Although Commandery Princess Qingjiang thought Yuan Xuepei and his sister couldn't escape, Song Yixiao still went to Caixia Villa before she went back to her room to pack up a change of clothes and take Nie Wuying to Yaohua Venue, “Aunt Daiguo will definitely come to Buyue Villa tomorrow to condemn me. I don't want to suffer this, so I'd like to run away. Do you want to come along? According to Aunt Daiguo's temperament, as you all know, if you don't leave and are caught by her, you won't get past her easily.”

“It's not necessary.” Yuan Xue'e changed her face at the news and went to call her brother out to discuss countermeasures hurriedly. However, Yuan Xuepei shook his head with a smile after hearing the story, saying, “The heir of Marquis Fuyang is here too. I'm at least experienced hards.h.i.+p together with him. He won't let Her Highness come to trouble me personally. As for the others, I don't think they can make things difficult for me!”

Song Yixiao looked at him in surprise: according to what Jian Xubai said, the reason why they were captured by Wuhuan soldiers back then, apart from Duke of Ji's calculations, the main thing was that they were dragged down by Ji Zifu.

Therefore, since returning to the imperial capital, the relations.h.i.+p between Jian Xubai and his cousin Ji Zifu, had not been very good.

As Jian Xubai's close friend, and crippled in Wuhuan, even if Yuan Xuepei didn't take it out on the heir of Marquis Fuyang, he should have stayed away from him!

From what he said, she could infer that there were friends.h.i.+p between them, and even the friends.h.i.+p was so deep that Ji Zifu was willing to defend him in front of his own mother.

But Yuan Xuepei didn't have any intention of explaining, so Song Yixiao couldn't ask more, just asking, “Do you believe in him?”

Seeing him nod, she no longer persuaded him. She just had a few words with Yuan Xue'e, promised to meet again later, and then took her leave.

It was dark quickly in winter, and the twilight was already approaching.

The maids were leading the way with lanterns. Yixiao and Wuying, who were arm in arm, were stumbled on the mountain road. Zhanchun Venue was very beautiful during the day even in winter. But in the evening, the fuzzy rocks and mountains, as well as the whimpering and whistling of the wind as it pa.s.sed through the forest, made it strange and unpredictable.

Fortunately, there were people in front and behind, and the two of them were chatting along the way, so they didn't feel too scared.

When they were almost at Yaohua Venue, the maid who led the way suddenly stood still and returned to ask, “The road ahead is a bit steep. Do we need to detour?”

Song Yixiao thought for a while. There was indeed a section of road, being made steeper on the purpose of twisting and turning deep. It's fine during the day, but if they walk at night, it was a bit difficult. So Song Yixiao nodded, “Take a detour!”

They detoured nearby Lunong Building. Suddenly a shadow flashed on the road, which scared the lead maid who almost threw her lantern. And Nie Wuying, who happened to see this scene, even screamed. The figure was about to disappear behind a rockery in a flash, but it stopped at the sound. Seeming to look back for a moment, he asked with uncertainty, “Who's over there?”

When hearing it was Su Shaoge's voice, the equally frightened Song Yixiao eased up, hugged Wuying tightly and raised her voice, “Is it Master Shaoge? We're going to Yaohua Venue, because there's a section of road that we can't see clearly at night, so we'll take a detour from here.”

Su Shaoge apologized when hearing this, “I got tired of reading and came out to the open field to practice swordsmans.h.i.+p. I thought there was no one around here, so I didn't take any lanterns. I didn't expect to scare you. I'm so sorry!”

“It doesn't matter, Master Shaoge!” Song Yixiao was quite speechless when hearing his reason: Do you think you don't need a lantern because there is no one nearby? It's so dark, aren't you afraid you would fall down?

