Perhaps because there was no need to worry about his identity being exposed in the Li Mansion, Xiao Jingcheng was not wearing the yellow talisman to cover his face at this moment. When he was supported out of the door by Taoist Yuanzheng just now, he was seen clearly by the three maids beside Jiang Mian.
Suyu and the others had never seen such a handsome young master before. They were extremely surprised at first, but after Jiang Mian turned around and left, they quickly withdrew their gazes and followed her.
However, Suyu was still curious. She asked in a low voice, "Miss, why is there a young master in the mansion?"
Actually, asking this question was quite overstepping. As soon as she asked it, Suyu immediately realized she had said too much. She thought Jiang Mian would not answer, but Jiang Mian let out a soft snort.
"He's a guest who came to our mansion with Taoist Yuanzheng. He's an annoying guy. Just ignore him."
Annoying guy...
Suyu never expected Jiang Mian to say these three words. She was stunned for a moment and couldn't help laughing.
Suxue and Sulan were also laughing.
Jiang Mian glared at the three of them. "What are you laughing at?"
Suyu then said, "Miss says he's an annoying guy, but it doesn't sound like you really dislike him."
Jiang Mian was stunned and extremely annoyed. She gritted her teeth and reminded them, "Watch your words."
Suyu tried to hold back her laughter. "Yes, yes. This servant won't say anything anymore."
There was only one way to the flower hall. After rounding the pillar, Jiang Mian met Taoist Yuanzheng and Xiao Jingcheng. Because of the maids' joking, when Jiang Mian saw Xiao Jingcheng, she glared at him twice more.
"Jiang..." Xiao Jingcheng opened his mouth to greet her, but Jiang Mian spoke before him. He could only touch his non - existent nose ash and gave a helpless smile.
"You're right, Taoist. I'm afraid I really offended her somewhere."
He must figure out why he had made her angry. Now that Mo Zhizhang was not around, this was the best opportunity to improve their relationship!
In the flower hall, Li Zhao and Jiang Zhiqing were already there, and the table was filled with sumptuous breakfast.
There was a cook and ingredients in the mansion. They didn't need to go out to buy breakfast today. Moreover, the food on the table included the flavors of the capital and Cangzhou, looking very sumptuous.
"Eldest Young Master is awake," Jiang Zhiqing said to Xiao Jingcheng with a smile. She pushed the breakfast with the capital's flavor towards him. "Just now I was telling my husband that I was worried that Eldest Young Master would sleep all the time and miss our wedding banquet."
Xiao Jingcheng also smiled and said, "Maybe he was concerned about Uncle Li and Aunt Li's wedding in his heart, so he woke up today. He will surely be able to drink a toast to your wedding tomorrow."
"Today Mujuan and I will go to the villa to live first. We'll get married from the villa early tomorrow morning," Jiang Zhiqing explained. "If Eldest Young Master and the Taoist need anything in the mansion, just tell the servants. We've been through thick and thin together on this journey. Our friendship is extraordinary. You can just consider this place your own home."
Taoist Yuanzheng said cheerfully, "Naturally, naturally. When have I ever been polite to you?"
Xiao Jingcheng glanced at Jiang Mian, who hadn't given him a single look since entering the room. He rolled his eyes and said, "When Aunt Li and Little Sister go to the villa, could you give me a ride?"
This remark made Li Zhao also look up at him.
Under Li Zhao's inquisitive gaze, Xiao Jingcheng explained, "Since I'm going to attend your wedding tomorrow, it's not appropriate to go empty - handed. I'll go out to pick some gifts for you as a token of my regard."
Only then did Li Zhao say, "You're so kind - hearted. It's enough for you to come. Gifts are not necessary."
Jiang Zhiqing also chimed in, "Yes, it's already great that you woke up at this time."
But Xiao Jingcheng still insisted, "Anyway, the courtesy cannot be neglected."
Jiang Zhiqing and Li Zhao glanced at each other and agreed. "Okay, then you can go out of the mansion with us later."
Among the people at the table, only Jiang Mian guessed that Xiao Jingcheng's intention of going out with them was not that simple. She was curious in her heart, but she was still angry, so she didn't want to talk to him at all. She just chatted and laughed with Li Zhao and Jiang Zhiqing.
How could Li Zhao and Jiang Zhiqing not notice her abnormality? They guessed that the two must have had another quarrel, so they didn't say much.
They would get married tomorrow, and there were endless trivial matters in the mansion. Since Jiang Zhiqing would go to the villa after noon, things became even more urgent.
Time quietly passed in the busy work. In the blink of an eye, it was already afternoon. After checking the items they were going to take, Jiang Zhiqing and Jiang Mian were about to go to the villa.
After walking two steps, Jiang Zhiqing patted her head. "Right, I almost forgot about Eldest Young Master. Mujuan, go and call him."
Jiang Mian reluctantly let go of Jiang Zhiqing and walked towards the east wing with Suyu and the others. Just as they reached the door, the door was opened from the inside.
Xiao Jingcheng was standing behind the door. He smiled at Jiang Mian. "Little Sister, I'll have to trouble you again."
Jiang Mian paused for a moment. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Young Master Jing is physically weak. Sulan and Suxue, go and support Young Master Jing."
Sulan and Suxue responded and stepped forward to hold Xiao Jingcheng's arms on each side.
Xiao Jingcheng was so angry that he almost gritted his back teeth.
After they got out of the main gate, the carriages were already waiting outside. Besides the two carriages they used when leaving Cangzhou, there was an extra, more spacious and better - made carriage.
When they were on the road before, they took turns driving the carriages themselves. But now, each of the three carriages had a coachman, so they didn't need to do it themselves anymore.
Sure enough, after returning to Luozhou and resuming the Li family name, Li Zhao had become more generous.
Among the three carriages, the extra one was naturally prepared for Xiao Jingcheng.
But when it was time to get on the carriage, he insisted on squeezing into Jiang Mian's carriage.
"Aunt Li, I have something to talk to Mujuan," he said to Jiang Zhiqing seriously.
Remembering Jiang Mian's abnormality in the flower hall just now, Jiang Zhiqing held back her laughter and said, "In that case, you two can ride in the same carriage."
She then instructed Jiang Mian, "Mother will go to the villa first to make arrangements. Mujuan, don't be in a hurry. First send Eldest Young Master to the shop to pick out gifts, and then come over."
Jiang Mian was very awkward at this moment.
She was still angry and didn't really want to talk to Xiao Jingcheng, but she also wanted to know what he really wanted to say to her. After hesitating for a while, she replied stiffly, "Got it, Mother."
The two carriages left the Li Mansion and drove steadily on the bluestone - paved road. The maids and the coachman sat on the carriage shaft together. Inside the carriage, there were only Jiang Mian and Xiao Jingcheng.
Jiang Mian leaned against the carriage wall and lifted the curtain to look outside. She had no intention of paying any attention to Xiao Jingcheng.
Xiao Jingcheng looked at her profile and quickly recalled his every move last night in his mind.
Which thing had offended her?
It seemed that after eating that bowl of noodles last night, she had been unwilling to talk to him.
What did he say at that time?
[I'll leave soon. I won't stay here to make things difficult for you.]
A flash of inspiration came to his mind. Could it be this sentence?
He steadied himself and said,
"Jiang Mian, I was wrong."