Xie Jia Yan also looked at Hua Chao Fei, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. "No, I don't want to be constrained, and neither does my mother."
"That's boring, but it's fine this way. At least we can still drink and chat together. I wouldn't want to lose a friend like you." Hua Chao Fei raised his tea cup to Xie Jia Yan, a gesture as casual as if he were drinking wine.
"..."
"Oh, right, a pretty young girl came looking for you."
"Mhm!" Xie Jia Yan replied absently, clearly not intending to continue the conversation.
Only Yu Ming Yue could enter his study; no one else would.
Hua Chao Fei clearly sensed this, his face, which could charm any woman, broke into a gossipy smile. "What, are you keeping her hidden away?"
Xie Jia Yan shot him a warning glance. "Watch your mouth. She's still a child."
"What's wrong with a child, a child..." Hua Chao Fei trailed off as Xie Jia Yan's expression visibly turned cold.
Hua Chao Fei immediately conceded. A good-tempered person getting angry was truly terrifying.
"Alright, alright, I won't say any more. But that girl is not to be trifled with. She looks as sweet and soft as a little glutinous rice ball, but she's actually filled with black sesame paste, full of schemes." Hua Chao Fei felt this assessment was quite accurate.
Such a young girl was already so difficult to deal with; if she grew older, she would likely be a menace.
"It's rare for you to praise someone?" Xie Jia Yan scoffed, his tone suggesting he had been at a disadvantage. Yu Ming Yue's nature was always to seek revenge for any wrong done to her.
"Which ear did you hear me praising her from? I'm warning you not to fall for her tricks." Hua Chao Fei snorted, indirectly admitting his own experience.
"You didn't come here just to chat today, did you?" Xie Jia Yan seemed ready to see him out.
"Can't you be less heartless? I plan to stay here for a while, to keep you company." Hua Chao Fei put on a show of good intentions.
Xie Jia Yan glanced at him. "What trouble have you stirred up this time?"
"What are you talking about? Don't you need help lately? My skills in fighting and killing are much better than Bi Kong's, aren't they?"
"This is the capital, there's no need for fighting and killing." Xie Jia Yan chuckled softly.
"You can't be that heartless, can you? Are we still brothers? I just want to stay at your place for a few days."
"You can keep her company for me."
Although Hua Chao Fei had executed the plan perfectly, people's hearts were always suspicious. The Qian Niu Guard and the Yao family had even expanded their search.
"You don't need to worry about her safety. My men are very reliable. Since you asked me to keep her company, then I will. And speaking of which, your mother is a great beauty..."
Hua Chao Fei's words abruptly stopped. He wouldn't say any more, afraid of him.
Having known Hua Chao Fei for so many years, Xie Jia Yan naturally understood his temperament. The Yao family's subtle moves were constant, and he feared Hua Chao Fei might impulsively step in to defend him.
The capital was in a period of turmoil, where a single move could affect the entire situation. The Emperor was suspicious, and attracting unnecessary attention would be detrimental.
At that time, the relationship between the noble families and the court would likely ease due to the rescue of the Seventh Prince, resolving various conflicts and proceeding cautiously.
However, how to proceed cautiously was a difficult problem.
Yu Ming Yue visited the Xie mansion again later. This time, only Xie Jia Yan was in the study.
"Brother Jia Yan, try it quickly!" Yu Ming Yue held a plate of lychees in her hand, already peeled. A layer of ice was spread beneath, making the fruit appear even plumper and more rounded.
Xie Jia Yan, unable to refuse the kind gesture, picked up a piece with a small silver fork. "It's very sweet. Did Bi Kong say you came by this afternoon?" Xie Jia Yan asked proactively.