Jiao Yue quickly bowed in salute.
Xuan Yuanjue watched Shen Li as she knelt down. The smile on his lips deepened.
"Why weren't you this well - behaved at noon? Rise."
It had only been a short while since he last saw her, but Xuan Yuanjue felt that her aura had changed. She seemed much gentler now, yet at the same time, she kept a distance. Could it be that going out for a stroll could make a woman gentle?
"At noon when I first met the young master, I didn't know your identity," Shen Li replied with her head down.
Xuan Yuanjue didn't respond. His sharp eyes caught sight of the hairpin on Shen Li's head. He remembered it was the same one she and her maid had worn outside today.
This hairpin was just an ordinary trinket. It looked unremarkable on its own, but on Shen Li's head, he thought it looked extremely beautiful.
"This hairpin suits you very well," Xuan Yuanjue suddenly complimented. "It looks great on you."
Shen Li was stunned for a moment. Then she quickly replied, acting "flattered", "Thank you for your compliment, young master... If the young master has nothing else to say, I'll take my leave."
After saying that, she curtsied again and was about to leave.
Xuan Yuanjue didn't want to let her go so easily. He took a big step forward and blocked her way, his tone tinged with annoyance.
"Did I let you go, little miss?"
Shen Li wanted to force her way out, but whenever she took a step to the left, Xuan Yuanjue would move to the left; when she took a step to the right, he would follow suit. Coupled with his smug smile, she felt like she was about to be driven mad.
"May I ask what else the young master wants? I have important matters to attend to and I'm afraid I can't keep you company any longer."
Shen Li thought silently in her heart: Calm down, calm down. You can't beat him, you can't beat him!
The angrier Shen Li looked, the more Xuan Yuanjue wanted to tease her. "What important matters do you have? Tell me."
"..." Shen Li felt her fists trembling. She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to control herself and punch him the next second.
"I'm going to have a meal. Does the young master even want to interfere in this?"
Shen Li was starting to get impatient. Why was Xuan Yuanjue like a piece of sticky candy that she couldn't shake off? The good mood she had from seeing her brother was completely ruined!
When Xuan Yuanjue heard this "important matter", he burst into laughter. This matter was really important!
"Ah, I see. Coincidentally, I haven't had a meal either. If Miss Shen doesn't mind, could you take me with you?"
Shen Li looked up in disbelief, her eyes wide open. She moved her lips and said dryly, "The young master must be joking with me. Having a meal with the young master would be too presumptuous. Please don't jest."
What was Xuan Yuanjue thinking? Was the wind too strong today and it had blown him silly? She had only met him a few times. Why did he want to have a meal with her?
Hearing Shen Li's euphemistic rejection, Xuan Yuanjue felt a bit unhappy. He had never asked a girl out before in his life. He didn't expect his first invitation to be rejected.
"Do you hate me?"
Shen Li kept a calm face, but shouted in her heart, "Yes, yes! I really hate you!" But on her lips, she still replied lightly, "No..."
"Since you don't hate me, then let's go. Hurry up. I'm starving."
Xuan Yuanjue interrupted her words. He was a domineering man. His first attempt to ask a girl out must succeed! If gentle persuasion didn't work, he would resort to force.
Shen Li's eyes widened. She never expected that Xuan Yuanjue would be so shameless. Was there anyone in the Li Dynasty who asked a girl out like this?
Seeing this, Xuan Shu could only sigh silently in his heart - My lord, if you ask a girl out like this, won't she avoid you next time?
Xuan Yuanjue walked a few steps outside and found that the little girl hadn't followed. She still looked in disbelief and stood there stunned.
He walked back, stood in front of Shen Li, bent down slightly, tilted his head, and raised his eyebrows at her.
"What's wrong? Are you so happy that you're stupid because you're going to have a meal with me? Hurry up. I'll take you to eat something delicious!"
He straightened up and grabbed Shen Li's arm, forcing her to walk forward.
Shen Li didn't know what to do. She quickly pulled her arm out of his hand. "I don't need the young master to lead the way. I can find my own way."
She rubbed her arm. This Xuan Yuanjue had such a strong grip.
Jiao Yue stood there stunned, watching all this. It wasn't until Xuan Shu walked over and said lightly, "Let's go."
As Shen Li walked, she stared at Xuan Yuanjue in front of her. She felt the veins on her forehead throbbing.
Xuan Yuanjue, when I recover my martial arts, I'll surely teach you a lesson!
However, Xuan Yuanjue didn't feel her killing intent at all. He was immersed in the joy of successfully "asking out" the little girl.
The four of them entered the shop and saw the shopkeeper fiddling with the abacus behind the counter.
"Are you free today, young master?" The shopkeeper looked up when he heard the sound and saw Xuan Yuanjue. He greeted him warmly.
Xuan Yuanjue nodded and skillfully found a place for them to sit down.
Xuan Shu shouted loudly, "Shopkeeper, bring some mutton. You can choose the vegetables. And a pot of plum juice."
Xuan Yuanjue looked at Shen Li, thought for a moment, and then shouted, "And a plate of brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes!"
Just hearing the names of these dishes, Shen Li started to drool. This was her favorite shop. Mutton and brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes were always on her order list.
She never expected that Xuan Yuanjue could accurately find out her favorite food. She didn't know if it was just a coincidence or if he had deliberately investigated.
It should be a coincidence. After all, Shen Miao didn't like the mutton and brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes here.
Shen Li didn't realize that her eyes had been fixed on the sign of the brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes. Even the most heartless person would order a plate for her after seeing that look in her eyes.
Jiao Yue didn't dare to sit down. She just stood there.
Shen Li looked at Jiao Yue, pulled her hand, and let her sit beside her. She whispered in her ear, "There's no need to be so formal when we're out."
Jiao Yue nodded nervously.
The shopkeeper served the dishes himself. As he served the dishes, he chatted with Xuan Yuanjue.
"Do you know this young lady, young master? She's a regular customer here."
The shopkeeper looked honest and always had a smiling face. His words were very kind.
Xuan Yuanjue smiled. "What a coincidence."
After saying that, he glanced at Shen Li and found that she was also looking at him. He raised his eyebrows playfully.
Seeing Shen Li turn her head away with a look of disgust, Xuan Yuanjue didn't continue to tease her. He replied to the shopkeeper's question.
"This is the first time I've asked her out for a meal. I thought the mutton here was very delicious, so I brought her here."
Hearing this, the shopkeeper just smiled.
"I'm glad you like it, young master. All the dishes are served. Please enjoy your meal."
After saying that, he stepped back.
Shen Li had been waiting impatiently. But the plate of brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes was a bit far away. She was too embarrassed to reach for it, so she could only be anxious.
Just as Jiao Yue noticed Shen Li's thoughts and was about to serve the dish for her, Xuan Yuanjue picked up the plate of brown - sugar glutinous rice cakes and placed it in front of Shen Li.
"Eat."
"Thank you."
Shen Li wasn't polite. After being hungry for a whole day, she didn't want to restrain herself anymore.
She had a bad reputation outside. Even if others labeled her as a "hungry tiger pouncing on food", she didn't care. Anyway, she didn't plan to get married.