Chapter Forty-Three: Receiving Guests

  The atmosphere was a bit awkward, and neither of them spoke again. It was getting late, so Shu Li hurried back to the Mu Wang Fu at a faster pace.

  They rushed all the way and soon arrived at the side gate of the Wang Mansion. Shu Li dismounted his horse, and Xue Lengyu thought for a moment before extending his hand to him first.

  This horse is a bit tall, and she's wearing a long skirt. Just now at the Xue family's place, she was in a hurry and didn't have time to think about it too much. Now that things are settled, and they're at the gate of the Wang mansion again, if she were to dismount with a roll and fall off, it would be quite embarrassing. If she were to trip on her skirt and fall flat on her face, she'd lose even more face.

  Although it's not the first time he's lost face, Xue Lengyu still subconsciously wants to maintain some image in front of Shu Li.

  Looking at Xue Lengyu's outstretched hand, Shu Li raised an eyebrow. This girl was indeed self-aware.

  "Sorry, Lord Shu." Xue Lengyu smiled politely.

  Shu Li couldn't bear to refuse such a request, hesitated and still stretched out his hand. Xue Lengyu borrowed the force to jump off the horseback, quickly let go of his hand, and thanked him again: "Thank you, Shu sir."

  Although I can hear the sincere gratitude, it's somewhat unpleasant in my heart.

  A young servant came forward, stood on one side and led the horse away. Shu Li lifted his leg and entered the door, Xue Leng Yu could only follow behind him. Seeing that Shu Li seemed to be a bit displeased, he didn't know what had offended him, nor did he want to think about it.

  It's been just a few days since I entered the palace, and it seems like I've already offended quite a few people. Thinking too much won't help me get by either.

  Entering the Maple Garden, Shu Li went to report back to Li Mu. Xue Leng Yu thought that since Li Mu was going to take him out for a gathering tonight, and considering what had just happened, he should at least thank him in person, so he followed behind as well.

  Arriving at the door of the study, Xue Lengyu hesitated for a moment, stopped in her tracks, and stood still at the doorway.

  Xue Lengyu stopped in her tracks and couldn't help but stop as well. She turned around and asked, "Aren't you going in?"

  Xue Lengyu said: "I think Shu Daren may have some things to report back to the king, perhaps I should withdraw and let him finish speaking before I go in to thank the king."

  Knowing such a big secret about herself, she couldn't help but tell Li Mu. It wouldn't be good if she didn't say anything while being present.

  Xue Lengyu's words were straightforward yet subtle, but Shu Li was somewhat angry: "Xue Lengyu, too clever and too forthright, it doesn't do you any good."

  Xue Lengyu bowed her head and said: "If I, a slave, were clever, how would I have ended up in such a predicament? I am telling the truth, only to you, Master Shu."

  This remark is somewhat ambiguous, and suddenly a warning bell rang in his heart. His face turned cold: "Are you trying to make friends with me?"

  Xue Lengyu's expression remained unchanged: "Why must Master Shu think things are so complicated? It's just that I feel Master Shu is too proud and doesn't bother to make things difficult for me. So, in front of Master Shu, I'm a bit more at ease. If Master feels I've overstepped, I'll change my ways."

  When outside the Wang Fu, Xue Leng Yu was speaking to me in a very fluent manner. Now that we've entered the fu, she immediately changed her tone and referred to herself as a slave, which made me think secretly, no wonder even when she humbled herself, she didn't seem like a lowly person. If someone doesn't feel inferior themselves, even if they're forcing themselves to suppress it for some reason, that innate aura can't be hidden.

  Xue Lengyu didn't know that the mixed emotions in her heart were so intense. To her, the Marquis of Wu's residence was just a company. Once she entered the company gates, she had to follow the company's rules and regulations. Once she left the company gates, she was a free person. If she didn't lift her head and take a few breaths of fresh air, she would suffocate to death.

  "After struggling in her heart for a while, she said: 'No need to change, it's fine like this.'"

  Shu Li said it was good then, and Xue Leng Yu didn't say anything else. Shu Li continued: "Come in. If you really don't want to follow the prince, I won't make a big deal out of it."

