47, Request (2 more updates)
Li Hengyi shot Yuanbao a glare, his voice deep and low, “Making a fuss over nothing!”
“Master, this won’t do. I shall go fetch Miss Xie to prepare some food for you!”
“No need!” Li Hengyi said in a low voice.
Running after her too eagerly would only belittle oneself.
What was his status? And what was Xie Zhinuan’s status?
Putting the cart before the horse.
“But, but…” Yuanbao hesitated.
“We’re not in a rush for this month or the next!” Li Hengyi said, casting a glance at Yuanbao.
Yuanbao fell silent.
Indeed, there was no urgency, but, but…
The servant whispered at the door, “Young Master Yuan, Miss Xie is looking for you; she’s waiting at the main entrance!”
Yuanbao was delighted to hear this, and he glanced at his master. It was not him seeking her out, but Miss Xie who came looking for him.
He hurried toward the main entrance, so excited that he even forgot to perform the proper greetings.
“…” Li Hengyi raised an eyebrow and only after a while did he let out a light chuckle.
In this world, there are truly only a few who care.
Yuanbao stepped out of the house and saw Xie Zhinuan staring blankly at the stream, with Routuan lying quietly at her feet.
She wore clothes made of fine cotton in a solid color, embellished only with a bit of differently colored fabric at the cuffs and collar; her lower half was clad in plain trousers of the same hue. Nonetheless, she appeared to have a slender waist, curvaceous buttocks, and a graceful figure.
Her dark hair was tied into a slightly complicated braid, looking very fresh and refined.
Compared to those adorned with pearl hairpins and thick makeup heavy enough to choke on, it was Xie Zhinuan’s faint scent of Leng Zhuxiang that felt refreshing and delightful.
“Miss Xie!” Yuanbao called out gently, afraid of startling Xie Zhinuan.
“…” Xie Zhinuan turned with a warm voice and gave Yuanbao a slight smile, “Young Master Yuan!”
“Hehe, just call me Yuanbao, it feels awkward to be called ‘young master’!”
Xie Zhinuan didn’t take the matter of formal address to heart.
She spoke calmly, “I need to go to Zhao’an County. I might…” She trailed off.
Taking a deep breath, she continued, “I might never return!”
Yuanbao was shocked. “Why would you say such a thing, Miss Xie?���
“Because I have a debt of gratitude to repay!” Xie Zhinuan briefly told him about Yuan Cheng’s matter, omitting the speculations about Yuan Cheng’s wife’s intentions. After all, they were just guesses. In the end, she added, “Perhaps I will return soon!”
“Miss Xie!” Yuanbao called out softly.
“Hmm?”
Yuanbao was a clever man.
He knew that Xie Zhinuan was also clever.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t speak in such a roundabout way to him.
“Miss Xie, to be honest, asking for the help of my master is no difficult matter. Why don’t you simply ask? Are you afraid that my master will also expect you to repay the favor? Or are you afraid he will force you into marriage?”
She was overestimating her importance.
What was his master’s status? He could have any lady he desired.
Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment before responding firmly, “No, I just don’t want to trouble others too much, and I don’t want to owe too many favors, especially since we’re not very familiar!”
“There you are wrong, Miss Xie. My master can now eat the food you prepare. If you settle your matters and return soon to cook for my master, it would be of great importance to us; hence you can fully ask for our help!” said Yuanbao, pausing to look at Xie Zhinuan’s stunningly beautiful face before adding in a serious tone, “I’ve said it before, Miss Xie, with your beauty, you easily attract trouble. The magistrate of Zhao’an County is a lecher-if he sees you, do you think you could leave unscathed?”
“When the time comes, your cries will be met with no reply from heaven or earth. Who do you think would save you then?”
Yuanbao’s words struck right at Xie Zhinuan’s heart.
After pondering, she finally said, “Young Master Yuan, you make a lot of sense!”
Taking a light breath, “Being born into a powerful family, beauty is the icing on the cake and the envy of the world. But for a rootless wanderer, beauty is already a sin. This time, I may really need to ask for your help!”
Chapter 49