Chapter 27

Nangong Du neither picked on nor harassed Zixiu, so the atmosphere was relatively calm over breakfast. However, as they didn’t prepare much for him, after gobbling up the food in his bowl, Zixiu still felt hungry. Watching that pervert enjoying the heaving food in his plate, Zixiu was filled with resentfulness. “You miser!”

“Honey, you’re done so soon?” Nangong Du asked, pretending to look up casually. Before Zixiu could say anything, he turned aside and ordered, “Xingyi, help Princess Liuxu back to her room.”

“Yes!” With a deferential reply, Xingyi moved forward while casting a sarcastic glance at Zixiu.

Obviously, this jerk wouldn’t provide him more food, but at the thought that there must be some snacks in the bedroom, instead of protesting, Zixiu obediently rose to his feet and walked out with Xingyi. Watching him leaving, Nangong Du revealed a faint smile which even he himself didn’t notice.

After the heavy rain last night, the sky looked especially clear and even the sunshine seemed to be lustrously transparent.

Walking along the winding path, which was paved with green limestone, Zixiu saw some magnificent pavilions over the lake. “Seems that asshole really knows how to enjoy himself! He even had such a huge artificial lake created, which does bring out the elegance of this garden!”

Smelling the petrichor mixed with the aroma of grass, Zixiu felt so refreshed that he even put the physical and mental harm he had suffered these days behind him for the time being, as if he were on vacation. That would be perfect if he hadn’t been watched on by that emotionless Xingyi, who was following him closely!

“Your Highness, it’s warm and stuffy outside, you’d better go back to your room to rest!” Trying hard to hold back her impatience, Xingyi suggested in a soft voice. If it were not for her master, she would never have treated Liu Zixiu so gently. However, even though she dared not disobey Nangong Du’s order, she was not in the mood to wander about with Zixiu under the scorching sun.

“There’s no need. I don’t feel hot at all. I’m sure it’s stuffier in the chamber!” Zixiu had briefly figured out Xingyi’s intention, but he preferred to stay outside. First, it was indeed stuffier in the room, and being in it only reminded him of how that psycho had treated him; and second, he wanted to make full use of his spare time to probe the surroundings of the mansion in preparation for his escape. Zixiu was deliberately uncooperative, hoping that Xingyi would leave him alone after losing her patience. However, he seemed to have overlooked the most important thing— unlike those ordinary obedient maidservants, Xingyi was a tough woman who wasn’t easy to mess with.

Needless to say, Xing Yi was clear what Zixiu was thinking about. “I offered him a toast, but it seems he’d rather be roasted!” she thought angrily. This was her principle in dealing with such ungrateful, smug people— if a carrot didn’t work, she would use a stick! If it was inconvenient to punish them openly, she would do it secretly!

Without sensing the danger, Zixiu still strode forward excitedly. However, he had only taken a few steps before he suddenly stepped on something slippery and lost his balance. “Ahh!” When he was about to fall, he closed his eyes and shrieked instinctively.

Thankfully, he didn’t fall to the ground as he had expected. The moment he let out a scream, someone grabbed him by the waist from behind and pulled him into his firm arms.

Zixiu was certain it wasn’t a woman. “Am I in that pervert’s embrace again?” He didn’t dare look up and that person showed no intention to loosen his grip until Xingyi’s angry voice rang.

“How dare you! Where are your manners in front of Princess Liuxu?”

“Your Highness, I didn’t know it was you! My apologies! Please pardon my abruptness.” After letting go of Zixiu, the young guard bowed in apology to him, looking neither arrogant nor humble.

“Who’s this guy?” Zixiu froze on the spot, staring at the man in a guard’s attire blankly. He was tanned, slim and tall… but that wasn’t the point. What shocked Zixiu most was his “maiden” name this young man had whispered in his ear just now—Liu Zixiu!

“Why are you still here?” Before the “princess” could figure out what was going on, the maidservant, Xingyi, hastily yelled at the ‘nosy’ guard to leave, with a poker face.