Money talks.
He took out a jade pendant from his bosom, held it carefully in his palm, and respectfully raised it above his head.
"Report to Your Highness, the woman said that you would surely see her after seeing this jade pendant."
Originally, Xiao Hanzhi wanted to just send the servant away, but for some reason, the words on the tip of his tongue wouldn't come out.
He casually glanced at the jade pendant in the servant's hand and was slightly surprised, for the jade pendant looked somewhat familiar from afar. Just by the luster, one could tell it was no ordinary item.
Almost involuntarily, he waved to the servant. "Bring that jade pendant here for me to take a look."
Upon receiving the order, the servant immediately got up from the ground, quickly came to Xiao Hanzhi's side, and presented the jade pendant respectfully.
Xiao Hanzhi picked up the jade pendant and examined it carefully. His heart skipped a beat, for this was the jade pendant he had already given to Shen Miao. But how did it end up back in his hands?
So the woman at the door the servant mentioned must have something to do with Shen Miao. With this thought in mind, Xiao Hanzhi quickly told the servant to bring the woman in.
The servant, overjoyed upon receiving the order, quickly rushed outside, secretly happy that his money was finally in sight.
At this moment, the servant was proud of his bold move just now. Otherwise, the money promised by the woman outside might be gone.
Shen Miao had been waiting anxiously outside the prince's mansion. Although it was getting dark, there were still occasional passers - by on the road. They would all cast a hasty glance at Shen Miao as they looked towards the prince's mansion.
The gazes of the crowd were a bit sharp, so Shen Miao tightened her cloak to hide her face from view.
After waiting outside for a long time, Shen Miao couldn't help but feel anxious. Seeing that the servant hadn't come out for a long time, she thought that Brother Hanzhi didn't want to see her. For a moment, she stamped her feet at the door and was on the verge of crying.
Finally, the door of the prince's mansion opened a crack.
"Does the prince agree to see me?"
The servant nodded. "The prince is waiting for you in the main hall."
Shen Miao lifted her skirt and quickly walked up the steps, heading straight for the main hall. She was very familiar with this place.
She directly entered the main hall.
Xiao Hanzhi was still holding the jade pendant and rubbing it repeatedly in his hand. Suddenly, the person he had been longing for walked into his sight.
After seeing Shen Miao, Xiao Hanzhi dismissed everyone. Shen Miao didn't say a word either. She just stared blankly at Xiao Hanzhi, with a look of pain and reluctance in her eyes. It was precisely this look that captured Xiao Hanzhi's heart. What man wouldn't love such a gentle and considerate woman?
When everyone left and only Shen Miao and Xiao Hanzhi were left.
Shen Miao finally spoke softly. "Brother Hanzhi..."
"Miao'er, why are you here? Weren't you..." Xiao Hanzhi quickly walked to Shen Miao's side and hugged her tightly.
Shen Miao buried her head on Xiao Hanzhi's shoulder and began to sob softly. Countless grievances in her heart were hidden in these silent tears, which slowly soaked Xiao Hanzhi's shoulder.
Far from being disgusted by Shen Miao's tears, Xiao Hanzhi felt even more guilty and heart - broken. The scene from that day gradually flashed before his eyes: his father, the emperor, insisted on exiling the second branch of the Shen family.
Even his plea had been in vain.
Xiao Hanzhi gently patted Shen Miao's back and said softly. "Miao'er, stop crying. You've really suffered."
Gradually, Shen Miao stopped sobbing. She got out of Xiao Hanzhi's embrace, took out the handkerchief from her bosom, and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Then she took a step back, bowed slightly to Xiao Hanzhi, and said. "I was being rude just now. It's just that Miao'er couldn't hide her love for Brother Hanzhi when she saw him. She was extremely aggrieved."
Her tone was a bit reluctant, but more distant.
Xiao Hanzhi was completely confused. He really didn't understand why Shen Miao was talking to him in such a tone. When had they become so distant?
"Miao'er, what are you talking about? If you have any grievances in your heart, just tell me. I will never let you be wronged."
Since Shen Miao had taken a step back, Xiao Hanzhi took a step forward. He reached out and grabbed Shen Miao's wrist, anxiously showing his stance and sincerity.
Shen Miao pretended to struggle to break free from Xiao Hanzhi's hand, but failed. She could only say coldly. "Please respect yourself, Your Highness."
"Miao'er, how have you become like this? I'm your Brother Hanzhi..." Hearing Shen Miao's words, Xiao Hanzhi felt as if his heart was being pricked by needles, twitching painfully.
Suddenly, Shen Miao's eyes turned red again, filled with tears. But she was holding back her tears, looking at Xiao Hanzhi with even more reluctance but also full of sadness.
"Miao'er is just here today to ask Brother Hanzhi one thing. Do you still love me?" Shen Miao's voice choked.
"Of course. You are the only love of my life!"
The originally gentle Shen Miao suddenly flared up. She threw the handkerchief in her hand at Xiao Hanzhi. "But it's spread all over the place. They say you're going to marry the princess of the Western Yue Kingdom!"
The tears that had been welling up in her eyes for a long time finally flowed down. Big drops of tears fell on the floor, leaving small circles.
Xiao Hanzhi felt as if these tears were like magma, burning several holes in his heart.
"Then tell me, what am I? Miao'er managed to reach the capital after hiding and evading all the way. She suffered countless grievances, but she wasn't afraid, because Brother Hanzhi has always been in Miao'er's heart, supporting her to come and find you. But the first piece of news she heard was that Brother Hanzhi was going to get married! What should Miao'er do? It was not easy for her parents to let Miao'er escape, but now Brother Hanzhi doesn't want her anymore. It seems that Miao'er is really all alone..."
Without saying a word, Xiao Hanzhi hugged Shen Miao tightly again. No matter how much Shen Miao struggled, he refused to let go. Shen Miao had no choice but to clench her fists and beat on Xiao Hanzhi's shoulder, but this little strength was nothing to Xiao Hanzhi, like a tickle.
"Miao'er, listen to me. This is my father's idea. Although we are father and son, we are more like monarch and subject! I don't even know the princess of the Western Yue Kingdom. I will marry you. I promise to give you a grand wedding!"
Shen Miao let out a bitter laugh. "Brother Hanzhi must be lying to Miao'er... Forget it. If Brother Hanzhi has lied to Miao'er, Miao'er is also willing. It's just that Miao'er can't let go of her feelings for Brother Hanzhi."