As Xiao Yeyang stepped into Cining Palace, he saw Jiang Wanying, saw her running towards him with joy, and he couldn’t help but step back a bit.
"Miss, you should not address me this way in the future, it is not good for your reputation."
The smile on Jiang Wanying’s face froze, and she bit her lip, looking pitifully at Xiao Yeyang: "But... but Wanying has always called you that since I was little."
Xiao Yeyang furrowed his brows, "Miss, you are grown up now, you will be married in the future. If your future husband hears this, he will be displeased." Having said that, he walked into Cining Palace.
Watching Xiao Yeyang leave without hesitation, Jiang Wanying’s eyes misted up, she was silent for a moment, then lifted her skirt and followed him in with a smile on her face once again.
Inside the palace, not only the Empress Dowager, but also the wife of the Princely Heir from Duke Cheng’en, and the second wife of the Jiang Family were present.
The Empress Dowager wanted Xiao Yeyang to stay for dinner, but he declined, saying he had official duties.
"Did the Emperor grant you a pair of agate Mandarin Duck Rings today?"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Jiang Wanying who had just walked in, and smilingly said: "Since it is a pair, you surely can’t wear them both. How about giving one to Wanying?"
Xiao Yeyang’s brow immediately furrowed, "Empress Dowager, forgive me, I intend to keep the rings for my future wife, it is not appropriate to give one to the Miss."
Hearing Xiao Yeyang’s firm rejection, Jiang Wanying swayed slightly, "Brother Yeyang, we have grown up together like childhood sweethearts, you just..."
Xiao Yeyang disagreed outright, interrupting Jiang Wanying: "Miss, in the presence of the Empress Dowager, please conduct yourself with propriety. When have I ever been your childhood sweetheart?"
"Xiao Yeyang, you are being too much!"
The second wife of the Jiang Family looked at Xiao Yeyang with an iron face, recalling the last palace banquet where Xiao Yeyang had publicly shamed her daughter, and this time, he did not even leave her any dignity.
The Empress Dowager’s face also looked displeased.
Xiao Yeyang, undeterred, saluted with his hands clasped: "Empress Dowager, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."
The Empress Dowager stared at Xiao Yeyang with profound meaning, uttering, "Yeyang, the title of the Duke of the Prince Residence, you really do not want it?"
Xiao Yeyang remained composed: "The Prince Residence belongs to my father, who he chooses to bestow the title upon is not for me to interfere with."
The Empress Dowager’s lips twisted into a cold smirk: "Young people all have a common problem, too impetuous. Only when they grow old do they understand what regret is."
Xiao Yeyang remained silent, bowing his head.
Seeing him , the Empress Dowager indifferently waved her hand, indicating he could leave.
Xiao Yeyang declared directly: "I take my leave!"
After everyone had left the palace, the Empress Dowager then turned to the teary-eyed Jiang Wanying: "Stop pining for a man who does not fancy you. Your tears will not evoke his pity, on the contrary, he will find you bothersome and repulsive."
Saying this, she looked towards the second wife of the Jiang Family.
"Jingwan is also not young anymore, find a suitable match for her soon. My Jiang Family’s daughters have many suitors."
After leaving the palace, Xiao Yeyang let out a heavy breath, as if expelling the displeasure he felt at Cining Palace, and prepared to ride off, only to see the butler from Guo Residence approaching.
Before the butler could continue, Xiao Yeyang interrupted him: "In the future, do not call me Little Prince, call me Mr. Xiao."
Little Prince was the title granted by Prince, Mr. Xiao was earned through his own sweat and blood.
The butler immediately corrected himself: "Mr. Xiao, the Duke received a fine jar of wine today and would like to invite you over for a couple of drinks."
Xiao Yeyang, thinking of his return to the capital and having visited Duke Residence only once, nodded in agreement.
After arriving at Guo Residence, Xiao Yeyang thought he was just there to have dinner in the front yard with his grandfather-in-law, but to his surprise, the butler led him to the backhouse.
In the backhouse lounge, the Duke and Madam Guo were already waiting there, and on a lower seat was Guo Xueming.
Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang’s brow imperceptibly knitted.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Duke inquired about Xiao Yeyang’s life since returning to the capital with a tone full of concern.
Under the Duke’s affectionate gaze, Xiao Yeyang’s expression gradually softened, and Madam Guo tried to interject several times but was stopped by Guo Xueming.
When the Duke had finished inquiring about Xiao Yeyang’s general well-being, he instructed the servants to serve the dishes.
As the meal progressed, Madam Guo could not help but finally ask with a smile: "Yeyang, I heard that today the Emperor awarded you a pair of agate rings?"
Xiao Yeyang’s smile immediately faded slightly, and seeing the Duke watching him as well, he nodded, "Hmm."