Chapter 7: Chapter 529: A Show of Force [7]

High lanterns were hung in front of the Xu Estate, and several young servants were guarding the entrance, peering around as if they were feeling guilty about something.

As soon as Xu Ruoshi saw those servants, she hurriedly ducked several steps away from Yan Chenyu, fearing that someone might see her standing too close to an ordinary man.

Yan Chenyu also clearly felt Xu Ruoshi's estrangement from him. He guessed that perhaps women placed great importance on their reputation, which indicated that Xu Ruoshi was a woman of high moral character, making him like her even more.

But just then, a passerby passed in front of the Xu Estate. Suddenly, he caught sight of Yan Chenyu standing there and rushed forward with a fawning expression. With a thick skin, he said cautiously to Yan Chenyu, "Ah! Duke of Zhen, it is you! What a coincidence, that I should run into you here, this is truly wonderful."

Yan Chenyu raised his eyes coldly; his handsome face was as beautiful as the stars. He gave the man a faint glance and said in a deep voice, "Since it is such a coincidence, I am in a good mood today, so I shall let your son work as a handyman at the Auction Guild!"

Upon hearing this, the man nodded to Yan Chenyu in great joy, bowing and scraping as he said, "Thank you, Imperial Uncle, for taking in my son. My son's livelihood finally has a place to settle. The Imperial Uncle is truly a good man. Then, this lowly one will not disturb the Imperial Uncle further; I shall take my leave now."

After saying that, the man bowed with an excited expression and retreated to the side.

Watching this scene, Xu Ruoshi's mouth nearly fell open, and her lips twitched awkwardly, leaving her standing alone and disoriented in the wind.

Fortunately, she was calculating; she hadn't directly said she disliked Yan Chenyu just now. Now, hearing that man call him the Duke of Zhen and "Imperial Uncle," her legs nearly went weak.

She hadn't paid any attention to his surname just now, but as she thought back carefully, the surname Yan was extremely noble in Cangqi. The current Empress also bore the surname Yan; she should have guessed long ago that his identity was not simple.

The Duke of Zhen—he was the greatest Duke in Cangqi, below the Crown Prince and the Princes, but definitely higher than ordinary officials. Furthermore, he was the Empress's brother and held control over the Yan Family Auction Guild. With such a handsome face, he was a one-in-ten-thousand exceptional beauty.

She had actually overlooked it; she hoped it wasn't too late to correct her attitude.

"So you are the renowned Duke of Zhen. This humble girl failed to recognize Mount Tai; please forgive my rudeness just now." At this moment, Xu Ruoshi suppressed her inner excitement and gave Yan Chenyu a faint, polite bow, though her heart was already soaring.

With her status, she was simply not a match for the Duke of Zhen, but if he took an interest in her, it would be a monumental blessing.

Seeing that Xu Ruoshi knew his identity yet still maintained an air of calm composure, Yan Chenyu revealed a gentle smile. "It is getting late; you should go back and rest early. Tomorrow at noon, may I invite you out for a stroll?"

Of course, there was no problem.

Xu Ruoshi's heart had already blossomed, but her face remained gentle as she said, "This... I'm afraid that might not be appropriate. I am an unmarried daughter, and as you know, the Xu Estate has very strict family discipline. I am afraid they will not let me go out."

These words were extremely tactful; she neither accepted too eagerly, which preserved her sense of mystery, nor did she take the blame, instead framing the reason as others preventing her from going out.

Sure enough, Yan Chenyu's brows knitted slightly, and his gaze became extremely cold. "This is clearly a double standard. I have heard that the legitimate daughters of the Xu Estate are often seen wandering about outside; on what grounds would they not let you out? Is the difference between legitimate and concubine-born children really that great? I detest these man-eating etiquettes the most. If they won't let you out, just say that I have invited you. I want to see what the Prince Regent can say about it!"