The news that the young master had invited the young lady into the manor reached Princess Rui's ears as quickly as the wind, and the surprise made her stand up immediately.
"Miss, what girl? How old are you? What do you look like? Which family's daughter are you from?" Princess Rui immediately asked the steward.
"A pretty girl in red went to the Prince's courtyard. Your Highness, I think something good is about to happen in the Prince's mansion!" The steward said with a beaming smile.
"They've already brought him into the Prince's residence, how come this child is doing such a big thing without saying a word!" Princess Rui paced back and forth in the room, looking impatient. "Should I go over and take a look? No, it's their first time visiting, we can't scare them away."
Compared to the excitement of Princess Rui, Xiao Yi and Hongzhu sat facing each other, their expressions somewhat solemn.
"You want me to pretend to be your lover?" Hongzhu frowned, but then asked, "Why pretend? Can't we be real?"
Xiao Yi's expression was very serious, but he didn't say it was Tao Wanniang's suggestion. "I am destined to bring misfortune to my wife, but I also suspect that someone is secretly trying to harm me."
“Miss Hongzhu, if my fate is true, then there are gods watching over us. Since our love is not genuine, even if we were to be engaged, it wouldn't count, and naturally, it won't affect you. But if someone is playing tricks, Miss Hongzhu, do you know that this matter... is risky?”
"I'm not easily intimidated. Do you want me to move into your Prince Rui's mansion?" Hongzhu said with interest. "If we're going to do this, we have to go all the way. I'll move in right away!"
"Aren't you going to reconsider? There are risks involved; it could endanger your life." Xiao Yi was worried that Hongzhu might want to take the act seriously, but was it worth risking his life?
Hongzhu laughed, looked Xiao Yi up and down, and whispered, "To die under a peony is to be a romantic ghost, doesn't Your Highness know that?"
“You…” Xiao Yi shook his head with a hint of disdain. “Miss Hong, I still hope you will consider this carefully. But this matter is only between the two of us. I will also have people watching over your safety, and you must be extra careful. You are staying at the inn now. I will send someone to pick you up. If my mother asks about it, you can tell her your true identity without hiding it.”
"I've also heard that your Prince Rui's Mansion doesn't care about social status. So, I'll say that you originally had no feelings for me, but I couldn't resist traveling thousands of miles to see you and constantly pestering you. In the end, you were moved by me and agreed to marry me, how about that?"
Xiao Yi was slightly embarrassed; how could this young girl say such things? "Whatever!"
Hongzhu smiled, her beauty radiant. "Brother Yi, shall I... escort you out of the manor, or would you like to show me around first?"
"You...you shouldn't call me that!" Xiao Yi said awkwardly.
Hongzhu laughed like a silver bell. Cheng Feng, who was far away outside the door, having been warned by Xiao Yi not to approach, only heard Hongzhu's clear and lively laughter and was quite puzzled. Why did the young master change his mind?
"Guard Cheng, Guard Cheng!" The steward waved to Cheng Feng at the courtyard gate. The princess was already impatient and wanted to summon Cheng Feng for questioning.
Just then, Hongzhu and Xiao Yi came out of the house. Upon seeing this, Cheng Feng immediately made a gesture to the steward, walked to Xiao Yi's side, and then looked at Hongzhu, who had a happy expression on her face, with surprise. This is... she has won over her young master?
"Cheng Feng, take Hongzhu back to the inn," Xiao Yi said calmly, ignoring Cheng Feng's gaze.
"Brother Yi, aren't you going to see me off?" Hongzhu looked at Xiao Yi with resentment.
“Mother is surely waiting for my explanation. Hongzhu, you go back first. I will inform Mother and then send someone to pick you up,” Xiao Yi said gently.
Cheng Feng was even more confused. The two weren't like this before. The manager looked much kinder and more benevolent. It really meant that good things were about to happen!
"Alright then, Guard Cheng, escort me back." Hongzhu said to Cheng Feng.
Helpless, Cheng Feng escorted Hongzhu out of the Prince Rui's residence, while Xiao Yi went with the steward to the Princess Rui's residence.
"Yi'er, what's the situation with that girl?" Princess Rui asked as soon as she saw Xiao Yi.
As agreed with Hongzhu, Xiao Yi calmly recounted how the two met.
"She's a female island lord?" Princess Rui was surprised. She was a martial arts expert. Then her brows furrowed and relaxed. "She's so infatuated with you. This is like chasing after a husband from afar! Yi'er, your father and I don't care about social status. As long as she's willing to marry you, and you're willing to marry her, that's fine."
“Hongzhu is passionate and unrestrained, and she truly loves me. I was a little hesitant at first, after all, there's my fate. But Hongzhu said her fate is unique, that is... particularly strong, so... I want to give it a try!”
Princess Rui listened, feeling a pang of tenderness in her heart, both for her son and for Hongzhu. It was truly remarkable that a young woman could do this.
"Why don't you invite that young lady to your residence? It's not safe for her to stay at an inn alone," Princess Rui suggested.
“Mother, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Now that I’ve accepted Hongzhu, I’m worried that she’ll be unfamiliar with the capital city all by herself. Why don’t I bring her to our residence, and you can show her around?” Xiao Yi said earnestly.
Princess Rui was relieved to hear this, as her son was finally getting married again. But suddenly, she stared blankly at Xiao Yi.
"Yi'er, do you like this girl?"
Xiao Yi was also taken aback, naturally... he didn't like it.
“Mother, Hongzhu has deep feelings for me, and I cannot betray her sincere heart,” Xiao Yi replied calmly.
No one knows a son better than his mother, Princess Rui immediately understood. But as long as Xiao Yi agreed to the marriage, he couldn't possibly dislike her. "Alright then, bring the girl over later. As long as you want to marry her, our Rui Prince's Mansion will accept her."
Xiao Yi was grateful to have such open-minded parents. He had no intention of marrying Hong Zhu. According to past practice, once the news of his engagement to Hong Zhu spread, something would happen to her.
If Hongzhu is safe and sound, then... we'll see!
His father and mother could accept anyone he wanted to marry, but what if it was... her? A flood of thoughts rushed through Xiao Yi's mind, but he tried to suppress them. It wasn't as simple as him wanting to marry her; the woman might not even be willing to marry him.
A young lady was seen entering and leaving Prince Rui's residence, seemingly about to get married to Prince Rui's heir. This news was spread intentionally or unintentionally. Originally, Xiao Yi was a prominent figure in the capital, attracting the attention of countless young women. But even if someone was not afraid of Xiao Yi's reputation for bringing bad luck to wives, Xiao Yi might not be willing to marry her!
"Royal brother, did you hear that? Cousin Xiao Yi is getting married again." Deep within the palace, the elegantly dressed princess looked at Zhao Zhe, whose face was gloomy. "Royal brother, you've given him a fate that brings misfortune to his wives, but you can't stop the endless stream of women who covet your cousin's gentle and refined face. Tell me, this time, can you let that girl lose her life?"
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