Tang Ying seemed somewhat afraid of this older sister, but after hesitating for a moment, she took another step closer to Chen Xiao and whispered, "Sister... Grandfather instructed me to follow Chen Xiaojun."
Takeuchi Yako opened her mouth, her face still showing anger, but she dared not disobey Takeuchi Fumizan's orders.
Sato finally took a deep breath, slowly walked up, and stood at the entrance of the lobby, finally looking directly at Chen Xiao. He bowed slightly before speaking, "Chen Xiao-kun, it's so nice to see you back! I'm deeply grateful for your help at sea!"
Chen Xiao glanced at her, then stepped aside, turning his body to indicate that he would not accept her greeting. His tone was indifferent and cold: "I dare not. I am but a mere lad, and I dare not accept such a grand gesture from a prince of the royal family."
Bo Ren, who was standing nearby, was overjoyed!
He had been somewhat skeptical when he brought Chen Xiao here. His younger sister had an excellent relationship with the Shangchen family, and the old man Takeuchi had actually sent his granddaughter to serve as her attendant. Chen Xiao's visit to Kyoto to see Prince Sato was certainly not good news for Hirohito, who was eager to win Chen Xiao away from the Shangchen family's camp.
Now, it seems the two don't get along, and Chen Xiao even seems to harbor some hostility towards Qian Yezi. Bo Ren was overjoyed, remembering the butler who had bullied "Master's Wife" earlier, and couldn't help but think to himself: It's all thanks to that bastard! Alas, what a pity! If he had deliberately slowed down a few steps when he came in, and the butler had actually hit the girl, Chen Xiao's anger might have been even greater, and his relationship with Qian Yezi would have been even more strained.
Sato's expression darkened slightly at Chen Xiao's interruption, but she still shook her head: "We must thank President Xie! Back at sea, without Chen Xiao's help..."
Chen Xiao's voice was even colder: "I said, I don't deserve it!"
Sato frowned, took a deep breath, and tried to speak in a friendly tone: "Chen Xiaojun, I don't know if I've been too forward with you... I apologize!"
"I wouldn't dare!" Chen Xiao sneered. "I'm just a commoner from China, while you are a prince of the Japanese Imperial Family. How could I possibly deserve your apology!"
Sato's mind raced, assuming Chen Xiao was still angry about what happened on the ship. On the ship, Chen Xiao had gone to deal with the terrorists, entrusting Zhang Xiaotao to his care. However, Sato had been preoccupied with his own thoughts and hadn't paid attention to Zhang Xiaotao, letting her leave.
Although it wasn't intentional, it's always a guilty feeling that someone risked their life fighting the enemy to protect me, entrusting their family and friends to my care, and I failed to take good care of them.
She sighed and said softly, "Chen Xiaojun, if it's because of what happened on the ship, then I have indeed failed you in your trust, and it's understandable that you're angry. Fortunately, Miss Zhang Xiaotao was unharmed. After she and Tang Ying escaped from the sea, I immediately sent people to bring them back..."
Chen Xiao's tone remained indifferent: "Indeed, in that case, I should thank you for taking care of Xiao Tao. Thank you for keeping her in Qiuji Palace as a maid, giving her a place to stay temporarily. Isn't that right? And thank you for your steward's strict discipline of her, isn't that right?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "maid" when he said it.
No wonder Chen Xiao was so angry at the moment.
Their encounter at sea was a series of brushes with death. Despite these brushes with life and death, Zhang Xiaotao, a seemingly frail woman, remained steadfastly by Chen Xiao's side. It's fair to say that if it weren't for Zhang Xiaotao's unwavering commitment during those days, Chen Xiao would likely have perished on the island!
The kind of unwavering affection shown during times of crisis is truly stronger than anything else for a young person! After experiencing a disaster at sea, Zhang Xiaotao guarded Chen Xiao day and night, feeding and watering him. She almost completely lost herself, dedicating her whole being to Chen Xiao. How could Chen Xiao let go of such a strong affection?
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Sato thought for a moment and guessed what was going on.
She gave a bitter smile: "Xiao Tao is a guest I left at Akiyoshi Palace, how could she be a maid..." But then she calmed down and saw the gray-blue kimono Zhang Xiao Tao was wearing, which was clearly the attire of her servants at Akiyoshi Palace. How could she not understand the problem?
Sato's expression immediately changed, and he turned around and shouted, "What's going on? Miss Zhang Xiaotao is my guest! Who dressed their guest in this kind of clothing?!"
Although there were a few servants outside, they were all silent and none of them could answer.
"Does nobody know what happened?!"
Sato was furious. While she might not truly value Chen Xiao that much, Zhang Xiaotao was, after all, someone Chen Xiao had entrusted to her. For her to receive such treatment was a disgrace. She was genuinely angry now. She asked again, but still no one answered. She glanced at Takeuchi Yako: "Yako, do you know what happened?!"
Takeuchi Yako pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "I've always followed Your Highness..." She paused, seemingly somewhat displeased with Chen Xiao's arrogance, and whispered, "He's just a Chinese man, what's wrong with him wearing these clothes..."
"Shut up!"
Sato suddenly rebuked Takeuchi Yako. Takeuchi Yako was taken aback. This prince was always gentle and had never scolded her before. Why was he losing his temper in front of so many people today?
