Chapter 147
146, Trustworthy (6th update)
The numbskull and Aunt Chen came out and, upon seeing Li Hengyi, quickly kneeled, silent yet filled with respect.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan felt as if she were both in the midst of it all and yet somehow detached.
She pursed her lips, stepped forward to the doorway, and called out softly, “Young Master Li!”
Even if she deliberately ignored it, she couldn’t avoid it now.
But to kneel down…
She truly couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Li Hengyi responded indifferently and looked at the three kneeling people, “Rise, there is no need to kneel in the future; besides, you are now Xie Zhinuan’s servants!”
Grandma Chen, Aunt Chen, and the numbskull were all momentarily stunned.
Yet they quickly got to their feet.
Xie Zhinuan, seeing Li Hengyi like this, felt it improper not to invite him in to sit, but under the shed outside, feared he might refuse.
“So, Young Master Li, would you care to come inside for a seat? I’ve made some orange candy!” Xie Zhinuan mentioned it casually.
Li Hengyi agreed, “Good!”
He then handed the basket to Xie Zhinuan, “Thank you for your oranges and cucumbers, this is my gift in return!”
“…”
Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ƝονǤο.ᴄο
Xie Zhinuan glanced into the basket.Having seen the world, she knew the contents of the basket were not cheap.
After hesitating for a moment, Xie Zhinuan reached out to accept it and stepped aside, “Please, Young Master Li!”
Li Hengyi stepped into the courtyard.
The yard was filled with the presence of life, with sun-dried chili peppers and cowpeas, different from his empty courtyard.
Xie Zhinuan invited him to sit in the main hall.
Thinking back, it was rather funny-she had moved in months ago, and Li Hengyi was the first person to sit in her hall.
Most of the time people just sat under the shed outside, chatting for a bit.
“Young Master Li, please wait a moment, I will get you some orange soup!”
“Thank you!” Li Hengyi said warmly.
He tried to contain the fierceness in his demeanor, so as not to frighten Xie Zhinuan.
Sitting alone in the hall, the scent of cold bamboo drifted from the room to the left, crisp and calming, soothing his restless heart.
Xie Zhinuan brought over the orange soup quickly; she had tasted it beforehand and found it very good.
“Please taste it, Young Master Li, and see if it’s to your liking!”
Li Hengyi thanked her, took the bowl, and began eating with a spoon, bit by bit, his brow relaxing, “It tastes very good!”
The flavor of the orange remained strong, with a pleasant mix of sour and sweet, carrying the inherent freshness of oranges; biting into the flesh and the bursting juice filled the mouth, it was truly soothing to the soul.
Fearing that Xie Zhinuan would think he was just appeasing her, he hastily added, “It is indeed excellent!”
Xie Zhinuan smiled.
She sat to one side, waiting for Li Hengyi to finish the orange soup.
When he placed the bowl on the table and pulled out a handkerchief to delicately wipe the corner of his mouth, the handkerchief was snow-white, without a single stain.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan took a glance.
He was a man of refined cleanliness.
Of course, as a prince, he had the means to afford it.
“Young Master Li, there is something I wish to discuss with you,” Xie Zhinuan spoke up.
“Speak,” Li Hengyi turned to Xie Zhinuan.
This woman was as Yuanbao had said, exceedingly beautiful.
Most importantly, it was the aura about her, the crisp bamboo fragrance cold yet comforting, her eyes smiling, her demeanor gentle and elegant, without any aggression, exuding warmth from her whole being that made one unconsciously draw near.
He was a person of a cool nature, and also accustomed to pride, but he couldn’t help but soften his voice.
“This is the matter: I plan to take the numbskull up the mountain to search for a certain herb. If all goes well, we should return in three to five days, but if not, it might take ten days to half a month…”
“Just the two of you women?” Li Hengyi interrupted Xie Zhinuan and, upon seeing her nod, continued, “Excuse my frankness, but the mountains are perilous with fierce beasts, and it is not safe for two women to enter the mountains alone. If you trust me, I can take Yuanbao with me, and we can accompany you on your mountain expedition!”
Chapter 148