Chapter Twenty-Four: Why Not Dress Up Uglier?
Winter has passed and the weather is gradually warming up, making it a perfect time for spring outings.
Shen Qingnian got up early to wash and dress, then took Ling'er to the gate of the mansion to take a carriage.
Yesterday, Xie Yanzhi sent Yuan Qing to tell her that he would take her out to meet potential partners today.
When she arrived, she found Xie Yanzhi already waiting for her.
Upon seeing her arrive, Xie Yanzhi got into the carriage first.
Shen Qingnian thought Xie Yanzhi would ride a horse, but it turned out that she had to ride in the same carriage as him.
Xie Yanzhi actually lifted the curtain and looked directly at her: "What are you dawdling about?"
Shen Qingnian no longer hesitated and got into the carriage with Ling'er's help. Ling'er and Yuan Qing sat outside and drove the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Xie Yanzhi secretly sized up Shen Qingnian, who was dressed in a white gauze dress with a plain satin ribbon at the waist, making her waist appear slender and delicate.
Her beautiful hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, adorned with a silver hairpin. Though she wore no makeup, she still looked incredibly charming.
Xie Yanzhi felt a strange sense of irritation.
Why not make yourself look uglier? Do you really want to be noticed by others?
He then turned his face away and refused to look at her again.
Shen Qingnian noticed that Xie Yanzhi glanced at her, then turned away with a dark expression, looking displeased. She was also a little confused.
Could it be that she dressed too plainly today, making him, the prince, feel ashamed?
She did only wear lip rouge when she went out today, and didn't wear any particularly nice clothes.
She believes that sincerity is the most important thing when interacting with others today; she should be the same person she is on ordinary days.
Shen Qingnian pursed her lips again to prevent her lip rouge from smudging.
Xie Yanzhi noticed Shen Qingnian's movements, and some images flashed through his mind, making him feel a little thirsty.
The carriage soon arrived at the shore of Taihu Lake.
As Shen Qingnian got up to get out of the car, she stumbled and fell straight into Xie Yanzhi's arms.
Their eyes met, and Xie Yanzhi's hot breath brushed against her face. She turned her head away, lowered her head, and bit her lip, not daring to look at him.
His gaze was too...
Shen Qingnian couldn't understand why Xie Yanzhi looked at her like that, as if he were looking at something she liked.
Xie Yanzhi looked at those lips so close to his, so moist and full, and his throat bobbed. He had an urge to take them in his mouth.
Shen Qingnian placed her hands against his chest to prevent them from getting any closer.
Shen Qingnian felt a force pulling her down. She looked down and saw that Xie Yanzhi's foot had stepped on her skirt at some point.
Ling'er lifted the carriage curtain, her eyes widening in surprise: "Miss... Miss!"
Shen Qingnian hurriedly got up from Xie Yanzhi's arms: "Your Highness, please move your feet."
Xie Yanzhi coughed twice and moved his foot away.
Ling'er then helped Shen Qingnian out of the carriage.
Ling'er really wanted to jump up on the spot just now.
She thought the young master had bullied her young lady.
Fortunately, it was the young lady's skirt that was stepped on. Ling'er was relieved.
Once they had stopped, the young master by the lake turned around and looked at them with a smile on his face.
Shen Qingnian saw that the young man in front of her had a face like white jade, handsome features, and a gentle temperament.
Unlike Xie Yanzhi, whose brows always carried a hint of arrogance and unruliness.
This young man had a relaxed expression and a smile that was as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Shen Qingnian was somewhat surprised that Xie Yanzhi hadn't teased her.
And indeed, they found a handsome young man.
Xie Yanzhi stepped down from the carriage and, judging from Shen Qingnian's expression, seemed satisfied with Xiao Huaiyi.
He couldn't help but snort coldly. Once she discovered Xiao Huaiyi's true colors, she would realize how good Xie Yanzhi was.
He's waiting to see her regret it!
Xiao Huaiyi looked at the woman in front of him. Her hair was as black as lacquer, her skin as smooth as jade, and her beautiful eyes were captivating and endearing.
