Chapter 17

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The late spring noon sun is blazing, making the carriage stifling dry and hot. Because there is no suitable camping place, they have been rushing throughout the day in order to reach the designated place by night. The whole day on the road did not have an arranged rest time hence those who have chosen to rest would have to catch up to the ongoing convoy.

After sitting in the carriage for a long time, even her legs were numb, so Mei Li decided to rest and got off the carriage. She walked slowly on foot against the shade of the road.

There were many female family members, and the team did not move really fast. She breathed fresh air while relaxing. Her legs were sore, and she’s not worried about falling behind. She was very comfortable.

The carriage not far ahead of Mei Li also pulled over and she saw Suying got down from it. Apparently, she also couldn’t stay inside any longer so she came out to get some air. When she got off while holding the hands of the two maids, she saw Mei Li walking behind her and hesitated but smiled at her.

Mei Li politely smiled back at her.

Unexpectedly, after Suying sent off the empty carriage away, she stood on the roadside and waited for her to approach. Mei Li was surprised, but Suying frowned and made her seem to understand. Suying… She probably had something to say to her; so Mei Li smiled faintly.

Suying’s two maids are clever and smart, and they have already seen the intentions of their master. When Mei Li and Hong Ling approached, they simply held the maidservant left and right, humored her with a few words and together they distanced themselves from their masters.

Mei Li and Suying smiled at each other, and walked side by side in the shade of the trees. Because the road was not wide, when other carriages pass by, Suying, who was walking on the outside, became a little scared. Mei Li smiled and changed positions with her. Suying smiled gratefully and did not resist.

“Mei Li… Jiejie.”This was the first time they had talked alone, and Suying seemed to be a little awkward to call Mei Li affectionately.

Walking shoulder to shoulder, she picked up the nice scent coming from Suying’s body. The corner of Mei Li’s curled. She remembered Jingxuan’s somewhat ambiguous conversation with her last night; when his fingers rubbed her chin, she had a very strange feeling in her heart. He was the one who sought her out to reprimand her coldly after walking with this beautiful woman. Now she felt so ridiculous.

“You–” Suying hesitated for a while, feeling that she had no other thing to talk about, so she raised her brows and asked straightforwardly, “Do you still like Jingxuan?”

Mei Li looked at her. Does it even make sense to ask like this? Whether she likes Jingxuan or not — has never been the key to the problem. Her mind and feeling have always been ignored so there is no point.

With her stare, Suying was embarrassed and she glanced and pretended to look at the scenery in the distance.

“During youth, it’s inevitable for anyone to be confused.” Mei Li smiled lightly, “But upon growing up, you will understand if you have overestimated yourself and your capabilities.”

Suyoung’s eyebrows didn’t even move at her words, but she lowered her eyes to the path beneath her feet, seemingly walking with great concentration. “I’m sorry, Mei Li jiejie.” She suddenly apologized sincerely, “I know I shouldn’t have asked you that.” She lifted her eyes and looked directly at her.

Mei Li shook her head with a smile, indicating that she did not mind.

With the sound of galloping horseshoes, Mei Li stepped back and turned sideways to give way. She unintentionally raised her eyes to see, but it was Jingxuan and Yonghe who came.

Jingxuan slowed his horse speed, glanced indifferently at Mei Li who had already lowered her eyes, and smiled at Suying. “Why did you get out of the carriage?” he asked in a gentle tone.

“Inside the carriage is stuffy and hot.” Suying pursed her lips and complained, raising her eyes to look at Jingxuan sitting high on the horse. After a few days on the road, his skin was tanned a bit, adding to his manly powerful charm. With his handsome and delicate appearance and wheat-colored skin, he was as heroic as the god of war in the sky, making people breathe unconsciously and hastily.

He smiled, and dismounted in a beautiful fashion. When he passed by Mei Li, he glanced at her again, only to find that she had turned her head to look at Yonghe with a smile. That kind of smile again! That kind of tender smile! Back then she had cried and laughed at him, watched affectionately, and acted coquettishly; but she had never seen her stare at him with such warm eyes!

If she had looked at him with such eyes, would he even hate her so much in the first place?

When she smiled so brightly, her small lips curled into a curve that can make any man fascinated, and even if she had no dimples, it was sweet and breathtaking. Her eyes will be slightly squinted because of the smile, and the watery eyes will flash under her long eyelashes with a charming light that will make any man want to rush over to kiss her.

When she does, she wasn’t the nasty girl who was sullen in her head, but the tender girl with so much affection.

Didn’t she like him? ! Didn’t she keep saying that she wants marry him?! Then, why did she never look at him like this?

Everything in the past was obviously her fault, but she made him seem like he was the heartbreaker.

With cold eyes, he pulled off the rein and the horse‘s front hoofs neighed as it hissed in pain. Mei Li jumped backwards and hit the tree trunk by the road. Her smile was wiped off as she frowned in pain. Jingxuan grunted feeling relieved.

“You feel hotter, don’t you? The sun is scorching.” Suying said heartily, following his footsteps.

“It’s okay.” Jingxuan answered casually.

Suying choked onn the dust from the horse’s hooves and coughed, her slender shoulders swayed slightly. Jingxuan looked at her softly and untied the water pouch tied to the saddle and handed it to her. Suying took it sweetly, but after a few pulls she still couldn’t remove the wooden plug. Jingxuan laughed, dotingly mocked her for her lack of strength, and helped her open it.

While drinking water, Suying smiled and looked behind him. Jingxuan followed her gaze and it turned out that Mei Li was wiping the sweat on Yonghe’s forehead. The tall Yonghe bent over with a smile to match her height.

Mei Li glared at Yonghe as she was very worried, but he didn’t care. She gently opened his neckline and looked in to check whether he had a rash, “Don’t be careless, it’s really blown by the wind, how can I make you so much wormwood water for bathing here on the road…” As she nagged, her hand was pulled off from his neckline.

She was a little puzzled, but when she went to look at Yonghe, she found him blushing. She was taken aback and realized that her movements were too ambiguous. Her face also burned, and she turned away in chagrin.

Seeing her shy, Yonghe laughed.

Mei Li glared at his boots and rolled her eyes and then she turned and ran to her carriage. Yonghe laughed in place for a while before he chased her. The road was narrow, and when he passed Jingxuan’s horse, he smiled to greeting him and Suying. After Jingxuan gave him a cold look, but Yonghe secretly curled his lips. This time, Jingxuan was also with his future wife, so he shouldn’t be blamed for being distracted and lazy! They are in the same boat!

“Yonghe and Mei Li get along so well.” Suying said as she looked at Yonghe, who was leading his horse beside the Mei Li carriage. He was also talking to the Meili in a low voice.

Mei Li leaned outside to hand him a small pot. Yonghe raised his head and drank it. He sighed cheerfully that even though they were a few steps away, they were able to hear him clearly, “It’s really delicious to drink sour plum soup¹ at this time.”

Suying said with a little unease, “Mei Li jiejie is very good at taking care of people.”

Jingxuan snorted coldly, “She?! She doesn’t even know shit! She’ll just cause trouble for him!”

He looked at the beautiful side face Mei Li’s face, and the expression of Yonghe’s smile and felt an inexplicably wave of anger.

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Note:

酸梅汤 (suanmeitang) sour plum soup or also called sour prune drink is a traditional Chinese beverage made from smoked plums, rock sugar, and other ingredients such as sweet osmanthus. At present, you can buy this drink ready-made in convenience stores.

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