Chapter 28 Two days of estrangement passed in the blink of an eye...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the sacrificial ceremony arrived as scheduled.
Early in the morning, before the appointed time, Shang Xu arrived at the gate of the mansion with an umbrella. The snow was not heavy today, but the light snow was still quite bothersome. As soon as his left foot stepped across the threshold, he was stunned. Who else could be standing next to the stone lion but Yan Yize?
He hadn't expected her to arrive early. After his initial surprise subsided, Shang Xu pursed his lips, his expression quickly returning to normal. After a brief pause, he continued walking out as if nothing had happened.
Yan Yize was standing there listlessly when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around instinctively, and when their eyes met, they both stopped in their tracks, looking at each other and then at themselves.
Shang Xu usually dresses in plain colors, but on such an important day as the sacrificial ceremony, he didn't want to embarrass her, so after some deliberation, he chose purple. Unexpectedly, she also wore a purple robe, with gold thread on the hem that was faintly visible. The intricate patterns were mysterious and noble, making her seem unapproachable.
Shang Xu's hand holding the umbrella tightened suddenly, and she was the first to feel uneasy. Would she think he did it on purpose?
Without thinking twice, he immediately explained, "Your Highness, I...I didn't know you would wear this color."
After he finished speaking, he waited quietly for his fate, but after a long time, he did not hear any sound. Shang Xu raised his eyes and glanced at her. His cold face was as expressionless as ever, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Shang Xu was somewhat uneasy. The incident had left a mark on his heart, like a broken mirror that could never be repaired. He pursed his lips slightly and said urgently, "I'll go back and go back right now."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around immediately, afraid that if he hesitated even for a second, he would cause trouble again.
His words made Yan Yize inexplicably uncomfortable. He frowned almost imperceptibly and called out to him the moment he turned around, "Stop."
Yan Yize felt nothing but surprise at the fact that the two of them were wearing clothes of the same color scheme, yet he turned around so hastily, as if she were some kind of monster.
Shang Xu was forced to retract his right foot that had taken a step forward. He bit his lip lightly, his drooping fingers curled up, and a thousand emotions mingled in his eyes. After a few breaths, he turned around, his head bowed low, looking as if he knew he had made a mistake.
Seeing him like this, Yan Yize's brow furrowed deeper, as if a needle was pricking her heart, making her extremely irritable. She glanced at him, moved her lips, but could not say anything.
After a short while, Yan Yize looked him over again and said stiffly, "It suits you very well."
Then, she turned her head away. It was her first time doing something like this, so she was a little uncomfortable. But despite her discomfort, her expression remained calm, and she said naturally, "It's time to go."
After saying that, she turned and walked towards the carriage.
Since she had said that, Shang Xu naturally couldn't go back to change. After hesitating for a few seconds, he braced himself and followed behind her.
As she walked, Yan Yize kept her eyes straight ahead, but subtly watched him out of the corner of her eye. When she saw him follow, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, and the discomfort deep in her heart eased somewhat.
Yan Yize was the first to board the carriage. Standing on the wooden board in front of the curtain, she paused for two seconds, then turned around and stretched out her hand to Shang Xu below, "I'll help you."
Her expression was calm, revealing nothing, but the unnaturalness in her eyes betrayed her nervousness.
Shang Xu slightly raised his eyes, his handsome eyes quietly examining her slender, fair fingers. After a few seconds of silence, he firmly shook his head, "I can do it myself."
Previously, because of her kindness, he had inappropriate thoughts, but the moment she waved her sleeve and left indifferently, he knew he had made a mistake, and a terrible one at that.
And she mentioned divorce.
To prevent himself from having inappropriate thoughts again, he should keep his distance.
Yan Yize withdrew her hand, silently lowered her eyes and glanced at her fingertips. Sensing his aloofness, she felt inexplicably heavy-hearted. Before today, he had never rejected her. This was the first time. She knew why, but she murmured, still unsure of what to say.
He could only silently turn around and walk into the carriage.
As the graceful figure gradually disappeared from sight, Shang Xu silently breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she didn't insist any further; otherwise, given his current situation, he wouldn't know how to refuse.
Calming himself down, Shang Xu steadily stepped onto the carriage using a stool. The hanging curtain blocked out everything inside. He hesitated before reaching out, his fingertips turning white from the force of his grip on the curtain. He exhaled a breath of stale air and mentally prepared himself before finally pulling up the curtain.
Shang Xu met her gaze without warning. Yan Yize's gaze was direct, naked, and undisguised. When their eyes met, she made no attempt to look away and simply stared at him.
Unable to bear it, Shang Xu lowered his head to avoid it. Although he couldn't see it, he could still feel its presence was so strong that it made him extremely uncomfortable.
He pursed his lips, trying to ignore it, and stepped inside. The gazes on him did not lessen because of his movements; they followed him relentlessly, making it impossible for him to avoid them.
