Chapter 41: To Go or To Stay

  Xiao Tian, at home her parents and friends all called her that. This name was so familiar yet so strange, here Father and Big Brother both called her "Tian Er", she thought she had already forgotten this name, but now hearing it still made her feel close to tears.

  She lifted her head in response and met his gaze. His complexion was still good, but he had lost a lot of weight compared to before. It seemed that Feng Lüe hadn't lied, he really was ill.

  The pear blossoms were accompanied by rain, and the lotus leaves were stained with new dew. Her eyes were somewhat red, and there were still unshed tears on her face. Yuan Long's eyes deepened, his face expressionless, but his tone was not icy: "Return to the manor with me."

  Xia Yang's eyes stared unblinkingly at Xia Tian's expression, Yuan Longchao's sudden visit, the heavy reward for his mother, and now he put down his body to show his good intentions, he was a little nervous, not knowing whether Tian Er would be moved by this, or whether she would go back with him.

  Jing Fan's gaze swept across Xia Yang's face, and suddenly spoke out in the crowd: "The third prince can personally come to the general's mansion to pick up the fourth sister, it is clear that the prince attaches great importance to the fourth sister, quickly agree, fourth sister."

  Everyone did not expect that Jingfei, who was always cautious with his words and actions, would speak out so abruptly on this occasion, and they were all surprised. Xiaoyang frowned in dissatisfaction and stared at her, but for a moment, their eyes met and he couldn't help but be stunned. Her eyes fearlessly stared straight at him, as if she could see through him, leaving him nowhere to hide. A strange sense of guilt suddenly arose, and he hastily shifted his gaze away.

  "Yes, yes!" Madame Ji hurriedly mediated the awkward atmosphere, "Tian Er, you have already fulfilled your filial piety by holding a memorial service for the Grand Madam, and she must be extremely comforted in the afterlife. Now that the ceremony is over, the Third Prince has personally come to escort you, so quickly go back to the house, pack up, and follow the prince back!"

  Why is everyone driving her away, is she that annoying? Xia Tian looked to her father and older brother for help, she didn't want to follow Yuan Longchao back, at least here there were people who truly cared about her.

  Xia Jingting hesitated and stepped forward, cupping his hands: "Your Highness, Tian Er's body has not fully recovered yet. Why don't we wait until she is completely well, then I will send her back to the Ling Wang Fu?"

  "Xiao Tian?" Yuan Longqiao stared at Xia Tian, stubbornly wanting an answer from her.

  Xiatian bit her teeth and didn't dare look at him, shaking her head with a resolute determination to die.

  The temperature in the hall suddenly dropped to freezing point, and everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

  The summer rain disdainfully slanted its gaze at the summer sky, inwardly sneering at her foolishness and fearlessness, wishing that Yuan Long would stand up for her sake.

  "Then let Xiuniang stay and serve you, is that all right?"

  Stunned, she looked at Yuan Longqiao, and Xia Tian couldn't believe her ears. His eyes were dark and bright, without the ridicule, disdain, anger or indifference she thought she would see. The black pupils gleamed with a hint of vulnerability that was hard to detect, a few points of deep-seated pain and a thread of starlight that she couldn't understand.

  Facing such an "abnormal" him, she suddenly felt at a loss, and her heart was somewhat uneasy. Slowly and firmly shaking her head, she weighed the pros and cons and decided that no matter what, she couldn't be soft-hearted, who knows if he would immediately turn against her once he left the general's mansion.

  "Alright." Yuan Longqiao's tone was unreadable, "You take care of yourself, if you need anything just send someone back to the manor to fetch it, I'll come pick you up in a few days."

  "Huh? Xia Tian tilted her head, staring at him as if he were a monster. Is... is this the cold and ruthless Yuan Longqiao?! When did he become so easy to talk to?! She blinked her big eyes, carefully staring at the connection between his face and neck. How do martial arts novels usually go? A thin layer of human skin can change someone's appearance, making them male or female, old or young, beautiful or ugly... hopefully not that kind of thing!"

  Yuan Longqiao didn't know what was going on in her little head, turned around and gave Xia Jingting a half bow, sincerely saying: "Longqiao takes her leave first, Little Tian stays at the General's Mansion, please take care of him more, Father-in-law. Longqiao thanks you."

  "Your Highness is too kind." Xia Jingting hastily returned the courtesy, a genuine smile also appearing on his face.

  Xia Yang let out a soft sigh and opened his clenched fists, only to find that the palms of his hands were already damp with sweat.

  A salty sweetness lingered in her mouth, her lips slightly aching. The scenery around her dimmed as she shifted her gaze away from Xia Yang's face. She must have been thinking too much! She tried to convince herself repeatedly in her heart. But who could be fooled by the pain and bitterness in her eyes, the bitter smile on her lips? And how long could she fool herself?