Chapter 82: Xie Peiyu Takes Her Horseback Riding

Chapter 82: Xie Peiyu Takes Her Horseback Riding

"No, how can a man like me let you carry it? Come on, Third Brother can handle it."

The two of them quickly followed.

In the military camp, they met Zheng Hongyan, who was feeling hungry in the late afternoon and happily devoured the snacks. Zheng Hongxu specifically mentioned that Zheng Jinxiu had made them herself, prompting Zheng Hongyan to heap praise upon her.

However, the praised Zheng Jinxiu wasn't pleased. She was racking her brains to figure out how to meet Xie Peiyu alone. She initially thought that since he spent a lot of time with her eldest brother, her brother would surely invite Xie Peiyu over to share the delicious snacks. To her surprise, her brother was so engrossed in eating that he completely forgot about his good friend. Typical.

Zheng Jinyu remained calm. She hadn't come here just to see Xie Peiyu; her mother's intention was probably for her to keep an eye on things and prevent them from meeting alone.

Keeping a close watch on Zheng Jinxiu would satisfy her mother's request.

Seeing that half the box of snacks had already been consumed by Zheng Hongyan, Zheng Jinxiu grew restless. "Eldest Brother, why haven't we seen Prince Chen? I mainly came here to meet him."

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback. Well, she knew how to make up excuses.

With a look of innocence, she asked, "Sister, is Prince Chen here too?"

Was she trying to embarrass her? She had no idea Prince Chen was here. Whether Zheng Hongyan believed her or not, she would stick to this story.

The atmosphere in the room became awkward, and Zheng Hongyan stopped eating, his gaze fixed on them.

Zheng Jinxiu said, "Oh, I see. I misunderstood. I thought you came along because you wanted to see Prince Chen."

Zheng Jinyu replied, "How could that be? It was Mother who wanted me to go out since I haven't been out for a while. When she heard that Third Brother and Sister were going to visit Elder Brother, she allowed me to come along."

Hmph, thinking she could use me? No way.

Zheng Hongyan wasn't foolish; he was at least smarter than the other two.

Listening to their conversation, it didn't take him long to piece together what was truly happening. It was clear that it was Jinxiu who wished to see Prince Chen, using the excuse of delivering pastries as her opportunity, not Jinyu.

Mother must have guessed, that's why she asked Jinyu to come along.

He gazed at the flushed Zheng Jinxiu, a swirl of emotions stirring within him.

Zheng Hongxu was still mocking Zheng Jinyu, implying that she wanted to play but had to drag her mother along, as if she was coerced into attending.

Zheng Jinyu was not one to back down, retaliating when necessary.

Zheng Hongyan took a deep breath and said to Zheng Jinxiu, "Jinxiu, come with Elder Brother for a moment."

"I..."

"Come on," he interrupted her, urging her to hurry along.

The moment they left the military tent, Xie Peiyu arrived.

And upon his arrival, Zheng Hongxu and Zheng Jinyu were embroiled in a heated argument.

"Oh, it seems I've stumbled upon an inconvenient time," he remarked.

Both voices suddenly ceased.

Feeling somewhat awkward, Zheng Jinyu realized that their argument had been witnessed by him.

Zheng Hongxu was also quite embarrassed, fearing that Xie Peiyu might take her side.

Just as he thought this, Xie Peiyu indeed came to her defense.

"Jinyu, I'll talk to my mother later about bringing forward our marriage. That way, you won't be bullied by your brothers while staying at your parents' place," he said.

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

Zheng Hongxu responded, "Prince Chen is joking. We were just playfully bickering. How could I ever dare to bully her?"

"But you almost made her cry."

"What? I... No, I didn't." Zheng Hongxu was speechless.

Zheng Jinyu didn't know what to say. How could she possibly be reduced to tears by Zheng Hongxu? He was merely talking nonsense.

"It's stifling in here. I'm going for a stroll. Chunmei, stay, you're free to do as you please."

