The two chatted idly all the way and soon arrived near Donghuamen Street.
Ye Xi slightly lifted the curtain and carefully observed the shops along the street.
From afar, she saw Ye Jueyao and Tongyun's figures flash by in a shop selling hairpins and jewelry. A hint of a smile quickly flitted across Ye Xi's face. Then, deliberately softening her voice, she pointed at the pastry shop diagonally opposite the jewelry store and said,
"Master Cao, I've heard that the pastries in that shop are extremely delicious. Let's go and take a look."
Cao Sheng leaned forward to take a glance and didn't see any acquaintances.
Letting out an inaudible sigh of relief, Cao Sheng said with a gentle smile,
"Sure. Xi, please sit tight for a while. I'll go and pick some for you myself."
Saying so, he got up and was about to walk out.
How could Ye Xi let him succeed?
She stretched out her jade-like hand and gently placed it on Cao Sheng's arm. Ye Xi gave him an accusing look and said,
"How could I let you buy the gift that's supposed to be sent to your family? If word got out, people would laugh at us."
[But if people saw me getting off the carriage with you, I'd be laughed at to death.] Cao Sheng wailed silently in his heart.
With a stronger smile in her eyes, Ye Xi had already stood up and walked towards the carriage door.
"I can't entrust this matter to anyone else. Master Cao, please wait a moment. I'll be back soon."
As she spoke, she got off the carriage.
How could Cao Sheng really wait for her in the carriage? He was a grown man, and it was his fiancée who got off. Everyone knew that they were deeply in love. If he just sat there in the carriage and let her show herself in public, not to mention what others would say, his grandfather would surely scold him severely.
But if he really followed Ye Xi out, he would surely be seen by others, and Cao Sheng was extremely reluctant.
What a bitch! Taking advantage and then acting coy! Given an inch and she wants a mile! Just accompanying her on a stroll, and she wishes everyone could see.
An ugly and unkempt fool. She doesn't even know her own worth! Bah! Let's see if you still have the face to pester me after you lose your reputation and the engagement is broken off tomorrow!
After silently cursing dozens of times in his heart, Cao Sheng gritted his teeth and finally followed her out.
Ye Xi had already selected several kinds of fruits and was asking the shopkeeper to wrap them up. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cao Sheng getting off with a gloomy face, and a glint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
Quickly adjusting her expression, Ye Xi walked up to him coyly:
"Why did you get off? Didn't you say you'd wait for me in the carriage?"
The shopkeeper was happily wrapping the fruits for Ye Xi. Hearing this, he looked up at Cao Sheng.
In Cao Sheng's eyes, that look was rather subtle. It seemed to be mocking him for being with such an ugly woman like Ye Xi, and also seemed to be blaming him for letting Ye Xi come out to buy things alone.
Anyway, it made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Glaring angrily at the shopkeeper, Cao Sheng coldly urged,
"What are you looking at? Wrap it up quickly! So slow! Making my Xi stand here for so long!"
Ye Xi:? Great. You're using me as an excuse for everything.
Shopkeeper: This young master from the State Uncle's Mansion has such a bad temper. Miss Ye is so gentle. Who knows how much she has suffered from him in private.
Despite his inner complaints, the shopkeeper quickened his pace.
He handed the wrapped pastries and fruits to Saixing. Only then did he heave a sigh of relief under Cao Sheng's cold and impatient gaze.
The group walked back together. Cao Sheng walked very quickly, eager to get back into the carriage.
But Ye Xi stopped and called out cheerfully,
"Eldest sister?"
Pretending to have just seen Ye Jueyao, Ye Xi happily ran over and took Ye Jueyao's arm:
"Eldest sister, are you out shopping for jewelry? What a coincidence. Master Cao and I were just in that..." She pointed at the pastry shop and continued,
"Buying some fruits. " As she spoke, her cheeks blushed slightly, looking shy. "He... He came to pick me up today on purpose, accompanied me shopping, and even invited me to the State Uncle's Mansion tomorrow."
Her voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for the other customers in the shop to hear.
Those who knew about Cao Sheng and Ye Xi all craned their necks curiously to take a look.
After all, it was said that they were deeply in love after their engagement. This young master Cao was even more considerate and kind, treating Ye Xi extremely well.
Today, they would see just how considerate this young master from the State Uncle's Mansion was.
Ye Jueyao was caught off guard by Ye Xi's sudden arm - in - arm gesture. Seeing Cao Sheng following closely behind, a complex expression flashed across her delicate and beautiful face.
[Good for you. You just sent someone to tell me this morning that there would be a change in your marriage with Ye Xi, promising me a surprise and asking me to wait for the news at home tomorrow.]
[Is this the surprise you were talking about?!]
[Very well. I'm afraid the wedding invitation will be sent to me tomorrow!]
Cao Sheng also didn't expect to run into Ye Jueyao here, especially when he was with Ye Xi.
As they locked eyes, Cao Sheng felt that Ye Jueyao's gaze was full of anger and hurt.
Knowing that Ye Jueyao had misunderstood, Cao Sheng subconsciously wanted to step forward and explain to her. However, Ye Xi was still there, looking at him with admiration. There were also quite a few customers in the shop, all looking at them intentionally or unintentionally.
Cao Sheng had to hold back his steps and forced a smile:
"I didn't expect Miss Jueyao to be here too. You sisters are really kindred spirits."
Before Ye Jueyao could say anything, Ye Xi gave Cao Sheng a disapproving look and said coquettishly,
"She's my eldest sister. How can you call her younger sister? Our engagement has been set, and we'll get married soon. You should call her eldest sister like I do."
This was quite reasonable. After all, even if it was inconvenient to change the address because they weren't married yet, calling her younger sister clearly showed that he still had other intentions.
There were many young ladies around. Everyone in the family had an elder or younger sister. They immediately understood Cao Sheng's intention.
Instantly, their looks changed.
Ye Jueyao's face turned pale. She glanced at Ye Xi, who seemed oblivious. She bit her lip gently but put on the airs of an elder sister and scolded softly,
"Although that's the case, you haven't married into the family yet. Aren't you ashamed to say such things? People might think you're so eager to get married."
[Call her eldest sister?! That would cut off my chance of marrying into the Cao family! Absolutely not.]
Looking at Cao Sheng pitifully, Ye Xi pretended not to hear Ye Jueyao's inner thoughts and pouted and murmured,
"Oh... I see. Then, Master Cao, you can call her younger sister."
As soon as she said this, the contempt and meaningful looks in everyone's eyes became more obvious. Cao Sheng felt extremely uncomfortable. How dared he really call her younger sister? So he tried to make up for it and said,
"Come on, it's just an address. I just thought Miss Jueyao was younger than me. I spoke too quickly and didn't think about it. Xi, don't be so petty about such a small thing."
Great. He instantly shifted the blame to Ye Xi and subtly implied that Ye Xi was narrow - minded.
But the people around weren't fools. Seeing Cao Sheng's attempt to cover up, many people felt that this young master from the Cao family was different from the rumors. They began to whisper to each other.
Seeing people pointing and whispering, Ye Jueyao couldn't stay any longer. After silently cursing several times, she made an excuse to leave.
Ye Xi smiled sweetly and didn't loosen her grip at all:
"Where are you going, eldest sister? Master Cao is right. It's my fault for being stubborn. It's just a small matter of an address, and it's already been cleared up. If you leave without buying anything, people might think you're angry about this."