳酒。”徐端宜壓着嗓音說，只覺得頭已經開始有些暈乎起來。
“什麽？”
碧溪瞪大眼睛：“奴婢不知……”
她先前聞着那酒香，只覺得和主子平日宴會上喝的清酒、果酒一樣，哪裏想得到，那竟是赫赫有名的西鳳酒。
西鳳酒自不是尋常果酒能比，主子雖能飲，卻并不善酒。
眼見就這會功夫，主子面色便已泛起桃花色，便知這酒，不是主子能承受的。
碧溪自責不已，急得眼圈都紅了起來。
她忙扶着徐端宜的胳膊，邊走邊哽咽道：“是奴婢失察，害了主子。”
“好了，不過一盅酒。”徐端宜沒有責怪她的意思，說完，還輕輕拍了拍碧溪的胳膊，示以安慰。
“你扶我先去馬車，再去與嫂嫂說一聲。”徐端宜怕回頭真喝醉，于人前失态，便想着還是先回馬車去。
碧溪自是全聽她的。
主仆二人便先往門房走去。
這會宴席還未散場，門房處除了一些柳府的家仆之外，并無旁人。
那柳府家仆，遠遠瞧見主仆二人過來。
本以為是哪家貴人，正想過來問候一番，近前一看，竟是那位長公主殿下！
家仆神色微變，忙躬身快跑過去。
近前之後，便誠惶誠恐問道：“殿下怎麽這會出來了？可是府中有什麽招待不周的地方。”
這一路走來，那西鳳酒的酒性不僅沒散，反而還令她大腦更加昏沉起來。
好在神智還未徹底失去。
雖然大腦昏昏，但徐端宜并未失儀，聞言也還是強撐着溫聲說道：“招待挺好的，只不過夜深了，王府離得遠，本宮也該回去了。”
她這樣說。
那家仆稍才松了口氣。
“那殿下且先在這等等，今日外頭馬車多，小的先讓人去把您的馬車牽來。”他說完便要過去準備。
但徐端宜想到一事，她是與嫂嫂一道來的。
可她還未同嫂嫂說一聲。
張口想說話，但徐端宜這會大腦的反應，明顯比先前慢了許多。
這光瞧她的臉，其實是瞧不出的。
但若仔細看她的眼睛，便能發覺，她平日那雙黑亮的眼睛，此時已如稚童一般，變得茫然了許多。
好在她有碧溪。
碧溪一向明曉她的心意，這會便替她開口說道：“我們殿下今日是與國公府的世子夫人一道來的，你且去府中尋一輛幹淨的馬車過來，明日我再遣人送回來。”
那家仆一聽這話，自是忙說：“既如此，那姑娘且扶着殿下去隔壁候房稍候一會，小的讓人去收拾下，沒得殿下回頭坐得不舒坦。”
本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理 碧溪回頭，問徐端宜的意思。
“主子……”
徐端宜點了點頭。
她這會頭疼得很，已不想說話。
暈暈乎乎之際，倒還記得要同嫂嫂說一聲，免得人回頭擔心。
等碧溪扶着她去候房歇息的時候，她便暈乎乎與人叮囑道：“記得和嫂嫂說。”
碧溪忙道：“奴婢省得。”
候房那邊本就是供人歇息，等馬車的地方。
因為今日府中來的賓客，非富即貴，這候房雖小，倒也收拾得很是幹淨。
裏面還有随侍的婢子。
那婢子沒見過她們，雖然不知她們的身份，但也知曉今日來府中的都是貴客，自是不敢怠慢。
眼見兩人進來，她便忙屈膝同徐端宜問了好，嘴裏也跟着喊了一聲“貴人”。
徐端宜讓人起來。
碧溪則讓人上了一盞茶，想着濃茶醒神，主子喝完，或許會好一些。
等那婢子去倒茶的間隙，碧溪忙又扶着徐端宜，挑了個幹淨的位置坐了下來。
“貴人，請喝茶。”
婢子端了茶盞過來，又見徐端宜手撐着額頭，靠着桌子，雙眼也微合了起來，眉心則緊皺着，不由遲疑道：“貴人這是怎麽了？”
喝醉的名聲不好聽。
碧溪也不希望旁人知曉，只道：“我家殿下忙了一日，累了，勞這位姑娘替我去內院跑一趟，找到護國公府的世子夫人，只說我家殿下，今日忙累了，要先回去了，讓她不必擔心。”
能以殿下稱呼的。
這普天之下，也沒幾個人。
那婢子聽了這話，方才知曉，眼前這位清豔的貴人，竟是那位長公主尊駕！
她只是一普通婢女，平日見得最厲害的，也不過是他們如今那位夫人。
如今陡然見到這樣一位身份的。
她幾乎是當即便白了小臉，顫顫巍巍跪了下來，就差直接以頭點地了：“是奴婢有眼不識泰山，未認出殿下，請殿下恕罪！”
徐端宜這會已頭疼得厲害。
那酒實在烈得很，她只覺得腦袋脹疼得厲害，整個人也變得暈暈乎乎的，仿佛天旋地轉似的。
又被這婢子這一聲喊得，更是連太陽穴都突突了好幾下。
實在說不出話。
她仍合着眼睛，輕扯了碧溪的袖子。
碧溪明白她的意思，讓那婢子起來便按吩咐做事去，等人一出去，她也壓不住焦急的臉色，蹲到了徐端宜的面前。
“主子，還好嗎？”她仰頭問人。
Since there were no outsiders around, Xu Duanyi no longer tried to hide her feelings. She frowned and said vaguely, "...uncomfortable."
