Chapter 135: The Journey

Su Liluo gave a dry, awkward laugh, not knowing how to respond. She feared that saying the wrong thing might lead the Heir of An’nan to further misunderstandings. Observing Yun Yanyi’s leisurely demeanor, she asked curiously, "With the severe drought in Jiangnan, the people are suffering terribly. I thought you were busy handling Jiangnan affairs, Your Highness, so why are you so free now?"

Yun Yanyi cast a languid glance at her and retorted, "I am not made of iron. I cannot devote my entire life to official business; I must find some other amusement from time to time."

Su Liluo curled her lip, unwilling to listen to his nonsense. He could find amusement anywhere, yet he chose to accompany her to the manor. His presence made her feel uneasy, and she feared that if she couldn't help herself and started bickering with Prince Yi, it would be awkward if Lady Anping and the others noticed. Preoccupied by these thoughts, Su Liluo remained silent for a long time, drawing the gaze of the Heir of An’nan, who had been watching her for quite a while.

"Is Miss Su unwilling to speak with me?" the Heir of An’nan asked softly. He had called her name several times, but she had not responded.

Hearing this, Su Liluo’s dazed eyes finally settled on him. Realizing what he meant, she quickly waved her hands, fearing a misunderstanding. "No, Heir, that is a heavy accusation. I was merely lost in thought; I did not mean to ignore you."

Her words made him feel much better, while Yun Yanyi, watching from the side, sneered. Seeing Su Liluo offer even a hint of a smile to the young man, he felt an unpleasant pang in his heart.

"Are you two planning to reminisce about old times?" No sooner had the words left Yun Yanyi's mouth than he received a sharp glare from Su Liluo. This Prince Yi really did not know how to speak; her relationship with the Heir of An’nan was perfectly innocent.

The Heir of An’nan, fearing that Yun Yanyi might misunderstand Su Liluo, quickly spoke up in her defense. "Your Highness, please do not misunderstand. It is only because of Anping that I have met Miss Su a few times. Your words might tarnish Miss Su's reputation; I hope you will be more careful with your speech."

Yun Yanyi lost interest in continuing the conversation. In this young man's eyes, Su Liluo was clearly a paragon of virtue, and there was no point in shattering his illusions. The Heir of An’nan looked at Su Liluo with burning eyes, recalling her charitable actions from before, and praised her loudly, "Miss Su is truly a kind soul. Your generous donation earlier earned the admiration of us all."

Su Liluo smiled modestly. "You are too kind, Heir. It was merely following my heart." Knowing that she was not as noble as the Heir imagined, she lowered her head in shame.

Unable to bear watching her show shyness toward another man, Yun Yanyi said coldly, "Miss Su doesn't feel the pinch at all. She has plenty of silver; that was merely a drop in the ocean. It is a pity you think she is doing it entirely for the common people."

Hearing him expose her, Su Liluo offered a cold smile and glared at him vengefully, though she said nothing.

The atmosphere in the carriage turned awkward. Seeing her irritation, Yun Yanyi felt a strange sense of satisfaction and sat back in a leisurely, self-satisfied manner, which only made Su Liluo find him all the more eyesore.

***

The Heir of An’nan remained oblivious to the atmosphere in the carriage, his eyes fixed on Su Liluo. He wanted to say more but didn't know where to begin, feeling somewhat restless.

Just then, the voice of Lady Anping drifted in from outside. Su Liluo sighed in relief. "Sister Liluo, would you like to come out and ride a horse?"

Su Liluo lifted the curtain slightly and asked with pleasant surprise, "Would you be willing to teach me, Lady?"

"Of course! Come out, Sister Liluo. Let's ride together and leave the carriage to my brother and the others." Sensing the heavy silence inside—as Yun Yanyi was still there—Lady Anping had come to the rescue, fearing Su Liluo felt uncomfortable.

When Su Liluo saw both men in the carriage staring at her, she felt her scalp tingle and quickly agreed. "Wait a moment, Lady, I am coming down."

