Chapter 38: Do you truly like Xie Lin?

Few people can make the Xiao heir wait in person, and she has kept him waiting this long; not leaving already is giving him face.

Shen Shuangning drew a deep breath, suppressed her unease, and said, "Where is the heir?"

"The heir is over there."

Su Chen glanced at the lake's center, where a boat was floating.

Xiao Jingyuan had been there alone and never gone ashore.

Su Chen also didn't understand—just meeting someone, why must he stay on the boat?

Su Chen could only explain that Xiao Jingyuan was avoiding suspicion, not wanting anyone to see him with the Fourth Miss.

"I'll take the Fourth Miss over." Su Chen boarded a small boat, then reached out his hand to Shen Shuangning and said gently.

Shen Shuangning did not take his hand, lifted her skirt and stepped down; the boat swayed slightly, and she barely managed to stand firm.

Su Chen saw this, didn't mind, and smiled as he withdrew his hand.

A Heng insisted on coming along, and Su Chen didn't stop her.

There was no boatman aboard, so Su Chen acted as the boatman, while Shen Shuangning and her maid A Heng sat in the cabin.

The young ladies and gentlemen along the distant riverbank had all gone home; without their laughter and chatter, it seemed somewhat desolate and bleak.

Perhaps it was due to Shen Shuangning's state of mind, and she felt the lake's scenery was merely so-so.

Soon after, they arrived; the two boats drew alongside each other, only to see Xiao Jingyuan having emerged at some point, standing with his hands behind his back on the boat.

Today he wore a black dark-patterned outfit, his shoulders broad as if forged from iron, waist and abdomen tight, muscle lines smooth and crisp; standing still, he resembled a lone peak bearing snow, exuding immense pressure.

Shen Shuangning climbed out of the cabin and needed to step onto the boat where Xiao Jingyuan was.

Perhaps the wind on the lake's center was stronger than at the shore, causing the boat to sway more; trying to keep balance on it inevitably required some effort.

When Shen Shuangning was about to step over, a hand with distinct joints reached out in front of her.

Shen Shuangning lifted her gaze to Xiao Jingyuan; his handsome face showed little expression.

Shen Shuangning jumped over herself, not accepting his kindness, but the boat swayed more from the extra weight, making her somewhat unsteady on her feet.

Xiao Jingyuan still steadied her with a hand.

"Thank you." Once Shen Shuangning regained her footing, she quickly put distance between herself and him.

Sensing the young lady's aloofness, Xiao Jingyuan seemed to let out a cold chuckle, then lifted his leg and entered the cabin to sit.

Shen Shuangning found him puzzling and cautiously followed.

Su Chen and A Heng remained on the other boat, not coming over; with no one else present, Shen Shuangning felt a bit ill at ease and just wanted to finish quickly and leave.

"Where is the farmer the heir spoke of?"

She got straight to the point, not wanting to waste words.

Xiao Jingyuan leisurely sipped his tea and said, "Fourth Miss, are you in a hurry?"

Shen Shuangning furrowed her brows slightly and replied politely, "Yes, I am anxious; please don't keep me in suspense, heir."

"I see the Fourth Miss isn't the least bit anxious; she even has leisure to ride horses with a young gentleman for an outing."

Shen Shuangning's expression shifted slightly as she carefully examined Xiao Jingyuan's face, but she could discern nothing from it.

"If I weren't anxious, I wouldn't keep sending people to the Treasure Pavilion to inquire, but the heir's people always tell me to wait a bit longer; the heir is busy with official duties, how dare I disturb him?" Shen Shuangning said calmly.

"As for my outing with others, that is my private affair; the heir has no right to interfere."

Shen Shuangning had long let go of Xiao Jingyuan and was ready to start a new life; even if she didn't meet Xie Lin, she would meet other young gentlemen.

Jingcheng is so small; she had long prepared for the possibility of running into Xiao Jingyuan. The secret of her past life is known only to her; from Xiao Jingyuan's perspective, she is no different from any other unfamiliar woman.

Thus, at this moment Shen Shuangning wore a frank expression; an unmarried man and woman developing mutual affection is quite normal, and she even felt a bit protective toward Xie Lin.

But Shen Shuangning did not know that Xiao Jingyuan had dreamed of his past life.

