troisième mariage

Chapitre 9

"Oh, right, there's one more thing that's a bit troublesome..." Mei Ziqi deliberately put on a troubled expression.

"What's the trouble?" Yu Chi Mingyue asked patiently.

“Di Xiu is, after all, a man from Yuchi Manor. You left him in Nanyuan to heal his wounds, which has already drawn criticism and slander from your siblings. If you take him away, tsk tsk, then you'll be in deep trouble no matter what you do…” Mei Ziqi sighed sadly.

Yu Chi Mingyue's anger flared up suddenly, and she said indignantly, "Am I afraid of them! I have a clear conscience and I am aboveboard! I'm going to take him away and see who dares to say anything to me! Humph!"

“Oh, that’s wonderful, that’s wonderful…” Mei Ziqi said with a sly smile.

Upon hearing his words, Yu Chi Mingyue vaguely felt that she had been deceived again. She was both ashamed and angry, and reached out to push Mei Ziqi towards the door.

"Oh dear, Xiao Si, what are you doing? The master still has something to say..." Mei Ziqi complained with a smile.

"I need to rest, you can leave now!" Yu Chi Mingyue pushed him out the door, closed the door, and leaned against it with her back, saying angrily.

Mei Ziqi shook his head and chuckled, saying to Yu Chi Mingyue through the door, "Alright, alright, I'll go then. But Xiao Si, tomorrow..." He was about to say something, but stopped himself, "Hehe, it's nothing. Actually, it's nothing much. Okay, I'm leaving, you should get some rest."

After he walked away, Yu Chi Mingyue leaned against the door and sighed softly. As she quieted down, the sensation on her lips faintly returned. A slight numbness reminded her of everything that had just happened, causing her to blush and her heart to race. Trembling, she raised her hand to her lips, slowly wiping them. Suddenly, she tasted a salty flavor on her tongue. Her heart skipped a beat, and the image of him smiling through his tears flashed through her mind.

Can she really trust him? He... didn't lie to her...?

...

After a sleepless night, early the next morning, Yu Chi Mingyue personally led several maids to Di Xiu's former residence to move things.

After the "town pot" was stolen, the manor sent people to search Di Xiu's residence, but found nothing. Afterwards, Yu Chi Siguang sent guards to watch over the place, forbidding anyone else from entering or leaving. However, when the guards saw that it was her, they did not dare to stop her, and let her swagger in.

When Yu Chi Mingyue entered the room and saw the scene inside, she was immediately filled with melancholy and sadness:

Boxes and chests were all open, covered in dust and grime. Clothes and belongings were scattered everywhere. The place was in complete disarray, a mess on the ground.

How could someone as proud and arrogant as him endure such humiliation? The fickleness of human nature and the coldness of human relationships are truly terrifying.

She sighed and instructed the maid behind her, "Pick out the important things to move."

The maid agreed and began to tidy up.

Seeing that everyone was busy, Yu Chi Mingyue knew it would take some time, so she simply strolled around the house and admired the scenery.

She had never been here before, and had assumed that Di Xiu, always dressed in fine clothes, would have a luxurious and exquisite residence. But now, his room could only be described as simple and tidy. There were no gauze curtains or tassels, no flowers or plants, and even the four walls were bare, without a single piece of calligraphy or painting. Thinking of her own residence in the South Garden, she couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing in comparison. It must have taken him a lot of effort to remember her picky preferences. With that thought, she strolled into his bedroom.

As she had seen before, his bedroom was clean, monotonous, and utterly uninteresting. Feeling somewhat helpless and bored, she was about to leave when her gaze was drawn to something on the bed.

She walked over in a few steps, her face full of surprise.

It was a small colorful ball, and perhaps because of the passage of time, the five-colored ribbons on the ball had faded and looked slightly dull and old.

She reached out and picked up the colorful ball, a look of nostalgia on her face.

She remembered it was January of the previous year. She was at Yuchi Manor, bored out of her mind. One day, the weather was sunny and warm, so she led her maids to play football in the plum grove for fun.

Everyone was in high spirits, playing and frolicking, completely losing their composure. She finally caught up with Caiju and delivered a powerful kick, sending Caiju flying high through the plum grove and landing straight down the corridor. Just then, Di Xiu led his servants past. The Caiju struck him squarely.

Without thinking twice, Yu Chi Mingyue shouted, "Watch out!"

