37 Guarded by Two (1/2)
Whispers spread like fire when a young woman stepped out of the enormous Li carriage accompanied by the Capital's infamous twins.
”Goodness gracious, who is that?”
”Did any nobleman have a daughter with that face?”
Mothers discreetly chartered amongst themselves behind their spread fans. Their eyes never left the large carriage fit for ten people.
Meanwhile, the daughters murmured amongst themselves with curiosity and a hint of menace. They weren't sure if the young woman was a useful pawn or a knight that would prevent them from approaching the twins.
”Let me help you down, Xiao Yue.” Li Wenmin offered while resisting the urge to smile when he saw her eyeing the small steps placed in front of the carriage.
”There are stairs for a reason,” Li Chenyang pointed out, but nonetheless, offered her a hand. His brother rolled his eyes and a smug smirk surfaced when Xueyue politely declined his hand and walked down the carriage herself.
”Thank you,” she said, regardless.
”Don't thank people for not doing anything.” Li Chenyang shook his head at her naivety before approaching his parents who had exited the carriage first. He was sulking that she had outgrown his help.
Li Wenmin's shoulder shook with contained laughter, but it died down when he noticed how many pairs of eyes were stuck on Xueyue. She was too busy observing the colorful tents and beautiful decorations in the air to realize the stares.
Li Wenmin inched closer to Xueyue and fastened the traditionally-knotted buttons of her shawl. He debated the idea of flinging the material to cover her face but knew she'd fling a punch his way if he did that. Throughout the two years, her feisty side was finally being revealed, slowly, but surely.
He wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry at her antics.
Duke Li Shenyang also noticed the probing stares centered on them. He cleared his throat and instantly, guards swarmed Xueyue. They surrounded her like a thick barrier, which prevented other people from catching another glance at her.
”Stay close to us, child. If you'd like to wander off, do it with a guard,” Duke Li Shenyang calmly told her, to which she immediately nodded.
”Okay,” she responded, shifting her eyes from the multicolored tassels hung in the air to the stern Duke who smiled slightly with approval.
”Let's head to our tents now,” he said before turning to his wife with a warm smile. ”It's warm in there. I had the servants stroke the charcoal before we arrived here.”
Duchess Li Qixing glanced at the heavily armed guards around Xueyue. She huffed, ”I don't think the guards are necessary. They're preventing suitors from getting a good view of her.”
”Good.”
”Great.”
The twins simultaneously responded, much to their mother's dismay. The Duchess opened her mouth to respond but was guided away by the Duke.
Li Wenmin and Li Chenyang followed after them with nonchalance. It wasn't evident, but they were standing guard for Xueyue – further preventing her from being seen.
Meanwhile, Xueyue was completely oblivious to the heavy and curious gazes centered on her as she continued to curiously look around, but couldn't see much because of her human barriers.
As everyone watched them disappear into the distance, whispers arise again.
”Do you think she's Duke and Duchess Li's famed daughter that was kept hidden for all these years?”
An older woman slowly shook her head. ”This young woman only resembles the Duke. there's not a single trace of the Duchess in her face. Their daughter, Minghua, was rumored to bear a striking resemblance to both her parents, not just one.”
”Well, looks change when they get older,” someone tried to argue, but was ignored by another excited mother.
”Should we introduce our sons to Duchess Li and the young woman? They could produce such beautiful babies!”
The same older woman from previously hummed. ”That would be impossible. Have you seen her? It'd be a miracle if she didn't have a fiancé.”
Li Wenmin's gaze hardened at the whispers that reached his ears. He frowned and tugged Xueyue closer to him even though she was already squashed between the twins.
Together, they walked towards the navy tent that was located the closest to the Imperial Family's golden tent that was lined with a velvet finish.
All of the tents were lined up in a slightly curved formation, but they were very spread out so that every family could have decent privacy before heading to the tournament area to monitor their children.
The closer the tents to the royal family, the wealthier and more powerful these families were. To the right of the Imperial Family's golden tent was the Li Family and to the left of the golden tent was the Wen Family.
When Xueyue walked closer to the tent, she finally heard the whispers. She noticed the curious and coy glances from multiple nobles that glanced at her while they talked amongst themselves. When they noticed her stare, they smoothly glanced away.