This voice...
Xie Fengran suddenly sat up straight and reached out to lift the curtain. But just as her hand touched it, she forced herself to hold back.
"Miss, what's wrong with you?" Liu Yi looked at Xie Fengran with some concern, not understanding what had happened to her young lady.
"The person in the opposite carriage is the Prince of the Princess Mansion."
"Miss." Liu Yi was also a bit flustered and said worriedly, "Could it be that he knows it was us who made Miss Zhang approach him that day?"
Xie Fengran shook her head. It was so chaotic that day. If Qin Junxing could still find out, then...
She didn't dare to think further. The carriage opposite was still blocking the alley entrance. Outside was a busy road. If it blocked for too long, it would surely attract attention.
Thinking of this, Xie Fengran couldn't help feeling annoyed. This Qin Junxing was like a lingering ghost. Why did he always make trouble for her?
Just then, there was a knock on the carriage wall from the outside.
Xie Fengran and Liu Yi were startled. Coming back to their senses, Xie Fengran glanced at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi summoned up her courage and asked, "Who's there!"
"Miss, our master invites you to gather at Jingyueju."
"Who's your master!"
"Our master said that you must know who he is. I just need to tell you this."
A flash of annoyance crossed Xie Fengran's eyes. She said coldly, "What if I don't go?"
"Our master said that if you don't go, he will go to the palace to request an imperial edict right away. The Women's Academy hasn't started classes yet!"
"Are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare, miss. Our master sincerely invites you." After thinking for a while, the man added, "Miss, please rest assured. No one will know your whereabouts."
"Should I thank you then?" Xie Fengran retorted sarcastically and said impatiently, "Tell your master that I agree. Move the carriage out of the way."
The person outside didn't move. Obviously, he was afraid that Xie Fengran would go back on her word.
Xie Fengran was so amused by this reaction that she laughed. "Your master is so powerful. Is he still afraid that I'll run away?"
"Then please wait a moment, miss."
The man walked to the opposite carriage and murmured a few words. Soon, that carriage backed away and disappeared at the alley entrance.
The coachman was a bit uneasy and asked nervously, "Miss, where shall we go?"
"To Jingyueju."
"Yes."
"Uncle Feng, you've been in the Marquis Mansion for a long time. You should know what to say and what not to say, right?" Xie Fengran's voice was calm, but Uncle Feng could hear an undeniable tone in it.
He immediately replied, "Miss, please rest assured. I only focus on driving the carriage. All other things have nothing to do with me."
"I still trust what Uncle Feng says. I remember your eldest daughter is ten years old this year, right?"
Uncle Feng's heart skipped a beat. He quickly replied, "Thank you, miss, for still remembering. Daya is exactly ten years old this year."
"There's a shortage of people in my courtyard. Ask auntie to bring her in some other day so that I can take a look. First, let her learn to do things in my courtyard."
Uncle Feng was a bit excited. Being a personal maid to the young miss was a good thing that he didn't even dare to dream of. Usually, a coachman like him couldn't get such an opportunity.
He knew that this was the young miss's grace to him and also a warning.
He immediately replied, "Thank you, miss. Tomorrow, I'll ask my wife to bring Daya for you to have a look. In the future, if the miss has any instructions, I'll surely do my best and never hesitate."
The carriage soon arrived at Jingyueju. As soon as the carriage stopped, a black - clad guard came over and whispered something to Uncle Feng.
"Miss, we'll park at the back door of Jingyueju."
"Go ahead."
The back door of Jingyueju was next to a row of residential houses. There was a black - clad guard waiting there.
Xie Fengran asked Liu Yi to help her put on the veiled hat and then got off the carriage.
When the black - clad guard saw Xie Fengran, he bowed and clasped his fists in salute, and then led her inside.
Xie Fengran had never been to Jingyueju before. Old Lady Xie had invited her several times to come and eat here. The seafood egg custard here was famous in the capital.
On a normal day, Xie Fengran would surely be in the mood to enjoy the delicious food. But thinking that she would have to face that difficult man later, she had no desire to taste the delicious food.
The guard led Xie Fengran in through the back door and turned into the yard behind Jingyueju. At the innermost part of the yard was a row of quiet small yards.
When they reached the yard entrance, the guard pushed open the door, stepped aside, and made a gesture of invitation. "Miss, please come in."
Xie Fengran gave him a cold look and stepped in. Liu Yi followed closely behind but was stopped.
Looking at the arm that stretched out obliquely, Liu Yi asked angrily, "What do you mean?"
Xie Fengran, who was walking in front, also turned back. Seeing this, she frowned and looked over.
The guard remained calm and said, "Our master only wants to see Miss Xie."
"Miss!" Liu Yi was immediately panicked. What did this man want to do!
Xie Fengran looked at the guard's unyielding stance. Suddenly, she snorted and said to Liu Yi, "You stay here. I'm sure the Prince of the Princess Mansion won't eat me."
After saying that, she turned around and walked inside.
The yard wasn't big. Xie Fengran took a few steps inside. Looking up, she saw Qin Junxing sitting beside the stone table, smiling at her.
A flash of shame and annoyance crossed Xie Fengran's eyes. "Your Highness seems to be enjoying the show."
Qin Junxing didn't get up. He pointed to the stool opposite. "Miss Xie, please calm down. I had to resort to this because I was afraid I couldn't find you."
Xie Fengran sneered and said sarcastically, "Your Highness is all - powerful. I'm just a little woman. As long as Your Highness says a word, how can I escape?"
Qin Junxing was wearing a dark - patterned brocade robe of ink color today. There was a glint of gold at the collar, cuffs, and front of the robe. The white jade pendant was still hanging on his waist, and he was holding a folding fan in his hand, which somewhat softened the murderous aura on him.
But even in this outfit, he couldn't hide his imposing manner. He was truly a "well - dressed brute", Xie Fengran murmured silently.
Qin Junxing didn't answer Xie Fengran's question. Instead, he gently tapped the table with his folding fan.
The guard who had just led Xie Fengran in pushed open the door and said, "My lord."
"Serve the dishes."
The guard waved his hand. The waiters of Jingyueju quickly set a table full of dishes. During this time, no one looked around casually. In less than a quarter of an hour, all the signature dishes of Jingyueju were served.
After everyone left, Qin Junxing placed the only bowl of seafood egg custard in front of Xie Fengran and said, "Miss Xie, please help yourself."
Xie Fengran didn't move. She looked at the bowl in front of her and then at Qin Junxing. "Your Highness, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
"Eat first. This seafood egg custard won't taste good when it gets cold."
"I'm not here to eat. Your Highness, if you have something to say, just say it. I have other things to do."
Qin Junxing remained unmoved. He picked up the spoon and placed it in front of Xie Fengran, looking as if he would feed her if she didn't eat.