Chapter 367: Junior's Respectful Presentation

Gu Xixi's mind went blank; she shook her head in shock and refused.

Even modern couples dating haven't gone this far; this leap‑forward development is rather too fast, isn't it?

Mu Nan Zhao frowned, about to speak, when suddenly a woman's "ah" cry came from the corridor.

The two exchanged a glance and turned to look.

Beside the vermilion pillar, several people lay in a tangled, disheveled heap.

The bright lamp hanging overhead fully revealed each person's distinct expression.

Zi Yan stood up first, her face flushed, and went to pull her master.

After rising, He Jinglan kept looking elsewhere, as if she hadn't noticed there were two more people in her courtyard.

"Didn't I tell you to walk slowly? Even if you're thirsty and eager for water, you can't be careless."

Lu La nodded, eyes front, "Miss is right!"

Lian Xing and Guang Zhu—one helped He Jinglan straighten her upper garment, the other bent to dust off her skirt.

In short, at this moment we must pretend to be busy!

Sneaking a peek was already shameful, and then we fell out right in front of two people who saw us.

So embarrassing, we must leave this place of right and wrong as soon as possible.

He Jinglan stiffly raised her hand and pointed, "Oh! Let's go to the small kitchen to get something to drink!"

The five master and servants, sneaking around their own home like thieves, had just taken a step when Gu Xixi spoke helplessly:

"All right, stop the act."

"Just now, while preparing to sleep, Lu La had just refilled a pot of chrysanthemum‑seed tea; do you need to go out for water?"

Gu Xixi said while walking over, looking at them somewhat amused.

"If you want to pretend not to see, at least act the part properly!"

He Jinglan had to turn around, gave a dry laugh a few times, "Is it very fake?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Very fake."

At this moment Mu Nan Zhao also walked over and stood beside Gu Xixi.

The maidservants all hurriedly lowered their heads, daring not to look directly.

He Jinglan glanced at Gu Xixi, then sideways at Mu Nan Zhao, and cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Well, we've known each other since childhood, and you're good brothers with my older brother."

"But Xixi is closer to me than a real sister, so I naturally put her first."

"So there are some things… I have to speak plainly."

Mu Nan Zhao frowned slightly, "If you have something to say, say it—when did you also learn to beat around the bush?"

He Jinglan steeled herself, lifted her head and said, "I know you act decisively, but some things can't be done that way."

"You want to stay here and live—has Xixi agreed? Do you have the three matchmakers and six proofs?"

"Xixi is not the kind of woman who would willingly be your concubine; even if your status is second only to the emperor and above ten thousand people, I will never let you run roughshod!"

Mu Nan Zhao patiently waited for her to finish, "I come to protect you—do I also need the three matchmakers and six proofs?"

His expression was calm, only a hint of smile in his eyes revealing his emotion.

He Jinglan was startled.

Could it be that she overthought it?

Gu Xixi's face flushed rapidly; she forced herself calm and asked, "What protection?"

He Jinglan came to her senses, realizing it was no small matter, so she dismissed the maidservants, leaving only the three of them.

Mu Nan Zhao said Fan, the Grand Secretary's plan to erase personal evidence.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a glance, both understanding that desperate measures are dangerous.

He Jinglan said, "But you already sent a few experts to my house, didn't you?"

"Together with my household's original guards, as long as Xixi doesn't go out, it's still quite safe."

Mu Nan Zhao said calmly, "The Xiao He residence is safe; I'm just uneasy."

He Jinglan realized, and couldn't help showing a "yo yo yo, tsk tsk tsk, ah, I see" smile.

She looked at the two before her, unable to keep the corners of her mouth from turning up as she spoke.

"Because I worry about her, no matter who guards her, I can't rest easy."

"Having to climb over the wall to become a flower‑guardian—oh, I'm moved."

Gu Xixi didn't know what to say.

Afraid that if she spoke, her quickened heartbeat would be heard by that person.

Mu Nan Zhao looked at He Jinglan, "Now you had Meng Chengping jump into the river; he certainly wouldn't leap from a building—no wonder, after parting ways earlier, you could forgive him so quickly upon meeting again."

He Jinglan grew greatly annoyed, "What analogy are you making? You make it sound like I'm petty and unreasonable!"

Seeing them about to start exposing each other's shortcomings again, Gu Xixi had already regained her composure.

"Tomorrow morning we're going to Jing Zhao Prefecture; we still need to prepare our disguises and clothing in advance."

She looked at Mu Nan Zhao, "How do you plan to stay?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You go back to rest; I'll just take a brief rest here."

Saying that, he walked to the stone table and sat down directly.

He Jinglan urged Gu Xixi to relax, "It's only a few short hours."

"He's not a young master who's never suffered; I'll have Lu La bring him a blanket and a pot of tea."

He Jinglan, smiling, pulled Gu Xixi back to the room.

As she left, she didn't forget to throw Mu Nan Zhao a triumphant glance.

That night Gu Xixi slept uneasily.

In the dream, everything was chaotic and messy: Lv Jing said the case was finally over; Mu Nan Zhao hoarsely called her 'the host'; and He Jinglan and the four maidservants surrounded her, laughing...

The next morning, He Jinglan saw Gu Xixi yawning.

Could it be that she has insomnia?

Gu Xixi's eyes were glazed: 'No, I actually fell asleep quickly; I just dreamed.'

Just wash your face later and it'll be fine.

The maidservants, hearing the commotion, brought the washbasin and toiletries in single file into the inner chamber.

He Jinglan asked, 'Is the Regent Prince still outside?'

Zi Yan said, 'He's gone.'

Today the young ladies need to get up two hours earlier than usual, so seeing the sky just begin to lighten, I wanted to go to the front courtyard kitchen to see what breakfast offerings there are.

As I pushed the door open and stepped out, I was afraid of disturbing the Regent Prince, but I happened to see him rise and leave on his own.

He Jinglan blinked and said, 'Did he still climb over the wall to leave?'

Zi Yan hummed and said, '... The Prince naturally returned the same way.'

At that moment, the Regent Prince leapt onto the wall in one bound, his steps confident and relaxed, his demeanor tranquil.

It was just like being at home.

Gu Xixi washed her face and remarked, 'Miss Zi Yan still speaks very tactfully.'

He Jinglan shook her head and sighed, 'He climbs over the wall himself without the slightest embarrassment; instead, we who saw him feel unable to look straight at him—don't you think that's strange?'

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

The carriage in the front courtyard was also ready, able to set off at any moment.

After breakfast, there was still plenty of time.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were still dressed in women's attire.

Changing into plain-colored cloth tops and skirts, just as they were about to apply the masks, Lian Xing brought in a wooden box.

The thing that came in from outside the second gate was said to have been specially sent by the visitor for Miss Xi Xi.

Thinking of what Mu Nan Zhao had said the previous night, He Jinglan became alert: 'What is it? Who sent it?'

Lian Xing didn't know why the master was so nervous, and laughed, 'People outside know what's appropriate; naturally they wouldn't bring anything unsuitable in.'

Having already seen it in front of the person who sent it, it was simply a sprig of half-dried apricot blossom, with a note attached that read 'Presented by Zi Chu.'

There's really nothing special about it; could this person be trying to imitate the Top Scholar who sent apricot blossoms?