Chapter 180 - 136
Not long after lunch, just as Xie Ruyu anticipated, Duan Cheng came to invite her for a walk in the garden.
This is also the custom when considering marriage; if the gentleman is satisfied with the lady, he would invite her alone to express his intentions.
If the lady also finds him pleasing, she would gladly accept the invitation.
Xie Ruyu was not one to be pretentious. After greeting her cousin, she wrapped herself in a cloak, carried a hand warmer, and went with her personal maid to accompany Duan Cheng.
Watching the two leave side by side, Xie Wanqing smiled slightly and said to Erqing, "A talented man and a beautiful woman, they truly seem well-matched."
As the daughter of the Liu Family, Liu managed to catch the eye of Xie Shu, the legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion, at a glance. He decided to bring her home as his wife, and throughout many years of marriage, he has never had a second thought. Besides their compatible characters, their looks and stature naturally wouldn’t be inferior.
Xie Ruyu closely resembles her mother, with captivating beauty. Ignoring that always thorny tongue of hers, she is actually a very attractive young lady.
While massaging her master’s shoulders, Erqing said, "Indeed, aren’t they? In our Xie family, none of the children have mediocre looks."
Whether it be gentlemen or ladies.
From her elder brother Xie YanYu to the cousins from different branches, each one is flawless in appearance.
With no one else in the room, Xie Wanqing pulled Erqing to sit down, and the two were chatting intimately when suddenly the sound of galloping hooves came from outside.
This is the backyard of Samantabhadra Temple, a place bustling with incense offerings. Resting on a mountainside, the stone steps are laid out from the base of the mountain all the way to the temple door, providing convenience for devotees.
Riding a horse is inconvenient unless one takes the shaded paths instead...
Thinking about this, Xie Wanqing surmised it was likely some young man who didn’t want to climb the mountain, so he rode a horse to pay respects. Unexpectedly, as soon as the clatter of hooves disappeared, the rider dismounted.
But the footsteps came towards their wing room.
The master and the maid exchanged glances, both looking towards the doorway of the wing room.
Soon, the visitor appeared within their sight.
His stature was upright, face stern, strides calm and steady, yet seeming to harbor a suppressed emotion, with a few evident hints of chill between his brows.
Who else could it be but Lu Ziyuan?
Erqing immediately stood up defensively, as if confronting a formidable foe, blocking in front of Xie Wanqing.
Xie Wanqing’s expression also turned unpleasant.
She hadn’t anticipated seeing Lu Ziyuan here.
Judging by the looks of it, he came specifically for her.
Accumulated with a thin layer of snow on his cloak, Lu Ziyuan first glanced around the room before casually handing the cloak to Mingjian behind him. He stepped inside, his gaze bypassing Erqing, landing directly on Xie Wanqing.
There was no emotion discernible in those deep and tranquil eyes, yet they caused Xie Wanqing to shudder with goosebumps, her spine chilled.
Their eyes met for a brief moment in the air, Lu Ziyuan slightly raised his hand and said, "Leave."
Who he was speaking to was implicit.
Erqing remained unmoved.
Lu Ziyuan stepped towards them, Xie Wanqing hurriedly stood up, pulling Erqing behind her.
"Do you still remember what you promised me?" she said angrily, "Do you intend to break your word again!"
What did he promise her?
To not relentlessly press her, not force her to separate, and not abduct her halfway.
Standing less than three steps apart, Lu Ziyuan halted, his cold face slightly softened.
"I never promised to never appear in front of you. This doesn’t count as breaking my word."
He said casually, "Wanwan, let your maid leave. I wish to verify something with you."
"What is it?" Xie Wanqing perceived his abnormal demeanor, utterly unwilling to agree to let Erqing leave.
Nor was she willing to be alone with this man in a room.
Seeing this, Lu Ziyuan didn’t insist. He glanced at Erqing, whom she was protecting, and slightly tilted his head.
Mingjian behind him immediately understood, quickly approached, and reached for a point on the side of Erqing’s neck.
Before Xie Wanqing could react, Erqing was about to collapse to the ground. She quickly supported her, laying her down on the soft chair.
When she turned back again, the door to the wing room had already closed, Mingjian had also left, and Lu Ziyuan was sitting opposite her, staring at her without blinking. As she looked over, he even tugged at his lips and said, "This doesn’t count as being alone, right?"
"..."
Xie Wanqing was truly angered to laughter by this man’s shamelessness. She picked up the half-drunk tea from the table and was about to splash it at him, to wash his face for him.
But as soon as her hand touched the teacup, he held her wrist down.
The man’s hand, accustomed to holding a gun, had a thin layer of calluses, rough and large, with long fingers, making her wrist appear delicate to the point where it seemed he could break it effortlessly.
He glanced down at her fair wrist, his thumb almost instinctively lightly rubbing against her wrist bone, the coarse touch causing Xie Wanqing’s hand to tremble unconsciously.