The spring breeze lifted her hair, entwining it around her and clinging to her, reluctant to part.
"This is all thanks to you." Xie Qianzhong didn't feel that he had done anything to help.
"Dark Sixteen, without Dark Sixteen, Lord Xie might not have been able to see me in my entirety." Although Song Tangxue had the ability to protect herself, there would always be areas she couldn't cover.
The last sentence was spoken tenderly and lingeringly, and as she spoke, she unconsciously moved a few steps closer to Xie Qianzhong, the two of them almost touching, who were already very close.
Song Tangxue's breath lightly landed on Xie Qianzhong's face. Song Tangxue's face was bright and full of tension, and suddenly, the spring scenery outside the garden lost its luster.
Xie Qianzhong seemed unmoved: "Then Miss Song should reward Sixteen handsomely."
Song Tangxue shrank back, pretending to retreat, but by sheer coincidence, she slipped and fell into his arms.
The familiar scent of green wood enveloped her, and Xie Qianzhong, once he had done it, did it again, skillfully holding Song Tangxue's arms.
The hair ornaments in Song Tangxue's hair swayed gently, and as they fell, the cool jewels brushed against his cheeks, chilling him to the bone.
The delicate hairpin was bright and beautiful, but it couldn't compare to the smile of the person in her arms.
Song Tangxue smiled slyly, her eyes curving upwards like a bowl of intoxicating liquor, rippled slightly: "I must thank Lord Xie again."
Xie Qianzhong closed his eyes, restrained himself, and pulled Song Tangxue to stand up straight, taking a step back: "Please show some respect, Your Highness."
Song Tangxue found his reaction amusing. She giggled and took a light step forward to make up for the distance he had stepped back. The two were face to face again, cheek to cheek.
Song Tangxue reached out and lightly tapped the air under Xie Qianzhong's watchful gaze: "Lord Xie is not honest at all. His body is hot, but his face is cold."
Their breaths mingled together, thick and intoxicating.
Xie Qianzhong turned his head slightly, his breathing heavy, avoiding Song Tangxue's direct gaze: "Crown Princess, I don't want to say the same thing twice. Please stay away from me."
Song Tangxue smiled and slowly took a step back, speaking boldly: "I won't... I want to be closer to you."
Dark Sixteen's pupils were already beginning to swell with shock. The guards in the shadows were practically snapping their sword hilts, yet they received no orders from their master and could only watch helplessly as Song Tangxue left, alive and well.
Their master, who remained rooted to the spot, lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long while. Then, a short laugh broke the sunlight. Xie Qianzhong smiled, opened his hand, and loosely grasped the air in front of him.
The guards exchanged surprised glances, while Dark Sixteen, standing in the open, felt as if his brothers' gazes were piercing him.
"Take this token to Zishan Temple." Xie Qianzhong's expression turned cold in an instant. He handed the token to An Shiliu, who accepted the order and left, getting away from the group of slightly gossipy eyes.
Xie Qianzhong sat back down, poured himself some tea, and looked at the bouquet of flowers on the table. They were freshly picked that morning and looked vibrant and fresh.
Some people are getting restless.
Xie Qianzhong's face grew increasingly gloomy, his clenched fist lightly tapping the table. Had he given her too much patience?
Sensing Xie Qianzhong's murderous intent, the guards lowered their heads and silently mourned for the unfortunate fellow for three seconds.
The early spring sun lazily shone on her, and Song Tangxue felt a warmth spread through her heart. She raised her fingers and gently stroked the tassels hanging from her hairpin, letting out a soft laugh.
The sun was shining brightly, and Song Tangxue returned to the Song residence with Haitang, intending to visit her family's jewelry shop to buy some new clothes for herself.
Haitang chuckled and teased, "A woman dresses up for the one she loves. Miss, has something good happened to you?"
Song Tangxue gave her a coquettish look, her face slightly flushed. Haitang couldn't help but be stunned; her daughter was truly beautiful.
None of those noble ladies can compare to Miss. It's just a pity that Miss doesn't like to go to banquets, otherwise she would definitely outshine all the beauties, and Song Tangli would never have a chance.
Before even entering the shop, a quarrel could be heard. Looking over, a girl in a pale yellow dress was arguing with the shopkeeper.
On the table was a set of exquisite gold jewelry inlaid with gemstones.
The shopkeeper looked bitter. Next to the girl stood a young lady in a light green dress, who was also staring at the shopkeeper with an unfriendly expression.
"Isn't that the second young lady?" Haitang frowned, her good mood dissipating by half.
The woman dressed in pale yellow was none other than Song Tangli. Song Tangxue snorted coldly and walked over. As she got closer, she was able to hear the content of their argument.
"Shopkeeper, I am the second young lady of the Song family. This shop belongs to the Song family. If you don't give me this male concubine today, you'll regret it!"
Song Tangli was furious. In the past, whenever she came to these shops and took something, the shopkeepers would always respectfully wrap it up and hand it to her.
Today's situation is really something else; they want to charge her! And they're asking for an exorbitant amount, ten taels of silver right off the bat.
The shopkeeper was also exasperated: "Miss Song, we've been instructed that no matter who from the Song family comes, they all have to spend money to buy things!"
Song Tangli was extremely arrogant: "My Song family's shop, I want to see who has the audacity to do this..."
"It was me who said it." Seeing that Song Tangli's words were getting more and more unpleasant, Song Tangxue couldn't stand it anymore and stopped her, stepping into the store.
"I had no idea this shop had become part of the Song family." In the past, Song Tangxue had taken good care of the Song family, and the Song family could freely take things from the shop. After being notified beforehand, the shopkeepers no longer dared to do so.
"This is a shop left by the Shen family, half-sister, you should be careful what you say." Song Tangxue looked at Song Tangli coldly.
Song Tangli: "You're also a member of the Song family, why are you so stingy, sister? It's just a pretty face you can't bear to part with." Song Tangli's eyes reddened, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Song Tangxue wasn't about to tolerate her: "This is my dowry left to me by my maternal grandmother. How can you, a half-sister, use your elder sister's dowry?"
Song Tangli felt like she was being choked. Before she could say a word, Song Tangxue retorted, "And I don't need to elaborate on how much jewelry you take from here every month, do I? Do you want me to do the math?"
This is a famous jewelry shop in Kyoto, where many wealthy young ladies are already very proud of their new pieces.
Because of Song Tangxue's brilliance, Song Tangli was always the one who received envious glances.
The girl next to her was Song Tangli's close friend, Chen Shu, the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of An. Seeing Song Tangli gritting her teeth and hiding her tears, she said, "We're all family, why are you being so aggressive? Are you only satisfied when you make A-Li unhappy?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Song Tangxue snorted coldly.
"Smack."
A crisp slap landed on Chen Shu's face, causing him to turn his head away and raise his hand to touch his hot face in disbelief.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
