Chapter 16. The Strange Guest in the Secluded Courtyard, to a Beauty, Discomfort and Restlessness, the Appearance…

“Young Master Liu is joking. The carriage is spacious, more than enough to seat two or three people.”

Shen Yuan’s eyes were calm, “If Young Master Song truly went to the Shen residence, he would certainly have come with me.”

The forest was windy, leaves affectionately colliding with each other in the air, making rustling sounds.

The sleeves as white as the moon rippled in waves, as if about to transform into an immortal at any moment.

Truly worthy of being the most gorgeous gentleman in the capital.

With this thought, Gu Zhi’s voice softened by several degrees, “Shen Lang.”

She rolled up her sleeves high, loosened her grip on Liu Ming’s fingers, and as her feet moved slightly, she was imperceptibly but tightly locked by the red-robed gentleman beside her.

Liu Ming glanced at her with annoyance, his brows slightly furrowed, “The servant I sent out said Young Master Song went to the Shen residence early in the morning, but now Young Master Shen says he hasn’t seen him. How strange, a person can’t just vanish into thin air.”

“Could it be?”

His tone changed, and he suddenly smiled, “He went to look for his future wife-master whom he hasn’t seen for years?”

“We’ll have to wait for Young Master Song to arrive and let Young Master Liu ask him personally to know,” Shen Yuan had no interest in others’ private affairs. Although he disliked Song Zhi, he didn’t want to tarnish his reputation.

Especially since Liu Ming’s expression clearly showed he was up to no good. He wasn’t stupid, how could he bluntly provide entertainment?

“Isn’t Young Master Shen curious?”

Liu Ming looked askance, deliberately drawing out his words mysteriously, “Which young lady in your household has caught Young Master Song’s eye?”

Is that even a question?

Shen Yuan snorted inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he replied in a deep voice, “Not curious.”

A jar of vinegar had been completely spilled since Gu Zhi wanted to let go earlier. After all, this was the outskirts of the city.

Liu Ming was so sour that his mouth tasted bitter, and his words lacked the usual courtesy, somewhat aggressive.

“Young Master Shen’s expression suggests he knows something. Hm, I’ve heard that the Grand Tutor Shen is a great Confucian scholar in the capital, the family tradition…”

“Isn’t Young Master Liu also just repeating hearsay?” Shen Yuan interrupted loudly, his phoenix eyes, usually filled with affection, now cold and stern, “Besides, rumors stop with the wise. I think Young Master Liu must have been dizzy from the heat earlier to make such a joke.”

“Otherwise, with the Liu family’s manners, they certainly wouldn’t use a noble family’s reputation as a subject for jest.”

“You!”

The fingers, nearly the same color as the moon-white sleeves, lightly pushed the folding fan, truly the epitome of a gentleman’s grace.

Shen Yuan snorted, seeing Liu Ming’s face turn red, unable to curse. He then nodded solemnly, “In any case, Young Master Liu meant no harm, so I won’t hold it against you.”

With that, his eyes curved.

The young man in white against the distant green mountains and woods, his clear gaze seemed to indulge a young family member who didn’t know how to speak properly, filled with helplessness.

Gu Zhi watched, feeling an itch in her heart, but there was important business today. She couldn’t stick close as usual.

She only pinched Liu Ming’s chubby little finger, saying with utmost tenderness, “Alright, Liu Lang, the sun is so strong outside. Why don’t we go in and wait for Young Master Song?”

Liu Ming paused, understanding her urging.

“The Princess is so considerate.”

His voice softened, his eyes glancing darkly at Shen Yuan, recalling something, then smiling pityingly.

Opening the main gate of the secluded courtyard, above the uneven green leaves and red flowers, a three-story pavilion could be seen in the distance.

Several servants in gray robes respectfully led the way in front.

Turning past the corridor, they saw a vast lake surface. A gentle breeze passed, pushing waves one after another, slowly surging towards the shore.

In the center of the lake was that pavilion with glazed tiles. Now, with the sun at its zenith, light scattered on the top of the pavilion, turning into a dazzling five-colored radiance.

Liu Ming instructed the servant beside him, and in a moment, a painted boat approached the shore. He turned slightly to look at Shen Yuan, “Young Master Shen, please.”

The water waves extended, making one’s eyes blur.

Huai An hesitated, “Young Master, you…”

“It’s fine.”

Shen Yuan shook his head. Not many people knew about his fear of water.

Moreover, he and Liu Ming had never been close, so Liu Ming’s choice of this place was probably just a coincidence.

Just looking at it for a few moments, the sparkling waves made the stuffiness in Shen Yuan’s heart grow stronger. He could only wave his hand, asking them to go first.

Gu Zhi helped Liu Ming onto the boat, then turned to support Shen Yuan.