I didn't see her face clearly that day, I only knew she was a beauty, but I never expected her to be this beautiful.
He was stunned for a moment.
Shen Qingnian blushed under his gaze and lowered her head shyly.
“Cousin, this is Xiao Huaiyi, the third young master of the Xiao family.” Xie Yanzhi interrupted Xiao Huaiyi’s gaze.
Shen Qingnian placed her hands on her sides, leaned forward slightly, and called out, "Young Master Xiao."
The melodious voice reached his ears, as if spring water was rippling in his heart. It was very pleasant to hear, and Xiao Huaiyi felt a touch of tenderness in his heart.
Xiao Huaiyi had prepared many words, but in the end he only said one: "Miss Chen."
He couldn't utter a single flirtatious word he usually said to Shen Qingnian.
He was somewhat afraid that his words might have been offensive to the person in front of him, making her think he was a street thug.
Xie Yanzhi was somewhat surprised and displeased to see that Xiao Huaiyi had actually put away his usual glib tongue.
The three sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, speechless for a moment.
Looking at the small boat on the lake, Xiao Huaiyi smiled and asked Shen Qingnian, "Miss Shen, would you like to take a boat ride on the lake?"
Shen Qingnian thought for a moment and decided that boating was a good idea. With Xie Yanzhi sitting here, it was inconvenient for the two of them to say anything.
Shen Qingnian glanced at Xie Yanzhi and, seeing his expressionless face, said, "Alright, Ling'er, come with me."
Xiao Huaiyi then took his servant Ping An and his maid Shen Qingnian to go boating on the lake.
Taihu Lake is vast and beautiful. The four of us were on a boat, enjoying the gentle breeze on our faces. It was a very pleasant experience.
Xiao Huaiyi looked at Shen Qingnian, a few strands of hair falling on her alabaster face, her eyes sparkling like the bright moonlight, her long eyelashes casting shadows downwards, enticing people to look at her delicate and pretty nose.
Xiao Huaiyi was momentarily mesmerized by the sight.
"Young Master Xiao?" Shen Qingnian called out twice, but Xiao Huaiyi did not respond, so she waved her hand in front of his eyes.
Xiao Huaiyi snapped out of her daze and felt a little embarrassed.
Shen Qingnian looked at Xiao Huaiyi and thought for a moment: "Young Master Xiao, I would like to know what the Crown Prince said to you?"
Xiao Huaiyi smiled and said, "The young master didn't say anything. It was I who fell in love with Miss Shen at first sight."
Seeing that Shen Qingnian was somewhat puzzled, Xiao Huaiyi continued, "I had the honor of meeting Miss Shen at the Jingnan Marquis's residence a few days ago, which is why I asked the young master to let us meet."
Shen Qingnian didn't expect Xiao Huaiyi to be so direct, so there were some things she had to make clear to him.
“Young Master Xiao, I am just the daughter of a merchant, while you are the third young master of the Xiao family. Perhaps the two of us are not a good match.”
Xiao Huaiyi knew that Shen Qingnian was referring to the two of them as being from different social classes.
Xiao Huaiyi smiled and said, "It's nothing. I'm just a son of a concubine in the fourth branch of the Xiao family. I can make my own decisions about my marriage."
"I will only marry the person I love, regardless of their social status."
"Although I am the daughter of a merchant, I will only ever be a legal wife in this life."
"I, Xiao, also only wish for one person for life."
The two exchanged a smile. Xiao Huaiyi looked at Shen Qingnian with a serious expression: "Miss Shen, would you be willing to give me a chance?"
Seeing that Xiao Huaiyi did not answer, Shen Qingnian needed some time to consider: "Young Master Xiao, could you give me some time to consider?"
Hearing Shen Qingnian say this, Xiao Huaiyi was somewhat disappointed, but he still cupped his hands and said, "Miss Shen, I await good news."
Xie Yanzhi sipped his tea nonchalantly in the pavilion, but his eyes were fixed on the center of the lake.
Shen Qingnian smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling, after Xiao Huaiyi suddenly said something.
She had never smiled at him like that before.
Xie Yanzhi felt as if something had slipped out of his control.
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