Shang Xu pressed his fingertips against his palm, chose a seat furthest away from her, and sat down quietly with his head down. To keep her from noticing him, he even breathed very softly, remaining silent and rigid, like a lifeless clay doll.
The carriage swayed, and Yan Yize thought of the time when he returned to his parents' home. Back then, the two of them were just as distant and estranged as they are now. But things changed at some point, and now they have returned to the very beginning.
Yan Yize lowered her eyes, lost in thought. The past unfolded like a scroll before her eyes, finally settling on the image of her holding him. She remembered; it was the time she went out of the city to look for him.
Without her scrutiny, Shang Xu silently breathed a sigh of relief. He admitted that he did care, that he minded. After what happened last time, he could no longer face her with a straight face.
The carriage traveled smoothly all the way without anyone speaking, maintaining silence throughout.
About an incense stick later, they arrived at the city gate. Lost in their own thoughts, neither of them noticed until Huixue reminded them, "Your Highness, we've arrived."
The two suddenly snapped back to their senses and subconsciously looked at each other. One of them immediately looked away after realizing what was happening. Yan Yize watched this scene without saying a word.
"You..." Yan Yize hesitated for a long time before she could utter a single word, but was interrupted by the noise outside, and she had to swallow her words.
"This must be Ninth Princess's carriage. Since you're here, why don't you get off? Are you looking down on us sisters?"
Yan Linyue stood in front of the carriage with a large group of people. Although she was smiling, there was no smile in her eyes. Her words placed Yan Yize in opposition to them.
Immediately, someone retorted, "Hmph! What right does she have to look down on us?"
"We should be the ones looking down on her."
Yan Linyue smiled but didn't speak. A strong killing intent flashed in her eyes. Yan Yize had really hidden himself well all these years. If she hadn't left the city in the middle of the night, she wouldn't have known that this despised person had such abilities.
Some time ago, she sent people to her residence to inquire, but no one was able to enter. She really underestimated her.
Over the years, all those capable of competing with her for the position of Crown Princess have perished at her hands, but she was the only one who escaped, allowing her to grow stronger. Yan Linyue's eyes hardened; no one could stop her from ascending the throne.
Inside the carriage, Yan Yize's eyes turned cold as he recognized the person leading the conversation as the Third Princess, the daughter of the current Phoenix Lord, who was one of the masterminds behind the death of her father.
Yan Yize's eyes darkened. This sacrificial ceremony was destined to be anything but peaceful. She looked at Shang Xu, who was looking down and showed no intention of communicating with her.
"Shang Xu, be extra careful."
After saying that, she got up and went outside. "I'll wait for you outside."
Upon hearing his name, Shang Xu looked up in surprise, only to see the hem of her purple dress. This was the first time she had called him by his name since they had been married. In the past, she had always addressed him as "Zhengjun" (正君).
Compared to calling him by his name, "Zhengjun" sounds nice, but it's too cold and lacks any emotion.
Shang Xu couldn't guess what she was thinking, nor did he want to. After what happened last time, all he could do was to stay true to his own duties.
Yan Yize stepped out of the carriage and immediately saw Yan Linyue standing at the front of the crowd. He also noticed the malice that flashed in Yan Linyue's eyes when she saw him. She was just like her father, so disgusting.
Yan Yize stood against the wind in his purple robes, looking down at you with a provocative smirk, "There's one thing my elder sister is wrong about. I just look down on you."
She had no desire to feign politeness towards the person who killed her father.
She's kept a low profile for over a decade, but now she's not going to, lest anyone think she's easy to bully.
Yan Linyue clearly hadn't expected her to be so direct. Her expression froze, and her smile vanished. Her eyes fixed on her like a cold, venomous snake. "You!"
Having lived a life of luxury for many years, no one dared to disobey her. This was the first time Yan Linyue had ever been humiliated in front of everyone. In her more than ten years of life, this was the first time she had felt such regret. She regretted being careless towards her, and even more so, she regretted not killing her years ago.
However, it's not too late now. Thinking of her plan, Yan Linyue's anger subsided a little. She stared fiercely at Yan Yize. After it was done, she would definitely feed Yan Yize's head to the dogs. Only in this way could she vent her hatred for today.
Yan Linyue gave a cold "humph," flicked her sleeves, and left. She wasn't in a hurry; she was waiting for her head.
Those who came with her were bewildered when she suddenly left. They looked at each other in confusion and eventually had no choice but to leave as well.
Yan Yize clicked her tongue, finding it rather uninteresting, but she didn't let her guard down. Having been lying in wait for many years, she knew Yan Linyue's despicable methods well. Like a snake hiding in a dark corner, it would jump out and bite you when you weren't paying attention.
Just then, Shang Xu also came out. He glanced at her subtly. He had heard about the dispute earlier, and her behavior was quite different from what had been rumored. Recalling the time she left the city, he keenly sensed that she was no ordinary person.
Previously, Shang Xu felt that he and she were in the same boat, both being neglected, but now it seems that he is the only one who is pitiful.
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