She shook Nie Wuying's hand and was about to leave, but Su Shaoge came to them and stood in the yellow candle-light where the lanterns could s.h.i.+ne. He was seen to wear a blue s.h.i.+rt that was upright. Although his clothes were thin, it seemed that he didn't feel cold in his behavior. The jade crown was tied with his hair and his white face was a little red, like a Begonia, just after practicing. His eyes were like peach blossoms, which were especially bright. When he looked around, the eyes seemed to be cold stars s.h.i.+ning the beams.

He held a seven-star longsword behind him, looking like a hero walking around to help others with a sword, so handsome.

“It's dark and slippery. Lanterns don't s.h.i.+ne far. Let me lead you for a section of road!” He waved his sword and inserted it into his scabbard at his waist. After making an obeisance by cupping his hand in the other before his chest, he said warmly, “I remember there are a few stone steps near here. You may probably miss your footing at night.”

Song Yixiao hesitated, but she considered that it wasn't just herself who was walking at night, but also her sister-in-law, who had just gotten a big scare. If she also fell or b.u.mped, Yixiao wouldn't be able to explain it to her mother-in-law and the eldest sister-in-law!

So after a moment's hesitation, she nodded, “Thank you, Master Shaoge!”

“You are welcome.” Su Shaoge made another obeisance and turned around, “There is a rock blocking part of the way. Please be careful when you come over…”

With him in front to remind them, they walked smoothly in the rest of the way. The man was full of courage. Hearing his introduction to the road along the way, Song Yixiao was relieved in her heart. When Nie Wuying saw the gate of Yaohua Venue, she said to her sister-in-law quietly, “Thanks to him, otherwise, when the wind was blowing, and a bunch of branches swept over, I almost thought it was a monster! Fortunately, after he told us to 'be careful if the branches hook to the hairpin ring,' I knew it was not.”

Song Yixiao said, “Let's go together to thank him later.”

Nie Wuying nodded. At this time, there were already maids knocking at the door, and the one who opened the door was a chamberlain brought by Princess Yushan. Seeing a group of people at the door, she was quite surprised. After knowing that it was Song Yixiao and Nie Wuying who had come to live for a night, she hurriedly flew in to report.

Then Princess Yushan came out almost like a gust of wind. After coming out, she didn't even look at the others but went straight to Su Shaoge, shyly with cowardice, “Master Shaoge, thank you so much! If it wasn't for your help, I really don't know how my cousin-in-law and cousin could have come over…”

Song Yixiao pulled her lips slightly, and heard Su Shaoge say in a gentle and elegant manner, “Your Highness, you've overpraised me.”

Soon, he said crisply, “Since Madam Song and Miss Nie have both arrived and it is late, I can't stay long. I will take my leave now!”

Princess Yushan, “…!!!”

Su Shaoge had already left before she thought of a reason to keep him. Only at this point did Jiang Muting arrive. She asked Song Yixiao in surprise, “What are you doing here? Did Daiguo Grand Princess come to trouble you?”

“Can we go inside and talk?” Song Yixiao looked at Princess Yushan, who was still watching Su Shaoge's back with resentment, and spread her hands helplessly, “You may probably be a little cold walking over here along the way!”

Jiang Muting said immediately, “Come on in. Yixiao, you're not even wearing a fur coat. How can you stand in the wind? Let's go inside and talk!”

Song Yixiao just suddenly realized why Princess Yushan came out so quickly. It was a pity. Although there was no Prince of Zhao who counteracted her efforts, Su Shaoge couldn't get the point. In the end, it was this n.o.ble lady who had rejoiced too soon!

After a few moments, this group of people crowded into Yaohua Venue. Jiang Muting ordered hot tea, and asked her close maids to arrange for the servants they brought with them. Sending out the others and closing the doors and windows, she asked with concern, “What happened? Is it something to do with me?”

Song Yixiao was about to reply, Princess Yushan interrupted her impatiently, “Let's talk about this later. Why did he come here with you? Do you go to Lunong Building?”

