Self-restraint

After all the dishes were served, the hungry Mu Wan'er was the first to reach out and pick up a piece of golden and crispy chicken leg. She started to chew it with enjoyment, obviously she was very hungry.

Seeing her eating with such relish, Mu An Ning's stomach, which had gradually lost its sensitivity due to long-term hunger, now felt a little empty.

She lowered her head, drank a few mouthfuls of the fragrant lotus seed porridge, picked up a mouthful of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, put down her bowl and chopsticks, and said to Su Nianci, who was sitting diagonally opposite her and also drinking porridge, "Sister Su, why are you in this inn today?"

Su Nianci heard this, picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her mouth, sighed slightly, and a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "Yesterday, I went to the temple with Ah Huai to fulfill my vow, but unexpectedly, the wheels of the carriage suddenly had problems, so we had to stay in this inn for one night."

Mu An Ning didn't ask any more questions, but just nodded to show his understanding: "Is it fixed now?"

Su Nianci nodded and said, "We will leave for home later."

After that, she looked at Mu Wan'er who was eating hard for a while, then smiled and said, "Ning'er, why are you two living here?"

After returning to Beijing, she inevitably heard some stories about the real and fake daughter of the Marquis' Mansion, and she also knew that Mu An Ning had moved out of the Marquis' Mansion for some time.

Although she didn't know who Mu An Ning's biological parents were, now that she saw with her own eyes how well the two sisters got along with each other, she couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.

Mu An Ning opened her mouth, thinking about how to answer, when she saw a figure passing through her sight. It was Gu Huaizhi, wearing a jade crown on his head, striding towards them.

Mu An Ning was stunned, her gaze paused on Gu Huaizhi for a moment, then turned to Tan Wenhuai who was sitting opposite her.

The clothes they were wearing today were surprisingly similar. Gu Huaizhi was originally wearing a crimson brocade dress, but now he had changed into a royal blue robe.

However, upon closer inspection, it is not difficult to find that there are subtle differences in the two people's clothing.

The robe on Gu Huaizhi has a few more silver floral patterns than the one worn by Tan Wenhuai, giving it a dazzling and radiant feel.

Such flashy clothes are in line with his personality.

But she had never seen him wear it before, so she thought Gu Ji must have bought it this morning.

Mu An Ning calmly withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes and scooped up a mouthful of porridge.

Some habits cannot be changed for a while, and she unconsciously pays attention to his clothes, but it does not mean that she still likes this feeling.

Gu Huaizhi walked up to the group of people in two steps. Tan Wenhuai felt the pressure from behind and immediately put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hands involuntarily.

However, Gu Huaizhi didn't seem to care about his reaction. Instead, he nodded politely to Su Nianci and turned his gaze to the girl who was not looking at him.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, with a kind expression: "I am hungry too, do you mind adding another set of bowls and chopsticks?"

Mu An Ning frowned, and finally raised her eyes to look at the young man with a slightly raised eyebrow and a smile on his face.

This table can only accommodate four people at most. How can I add one more person?

Besides, doesn't he dislike eating with others?

She clearly remembered that in the past, when she brought him snacks and the princess invited him to dine at the palace, he rarely showed up, saying that he was not used to dining with outsiders.

But in fact, she knew clearly in her heart that he just didn't like to dine with her.

Mu An Ning's heart was suddenly filled with complex emotions, and he felt that it was not worth it for his past self.

She glanced at the four sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, with a trace of regret on her face, looking directly into the boy's peach blossom eyes: "Sir, you should go find another empty table."

As soon as she finished speaking, the people at the table turned their eyes to look at her with different thoughts.

Mu Wan'er also stopped eating and secretly gave Mu An Ning a thumbs up under the table.

[My daughter is standing up! ]

[But why is this male supporting role so weird? In the plot, shouldn't he avoid my girl? Why does he keep coming to me? ]

However, the most surprised person among them was Su Nianci.

She hadn't seen Mu An Ning for half a year. Even though she had heard the whole story from other people, she still couldn't help feeling puzzled.

Her friend, who was still full of girlish thoughts half a year ago, has changed so much in such a short period of time.

In the past, Mu An Ning had been depressed and distracted more than once because of Gu Huaizhi's indifference. She often confided in her and even shed tears from time to time.

And now, it seems that Mu An Ning really doesn't like Gu Huaizhi at all.

Gu Huaizhi's smile froze, a flame of anger flickered in her heart, and she glanced at Tan Wenhuai who was sitting opposite her.

Did she think he was disturbing them both?

Gu Ji quietly tugged at Gu Huaizhi's sleeve, inexplicably feeling that the young master's behavior was somewhat embarrassing.

Even though their conversation was not loud, it still attracted quite a few glances from the people around them.

Just when the stalemate was about to end, the waiter with a keen eye ran up to Gu Huaizhi, bowed and said with a smile: "Gentlemen, do you want to add a seat?"

Although he asked this question, the waiter had already noticed the subtle situation. Without waiting for Gu Huaizhi to answer, he quickly moved the empty small table next to him to the four-person table. As he did so, he smiled and said, "I'll add this for you."

He finished speaking, moved another chair, looked at Mu An Ning and Tan Wenhuai with some hesitation, and finally chose to place the chair next to the man.

Gu Ji watched the waiter turn around and bring another chair. He first glanced at Gu Huaizhi's expression and quickly waved his hand: "I don't need it."

