990 Perplexed and Smitten 50 (2/2)
Seeing how persistent she was, Yu Jiao answered, ”They said he's merely… toying with you and that he won't even give you the proper status of a concubine.”
Upon hearing her words, An Xiaoning smiled instead of blowing her top and said, ”That's not the case at all. His Highness just doesn't want me to be treated unfairly or feel aggrieved.”
”I thought so too. I can tell how much His Highness loves you, it's just, you like throwing tantrums often… Miss, let's just take the sedan. Those gossipmongers don't deserve to see your beauty.”
An Xiaoning finally conceded.
They rode in the same sedan and exited the prince's residence.
The sedan was traveling in the direction of the imperial palace. An Xiaoning was thinking to herself that there might be a chance she would bump into him along the way. She desperately wanted to see him now and thought that it would be a better choice to come out rather than wait idly inside the residence.
When they passed by a restaurant, someone stood in front of the sedan to obstruct their way. An Xiaoning pulled the curtains up to peek outside, only to discover that it was Jin Qingyan's bodyguard. Without hesitation, she asked, ”Is His Highness here?”
”Yes, Miss, His Highness saw your sedan. He wants to go over.”
”Alright. I'll be right there.” She put down the curtains and asked Yu Jiao, ”Yu Jiao, is this sedan solely meant for my use?”
”Miss, it's early in the morning and you're already cracking such a joke. This sedan is solely meant for your use, of course.”
An Xiaoning did not say anything else and instead alighted from the sedan together with Yu Jiao.
The restaurant had an elegant and refined decor. The duo followed Jin Qingyan's bodyguard to the third floor.
They continued walking until they reached a door that had a floral design carved on it.
”Miss Jin, His Highness is inside. We'll wait for you outside.”
”Alright.” An Xiaoning initially thought that Jin Qingyan was waiting alone inside the room. As soon as the bodyguard opened the door, she was greeted with the sight of three other suave and dashing men.
She closed the door and walked inside with a tinge of tenderness in her gaze.
Jin Qingyan initially thought that she wouldn't agree to come upstairs. When he caught sight of her sedan from the window earlier, he hurriedly instructed his bodyguard to stop her from proceeding. He even stood by the window and watched as she alighted from the sedan, completely enthralled.
She seemed to be in a good mood today, and he could tell that she had especially dolled herself up. Where was she planning to go? Or rather, who was she going to meet? he wondered.
Upon her arrival, the other three men stood up one after another.
One of them teased, ”No wonder our Lord Xihou has been so distracted ever since he arrived. Turns out he was waiting for Miss Jin. We shall take our leave now and let you two spend some time alone together.”
An Xiaoning smiled without uttering another word. A silence filled the room the moment they left.
He stood still by the window. Noticing that she was remaining quiet, he asked, ”Tell me, where were you planning to go?”
”I was planning to meet a suave and handsome man.”
A sullen expression formed on his face immediately and he questioned sternly, ”Who gave you that audacity?”
An Xiaoning began walking toward him.
She answered, ”You did. Otherwise, why would I dare to come and meet you?”
Now that he was as happy as a lark, his eyes were brimming with joy.
”You mean, you came out just to see me?”
”Why aren't you putting on airs anymore? Aren't you the mighty prince?”
He pulled her into his arms and said, ”I was wrong, I won't dare to talk to you that way again. You've finally decided to have a proper talk with me. Why are you looking for me?”
”I don't need a reason to look for you. I missed you so I wanted to see you, as simple as that.”
Clearly surprised and overjoyed, he asked, ”What… is the matter with you? I know you're unhappy about my political marriage, and you've ignored me for several days in a row.”