Chapter 364: Do you like these?

Mu Youyu didn't understand why he asked that, but she replied gently: "Didn't I say we'd go to Y Guo to see my maternal grandfather in a few days? Let's talk about it when school starts."

"All right." Song Yan, hearing that, could only resentfully take back his words of persuasion.

The group continued walking forward, Mu Youyu suddenly looked up at Mu Xin: "Brother, what will happen to those people in the end?"

Mu Xin slowed his steps.

Others also unconsciously slowed their steps, their gazes drifting faintly toward this side.

There was also a group of people domestically who had already been apprehended by the contacts; they hadn't thought to tell the sister, which made her anxious.

Mu Xin stayed silent for a second, then answered: "They were taken away."

"Taken away?" Mu Youyu doubted: "Who took them away?"

"An uncle."

Mu Youyu tilted her head: "What uncle?"

Mu Xin glanced at Jiang Liangjin.

Jiang Liangjin received his gaze, tone natural: "My third uncle."

"Jiang Yuan uncle?" Mu Youyu puzzled.

How could Uncle Jiang Yuan suddenly step in to handle the kidnappers?

Jiang Liangjin lightly nodded, his tone carrying a touch of just-right bewilderment: "Yes, he took them away; he has many friends, I'm not exactly sure how he got the people."

Mu Youyu thought for a moment, didn't pursue further, just let out a soft "oh."

The group walked to the fountain in the center of the garden.

"Princess Mingxi!" a voice full of surprise came from the side, speaking in familiar Mandarin.

Mu Youyu followed the voice and saw Luwei standing not far away, waving at her.

She wore a long ivory court dress, her cheeks flushed from the cold, yet she couldn't hide the joy on her face.

She quickly walked over, stopping a few steps from Mu Youyu, and performed a proper salute: "Your Highness Princess, Master Ai Luoxiu, greetings to all the young masters."

Jiang Liangjin and the others saw that this person had previously stood beside Mu Youyu and could speak, so tacitly they didn't step forward to disturb.

"Luwei? Is that you." Mu Youyu didn't expect to see her: "Do you still speak Z Country Language?"

Luwei straightened up, a hint of pride on her face: "Yeah, I've studied with my teacher for six years, not bad, right?"

"Last time at the banquet there were too many people, so she didn't use this language."

"Impressive," Mu Youyu genuinely didn't expect, "How did you come here?"

"Qing An Prince had someone send me an invitation, saying today the imperial palace garden has a small afternoon tea gathering hosted by Princess Ruo Ya, inviting me to come play."

Luwei paused, a bit embarrassed, added: "I only found out after arriving that the prince wasn't there, and Princess Ruo Ya wasn't either… I had wanted to leave, but seeing you all here, I came over to say hello."

Mu Youyu turned her head to look at Jiang Liangjin beside her; he slightly shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.

Song Yusui at the side let out a light scoff: "Qing An invited someone but isn't himself present—what's the deal?"

Mu Xin remained silent.

"Maybe he's held up by something; I don't know where he is now." Mu Youyu explained for Qing An, then looked at Luwei: "Since you're here, let's stroll together?"

Luwei's heart leapt with joy, then anxiously she looked at the others: "I… will I be bothering you?"

"No." Mu Youyu replied, "You coming also lets you keep me company."

Luwei, overwhelmed with surprise, followed: "Okay, okay!"

The group continued forward, Luwei walking beside Mu Youyu, carefully speaking to this princess: "Princess, how are you feeling? I heard you yesterday..."

"It's fine." Mu Youyu interrupted her.

Luwei breathed a sigh of relief, somewhat frightened: "That's good, that's good; I saw the news yesterday and was almost scared to death. Those people are really crazy, daring to lay hands on you!"

Mu Youyu didn't respond.

Jiang Liangjin looked over.

Luwei, feeling a chill all over, tactfully didn't bring that up again, shifting to another topic: "By the way, Princess, at the earl's manor last time, after you left, the Ma Si family is completely ruined……"

She lowered her voice, tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude: "Their titles were stripped, their properties all seized…… It's said they tried to pull strings for clemency, but in the end nobody dared to engage with them."

Mu Youyu listened, showing no particular reaction.

Luwei saw her expression indifferent, felt even more awe: "The Y Guo princess, indeed not an ordinary person."

"Having been offended, she doesn't need to speak herself; someone will take care of things neatly for her!"

"Right!" Luwei suddenly remembered something, again lowering her voice: "Princess, when Ma Si caused trouble last time, that male beside you, the one who always followed you—I heard he's your boyfriend! Is that true?"

Mu Youyu's steps paused slightly.

Jiang Liangjin walking behind her had no expression on his face, and didn't know what to think.

Luwei didn't notice the subtle atmosphere, and went on: "That day I actually wanted to ask in person; I'd heard before that you guys are amazing, totally called something… right, born a pair!"

"That day when Ma Si tried to touch you, his glare alone frightened people, and Young Master Ai Luoxiu too……"

Mu Youyu's lips twitched, neither confirming nor denying.

Seeing her expression, Luwei immediately understood, and quickly shifted topic: "After all, someone of your noble status naturally needs such people guarding you……"

"Luwei." Mu Youyu suddenly spoke to interrupt her.

"Here!"

"How old are you?"

Luwei blinked, then answered honestly: "I'll be seventeen next month."

"That's about my age." Mu Youyu smiled, "No need to keep using honorifics; just call me by my name."

Luwei widened her eyes: "This, this how can it be!"

"What's wrong with that?" Mu Youyu said casually, "You're a guest invited by Qing An Brother, so you're my friend."

Luwei stared blankly at her.

She grew up in the Earl's Manor since childhood, and was accustomed to the hypocrisy and flattery within aristocratic circles.

Those who smile to your face on the surface may be scheming against you behind your back.

Yet the princess before her, obviously of such exalted status that people like her could only look up to her, now actually wished to speak to her on equal terms.

"Good." Luwei nodded vigorously, "Then… then may I call you Mingxi?"

"Yes."

In the garden, Mu Youyu and Luwei walked ahead, and the two girls of similar age quickly fell into conversation.

At first Luwei was still a bit reserved, speaking cautiously, afraid that a misstep might offend the princess.

But Mu Youyu was extremely easy to get along with; she listened to whatever Luwei said, occasionally adding a remark, and sometimes even took the initiative to ask about her, completely not revolving around herself.

"What do you usually do at the Earl's Manor?"

Luwei answered honestly: "Just… study etiquette, practice the piano, and sometimes accompany my mother to attend banquets."

Mu Youyu tilted her head and looked at her, "Do you like these things?"

Luwei froze for a moment.

"Do you like them?"

She had never considered this question; as a young lady of the Earl's Manor, she was born to learn these things—what room was there for liking or disliking?

But faced with Mu Youyu's clear eyes, she inexplicably shook her head, "Actually… I don't really like them."