It was the outstanding and handsome Heir Pei.
Today, the sun was shining brightly, and Qu Fulan felt drenched in sweat after walking for a short while. Yet, Heir Pei seemed unaffected by the scorching sun, exuding an aura of noble elegance and being refreshingly composed.
During that accidental bump earlier, she could even feel the coolness from his body.
Was it due to his strong martial arts skills?
Just as she was pondering how to start explaining, Heir Pei's cool voice came from above her head.
"You reckless girl, who are you hurrying to serve?"
Qu Fulan: "… I mistakenly thought I bumped into a distinguished guest of the mansion, hence my words. I pay my respects to the Princely Heir."
Pei Ji'an noticed her pale and sickly face and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong with you?"
Qu Fulan stepped back two steps and covered her nose with a handkerchief, "I am unwell and fear spreading illness to the Princely Heir. I shall take my leave."
Heir Pei stood with one hand behind his back, tall and dignified. Upon hearing this, he frowned, "If you are sick, why not take a leave of absence?"
"I have requested leave. I just came out to ask a question and will return to Fushou Hall now."
Heir Pei waved his hand, dismissing her.
After she left, he instructed the attendant behind him, "Call for a doctor to check on her."
Even the mansion's doctor would not actively attend to servants unless ordered by the masters.
The attendant responded and was about to leave when Pei Ji'an raised his hand to stop him: "Forget it."
He almost forgot that the girl knew some medical skills herself.
The attendant was left a bit confused, contemplating whether to go or not.
Pei Ji'an's gaze fell to the distance, where guests gathered in small groups, chatting.
On the other side, a servant noticed the master was missing and anxiously said, "He was just here, how did he disappear while I was arranging the carriage?"
Another replied, "Let's wait a bit longer; perhaps he ran into an acquaintance and got pulled away to socialize."
"Weren't you serving the Heir just now? How do you not know where he's gone?"
"I just went to relieve myself, nature calls."
"You..."
"Earlier, did you clearly see someone coming this way?" Pei Ji'an slightly narrowed his eyes and asked.
The attendant regained his composure and replied, "I saw clearly. Prince Xiao, who was about to leave, suddenly came back to the back garden."
Though the Pei and Xiao families were sworn enemies, they often mingled in social scenes. Therefore, Xiao Family members also attended today's wedding at Pei Mansion.
The reverse was true as well.
However, knowing the sensitive nature of his status, it was peculiar for him to not leave when he should and venture into someone's back garden. Originally, it wouldn't be an issue if he went with someone else, but he suddenly went alone.
This unusual behavior naturally warranted some attention.
While the Pei Family had no disgraceful secrets, there were still areas not suitable for outsiders.
"Send someone to look for him discreetly, and don't disturb the other guests."
"Yes."
If there were a third-party perspective overlooking the back garden of Pei Mansion from above, an interesting phenomenon would be observed.
Just as Qu Fulan left the water pavilion, someone arrived.
And who else could it be if not Prince Xiao?
The girls in the pavilion had not left yet. This spot offered the best view to see many guests and feast their eyes, so they naturally wouldn't leave easily.
They never expected not to spot Prince Xiao at the lively banquet, yet here he was.
The world always said that Heir Pei was like a jade among people, unmatched as a gentleman. But actually, otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying of 'Nan Shiqing, Bei Ji'an.'
The noblewomen of the Capital City were captivated by Heir Pei's gentlemanly demeanor, and naturally, they were also drawn to Prince Xiao's cold aloofness.
Both were excellent and similarly renowned.
However, Heir Pei was slightly more popular because he seemed more gentle and affable, while Prince Xiao was stern, introverted, and icy as iron.
Naturally, young ladies preferred the elegant and courteous gentlemen.
Yet, this did not hinder their shyness and excitement when facing Prince Xiao.
Led by Miss Zheng, the young ladies all greeted Prince Xiao in unison.
"We greet Prince Xiao."
Xiao Shiqing frowned at the group of twittering sparrows before him, not spotting the familiar figure he sought.
Could he have seen it wrong just now?
With a serious demeanor, Xiao Shiqing did not take the ladies in front of him seriously and, with a slight nod, turned to leave.
The girls left behind looked bewildered.
Miss Zheng bit her lip, mustered courage, and chased after him, "Is Prince Xiao looking for someone? If you tell us, perhaps we might know."
It was a lie, merely an excuse to spend more time with Prince Xiao.
In the Capital City, there were few handsome men with family backgrounds, but many unmarried girls. In such a "too many monks and too little porridge" situation, the girls wished to use every means at their disposal to find their ideal match.
Encounter one, try with one—what if luck was on their side?
Xiao Shiqing looked at the girl who stopped him, felt impatience slip past his heart, initially intending to ignore her. Her words, however, made him pause, and he opened his mouth, unsure of how to begin.
After some contemplation, he asked, "Did anyone leave earlier from here?"
Miss Zheng didn't expect he really came to find someone; to search among the girls meant he was looking for a woman.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, she responded, "Before we came, there was no one here. Since we arrived, we've stayed here, and no one has left early. If the Princely Heir doesn't believe it, he can ask them."
Upon hearing this, the other girls approached one by one. The closer they got to Prince Xiao, the more their hearts raced, "Miss Zheng is right. We've been here enjoying the scenery and no one left early. Who is the Princely Heir looking for?"
The girls weren't lying; they simply didn't consider servants as people, excluding them from their count.
A trace of gloom flashed in Xiao Shiqing's eyes, and he refrained from speaking further. Raising his hand in a salute to the others, he turned to leave.
The faces of the girls left behind all showed expressions of disappointment.
Qu Fulan was unaware of her fortunate escape from a predicament.
After returning to Fushou Hall and taking medicine, she fell into a deep sleep. She was so deep in slumber that she did not even notice when her roommates returned to sleep.
And she dreamed again. Perhaps it was because she was scared by the three words "Xiao Shiqing" during the day, resulting in a long dream.
It started back when the heroine was still a daughter of an official family, dreaming of her as childhood sweethearts with Xiao Shiqing, their families equally matched, only waiting for her to come of age for their engagement.
Due to an incident, the heroine's whole family was executed, the men exiled, and the women enslaved.
The heroine was bought by the Pei Family as a maid, but she always hoped her beloved would one day come to rescue her, given their mutual affection.
Waiting for her beloved's rescue became the heroine's sole reason to live.
Then they met at the Pei family wedding, and Xiao Shiqing promised Heir Pei conditions—accumulating merits within two years to exchange for freeing the heroine.
With such a great kindness, the heroine naturally pledged herself to Xiao Shiqing and went home with him.
The heroine believed all hardships had ended and a beautiful life was about to begin, little knowing she was descending into an abyss.
In the eyes of Xiao Shiqing's family, the heroine was already unworthy of the male protagonist, especially since she had been a maid, and who knew if she was still pure?
Xiao Shiqing was busy with work and couldn't always be at home with the heroine. Living at Xiao Shiqing's place, rumors surrounded the heroine, leaving her isolated with no one to confide in.
Later, a cousin visited Xiao Shiqing's family, the one everyone in his family was satisfied with. They began scheming against the heroine, causing her to retreat in defeat.
When the heroine was completely isolated, she made many foolish mistakes. In one of the traps set for her, she injured that cousin, leading Xiao Shiqing to become disappointed with her and marry the cousin instead.