Although he didn't understand where such dreams came from, having them often inevitably differed from before.

Especially these days, while he was busy investigating cases, whenever he returned to Prince Yan's Manor, he would dream again that she was his wife.

In those dreams she would linger by his side, gently and coquettishly calling him 'my lord', attending to him with meticulous care, her eyes filled only with him.

But unlike now, she looks at him with aloofness and vigilance.

Xiao Jingyuan furrowed his brows, his deep gaze falling on Shen Shuangning's face; an undercurrent stirred in his eyes, his expression colder than before.

Being stared at by him made Shen Shuangning uncomfortable, reminding her of the Xiao Jingyuan of her past life; when in a bad mood, he too would keep people at arm's length, hard to serve.

"Did I make you unhappy?" Shen Shuangning asked.

Earlier, Mr. Su had already reminded her that when Xiao Jingyuan is in a bad mood, it's usually because he's been waiting too long.

Thus Shen Shuangning added, "Our affair ought not be known to outsiders; coming to see you, I must find a reason to avoid others, lest unnecessary misunderstandings arise, so I have been delayed a bit, not out of deliberate neglect."

"If the heir is dissatisfied because of this, I will apologize to you."

If it weren't for those potatoes, she wouldn't have tolerated him at all.

Her words, reaching Xiao Jingyuan's ears, meant she didn't want Xie Lin to overthink; after all, the Duke's Manor had once considered a marriage alliance with Prince Yan's Manor, so avoidance was warranted.

Xiao Jingyuan leaned back, the corner of his mouth curling in a mocking arc: "Fourth Miss, you've considered things quite thoroughly. However, Mingyuan and I are bound by life and death, our trust profound; even seeing us together in the same room would never lead him to think otherwise. As for me——"

He swept a faint gaze over her, his tone slightly raised: "I have always despised taking what belongs to another; Fourth Miss, your beauty is, to me, nothing special."

Shen Shuangning stared, stunned by the information Xiao Jingyuan had revealed.

Xie Lin and Xiao Jingyuan are actually sworn brothers who would die for each other?

How could she not know?

During the last polo match at the palace, she had indeed seen Xie Lin and Xiao Jingyuan on the same team; it's only natural that scions of elite families know each other.

Moreover, Xie Lin never mentioned the Xiao heir in her presence, and in her past life Xiao Jingyuan never brought up the Young Marquis; she naturally wouldn't think their bond was deep.

Now, hearing Xiao Jingyuan say this, Shen Shuangning's heart could not calm.

She had originally intended to stay far away from Xiao Jingyuan in this life, to distance herself from everything related to him; then she met Xie Lin, the spirited Young Marquis, they felt drawn to each other, grew acquainted, and perhaps once everything settles, she will marry Xie Lin and spend the rest of her life with him.

Originally everything had gone according to plan, but heaven decided to play a big joke on her—Xie Lin and Xiao Jingyuan are actually close brothers?!

Even if she marries Xie Lin, she still can't escape being involved with Xiao Jingyuan...... What is all this?

Xiao Jingyuan watched her expression shift repeatedly, not knowing what she was thinking, and said in a calm voice: "I summoned you this time also for this matter."

Shen Shuangning looked at him with a complex expression; she should have guessed earlier that Xiao Jingyuan had another motive for meeting her here.

Otherwise, he could simply have Mr. Su inform her; why come in person to see her?

Then what does he want to say?

Given Xiao Jingyuan's prejudice against her, he would probably think she harbors ill intentions toward Xie Lin and warn her to stay away from him.

Who would have thought, Xiao Jingyuan just stared at her.

"Do you really like Xie Lin?" It was like an interrogation.

Shen Shuangning instinctively lifted her gaze to him, didn't think much, and replied honestly: "I feel gratitude and affection for the Young Marquis; being with him makes me happy, so I suppose I do like him."

Her expression was sincere, her words utterly genuine; it seemed her feelings for Xie Lin were not feigned.

Xiao Jingyuan's last reservation also vanished.

Yet for some unknown reason, he remained dissatisfied.

This apparently wasn't the answer he wanted to hear.

Xiao Jingyuan then asked: "Do you feel affection for him because he saved you?"

