Chapter 61: Treating with Sincerity

Chapter 61: Treating with Sincerity

Upon hearing Su Youyue's impatient tone, Su Rong didn't feel the slightest bit of displeasure; instead, she was even more moved. After thanking her elder sister once again, she followed Little Xing back home.

Watching her leave, Xiao Feiyan couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. "Yue'er, you've thoroughly offended both the Third Prince and the Third Princess. In the future, they might frequently cause trouble for you..."

Su Youyue faintly smiled. "It's alright. I don't usually go out much anyway. They can't possibly barge into our Su residence to beat me up. Besides, as long as they still care about Su Qian, they won't dare to deal with me too harshly."

In fact, she had to thank Su Qian for her fake concern earlier; otherwise, Su Youyue wouldn't have had the chance to slap her.

Mainly, she couldn't tell Xiao Feiyan about the Third Prince and Third Princess's eventual fate, or else she would worry less.

Thus, she quickly changed the subject. "Why were you waiting for me here?"

Although she had hinted for Xiao Feiyan to invite Hua San, the latter hadn't accompanied them just now. For a moment, Su Youyue truly suspected that Hua Qingyun had coincidentally passed by.

Xiao Feiyan's eyes lit up. "Young Master Hua San told me to wait here and not to go over. He was afraid that if the Third Princess and the others found out I invited him, they would hold it against me."

"Ah, I see." Su Youyue suddenly understood. "This Young Master Hua San is indeed a good person."

Xiao Feiyan also wore an admiring expression, eager to share stories of Hua Qingyun's past with Su Youyue. But Su Youyue had already turned away.

"Xie Yuan, if you're tired, go back to the mansion and rest," she suggested.

Su Youyue realized she hadn't considered everything earlier. While she wouldn't humiliate Xie Yuan, it was unlikely that any of the noble youths in Mei Garden would spare him any respect.

She wasn't sure if this was the first time Xie Yuan had learned of her brothers' humiliation, but he couldn't be feeling well knowing this now.

Moreover, under such circumstances, he still tried to protect her...

It would be a lie to say his actions didn't touch her. After some thought, Su Youyue concluded that since she had arranged enough help at the market and carried silver needles for self-defense, the absence of Xie Yuan wouldn't make much difference.

Perhaps his presence would deter the human trafficker.

It would also give him a chance to recover from the shock.

"I'm not tired, Miss," the man replied in a steady tone, concealing his emotions. His lowered gaze initially seemed submissive, but only those who truly knew him understood that he merely hid his fears behind this facade.

Su Youyue insisted, "I don't need your assistance for the moment. You should return to the mansion."

Xie Yuan was about to decline, but something seemed to have crossed his mind, causing him to respond, "In that case, I'll take my leave first."

Watching the man depart, Xiao Feiyan couldn't help but remark, "Yue'er, you're really quite kind to this Xie Yuan."

"Kind?" Su Youyue was taken aback for a moment. Upon seeing her friend nod, she explained, "You weren't there just now. He stood up for me against the Third Prince and Princess, enduring much humiliation. He must be feeling terrible right now, so I thought it best to let him have some peace."

Jin'er whispered in a low voice what the Third Princess had said to humiliate Xie Yuan, then commented, "How could Mister Xie not feel hurt after hearing those words?"

It was her first time witnessing a situation where a man was shamed after sleeping with a woman...

Xiao Feiyan, too, was hearing these secrets for the first time. She gaped in disbelief. "The Third Princess is... incredibly daring."

"It's no wonder, though. The Xie family is known for their good looks... But they are all sons of Xie Changlou, and countless people despise them. Only Yue'er, with your kind heart, can empathize with Xie Yuan."

Although Xiao Feiyan felt that the Third Princess had gone too far today, she did not have any affection for the Xie family. In her eyes, Xie Changlou was a cunning and power-hungry traitor who had committed countless corrupt acts, disregarding law and human life.

He had embezzled hundreds of thousands of taels of silver meant for famine relief, leading to the starvation of tens of thousands along the Huai River. When he was sentenced to death, the public rejoiced, and many cheered in approval.

Though Xie Yuan might not have been involved in such deeds, the ill-gotten wealth of Xie Changlou had undoubtedly benefited the entire Xie family.

If Xie Yuan were to be her slave, she wouldn't have shown him a single kind gesture.

Su Youyue understood Xiao Feiyan's perspective, for in her previous life, she had bullied Xie Yuan on account of Xie Changlou, which eventually led to his retaliation.

Now, knowing that Xie Yuan would regain power, she naturally wouldn't deter Xiao Feiyan from hating him, lest she become collateral damage in the future.

"Feiyan, the affairs of the court are a mix of truth and deception – how can we young maidens distinguish them? The rumors of the world aren't always true. Didn't you see Su Qian and me? We're not at all like what the outsiders say.

All I know is that Xie Yuan risked his safety today to protect me. If someone treats me sincerely, I will respond with sincerity, so as to live without regrets."

Xiao Feiyan fell silent for a moment before sighing again. "You do have a point. Before this recent turn of events, who would have thought that the much-admired Lucky Star Su Qian could be so two-faced... or that Yue'er you would be such an amusing person?"

Su Youyue chuckled. "Alright, let's go. Let's wander around some more. With Young Master Hua San here, I doubt anything serious will happen if we run into Prince Third and Princess Third again today."

Xiao Feiyan quickly regained her smile and set off with Su Youyue, accompanied by a few maids.

On the other side of the wall, Xie Yuan leaned quietly against it.

Amidst the snowy landscape, his usually deep and cold eyes now held a hint of warmth and tenderness.

As the sound of the wheelchair rolling over crushed snow faded into the distance, he finally stirred, casting a glance in the direction Su Youyue had taken before swiftly departing.

Amidst the Mei Garden, voices boisterously echoed, glasses clinked, and as the evening sky deepened, the revelers indulged themselves to their hearts' content before leisurely leaving.

Xiao Feiyan also coaxed Su Youyue into sampling various fruits, sharing tales of which noble son had broken off an engagement with which maiden, or which lady had her eye on a suitor, contemplating a match.

Regardless, Xiao Feiyan had no intention of rushing into another betrothal anytime soon. Today, two of the three Su family ladies had been injured and left early, while no one seemed interested in Su Youyue, so they could enjoy the gossip without any pressure.

When it was time to leave the Mei Garden for the market, Su Youyue shed her lethargy, becoming fully alert.

This operation had to succeed – failure was not an option!

The day was already late, and by the time the carriage arrived at the marketplace, dusk had settled. Su Youyue was accompanied by Jin'er and Chunya, while Xiao Feiyan had only Fang Fei, a maid, following behind.

Exiting the carriage, Xiao Feiyan eagerly headed for a roadside stall, "Yue'er, my mother isn't fond of extravagant items; she prefers rare and quirky trinkets. You must help me find something novel today."

Su Youyue acknowledged her, but instead surveyed the surroundings.