"Miss, are you really not going?" Zhishu asked while decocting the medicine. "You might run into an old friend."
Qi Mingyue said calmly, "Why bother joining in this fun?" She looked out the window, her tone enigmatic, "What's meant to happen will happen."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On the day of the welcoming banquet, the students selected by the academy dressed up early and took carriages to the prefectural government office. Bai Lian'er specially wore a newly made light red dress, which made her skin look as white as snow and made her exceptionally beautiful.
Xie Ansu frowned upon seeing her dressed like this, but he didn't say anything.
The prefectural government office was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Almost all the prominent figures in Yingzhou had arrived, eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the Duke of Ying's heir.
At the exact hour of Xu (7-9 PM), a commotion broke out outside the gate, and someone shouted, "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
Everyone hurriedly straightened their clothes and composed themselves. A young man dressed in a dark brocade robe strode in, surrounded by the crowd. He was tall and straight, with handsome features and a noble air with a touch of the heroic spirit unique to military generals. He was none other than Yao Xiuyan, the heir of the Duke of Ying.
The prefect hurried forward to greet him, and after a few pleasantries, led Yao Xiuyan to his seat. After several rounds of drinks, Yao Xiuyan's gaze swept over the students present, and he suddenly asked, "I've heard that Yingchuan Academy is full of talented people; are they all here today?"
The prefect hurriedly said, "They've all arrived, they've all arrived. These are the most outstanding students in the academy." He then introduced them one by one.
When Xie Ansu was introduced, Yao Xiuyan nodded slightly: "I have heard of Young Master Xie's talent and reputation." However, his gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.
When it was Bai Lian'er's turn, she stood up and bowed gracefully: "This humble woman, Bai Lian'er, greets Your Highness."
Yao Xiuyan scrutinized her for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Miss Bai, do you know the Qi family in the capital?"
Bai Lian'er was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your Highness is joking. I have lived in Yingzhou for a long time, how could I know any noble people in the capital?" Her eyes flickered, and she said seemingly unintentionally, "However, there is a Miss Qi from the capital in the academy. She is very talented and quite remarkable."
Yao Xiuyan paused slightly in his wine glass: "Oh? Which Miss Qi?"
The prefect hurriedly replied, "I'm referring to Miss Qi Mingyue. She's unwell today and unable to come."
A barely perceptible glint flashed in Yao Xiuyan's eyes before he smiled and said, "What a pity. I have some connection with the Qi family, and I was hoping to meet them if we were old acquaintances."
Bai Lian'er said softly, "If the young master wishes to see Sister Qi, Lian'er can introduce you. Although Sister Qi is somewhat... aloof, she is quite close to Lian'er."
Xie Ansu frowned upon hearing this, and was about to speak when Yao Xiuyan smiled first: "There's no need to trouble Miss Bai. If fate allows, we will meet again."
The welcoming banquet lasted until late at night. On the carriage back to the academy, Bai Lian'er seemed particularly excited, constantly talking to the female students in the carriage about the prince's charm.
"The young master is truly handsome and elegant; no wonder so many noble ladies in the capital are captivated by him." As she spoke, she glanced at Xie Ansu as if by chance. "I heard that the young master is engaged to that young lady from the Qi family, but I wonder if it's true or not."
The female student in the same car exclaimed in surprise, "Is that so? Why did Miss Qi come to Yingzhou for her studies?"
Bai Lian'er covered her mouth and chuckled, "I don't know. Perhaps... there's something she can't say about it."
Xie Ansu finally couldn't help but speak up: "Miss Bai, it's best to say less without evidence."
Bai Lian'er's eyes immediately reddened: "Thank you for your advice, Young Master. Lian'er only heard gossip and will not say it again." As she spoke, she lowered her head to wipe away her tears, looking extremely aggrieved.
The female student on the same train quickly tried to smooth things over, and the atmosphere in the carriage became awkward for a moment.
The following day, rumors indeed began circulating in the academy that Qi Mingyue was engaged to the heir of the Duke of Ying. With embellishments, some even claimed that Qi Mingyue had come to Yingzhou to escape the engagement.
Qi Mingyue simply laughed off the rumors. Xie Ansu, however, came specifically to explain to her: "Mingyue, please don't misunderstand. I didn't..."
“An Su doesn’t need to explain.” Qi Mingyue interrupted him. “The innocent are innocent, why bother arguing with people?”
Xie Ansu gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mingyue and the Crown Prince... are they old acquaintances?"
Qi Mingyue paused slightly in her hand holding the book, and after a long while said, "I met you a few times when we were children, but we were not close."
Xie Ansu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but then realized his reaction was somewhat ridiculous, so he quickly changed the subject: "Tomorrow the academy is organizing a spring outing to the outskirts of the city. Would Mingyue like to come along?"
Just as Qi Mingyue was about to answer, a servant rushed over and said, "Miss Qi, someone has delivered a letter outside the door. It's an urgent matter from the capital."
Qi Mingyue took the letter, opened it, and her expression changed slightly. Xie Ansu asked with concern, "Has something happened at home?"
Qi Mingyue quickly put away the letter, her tone as usual: "It's nothing. My mother was just worried and asked about my recent situation." She paused, "I'm afraid we'll have to reschedule our spring outing for tomorrow. I need to write back home to let them know I'm safe."
Although Xie Ansu felt suspicious, he did not press the matter and could only take his leave.
After he left, Qi Mingyue unfolded the letter again. It contained only a few words: "The Crown Prince already knows you are in Yingzhou. Be careful."
She stared at those words for a long time, then sighed softly.
When news of the arrival of the Heir Apparent of the Duke of England in Yingzhou spread, for several days the students talked about this noble young man from the capital, speculating about his purpose and discussing his demeanor.
Qi Mingyue seemed completely oblivious, continuing to attend classes and study every day, discussing academic matters with Xie Ansu in her spare time, as if the outside world's disturbances were irrelevant to her. However, someone as observant as Xie Ansu could detect a fleeting hint of seriousness between her brows.
That afternoon, the sudden rain had just stopped, and the air was fresh and pleasant. Xie Ansu invited Qi Mingyue to take a walk in the back garden, saying that the lotus pond after the rain had a special charm.
The two strolled slowly along the path by the pond, where glistening water droplets rolled on the lotus leaves, and the lotus blossoms, washed by the rain, appeared even more delicate and vibrant. Occasionally, the croaking of frogs echoed from the grass, adding to the rustic charm.
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