Shen Shuangning furrowed her brows, feeling he was being overly meticulous; as a mere woman, is there really a need to guard against her so?

Shen Shuangning pondered and said: "... Naturally, that is also a reason."

If Xie Lin hadn't saved her, how would she have come to know him?

"What if it was wrong from the very beginning?" Xiao Jingyuan said.

Shen Shuangning blinked, obviously not understanding.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, said nothing more.

His fingers rubbed the rim of the cup, his expression dark and inscrutable.

"Heir Apparent, do you have any other concerns? If so, you might as well lay them all out today." Shen Shuangning glanced at the outside sky and said.

Xiao Jingyuan fell silent for a long time, no longer mentioning Xie Lin or her, and discussed official business with her as usual.

"Tell me your thoughts."

Shen Shuangning immediately straightened her expression and said: "In a little over a month, after my birthday I will go to Jiangting Manor; but now is the spring planting season, and planting potatoes is just right, so I want to make preparations in advance. I have already written to my cousin in Jiangting about this; all that remains is for the Heir Apparent to agree."

Xiao Jingyuan, of course, said he still had over a hundred jin of potatoes, but she had no way of knowing whether that was the actual amount.

These potatoes are seeds; if all are planted, they will multiply in three months. Expanding the planting area, ideally nationwide, could thus stave off next year's famine.

Of course, regarding the impending major disaster next year, Shen Shuangning cannot tell anyone.

She also does not wish to be a savior; she only wants to protect her family well.

Xiao Jingyuan heard her plan, nodded, and said: "In two days, both the people and the potatoes will be delivered to your residence."

Thank you.

After Xiao Jingyuan gave her his assurance, Shen Shuangning finally felt at ease; the matter proceeded smoothly, and her attitude softened considerably.

Before leaving, she casually asked: "How is the Heir Apparent's injury?"

Last time she brought Muyu to treat his wound, and afterward she didn't ask further—after all, if he wasn't going to die, it wasn't a big deal.

Now giving him a pleasant expression is merely to facilitate cooperation, so as to avoid him constantly seeking trouble for no reason.

Xiao Jingyuan replied coldly: "Thanks to the Fourth Miss, I'm fine."

What a doggish attitude.

Shen Shuangning also couldn't be bothered with him, slipped out of the cabin, and returned to the boat where A Heng was.

Xiao Jingyuan followed right behind.

A Heng eyed him warily, intentionally or not shielding Shen Shuangning behind him.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't care.

Su Chen's gaze flicked back and forth between the two, curious.

Not long after, the boat slowly drew to shore.

Just before leaving, Shen Shuangning suddenly remembered something, turned and said: "That sachet from last time—did you lose it, Heir Apparent?"

Xiao Jingyuan was still on the boat, his expression lost in shadow, hard to make out clearly.

Su Chen had no idea what sachet she meant, and hearing this only piqued his curiosity further.

"What do you say?" Xiao Jingyuan lifted his head, his tone neutral, as if mocking again.

It seems he lost it long ago; Shen Shuangning was not at all surprised.

She hadn't expected him to keep it; merely thinking that the sachet originally meant for Xie Lin had ended up in Xiao Jingyuan's hands made her uneasy.

Since it's already lost, she saw no need to ask further; even if someone else picked up the sachet, only those who knew her would recognize it.

Farewell.

The master and servant hurried away.

Meanwhile, the air still seemed to retain that fresh, sweet scent.

"Mr. Su, you understand all things under heaven; could you help me resolve this doubt?" Xiao Jingyuan rubbed the mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist, his voice low as if immersed in icy water.

Su Chen's sleeve‑flicking motion paused; when he lifted his gaze, he met the rare gloom in the other's brow.

Since following Xiao Jingyuan, this was the first time he had seen him wear such a trapped‑beast expression.

Heir Apparent, please speak.

Lately I've been haunted by strange dreams; in them everything feels vaguely familiar, yet utterly at odds with reality. Xiao Jingyuan lowered his gaze slowly; the lights of Ruyi Workshop along the riverbank flickered in his eyes like gold leaf, conveying a sense of loneliness.

I don't know what dream the Heir Apparent had.

Xiao Jingyuan fell silent for a long time, then said: "In the dream, I have a wife who deeply loves me."