Chapter 17 She's back again...
She left in such a hurry last night that Shang Xu thought he wouldn't see her for a while and was even disappointed. Unexpectedly, she appeared again during the meal.
"Your Highness?" He looked at the person standing at the door in surprise. Dressed in plain white robes, he was elegant and refined. His black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, with a few strands fluttering in the cold wind. His figure was graceful and charming. He didn't need any embellishment; he was the most eye-catching person wherever he stood.
When Shang Xu saw her, he was surprised. After realizing what had happened, he felt fortunate that Qingzhu had helped him walk today. Otherwise, his comical limping appearance would have made her laugh at him again.
Yan Yize's eyes subtly swept over his arm that was being supported, and a slight regret arose in his heart. She noticed this regret and was startled, more puzzled than anything else. Regret? Why the regret?
Was it regret that she didn't see his comical limp, or regret that she couldn't hug him? Yan Yize pondered for a while and thought the first possibility was right, since she only felt sorry for him.
After figuring it out, she felt relieved and walked confidently to him. She stopped, looked him up and down, and asked calmly, "Are you still feeling unwell?"
"Should we have the royal physician come and take another look?"
Her sudden concern left Shang Xu at a loss, but he was still happy. After thinking for a moment, he slowly shook his head, and then smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm much better now."
Yan Yize did not insist further, but simply nodded, "If needed, just send someone to invite him."
"yes."
Shang Xu nodded obediently.
Yan Yize didn't speak again, and the room fell silent. For a moment, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Shang Xu waited for a while, but didn't hear any more sound. He thought she had left, so he looked up and met her dark, deep eyes. The clear black was like the night sky above the stars, quietly gazing at him, calm and tolerant.
Shang Xu was stunned, clearly not expecting her to be looking at him. After realizing what was happening, he awkwardly looked away, feeling inexplicably nervous. There shouldn't be anything wrong with his clothes, right?
Time passed slowly, and after standing for a while, his legs started to ache, but the person in front of him still didn't move. He secretly looked up to confirm that the person was still there, and was completely puzzled.
He seemed to be losing his balance, pursed his lips, and tentatively called out, "Your Highness?"
"Um."
She responded softly and then fell silent again. Shang Xu racked his brains but couldn't figure out what she meant, so he could only continue standing with her.
Yan Yize thought he had made himself clear enough. He had come for dinner and was given a chance to speak, but the man in front of him stood there like a wooden statue.
He's not very good at misinterpreting her meaning?
Why did she remain motionless at such a crucial moment? Clearly, she still remembered the time when Shang Xu misunderstood her, but she didn't know that Shang Xu had misunderstood her more than once.
After waiting for a while, still no one spoke. Shang Xu had to seriously ponder her deeper meaning. If he looked up at this moment, he would see the sorrow in her eyes, but he was immersed in his thoughts and was destined not to notice.
After thinking for a long time, Shang Xu still had no clue. After hesitating for a while, he asked, "Has Your Highness had dinner yet?"
His intention was to remind her that it was late and she should go home, since he didn't think he had such great charm that he could make her dine with him for two consecutive days.
But to my surprise, I heard, "No."
Yan Yize was frowning and racking his brains about how to start the conversation when he was caught off guard by what was being said. His slightly raised brows relaxed, and the sorrow in his eyes turned into calm.
Shang Xu couldn't help but glance at her, then quickly looked down. An absurd thought popped into his head, which he then dismissed. How could that be? Every time he was with her, she was always so eager to leave. In his eyes, it was more like a silent form of rejection.
As a result, he became very cautious.
Although he thought it was impossible, he really couldn't figure out her intentions at the moment, so he could only try his luck. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Would Your Highness like to stay for a meal?"
Yan Yize responded quickly, "Okay."
Shang Xu was in a daze, feeling that she was becoming more and more like a mystery, impossible to understand. Just when he thought she wouldn't appear, she did; just when he thought he wouldn't stay, she stayed.
In the following days, Yan Yize would appear whenever it was time to eat. He went from being surprised at first to getting used to it. However, she left in a hurry and he didn't say much. After a few days of getting along, although they were a little better than strangers, they were still distant.
After watching her walk away once again, Shang Xu lowered his head in dejection. At this rate, he would have to wait until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse to consummate his marriage with her.
He was anxious, but someone was even more anxious than him. Qingzhu watched Yan Yize's figure walk away with resentment, her voice unconsciously carrying a hint of complaint, "Young master, please think of a solution quickly."
Qingzhu's eyes were filled with ambition. He was unwilling to serve others for the rest of his life. He wanted to turn his life around. Besides, the Ninth Prince was so handsome that he would be willing to be a concubine.
"She's unwilling, what can I do?" Shang Xu lowered his head, lost in thought, completely unaware of his ambition.
Qingzhu's eyes darted around. "Young master, I have a plan."
As he spoke, he leaned down and whispered in his ear.
Upon hearing his words, Shang Xu's expression immediately changed, and his usually gentle eyes turned cold as he looked at him. "Don't let me hear such words again."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind telling Her Highness to sell you off."
This was the first time Qingzhu had been reprimanded by him. Her expression changed several times. Although she was unconvinced, she reluctantly replied, "I...I understand," due to the threat in his words.
He secretly hatched a plan: if the prince didn't use it, he would use it himself. Then he would be the first prince to be favored, and the palace would be under his control.
Shang Xu didn't speak again, but he had other considerations in his mind. Qingzhu was arranged for him by his father, and the contract of indenture was not in his hands. He didn't care before, but now it seems that his intentions are not pure. He can even think of such a despicable trick as drugging. If he continues to stay by his side, he will bring trouble to him sooner or later.
A note from the author:
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