Qin Xianyue only lifted her eyes for a moment before hastily lowering her head.
It wasn't that the person was ugly—quite the opposite, he was exceptionally handsome.
His brows were like ink, slanting towards his temples, exuding a natural sharpness when he wasn't smiling.
Yet, his phoenix eyes held a certain charm, the corners slightly upturned, giving him a naturally roguish air, like ripples on a spring lake when he half-smiled.
But the unruliness in his eyes and the oppressive aura he exuded made one afraid to look directly at him.
Let alone in Yun Jing City, perhaps even the entire Great Zhou would struggle to find another individual as unrestrained and arrogant.
The Crown Prince, Xie Jinyuan.
The current His Majesty's most favored son, and also... the most terrifying harbinger of doom.
Qin Xianyue certainly dared not get involved with this living Yama, and quickly pulled Bao Xiang to curtsey respectfully.
"This commoner greets Your Highness."
Xie Jinyuan tilted his chin, his tone indifferent.
"Why are you standing so far away? Come closer, let me have a good look."
Qin Xianyue buried her head even lower.
The Crown Prince's notorious reputation indeed led many young ladies to go to great lengths just to catch a glimpse of him.
Thinking he might have mistaken her for one of those admirers, she explained.
"Replying to Your Highness, this commoner did not intend to offend, it was merely..."
As the words reached her lips, the resolute back of Gu Yanchi as he drove away suddenly surfaced in her mind. Her throat tightened, she pursed her pale lips, and continued.
"It was that our carriage broke down halfway on our journey. In my haste, I couldn't hire another, so I inadvertently stood in the road, disturbing Your Highness's passage."
The gaze from above seemed to linger on her for a moment, a casual scrutiny.
After a long pause, Xie Jinyuan's voice fell again, clear and crisp, laced with a hint of amusement: "Where are you two headed?"
"East Lake."
Qin Xianyue answered instinctively.
"Oh? What a coincidence."
Xie Jinyuan narrowed his eyes and leaned forward.
"To think I have a guest of honor. May I ask which family's young lady you are?"
Qin Xianyue hesitated but could only state her affiliation with the Dingbei Marquis Manor.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jinyuan tapped his riding crop against his palm, as if asking casually.
"Which branch of the Gu family are you from?"
Qin Xianyue paused for a moment before replying.
"This commoner's surname is Qin."
The fact that the Gu family of the Dingbei Marquis Manor had adopted an unrelated daughter was no longer a secret in Yun Jing.
Not to mention Gu Yanchi was a trusted confidant of the Crown Prince, so he naturally knew about the "younger sister" he had doted on since childhood.
Seeing his nod of understanding, Qin Xianyue thought this explanation would finally allow the distinguished gentleman to let them pass.
Just as she was about to bid farewell, she heard Xie Jinyuan's languid voice speak again.
"Since you are heading to my banquet, there's no reason to make a guest walk. I shall escort you."
Qin Xianyue was speechless.
How could she dare trouble the current Crown Prince to escort her.
While she was still in a daze, Xie Jinyuan dismounted and walked to the roadside, holding the reins, and said calmly.
"However, men and women must not touch. I cannot damage my reputation just because you are the daughter of an old friend. Miss Qin, please wait by the roadside. The carriage will arrive shortly."
Qin Xianyue felt a slight choke in her heart.
Somehow, it sounded as if he were the one being inconvenienced.
Seeing her still standing there, Xie Jinyuan raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming slightly more urgent.
"Aren't you coming quickly? Do you intend to block others' passage?"
Qin Xianyue could only comply, silently retreating to the side of the road, her eyes downcast, always maintaining a three-step distance from Xie Jinyuan.
Fortunately, this Crown Prince did not utter any more surprising remarks.
Before long, the sound of orderly hooves could be heard from a distance. A magnificent royal carriage slowly approached, with vermilion wheels and ornate canopies, draped with brocade curtains, and guards standing solemnly on all sides, exuding an imposing aura.
The commander at the forefront, upon seeing Xie Jinyuan from afar, immediately dismounted and strode forward, kneeling on one knee.
"My Lord."
Xie Jinyuan casually brushed the cuff of his python robe and said indifferently, "Why so slow? You've kept me waiting."
The commander pursed his lips, remaining silent.
An old man with white hair and beard emerged from behind the royal carriage. He wore the Eastern Palace token at his waist and was Xie Jinyuan's attendant, Shi Chun.
He held a fox-fur hand warmer, his gaze first sweeping over Xie Jinyuan, then settling on Qin Xianyue beside him, before he said with a smile.
"It was Your Highness who was in too much of a hurry."
Xie Jinyuan walked towards the carriage without even looking at the hand warmer, leaving behind a sentence: "I, a grown man, don't need this. Give it to her."
Shi Chun bowed in assent, holding the still-warm hand warmer, he approached Qin Xianyue and said respectfully, "Miss Qin, please get in."
Qin Xianyue was slightly surprised that this old man had recognized her identity at a glance.
Although she intended to refuse again, she saw Xie Jinyuan cast a glance her way. The pressure in his gaze instantly silenced her. She could only lift her skirt, step on the gilded footrest, and bow as she entered.
As soon as she entered, she was enveloped by a warm fragrance that made her eyelashes tremble.
The interior of the carriage was not only spacious, but its walls were all wrapped in Kesi soft satin.
The floor was covered with a complete animal hide, its fur as white as snow, sinking half an inch when stepped upon lightly.
Xie Jinyuan was lounging lazily on a rosewood couch, his wide black python robe sleeves draping down, revealing a string of blood amber prayer beads on his wrist.
The table in front of him was carved from a single piece of Hetian jade. A gilded hand warmer on it emitted wisps of smoke, and within the mouth of the exquisitely carved Suanni beast head on the warmer, faint red embers could be seen flickering.
Qin Xianyue only dared to sit on the edge of the brocade stool. With every breath, she smelled the cold plum fragrance she was accustomed to.
The rosewood stool was covered with a gilded soft cushion, which seemed to be filled with fragrant herbs, emitting a faint rustling sound as she sat down.
In such a warm carriage, Qin Xianyue felt she wouldn't need the hand warmer.
Just as she was about to place it on the table in front of her, Xie Jinyuan suddenly raised an eyelid.
"Hold onto it. Don't let others gossip later, saying my carriage is so shabby it could freeze someone to death."
Qin Xianyue: ...
Weeping willows swayed gently along the banks of East Lake, the spring scenery in full bloom.
Amidst falling blossoms, dignitaries in fine clothes and jade belts gathered in twos and threes, some admiring the scenery, others exchanging pleasantries.
From a distance, it presented a scene of wealth and elegance.
Qin Xianyue heard the clamor of voices outside the carriage, knowing they had reached their destination.
Shi Chun had already sent someone to fetch Gu Yanchi at top speed. She was about to lift the curtain but, constrained by the palpable gaze beside her, could only lower her eyes to stare at the wisps of smoke rising from the gilded incense burner on the table, waiting quietly.
Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached from a distance.
The carriage paused slightly. Xie Jinyuan tapped his fingertips on the jade table, his phoenix eyes glancing sideways.
"Your good elder brother is looking for you."
Qin Xianyue was too familiar with everything about Gu Yanchi. After listening for just a moment, she gently shook her head.
"It's not him."
Indeed, as soon as she spoke, a respectful report sounded from outside the carriage, clearly from the guard who had been sent to deliver the message earlier.
"Reporting to Your Highness, Young Master Gu is already waiting in the waterside pavilion."
"Hurry up."
Xie Jinyuan's tone was inexplicably cold.
"Don't keep the Young Master waiting."
✦✦✦