Second Marriage

Chapter 27 Part 1

“Fifth Master, the servant just now said that Chen Li went to Banyan Lane today to bring a message from the Xiao Family’s Young Miss. She wanted to ask you when you would be free to meet.”

Ye Shen had gone back to Fengqing Palace and was coming out from his bath. Jian Yin was helping him tie his belt as he reported this matter. 

They had spent the day at the prison, and all the other matters were piled up here.

Ye Shen’s drooping eyelashes were still wet, and his cold features in the steam evaporated into a gentle pink, making his defiant face much softer.

“What was the reply?” He reached down to push Jian Yin aside and tied the belt himself. He calmly tightened it.

“No one dares to reply without your word.”

Jian Yin stood to the side when he was pushed away. He watched his Master walk along the long table and sit down in the taishi chair1. He followed a few steps behind.

“Then there doesn’t need to be a reply.” He would leave the palace tomorrow when he was free.

When Ye Shen made this decision, he never thought about why he gladly agreed to the meeting. After the words came out of his mouth, he swirled his tongue to reflect on his own strangeness.

Jian Yin could not hear the voice in his mind, and he just thought that his Fifth Master was too lazy to entertain the little girl these days. He let out a sigh.

This sound attracted Ye Shen’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything. It caused him to wonder instead.

Why doesn’t Jian Yin think that it is strange that I am going to meet Xiao Youning?

Ye Shen slightly frowned. Outside there was a shrill voice across the courtyard. “Is the Young Master here? His Majesty sent this servant to ask the Young Master if he has had a meal yet.”

His thoughts interrupted, his handsome face resumed its indifference. He motioned to Jian Yin to answer, and stood up from his chair and walked out.

As soon as he had left the prison, the Emperor called for him. The Emperor had become more and more impatient with that matter recently. He would become irritated when this matter was mentioned, and it even made him feel a shortness of breath.

Ye Shen treated the conflicts in the palace as if they had nothing to do with him. The appearance of the palace servant’s request turned his eyes into frost.

The servants in the palace were used to his cold appearance. As such, the servant did not think much about it and led him to the Emperor.

That night, the Emperor in the palace was furious. The reason for it was unknown. People only knew that Ye Shen was with him at that time. Ye Shen left the palace the next day, but he had errands to complete and was constantly moving on the roads. He was not able to see Xiao Youning because of the Emperor.

Xiao Youning waited at home for Chen Li’s message, but there was no reply until the next evening. Chen Li answered and only said that there was no reply from the other side.

Is the Daoist Priest too busy?

Xiao Youning stared at the deed on the table, feeling a little disappointed.

But the disappointment disappeared in the blink of an eye. The corners of her mouth slightly rose and she carefully put the deed into the locked wooden box. It would be given to the Daoist Priest sooner or later, and she shouldn’t mind if it was one day late.

Xiao Youning put away her things. Yuan Guo had just gone out and ran in happily, holding a basket full of small green fruits.

“Young Miss, that Liu San went out of his way to say that he found a suitable house, and that you should go find him to see it when you are free.”

Good things always come in time. Xiao Youning became more and more relaxed. She nodded and said that they would go out early the next morning. 

Unfortunately, she was awakened the next day by Old Madam Xiao’s servant girl’s shouts before she opened her eyes.

She was half-awake, but the servant girl’s voice was quick and loud in her ear. “Third Young Miss, get dressed quickly. The Princess Residence has specially sent someone to pick you up. It’s only for you! He said that the County Princess2 has not seen you for a long time, and can talk to you more if you arrive earlier.”

Xiao Youning was shouted at by her until her head hurt. She took a breath. “I have a headache. I’m afraid I can’t go today.”

She simply rubbed her forehead in pain and then fell back into bed.

What’s the matter with this Princess Huijing? Now that she was an orphan girl, how was she worth fighting in person?

The servant girl was shocked by her, and the first reaction was that the Third Young Miss was being pretentious. But she thought about it and didn’t think it was possible.

This was the County Princess making her lose face. There was nothing to be pretentious about. Those that didn’t understand would jump out of bed in joy, leave in the Eldest Princess Residence’s carriage, and create a sight to see.

After Xiao Youning slumped to the bed, she deliberately shouted, “Yuan Guo, I have a headache again. Quick… Hand me the pills.”

The servant girl no longer doubted the truth. She hesitated on reporting back to the Old Madam and left the guest courtyard.