She also repeatedly suggested that he should go to express his thanks in person. Since it was inconvenient for her to leave home, she would not accompany him.
Xia Tingfeng felt that he had not misjudged her.
The woman he admired is indeed unassuming and forthright, with a broad and magnanimous heart!
The tenderness in his eyes grew deeper.
He carefully put away the letter and returned to his room.
Back in his room, Xia Tingfeng picked up his pen and wrote her a reply with a smile.
In the letter, he said he would definitely go to visit Miss Ye Tang and express his gratitude in person.
「...」
In the evening, Ni Manxue received his reply.
Her face flushed red as she eagerly tore open the envelope and swiftly read the few lines it contained.
Her eyes brimmed with delight.
"He said he will go!"
Ni Manxue jumped up with joy.
Dong’er teased her from the side, "Miss, are you that eager for Marquis Xiahou to visit Miss Ye? With this life-saving favor, and with them meeting, aren’t you afraid..."
Ni Manxue paused for a moment, then lightly tapped her and chided, "You silly girl, what are you talking about! The Marquis is not that kind of person!"
"Don’t ever say such things again!"
Xia Tingfeng was now a Third-rank Marquis Zhongyong, a title bestowed by the Emperor. Everyone who met him had to address him respectfully as "Marquis."
It wasn’t just the Ni Family; everyone had to address him this way.
Dong’er nimbly dodged and made a face.
"Understood, future Lady Hou!"
Ni Manxue’s cheeks instantly turned blood red.
"You impudent girl! If you dare spout such nonsense again, see if I don’t give you a thrashing!"
With that, she chased Dong’er all over the room.
"I think you’re the one eager to get married! Later, I’ll talk to Mother and have you married off!"
Dong’er’s face also turned red, and she pleaded as she ran, "Miss, I won’t dare... I won’t dare again..."
Only then did Ni Manxue stop. She ceased the chase and sat down at the table to sip some tea.
She carefully placed the letter into a brocaded box and secured it with an intricate little lock.
Afterward, she grew a little worried.
"Do you think my letter wasn’t clear? I don’t even know where Miss Ye lives myself! And how did we even get there?"
Dong’er, sitting on a low stool nearby, propped her chin in her hand and thought for a long while before saying, "Miss, I don’t remember either!"
"We were... lost, weren’t we? And just wandered over there in a daze, I think!"
Ni Manxue pondered deeply and, after a moment of vexation, finally shook her head.
"I really can’t recall!"
"Forget it! This must be our fate!"
Since it’s fate, the Marquis should... still be able to find her, right?
「...」
After washing up and bathing, Dong’er took the lamp and left.
Miss Ni lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Dong’er’s teasing words echoed in her mind.
A life-saving favor, repeated interactions... could it turn into something else? Letting her future husband go and find another woman... It would be a lie to say she felt nothing at all. But... that was a life-saving favor, after all! Miss Ye had not only saved his life but her own life as well! She truly couldn’t bring herself to do something so unconscionable. Moreover, she was quite certain the Marquis wouldn’t do such a thing either. A life-saving favor is akin to being given a new life; one must express gratitude in person!
After thinking it through, Ni Manxue felt she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Having come to this realization, she heaved a long sigh of relief.
"Whatever! Time to sleep!"
With her conscience at ease, her sleep was sweet, and she slept soundly until dawn.
「...」
Two days later, Xia Tingfeng indeed set out in a carriage, personally heading to the dense forest by the canal, a hundred *li* away.
This time, for safety reasons, all three of his sworn brothers shamelessly insisted on following. That was one thing, but even the Emperor dispatched dozens of Hidden Guards to protect him.
This left him utterly exasperated.
This... It’s been so long, do they still think I’m made of paper?
Zhao Junyao had a very good reason for this.
We are doing this for Our Qingqing’s sake. If you get injured again, or if anything happens to you, Our Qingqing will surely be heartbroken! So...
If Xia Ruqing knew, she would definitely despise him in her heart:
Emperor, if you care about your favored official, why drag me into it?
Regardless, this group was determined to follow him.
Xia Tingfeng, helpless and unable to resist, could only acquiesce.
He once mocked a certain landlord’s foolish son, who couldn’t even leave the house without bringing so many house servants to fight for him. What a good-for-nothing! Now... he himself had become a good-for-nothing like that landlord’s foolish son. Indeed, what goes around comes around!
As he traveled, Xia Tingfeng mused, contemplating the true meaning of life.
The carriage was loaded with many gifts.
There was gold, jade, and various kinds of jewelry.
Considering the recipient was a young lady, he even brazenly asked the Emperor for many foreign cosmetics, like rouge and powders, that were tribute items.