After dropping her youngest brother off at the Dongfang Manor, Song Shixue hurriedly urged the driver to turn the carriage around and head back.
The moment the carriage stopped, she jumped down and dashed inside.
Reaching the study, she saw that Lan Xi had already left. She walked over to a chair, sat down, and asked, Sister, what did Lan Xi report?
Song Jinzhao finished writing the last character and set down her brush. A small incident occurred at the estate yesterday, but it has been resolved now.
I also managed to ask about Lan Xi's past. Do you want to know?
Song Shixue nodded vigorously, bobbing her head like a chick pecking at grain.
Seeing this, Song Jinzhao let out a faint, barely perceptible sigh.
Fifteen was simply too young. She couldn't even see what was so great about Lan Xi, yet her sister's heart was already fluttering with first love.
Should she pretend not to know, or step in to stop it? She needed to think this over carefully.
After Song Jinzhao explained the entire sequence of events, Song Shixue sat there, pondering for quite a while.
If the Emperor of Shuobei finds out Lan Xi is still alive, wouldn't he be in terrible danger?
Song Jinzhao gave a slight nod.
Murdering his father and brother, forging an imperial decree to usurp the throne—if word gets out, He Mingyuan's hold on the crown will be in jeopardy. Until they find Lan Xi's corpse, they can never be completely at ease. The people of Shuobei might still be searching for him. I'll have someone look into it.
Song Shixue bit her lip, her heart weighed down with worry.
Sister, let's not have Lan Xi go out to work anymore. Let him stay at the estate or within the manor, away from outsiders.
His light blue eyes were certainly beautiful, but they also easily drew attention and left a lasting impression.
It would be far too dangerous if he were unlucky enough to be recognized.
Seeing what Song Shixue was thinking, Song Jinzhao spoke up to comfort her. Lan Xi was never favored in Shuobei. Let alone commoners, even among the officials, very few know him. So as long as he doesn't go to Yandu, he generally won't be recognized.
Song Shixue furrowed her delicate brows. I know, but it still feels like a hidden danger. I just can't stop worrying.
Sister, do you have any way to change a person's appearance, or perhaps change the color of Lan Xi's eyes?
Song Jinzhao was rendered speechless.
In modern times, one could change their eye color with colored contacts, but there were no such things in ancient times, nor could she make them.
Lan Xi's light blue eyes are natural; they cannot be changed.
As for his appearance, we could make a human-skin mask, but everyone in the manor already knows him. Suddenly changing his face would be even stranger.
Song Shixue slumped dejectedly over the table, muttering, If only the Emperor of Shuobei would just drop dead.
Song Jinzhao: ...
By the time Lan Xi rode out of the city, his mood had completely brightened.
Having finally revealed the secret that had weighed on him for so long, even the dark clouds in the sky looked more beautiful than before.
He rode his horse toward the estate, unable to stop smiling as he thought about what had just happened.
Unfortunately, his extreme joy turned to sorrow. Distracted while riding, his horse lost its footing, sending both man and beast tumbling into the nearby snowbank.
Fortunately, the thick snow cushioned the fall, but the impact still jolted him, leaving his head buzzing.
Lan Xi groaned as he scrambled up from the ground. The horse that had fallen into the snow also managed to stand back up.
He circled the horse, feeling completely relieved only when he saw it was unhurt.
Sorry, brother. It was my fault for not paying attention and making you fall. I won't get distracted again.
Its nose tickled by his touch, the fine steed snorted and sneezed, spraying saliva right onto Lan Xi's face, instantly shutting him up.
Disgusted, Lan Xi scooped up a handful of snow and rubbed his face into it. By the time he lifted his head, his face was numb from the freezing cold.
If you don't accept my apology, fine, but why spit on me? I'm docking one of your meals when we get back.
The horse stared at Lan Xi with a gentle expression, its deep, large eyes making him feel a bit guilty.
He grabbed the reins and said, Alright, I won't dock your meal. I'll give you extra food when we get back.
Just as Lan Xi looked down to step into the stirrup, a pale yellow, round object caught his attention.
He reached out and picked it up, surprise flickering in his eyes.
What the horse had stepped on just now was a potato. But why would there be a potato on the road?
Lan Xi let go of the reins and walked further down the road, discovering two more potatoes about the size of eggs, both frozen solid into blocks of ice.
