Xue Xingyue was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "Respect is better than obedience."
"Come in quickly, Your Highness, please come in." Madam Li led Xue Xingyue into the mansion.
As Xue Xingyue entered the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion, it was indeed elegant and tasteful, though it could not compare to the Duke of Ning's mansion.
When Ji Wuran rushed over, he saw Madam Li talking with Princess Xingyue.
The crimson attire was exceptionally striking, her clear and bright countenance exuded a noble and ethereal aura, and even while seated, her exquisite beauty was undeniable.
Upon seeing Ji Wuran's arrival, Madam Li quickly said, "Wuran, come and pay your respects to Princess Xingyue."
Ji Wuran stepped forward and bowed, "Your subject pays his respects to Your Highness."
Hearing this, Xue Xingyue looked up and met Ji Wuran's gaze, which was as brilliant as the Milky Way. She suddenly remembered how Feng Wu had described her being impertinent towards Ji Wuran. She quickly averted her eyes, lacking the courage to even meet his gaze now.
At this moment, Xue Xingyue wondered what madness had possessed her to suddenly want to come to the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion. Was it to question him?
But she was the one who had made the first move. Who was she going to question? Herself?
"Your Highness," Ji Wuran suddenly spoke.
Xue Xingyue started and instinctively looked up, only to realize she had not told Ji Wuran to rise, "Get up!"
Her expression showed a hint of panic, which, though brief, was perfectly captured by Ji Wuran.
Just then, a maid approached and whispered something into Madam Li's ear. Madam Li was slightly startled, appearing hesitant. Ji Wuran stepped forward and whispered beside Madam Li, "Mother, if you have something to attend to, please leave first. Princess Xingyue is with me."
Madam Li looked up and glanced at Ji Wuran with concern, "You must not be rude to Princess Xingyue as you were to your father."
Ji Wuran replied faintly, "Mother, how can Princess Xingyue be compared to father?"
Madam Li agreed, realizing that no matter how thoughtless Wuran might be, he knew that Princess Xingyue was not someone their Marquis's mansion could afford to offend.
Madam Li stood up, curtsied to Xue Xingyue, and said, "Your Highness, this humble woman has an urgent matter and must leave. I beg your understanding."
Xue Xingyue replied, "Madam, please go about your business. This Princess is not here on official duties today, so you need not worry."
Madam Li nodded. She increasingly liked this Princess Xingyue, who showed none of the arrogance or willfulness expected of a princess. She truly envied Madam Ji of the Duke of Ning's mansion; if Wuran could marry such a daughter-in-law, she would be overjoyed.
After Madam Li left, Xue Xingyue felt the atmosphere grow even more somber. She put down her teacup, stood up, and said, "This Princess remembers she has some matters to attend to..."
"Your Highness, do you not wish to see this subject?" Ji Wuran's voice echoed softly, sending a shiver through Xue Xingyue. She instinctively looked up and saw the exceptionally bright, almost dazzling, starry eyes on his handsome face.
At this moment, Ji Wuran had already approached her.
The distance between them was somewhat intimate.
Xue Xingyue took a step back, "Ji Wuran, please conduct yourself with dignity!"
Ji Wuran heard this and a smile played on his lips. His already handsome face now held a hint of wickedness, an indescribable allure.
"Your Highness, you came to find this subject of your own accord, and now you wish to leave? Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?"
Xue Xingyue frowned and said, "Ji Wuran, what nonsense are you speaking? This Princess was merely passing by. How could I have come to find you?"
"Is that so? But the Imperial Palace is not along the way to the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion. If Your Highness is going to lie, at least make it believable."
Xue Xingyue faltered, suddenly remembering. The location of the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion was nowhere near any route she would naturally take. Just then, Ji Wuran took another step closer, leaving only a foot's distance between them.
Xue Xingyue's heart skipped a beat, and she took several steps back, putting more distance between herself and Ji Wuran, "Ji Wuran, you..."
Ji Wuran chuckled softly, his smile incredibly captivating and charming, his eyes sparkling with an indescribable radiance. Xue Xingyue had never seen Ji Wuran like this. "Your Highness, are you not leaving? This subject will escort you."
Xue Xingyue was taken aback. Hadn't Ji Wuran just...?
Seeing Xue Xingyue's bewildered expression, Ji Wuran couldn't help but smile, "Why, Your Highness, did you think this subject was going to harm you just now?"
"No," Xue Xingyue bit her lower lip slightly. The words she had prepared seemed useless at this moment.
"Your Highness, please!" Ji Wuran stepped aside, clearing the path.
As Xue Xingyue passed Ji Wuran, she caught a faint scent of wine. Never before had it smelled so inexplicably pleasant to her. She felt a sense of intoxication once more.
"Your Highness, watch your step." Xue Xingyue started, looked down, and suddenly Ji Wuran grabbed her arm. A strong force pulled her towards him. She tried to struggle, but heard Ji Wuran say, "Your Highness, it is dark, and there are stones on this path. Please do not step on them."
With that, Ji Wuran released her arm. The evening breeze blew, sobering her up completely from her slight intoxication. How did she end up here?
For the rest of the way, Ji Wuran made no further improper advances. Arriving at the mansion gates, Ji Wuran bowed, "Your Highness, I bid you farewell!" Xue Xingyue nodded. Feng Jiu approached, "Your Highness."
Xue Xingyue got into the carriage and took a sip of the tea handed to her by Feng Jiu, finally feeling some relief in her stomach.
Why she had come to the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion, she did not know.
Perhaps the effects of the wine had not yet worn off.
"Your Highness, your subordinate has found a maid with excellent skills. What do you think..."
"Whatever you think is fine. Feng Jiu, tell the driver to slow down. This Princess is a bit tired and wants to rest." Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Jiu accepted the order, exited the carriage, and instructed the driver to proceed steadily so as not to disturb the Princess.
When Ji Wuran could no longer see the carriage, he said softly, "Have you found out why Princess Xingyue came here?"
A figure in black descended and replied, "Your subordinate is incompetent and has not found out."
"You may withdraw," Ji Wuran said calmly.
Perhaps it was just Princess Xingyue acting on a whim.
Thinking this, Ji Wuran extended his hand. Though he could not see his hand in the darkness, he could feel the delicate texture of Princess Xingyue's skin when he had held her arm.
"Wuran, has Princess Xingyue left?" Madam Li came to the mansion gates only after hearing that Princess Xingyue had departed.
Hearing this, Ji Wuran turned to Madam Li and said, "Mother, Princess Xingyue is already betrothed. Do not act rashly."
Madam Li was angered, "Do I seem like someone who acts rashly? That is Princess Xingyue, do you know who she is? Even if I wanted to, Princess Xingyue might not look favorably upon the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion."
If she had relatives in the palace who were favored concubines, then perhaps it would be worth vying for.
But she didn't, so it was best to just think about it.
"Mother, do not belittle yourself and elevate others. The Marquis of Ji'an's mansion is not lacking." Ji Wuran said.