The Xu clan's estate did not miss a single stone from its yards or tile from the rooftop, the buildings were as immaculate as they were. However, without the servants and the usual masters, they felt desolate.
Pan Lang happily escorted Xu Yejing to the estate and went to meet the First Prince who was discussing a few things with Marquis Xu and Duke Qin in Marquis Xu's study.
Fortunately, most of the plants Xu Yejing grew in her garden were the robust kind, the last few days' lack of care had not wilted them. She plucked a few seeds and fruits and ground them into powder, filling a few small bottles. She decided to not carry any of the fresh plants as she did not know how to care for them during her travel. After toiling for more than half a day, she had finished all she needed to do and decided to walk through the estate.
She even visited Xu Birou's room and Lady Jin's courtyard, as well as her other half-siblings' rooms. Although she was never close to any of them, she had still lived within the same compound for the last fourteen years, the quietude bringing a sense of solace and sadness.
She met a couple of servants en-route, who she assumed must have been the First Prince's servants who had been tasked to look after the estate. After all, all Xu clan's former servants had also been seized and sold somewhere else. Some of the higher-ranked ones, like Marquis Xu's old steward, had perished during the chaos in the prison.
Xu Yejing finally decided to wait at the main courtyard, sitting somewhat in a daze. She brushed her fingers over her wrist, an old habit. However, the jade bangle could not be felt. For some reason, she missed the cooling sensation on her skin.
"You can always choose to stay, you know?" A voice broke her out of her thought. She turned and immediately curtsied towards Min Yunfan. Her father, Duke Qin, and Pan Lang walked behind him, they must have finished whatever they were discussing.
The First Prince gestured with a wave of his hand, indicating for the three men to leave him and Xu Yejing alone. Throwing a last glance towards her, Marquis Xu withdrew from sight.
Noticing she had not yet straightened her back, Min Yunfan smiled, "Miss Xu, there is no need of propriety between us."
"This one wouldn't dare," was her brief response, alienating but polite.
Silence fell between them, she refused to gauge the other person. She considered Qin Zhe as a childhood friend, thus keeping his well-intention in mind, she did not wish to delve about his schemes further. As for the Second Prince, for whatever he was planning for himself, he still saved Xu Biyao. He Zhanyi, who acted as Min Qiheng's attendant, also saved her from being picked by the Empress Dowager's people during the slave selection. To that extent, Pan Lang also helped. He seemed to be working for the First Prince as well as being the Sect's disciple, but Xu Yejing did not know yet to what extent.
Min Yunfan coughed, putting on a smile, "You can always choose to stay, Miss Xu, if you don't wish to travel the jianghu and embark on a difficult path of the cultivation world. The mortal world is colorful and vast already, no riches or pleasantries lacking."
"Your Highness, it is truly not the right time yet to talk about the riches and pleasantries of the mortal world," Xu Yejing interjected.
What did he think she was? She might be young, but she was not oblivious to the way of the world. The way the First Prince was speaking to her, was as though he was trying to coax a five year old. "It will be this one's fortune if Your Highness can speak frankly."
Pan Lang was still in this estate. Xu Yejing might be currently powerless, but she knew she was important to the Sect. With one of the Sect's disciples around, although Pan Lang might be working for the First Prince, he would never let her be harmed.
Thus, feeling emboldened, Xu Yejing decided she could be a little bit rude towards the smiling face in front of her, "This one has been imprisoned, has almost been killed, and really cannot afford to experience further pleasantries of the world."
Min Yunfan blinked, his expression showed amusement and interest. Then he smiled once again. She had to admit, this person carried an exemplary aura as well as a face pleasant to look at, no wonder Marquis Xu and Duke Qin set up camp behind him.
When she looked at her father and Duke Qin behind the First Prince, she already knew who they would back to become the future Emperor.
"That is indeed unfortunate," Min Yunfan's smile was genuinely regretful enough, "If I can promise you the safety and the honor worthy of a lady of your status in the future, will you stay?"
"Your Highness' meaning is...?"
"Stay, Miss Xu, and you will be the mother of the country," he resolutely said.
He did not even beat around the bush. Xu Yejing frowned, feeling intrigued than flattered. More than that, she did not feel a single bit of happiness.
Xu Yejing, just like young maidens were, had read a few romance novels. She had never been able to relate to the protagonists in those romance novels, but the same line were printed on those books, when the female lead fell in love, 'as though butterflies fly in the pit of her stomach', or 'the man is fair-looking and genteel, his proposal promising all the happiness a lady would ever want under the heaven.'