“Nothing tangible is yet in sight, and you start to be jealous!” Song Yixiao felt ironic in her heart and said, “I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see the road clearly and fell, so I took a detour and walked from near Lunong Building. Then we happened to meet Master Shaoge who was just finished practicing swordsmans.h.i.+p…”

Princess Yushan's eyes just lit up at the words, asking instantly, “Where did he practice swordsmans.h.i.+p?”

“It's not far from that rockery outside Lunong Building.” Staring at Song Yixiao as she carefully told her the exact location, only then was Princess Yushan satisfied, “I just heard that he was extremely good at studying, not knowing he also does well in swordsmans.h.i.+p.”

Jiang Muting and Song Yixiao looked at each other, both feeling a bit helpless, “The Su Family is a martial family, and Grand Master Su is still in the army! No matter how well Master Shaoge studies, how could he have wasted his family's inherited skills?”

It was unknown what Princess Yushan came to mind, and she suddenly blushed and jumped up, “You guys talk. I have something else to do and I'm going back to my room!”

“……” After seeing her out, Jiang Muting looked at Song Yixiao and said with a blank expression, “My aunt doesn't even know the real reason why she's here…!”

Song Yixiao averted her gaze with a guilty conscience, pretending to be confused, “So what should we do now?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Muting pondered for a moment, but was relieved and pleased, “Anyway, I don't think Master Shaoge has any thoughts about her, otherwise how could he have just gone that fast? She is in love with a man who is not fond of her. Just let her toss it. Anyway, we can't stop her now even though we want. Let's get down to business!”

Song Yixiao thought she was not the only one who was unscrupulous, and Jiang Muting, as Princess Yushan's cousin was also irresponsible. She said, “Aunt Daiguo has gone back to Ruyi Garden, and I haven't heard anything. But to avoid feeling embarra.s.sed when we seeing Aunt Daiguo tomorrow, so Roumei suggested that we stay here for one night, and prepare another room tomorrow to avoid her for a while!”

Although she said it in a euphemism and mentioned Commandery Princess Qingjiang as a cover, how couldn't Jiang Muting understand that she was afraid of Daiguo Grand Princess' revenge from her words?”

“I'm the one who dragged you down!” Jiang Muting pursed her lips, feeling a little frustrated, “If I had known they were coming over, I wouldn't have come!”

“I don't like it when you say that!” Song Yixiao didn't think so, “They don't even feel guilty about being a thief, so what are you hiding from?”

When Jiang Muting heard that she compared Commandery Princess Nanzhang who took over her love to a thief, she couldn't help bursting out laughter. But then she said sadly, “Actually, she can't be said to be a thief. After all, Prince of Wei was not mine anymore. It's just that I'm stupid and I believe whatever the guy says. He said he wouldn't lie to me, and I did believe he would never lie to me!”

Song Yixiao thought to herself, “The old saying goes, if a man falls in love with someone, it will be easy to be out of it; but if a woman falls in love with someone, it will be hard to be out of it. It seems reasonable. The reason why she was deceived by Prince of Wei was the same as Princess Yushan's current situation with Su Shaoge. With eyes full of that person, even if there were people around to remind her, how could she listen to?”

She didn't mind having a conversation in the light of candles with Jiang Muting, but she saw that Nie Wuying lowered her head again and again aside, who was obviously sleepy. So she sat up straighter and said seriously, “Is there no other good men in the world? I still remember how you confronted Side Concubine Cui in Shangsi Festival. You have been ill for half a year, but have already recovered now. Do you even lose your usual spirit?”

“How is that possible?” Jiang Muting has always been a bit arrogant. When she faced off against Commandery Princess Nanzhang, if not for her deep injuries and being hurt in the heart by Commandery Princess Nanzhang, she would not be defeated. When Song Yixiao provoked her, she swept away the decadence and raised her jaw, “It was just a topic. For such a heartless man, I'm glad that I have recognized him for what he is before it's too late!”

“That's exactly right!” Song Yixiao joked, “We are willing to make the trip here tonight just for these words. By the way, do you have an extra room? If you don't, we'd have to squeeze you in your room!”