Chapter 187 Xiaodie Reveals Her True Feelings
Chapter 187 Xiaodie Reveals Her True Feelings
As dusk fell, the sky was dyed orange-red by the afterglow of the setting sun. The magnificent colors were like a carefully painted scroll, gradually transitioning from light orange to deep crimson, before blending with the azure sky, creating a dreamlike and enchanting scene.
Murong Xu accompanied Lin Qianqian all the way to the Ninth Prince's residence. Along the way, the two chatted occasionally, and the atmosphere remained as harmonious as ever. Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Ninth Prince's residence.
Lin Qianqian stopped, bowed slightly, and respectfully greeted Murong Xu with a gentle smile. She said softly, "Your Highness, I have arrived. Thank you for your timely help. If it weren't for your timely intervention, I would have been seriously injured today."
Murong Xu waved his hand with a smile and replied in a hearty manner, "No need to be polite, we're all family! By the way, stop calling me 'Your Highness' all the time, it sounds too formal. From now on, just call me...Sixth Brother!" As he spoke, he looked at Lin Qianqian with sincere eyes, his gaze revealing a hint of intimacy.
Lin Qianqian was taken aback at first, and a hint of hesitation flashed across her face. However, looking at Murong Xu's sincere and expectant eyes, she blushed slightly and replied shyly, "Uh... okay, okay, Sixth... Sixth Brother."
Upon hearing this, Murong Xu laughed even more heartily, nodding repeatedly and saying, "That's right! Alright, go inside quickly! You're pregnant, don't catch a cold! I still have to take this little devil back." As he spoke, he subconsciously looked at Murong He, his eyes full of doting affection, as if looking at his own mischievous yet lovable child.
Murong He stood obediently to the side, waved to Lin Qianqian, and said in a childish voice, "Ninth Imperial Aunt, I'll go first then. Let's fly kites together again next time."
Lin Qianqian smiled and waved to him.
Then, Murong Xu turned around with Murong He to leave. After taking a few steps, Murong Xu looked back at Lin Qianqian and saw that she was still standing there. He smiled and waved to her, signaling her to go inside quickly.
Lin Qianqian then stepped into the Prince's mansion, nodding back at Murong Xu as she walked.
Murong Xu stood there quietly watching Lin Qianqian's figure slowly disappear inside the gate of the Prince's Mansion. Only then did he take Murong He's small hand and slowly walk back the way they came. Their figures gradually lengthened in the afterglow of the sunset and eventually blended into the beautiful evening scenery.
At this moment, Murong Yi hurriedly returned to the Prince's Mansion. As soon as she arrived at the gate, she bumped into Murong Xu, who was walking towards her, and Murong He beside him.
Murong Yi was slightly taken aback. Her gaze fell on the two of them, and her brows furrowed instantly. Her eyes were full of surprise as she asked, "Sixth Brother?" There was a hint of doubt in her voice. She was also wondering to herself why Murong Xu was here.
Before Murong Xu could even respond, Murong He excitedly waved his little hands and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Ninth Imperial Uncle!" His tender voice was particularly loud in front of the quiet mansion gate, and his little face was filled with the joy of seeing his relatives, his eyes sparkling.
As the two approached, Murong Yi's gaze swept back and forth between Murong Xu and Murong He, her expression filled with even more doubt. She asked in a questioning tone, "Why is Sixth Brother here?"
Murong Xu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, a teasing smile on his face, but his eyes revealed concern. He softened his voice and said, "I was out for a stroll, and when I passed a lawn, I saw your Ninth Princess fall from a tree. It gave me quite a fright! Luckily, I reacted quickly and saved her in time. It was a close call, she almost..."
Upon hearing this, Murong Yi's eyes widened instantly, her once deep eyes now bulging with anger, her face filled with panic, and her heart leaped into her throat. She hurriedly asked, "What!" Her voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, revealing deep worry and anxiety.
Seeing this, Murong Xu sighed softly, glanced at Murong He beside him, and said helplessly, "It's all because of this little devil. He got the kite stuck in the big tree. Ninth Sister-in-law went to get the kite and accidentally slipped. Luckily, I saw it, otherwise it would have been a disaster."
