With a 'bang', the door of the old Yun family's residence was firmly shut and bolted.
Xiao Cui scrambled out of the snow crust, her face a picture of exasperation. "Madam, why did you have to provoke them? If they don't open the door tonight, we'll have to make do in the carriage for the whole night!"
This third madam, she never thought things through when she went out. Did she think Da Shui Village was the General's Mansion, where she could do as she pleased?
And now look, they'd been thrown out.
Zhen Meili stood up, dusting the snowflakes off her skirt, and chided Xiao Cui, "What are you grumbling about? As the concubine of General Gu, do they dare not open the door for me? Hmph, just you wait, within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they'll obediently invite us in!"
Xiao Cui: "..."
You probably have a lump growing in your head. Even now, you're still deceiving yourself with that high and mighty attitude.
Er Longzi squatted on the wall, glanced outside the main gate, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Third Madam is nothing. My master is the Prince of Ming. Even he is polite to the old Yun family. Who do you think you are?"
In the guest room.
After listening to Er Longzi's report, Xiao Jinfeng glanced at Gu Mingyan and said indifferently, "This woman truly doesn't know her place. It's good for her to freeze outside for a night; at least she can calm down..."
The chess board on the low table had been cleared away, replaced by a few small dishes for drinking: fried peanuts, jellied meat with garlic sauce, and a few salted goose eggs.
Ever since Gu Mingyan had figured out Xiao Jinfeng's personality and temper, he had gradually let down his guard, no longer keeping a constant watch as he had before.
This person wasn't inherently bad, just had a mother who insisted on making all the decisions.
Moreover, Gu Mingyan could see that even if Heng'er returned to Da Shui Village, Xiao Jinfeng wouldn't dare do anything to him.
Marquis Gu's hidden forces were spread throughout the Liang Kingdom, and there were already his men around Da Shui Village.
Xiao Jinfeng likely sensed this as well, hence his intention to maintain a harmonious relationship with Gu Mingyan for the time being, with no need for any drastic actions.
"I heard that the Yun family's grandson is going to have a betrothal ceremony with the county magistrate's daughter in a few days. What gift does Prince Ming plan to give?" Gu Mingyan asked.
Xiao Jinfeng, twirling his pipe with one hand and holding his wine bowl with the other, chuckled, "Naturally, a gift that will be unforgettable. What, does the dignified Marquis Gu not even have a decent gift to present?"
Gu Mingyan: "..."
This wine is undrinkable.
"Qing Lan!" Gu Mingyan raised his eyebrows.
Qing Lan cupped his hands, "What are your orders, Marquis?"
"Did we bring a Qing Feng precious sword with us this time?"
"Yes... yes!" Qing Lan twitched his lips.
The Marquis wouldn't possibly want to give the precious sword as a gift to Jing De, would he?
She didn't remember wrong; the Qing Feng precious sword was custom-made for Marquis Gu at great expense from abroad. He himself was reluctant to use it, and now he was giving it away so easily?
Gu Mingyan waved his hand, "Bring the precious sword!"
Since Prince Ming wanted to show off, today he would let him see what kind of gift was truly impressive.
Xiao Jinfeng was stunned for a moment, and by the time he reacted, Qing Lan had already brought the sword.
"Swish!"
Gu Mingyan casually drew the sword, and a sharp glint suddenly flashed in the room, the clang accompanied by a surging killing intent.
Xiao Jinfeng's eyes widened, and he clapped his hands, "What a fine sword! Let me have a look..."
He loved such peerless weapons the most.
Gu Mingyan curved his lips, snorted lightly, sheathed the sword, and tossed it to Qing Lan, "On the day of the betrothal banquet, give the Qing Feng precious sword to the Yun family, and say it's from this Marquis!"
Qing Lan: "..."
Marquis, why have you suddenly become so childish? Do you have to compete with gifts? httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Oh, alright, alright!" Qing Lan replied helplessly.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinfeng's face turned red with anger. He quickly called Er Longzi over, "Did we bring any treasures with us on this trip?"
Er Longzi: "..."
Your Highness, what are you trying to do?
Lord Gu has plenty of money; you can't compete with him.
"Speak up!" Xiao Jinfeng roared, "Are you mute?"
Er Longzi shivered in fright, scratched his head, and said, "We... we didn't bring any treasures, just a sandalwood folding fan, it's in the box!"
Xiao Jinfeng's eyes lit up at this. "Good, good, good, hurry and get it!"
This time, he would blind Gu Mingyan with it.
A fan made of sandalwood was incredibly precious; even with money, one might not be able to buy it.
Hmph, what was the Qing Feng precious sword? It was embarrassing to even bring it out.
Er Longzi said "oh" and scurried out.
Qing Lan pressed his forehead and sighed. These two truly were 'good brothers' who met too late; they should just become sworn brothers.
One was the cold and ruthless, famous Marquis of Pingyang, and the other was the noble and handsome legitimate prince. What they were doing was more childish than children.
A moment later, Er Longzi walked in with an exquisite wooden box and presented it to Xiao Jinfeng with both hands.
"Hahaha, Marquis Gu, take a good look! What gift can truly be called unforgettable!"
Xiao Jinfeng's face was full of pride. He casually opened the wooden box, and saw a beautifully carved folding fan lying inside. A faint fragrance could be smelled.
Holding the folding fan, a gentle sway of it elevated one's entire demeanor.
It was truly a gentleman with a good fan, a fine horse with a good saddle. Even Gu Mingyan's gaze changed slightly.
This was indeed a good item.
"Er Longzi, pack the fan properly and give it to the Yun family on the day of the betrothal, and say it's from this Prince, hehe!" Xiao Jinfeng's face bloomed with joy.
Everyone: "..."
Xiao Jinfeng picked up his wine bowl and looked at Gu Mingyan with a smile, "Marquis Gu, come, this Prince will toast you!"
"Clang!" Gu Mingyan heavily put down his wine bowl, lifted the hem of his robe, and got off the kang. "Your Highness, please drink slowly. This Marquis has other matters and cannot accompany you!"
"Hahaha, he's anxious, he's anxious! The cold and ruthless Marquis of Pingyang is furious, haha!" Xiao Jinfeng was almost laughing himself to death.
Gu Mingyan: "..."
Are you an idiot?
Outside the Yun family's gate.
Zhen Meili had waited for almost two incense sticks of time, but no one came to open the door for her.
The fierce cold wind howled, turning her face pale.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Open the door, open the door! This madam knows she was wrong, alright? Open the door..."
Xiao Cui glared at her, started a small fire by the carriage, and muttered, "Serves you right. Always doing things after the fact. I hope you freeze to death!"
"Xiao Cui, hurry over and knock on the door, quickly!" Zhen Meili commanded.
Xiao Cui pouted and didn't move.
You can knock to your heart's content!
At this moment, outside Xiao Xi Tian's room, two dark figures suddenly flashed past, quietly approaching the door.