It was quite late when they returned to the Xie Mansion. Shen Mingzhu saw that Xie Lang had changed his clothes again. She wondered where he was going this time. Xie Lang moved slowly. He took off his outer robe and put on another black one. Then he casually took off the hair crown on his head. His long hair instantly covered his eyebrows and eyes, revealing a sharp and handsome look that was rarely seen on him on ordinary days.
These days, Shen Mingzhu had gotten used to this man showing off himself like a peacock. So she poured a cup of hot tea, sat there admiring the handsome man changing his clothes, and at the same time sorted out the chaotic thoughts in her mind.
Xie Lang noticed Shen Mingzhu's gaze on him. He frowned involuntarily and subconsciously quickened his movements. But his eyes still couldn't help looking at her. Seeing Shen Mingzhu seemed to be in a daze with an empty look in her eyes, he suddenly felt a little angry.
Oh no! He had made such a show, but Shen Mingzhu could still remain unmoved!
Xie Lang gritted his teeth and flicked his robe. Just then, he saw Shen Mingzhu looking at him.
Before the smile in his eyes could show, he heard Shen Mingzhu suddenly say, "Remember to wear something warm when you go out."
"Although it's almost summer now, it's still cold at night. Don't catch a cold accidentally." As Shen Mingzhu said, she took another sip of the hot tea. Then, under Xie Lang's incredulous gaze, she got up and was about to go to the study.
"You..."
Xie Lang gritted his teeth and couldn't help rolling his eyes at Shen Mingzhu.
Shen Mingzhu was puzzled. Looking at Xie Lang, she asked, "Do you have something else to say?"
Strange. Why was Xie Lang acting so hesitantly today? And the way he looked at her was so strange!
She turned around and saw Xie Lang standing there. A look of confusion appeared in her eyes.
Xie Lang frowned even more. Looking at Shen Mingzhu, he said, "Your Highness doesn't even ask me why I'm going out?"
Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu was even more confused. Looking at the expression on Xie Lang's face, she said, "If I ask you, will you tell me?"
Strange. Who would act so ostentatiously when doing something secretly like Xie Lang today? And he even expected her to ask!
Shen Mingzhu was completely confused. So looking at Xie Lang's gritted - teeth expression, she continued, "Then where are you going?"
Xie Lang pouted. His gaze at Shen Mingzhu was full of resentment. He said, "Forget it. It's a dark and windy night. It's not convenient to take Your Highness with me on this matter."
Shen Mingzhu: "..."
Then what did he mean by those words just now?
She couldn't help rolling her eyes at Xie Lang. Then she sighed slightly and said gently, "Remember to be safe."
"Okay."
Xie Lang's reply was dry. But when he saw the look of concern in Shen Mingzhu's eyes, he couldn't help curving his lips, showing a faint smile on his face.
Shen Mingzhu slightly lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold. Hearing Xie Lang's faint reply, she couldn't help feeling a bit amused.
It seemed... it seemed that since Xie Lang had appeared by her side, things had become much more lively. At least no one had ever dared to speak to her disrespectfully before, nor had anyone ever dangled something in front of her to pique her curiosity.
Thinking of Xie Lang, Shen Mingzhu didn't even realize that the corners of her mouth were upturned and her expression was gentle. Chun Tao, who was standing beside her, felt a little more grateful to Xie Lang. So she said to Shen Mingzhu, "Your Highness, it's getting hotter and hotter. Shouldn't we change the small couch for the imperial son - in - law?"
Shen Mingzhu hadn't thought of this. So without hesitation, she looked at Chun Tao and said, "Okay. You can handle it. Find a more suitable one."
She had thought about changing the bed, but never thought about moving Xie Lang to another room.
After these words, Chun Tao's estimation of Xie Lang's status in Shen Mingzhu's heart rose sharply, and she even became a bit more cautious.
"By the way."
Shen Mingzhu suddenly remembered something. She put down the book in her hand and said to Chun Tao, "You've been with me for so many years. You're eighteen now. Do you have someone you like? Then..."
Before Shen Mingzhu could finish her words, Chun Tao hurriedly knelt down. Looking up at her with a panicked look in her eyes, she said, "This servant girl has no sweetheart. This servant girl only hopes to accompany Your Highness for a lifetime, just like Aunt Chaoyan beside the Empress Dowager. She will never get married in her life."
Chun Tao was usually a steady and unhurried girl. But when she heard that Shen Mingzhu wanted to marry her off, her eyes turned red.
"You..."
Shen Mingzhu looked at Chun Tao and sighed deeply. She pulled her skirt and squatted down. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from the corner of Chun Tao's eyes. Gently, she said, "We grew up together. We're like sisters. If you don't want to get married, how could I force you?"
"Then this servant girl will stay by Your Highness's side to serve you for a lifetime. When Your Highness gives birth to a little master, this servant girl will go to serve the little master."
Chun Tao rarely threw a tantrum. Looking at Shen Mingzhu with red eyes, she sniffed.
Shen Mingzhu's hand paused for a moment. A faint look of helplessness appeared in her eyes. Looking at Chun Tao gently, she said, "Did someone say something sarcastic to you?"
Chun Tao's expression paused for a while. Finally, she shook her head and said, "No. But when Your Highness suddenly mentioned this just now, this servant girl couldn't help feeling anxious."
Shen Mingzhu smiled. She wiped the tears on Chun Tao's face with the handkerchief again. Then she handed the handkerchief to her and got up gently, saying, "Get up quickly. What's the point of crying on the ground?"
"As long as you're willing to stay by my side, how could I ever drive you away?"
As Shen Mingzhu said, she saw Chun Tao wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. Chun Tao looked at her with red eyes and said, "Okay."
But the other maidservants around her were also of marriageable age. She didn't know if they wanted to get married.
Shen Mingzhu glanced at Chun Tao and said, "Get up quickly. I still have something for you to do."
Hearing this, Chun Tao immediately got energetic. She wiped away the tears on her face. Her eyes were shining as she looked at Shen Mingzhu. She quickly got up.
"Ask if any of the maidservants want to get married." Shen Mingzhu's expression was gentle. She observed Chun Tao's expression. Seeing that she was no longer sad, she continued, "It's about time. If someone wants to get married, I'll give her a dowry. If she wants to come back to work later and it's appropriate, she can come back."
Hearing this, Chun Tao added, "But this might not..."
"No." She frowned and looked at Shen Mingzhu disapprovingly. "Isn't it easy for some people to arrange spies in this way? Your Highness is kind to them. Then just give them a bigger dowry. After all, once a woman gets married, she becomes a member of her husband's family. If someone uses this to threaten us, it will be really..."
Chun Tao didn't continue. Her eyes were full of disapproval.
Reminded by Chun Tao, Shen Mingzhu thought for a moment and then said, "Let's take a look first. Anyway, there's no hurry."
"Yes."
...
When Xie Lang returned to the mansion, the moon was already high in the sky. Shen Mingzhu must have gone to bed.
After carefully washing up, Xie Lang gently pushed open the door of Shen Mingzhu's room and then gently closed it. When he stepped over the screen, he couldn't help taking a sharp breath.
Oh no, where was his bed!