Chapter 5 Returning Home...
Just then, the carriage stopped.
Hui Xue's voice rang out from outside the carriage, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the Shang residence."
"Hmm." Yan Yize had no time to think about it. He responded softly, got up from the carriage unhurriedly, and his movements were very elegant, with every gesture revealing his nobility.
Yan Yize stopped and immediately saw the Shang family members waiting in front of the Shang residence. She paused for a moment. Although she had no feelings for Shang Xu, she still had to give him the face he deserved in front of outsiders.
She reached out and took the umbrella that Huixue had held beside her, turned around, and extended her hand to the person in the carriage, her eyes filled with a gentle smile, "Zhengjun, be careful not to fall."
Shang Xu had just stepped out of the carriage when he heard her voice. He subconsciously looked up and was immediately met with her warm, smiling eyes. His breath seemed to slow for a moment. Most of the time, her beautiful eyes were indifferent and calm. This was the first time he had seen her smiling.
His heart skipped a beat for no reason, and Shang Xu hurriedly looked away. One second, two seconds, three seconds later, he couldn't help but glance at her. Her eyes, which held a gentle smile, were like the shimmering surface of a lake under the moonlight, mysterious, calm, and full of inclusiveness.
His gaze shifted downwards, landing on her outstretched hand. Her hand was as beautiful as she was—with distinct knuckles, long and slender, like the finest jade. Shang Xu suddenly felt inexplicably tense; his drooping fingers bent and relaxed, just like his fluctuating emotions.
After hesitating for a while, Shang Xu finally placed his hand on her. Firstly, it was a good thing for him, showing that she liked him. Secondly, he was currently living under her roof and dared not and would not embarrass her.
Palms pressed together, the lower hand dry yet warm, an indescribable feeling spread throughout the body from the point of clasping, rushing straight to the heart, and the heart that had finally calmed down began to tremble again.
Yan Yize gently grasped his hand, his warm smile unchanged, and looked at him with a deeper gaze, his soft words like the whispers of lovers, "Is your lord steady?"
"Hold on... hold on tight."
Shang Xu dared not look at her, lowered his eyes, and nodded gently. His reddened ear tips were as vibrant as blooming red plum blossoms in the white snow.
Unconsciously, Yan Yize's gaze swept over his reddened ear tips, and paused for a moment. Why are his ears always so red?
With her help, Shang Xu steadily stepped down from the carriage. As soon as he stood still, he recoiled as if he had touched something terrifying. After calming his nervousness, he looked up and gave her a flawless smile, thanking her: "Thank you, Your Highness."
The hand that had been clasped with hers fell naturally to his sides, calm as if nothing had happened. Only Shang Xu knew how turbulent the emotions beneath the calm surface were. With just a light clasp, he could still feel the warmth she had left in his palm.
His fingers curled silently, and Shang Xu silently put his hands behind his back in a corner where no one could see him. His palms clenched into fists, whether out of shame and anger or to try and retain her warmth, it was hard to tell.
Yan Yize calmly withdrew his hand, holding the umbrella over his head, seemingly unconcerned that he had so hastily pulled his hand back. He still smiled gently, but the smile in his eyes had faded somewhat, as if he had been disliked.
"We are husband and wife, there's no need to be so polite."
The two stood facing each other as snowflakes fell, creating a beautiful scene that, from a distance, made them appear as a loving couple.
Yan Yize held up the umbrella, and the two walked side by side toward the Shang residence. The space under the umbrella was narrow, and their shoulders brushed against each other unintentionally. She paused for a moment, thinking of how he had avoided her like the plague earlier, and her mood soured.
Good intentions go unrewarded, Yan Yize muttered to himself, shifting his body slightly away from the umbrella to avoid touching him again.
Shang Xu was focused on walking when a gust of wind suddenly passed between them. He belatedly realized something was wrong, paused, and glanced at her. She still had a smile on her face, but there was a hint of estrangement in her eyes, a estrangement that hadn't been there just a moment ago.
Shang Xu felt a pang of unease. He pursed his lips, his eyes filled with confusion and self-reproach. Had he done something wrong?
He looked at her, wanting to ask her something, but what had he done wrong? He could change it. He moved his lips, but didn't ask. It seemed that a person who was married in place of another did not have the right to ask.
Perhaps it was simply that she didn't like him; the light in Shang Xu's eyes dimmed.
There weren't many people waiting in front of the Shang residence. Only Shang Xu's biological father, Madam Su, Shang Jue, and a few servants were present. Yan Yize glanced at Shang Xu thoughtfully, somewhat surprised.
She was an unfavored princess, so it was normal for her to be neglected. But she remembered that Shang Xu was the legitimate son of the Shang family, and although his father, Madam Su, was a second wife, he was still the legitimate husband of the family. So why was his return visit so cold and deserted?
A hint of interest flashed in Yan Yize's eyes; it seemed she had overlooked many things.
Su led the group forward and bowed to the two, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness, Greetings, Your Majesty."
Su's manners were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. The only flaw was the lack of joy in seeing her biological son; her eyes held the same indifference as those of a stranger.
Shang Jue, who was behind, secretly raised his eyes, a look of amazement flashing in them, followed by some annoyance. His good younger brother was really getting off easy.
Yan Yize raised an eyebrow and looked at Shang Xu, only to find him unusually calm, as if he had long been used to it.
"No need for such formalities, Father-in-law."
Yan Yize helped Su Shi up.
Madam Su did not refuse, saying, "Your Highness, this way please."
He didn't glance at Shang Xu even once from beginning to end.
Yan Yize simply smiled and remained silent; the Shang family was truly fascinating.
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