However, Di Xiu didn't even raise his head, and easily caught the colorful ball with a single hand.

Yu Chi Mingyue rushed to him, wanting to apologize, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it. She looked at Di Xiu and asked with displeasure, "This is Nanyuan, what are you doing here?"

Di Xiu smiled slightly but did not reply. He handed over the ball and said, "Miss Fourth's ball skills are superb; I have truly broadened my horizons."

Yu Chi Mingyue knew that this was clearly a joke. She frowned, glanced at the colorful ball, and said proudly, "I don't want anything you've touched."

Di Xiu was not angry upon hearing this. He looked down at the colorful ball in his hand and smiled, "Since it was given to me by the Fourth Miss, it would be impolite of me to refuse it."

“You…” Yu Chi Mingyue was filled with indignation and was about to reprimand him when Di Xiu interrupted her.

Di Xiu bowed and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left, ignoring Yu Chi Mingyue.

Yu Chi Mingyue stood there, gritting her teeth in anger.

Looking back now, she recalls that on that day, three fireplaces and a white fox fur blanket were added to her room. Several pots of daffodils with golden cups and silver stands were also placed there, their fragrance delightful.

Yu Chi Mingyue gazed at the colorful ball and a smile unconsciously spread across her face. At that moment, the maids finished tidying up and came in to invite her to depart.

Seeing that the maid was only carrying a few small boxes and some clothes, she frowned and asked, "Is that all?"

The maid smiled and said, "There's nothing of importance here, just a few pieces of clothing and accessories. If you're missing anything, you can always get it on the way."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Mingyue smiled and nodded, "That's true. There's no shortage of better options..."

After saying that, she picked up Caiju and went out the door.

The sky was overcast and a cold wind was blowing, seemingly a sign of snow, but it did not dampen her spirits. When she returned to the South Garden, everyone was already prepared and waiting for her.

Yu Chi Mingyue boarded the carriage and saw that Di Xiu was already inside.

Startled, she quickly hid Caiju behind her back and asked in a trembling voice, "...What are you doing in the car?"

Before she could finish speaking, Mei Ziqi walked over and explained with a smile, "Xiao Si, your car is the biggest and most stable, it's perfect for the injured person. You don't mind, do you?"

The thought of riding in the same carriage as Di Xiu made Yu Chi Mingyue feel a little embarrassed, and her face flushed slightly. But she shook her head and instead instructed her maid, "Bring me my white fox fur blanket and hand warmer."

The maid smiled and responded, then fetched the items and respectfully presented them. She took the blanket and hand warmer, turned around and handed them to Di Xiu, saying, "It'll be cold on the road, take these."

Di Xiu glanced at her, but did not accept her offer. He turned his head to the side and remained silent.

Yu Chi Mingyue was slightly startled and confused. She was about to question him when she noticed that his brows were furrowed and his lips were tightly pressed together, as if he was deliberately ignoring her.

Yu Chi Mingyue instantly understood. Could it be that he... he was angry with her?

Chapter Eleven

Could it be that he... he's angry with her?

Yu Chi Mingyue held the blanket and hand warmer, watching him quietly. After thinking for a moment, she called out his name: "Di Xiu".

He continued to look to the side, ignoring it.

Only then did Yu Chi Mingyue realize that he was definitely angry. Could it be because of what happened last night?

Thinking of last night, her face flushed instantly. She quickly lowered her head, afraid he would see. Holding her things, she pondered deeply. Last night, she had followed Mei Ziqi's nonsensical methods, saying a bunch of things to deceive him. He actually believed her, so he got angry later when she said they didn't count?

She felt a pang of guilt and was about to apologize, but she held back. Although she was in the wrong first, he had also taken liberties with her afterwards. She, a girl, hadn't held a grudge; why was he acting so unreasonable? Besides, he had offended her time and again, and she hadn't held a grudge. Now, was she expected to bow down and apologize to him?

Feeling dissatisfied, she simply turned her head away and ignored him.

Inside the carriage, only silence remained.

The crowd outside the carriage waited for half a day, but received no order to depart, leaving them all puzzled. Mei Ziqi, however, looked completely at ease. He smiled, shook his head, mounted his horse, and ordered everyone to set off.

The back gate of the South Garden leads directly outside the manor. The servants had informed Yuchi Manor of their return early in the morning, and the people of the manor did not stop them or say a word, letting them leave.

