Just as Wei Shuxuan was thinking about how to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Xin Zizhao spoke up. "If you mind sitting next to me, you can sit outside."
"… Humph, you're such a straight - laced guy."
Wei Shuxuan had thought Xin Zizhao was going to say something considerate, but instead, he said such a thing. It made her heart flutter like a little deer. Give back her girlish feelings!
"What do you mean?" Xin Zizhao's gaze fell on Wei Shuxuan. "I've noticed that you always say things I can't understand. Who exactly are you, Wei Shuxuan?"
Being questioned so seriously by Xin Zizhao, Wei Shuxuan felt that she couldn't hide from him for long. However, she still hadn't decided whether to tell him or not.
"I can be honest with you. This is something I've been hiding from you but don't want to tell you for the time being."
Although Xin Zizhao caught a glimpse of the panic in Wei Shuxuan's eyes, in the next second, that panic disappeared, replaced by determination.
Seeing that Xin Zizhao remained silent for so long, Wei Shuxuan had no idea what this man was thinking. She was a bit anxious. What if he really regarded her as an outcast? This was the last thing she wanted to see.
"… I understand. I won't force you until you're willing to tell me," Wei Shuxuan didn't expect Xin Zizhao to say such a thing. She had thought his silence meant silent resistance to her. "Moreover, even if you do tell me, I won't tell anyone else. This will be our secret."
Actually, Xin Zizhao didn't tell her that he had a hunch that if her secret was known to others, she would surely leave him. So, he would keep her secret as their own.
Xin Zizhao was looking at her so intently that Wei Shuxuan's heart was pounding. Since her high - school relationship, she hadn't been in love again and had never felt that fluttery feeling. Now, for the first time, she clearly felt that long - lost feeling of being smitten.
"Alright, stop talking about this. Why don't you explain to me what a straight - laced guy means?"
"Huh?" Wei Shuxuan didn't expect Xin Zizhao to change the topic so quickly. She was still immersed in the feeling of being attracted to him!
Maybe Xin Zizhao's behavior was so natural that Wei Shuxuan felt less burdened. In the carriage, she chattered away with Xin Zizhao again, and soon they arrived at General Long An's mansion.
The two guards standing outside the mansion's gate recognized Wei Shuxuan. The young master had once instructed them that if they saw Young Master Wei coming, they didn't need to announce her arrival but let her in directly.
When out in public, Wei Shuxuan always thought that dressing in men's clothing would attract less attention.
However, when Wei Shuxuan walked through the gate, Xin Zizhao, who was following behind, was stopped by the two guards. Wei Shuxuan quickly told them to let Xin Zizhao go. "You two, let him go quickly. He is the current Fifth Prince! Do you want to commit the crime of insubordination?"
To be honest, Wei Shuxuan just wanted to scare them, but they didn't seem to be intimidated. "We're sorry, Young Master Wei. The young master only allowed you to come in. He didn't allow others, not even the Fifth Prince."
Well, they're quite principled! Wei Shuxuan looked at the two guards with an appreciative look.
"Then go and announce quickly. Say that Young Master Wei and His Highness the Fifth Prince are here. Your young master will know what's going on."
"Yes, Young Master Wei."
Since Xin Zizhao had to wait outside, Wei Shuxuan felt embarrassed to leave him alone, so she also waited outside with him for the guard to come out.
Before long, the guard who had just gone in came out. Looking at Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao, he said, "I'm very sorry, Your Highness the Fifth Prince, Young Master Wei. I'll take you in to see my young master now."
In the main hall of General Long An's mansion, Ge Zian had the servants serve tea and then told the maids to leave. Only the three of them were left in the hall.
"Your Highness the Fifth Prince, Xuan'er, may I ask what brings you here?"
"We're not here to see you. We're here to see your father, General Long An."
"To see my father? What do you want with him?" Ge Zian looked at them in confusion. "If you're here to persuade my father to return to the court and resume his official position, I can tell you that's impossible, unless... His Majesty can re - investigate General Wei's case."
"Yes, that's exactly why we're here. Zian, let me tell you, His Majesty has given me the opportunity to re - investigate this case. So, we're here to learn some details about the case from General Long An."
However, Ge Zian still looked at them in disbelief. "Are you serious? Will His Majesty really re - investigate General Wei's case?"
"Yes. Xin Zizhao spoke to His Majesty personally, and His Majesty promised it himself."
"Okay, I'll go and tell my father right away. Please wait here for a while."
Ge Zian walked quickly towards the garden. As he approached, he heard a soft and gentle female voice. When he entered the garden, he saw his father lying on a lounge chair, listening to a tune. There was also a pot of tea beside him. He walked up to his father. "Father, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" The gentle female voice was lingering in his ears, making it a bit hard for Ge Zian to hear General Long An's voice clearly.
"It's about Uncle Wei Tu's case. His Majesty has promised to send someone to re - investigate it. So, they've come to our mansion. I hope you can tell them the details about the case."
Ge Long'an, who had been closing his eyes to relax, opened them instantly and turned to look at Ge Zian. There was joy in Ge Zian's expression. "Quick, I'll go out to meet those two!"
Ge Long'an stood up. "I won't listen to the opera today. You all go back first. Steward, settle all the debts."
"Yes, master."
Following Ge Zian to the main hall, Ge Long'an saw two young gentlemen sitting in the living room. He recognized one of them. The face looked somewhat like his good friend Wei Tu. But... this kid looked quite effeminate. Could it be a girl in men's clothing?
"Xuan'er, Your Highness the Fifth Prince, this is my father."
"Greetings to General Ge!"
"Don't call me an old general! Humph, I'm not old yet!" Ge Long'an sat on the main seat. He glanced at Xin Zizhao and then bowed. "Commoner Ge Long'an pays respects to the Fifth Prince."
When Wei Shuxuan saw him for the first time, she thought he was a stubborn old man.