Volume One, Chapter 14: They Were Meant to Be Husband and Wife

“Even with neglect, surely not offering a single cup of tea? I have come all this way, Master Xie, and you don’t invite me for a cup? Or is it the custom of the Xie residence to drive guests away without even a cup of tea?”

Xu Huaiyang lazily lifted his eyelids. “I never imagined that the Xie family, renowned for a century of scholarly prestige, would treat guests so poorly—especially when it’s the Prime Minister’s house, yet they are stingy even with a cup of tea.”

“You!” Xie Chengzhu clenched his sleeve tightly with anger. “If you truly came as an honorable guest, the Prime Minister’s residence would welcome you. But today, you have behaved like a petty thief sneaking about.”

“What have I stolen or touched?” Xu Huaiyang looked at him, whose face had turned dark with fury, and then stoked the fire. “I have neither stolen anything from your noble household nor laid hands on your daughters—oh, if you count yourself as a lady, then yes, I did touch you once, four years ago on the soccer field.”

Four years ago at the cuju match, Xie Chengzhu had suffered a crushing defeat at Xu Huaiyang’s hands.

Yet Xu Huaiyang was not particularly pleased about his victory, for even if he won, Xie Jiaoyue would not hand him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat; she would only pass it to her useless brother.

Xie Chengzhu recalled being kicked to his knees by Xu Huaiyang four years prior, trembling with rage.

Seeing his state, Xu Huaiyang probably guessed that he would not see Xie Jiaoyue today—her brother was so irate he might have called for someone to chase him out.

Before Xie Chengzhu could summon help to drive him away, Xu Huaiyang left on his own.

As he departed, he called back: “One last thing, Master Xie: your cuju skills are terrible. When you have time, I’ll have one of my servants teach you.”

The implication was clear: Xie Chengzhu’s cuju was worse than that of his household servants.

This blatant insult made Xie Chengzhu glare coldly at Xu Huaiyang’s retreating figure.

After all, he was just relying on his parents’ reckless indulgence—what right did he have to critique him?

Once Xu Huaiyang left the residence, Ping An, waiting nearby, quickly approached.

“Your Highness, you finally saw Miss Xie this time, right? Did you learn what she likes?”

Xu Huaiyang gave him a sidelong glance.

“From today onward, your new name is ‘Useless.’ You can change it back only when I actually see Xie Jiaoyue.”

“Ah?” Ping An was stunned, watching his lord’s back.

So he still hadn’t met Miss Xie?

That couldn’t be—he had even checked the courtyard’s name carefully. How could he have missed her?

Ping An dared not say this to his lord’s face, so he could only lead the horse and follow behind.

“Your Highness, should I ask the cook again? Maybe she made a mistake.”

Xu Huaiyang said nothing.

Ping An hesitated, unsure of his lord’s thoughts, and offered, “Should I bribe a few more people to ask around?”

Xu Huaiyang stopped in his tracks and turned a cold gaze on him.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go.”

“Oh, right.” Ping An immediately snapped to attention. Just as he was about to leave, his lord grabbed him by the collar.

“If you ask wrong again, I’ll skin you alive and make a drum out of your hide.”

Ping An shivered and quickly promised, “Your Highness, rest assured, I won’t make the same mistake this time.”

After Ping An left, Xu Huaiyang mounted his horse. Just as he tightened the reins to return home, he spotted the shabby carriage once more.

Raising an eyebrow, Xu Huaiyang thought, Back again? Could it be that this impoverished relative actually lives in the Prime Minister’s residence?

Riding past the carriage, he glanced at it but did nothing more.

He did not know that inside the carriage, the girl he cherished most had fainted from excessive blood loss, nor that his beloved had suffered so many indignities today.

In the Prime Minister’s backyard, within the Shuying Pavilion, Princess Wanyue took Xie Ruyue’s hand and helped her sit on the step.

“Ruyue, I recall you telling me that you are already betrothed to the Crown Prince?”

Xie Ruyue recalled her impending marriage and smiled shyly. “Not officially betrothed yet, only that the Crown Prince and my grandfather have begun discussions.”

A formal betrothal was not far off.

Princess Wanyue exhaled in relief, glad that Ruyue’s affections were not for the Duke of Jingyang.

“Do you know the Duke of Jingyang?”

Upon hearing the name, Xie Ruyue suddenly lifted her head to look at her.

“Who?”

“The Duke of Jingyang. I just saw him in the Prime Minister’s backyard. He was heading toward Shuying Pavilion, but strangely, he seemed unaware you lived here.”

Princess Wanyue frowned. “Could it be he was looking for your brother but ended up at the wrong courtyard?”

Xie Ruyue forced a stiff smile, her fingers digging into her sleeve.

If that were true, it would be best.

She feared that the Duke of Jingyang was searching for someone else.

“Perhaps… perhaps. I do not know him.”

Princess Wanyue linked her arm with hers affectionately. “Of course, I know your true love is the Crown Prince. He is handsome, gracious, and kind—truly a match made in heaven for you.”

Under ordinary circumstances, Xie Ruyue would blush deeply at such words and feel delighted and sweet inside. Now, however, she only felt panic.

She feared Xu Huaiyang would reveal the truth from three years ago.

If Xu Huaiyang told the truth, then Xie Jiaoyue would stand as the brave heroine who sacrificed herself to save the Prime Minister’s residence. Everyone there would cherish and dote on her anew—perhaps even more than before.

Then what would become of her?

She would become invisible again, no longer called “Sister” by Crescent Moon, no longer gifted by Second Brother when he went out, and the Crown Prince’s eyes would once more turn to her sister, completely ignoring her.

Xie Ruyue looked at the gentle and lovely princess before her. “Princess, when you came just now, which direction did the Duke of Jingyang go?”

“I don’t know. I only saw your brother stay behind to talk with him.”

Xie Ruyue suddenly stood. “Second Brother was talking with him?”

“Yes… yes.” Princess Wanyue looked at her in surprise. “Ruyue, what’s wrong? You look frightened.”

Xie Ruyue stared at her, anxiety churning inside, but recalling the princess’s coy manner when asking about the Duke of Jingyang, she slowly sat back down.

“Princess, what do you think of the Duke of Jingyang?”

Princess Wanyue paused, then her gaze turned somewhat awkward.

“I think he’s very good—like a warm summer.”

Xie Ruyue took Princess Wanyue’s hand and pressed it to the princess’s chest.

“When you think of him, does your heart beat quickly here?”

Princess Wanyue seemed to understand Xie Ruyue’s meaning.

“Do you think I like him?”

Xie Ruyue smiled. “The princess is not betrothed yet, and the Duke is not betrothed either. Isn’t that a match made in heaven?”

Princess Wanyue heard the pounding of her heart and stood stunned in place.

She is a princess, he is a duke—they ought to be husband and wife.