Chapter 16 Xie Guidu, you've gone mad!
Dou Wenyi moved gracefully, step by step, toward the palace gate.
In a daze, Xie Guidu seemed to recall the elegant and charming girl he remembered, who would show him her brightest smile and wave to him happily.
At this moment, she was dressed in a light ink-green brocade dress with flowing clouds. Her skin was as smooth as jade and as delicate as porcelain. She was exceptionally beautiful, like a peony shrouded in green gauze, or a crabapple blossoming in autumn, elegant and beautiful.
Xie Guidu met her eyes... those eyes seemed clearer and brighter than before.
Dou Wenyi naturally saw him clearly as well. Her expression changed abruptly. Pretending not to see him, she turned and walked towards the carriage on the other side.
Xie Guidu's expression was unfriendly. "Yi'er—"
He strode over in a few steps, his tall figure blocking her path, his chilling aura making it hard for her to breathe.
Dou Wenyi's pupils suddenly contracted. "Your Highness, this is the palace gate!"
Xie Guidu's sharp gaze fell on the food box she was holding, and he said matter-of-factly, "You are my fiancée."
"No!" Dou Wenyi took a deep breath and repeated earnestly, "Xie Guidu, that marriage will not happen, I will not marry you."
Xie Guidu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at her. "Reason?"
She knew him too well; this was a prelude to his anger.
The person he loves is clearly Dou Mingyan, but he insists on pretending to be infatuated. Does he want her to expose him now?
Dou Wenyi realized that she still wanted to save face for him, and a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart.
"I don't like you anymore, isn't that reason enough?"
Xie Guidu scoffed, "Then who invited me to Xihua Mountain to admire the flowers half a month ago? Was it because I didn't keep the appointment that I angered you? Yi'er... everything has its limits!"
In the past, it was clearly her who insisted on provoking me.
In just half a month, how could a woman who loves him so much suddenly stop loving him?
Xie Guidu's brows furrowed with guilt. "I did neglect you; it was my fault. In a few days, the Imperial Son-in-Law Cheng Shen will be holding an elegant gathering at the West Garden. Shall we go together?"
A gathering at the West Garden?
Dou Wenyi clenched her hands, recalling a word that was both familiar and unfamiliar to her.
The West Garden Gathering was originally a gathering of elegant literati in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Those invited were either famous scholars or eminent Buddhist and Taoist monks. High-ranking officials and nobles flocked to it, often arguing fiercely over a single invitation. Later, the Emperor specially ordered that many officials' families be invited to attend, and it became the most lively literary gathering in Tianning City.
In her previous life, she had expressed her longing for the trip many times, but Xie Guidu either ignored her or gave her perfunctory answers, and was unwilling to take her there at all.
Now, he's actually willing to give it up?
Dou Wenyi said with a hint of mockery, "Such an elegant event would definitely be incomplete without Third Sister, but unfortunately I am destined to bring misfortune to my relatives. I'm worried that I might 'bring misfortune' to her, unless... you can persuade Third Sister not to go."
Xie Guidu's warm gaze suddenly turned cold. "Yi'er, do you really want to cause trouble?"
Those few words were like a heavy slap across her face.
Sure enough, whether in his past life or this one, Xie Guidu had never liked her; only Dou Mingyan deserved his favor.
Even if she were to be reborn, Dou Wenyi's heart still felt as if it had been stabbed with a knife.
You can't hide your love for one person, but you must hide your love for two people!
Moreover, he didn't even love her; she was just a substitute for Dou Mingyan. He despicably used her to gain more opportunities to get closer to Dou Mingyan.
How could he bear to let Dou Mingyan suffer even the slightest grievance?
Thinking back to his past life, Xie Guidu had slept in the same bed with him for more than ten years; it must have been a torment for him.
It must have been really tough on him!
Dou Wenyi pursed her lips.
"So let's not make things difficult for each other, let's part ways here!" Dou Wenyi said, then turned and walked around him to leave.
Xie Guidu's face stiffened, and he instinctively grabbed that fair wrist, completely ignoring her struggles.
The food box in Dou Wenyi's hand crashed to the ground with a bang, the lid flew far away, and the delicate plates shattered all over the floor.
Xie Guidu gripped her wrist tightly, his gaze sweeping over her frightened and angry eyes, and said meaningfully, "It's because of the owner of this food box, isn't it!"
Dou Wenyi's expression suddenly changed. "Xie Guidu, have you gone mad!"
"Why aren't you calling me Prince Xie anymore?" Xie Guidu stared intently at her, his voice trembling with anger. "You dare to do it, but you don't dare to admit it? Don't forget your place, and don't do anything to betray Mingyan!"
Dou Wenyi felt a sharp pain in her heart. Sure enough, he wasn't jealous at all; he was worried that she would hurt Dou Mingyan.
"Get out!" Dou Wenyi's blood rushed to her head, her breath became unsteady, and she suddenly raised her hand and slapped his hand, while at the same time kicking him hard.
Xie Guidu was shocked. Caught off guard, a footprint suddenly appeared on his snow-white robe.
She...not only cursed at him, but also hit and kicked him!
Dou Wenyi was even angrier than him, her shoulders trembling. "I'm not as despicable as you think. I, Dou Wenyi, will not marry you, much less become anyone's concubine! I hope you'll watch your mouth and not utter any foul language that would ruin my reputation."
That's absolutely insulting!
She brought this humiliation upon herself, mistakenly taking him for a good man and cherishing him wholeheartedly for a lifetime.
Her devotion was ultimately wasted; in his eyes, she was nothing more than a sycophantic, opportunistic person who only cared about climbing the social ladder.
After saying that, she stepped aside to avoid him and got into the carriage.
Xie Guidu's face was ashen, his hands clenched into fists beneath his snow-white sleeves. He instinctively took two steps after him, but then suddenly stopped.
The beautiful figure had long since disappeared, but a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
He had already decided to accept her love, and after she finished throwing her tantrum, he would go to her door to propose marriage and marry her.
But how long is she going to keep making a scene?
Just then, Dou Mingyan came over from not far away, lifting her skirt. She greeted him with a joyful expression, "Gui Du!"
"What is it?" Xie Guidu's face was stiff, and he responded coldly.
His imposing manner was overwhelming; his face was so somber it seemed to drip ink, sending chills down one's spine.
Xie Guidu was a man of integrity and refined character, always treating her with humility and courtesy, and had never been so cold towards her before.
What's wrong with him today?
Dou Mingyan's eyes reddened, looking extremely aggrieved. "Gui Du, what's wrong with you? Why are you in such a bad mood!"
"Mingyan?" Xie Guidu finally came to his senses, a hint of apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I was rude just now. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Seeing that he had regained his usual gentle and modest demeanor, Dou Mingyan smiled slightly and said, "I have found a fine zither at Youhuang Pavilion and would like to ask you to take a look at it."
"There's no need for such trouble. I happen to have a few fine zithers in my collection; I'll give you one."
Xie Guidu paused for a moment, then said gently, "I will have someone deliver it to your residence later."
In the past, he and Dou Wenyi had had cold wars, and every time she was the one who apologized first.
This time, she even deliberately flirted with other men, just to get his attention and make him uncomfortable, right?
He wanted to see how long she could keep up her stubbornness!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