  "Yes." Xue Lengyu responded. In fact, he wasn't particularly happy in his heart. The truth will eventually come out no matter how hard one tries to hide it. Even if he did say something, what would be the point? At worst, he'd just be driven out of the Wang Manor. Xue Lengyu's heart stirred slightly; perhaps when things reached a desperate point, he could turn a bad situation into a good one. This might even become his best reason for refusing Li Mu.

  "Your Highness."

  Li Mu responded with a "yes" from inside, and Shu Li pushed open the door and went in.

  Li Mu was still sitting behind the desk, with a stack of documents on it. Seeing the two push open the door and enter the room, putting down what they were holding in their hands, he said: "What's wrong, what happened?"

  "An evil tyrant in the village has been extorting money and it's already been taken care of."

  "En." Li Mu turned his head to Xue Lengyu and said: "Your father's body, is it okay?"

  Xue Lengyu respectfully said: "My father is fine. Thanks to the king's order, Shu Daxian accompanied him on his journey, and also invited Dr. Xu to come and diagnose, our family was able to get through this crisis. I thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

  Li Mu smiled and said: "No harm done. After all, you are a person of my Fengyuan, being bullied outside, the Wangfu has no reason to stand by and do nothing."

  Li Mu smiled like a cat that had caught a mouse, and Xue Lengyu couldn't find any reassurance on his handsome face. He could only say: "If Your Highness has no other business, I'll take my leave and not disturb you while you work."

  Li Mu stood up: "Things have been dealt with, tonight I and friends have an appointment at Drunken Xiao Lou to gather, you come too."

  "Yes." Xue Lengyu didn't dare refuse, lowering her head and standing aside, making way.

  Li Mu walked out while seemingly unintentionally saying, "Leng Yu, actually sometimes your actions are quite unusual, but I still like them. The women in this palace are all the same, but you... hehe... you have a lot of character."

  Li Mu said, already walking out the door, Shu Li also followed out, closely following behind Li Mu. Xue Leng Yu didn't know what Li Mu meant by these words and couldn't respond, so she just followed behind the two of them.

  Do less, say less. If I don't provoke you, can't I avoid you?

  Alright, even if I couldn't hide, isn't hiding for a while still okay?

  Muyu Palace is located on the most prosperous street in the city. Zui Xiang Lou, a well-known restaurant on this street, has a long history and elegant environment, belonging to a quasi-five-star restaurant of this era.

  Li Mu didn't ride a horse, looking like he was in a good mood, with his hands behind his back, he strolled out. Shu Li and Xue Lengyu followed closely behind him, one on the left and one on the right, slightly lagging behind by a step. When they exited the main gate, the young servants guarding the door couldn't help but take an extra glance. It was normal for Shu Li to follow Li Mu, but what was strange was that there was also a maid following closely beside him.

  Li Mu's footsteps were relaxed and at ease. Seeing Xue Lengyu was a bit tense, he couldn't help but say: "Lengyu, I'm just meeting a private friend, you don't have to be so nervous."

  Xue Lengyu smiled dryly: "Friends of the king, must be either rich or noble. I haven't seen much of the world and fear that I would lose face and damage the king's reputation."

  "It's not that formal." Li Mu smiled and said, "I just think you're interesting, having you with me will probably make my mood better. If you remain so stiff all the time, it would be meaningless instead."

  Shu Li, however, was expressionless and looked away, saying that Xue Leng Yu had never seen the world and would not believe it even if she died. A woman who could remain so calm and composed in such a situation, how could she possibly be an ignorant and inexperienced woman?

  "Yes." Xue Lengyu could only say: "I'll try...not to be too nervous."

  Li Mu smiled and stopped talking, afraid that if he said more, Xue Lengyu would become even more tense.

  Before long, they arrived in front of a two-story small building. Although Xue Lengyu didn't know many characters, he could recognize them easily. On the banner that was waving in the wind, three big characters were clearly written: "Zui Xiao Lou" (Drunken Night Building).

  Zui Xiao Lou is indeed a five-star hotel, with a doorman standing at the entrance, dressed more neatly than those of other hotels. The doorman saw Li Mu and his entourage, and hurriedly smiled as he stepped forward: "Prince Mu, you've arrived? Murong Young Master has been waiting for you in the Chrysanthemum Fragrance Hall for quite some time now."