"Who's blocking the way ahead?" Emperor Cheng frowned.
Xiao Jinheng was also curious. Had they run into bandits?
The Imperial Guards protecting his father were hidden around them. If there really were bandits, these people would likely have been cut down before they could even show themselves.
"Hmm?" Eunuch Zhao narrowed his eyes. "Isn't that Yun Lao Si? What's he doing here?"
Upon hearing it was Fourth Brother Yun, Xiao Jinheng quickly lifted the curtain and looked ahead.
He saw Yun Si Man riding a fine horse, a cloak tied around him, his dark hair tied up high, a long sword hanging from his waist, a picture of dashing spirit...
Emperor Cheng, his old face grim, waved his hand, "Ignore that wretched fellow, keep moving!~"
Since he dared to look down on his daughter, this brat had quite the nerve...
Emperor Cheng decided that once they returned to the imperial palace, he would never let them meet again, no matter how much Xin Ling fussed.
There was no such thing as a regret pill in this world. Who told him to be so wishy-washy back then? He deserved to be single for life.
Eunuch Zhao hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your... Your Majesty, this isn't right! Your relationship with the old Yun family is quite good, after all. If, if you were to coldly treat Yun Lao Si like this, wouldn't it be a bit..."
"Are you deaf? I told you to keep moving!" Emperor Cheng roared. "What Yun Lao Si? He's just a playboy, ignore him!~"
"Yes, yes!" Eunuch Zhao responded and instructed the coachman, "Keep moving!"
The carriage drove off again, completely ignoring Yun Si Man.
Xiao Xin Ling slightly lifted the curtain and glanced outside. She saw Yun Si Man smiling at her, holding a small wooden box in his hand, and shaking it, he said, "Eldest Miss, I bought you a gift. Do you want it?"
Seeing this, Xiao Xin Ling felt her heart pounding wildly...
This was the first time Yun Si Man had ever given her a gift.
"Go away, don't come looking for me. I'm annoyed just seeing you right now!~" Xiao Xin Ling shouted.
After speaking, Xiao Xin Ling lowered the curtain, her small face flushed red.
Yun Si Man couldn't help but chuckle. He rode his horse to the side of the carriage and followed the caravan forward...
"Hey, Eldest Miss, aren't you going to see what gift I bought you?" Yun Si Man casually lifted the curtain.
"Yun Lao Si, you, you dare!~" Mama Gao roared.
How dare he lift the Princess's carriage curtain? Did he not want to live?
Moreover, the Emperor was sitting in the carriage ahead. If he saw this, Yun Lao Si would be waiting to lose his head...
Little did they know, Emperor Cheng was fully aware of what was happening behind him. He turned a blind eye and didn't dwell on it.
Xiao Xin Ling shot Yun Si Man a glare and said irritably, "What gift could you possibly give me? You're so stingy all the time, a miser who won't give up a single copper!~"
Although she said this, Xiao Xin Ling was still full of anticipation.
"Here, just open it yourself and you'll know..." Yun Si Man tossed the small wooden box through the window.
To buy this gift, Yun Si Man had set out at the crack of dawn and visited countless shops before finally finding a gift that he was truly pleased with.
Xiao Xin Ling caressed the wooden box in her hand. Its exterior was a bit rough, and it was only palm-sized. She wondered what was inside...
Under the watchful eyes of Mama Gao, Mama Jin, and Yun Si Man, Xiao Xin Ling slowly opened the wooden box.
Inside lay a knucklebones made of pure jade, wrapped in imperial yellow cloth.
These knucklebones were crafted to imitate sheep's joints. They were exquisitely made, and when sunlight shone on them, they were crystal clear and extremely beautiful...
Upon seeing this, Xiao Xin Ling's heart beat even faster. Her beautiful eyes flickered between the knucklebones and Yun Si Man, and her pouting lips finally curved into a smile.
"So, you didn't come to see me because you were buying a gift?" Xiao Xin Ling asked, her face flushed.
She knew Yun Si Man had her in his heart. At this moment, all the gloom and regret that had accumulated in Xiao Xin Ling's heart vanished like smoke...
"Do you like it?" Yun Si Man asked with a smile.
Xiao Xin Ling let out a soft "Mmm" and nodded, "It's passable!~"
Yun Si Man's mouth twitched.
Passable?
Then what was that shy and blushing expression just now?
"Eldest Miss, it happens that I'm also heading to the capital. We're on the same route, so let's go together..." Yun Si Man said.
Xiao Xin Ling put away the wooden box, crossed her arms, and said, "You know regret now? My father is very angry. When we get back to the capital, we'll go our separate ways and never see each other again!~"
Hmph, if I don't show you some attitude, you'll really think this princess is desperate.
Yun Si Man scratched his head and said with a dry laugh, "I was too foolish before to say such unpleasant things. You, just forgive me this once. I promise to treat you well for the rest of my life!"
"No!~" Xiao Xin Ling stiffened her neck and refused outright.
Yun Si Man: "..."
He truly regretted being so dense. If he had treated her a little better before, would he be so subservient now?
He truly didn't cherish it when he had it, and now that he'd lost it, he was filled with regret.
Mama Gao gently nudged Xiao Xin Ling and whispered, "Princess, take what you can get. Look, Yun Lao Si bought you a gift and admitted his mistake. Don't put on airs anymore, alright?"
"Am I putting on airs?" Xiao Xin Ling glared at Mama Gao. "This wretched fellow told my father that he wanted to take me as a god-sister, or at worst, be ordinary friends. Listen to this, is that human language?"
It almost made her choke with anger.
Mama Gao: "..."
That indeed wasn't pleasant to hear!
Yun Si Man said, "I, I just said that on impulse. I will apologize to His Majesty... Emperor Huang!"
If it weren't for his sister guiding him that night, he wouldn't have known how wonderful Miss Xiao was.
This time, no matter what it took, he had to win Miss Xiao over.
It wasn't just because she was a princess that Yun Si Man pursued her, but rather, after spending a long time together, they would inexplicably start to dislike each other, and after a sudden departure, that sense of loss and emptiness was indescribable...
Even if he didn't become the Emperor's son-in-law, he could take Xiao Xin Ling to the south to do business, farm in the countryside, or fish by the sea, and he could still support her.
"Why are you telling me this?" Xiao Xin Ling glared at him. "You angered my father. If he forgives you, I, I can do anything. But if he doesn't agree, you can go back to the village and cool off!~"
Yun Si Man: "..."
So, what exactly should he do for the Emperor to forgive him?
Just as he was at a loss, the carriage ahead suddenly stopped.
A moment later, Eunuch Zhao jumped down and waved at Yun Si Man, "Young Master Yun, my master has something to say to you!~"
Upon hearing this, Yun Si Man's eyes lit up. He jumped off his horse and ran over...