In the crowd, someone couldn't help but gasp. The young prince of a country was saying such things in front of everyone. Had he ever thought about the consequences? Or rather, what consequences it would bring to Luo Feiyan?
"Your Highness, my cousin is not as the prophecy described," Ye Xirou "kindly" reminded.
But Xia Qingyan ignored her. Facing Luo Hao, he continued, "I would like to ask the marquis not to make a move against Miss Luo in the future. Otherwise, I will feel uncomfortable when I see it."
Such blatant words were clear enough for anyone to understand. Many young ladies from noble families cast envious glances at Luo Feiyan. Being good-looking really had its advantages. Look, the young prince of Hailing Country had taken a fancy to Luo Feiyan. If only they could receive such favor.
Luo Feiyan must be overjoyed to have received so much favor from the young prince. But at this moment, Zhao Shuning didn't act as others expected. She pushed Xia Qingyan aside and said bluntly, "If you say so, they will surely misunderstand our relationship. Father, Miss Luo and I are just fellow apprentices. There is no other connection between us."
Xia Qingyan couldn't help but sigh and stood aside helplessly. Sure enough, within a moment, she had immediately denied this ambiguous relationship.
Luo Hao's expression softened a lot. "Yan'er, the guest is here. Treat the young prince well."
"Daughter understands."
Luo Hao turned around and left. The crowd started whispering again. It was already quite difficult to form a connection with the young prince of Hailing Country. But just now, did Luo Feiyan reject the young prince? Looking at the young prince again, there was nothing but helplessness on his face. There was not the slightest sign of anger.
After seeing Luo Hao leave, Zhao Shuning sat back in her seat. Lin Qingzhi immediately moved aside to let Xia Qingyan sit down. Rong Qing and Ye Xirou hadn't reacted yet. They were still standing in front of Zhao Shuning's table, not moving.
"Are you two not leaving? Do you have something to say to me?" Xia Qingyan asked.
"Don't dare, Your Highness. Please forgive us. We'll leave right away," they replied.
Xia Qingyan smiled at them and nodded slightly. After sitting down, he looked at Zhao Shuning and said, "Miss Luo, I seem to have helped you just now."
"Yeah, thank you."
"Miss Luo's thank-you lacks sincerity."
"Well, what do you want me to do? Kneel down to you three times and kowtow six times, worship you like a god, and offer you three incense sticks every day?"
"Miss Luo, if you're willing to marry me, I can accept it."
"Pfft—" This time, Lin Qingzhi was choked by the tea and almost couldn't catch his breath. After finally recovering, he quickly said, "You two chat slowly. I have something to do. I'll go first."
After saying that, Lin Qingzhi slipped away. Before leaving, he murmured that it was not suitable for children.
"Look, you've scared the child away."
"Miss Luo, won't you really consider me? The promise I made to you before still stands."
"Don't like, won't consider, no way."
"You're really heartless. Just nine words are enough to push me thousands of miles away."
"But I don't see you giving up because of that."
"Even if I'm pushed thousands of miles away, I can still find my way back."
Zhao Shuning ignored Xia Qingyan. In fact, it was okay when he didn't express his feelings. As soon as he did, it would make Zhao Shuning feel uncomfortable. Xia Qingyan always seized every opportunity to confess his love to her. After so many times, she had naturally become immune.
"Marrying me is not a bad deal. I promise you that I'll take you to Ruoqiang once a year."
"Or, I can marry into your family. That's also okay."
"Miss Luo, won't you really consider someone like me who is good-looking, capable, and has a good status? There are few like me."
"Miss Luo, at least give me an answer."
Zhao Shuning turned back helplessly. "Brother, I've given you an answer, but will you accept it? I've said several times that I won't accept you, but you still keep talking. Aren't you just automatically ignoring the words that are unfavorable to you?"
"That's because you talk too little to me."
"You're the only one who can talk all day long."
Xia Qingyan turned his head and saw that Zhao Shuning was looking in a certain direction. So he asked, "Who's that?"
"She's my father's concubine, Concubine Liu."
"She looks quite delicate."
Zhao Shuning asked, "Do you like her?"
"Don't like. She always feels so gloomy. It's a bit creepy."
Zhao Shuning stretched out her right hand. Xia Qingyan was confused but then stretched out his right hand in doubt. Zhao Shuning slapped his hand and then said, "Great minds think alike."
Liu Yuan came to the main hall. Luo Hao first glanced at Ye Qingluan. Seeing that Ye Qingluan showed no expression, he walked to Liu Yuan's side.
"Why are you so late?"
Liu Yuan cast a resentful look at Zhao Shuning. Then, seeing there were many guests, she didn't dare to talk nonsense and said, "I was delayed by something."
"Take your seat."
"Okay."
Then everyone started talking, drinking, and discussing the interesting things that had happened recently in Ruoqiang. Luo Hao walked to Ye Qingluan's side and whispered, "Madam—"
Ye Qingluan didn't say a word. Luo Hao took a few more steps closer. "Madam."
Ye Qingluan simply stood up, bowed to Luo Hao, and then went to greet the guests. Luo Hao let out a long sigh. He felt that his words today might have been a bit too harsh. But in recent years, his temper had been like this. He couldn't control himself more and more.
Zhao Shuning looked at Luo Hao and sighed silently in her heart. The way her mother looked at him showed nothing but disappointment. Luo Hao was an unqualified father, and his qualification as a husband was still questionable.
After Ye Qingluan greeted everyone, she walked to Zhao Shuning's side. "Yan'er, let's take a walk in the courtyard with me."
Zhao Shuning nodded, stood up, and walked out of the door with Ye Qingluan. In winter, it was cold. Many bonfires had been lit in the courtyard outside, making the Luo Mansion very bright. Ye Qingluan walked in front, and Zhao Shuning followed closely behind. Suddenly, Ye Qingluan felt warm on her body. Looking up, she saw that a red cloak had been put on her. Zhao Shuning replied with a bright smile.
"Mother, it's cold outside. Wear more to avoid catching a cold."
"I've made you worry about me."
Ye Qingluan seemed to have lost her soul tonight. When she was toasting just now, Zhao Shuning had noticed it. Her steps were a bit unsteady. Each step was like stepping on cotton. Zhao Shuning had thought that her previous comfort had worked. But unexpectedly, once a straightforward woman started to care about something and got stuck in her own thoughts, not even ten cows could pull her back.
"Mother, has something happened?"
Ye Qingluan said meaningfully, "I once thought that I would never regret it."
"So now, do you regret it?"