This was a cue for Xie Peiyu; an invitation from her.

His eyes lit up as he watched her lift the curtain and exit, using an excuse to leave himself.

In the vast military tent, only Zheng Hongxu and Chunmei, Zheng Jinyu's maid, were left.

As a servant, she stood quietly in a corner, observing her mistress and master argue without daring to utter a sound.

Yet, she didn't dare to leave either, for before departing, Madam had warned her, and she knew she would have to account for her actions later.

Zheng Hongxu couldn't bear to remain either, leaving the tent with a cold snort.

Chunmei didn't dare to stay alone either, hastily following after him.

Miss had already disappeared somewhere, so she could only stick close to Third Young Master.

...

Zheng Jinyu found herself alone at the edge of the military camp when suddenly the sound of galloping hooves echoed from behind her.

As she turned around, she saw the man on the horse bend down, scoop her up effortlessly, and place her securely on the horse's back.

"Hey, Prince Chen, is this proper behavior?" Proper, indeed?

Xie Peiyu merely replied coolly, "You were walking too slowly, and you can't ride a horse. What else could I have done?"

I...

Once they had put some distance between them and the camp, the horse slowed its pace.

Stopping at the foot of a hill, he dismounted but continued to lead the horse while Zheng Jinyu remained seated.

He asked, "Do you want to learn how to ride? I can teach you."

"Maybe another time."

"Mm." He'd better wait until after their marriage, so as to avoid any more gossip.

The young lady was bashful, unlike their rough and unrefined ways.

The two of them rode in silence, basking in the spring breeze.

After a peaceful ride for some time, it was Zheng Jinyu who eventually broke the tranquility.

"I've heard that she went to the Princess's residence the day after she returned to the capital. What was the matter?"

Xie Peiyu took a deep breath. "She returned something."

"What could it be?"

"Something significant enough to alter some major decisions."

"Like what?" Zheng Jinyu turned her head slightly and said coolly, "Enough to change your mind about who you want to marry once again?"

Zheng Jinyu believed that this was the only reason that would make Zheng Jinxiu come back to the capital.

She must have brought something back that could convince the Imperial Princess to accept her. It had to be so.

Unexpectedly, Xie Peiyu smiled and said, "Don't jump to conclusions. I'm going to marry you, and that won't change. Even if you're unwilling to marry me, I won't take her as my wife."

Zheng Jinyu was astonished by Xie Peiyu's decisiveness. "But she's threatening you with something."

"Nothing will sway me, especially not such despicable tactics. It would only make me despise her more."

Ah, it seemed that Xie Peiyu wasn't swayed by those means. Zheng Jinxiu's plan was bound to fail.

"And what major decision have you changed?"

"I'm not going south anymore."

"You're not going south?" Zheng Jinyu gasped in surprise.

If he didn't go south, that would be a significant deviation from the original storyline.

"Why? Because of what she brought back?"

"Mm-hmm."

Zheng Jinyu was utterly astonished, simultaneously filled with unease.

Truly, even the slightest pull could set off a chain reaction. Her arrival had triggered significant changes in the storyline, almost leading to Zheng Jinxiu's departure.

After all the twists and turns, she returned, thinking that history had been restored to its original course.

But to her surprise, her return had made Xie Peiyu abandon his plan to head south.

Could her impact be that great?

"What could it possibly be?" Curiosity piqued within Zheng Jinyu.

Xie Peiyu, however, remained silent, gently lifting her down from the horse and ruffling her hair affectionately.

She wasn't one to push her luck. If he didn't wish to share, she wouldn't insist. Instead, she suggested, "Zheng Jinxiu has come to see you. Perhaps you should meet her alone, at least to understand what she wants. That way, we can decide on our next move."

The use of 'we' pleased Xie Peiyu, and he agreed to her proposal.

"Very well, I'll escort you back first."

"Alright."