Mei Ziqi walked out of the manor, reined in his horse, and looked back. He smiled and then addressed the crowd loudly, "It's snowing today, and the journey to the Prince of Nanling's mansion will be treacherous. Everyone must be on high alert, take precautions, and not let your guard down!"

Upon receiving the order, everyone agreed, and the large entourage of carriages and horses headed south in a grand procession.

...

Before they knew it, they had been walking for over an hour, and Yu Chi Mingyue's patience had run out. Anxious, she turned her gaze from the window to Di Xiu.

Di Xiu closed his eyes and leaned against the carriage, seemingly asleep.

Yu Chi Mingyue's dissatisfaction deepened. She frowned, moved closer to him, and was about to reach out and shake him awake. But seeing his peaceful, serene sleeping face, she couldn't bring herself to do it. For some reason, she couldn't muster any anger, and much of her earlier dissatisfaction had dissipated. She lowered her head and sighed helplessly.

She glanced at the blanket and hand warmer she was holding, and then remembered their purpose. She smiled slightly, unfolded the blanket and covered him with it, then placed the hand warmer on his lap. After thinking for a moment, she took his hand and warmed it on the hand warmer.

Just then, he suddenly pulled his hand back.

Yu Chi Mingyue was startled and looked up to see that he had already woken up. He avoided her gaze and continued to ignore her.

Upon seeing this, Yu Chi Mingyue grabbed his hand without saying a word and placed it back on the hand warmer, pressing it down with her own hand.

Di Xiu frowned and used some force to try to pull her hand back.

Yu Chi Mingyue naturally refused and increased her strength, pressing down firmly.

The two began to silently compete in the carriage.

Di Xiu was, after all, a martial artist. Before long, Yu Chi Mingyue felt powerless. He simply added a little more strength and shook off her hand.

Yu Chi Mingyue was immediately enraged. She roared, "How dare you! How dare you! What do you want!"

Di Xiu frowned and whispered, "I don't want to..."

"You dare refuse me?!" Yu Chi Mingyue's voice was fierce.

Di Xiu's voice rose a few decibels as he said, "No!"

"You..." Yu Chi Mingyue jumped up and down, angrily saying, "Don't go too far! You don't want it, do you? The clothes you're wearing were given to you by me, so take them off if you dare!"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu's expression turned slightly angry, and without saying a word, he began to undress.

Yu Chi Mingyue was both angry and anxious, and shouted sharply, "Stop it!"

...

Outside the carriage, Mei Ziqi followed on horseback. Hearing the commotion, he laughed heartily, muttering to himself, "Tsk tsk, I should probably tell her to apologize to him..."

Suddenly, several gusts of wind tore through the air. Mei Ziqi looked up and saw dozens of arrows raining down on them. Seeing this, everyone drew their weapons, deflected the arrows, and stood guard beside the carriage.

Hearing the commotion outside the car, Yu Chi Mingyue stopped arguing. She was about to go out to see what was going on when Di Xiu grabbed her and pushed her to the ground.

Yu Chi Mingyue was shocked and was about to reprimand him when she saw several arrows fly in and embed themselves in the wooden planks of the carriage.

“This is…” Yu Chi Mingyue was shocked. When she saw the arrows clearly, her heart turned cold and she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

The arrowhead is made of high-quality steel, with a three-edged blade and a blood groove. The shaft is decorated with three rows of barbs...

She remembered that Mei Ziqi had once held up the same arrows and said to her: Look, these are the specially made arrows from Yuchi Manor...

Were they attacked by people from Yuchi Manor? Could it be that they were after Di Xiu?

Outside the carriage, the situation grew increasingly critical. Waves of arrows rained down relentlessly. Those servants less skilled in martial arts were all wounded. Mei Ziqi dodged the stray arrows and looked around.

This was the only road to the Prince of Nanling's mansion, flanked by low cliffs, perfect for an ambush. Mei Ziqi frowned, seemingly annoyed, and loudly declared to the crowd, "Protect the young lady!"

After saying that, he patted the horse's back, leaped up, and headed towards the cliff.

As soon as Mei Ziqi left, the surrounding mountain walls suddenly cracked open, and a group of masked men in black rushed out and attacked the group, immediately leading to a chaotic battle.

Inside the carriage, Di Xiu stood up, his expression serious, ready for anything.