The Heir of An’nan watched helplessly as his beloved stepped out of the carriage to join his sister. He looked at Yun Yanyi with an innocent expression, only to find his expression quite ominous. The two men sat in the carriage in silence, locking eyes in a mutual, uncomfortable stare.

Once Su Liluo stepped out of the carriage, the air felt fresh. Compared to the stifling atmosphere inside, she took a deep, refreshing breath, feeling completely at ease.

Lady Anping rode over leisurely, and Su Liluo, feeling envious, asked anxiously, "Lady, where should I start learning?" She had never ridden a horse before but had always admired those who looked spirited and heroic in the saddle. Now that the opportunity had arrived, she could hardly wait.

"Don't be in a hurry, Sister Liluo," Lady Anping said happily. "Someone, bring the horse over. You should get familiar with it first."

Lady Anping dismounted to let Su Liluo get accustomed to the horse. Su Liluo stroked its ears and back, and as the horse stomped its hooves in contentment, Su Liluo’s face lit up with a smile.

"Alright, Sister Liluo, let me help you up." Su Liluo could wait no longer. As Lady Anping let go, she climbed into the saddle with help, nearly slipping once, but clutching tight, she managed to steady herself. Once seated, she felt her horizon suddenly expand.

Su Liluo held the reins and let the horse take a few steps, while Lady Anping mounted her own horse. "Sister Liluo, I will have someone lead the horse slowly so you can adapt, otherwise we will delay our journey."

Su Liluo nodded with a smile. "You are right, Lady, this is perfect." Anything was better than being squeezed into the carriage with those two noble men and enduring that constant, stifling tension.

***

Inside the carriage, the two men heard the laughter outside. The sound of the woman’s joyful voice stirred the Heir of An’nan, and he wanted to lift the curtain to look, but seeing Yun Yanyi glaring at him, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He laughed awkwardly and asked curiously, "Your Highness, why do you have the time to accompany me in escorting my sister to the manor today? Are you not busy with state affairs?"

He watched as Yun Yanyi cast a faint glance his way and uttered a single word: "Idle." The answer was so brief that the Heir of An’nan didn't know how to respond, so he could only chuckle foolishly. "It seems you haven't been busy lately, Your Highness. That is good. The manor has many fresh farm products; you can taste them when we arrive."

"What about you, Heir?" Yun Yanyi asked. "There was no need for you to come along to escort your sister. Why did you make a special trip today?" Yun Yanyi understood what the Heir of An’nan was thinking, and his eyes grew cold; he simply wanted to hear the man admit it himself.

The Heir of An’nan seemed to recall something, his eyes softening. Looking straight ahead, he said candidly, "Miss Su is a wonderful girl. I like her very much, and I want her to like me too, so that she may one day become my wife."

The bluntness of his words made Yun Yanyi deeply uncomfortable. He didn't know why, but hearing someone express a desire to marry Su Liluo made him want to beat the man until he couldn't stand. *So, there are actually people willing to have Su Liluo,* he thought to himself.

Yun Yanyi’s expression darkened. The Heir of An’nan glanced occasionally at his sister and his beloved outside. Though the carriage remained quiet, they were each occupied with their own thoughts, and the manor soon came into view.

The manor steward and the servants were waiting at the gate. Seeing the entourage approach and recognizing their Lady on horseback, they knelt to pay their respects. "This servant greets the Lady."

After the Heir of An’nan and Yun Yanyi dismounted, the servants rushed to offer their greetings. Su Liluo and Lady Anping remained in their saddles for a long time, neither moving. Both women had flushed faces and felt a bit dizzy.

"What is the matter?" The Heir of An’nan noticed something was wrong. Stepping forward, he heard Lady Anping say uncomfortably, "Brother, I feel unwell. Please help me down."

Hearing this, he hurriedly helped Lady Anping down with great care. Seeing that Su Liluo still hadn't moved, he asked, "Is Miss Su also feeling unwell?" The Heir of An’nan guessed that they had been out in the sun for too long and were suffering from heatstroke.