Chapter 498: A summons, His Highness personally arrives (2/2)

“Esteemed wangfei, then what will make you willing to go back with this servant?” Baili Mingxiang coaxed.

Han Yunxi simply tossed out, “Only if he comes in person.”

Baili Mingxiang was waiting for these very words. She rejoiced and grabbed Han Yunxi by the hand. “Esteemed wangfei, quick, come with this servant!”

“What for?” Han Yunxi was clueless.

Baili Mingxiang didn’t explain, but simply dragged her out until they reached the Han Estate gates. When Han Yunxi saw the resplendent carriage waiting outside, she froze in her tracks. This was the Duke of Qin’s most luxurious carriage. Who else could be use it by himself?

He really came on his own?

Seeing esteemed wangfei’s surprise and flash of delight, Baili Mingxiang’s heart finally sank back into her chest. She murmured under her breath, “Esteemed wangfei, you have to keep to your word! His Majesty summoned you and His Highness into the palace. Once both of you leave, you can go home together.”

She didn’t directly bring up the imperial summons just so esteemed wangfei could fall into her snare. She wanted esteemed wangfei to think that His Highness really had come to pick up her, and was just going to the palace on the way. But as smart as Baili Mingxiang was, she couldn’t pull the wool over Han Yunxi’s eyes. The latter knew what was up as soon as she heard about the summons into the palace.

If anything, Emperor Tianhui probably summoned her and Long Feiye to the palace, thus forcing this man to come pick her up. Still, she didn’t expose Baili Mingxiang on the spot, but only replied, “Mm.”

Baili Mingxiang was delighted. She knew Han Yunxi had a crabby, stubborn temper, but she was always soft-hearted when it came to His Highness. She was preparing to fan the flames once His Highness and esteemed wangfei left the palace together. If she could convince His Highness to yield another step, this problem might be resolved! Both mistress and servant were about to approach the carriage when Long Feiye’s urging came from inside.

“Are we going or not?”

This wasn’t the first time he’d come on his own. The last time he came to deliver her medical pouch alone as well! Here was already his second time yielding a step, yet this woman still wasn’t satisfied! He had waited nearly an hour inside this carriage! He almost thought she wasn’t coming at all!

Han Yunxi paused. She hadn’t wanted to ask him anything, but now her heart chilled. So this is his attitude for picking me up? So impatient! Can’t he go in and check himself if he’s tired of waiting outside?

If Emperor Tianhui hadn’t summoned us, would he have bothered to come at all?

“Your Highness, just then esteemed wangfei was—” Baili Mingxiang broke off at Han Yunxi’s glare.

“Did he just come to take me into the palace with him?” Han Yunxi asked coldly.

Baili Mingxiang was put in a tight spot. But she braced herself and lied, “Esteemed wangfei, we’ll return to the estate as soon as we leave the palace. You know how His Highness’s temper works. His Highness barely slept while you were missing from the estate these past few days. Just look at his complexion now, it’s terrible!”

Han Yunxi wore a gloomy face as she stepped forward with a bow. “Chenqie greets Your Highness, I’ve made you wait long.”

“It’s good that you know, hurry and get in!” Long Feiye’s voice was filled with impatience.

If Han Yunxi didn’t know it was Emperor Tianhui’s summons, she probably would’ve swung her sleeves and ignored him completely!

“Yes!” she entered the carriage in a horrible fit of temper. In the past, he used to help her on and off the carriage every time, but now he only sat in his seat. Even after Han Yunxi climbed in, he didn’t spare her a glance. She maintained her respectful attitude and sat in the farthest corner from him. The two of them seemed completely estranged, even more distant than when they first met. As they started moving, the driver spurred the carriage onwards at a quick pace, afraid to delay.

Baili Mingxiang couldn’t help but urge, “A little slower, the palace trip isn’t urgent.”

There was some distance between the palace and the Han Estate, enough for her master and mistress to start talking. Baili Mingxiang never expected to overreach herself with her cleverness today, so her lips drew into a self-deprecating smile. Inside the carriage was an oppressive air that made even breathing difficult. There seemed to be a heavy weight hanging in the air between Long Feiye and Han Yunxi. Inexplicably, Han Yunxi glanced over and noticed that Long Feiye’s complexion really did look rather bad. In the end, she’d still taken Baili Mingxiang’s lies to heart.

Just what did he end up doing with Duanmu Yao? Did something happen at the Celestial Mountain Sword Sect? How did he spend the past few days? Did he really lose out on sleep?

When Long Feiye looked like he’d lift his head, Han Yunxi immediately ducked her own. He ended up fixing her form with an icy gaze before resting his eyes on her shoulder. Her clothes were neatly arranged in a way that made it impossible for him to see the state of her injury. Compared to Han Yunxi, his stare was free and unbridled. He quickly glanced over her quiet little face as if checking to see whether his long-lost treasure had been hurt. Despite this, he remained silent, and the pair didn’t speak the whole way to the palace gates.

It was now time to get off the carriage…