Chapter 231

Reluctant to part with (2)

Mu Mingtang’s heartbeat became irregular since she heard Xie Xuanchen’s words.

‘So it turned out that he was thinking about his health and nothing else. Fortunately, I didn’t say anything that could have caused misunderstanding. Otherwise, it would have been a big problem. Ah…. I should have guessed that he was just being cautious for health reasons.’

On the surface, Mu Mingtang had a relieved expression, but she actually felt a hint of inexplicable disappointment in her heart.

As Xie Xuanchen’s safety was more important than anything, her little anger was not worth mentioning at all. Thinking so, she replied, “Hmm… you are right. Your health is the most important thing. I will consider moving to my chamber when you are completely fine.”

After she finished speaking, she did not forget to glare at him and further added: “Don’t talk nonsense in the future.”

“Yes. “Xie Xuanchen nodded obediently, looking the same as usual, but there was a sense of loss in his heart. For the first time in his life, Xie Xuanchen subtly felt that he would not get the love he desired.

‘So, when the last time I unexpectedly got sick, what Mu Mingtang said was true.’

Although Mu Mingtang said that she liked him and wanted to accompany him forever, in fact, that kind of liking was similar to that of a little girl liking the hero in the play. It was not liking between the two lovers.

Xie Xuanchen felt as if he was living in an illusion this whole time.

Although Xie Xuanchen was a bit disappointed, he also found the current situation somewhat good. Mu Mingtang could fulfil her wish to accompany him as a little girl who worships the hero, and he could continue living in his own illusion and be happy.

After much effort, Xie Xuanchen managed to control his feelings and began to chat-chat with Mu Mingtang as if nothing had happened. Now that the guests have left, both of them also went back to Yulin Hall.

As New Year was the best time to build relations, people visited each other a lot during the New Year season. However, except for people like Zhu Yang Hong who had a deep connection with Xie Xuanchen, no one dared to visit them in person to pay New Year greetings.

Other than that, Xie Xuanchen’s former comrades-in-arms were still serving in the army outside the capital, so it was difficult for them to visit Xie Xuanchen. And more importantly, as the emperor was keeping an eye on Xie Xuanchen, all of them had to be careful.

After Xie Xuanchen and Mu Mingtang returned to Yulin Hall, they were still thinking about their conversation in the main hall and could not concentrate because of it. After staying in a daze for a while, Mu Mingtang decided to go through the gift list to stop her wandering thoughts.

Xie Xuanchen also took a book to read, but he just flipped the pages without reading them. The maids also felt that the atmosphere between the prince and the princess had become awkward after they came back from the main hall. Before meeting the guests, everything was fine.

As the atmosphere in the room became more and more gloomy, the maids tried to minimise their presence and slowly took their leave from the room in order to avoid entering into Xie Xuanchen’s eyes.

Suddenly, a maid came outside the Yulin Hall to deliver a message to Mu Mingtang. Despite the situation inside the room, the maid had to go inside to report.

“Princess, the Jiang family has sent a servant to ask whether the princess will visit the Jiang house tomorrow and what kind of dishes should be prepared?” The maid asked timidly after entering the room.

As a tradition, married women were supposed to visit their paternal family on the second day of the New Year with their husbands. Especially, newly married daughters like Mu Mingtang and Jiang Mingwei must return to their paternal family. 

“Just inform them to prepare dishes that Jiang Mingwei likes. I won’t go.” Mu Mingtang snorted softly and said to the maid. 

After listening to Mu Mingtang’s words, the maid was shocked and kept looking at her without moving.

Seeing that the maid hadn’t gone, Mu Mingtang asked with a frown: “Which family’s servant are you? Can’t you even remember your own ident.i.ty?” 

“I understood, princess.” The maid bowed and hurriedly went outside to deliver the message to the Jiang family servant.

“How can they expect me to visit them on the second day of the New Year? What kind of paternal family are they?” Mu Mingtang muttered while gritting her teeth.