From Qiao Yan's heartfelt words, it was evident that she truly had feelings for Yi Yuan.
Ye Xi slightly arched her willow - like eyebrows. Yi Yuan was attracting so many women day after day. No wonder he had been so confident before.
"Miss Qiao, this is my own business," Yi Yuan said in a slightly deep voice. The cold and aloof aura around him seemed palpable.
"I know what kind of person she is. How much interaction have you had with her, Miss Qiao? Making such random speculations without thinking is a bit too much."
Her heart skipped a beat. Ye Xi rounded the corridor and saw two heads neatly poking out from behind the rockery, looking furtive.
Ye Xi and Ling Yan: …
"Your Highness," Qiao Yan was still "advising" Yi Yuan earnestly. She had no interaction with Ye Xi, but everyone in the past had known about the deep affection between Ye Xi and Cao Sheng. Maybe Cao Sheng's love was false, but Ye Xi's must have been true.
She didn't know that Ye Xi might only have a year to live and had almost let go of everything. She also didn't know that Ye Xi was actually Man Ping. She just thought that after being hurt by someone she loved, Ye Xi would surely be heart - broken for a long time and would find it hard to trust men again.
However, from the spread of the rumor about Cao Sheng's affair with Ye Jueyao to the matter being confirmed, it had only been a dozen days. She was sure that Ye Xi was just using Yi Yuan and didn't have any real feelings for him. Although she was in love with Yi Yuan, she wasn't the kind of person who would stop others from being with him if she couldn't have him herself. If her love was unrequited, she wouldn't pester him.
But in her opinion, Ye Xi's intention to use Yi Yuan was so obvious. She wondered how the usually cold, noble, rational, and self - controlled Prince Yu'an could be so blind.
She was really worried about Yi Yuan.
"I won't deny that there's a selfish motive in my advice. But if she is really a good person for you, I will surely be happy for you. But may I overstep and ask, are you a hundred percent sure of Miss Xi's feelings for you?"
The air suddenly fell silent. Yi Yuan didn't know how to answer for a moment.
The two people behind the rockery and Ling Yan beside Ye Xi all looked at Ye Xi on the corridor in unison. Six pairs of eager eyes were all waiting for an answer.
Ye Xi herself was a bit confused for a moment.
The reason why she and Yi Yuan had joined forces at the beginning was just a deal. Essentially, they were using each other. She had never thought about being with Yi Yuan. Even when she noticed that her feelings were changing, Ye Xi would quickly nip them in the bud, telling herself that it was just a mutually beneficial cooperation and warning herself not to make the same mistake as she did with Cao Sheng.
But what about now?
The engagement with the Cao family had been called off, and Yi Yuan had already expressed his feelings. Should she still convince herself that it was just a deal?
Could she try to be with him?
Qiao Yan keenly noticed Yi Yuan's uncertainty. A look of understanding flashed across her eyes, and she said confidently:
"Your Highness, if you're not completely sure of her feelings, I have a way to find out Miss Xi's true intention."
"Oh?"
Yi Yuan was actually quite intrigued.
"What's the method?"
"Daoist Man Ping," Qiao Yan said full of confidence.
"Your Highness must have seen her just now. I've had many interactions with her. Although I just found out that she's the junior sister of Master Hunyuan, we have a good relationship. Her skill of 'reading fortunes' is unrivaled in the world. If Your Highness asks Daoist Man Ping to... "
Qiao Yan rambled on, praising Man Ping, thinking that she could surely convince Yi Yuan.
She didn't notice Yi Yuan's hesitant expression at all.
Sai Xing behind the rockery said timidly:
"Um... Miss Qiao is quite straightforward. Should we tell her that Daoist Man Ping is actually Miss Xi... "
"Well..."
Jiang Ning glanced at Ye Xi and said:
"It's too soon. Although Miss Xi has successfully called off the engagement with the Cao family and severed ties with the Ye family, if we reveal her identity as Daoist Man Ping right after the 'fortune - reading', all that happened during the 'fortune - reading' might not count anymore."
"Oh, right..."
Sai Xing nodded.
"Miss Jiang, you're so smart. Unlike me, I'm so stupid and can never think things through."
"Come on," Jiang Ning quickly comforted Sai Xing, "you're not stupid at all. You're actually very wise. You don't know, I envy you so much."
The two whispered to each other secretly.
Ye Xi thought: Why do I feel like Sai Xing is going to be lured away?
On the other side, Yi Yuan had secretly decided to ask Ye Xi directly.
"Alright, thank you for your concern, Miss Qiao," he said in his usual indifferent voice. He glanced at the rockery beside him and started to show her the door.
"This is my private matter. Miss Qiao doesn't need to inquire any further. It's getting late. Miss Qiao, please go back."
Seeing Yi Yuan's perfunctory attitude, Qiao Yan was angry. But she really had no right to interfere in Yi Yuan's private affairs. Yi Yuan had been willing to listen to her today probably just because of her elder brother.
Since Yi Yuan was so clearly showing her the door, Qiao Yan had no choice but to leave reluctantly.
But secretly, she made up her mind to expose Ye Xi's true face.
"Have you heard enough?"
Yi Yuan's phoenix - like eyes swept across the rockery. There was a hint of involuntary joy in his cold eyes.
Ye Xi blushed slightly. Now that the layer of veil had been lifted, for some reason, she was a bit afraid to see Yi Yuan.
Seeing that Ye Xi didn't come out for a long time, Yi Yuan simply took a long stride and walked in front of her.
"You heard what was said just now, right?"
Although it was a question, Yi Yuan's tone was very certain.
"So, what are your feelings?"
Such a straightforward question made Ye Xi suddenly clench the sleeves of her dress. Her heart was pounding. Her already slightly warm cheeks instantly turned crimson. The sun and the gentle breeze seemed to have stopped in the air.
Yi Yuan stood under the corridor, straight as a bamboo with his hands behind his back. His features were clear, and there was an undeniable nervousness on his face.
Sai Xing, Ling Yan and the others were all staring at her with wide eyes. For some reason, they all held their breaths.
Ye Xi took a deep breath:
"If I were your wife, I would be willing."
The hand that had been secretly clenched behind her back suddenly relaxed. Her palm was full of cold sweat. Yi Yuan let out a low laugh and stepped forward, pulling Ye Xi into his arms:
"Good, such a wonderful 'I would be willing'."
The people beside them quickly covered their eyes and shouted:
"Oh, the sun is so blinding..."
"I didn't see anything, nothing at all..."
Ye Xi was so embarrassed that her cheeks were like fire. She gently pushed Yi Yuan away and scolded:
"Your Highness, in public, pay attention to your behavior."
Yi Yuan coughed lightly and reluctantly let go of Ye Xi:
"It's okay. They're all our own people."
Ye Xi didn't have Yi Yuan's thick skin. She quickly tidied up her slightly messy hair and clothes and changed the topic:
"Cough... Thank you, Miss Jiang, for your hard work today. I heard that you came to the capital to look for someone. Have you found any clues these days? What are your plans for the future?"
This was hitting the point!
Jiang Ning bowed gracefully to Ye Xi:
"Thank you, Miss, for your concern. I was just about to talk to you about this."
"I won't hide it from you, Miss. I've always known where the person I'm looking for is, but it's hard for me to meet him."
"But after today, I know that as long as I follow you, I'll be able to meet him. Please, Miss, grant my wish. I'm willing to be your servant."
"Oh?" Ye Xi was extremely curious. "Who is that person? Why can I help you meet him?"
Jiang Ning looked up, her eyes clear:
"The Lotus Gold Token, Hunyuan."