Chapter 690: Chapter 621, Incoming Letter_1 Chapter 690: Chapter 621, Incoming Letter_1 Xiao Yeyang left the Guo Residence and went directly to the Jinling Guard Office, where Yan Wenkai happened to be inside, not out on duty. Seeing him return with a somber face, Yan Wenkai couldn’t help but pull De Fu aside and ask, “Who upset him?”

De Fu shrugged his shoulders. While his master could be dissatisfied with Miss Guo, as a servant, he couldn’t speak ill of her behind her back. However, seeing that everyone in the office was looking at him, he thought for a moment and still gave a reminder, “In any case, if there is no particularly important matter, it’s best that everyone refrains from disturbing the master right now.”

Ever since following his master to the Northern Frontier, where the master led the Jinling Guards of Zhongzhou to successfully capture the Grand Prince of the Tartars and return unscathed, these people held sincere respect and awe for their master.

“Alright, everyone disperse, go back to your tasks,” he said.

Watching the Jinling Guards obediently withdraw, De Fu felt somewhat moved. Indeed, no matter when, one must possess strong power, especially in settings like the military or the Jinling Guard where matters are resolved with fists.

The master’s status was already prestigious enough, wasn’t it? But when he first took over the Jinling Guard here in Zhongzhou, these men were not as compliant as they are now; there was plenty of lip service and duplicity.

Around noon, as Xiao Yeyang was about to eat, he saw De Lu hurriedly enter with a letter.

De Lu quickly glanced at Xiao Yeyang’s not-so-pleasant face and, steeling himself, handed over the letter, “Master, a letter from the Prince has arrived.”

At this, both Xiao Yeyang and De Fu could not hide their surprise.

The reason was that throughout the years Xiao Yeyang had been in Zhongzhou, although the Prince Residence sent gifts every year, the Prince had never written a letter to Xiao Yeyang–of course, Xiao Yeyang had never written to the Prince either.

De Fu looked at Xiao Yeyang, trotted over to take the letter from De Lu’s hand, and then quickly placed it in front of Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang put down his chopsticks and silently stared at the letter on the table. After a long while, he reached out, picked up the letter, and began to read.

De Fu and De Lu stood by, not daring to make a sound.

Both knew well the strained relationship between the master and the Prince; every time they encountered matters related to the Prince Residence, the master’s mood would not be good.

Why would the Prince suddenly send a letter?

“Tsch,”
Xiao Yeyang looked at the letter in his hand with a scornful expression, his anger burning more fiercely in his eyes. With an outstretched arm, the bowls and chopsticks on the table clattered to the floor.

This did not appease his anger; with three heavy thuds, Xiao Yeyang struck the table until it broke, only then did some of his fury seem to dissipate.

His dear father, all these years away from Beijing and the first letter he wrote to him asked him to return for Xiao Yechen’s wedding–what audacity!

He simply couldn’t understand, considering that when he was younger, he had nearly died because of Xiao Yechen, and later due to the Ma Family mother and son, he was left without a home to return to. How could his father think that he would reconcile with Xiao Yechen? And to travel all that distance to attend his wedding?

He really wanted to fly straight to his face and loudly ask him if his brain had broken when he wrote these words!!!

Looking at Xiao Yeyang seething with rage, De Fu and De Lu couldn’t help but tremble and step back cautiously.

Xiao Yeyang took a deep breath for a while, slowly quelling the anger in his heart. “Clean this up,” he said.

At his command, De Fu and De Lu immediately began cleaning up, their movements brisk and efficient.

Xiao Yeyang stood up and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Beijing–after the surge of anger had passed, his eyes were filled with regret.

His father had truly never taken him to heart!

Not only did his father not inform him when elevating Lady Ma, but for Xiao Yechen’s marriage, he was eager to write a letter and command him to return.

When he did these things, did he ever consider his feelings even a little?

Looking at the letter in his hand, Xiao Yeyang scoffed and tore the letter to shreds.

Unfortunately, he had grown up. Want to order him around? Humph! It would depend on whether he was willing!

Xiao Yeyang exhaled a deep breath, feeling unbearable frustration in his chest, and stepped out of the room.

De Fu and De Lu quickly followed.

Yan Wenkai saw Xiao Yeyang heading out under the scorching sun and couldn’t help but call out, “Where are you going?”

Xiao Yeyang didn’t reply and walked straight out of the yard.

Yan Wenkai saw De Fu making eye signals at him and sensibly did not continue to ask.

After leaving the office, Xiao Yeyang rode his horse out of the city, and on the outskirts, he galloped wildly for more than an hour. Only when the stifling feeling in his heart dissipated did he return to the city, sweating profusely.

Upon entering the city, Xiao Yeyang didn’t go straight back to his residence, but instead walked aimlessly on the streets, leading his horse.

At this moment, the sun was still fierce and the streets were not crowded. Looking at the empty streets, Xiao Yeyang’s sense of loneliness intensified.

Walking on, he found himself unconsciously on the street where the Yan Residence was located.

Gazing at the front gate of the Yan Residence and thinking of Daohua in the inner courtyard, the corners of Xiao Yeyang’s mouth couldn’t help but lift. He wondered what she was up to now. It was so late, surely she wasn’t still taking her afternoon nap?

Xiao Yeyang stood outside the Yan Residence for a while, then left somewhat dejectedly with his horse.

He had no proper reason to visit, and even if he entered the Yan Residence, there was no guarantee he would see Daohua.

Seeing their master’s figure radiating disappointment, De Fu and De Lu felt helpless.

The master was smitten with Miss Yan, but unless he could get an elder from the family to formally request her hand in marriage, he had no appropriate way to visit the Yan Family and see Miss Yan.

The elders who might act on the master’s behalf…

Alas, there was no hope from the Prince.

The former Princess Consort, even if she were willing, probably lacked the strength, as the Imperial Family would not permit a divorced woman to meddle in the master’s matrimonial matters.

Now, they could only rely on the Emperor.

But royal whims are fickle, and the Emperor would first consider the balance of interests. Could the master truly have his wishes fulfilled?

As Xiao Yeyang walked down the street in low spirits, suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Daohua lifting her veil slightly, revealing half of her beautiful face.

“Xiao Yeyang, is that really you?”

Her voice was cheerful with a hint of surprise, like a refreshing drink during the dog days, instantly washing away the irritation and defeat in Xiao Yeyang’s heart.

Looking at Daohua’s blossoming smile, a smile quickly spread across Xiao Yeyang’s eyes.

“Why are you here?”

“Why are you here?”

They both spoke at the same time.

Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang, noticing he was covered in sweat, his shirt nearly soaked through. She frowned slightly and said, “Why are you wandering under the burning sun? Are you not afraid of getting heatstroke?” She handed him the handkerchief she was holding.

“Aren’t you usually so fastidious? How dare you walk the streets looking like this? Come on, wipe yourself off.”

Xiao Yeyang took the handkerchief, led his horse to a shady alleyway, and then used it to wipe off his sweat.

Daohua observed his expression closely and did not miss the despondency between his brows. Just as she was about to ask what was wrong, she heard a ‘gurgle gurgle’ sound.

Following the noise, Daohua immediately saw Xiao Yeyang uncomfortably covering his stomach. “Haven’t you eaten yet?”

Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua with a pitiful nod.

Daohua was silent for a moment before putting on her veil properly. “Let’s go. There’s a wonton restaurant nearby with a good taste. I’ll take you there to fill your stomach,” she said, leading the way.

Xiao Yeyang immediately threw the reins to De Fu and hurriedly followed her.