Chapter 133: Hunters' Conference (3) - Conspiracies Multiply_4
She said, "Following you, I really can't hunt any game. Although I know you don't want me to steal the spotlight from your lady, since we're out hunting, let me enjoy the thrill, alright?"
Xiao Jinxing's expression darkened.
"Let's go!" Ye Qichi left without seeking Xiao Jinxing's approval.
She rode a Ferrari, whipping her horse to speed away from Xiao Jinxing.
Xiao Jinxing just watched as Ye Qichi rode away.
He had her follow him simply because he didn't want her to run into Xiao Jinsen again.
It was not that he forbade her from hunting.
Forget it.
There was no need to explain anything to Ye Qichi.
He had more pressing matters at hand.
He pulled on the reins and rode off in another direction.
Ye Qichi rode a considerable distance.
She finally got away from that despicable man, Xiao Jinxing.
She focused intently on hunting.
Her purpose today was to hunt, to have fun.
As for Xiao Jinxing and their schemes.
That was his business.
After all, the matter of killing the Crown Prince, Xiao Jinxing would succeed without her worrying.
She drew her bow and finally shot down a wild rabbit.
After shooting, she kept searching for other game in the forest.
After wandering for quite a while.
She saw two people from afar.
Ye Qichi took a closer look.
She finally saw clearly; the two people in the distance, one was Song Qingyan, the legitimate son of the grand scholar Song Yuanzhong. The other was... the second young mistress from the Duke Mansion, Xie Ruilin.
The two were deliberately avoiding the crowd in this deep forest, seemingly having a secret rendezvous.
If she remembered correctly.
Song Qingyan's engagement was with Xie Ruotong.
She thought about it.
She might as well go up and ask them for clarification.
She walked over.
The two inseparable people quickly let go of each other.
No matter whose engagement it was, unmarried men and women should not behave as if they were already out of the cloister.
The two horses that they were originally riding both kept a distance.
"Princess," Xie Ruilin recognized her immediately and hurriedly dismounted to bow.
"No need, the Emperor has decreed that in today's hunt, there's no distinction of rank, so no need for such formalities," Ye Qichi directly said.
"Thank you, Princess," Xie Ruilin quickly responded respectfully.
"Princess," Song Qingyan, still on his horse and holding his fists in a salute, also respectfully bowed.
Ye Qichi looked towards Song Qingyan.
Song Qingyan was also looking at Ye Qichi.
Today's hunting event also brought them together, but the first sight made the Princess seem somehow familiar to him.
He always felt like he had seen her somewhere before.
But couldn't quite remember.
Ye Qichi, watching Song Qingyan's scrutinizing gaze, smiled and deliberately said, "Song Young Master, have we met before?"
Song Qingyan was slightly surprised, "Princess, you feel that too?"
"Yes." Ye Qichi nodded.
At that time, she was dressed as a man in the brothel.
Presumably, Song Qingyan surely wouldn't remember.
"Qingyan can't remember where he has seen the Princess before."
"Let it be if you can't remember," Ye Qichi certainly wouldn't remind him.
And certainly wouldn't remind him that Xie Ruotong, to whom you are betrothed, once was a top courtesan in a brothel.
Song Qingyan bowed again, keeping to the polite formalities.
"Why didn't Ruotong come?" Ye Qichi diverted her gaze to ask Xie Ruilin.
"My sister just returned to the Duke Mansion, grandmother was worried that she might feel unwell participating in the grand hunting event, so she asked her to stay at home and accompany grandmother," Xie Ruilin quickly replied, "Does the Princess miss my sister?"
"Indeed, somewhat," Ye Qichi said indifferently.
"When Lin'er returns, she will definitely tell my sister about Princess's concern."
"Hmm." Ye Qichi nodded her head and then casually mentioned, "I heard there's an engagement between the Song family and the Duke Mansion. I suppose it's the engagement between Lin'er and Qingyan, right?"
As soon as the words were out,
Xie Ruilin's face flushed red immediately,
a deep, embarrassed crimson.
Song Qingyan's expression also changed slightly.
"Is it not?" Not getting a response, Ye Qichi asked again.
It looked only out of concern, with no other intention.
Xie Ruilin bit her lip hard.
No matter what had happened in the past, but now the engagement was indeed between Xie Ruotong and Song Qingyan.
Yet here she was with Song Qingyan... feeling utterly ashamed.
"Replying to the Princess," Song Qingyan, more composed than Xie Ruilin, "Qingyan was originally engaged to Lin'er, but the betrothal shifted to Qingyan and Xie Ruotong due to the eldest young mistress returning home. But Qingyan and Lin'er, having been childhood sweethearts, have already committed to each other and are now requesting their elders to revalidate their betrothal."
"Has it been revalidated?" Ye Qichi asked.
"Not yet agreed upon."
"Since it's not agreed upon, that means the two of you are not betrothed. Since there's no engagement, both of you should be more cautious in your actions and words. After all, public opinion is fearsome, and by that time, not only you two but Ruotong could be implicated. Both of you should, therefore, consider others more."
"The Princess is right in her admonition. It's Qingyan's fault. Qingyan should not have met with Lin'er like this; Qingyan will definitely be more strict with himself," Song Qingyan took all the responsibility upon himself.
Ye Qichi glanced at Song Qingyan.
She felt that this man did indeed have his sense of responsibility.
However...
The more he defends Xie Ruilin, it just shows more of Song Qingyan's sincerity towards Xie Ruilin.
If the Duke Mansion and the Song family insisted on having Xie Ruotong and Song Qingyan marry...
Xie Ruotong would surely be let down by Song Qingyan.
Ye Qichi didn't think too much.
Many things.
Actually have to be resolved by oneself.
And many feudal superstitions of this era, many formal etiquettes, are really not something she can change.
The only thing she can change is herself.
It's hard to expect others to do the same.
She indifferently said, "I'll pretend I didn't see anything today, Song Qingyan, remember to keep your promise."
"Certainly, I will bear it deeply in mind."
Ye Qichi then said no more.
She pulled on the reins and rode in another direction.
The only help she could provide to Xie Ruotong was just this much!