He had just come down to have breakfast while the young master was bathing and changing clothes.

After the waiter left, Gu Ji coughed lightly and said tactfully, "Sir, I will go downstairs to feed the horses first."

He felt that it was better not to mix the masters' love, hate, and vengeance too much.

Gu Huaizhi waved his hands without even looking at Gu Ji.

He glanced at Tan Wenhuai with a hint of disdain, then lifted his skirt and sat down beside him, and said to Mu Anning proudly, "Isn't there a seat here?"

After sitting down, his eyes inadvertently swept over her black hair without any head ornaments.

The peach blossom hairpin that had not been given away in time complemented her light pink dress perfectly.

His vision is indeed good.

There was silence at the table. Seeing that no one was going to speak, Su Nianci turned to Gu Huaizhi, who was sitting next to her cousin, and asked with a probing look, "Sir, are you and Ning'er here together today?"

Gu Huaizhi uttered a "hmm" from his nose with a calm expression.

Su Nianci got a positive answer, and her eyes moved back and forth between Mu Anning and Gu Huaizhi, becoming a little unsure again.

Ning'er doesn't seem to like Prince Gu anymore, but why does Prince Gu look different from before?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel anxious for her cousin who was just beginning to fall in love, and she gave him another look without changing her expression.

Tan Wenhuai was relieved by his cousin's encouragement, but he still looked a little nervous: "Ms. Mu... Mu, there will be a banquet in my house the day after tomorrow, do you... do you want to come?"

Although his voice was a little reserved, the expectation in his eyes was undisguised.

Su Nianci took over the conversation and agreed with a smile: "Ning'er, we haven't been together for a long time. If you and Miss Wan'er have nothing to do the day after tomorrow, why not come together."

She spoke thoughtfully and brought Mu Wan'er along as well.

Mu An Ning was thinking, and when Mu Wan'er heard that there was a banquet, her eyes lit up instantly. She hugged Mu An Ning's arm and said eagerly: "Sister, go, I want to go too."

Ever since the imperial decree of engagement with the Crown Prince came down, Xu has always restricted her. Now that she is sick and cannot be controlled, she must take the opportunity to have some fun.

If it weren't for the troublesome engagement, she would have wanted to attend the blind date party last time.

Mu Anning glanced at Mu Wan'er who was acting coquettishly, then looked at Tan Wenhuai who was looking at her with a burning gaze, and said with a smile: "Then go ahead."

Gu Huaizhi, who had been ignored by everyone, suddenly smiled and said to Tan Wenhuai: "Master Tan, why don't you invite this prince?"

Tan Wenhuai felt a chill down his spine from his gaze, and silently moved his chair to the other side, and said honestly, "Sir, I have invited people who are familiar to me...friends."

He finished speaking, his eyes fell awkwardly on the calm Mu An Ning.

It was from his cousin that he learned that Miss Mu had been engaged to Prince Gu.

Gu Huaizhi said "oh", then patted him on the shoulder and changed the subject: "Then we are friends now."

Tan Wenhuai was still in a daze when he saw Gu Huaizhi pour him a cup of tea. His smile was so bright that it was hard to tell who he was. "Brother Tan, let's have tea instead of wine."

The three girls at the table were stunned for a moment. They had already called Brother Tan.

Seeing that Tan Wenhuai did not respond, Gu Huaizhi pushed the teacup forward and said with a smile, "Drink it." He patted Tan Wenhuai's shoulder again and said with force, "Then it's settled. The Japanese prince will bring gifts to visit in the future."

*

Around noon, after saying goodbye to Su Nianci's cousin and brother, the carriage drove to the marquis's mansion.

Mu An Ning was about to enter the mansion when he was suddenly stopped by Gu Huaizhi.

His fingertips lightly touched his sleeves, and after a while he asked, "Mu Anning, did you lose something?"

He thought that this sachet was of special significance to her, but she seemed to be unaware of it along the way.

Mu An Ning wanted to deny it, but suddenly she remembered the sachet that she had searched the entire guest room for but couldn't find. She didn't know whether it was dropped when she was kidnapped or in the inn.

That was the second sachet she had embroidered as a child. She had been carrying it with her all these years and it had become a habit.

It can't be such a coincidence that Gu Huaizhi picked it up, right?

With a hint of inquiry in her eyes, she said, "Indeed, something is lost, Prince..."

Before she finished her words, Mu Wan'er, who had already walked to the front door, suddenly waved her hand: "Sister, why don't you come over?"

[What is this male supporting role doing? He is still pestering my girl. ]

Mu An Ning's attention was drawn away. After thinking for a while, she smiled politely at Gu Huaizhi and said, "Thank you for saving me, my lord. I will go ahead."

In fact, the sachet was not very pretty or special, it was just... a pair with the one she gave to Gu Huaizhi.

Gu Huaizhi was unaware of this.

However, since she had broken off her engagement with him, the sachet was lost.

If the old does not go, the new will not come.

When Gu Huaizhi heard the girl's distant reply, his fingers, which had been on his sleeves, dropped to his sides.

A gust of spring breeze blew by, gently ruffling his clothes.

His eyes darkened, and as he looked at her receding figure, he felt inexplicably heavy in his heart.

He had just lost his sachet, and she had lost hers too.

Is this retribution?

His expression became more and more strange. Just as he turned around, he suddenly heard a joyful voice: "Senior Brother!"