Xue Zi Ning, seeing Shen Yun Xiu delaying his return, put down the dishes in her hands and walked out. Shen Yun Xiu was standing at the door. She couldn't help but say, "Shen Yun Xiu, what are you doing? Did you give him the money? My bamboo shoots..."
She stopped mid-sentence as well, because someone was standing opposite her.
He was wearing the familiar white jade brocade robe, which rustled in the wind. His handsome, refined face held an unchanging expression, aloof and at ease. His dark eyes were incredibly bright, sparkling like a galaxy.
However, at this moment, his gaze slowly turned cold, as chilling as frost.
"You're here so early? Come in quickly!" Xue Zi Ning hurried forward to take his hand.
But as she reached for him, his hand moved away, and she touched only a sleeve.
"Yan Zhao, you..."
"Miss Feng, please call me Young Master Yan." The voice that emerged was cold and distant, pushing her away.
She blinked and nodded, "Alright, Young Master Yan, please come in."
A clear, cold hum echoed softly, followed by a chilling voice, "I seem to have come at an inopportune time, disturbing Miss Feng and Master Shen's pleasant mood. I shall take my leave!"
She stiffened, "Yan Zhao... Young Master Yan, I did invite you."
She saw him stop, his head not turned back. His reply was indifferent and mocking, "Is that so? But I refuse."
With that, he left without looking back.
Xue Zi Ning took a step back, feeling somewhat lost and powerless. Shen Yun Xiu, standing beside her, quickly supported her, "Your Majesty, this humble servant will go explain to him..."
She grabbed Shen Yun Xiu's sleeve and said softly, "No need. Let him go!"
He could not be Yan Zhao. How could her Yan Zhao leave like this without a backward glance?
Her Yan Zhao had always trusted her.
"Your Majesty, if you don't explain, he might misunderstand." Shen Yun Xiu could not help but say.
"Misunderstand what?" Xue Zi Ning looked up at him and asked, bewildered.
Shen Yun Xiu looked at her expectant eyes and bravely said, "This humble servant thinks Young Master Yan might have misunderstood the relationship between your humble servant and you."
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback, "He doesn't believe me?"
Shen Yun Xiu heard this and said, "Your Majesty, it's not a matter of belief. Anyone normal would think so." Da Feng Novel Network.
"How could that be? In the past, Yan Zhao always believed me without condition..."
"Your Majesty, the present him is still Xue Jing Yun..."
Xue Zi Ning trembled, "Are you saying he minds my relationship with you?"
Shen Yun Xiu nodded, "In this humble servant's opinion, Young Master Yan has, perhaps unknowingly, developed some different feelings for Your Majesty."
"So, his reaction just now was because he saw us appear together?"
Shen Yun Xiu replied, "Yes, that's a possibility."
Xue Zi Ning heard this and said, "Is this how things are normally between men and women?"
"This humble servant doesn't know how things were between Your Majesty and him before, but in this humble servant's heart, if one likes someone, seeing her with another man would surely make them uncomfortable," Shen Yun Xiu said.
"But in the past, when I was with Yan Zhao, he always trusted me absolutely. He wouldn't be like this."
Shen Yun Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, anyone who likes someone will be bothered. If they are not bothered, there are only two possibilities. One is that they have given too much, and the other is that they don't like them at all. However, this humble servant believes the first possibility is very high."
Xue Zi Ning fell silent. She had never doubted Yan Zhao's feelings for her. She could only say that Yan Zhao had sacrificed too much in the past, and unconditional trust was the greatest sacrifice.
Now, Yan Zhao had only done a fraction of what she had done for him in the past, and she couldn't accept it. Then what about Yan Zhao?
Thinking of this, she felt a pang of guilt. She owed Yan Zhao too much, far too much.
"Young Master, why have you returned?" The coachman looked somewhat surprised to see his young master board the carriage. The young master seemed to have only been gone for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
"Return to the manor." A cold voice came from inside the carriage.
The coachman dared not ask further and drove away.
In the evening, Jiang Yu Li's maid, Xiao Huan, hurried in and said, "Miss, there's news from the Yan Manor about Young Master Yan."
"What news?" Jiang Yu Li asked, her spirits lifting.
Xiao Huan said, "Young Master Yan went to Miss Feng's residence today, but perhaps they had a disagreement. Young Master Yan didn't stay long before leaving, reportedly less than half an incense stick's time."
Jiang Yu Li heard this and clutched her handkerchief tightly, "As expected, Young Master Yan has some interest in Miss Feng."
Xiao Huan continued, "Miss, there's no need to worry. There's more."
"More what?" Jiang Yu Li quickly asked.
Xiao Huan said, "This servant sent someone to secretly inquire, and they heard that Young Master Yan saw Miss Feng with another man in her residence, and left in anger."
Jiang Yu Li was stunned, "How could that be?"
Xiao Huan shook her head, "This servant doesn't know, but this servant feels this is Miss's opportunity."
"Do you know who that man is? Someone who could make Miss Feng discard Young Master Yan?" Jiang Yu Li was somewhat curious.
Xiao Huan continued, "Speaking of which, Miss also knows him."
"I know him? There are only a handful of men I know," Jiang Yu Li said.
Xiao Huan chuckled slyly, "It's Young Master Shen, a retainer of the Prince."
Jiang Yu Li searched her memory and suddenly recalled a handsome face, "No wonder. Young Master Shen is also quite good-looking, but he can't compare to Young Master Yan."
"Miss, as the saying goes, there's a love for every taste. If Miss Feng and Young Master Shen have mutual feelings, wouldn't you have one less rival?"
Jiang Yu Li nodded, "That's what they say, but you've seen how indifferent Young Master Yan is towards me."
"Miss, the chrysanthemums at Jufu Villa outside the city are blooming beautifully. Why don't you invite Miss Feng to admire them tomorrow, and also invite Young Master Shen and Young Master Yan?" Xiao Huan suggested.
"Xiao Huan, you..."
"Miss, let Young Master Yan give up completely, and then you can comfort him. There will be an opportunity."
Jiang Yu Li nodded, "Alright, I'll invite them as you say."
Xiao Huan said, "This servant will go prepare."
Xue Zi Ning was quite surprised to receive Jiang Yu Li's invitation. However, upon hearing that Yan Jin Chao was also invited, she decided to go. After all, Jiang Yu Li was also attending. After their last encounter, Yan Zhao had stopped paying her attention, and she couldn't let Jiang Yu Li take this opportunity to move up.
As for Shen Yun Xiu and Yan Jin Chao, Jiang Yu Li had entrusted them to the King of Beijiang. One was the King of Beijiang's retainer, and the other was someone the King of Beijiang admired. Her brother would surely handle this matter well.
Xue Zi Ning arrived at Jufu Villa and presented her invitation. She was then welcomed in by the villa's servants. Xue Zi Ning was led to Jiang Yu Li.
"Miss Jiang." Xue Zi Ning said.
Jiang Yu Li walked over with a smile, affectionately taking her hand and saying, "Miss Feng, we haven't seen each other in so long."