“I can explain! Listen to my explanation!”
Qiao Yin wasn’t sure if Xie Yu’an could hear her, but she still cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward him.
“It’s because I heard that you once rejected Princess Ningyao’s marriage proposal, so I got scared.”
If she admitted that her absence was due to malicious speculation, Xie Yu’an might get even angrier. She could only say she felt inferior, belittling herself while elevating Xie Yu’an, hoping he would buy it.
“I have neither a noble status nor outstanding talent. All I have is a little bit of beauty. I’m not even worthy of tying Princess Ningyao’s shoelaces, so how could I be worthy of the young master of the foremost family?”
Qiao Yin used all her strength to keep shouting outward. The fading sound of hoofbeats turned back, and the tense face on horseback grew clearer and clearer.
Before Qiao Yin could react, Xie Yu’an rushed toward her like a bolt of lightning.
Just as she was about to shrink back, a hand reached out.
Without a second thought, almost instinctively, Qiao Yin also extended her hand, and then she flew into the air.
She spun halfway through the air and landed steadily on the horse’s back.
The swift wind brushed against her face, lifting her long hair and the hem of her skirt. Qiao Yin felt as if she had instantly grown two wings, riding the wind.
“You got scared, so you went to have fun and even hired two people who looked like Lu Jinzhi, huh?”
The two rode together on the same horse. Xie Yu’an’s arms passed around her waist from both sides as he held the reins in front, making Qiao Yin feel as if she were sitting in his embrace, her back pressed against his chest.
Even in such an ambiguous position, couldn’t he avoid using such a frightening tone?
Qiao Yin gave an awkward laugh, swallowing a mouthful of cold wind. “Your eyesight is really sharp.”
She hadn’t noticed it for a long time, but he saw through it at a glance.
“So you admit it?”
“Admit what? It has nothing to do with me. It was all my older brother’s doing. My older brother saw I was upset and wanted to distract me.”
Qiao Yin pushed everything onto Qiao Mo. Since Qiao Mo had tricked her so badly yesterday, he deserved to take the blame.
But Xie Yu’an clearly wasn’t buying it. “Your brother’s tabby cat and treasured sword could make you happy?”
Xie Yu’an not only had sharp eyesight but also exceptional hearing.
Qiao Yin could clearly sense the displeasure of the person behind her. She was afraid Xie Yu’an might get so angry that he would throw her off the horse, so she instinctively tightened her grip on his arm.
“Is this really my fault? If we talk about it, it’s your fault.”
Xie Yu’an was almost amused by Qiao Yin’s righteous and accusatory tone. “What did I do wrong?”
Qiao Yin turned her head to look at him, speaking earnestly. “You’re so good-looking, so capable, and I never expected your family background to be this impressive. If you were me, you’d also feel so inferior that you’d cry, writhe, and crawl in the dark.”
“So, it’s my fault for being too outstanding? Do I deserve to get drenched in the rain all day?”
Xie Yu’an coldly and mercilessly exposed her attempt to flatter her way out of the situation.
Qiao Yin was out of ideas and obediently apologized. “I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. Can you give me another chance?”
Suddenly inspired, Qiao Yin reached out and grabbed his hand holding the reins, turning to look at him with great enthusiasm. “Let’s go to the Prime Minister’s Temple now. Let’s go admire the flowers.”Somehow, the horse that had been quite docile under Xie Yu’an’s control suddenly neighed and began to buck, as if trying to throw off its rider.
Qiao Yin was startled. She let go of the reins, wrapping both arms tightly around Xie Yu’an’s arm, pressing herself close against his chest.
But Xie Yu’an tightened the reins, bringing the horse to an abrupt halt. Without a word, he helped Qiao Yin dismount.
“Last night’s heavy rain washed away the osmanthus blossoms. There are no flowers left to admire at the Prime Minister’s Temple.”
Xie Yu’an said this in a flat, matter-of-fact tone, without any hint of accusation, yet Qiao Yin was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt.
“If the osmanthus is gone, there will still be winter plum blossoms and spring peach blossoms. I owe you one outing—how about I make it up to you twice?”
Xie Yu’an froze, lowering his gaze to quietly watch Qiao Yin’s slightly upturned face. The strands of hair stirred by the breeze seemed to drift into his heart, gently tickling it.
But soon, another question surfaced in his mind: She’s so practiced at this—has she made similar promises to Lu Jinzhi before?
“Hmm? What do you say, Xie Yu’an?”
Qiao Yin stared intently at Xie Yu’an, waiting for his response.
Meeting her gaze, Xie Yu’an’s expression remained cool. His thin lips parted slightly as he asked softly, “Is that fair?”
Qiao Yin was taken aback, looking puzzled. “Fair?”
Xie Yu’an didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and spurred his horse away.
Qiao Yin pondered—just moments ago, Xie Yu’an’s expression had clearly softened. How could he turn cold again in the blink of an eye?
It must be that breaking their appointment this time had truly angered him.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Qiao Yin didn’t dare argue further. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and trotted after him.
Xie Yu’an rode slowly, and Qiao Yin soon caught up, even moving ahead of him. She turned around, clasping her hands behind her back, walking backward while looking up at him.
“Riding seems fun. I want to learn—could you teach me, General?”
Clasped hands, upturned face, admiring gaze, a slightly coquettish tone—every move was calculated by Qiao Yin. This was the demeanor she had perfected over four years, one that best suited her peach-blossom-like beauty.
But Xie Yu’an was no longer as accommodating as before. His face remained stern as he replied curtly, “No.”
Qiao Yin drew out her words, pleading, “I can pay you. How about I make you some pastries? Actually, my pastries are even better than Zhang’s.”
Xie Yu’an remained unmoved. “I don’t care for pastries.”
“Sweet or savory?”
“Sweet.”
Xie Yu’an answered instantly, then shot Qiao Yin an annoyed glance as he realized he’d been tricked. Qiao Yin’s smile bloomed brighter than any flower.
“Please teach me, just like before. I promise I’ll learn in less than two days.”
As Qiao Yin continued to plead, a voice suddenly came from behind:
“If he won’t teach you, I will. You can give the pastries to me.”
Qiao Yin turned to see a young man in bluish-gray brocade robes, wearing a jade crown, somewhat slender in build, walking toward them.
Qiao Yin was momentarily stunned before immediately bowing and kneeling. “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
The newcomer was none other than Crown Prince Jiang Huailu. Qiao Yin had seen him from a distance a few times before when she was with Lu Jinzhi.
“You are the second daughter of the Qiao family, correct?” Jiang Huailu had already approached the two of them.
Qiao Yin was somewhat surprised. “Your Highness knows me?”
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince were sworn rivals. Since Lu Jinzhi was the Third Prince’s cousin and kept his distance from the Crown Prince, Qiao Yin naturally had no interaction with the Crown Prince either.Jiang Huailu smiled. “Naturally, Second Miss Qiao’s reputation is well-known throughout the capital; there is no one who does not know of her.”
Understood. To put it bluntly, even this Crown Prince had witnessed her embarrassment.
Qiao Yin smiled, not minding in the slightest.
Xie Yu’an, however, had dismounted at some point and now stood in front of her, whether intentionally or not, blocking Jiang Huailu’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Rather than lecturing others here, Your Highness should first return and practice your horsemanship. For this autumn hunt, I hope you won’t embarrass your teacher again.”
“Cough, cough, cough—”
Jiang Huailu covered his mouth as he coughed, unsure whether it was due to the cold wind or his frustration at Xie Yu’an’s behavior of abandoning friendship for beauty.
Qingxuan was indeed right—Xie Yu’an had fallen.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.