Hearing this, Li Xiyu hesitated slightly. Looking at Xie Lang's back, a hint of hesitation flashed across her eyes. "Son-in-law," she said, her voice laced with hesitation. "When would it be convenient for us to talk about Mingzhu's matter?"
Xie Lang turned around, his face showing a hint of surprise that he couldn't quite hide. He hadn't expected Li Xiyu to show her attitude towards him so early. Although he was one year older than Li Xiyu, because of Shen Mingzhu, Li Xiyu had become his elder.
Really... If it had been a few years ago, Xie Lang would never have imagined that he would scheme like this just to win the heart of a young girl. He even hid all his vigilance and gradually shed his disguise in front of her. Along with that, he also showed kindness to Li Xiyu, whom Shen Mingzhu regarded as family.
"As long as Sister Xiyu is available, I will surely cooperate," Xie Lang said, his attitude respectful. He spoke gently to Li Xiyu. "Then I'll take my leave first."
Li Xiyu nodded and watched Xie Lang leave. Her eyes couldn't help but show a hint of contemplation.
...
When Shen Mingzhu returned after a stroll, she saw Xie Lang already sitting in the courtyard. When he saw her push the door open, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Just getting back?"
"Yeah. You got up so early too?" Shen Mingzhu said as she walked over and sat down opposite Xie Lang. "Have you had breakfast?"
Xie Lang had a whole bunch of questions in mind. He wanted to ask where Shen Mingzhu had gone, but when he saw the tiredness in her eyes, he swallowed all his questions. "No. Let's have it together."
Shen Mingzhu nodded slightly. When she saw the fleeting sigh in Xie Lang's eyes, she was silent for a moment and then explained, "I got up early and took a walk outside. I'll take you with me next time."
Xie Lang raised an eyebrow and said, "Then I'll get up early and wait next time."
Seeing Xie Lang's serious expression, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but let out a soft laugh and continued, "Okay."
After breakfast, Xie Lang casually said, "How about we take a stroll now? This temple is very efficacious. How about we go and seek a fortune-telling stick?"
Seeing the look on his face, Shen Mingzhu almost burst out laughing. The marriage tree was near the main hall where people sought fortune-telling sticks. At first, Shen Mingzhu didn't understand what Xie Lang meant. But when she saw his forced calmness, she suddenly realized.
Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh, and the corners of her mouth gradually curled up. When she saw Xie Lang's ears turn slightly red, a mischievous thought came to her mind. Looking at him, she teased, "Take a stroll? What's there to see here?"
Xie Lang was always calm when dealing with others, but when facing Shen Mingzhu, who was several years younger than him, he somehow lost his composure and became childish.
"Well..." Xie Lang racked his brain for an excuse. He lowered his head and thought, but suddenly heard Shen Mingzhu's soft laughter. When he looked up, he saw her looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
"You're teasing me again!" Xie Lang realized what was going on. Gritting his teeth when he saw Shen Mingzhu, he said, "Are we going or not?"
Shen Mingzhu stood up, waved at Xie Lang, and said, "Okay. Let's go."
Xie Lang originally wanted to pretend to be angry, but when he saw the smile in Shen Mingzhu's eyes, he pouted and said, "Let's go!"
The temple was very quiet. Shen Mingzhu and Xie Lang were both very familiar with the place, so they walked forward slowly.
Chuntao led the maids and guards and followed them from a distance, afraid of disturbing their peace.
Seeing that Xie Lang was completely smitten with Shen Mingzhu, Chuntao became more and more satisfied. So she subconsciously gave him some convenience.
Chuntao originally thought that no one was good enough for her princess. At first, when she saw Xie Lang's dandy appearance, she didn't think much of him. But now, she found that Xie Lang was unexpectedly suitable.
He neither pretended to be mature in front of Shen Mingzhu to control her, nor felt ashamed because of Shen Mingzhu's high status and became dissatisfied.
Xie Lang was really just getting along with Shen Mingzhu as a person, not treating her differently because of her identity. Thinking of this, Chuntao was even more satisfied.
When they reached the main hall, Shen Mingzhu subconsciously looked at Xie Lang. She wanted to see where Xie Lang would go, whether he would go to the main hall or to the marriage tree in the adjacent yard.
Sure enough, Xie Lang's steps hesitated slightly, and he also subconsciously looked at Shen Mingzhu.
"Your hair is loose," Shen Mingzhu said calmly. She stepped forward and casually tucked the loose hair behind Xie Lang's ear. The next moment, she heard the person in front of her thinking.
[What should I do! What should I do! I'm so anxious!!! How can I say it? I can't just say that I came here just to visit the marriage tree.]
[I'm so anxious! Why can't Shen Mingzhu just drag me in!]
Every time Shen Mingzhu heard Xie Lang's inner thoughts, she couldn't help but want to laugh. Especially now, when Xie Lang was trying to look calm on the surface but was actually too anxious to speak.
Shen Mingzhu imagined a little Xie Lang stomping his feet anxiously in place. So the smile in her eyes could no longer be hidden. She reached out and took Xie Lang's arm, and in his surprised gaze, she dragged him into the adjacent yard.
"You..." Xie Lang was surprised and stammered. "You! Okay, then I'll accompany you to take a look."
Shen Mingzhu was a bit dissatisfied. She casually let go of the person in front of her, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Oh, I'm not the kind of person who forces others."
Saying that, Shen Mingzhu turned around.
Xie Lang got anxious. He reached out and grabbed Shen Mingzhu's sleeve and hurriedly said, "It's me who wants to come here! You're here to accompany me!"
Shen Mingzhu's steps paused slightly. When she turned around, she saw that there was really a hint of anxiety in Xie Lang's eyes. So she stopped teasing him and said seriously, "Okay."
Looking up, she saw a tree full of red silk.
The young monk under the tree was surprised when he saw them. He looked up and said, "Are you two benefactors here to seek a fortune for your marriage?"
Saying that, he stood up and waved at them. "Please follow me, two benefactors."
Shen Mingzhu frowned slightly and said gently, "Thank you, little master."
They followed the young monk inside. He stopped, clasped his hands in front of a small table and bowed. Then he turned to Shen Mingzhu and continued, "Do you two want to seek a fortune-telling stick? Or do you not only want to seek a stick but also hang a silk ribbon?"
Shen Mingzhu hesitated slightly.
Xie Lang beside her quickly said, "Both!"
Shen Mingzhu found it funny. So she just followed Xie Lang's words and said, "Okay, both. Just do as he says."
Xie Lang's heart softened inexplicably. His ears gradually turned red, and his eyes looking at the person in front of him also showed a hint of a smile. This smile seemed a bit silly. Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but smile too. She patted Xie Lang's hand and said, "Go, son-in-law. Go and seek a fortune-telling stick."
Hearing Shen Mingzhu call him son-in-law, Xie Lang was suddenly startled. He subconsciously turned to look at her. When their eyes met, Xie Lang saw the smile in Shen Mingzhu's eyes. His face also turned red inexplicably. He stepped forward nervously and took the bamboo tube from the young master.