When Bixi heard this, she couldn't help but blame herself again.
Her eyes were red and tears were sparkling in them. She said guiltily, "It's all my fault for not asking clearly. I hurt you."
Hearing her tone, Xu Duanyi opened his eyes tiredly.
"It's not a big deal. I just need to go back and take a rest." He was also glad that he only drank this one cup.
I’m afraid she’ll continue to blame herself like this.
Xu Duanyi looked at her again and said, "Go ask if it's done."
She was really worried that the Liu family would pack up some luxurious carriage, but that was unnecessary. She just wanted to go back to the palace, lie down, and have a good sleep.
Bixi also understood.
She quickly raised her hand to wipe her face and said yes.
"You take a rest first, I'll go out and take a look." After saying this, Bi Xi turned around and went out.
Xu Duanyi watched her leave. He originally wanted to close his eyes and sit quietly waiting for someone to come back, but he felt so dizzy that he felt as if all his strength had been drained away and he felt powerless.
Thinking of Yi Bixi's calmness.
After she went out, she would definitely tell others not to let anyone get close to her, so she didn't have to worry about being seen in such an inappropriate state.
Thinking of this, Xu Duanyi simply rested his face between his arms and leaned on the table.
I don’t know how long I waited.
Maybe for a long time, maybe just for a moment.
Xu Duanyi vaguely heard a series of footsteps coming from outside.
The footsteps were a little chaotic and a little hurried.
Xu Duanyi just thought that Bi Xi had returned, and was afraid that there were other people around, so he didn't want anyone to see him like this.
She sat up straight with her tired body, and at the same time she half-heartedly straightened her clothes, making sure there were no wrinkles.
The door was opened.
Xu Duanyi looked in the direction of the sound.
But I saw a handsome young man in black clothes standing at the door.
And take a look at his face.
Xu Duanyi suddenly stopped what he was doing.
She looked ahead, and for a moment she didn't know whether she was dreaming or seeing things wrong.
Look at the person outside the door.
Xu Duanyi tried to open his eyes wide, but it was useless. He could only mutter, "Prince?"
Xie Qingya didn't reply to her.
He just frowned and walked in.
Following behind him were Lingji and Bixi.
Xie Qingya stood firmly in front of Xu Duanyi. His tall figure blocked most of the light in front of her. She looked up at him, with his beautiful and slender neck, fair and yet looking particularly fragile.
The beautiful lights shone on them, and Xie Qingya and she looked into each other's eyes.
"How much did she drink?"
He was asking Bi Xi, but it was Xu Duanyi who answered.
“…One cup.”
Xu Duanyi spoke in a daze and pointed a finger at others.
She kept her head tilted upwards, feeling that her dream was so real. Even Xie Qingya's expression and tone were so real.
She was certain it was a dream.
If it wasn't a dream, how could Xie Qingya appear in front of her?
"You're this drunk after just one drink?"
This time it was Lingji who spoke, with a look of disbelief on his face. When he wanted to say something else, his master turned around and gave him a cold look.
Lingji immediately shut his mouth, stood obediently at the back, and said nothing.
Bixi and the others calmed down before replying, "It was Master Li from the Hanlin Academy who wanted to thank the master. The master thought it was inappropriate and suggested drinking. It was my fault for letting the master drink it without checking that the wine was Xifeng wine."
After Bixi finished speaking, her eyes turned red again.
Not daring to cry at this moment, she wiped her eyes casually and said to Xie Qingya, "Prince, please don't say anything for now. The master must be feeling uncomfortable right now. Let's go back to the mansion first and let the master go back to have a good rest."
Xie Qingya didn't want to say more.
He asked Lingji to go out and hold the lights, and he looked at Xu Duanyi and asked, "Xu Duanyi, can you stand up?"
When Xu Duanyi was drunk, he was actually more obedient than when he was sober.
Especially in front of Xie Qingya.
She is always well behaved.
Xu Duanyi's brain was a little slow to react at this moment.
Under Xie Qingya's gaze, she continued to look at him, then looked into his eyes. She seemed to carefully distinguish what he said for a long time before nodding at him: "Yes."
Having said this, she prepared to stand up by holding on to the table.
Bixi naturally didn't dare to let her get up alone. She was about to go forward to help her, but she saw that her master, who was always capable and unwilling to show weakness to others, suddenly frowned and sat back.
Bixi didn't know what happened to her.
Just as he was about to ask, he saw the master looking at the prince and said aggrievedly: "Xie Qingya, I'm dizzy."
She was still staring at Xie Qingya with a pitiful and aggrieved look on her face that she had almost never shown to anyone.
She really regarded this as a dream.
She was well-behaved in her dreams, but also bold.
So Bixi saw that her master, while talking, actually took the initiative to reach out and hug King Nan'an's waist.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be trying to break away, she boldly leaned her face closer, and then with her eyes closed, she half-coquettishly and half-mumbled, "Xie Qingya, I can't get up."
Bixi widened her eyes.
But after all, she already knew her master's feelings towards Prince Nannan. Although she was surprised, she was not stupid enough to say anything at this time.
With the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Prince Nannan's stiff body and face.
Bixi simply lowered her curtains and quietly retreated.
Xie Qingya and Xu Duanyi were the only two people left in the room.
Xie Qingya's face stiffened a little and he lowered his eyes.
It was actually not difficult to break free from the hands around his waist. He only needed to take a step back to leave Xu Duanyi's embrace.
But Xie Qingya stared at Xu Duanyi's head for a long time, and finally did not do so.
He just looked at her and sighed helplessly.
"Xu Duanyi, I really lost to you."