Xu Yejing did not feel any dancing butterflies. If anything, there were probably only intestinal worms in her stomach. And if she were to accept the First Prince's proposal, let alone all happiness under the heaven, she would be lucky if she could sleep without headaches.
From the sound of it, Min Yunfan was also confident he would ascend to the throne.
"This one will have to congratulate Your Highness now, as this one will not be around to see Your Highness' accomplishment in the future." She had no interest to stay around to see who would actually be the next Emperor of Taishan. She refrained from asking about the Second Prince Min Qiheng as well, it was not her place and her best interest to be involved too deep.
"Miss Xu does not believe me." He sighed.
"Did my father plant the ridiculous idea in your head?" Her tone was sardonic.
Noticing her shift in her way of addressing him, Min Yunfan chuckled. For him, she was probably nothing more than a beautiful pet cat bristling her fur in anger.
"You would not believe me if I said I fell in love with you when I saw you in Qin Zhe's house."
When she painted black ink dots all over her face. Xu Yejing rolled her eyes.
"It's true," Min Yunfan shrugged, "Marquis Xu did suggest a few maidens fit to be the future Empress, you are one of them... ."
Her cheap father tried to sell her for his benefit. Xu Yejing scoffed in her heart and resolutely turned her back on him, "Yan-xiong. I know you're there. Let's return."
Upon her exclamation, a figure jumped from the rooftop, landing softly by Xu Yejing's side. Fu Yan looked at Min Yunfan, his face void of any expression. Soon after, Pan Lang also walked over hastily, "Fu Yan-shixiong. I told you you could wait for shimei and the First Prince to finish talking... !"
Pan Lang briefly explained to Min Yunfan, Fu Yan arrived a few moments ago at Marquis Xu's estate to fetch for Xu Yejing. Pan Lang had told him Xu Yejing was speaking with the First Prince and asked him to wait for a bit, but Fu Yan barged in nevertheless.
Xu Yejing smiled as she saw the expressionless Fu Yan. If she did not know Fu Yan was already close by, how would she dare be outspoken towards Min Yunfan? She did not know Min Yunfan that well. At least with Fu Yan around, she could throw her weight around a bit, especially after hearing Min Yunfan's proposal.
She did not want anything to do with inner-court politics.
Fu Yan noticed the lack of carriage in front of the estate. "How did you come to this place?"
She blinked innocently, "I walked. Pan Lang-xiong and two of Qin Zhe's guards escorted me."
Warily looking at a few passer-bys who balked at her uncovered face, Fu Yan's face turned dark, "I'll look for a sedan."
Xu Yejing tugged on his sleeve, "Yan-xiong, I'm tired and I don't wish to wait around by myself. Can you carry me back?"
The man visibly stiffened, the frown between his brows could hold a coin, "It's usually Fu Chun who carries you."
"But she's not around, and it's not like it's the first time you've carried me," Xu Yejing gripped onto his sleeves, not letting him shy away.
Upon her remark, he looked up at the sky, then towards her, then towards the ground, as though he was deciding on a life-or-death matter. Finally, he sighed and squatted, indicating for her to get on his back.
Xu Yejing pursed her lips for a bit and comfortably leaned against his back.
Fu Yan's qinggong was flawless, even when he was carrying a whole person on his back, they arrived at the First Prince's estate in a matter of few breaths. When Xu Yejing walked to the Xu clan's estate in the morning, it took her close to twenty minutes.
He immediately set her off like she was a hot fire, causing her to stumble to regain her footing. She grumbled, "Yan-xiong. That position is not comfortable. Next time, just carry me the normal way!"
He questioned slowly, "The... normal way?"
"Yes, you usually carry me close to your chest, just like Chun-jie would. Don't you remember?"
The young man's fists clenched, gritting out his words, "Who would remember something like that! If I ever want to carry you the 'normal way' in the future, you must refuse! You're a young lady!" Before he left her, he reminded, "We will leave before dusk tomorrow. Fu Chun already knows our timing and we will travel together as far as the town of Shuyi. Then we will part ways."
Xu Yejing nodded.
"Do... you need to say goodbye to your father?" Fu Yan asked slowly.
She shook her head.
Fu Yan stood by the door, the last ray of sunlight spilling behind him. Xu Yejing could not clearly see his expression, at this moment she wished nothing more to be able to clearly see his face. The young man took a few steps forward and stood in front of her. He was a couple of heads taller than her; even when craning her neck, at such close vicinity, she could not see his face.
He patted her head slowly a couple of times, the touch almost imperceptible. Then he turned his back and left.
She might be imagining it, but his fingers seemed to subtly caress her hair when he touched her head.
She had all she would ever need. The Xu clan was not one of them.
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