"Oh?"
Mu Changxi's tone had become curious.
He gestured to Song Chaoyu with his chin. "Sit down and tell me about your old acquaintance."
In fact, the moment she saw the scar, Song Chaoyu had already identified him as Han Xi.
But now he was Mu Changxi, whether he couldn't be Han Xi, or he didn't want to be Han Xi.
The past, however it was, could only be buried in Song Chaoyu's heart alone, never to be brought up again, right?
She didn't know why the current Prince Chang would appear in that small manor and become Han Xi.
All she knew was that even to protect her aunt, she couldn't say anything or do anything.
If such a shocking secret were known, it was likely that she and her mother would be utterly annihilated!
So Song Chaoyu obediently sat down beside Mu Changxi. "Your Highness… what would you like to hear?"
Mu Changxi rotated his wooden wheelchair, positioning himself to face Song Chaoyu. "This old acquaintance, what relation is he to you?"
Song Chaoyu tried her best to keep her tone calm. "When I lived in the manor before, he was an older brother of a neighbor."
Mu Changxi smiled. "They all say you are an illegitimate daughter, raised in the manor for many years. You don't shy away from admitting such an identity?"
Song Chaoyu gave a wry smile. "What is there to shy away from? Since everyone says so, it's better to admit it generously."
Mu Changxi nodded. "Continue. What kind of person was he?"
Asking the obvious.
Song Chaoyu could only answer this question with nostalgia for Han Xi in her heart. "Gentle, kind, sunny, and cheerful."
Mu Changxi frowned. "Just eight words?"
Song Chaoyu smiled. "These eight words are enough."
At this, Mu Changxi gently lowered his head. "Where is he now?"
This question was truly making things difficult for her…
Was he testing her?
Song Chaoyu felt a little flustered, but could only maintain a calm exterior. "This humble one does not know. Before I left the manor, he told me he was going to the capital to work, and from then on, I lost all contact. I thought, either he is living very well and has probably forgotten me, or something has happened to him, preventing him from sending word of his well-being. It can only be one of these two!"
Mu Changxi asked again. "Which one do you hope it is?"
Song Chaoyu finally raised her head slightly, but she dared not look into Mu Changxi's eyes.
She just looked up, staring at the painting of a farewell at the pavilion on the roof of the pavilion, and sighed in her heart. "I hope he is living very well."
Mu Changxi did not understand. "If he is living very well, he would have to forget you. Do you still wish for that?"
What exactly did he want to know?
Song Chaoyu did not understand.
But at this moment, she could only follow her heart and say these words. "I hope he is living very well. Even if he forgets me, I still hope so. He was very good to me, always taking care of me. So as long as he is living well, what does it matter if he remembers me or not?"
"As long as he is living well, what does it matter if he remembers or not?"
Mu Changxi murmured Song Chaoyu's words.
After a moment, he chuckled. "You are quite insightful. You never thought of looking for him?"
"I did."
Song Chaoyu answered truthfully. She found that in front of Mu Changxi, she couldn't lie. "I didn't look for him before because I was not in control of my own life. I didn't look for him later because I already knew he should be doing well."
Mu Changxi's gaze paused.
He sighed, as if he had to get to the bottom of it. "How do you know he is doing well?"
Song Chaoyu really didn't want to answer this question anymore.
But he was now Prince Chang, how could she not answer?
She finally looked at Mu Changxi, meeting those eyes she had always feared.
But this time, Song Chaoyu's gaze was sincere and generous. "I remember when I was little, I fell from a tree once. He caught me firmly in his arms, but he himself was scratched. Look, what a kind and wonderful person he is. If such a person were not living well, I fear even heaven would not tolerate it."
Yes, Song Chaoyu couldn't help herself.
She knew he was Han Xi.
So if he was Han Xi, he would definitely not kill her to keep a secret.
Because he knew she wouldn't reveal the secret.
He would be even less likely to kill her, who had grown up with him.
Even if Song Chaoyu was gambling, she knew she was bound to win.
As expected.
Mu Changxi opposite her was stunned for a moment, then smiled with relief, and couldn't help but gently touch the scar on the back of his right hand with his left hand. "When did you know?"
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, the sense of loss in her heart still taking root and sprouting. "Just now, when you entered the room."
Mu Changxi sighed. "Do you have many questions now?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "No, I only have one question."
Mu Changxi was puzzled. "What question? I can answer it for you today."
Song Chaoyu couldn't help but look at Mu Changxi's legs as he sat in the wooden wheelchair. "Do your legs hurt?"
Do they hurt?
This question, like a thorn, pierced Mu Changxi's heart.
He never expected that Song Chaoyu's concern would be about such a thing!
He didn't ask why he was Mu Changxi, nor why he had lied to her, but asked if his legs hurt.
"They don't hurt."
Mu Changxi's voice trembled almost imperceptibly. "I never intended to reveal my identity to you today."
Song Chaoyu nodded. "I know."
She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, feeling as if a deep chasm now lay between them. He was right before her eyes, yet unreachable.
"Don't worry."
Mu Changxi spoke first. "You know my secret, and I won't harm you, nor will I let anyone harm you. The years spent living in the manor were the happiest times for me. You are my family, and I will not hurt you."
So… he knew what she was afraid of!
Song Chaoyu lowered her eyes and smiled. "Auntie hasn't seen you yet. I'm afraid she'll be quite startled if she finds out."
Mu Changxi smiled and changed the subject. "Seeing that your elder brother is in good spirits today, I know you succeeded that day. It wasn't in vain that I helped you. If you need anything in the future, you can still come to me."
How dare she?
Song Chaoyu lowered her head and remained silent.
Mu Changxi sighed, understanding in his heart that things could never be the same as before.
But there was one thing he couldn't help but warn Song Chaoyu about. "There's nothing else, only one thing: stay further away from Prince Ning in the future."
Song Chaoyu frowned slightly. "Why? Don't you have a good relationship with him?"
Mu Changxi shrugged. "Just listen to me."