Chapter 523: Chapter 172: Does Kissing Require Technique?_4
Marquis Wu and his wife watched Xiao Jinxing and the others leave, then they returned to their house.
Outside the house, the cold was bitter and the ground frozen.
When leaving, they also told Wu Xufan and Xiao Hezhen to go back early.
Naturally, Xiao Hezhen lingered, and Marquis Wu and his wife thought she was reluctant to part with her elder brother, so they didn’t think much of it.
Only Wu Xufan knew.
For whom Xiao Hezhen was lingering.
The gaze of Xiao Hezhen, whom she was looking at.
And a good distance after the carriage had left, that man riding the horse, Yuan Wenkang, suddenly turned back for a glance.
In his heart, he had to admit that he was still concerned about Xiao Hezhen.
This look back, however, revealed that Xiao Hezhen hadn’t yet left.
He quickly turned away again.
Appearing, very indifferent.
Xiao Hezhen, at the moment when Yuan Wenkang looked back.
A single tear fell from her eyes.
Filled with heartache.
It was so sudden and unexpected.
Clearly.
Right before her eyes.
And yet, feels as distant as the ends of the earth.
Wu Xufan just watched Xiao Hezhen like this.
Watching the tears in her eyes.
Indeed.
Some people are right by your side.
Yet they feel as distant as the ends of the earth.
"Young Master." Behind him, a soft and tender voice called him.
Wu Xufan came back to his senses.
Xiao Hezhen also seemed to come back to her senses at that moment.
"It’s cold, you’ll freeze standing outside." The woman affectionately walked to Wu Xufan’s side, with a cloak in her hand and gently draped it over him on tiptoes.
Xiao Hezhen watched the interaction between the two.
The woman getting close to Wu Xufan was called Wu Niang, his concubine, whom he had taken in.
She was extremely attentive to Wu Xufan.
Her temperament also very gentle.
At home, she was obedient and respectful to everyone, clearly aware of her status, not at all arrogant because of Wu Xufan’s affection.
"This concubine pays respects to the Princess." Wu Niang, after draping the cloak on Wu Xufan, respectfully saluted Xiao Hezhen.
Xiao Hezhen nodded slightly.
"It’s cold, would the Princess also please return to her room early, lest you catch a cold." Wu Niang said cautiously.
"Mmm." Xiao Hezhen responded lightly.
Just as she was about to return to her room.
She watched Wu Xufan holding Wu Niang’s hand, walking past her.
As they passed by, she heard Wu Xufan’s somewhat reproachful voice, "It’s so cold, why did you come out wearing so little, what if you catch a bad cold?"
Though it was a reproach.
It also carried indulgence.
Xiao Hezhen just stood there, staring blankly as Wu Xufan and Wu Niang walked away.
Watching them for a long while.
Suddenly, she smiled faintly.
She couldn’t fulfill the responsibilities expected of a wife.
So, this was fine.
Inside the house.
Away from Xiao Hezhen’s view.
Wu Xufan then let go of Wu Niang’s hand.
Wu Niang’s fingers were devoid of warmth, a chill wind made her involuntarily clench her fists.
But her face still wore a tender and charming expression.
"Young Master, did this concubine do it right?" Wu Niang asked in a captivating voice.
"Mmm." Wu Xufan responded.
After Wu Niang entered Marquis Wu’s Mansion, Wu Xufan had already told her.
He would not touch her.
But in front of Xiao Hezhen, they must pretend to have a good relationship.
As long as she played the part well, he could provide her endless prosperity and status.
Wu Niang, of course, agreed in an instant.
But in reality.
What she wanted was never just that.
...
Under the night sky.
The carriage moved neither too slow nor too fast.
Ye Qichi had lain down and slept for a while in the carriage, and now she felt much better.
Her exceptional self-healing ability naturally made her sober up much quicker than others.
"Awake?" Xiao Jinxing clearly noticed that Ye Qichi had woken up.
Ye Qichi rubbed her head.
It was not a headache from the hangover.
But rather, sleeping in the carriage was truly uncomfortable.
She looked outside, obviously they were still a bit away from the royal mansion.
"What do you think about Xiao Hezhen and Wu Xufan’s relationship?" Ye Qichi suddenly asked.
"Not much to say." Xiao Jinxing didn’t bother to sugarcoat it.
"The progress between the two is too slow. I had hoped that they would get closer during the snowball fight, but they still kept their distance on purpose," Ye Qichi muttered.
Xiao Jinxing had also noticed.
He nodded at that moment.
Suddenly thought of something.
He looked at Ye Qichi, "Did you start the snowball fight just to bring Xiao Hezhen and Wu Xufan together?"
"What else?" Ye Qichi smiled, "Did you think I really enjoyed playing snowball fights that much? It’s fine for a while, but playing for too long still feels childish."
"Then you asked me to join you..."
"It’s obviously less awkward with more people," Ye Qichi said, "Didn’t you notice that Wu Xufan was much more relaxed after you joined?"
Xiao Jinxing just stared coldly at Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi felt a chill run down her spine under Xiao Jinxing’s gaze.
What’s wrong with this eccentric again?!
What did she do to bother him this time?
Of course.
Ye Qichi wasn’t about to concern herself with Xiao Jinxing’s feelings.
She suddenly said, "How about we find a wife for Yuan Wenkang?"
Xiao Jinxing ignored Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi continued on her own, "Once Yuan Wenkang is married, Xiao Hezhen will let go of her thoughts."
Xiao Jinxing still ignored Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi rolled her eyes.
Conversations with Xiao Jinxing, always ending up half-said.
Ye Qichi stopped talking.
But was thinking.
Actually, there’s no need to worry too much about Wu Xufan and Xiao Hezhen.
In the original text, the two of them end up together.
And they even have a bunch of little bunnies.
It’s just that seeing their interaction today, she felt a bit impatient.
This was entirely out of love for the two characters in the book.
Some of this feeling, just hoping the two could come together sooner.
Soonest, to happiness.