Chapter 440: Chapter 424: Three Men Put on a Show
Han Ziqi was thick-skinned, entirely shedding his former gloom. Along the way, he cracked jokes and bought numerous trinkets for Ruyi. Neither Xie Xun nor Fengyu bothered to chase him away. Regardless of whether he came for business or some other reason, as long as he showed no malicious intent, and considering how much he bought for Ruyi, Xie Xun refrained from sulking any further.
Fengyu also intentionally inquired about Sannan, to which Han Ziqi answered every question. Whether his words were all true or not, it still provided Fengyu and Xie Xun with more insight into Sannan.
Its local customs, culinary culture, and so forth.
Xie Xun found one thing particularly intriguing and couldn’t help but ask, "I heard there’s a legend in Sannan: when soldiers go to the battlefield, they hang wooden prayer plaques on plum trees, and the Flower God will receive the prayers and grant their wishes—true or not?"
"That legend indeed exists. However... it’s a tradition the Sannan Royal Family observes to bless their soldiers," Han Ziqi replied with a light laugh. "I didn’t expect it to have spread all the way to Yanyang."
Fengyu and Xie Xun exchanged a glance. Fengyu remarked, "This tradition does sound rather romantic."
"Yes, since Sannan rarely experiences war, the tradition eventually trickled down to the common people. Because plum blossoms symbolize love, many girls began hanging plaques on peach trees to pray for romantic unions. Quite a romantic practice, wouldn’t you say?"
When Han Ziqi spoke of Sannan, his features softened ever so slightly.
Xie Xun was reminded of the wooden plaques in the Marquis Mansion’s plum blossom grove from years ago.
"Then that Flower God must be blind."
He had seen so many wish-filled wooden plaques in that grove.
"You cannot slander our Flower God like that! If the Flower God hears you, your love life will suffer," Han Ziqi teased with a grin.
Xie Xun frowned in irritation. "Are you doing this deliberately to frustrate me?"
"Prince, this is the Flower God of Sannan, not related to the affairs of Yanyang. Don’t feel guilty."
Xie Xun: "..."
Fengyu couldn’t hold back her laughter. Han Ziqi accompanied them as they shopped until it was time to return home. Han Ziqi even shamelessly tried to join them for dinner at home, only to be ruthlessly rejected by Xie Xun.
Standing by the gate, Xiaoqi glared angrily at Han Ziqi as he stormed out. "What’s that lecher doing here?"
"We just ran into him while shopping. Don’t mind him."
At a distance, Han Ziqi looked back at the City Lord Mansion, his eyes cold and emotionless. His mask of grinning frivolity was completely stripped away. He appeared dangerous and unapproachable, standing amidst the wind and snow like a lifeless jade statue devoid of warmth.
A guard approached and said, "Princely Heir, we should leave now. The area around the City Lord Mansion is heavily monitored. It’s not wise to linger."
"Let’s go."
"Yes, sire!"
Snow spraying from his hurried steps, Xiaoqi stormed over in a rage. "The way he looks at my sister is unbearable! How can you be so unconcerned?"
Xie Xun replied with a faintly amused expression, "I’ve been tailing him the whole time. What could possibly happen?"
"...That’s true!" Xiaoqi frowned and grumbled, "But how is he so shameless?"
"He’s staying at the West Wind Inn. If you’re unhappy, go and pick a fight with him."
"Are you wishing for us to fight to the death so there’d be at least one less nuisance?"
"Smart!" Xie Xun quipped. "You’re all equally annoying."
Fuming, Xiaoqi nearly choked. He and Xie Xun seemed destined to lock horns whenever they met. Fengyu no longer even bothered trying to mediate their bickering. Meanwhile, Ruyi, clutching her little pinwheel, ran off eagerly to find Xie Jue and gifted her beloved father the toy she cherished most.
Xie Jue chuckled as he scooped her up. "Have you been sneaking sweets again?"
Lowering her voice, Fengyu whispered to Xie Xun, "Second Brother’s about to scold you."
Before her words fully left her lips, Xie Jue’s stern voice rang out. "Xie Xun, if you sneak sweets to Ruyi one more time within three days, I’ll break your hands!"
Ever since Ruyi arrived in the West State, her malt sugar consumption had drastically exceeded healthy limits. Her wet nurse had even tattled on Xie Xun, claiming he constantly carried malt sugar with him and would sneak it to Ruyi whenever he pleased, spoiling her teeth. Xie Jue had issued a strict order forbidding Xie Xun from giving her any more sweets, to which Xie Xun promptly turned a deaf ear.
Casually, Xie Xun called back, "My bad, won’t happen again."
But the truth was, whenever Ruyi saw malt sugar, her little eyes would light up with such longing that Xie Xun simply couldn’t resist giving in.
She was just too adorable.
Her every wish met, to the point of indulgence.
"If Ruyi grows crooked teeth someday, I’ll kill you!" Xie Jue warned sharply. "Do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear!" Xie Xun swore. "No more sweets for Ruyi when she’s with me."
Fengyu chuckled softly and reassured, "Second Brother, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him."
Xiaoqi chimed in, "I’ll watch him too, just waiting for you to break his hands!"
Xie Xun: "..."
Even though Han Ziqi roamed the city, no one in the Xie Family paid him much mind.
New Year’s Eve arrived.
It was the first time the City Lord Mansion had ever been so lively. Even Xiaoqi’s face was brimming with smiles.