Chapter 396: Self-Imposed Shackles

Gu Xixi stared blankly at Mu Nan Zhao.

"Unless the Gu family voluntarily withdraws the engagement," this puts all the initiative in her hands.

After a moment, she averted her gaze and muttered, "Everyone else is struggling desperately to break free of their shackles, yet you happily went and fetched yourself a chain."

Mu Nan Zhao, however, smiled and said, "The mistress doesn't like it?"

"What can be done? Once this notice is issued, it's already too late to recall it."

"Shameless!" Gu Xixi snapped.

Mu Nan Zhao's expression gradually turned solemn: "I know you have too many things you want to do, and your heart is full of uncertainties."

"Although... I still don't understand why for now."

"So you don't need to make any choice, nor do you have to respond to me right away."

"Just as when we were in Huachi Du Cun, I was Chen Fang and you were the mistress."

"The future is long; I will wait for you."

Gu Xixi suddenly lifted her head, her eyes complex and somewhat incredulous.

Mu Nan Zhao met her gaze without hesitation.

Gu Xixi clearly saw that his eyes no longer held the initial scrutiny and weighing, nor the earlier urgency and uncertainty.

Only her shadow and his tenderness remained.

Gu Xixi involuntarily became serious, saying, "I understand."

She then gave a wicked smile, "Besides, I have many flaws, and I've always detested being cuckolded."

"Your lordship, your heart burns hot; if you truly cannot bear loneliness, write to me, and I will return your freedom at any time."

Mu Nan Zhao was both amused and gritted his teeth, "Must you be mischievous this once?"

Before his words faded, Gu Xixi suddenly tiptoed and lightly pecked Mu Nan Zhao's cheek.

"Since you've issued such a notice, I ought to return the courtesy—this is the seal."

As she pulled away, her voice brushed past his ear.

Mu Nan Zhao felt an itch in his heart; when he looked up, the wanton woman who had set fire was already laughing as she walked away.

Not far away, He Jinglan and the maidservants had pink bubbles floating above their heads.

The young lady openly kissed the man she admired, who happened to be the long-famous Regent Prince.

This sight!

So pleasing to the eye! Yet so explosive!

Zi Yan's little face blushed; she thought she shouldn't look, yet couldn't help stealing a glance.

Lu Yan, intoxicated, cupped her face, "Miss Gu Xixi is truly bold! Still, it's wonderful!"

Lian Xing covered the eyes of the Light Pearl, yet herself stared unblinking, "Don't move around, you're young and shouldn't see this!"

He Jinglan even more excitedly jumped up, "Did I see right? They kissed, they kissed!"

"Gu Xixi has agreed to him! Oh dear, Heaven really treats me, the matchmaker, well!"

Such talk from the young ladies is naturally unbecoming of their status.

As personal maids, they ought to remind their masters to watch their words and deeds.

But Zi Yan glanced around, smiling, thinking that since no outsiders know, there's no need to spoil this joy.

By the carriage, the three also saw Gu Xixi's action.

Lv Jing sensed the atmosphere was a bit solemn; looking left and right, she already understood roughly.

Jiang Mingyuan's eyes dimmed, and a self-mocking smile rose at the corner of his mouth.

In fact, as early as the flower-viewing banquet at the Xiao He residence that day, he had received the everlasting flower returned by Gu Xixi, making it clear he had utterly lost.

Yet, seeing it with his own eyes now, he cannot help but feel heartache.

Unlike Jiang Mingyuan, An Qinghe's displeasure was written all over his face; especially when gazing at Mu Nan Zhao's eyes, he seemed about to turn into a vicious dog, baring his teeth and whining as he lunged forward.

But upon seeing Gu Xixi approach, An Qinghe immediately broke into a goofy grin, almost as if a tail would sprout behind him to wag.

"Now that we've said our goodbyes, shall we set off?"

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "Mm."

Lv Jing reached down from above to pull Gu Xixi into the carriage; as she retracted her hand, she glanced teasingly at the two men.

The carriage slowly pulled away.

He Jinglan waved through tears, "Gu Xixi! I'll write you a letter as soon as I get back!"

"If you need money, definitely come find me! Sweet Rain Residence still has your share of dividends!"

"If I really get bored and miss you, I'll go to Xi Bei to find you!"

Gu Xixi waved from the window toward the rear.

After graduate school, she constantly traveled all over the country, originally thinking she had long grown accustomed to partings.

But now, for some reason, her eye sockets felt a bit sore.

Mu Nan Zhao stood in place, watching the carriage recede into the distance.

Although parting makes one's heart ache, his inner self remained very tranquil.

As long as he had decided on that person, his heart would no longer waver, and distance would cease to be an obstacle.

Within the capital, the sun was high three poles, and pedestrians on the road gradually increased.

Upon discovering a newly posted notice, many townspeople stopped to gather and watch.

And the notice's content was like a gust of wind, swiftly sweeping through the capital's big and small gossip hubs.

A carriage passed near the notice board of the official uniforms, slowing its speed.

A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, then after a moment it fell back down.

Dou Rongshan grabbed a small booklet and wrote furiously, laughing wildly, as if drunk.

The little maid was frightened, 'Miss, you...'

'If you're sad, just cry it out, don't do this...'

The little maid actually wanted to say, 'Don't laugh like that, I'm scared,' but she didn't dare, fearing it would further provoke her master.

Dou Rongshan wrote, pausing to ask, 'Why am I sad?'

'Stop the noise first, I must quickly jot this down lest I forget, hahaha...'

The little maid's face turned pale, on the verge of tears.

Miss, could it be that you've gone completely mad over the Regent Prince?

Imperial palace, study.

Jingdong set down the tray, a cup of orange-red tea broth, beside it a palm-sized white jade plate lightly holding top-grade honey locust honey as clear as water.

'This is Boss Gu's fu tea; Your Majesty may blend it with the honey locust honey tribute from Xi Bei to suit your taste.'

The emperor was curious about Gu Xixi's fu tea.

So Jingdong, in his own name, quietly obtained some from the Xiao household.

The emperor first took a sip of the tea without honey, his brows relaxing, 'Not bad at all.'

'You said Gu Xixi used this fu tea cake as a gift, why is my share missing?'

Jingdong laughed, 'When Boss Gu came to the capital, who could have imagined being fortunate enough to see the emperor's face?'

The emperor also laughed, 'She actually said she'd invite me for tea later, because these are still the first batch, she herself isn't fully satisfied, and dares not offer them to me for tasting.'

Seeing the emperor raise his hand, Jingdong naturally picked up the spoon and added half a spoonful of honey to the tea broth.

The emperor likes light sweetness but dislikes cloying sweetness.

Jingdong has grasped this just right.

Sure enough, after tasting it, the emperor drank two more sips.

'It just so happens that I don't particularly like him getting too close to those aristocratic clans.'

'Since he himself sought my decree, this proclamation may be considered him getting what he wished for.'

Jingdong bowed low, 'Your servant congratulates Your Majesty.'

'Your Majesty is wise and martial; the Regent Prince has himself severed the marriage alliance, showing he harbors no other thoughts and willingly remains loyal to Your Majesty alone.'

The emperor neither affirmed nor denied, lifted his teacup, his expression pleased.

Gu Xixi's party has already arrived at Fengcheng.

Still that inn; when they first came, Jiang Mingyuan happened to meet Gu Xixi and An Qinghe here.

After dinner, the two young ladies said they wanted to wash their hair and went back to their rooms early.

Jiang Mingyuan went to the Houyuan to watch An Qinghe feed the horses.

After watching a while, he said, 'These past days I can't see any sign of your sorrow at all.'