Sato looked somewhat annoyed and turned to Chen Xiao in a low voice, "It was indeed my fault for making Miss Zhang wear servant's clothes!" As she spoke, she looked at Zhang Xiaotao earnestly and nodded, "Miss Zhang Xiaotao, I'm sorry!" Since she had apologized, Chen Xiao didn't say anything more; after all, she was a member of the royal family.
However, Bo Ren, who was standing next to him, seemed unwilling to let the relationship between the two remain harmonious. He deliberately chuckled and interjected, "Sister, when I arrived, I saw your steward scolding this young lady. It looked like he was about to hit her. If we hadn't arrived early... sigh... I'm not saying this to criticize you, but the people in your Akiyoshi Palace should also be disciplined properly, lest they disgrace the imperial family."
Sato's expression immediately changed. He gave Hirohito a deep look and said indifferently, "Thank you for your advice, brother. However, I don't need you to personally teach the people in my Akikichi Palace a lesson."
She then understood why she had seen her butler lying on the ground as if he had been beaten when she came in.
She wasn't entirely satisfied with the steward either, but being a quiet and peaceful person, she didn't usually concern herself with such matters and left it to her subordinates. If it was truly her steward who had been rude to Zhang Xiaotao, then no matter what, the fault lay with her.
Although she wanted to apologize, it was Bo Ren who had spoken first, making the situation somewhat delicate. If she were to bow her head and apologize again, and then bring up the steward to reprimand him, wouldn't it make her appear afraid of Bo Ren, too timid and submissive? If word got out that Prince Bo Ren could act with impunity in her own Qiuji Palace, and that she could beat her steward at will, where would her dignity be? This thought lingered in her mind, and a slight protective instinct arose within her. Looking at Zhang Xiaotao, she said, "I understand. I will discipline my subordinates properly. Fortunately, Miss Zhang Xiaotao is unharmed."
She glanced at Bo Ren again, her tone cold: "Brother Bo Ren, you must have important matters to attend to when you return to Kyoto this time, so I won't try to stop you."
These words were extremely impolite, clearly a way of telling the guest to leave. She had never been so forceful and rude to anyone before, which surprised Bo Ren, but he then smiled and said, "Alright, then I won't bother you any longer."
He glanced at Chen Xiao and thought to himself that he might as well take Chen Xiao with him. If he could take Chen Xiao away now, he could use today's unpleasant incident to separate Chen Xiao from the Shangchen family's camp.
Chen Xiao was also considering leaving, but Sato suddenly said, "Chen Xiao-kun, Tang Xin has already informed us of your visit today. Master Takeuchi Bunzan also knows about it. He had to leave during the day and entrusted me with this matter. If you come, please be sure to stay. He will come here tonight to discuss something with you. Please do me the honor of joining us."
Chen Xiao wanted to refuse, but then he glanced at Zhang Xiaotao beside him. Zhang Xiaotao looked bewildered and didn't know what to do. He then looked at Tang Ying, who had a pleading expression on her face and whispered, "Chen Xiao, Grandpa must have something important to tell you... please..."
Ultimately, Prince Sato's influence meant absolutely nothing to Chen Xiao, but he would give Tang Ying face. After a slight hesitation, he nodded: "Alright!"
Then Chen Xiao said to Prince Boren in a serious tone, "Your Highness Boren, thank you for taking care of me along the way. I have something to attend to here, so I won't be able to travel with you. I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
Bo Ren was disappointed, but he didn't show it on his face. He just smiled and said, "Teacher Chen Xiao, you're too kind! Kyoto isn't that big. I'll find time to visit you again tomorrow!"
After saying that, he took his leave in a nonchalant manner. Before leaving, he deliberately said "Goodbye, Little Master's Wife" to Zhang Xiaotao, making Zhang Xiaotao blush again, but she bit her lip and dared not respond.
After seeing Hirohito off, Princess Sato seemed to realize that she and Chen Xiao were not getting along and that continuing their awkward face-to-face conversation was pointless. She simply ordered a room to be arranged. After settling Chen Xiao in to rest, she left with Takeuchi Yako. As for Tang Ying, she wanted to stay with Chen Xiao, but after a few stern reprimands from Takeuchi Yako, she reluctantly followed him away.
Upon reaching the inner palace, Sato walked ahead without stopping, and suddenly whispered, "Send that steward to the Imperial Household Agency. Tell him he broke the rules and should be severely punished. As for me, I'll replace my steward as well."
Takeuchi Yako responded softly.
Sato took two more steps. Suddenly she stopped, turned around, and stared at Takeuchi Yako. Her expression was stern. Usually, she was very close to Takeuchi Yako, but now she was staring at her with a stern face, which made Sato feel a little nervous.
"Yazi, I hope you understand one thing: have good intentions and repay kindness! Be more magnanimous! Don't do things behind my back that are disliked anymore. I don't like that, understand?"
Takeuchi Yako's face paled, and she nodded awkwardly.
The room arranged by Chen Xiao was located near Akikichi Palace, close to the hillside. It was a low-rise Japanese-style house, but the air was very fresh. Standing under the eaves, you could see a patch of green on the hillside, and a stream could be seen winding down the mountain.