EBE Chapter 877 [Splendid Heart 16]
Chapter 877 [Splendid Heart 16]
"Has Lianfang returned yet? She must have heard about Xia Yi's incident." Xu Lingyi frowned slightly, his eyes revealing concern and curiosity, and asked Qingfeng who was standing beside him.
Qing Feng nodded slightly and replied respectfully: "Your Excellency, Madam Qiao has already informed Miss Qiao of this matter."
Hearing this news, Xu Lingyi nodded slightly and continued to ask: "Does she have any special reaction to this matter?"
Qing Feng thought for a moment, then responded, "Your Excellency, when Miss Qiao first heard the news, she was only surprised, but did not show any other emotional reactions. However, from what I understand, Mrs. Qiao seems to be interested in selecting some young masters who are well-matched for Miss Qiao."
As soon as these words came out, Xu Lingyi's originally calm face instantly became solemn. He pursed his lips tightly, and after a moment of silence, he opened his mouth and ordered: "Qingfeng, go quickly and tell Lianfang that I want to ask her out the day after tomorrow to go boating and enjoy the scenery together."
Qing Feng couldn't help but hesitate, and asked hesitantly: "Master, what if Miss Qiao doesn't want to accept the invitation?"
Xu Lingyi raised his lips slightly, revealing a confident smile, and said firmly: "Don't worry, she will definitely agree."
After receiving such a positive reply from Xu Lingyi, Qing Feng said no more, bowed and said, "Yes, Master. I will do it right away."
"Wait, forget it, you don't have to go. I'll go myself." Xu Lingyi said after thinking for a while.
Xu Lingyi rushed to Youyou's elegant and quiet residence with great joy and expectation. He originally thought that he could see the person he had been thinking about as soon as possible, but when he stepped into the courtyard, he found that everything was quiet and there was no sign of Youyou.
Xu Lingyi, feeling a little disappointed, did not stay for long, but walked straight to Xiu Li who was busy pruning branches in the courtyard. He took out a carefully prepared letter from his bosom, handed it to Xiu Li, and whispered: "Please pass this letter to your young lady. I have something important to attend to, so I will leave first." After saying that, Qing Feng turned around and left in a hurry, leaving Xiu Li with only a slightly hurried back.
After a while, Youyou came back from an outing and walked into the yard with light steps. Seeing her young lady coming back, Xiuyuan hurried forward to greet her and respectfully handed the letter to Youyou, saying, "Young lady, this is what Yongping Hou asked me to pass on to you. Yongping Hou also said that he would like to invite you to go boating together the day after tomorrow."
Youyou took the letter, glanced at it casually, the corners of her mouth slightly raised to reveal a faint smile, but she quickly returned to her calm look and responded lightly: "No, I'm busy. The day after tomorrow I have to accompany my mother to Ci'an Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings." After that, she put the letter on the stone table beside her and ignored it.
Xiu Yuan knew her young lady's temperament very well, so she didn't say much. She just replied, "Yes, young lady." Then she quietly withdrew and continued to work on her own work.
Two days later, when the sky in the east was just beginning to turn pale, Youyou had already packed her luggage impatiently, and Qiao's mother also got up early. After a quick breakfast, the two of them set out for Ci'an Temple together.
At the same time, Xu Lingyi was also making final preparations before going out. He was wearing a moon-white long gown, a jade belt around his waist, and black boots. He looked handsome and imposing. Just as he was about to step out of the door, he happened to see Madam Xu walking slowly from the inner courtyard. Madam Xu was wearing gorgeous clothes and delicate makeup today, and it was obvious that she had dressed up carefully.
Madam Xu spotted Xu Lingyi who was about to go out and couldn't help but be a little surprised: "Lingyi, you are going out so early in the morning? Today is a day off!"
Hearing his mother's question, Xu Lingyi hurried forward and answered respectfully, "Mother, are you going out too?"
Madam Xu smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, Madam Qiao and I have an appointment to go to Ci'an Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. It just so happens that the girl from Lianfang wants to go with us."
Xu Lingyi was slightly startled when he heard this, and blurted out: "Cousin Qiao is going too?" There was a hint of subtle surprise in his tone.
Mrs. Xu nodded slightly and replied, "That's right. What's the matter? Don't you want to see cousin Qiao?" As she spoke, she looked at her son with a smile.
Xu Lingyi hurriedly explained, "That's not the case. I just feel a little surprised." After a pause, he continued, "Mother, I originally planned to take advantage of today's day off to go horse racing in the suburbs to relax, but since you have asked, I am naturally willing to accompany you to Ci'an Temple."
Madam Xu nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Very good. I will feel more at ease with you accompanying me." After that, the group set off towards Ci'an Temple in a mighty manner.
In the Ci'an Temple, incense smoke curled up and wooden fishes rang. Youyou followed Mrs. Qiao obediently and prayed for a bamboo stick together. However, before long, Mrs. Qiao was respectfully invited away by a little monk to go to the side hall to interpret the lottery. Youyou was left alone and felt bored. So she called her maid Xiuyuan and they quietly slipped to the back of the Ci'an Temple.
I heard that behind the Ci'an Temple, there is a beautiful peach forest. At this time, the peach blossoms are in full bloom. From a distance, the peach forest, which looks like a fairyland, is as charming as pink clouds.
At this time, Madam Xu and Xu Lingyi also slowly arrived at Ci'an Temple. However, their steps were a little slow. Madam Xu was the first to step into the Great Hall to pray and worship, while Xu Lingyi quietly stayed outside the hall and waited.
Qing Feng, who was standing nearby, saw Youyou and Xiuyuan heading towards the peach forest in the distance. He quickly leaned over to Xu Lingyi and whispered, "Master, I just learned that Miss Qiao is in the peach forest behind Ci'an Temple."
Hearing this, Xu Lingyi raised his eyebrows slightly, and a hint of barely perceptible joy flashed in his eyes. After a brief thought, he ordered: "Okay, Qingfeng, you wait here for mother. When mother comes out of the palace, tell her that I have something important to deal with first."
Qing Feng cupped his hands and said, "As you command, Master."
Afterwards, Xu Lingyi walked alone into the picturesque peach forest. The breeze blew, and the petals fell like snow, scattering on his shoulders. With sharp eyes, he soon found the graceful figure of Youyou in the depths of the peach forest. She was wearing a light blue silk dress, and her graceful figure contrasted with the beautiful peach blossoms around her, making her look even more elegant and charming.
Xu Lingyi quickened his pace and walked straight towards Youyou. When he got close, he stopped, stared at the beauty in front of him, and asked softly, "Lianfang, can I have a moment to talk?"
Xiu Li rushed forward and opened her arms to stop Xu Lingyi who was about to move forward. She bowed slightly and said firmly, "My Lord, please stop! There is a difference between men and women. I hope you can avoid suspicion. After all, my young lady is not married yet. If the news gets out, it will damage her reputation."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lingyi frowned slightly. He did not stop, but shouted again: "Lotus House!" His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it carried unquestionable majesty.
At this time, Youyou, who was standing by, saw this and said quickly, "Xiuyuan, please leave first. I have something to discuss with the Marquis."
Xiu Li looked embarrassed and said anxiously: "But, Miss... this is really inappropriate! What if someone sees us..."
"It's okay, Xiu Li." Youyou interrupted her, looked at her gently and firmly, and said softly: "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Be obedient and leave quickly."
Xiu Li bit her lip. Although she was still worried, seeing that her young lady was so insistent, she had no choice but to respond, "Yes, young lady." After that, she reluctantly took a few steps back, then turned and left, not forgetting to look back a few times before leaving.