Who else could you love besides me

Chapter 22

As a result, a group of people started piling sandbags outside the walls of the Tian family mansion. Several panicked shouts alerted those inside. The group scrambled to their feet, and just as they stood, they heard someone shout in the chaos: "Run!" Then someone else shouted: "Catch the flower thief!" Hearing "flower thief?" the four men's hearts sank. Could they be talking about them? They exchanged bewildered glances, their faces changing drastically. Not daring to linger any longer, they scurried back to the Snow Bamboo Pavilion with their tails between their legs. What a disastrous spying operation!

Upon returning to Xuezhu Pavilion, the first thing to do was to drink a few sips of wine to calm my nerves.

"Tian Xiri is really overdoing it." Nalan's throat was dry and hoarse from running, and his voice had changed. He probably doesn't usually run this fast.

"That scared me to death." Fu Jin trembled exaggeratedly a few times.

"I must say, he really does look like Yu-di," Xi-en said, looking at Xi-ri.

Everyone agreed, "They look very similar, but Yu-di is much better than her."

“Prince Ming is really pitiful, having to marry a wife like that,” Xi Ri suddenly said.

Everyone sighed with regret, feeling sorry for Minglu.

At this moment, Ming Lu also rushed back, exhausted. After this farce ended, perhaps he was severely affected. The usually aloof Prince Ming had been silent ever since returning to Xuezhu Pavilion, his face ashen and gloomy. He drank one cup after another in large gulps. At first, everyone present tried to persuade him to break off the engagement, but he ignored them completely. His eyes occasionally glanced at Xi Ri, his gaze chillingly cold. He just kept drinking, and no one could persuade him to stop.

Xi Ri was secretly startled, wondering what he was thinking. But now, he certainly wouldn't doubt that she was Tian Xi Ri. With Li Yu and Tian Xi Ri appearing at the same time and place, no one would doubt that a man who could eat, drink, gamble, and whore with them could be the terrifying Tian Xi Ri.

Her goal has been achieved, and it seems that not only Minglu dislikes this marriage even more, but even his three closest friends do not like him marrying Tian Xiri. It seems that things have been done halfway and the annulment of the marriage is just around the corner!

The party ended, and since she and Minglu were going the same way, she was the only one who took the drunk Minglu home. Minglu was so drunk that he was almost unconscious the whole way.

Everyone helped him into the sedan chair, and Xi Ri said to the sedan chair bearers, "Let's go."

As soon as the sedan chair was lifted, Minglu fell out. Helpless, Xiri had to get into the sedan chair to support him. But Minglu suddenly fell on her and grabbed her wrist tightly. Xiri froze and looked at Minglu, trying to figure out if he was pretending to be drunk. Minglu suddenly let go of her hand, still with his eyes closed and reeking of alcohol. Xiri remained calm and did not push away his forehead that was resting on her shoulder.

There was a moment of silence in the sedan chair, followed by snoring; he had fallen asleep.

…………

I'm considering writing a chapter from a more explicit perspective. Would you like to see it? If you do, I'll write it; if not, I'll continue writing the plot.

The Examination Hall Before the Autumn Imperial Examination (Part 1)

At the entrance of the Mingjun Prince's Mansion, Xiri tried to wake Minglu, but he was still fast asleep. Xiri had no choice but to move his head against the sedan chair and slip out of the sedan chair.

Outside the sedan chair, the steward of the Prince's mansion was already waiting at the door. When he saw that it was Xiri who came out of the sedan chair, he was slightly taken aback, then stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master Li, is my master not with you?"

Xi Ri was somewhat surprised by the steward's respectful attitude towards her. She secretly observed the steward's expression, thinking to herself: she had only met Ming Lu yesterday, yet he knew her surname was Li.

Xi Ri pointed to the sedan chair behind him and said, "Prince Ming is drunk and is sleeping in the sedan chair."

The steward bowed respectfully to her again and said, "Thank you, Young Master Li, for bringing my master back." He then ordered someone to help the drunken Minglu into the mansion.

Xi Ri watched as Ming Lu was helped into the mansion, then turned around and dismissed the sedan chair bearers.

Seeing that Xi Ri had dismissed the sedan bearers, the steward said, "Yesterday, I heard the Prince mention that Young Master Li is a new friend of the Prince's. Now that it is late, if Young Master Li does not mind, would you like to stay at the Prince's residence for the night?"

"Thank you for your help, butler. I won't bother you any longer today. My family is waiting for me to return and is waiting at the door for me," Xi Ri said gently.

“Young Master Li, there’s no need to worry. I will send someone to your residence to inform you. If you are willing to stay overnight, I will be able to explain to the Prince tomorrow. Otherwise, if the Prince wakes up and blames me for neglecting you, I will find it difficult to bear the responsibility,” the steward said.

The steward addressed him as a lowly person, placing Xi Ri in a very high position. Xi Ri smiled faintly and said, "Prince Ming already knows that I will not be staying at your residence tonight. Steward, you are overthinking it. It is getting late, so I will take my leave!" Xi Ri clasped his hands and bowed.

"I wouldn't dare," the steward returned the bow, and said, "Please wait a moment, young master. I will have someone prepare a sedan chair to take you back to your residence."

“No need,” Xi Ri declined with a faint smile.

Seeing her insistence, the butler said no more and respectfully saw her off.

One day, I walked home alone, surrounded by silence, with only the occasional bark of a dog.

After a few turns, she was almost home when suddenly, an elm leaf landed on her forehead. It was Tian Yong, warning her that she was being followed.

Being followed in the dead of night is not a good thing, especially during these extraordinary times.

She didn't turn around, remaining vigilant but not worried, as Tian Yong should be nearby and would handle the pursuers.

Sure enough, a moment later, a furious voice came from behind, "Damn it, are you blind?" It was Tian Yong's voice.

"Get out of here, you drunkard!" came an unfamiliar voice.

"Who are you calling a drunkard!" came Tian Yong's voice. The two started pushing and shoving each other.

Xi Ri seized the opportunity to run, turning and twisting a few times before disappearing into the alley.

Upon reaching the small doorway, Tian Shuang quickly threw a few stones, opened the door, and Xi Ri slipped inside, slightly out of breath. Tian Shuang asked, "Miss, is someone following you?"

Xi Ri nodded and said, "We can't stay here anymore. Tomorrow, find a reason to temporarily move to the small courtyard in the west city."

Tian Shuang nodded and asked, "Is Miss alright?"

Xi Ri shook his head. "Tian Yong has already blocked that person."

Tian Shuang felt relieved.

Xi Ri looked at Tian Shuang, suddenly smiled, and said, "Tian Shuang, you acted really well today! After this is over, I'll give you a month's leave. You can go wherever you want."

Tian Shuang's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said, "Miss Xie."

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the small building. A short while later, Tian Yong returned and said at the door, "Miss, Tian Yong is back."

Xi Ri asked, "Do you know who was following me just now?"

Tian Yong said, "He's a street ruffian surnamed Zhang who usually makes a living by hanging around the Eight Great Hutongs."

Xi Ri nodded: "I know, you've worked hard too, go and rest."