Upon hearing this, Murong Yi felt as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been spilled in her heart. All sorts of feelings surged into her mind, and she could not hide the worry and panic on her face. Her lips trembled slightly, her hands unconsciously clenched into fists, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Images of Lin Qianqian possibly encountering danger kept flashing through her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more frightened she became.
Seeing Murong Yi's state, Murong He knew he had made a grave mistake. His eyes reddened instantly, and he lowered his head, muttering softly, "I'm sorry, I was wrong, Ninth Imperial Uncle, I didn't mean to..."
Seeing Murong Yi's nervous expression, Murong Xu couldn't help but tease, "Ahem, this time, without me, how dangerous would it have been for Ninth Sister-in-law and the baby in her belly? You'd better thank me properly." These words were like needles, piercing straight into Murong Yi's heart, making him feel even more uncomfortable.
Murong Xu, however, seemed oblivious to Murong Yi's distress. He reached out and put his arm around Murong Yi's shoulder, patting it gently, and murmured with a playful expression, "Ninth Brother, how are you going to repay me?"
Murong Yi then came to her senses and quickly grabbed Murong Xu's hand, saying with gratitude and a hint of self-reproach, "Sixth Brother, I am so grateful for your help today. If anything had happened to Qianqian and the child, I would not have known what to do. I will always remember your kindness, and I will go through fire and water for you in the future!"
Upon hearing Murong Yi's sincere and grateful words, Murong Xu was slightly taken aback at first, then threw his head back and burst into laughter. His hearty laughter echoed in front of the mansion gate. After laughing for a while, he said between laughs, "Hahaha, Ninth Brother, I was just joking. Look how nervous you are. Alright, that's enough. You should go in and see Ninth Sister-in-law too! He'er, let's go!" With that, he took Murong He's little hand and turned to walk back the way they came.
Murong He followed Murong Xu away, turning back every few steps, until the small figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
Murong Yi stood there blankly, swallowing hard. His mind was a jumble of emotions, leaving him momentarily at a loss.
After a long while, he seemed to finally come to his senses, slowly lifted his foot, and walked towards the palace with slightly heavy steps. His back view even revealed a hint of loneliness and lingering fear.
In that warm yet tranquil room, Xiaodie stood beside Lin Qianqian, her brows furrowed, her face a mixture of helplessness and worry, her eyes still tinged with lingering fear. She looked at Lin Qianqian, her tone a mix of reproach and deep concern, and said softly, "Miss, you were truly frightening today! Just think, such a tall tree! If you had fallen, not only would the baby have been in danger, but your frail body couldn't have withstood such an impact. Even now, thinking back on that scene makes my heart tremble. If it weren't for the Sixth Prince appearing in time and catching you, the consequences would have been unimaginable. I… I don't even dare to think about it."
Lin Qianqian sighed helplessly, waved her hand, and replied in a seemingly relaxed manner, "Okay, I know! You've nagged me about it so many times, but I'm fine."
Upon hearing this, Xiaodie became even more anxious, her eyes reddening slightly. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Lin Qianqian's hand, and said urgently, "Miss, please don't think I'm nagging. I'm only doing this for your own good! Miss, you mustn't be so reckless next time! You know, I've been an orphan since I was little. If it weren't for the Prime Minister's kindness in taking me in, I don't know how much suffering I would have endured outside. Later, I was able to stay by your side, Miss. You've always treated me like a sister. In my heart, you're already my closest family in this world. So, Miss, if something happens to you, then... what will I do?" As she spoke, Xiaodie's voice trembled with tears, and large tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably, her eyes filled with fear and reluctance.
Seeing this, Lin Qianqian felt a pang of sadness and quickly went to Xiaodie's side, reaching out to gently wipe away her tears. As she wiped, she soothed her gently, saying, "Okay~ I promise you, I definitely won't be so reckless again. Don't cry anymore, okay? Look at you, you're crying like a little kitten, it's so ugly."
His words were full of doting affection, and his eyes were full of tenderness for Xiaodie, trying to calm her down as quickly as possible.
Lin Qianqian looked at Xiaodie tenderly, and Xiaodie looked back at Lin Qianqian with teary eyes. Their gazes met. In those eyes, there was mutual concern and deep affection, as if an invisible, warm bond had been forged, tightly connecting them.
In an instant, the entire room was filled with a happy and harmonious atmosphere, quiet and beautiful, as if all the noise of the outside world had been shut out by this affection.
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