Chapter 118: Chapter 117: Give Themselves to Each Other Chapter 118: Chapter 117: Give Themselves to Each Other Han Yan watched Xiao Jinyu waving his folding fan, displaying the manner of a privileged playboy, yet he arranged everything meticulously.

“Xiao Gongzi has gone to great lengths.”

“Of course, since I saved you, I’m responsible for seeing things through to the end, I can’t let a weak…” woman, Xiao Jinyu, as he looked at Miss Han’s figure, which was even taller than his own, found it awkward to use “weak woman” to describe her.

He simply changed his words, “I can’t let a girl be left stranded outside, my family’s rules are many and strict, but it’s still a good place for a girl to settle down.”

Han Yan’s cool gaze lingered on Xiao Jinyu; even in plain clothes, his air of nobility was unmistakable.

“I am somewhat curious as to how big Xiao Gongzi’s home is?”

Sheltering his face behind the fan, Xiao Jinyu leaned closer to Miss Han, and said mysteriously, “My house is inside the Imperial Palace, quite big, right?”

Han Yan nodded, showing a rare expression of surprise, “Then, Xiao Gongzi is a Prince?”

Xiao Jinyu didn’t deny it, because once they reached the palace, his identity would naturally be revealed; there was no need to clarify at this moment.

He fluttered his folding fan gently, saying in a quiet tone, “This Prince ranks seventh, bestowed with the title Jinyu, you may call me Prince Jinyu.”

Han Yan said, “Prince Jinyu holds a noble status, personally coming to fetch me is quite an honor that leaves me overwhelmed.”

Xiao Jinyu sighed, “If this Prince didn’t come for you personally, you wouldn’t be able to enter either!”

The Empress’ guards are strict, how could ordinary folks just walk in?

Han Yan: “…”

After entering the palace gate, the horse carriage proceeded unobstructed to Qiancheng Hall.

When it came to a stop, the attendant lifted the carriage’s curtain, and Xiao Jinyu got out, naturally standing by the side of the carriage, intending to personally help Miss Han disembark.

But he always overlooked Miss Han’s legs which were even longer than his, assuming she was a frail girl who needed his care at all times.

As Miss Han emerged from the carriage, Xiao Jinyu extended a hand to help her.

Han Yan looked down at the good-looking hand in front of her, pale and slender, clearly one that had not done heavy labor.

She hesitated a moment but still laid her hand upon that attractive hand and stepped down from the carriage.

Xiao Jinyu saw Miss Han’s long legs easily descend from the carriage and belatedly realized his gesture was somewhat superfluous.

After she got down from the carriage, Xiao Jinyu withdrew his hand quietly, then pointed to the plaque above his head, “This is Qiancheng Hall.”

Han Yan raised her eyes to the plaque above, where the words “Qiancheng Hall” were deeply engraved.

Afterward, Xiao Jinyu led Miss Han inside, starting with a tour of Yuqing Pavilion where she would be staying in the future.

Yuqing Pavilion was a place that Xiao Jinyu had ordered to be cleaned up in advance, and he even had it specially decorated.

The whole room was pink, and even the tree at the entrance was a peach tree, very suitable for a girl to live in.

As Han Yan walked into Yuqing Pavilion, all she saw beyond the color pink was more pink, even the curtain at the door was pink.

Xiao Jinyu was very satisfied with the place he had chosen.

“You will live here from now on, and Pingping will serve you.

If you need anything, you can tell me directly.”

Han Yan nodded: “Okay.”

Xiao Jinyu leaned toward Miss Han’s ear and whispered, “Inside Qiancheng Hall, there’s no need to be so restrained, but once you leave Qiancheng Hall, you must still abide by certain rules, for example by addressing yourself as ‘this servant.'”

Han Yan countered, “Why should it be ‘this servant’?”

Xiao Jinyu answered, “Your current status is that of a maid, so if not ‘this servant,’ what would you call yourself?”

Han Yan thought for a moment and queried, “Can’t I refer to myself as ‘your concubine’?”

Xiao Jinyu glanced around and, taking Miss Han’s hand, walked toward the inner chamber.

Carrying doubts, Han Yan followed him in.

Pingping, seeing their intimate actions, covered her mouth and chuckled while packing up luggage.

Once they were inside the room, Xiao Jinyu released Miss Han’s hand and said seriously, “How can you casually claim such a title, being an unmarried girl?”

Han Yan challenged him, “Now I am Prince Jinyu’s person, why can’t I refer to myself as ‘your concubine’?”

“But you currently have no status or name!”

“Wouldn’t I have one if you just gave it to me?”

Xiao Jinyu was stunned, recalling the risk he took of being beaten to borrow five thousand taels of gold from the Crown Prince to redeem Miss Han, his intention had been to save her.

The trope of a beauty loving a hero wasn’t untrue at all.

Now faced with a scenario straight out of a play in which she offers herself to him, what should he do?

To marry or to marry?

Han Yan took a step closer, his gaze falling down onto Xiao Jinyu, “Is Prince Jinyu finding it difficult?”

Xiao Jinyu subconsciously took a step back, steadied himself, and fanned himself to relieve his awkwardness.

“Miss Han is indeed a great beauty, a true honor for this Prince.

However, have you come of age yet?”

Although Miss Han was tall, she had a delicate beauty, with youthful tenderness in her brows and eyes.

This had been why Xiao Jinyu felt an initial desire to save and protect her upon first laying eyes on her.

At his question, Han Yan was taken aback and after calculating her age in her mind for a good while…

She straightforwardly nodded her head, “I should have.”

“Good, this Prince has also not yet reached the age of majority…” Xiao Jinyu paused mid-thought; Miss Han had already come of age?

He examined Miss Han for a while, she didn’t seem to be lying.

Han Yan’s cool gaze was filled with earnestness, “Prince Jinyu, do you find it acceptable?”

Fanning himself, Xiao Jinyu replied, “There’s no rush with these matters, I’ll have someone show you around Qiancheng Hall.”

With that, he swiftly left.

Standing straight at the round table, Han Yan watched Xiao Jinyu’s retreating figure, the corner of her lips curling up slightly.

After coming out, Xiao Jinyu closed his fan and looked back at Yuqing Pavilion, sighing.

He had nearly been unable to resist agreeing to her terms just then.

Miss Han was truly beautiful, resembling snow upon a mountain, the moon among the clouds.

For her to be only a concubine would indeed be a pity.

Xiao Jinyu fanned himself, intending to head to the East Palace for a meal, and to chat with the Crown Prince Brother.

At this time, it was the hour for lighting lamps.

In winter, it gets dark early.

Just as Xiao Jinyan was about to leave for Xiyun Pavilion for dinner, he caught sight of Xiao Jinyu entering with his folding fan, every bit the image of a pampered young master.

“Out of the palace again?”

Xiao Jinyan felt somewhat embarrassed and put away his folding fan, “Yes, I went to pick someone up, I came to the Crown Prince Brother for a drink right after settling them in.”

“This palace is heading to Xiyun Pavilion for a meal now, perhaps some other time,” Xiao Jinyan said as he stood up, making no attempt to invite his brother to join him.

Xiao Jinyu was here to freeload, and didn’t care where it was.

“Then I’ll join as well, it’s a good opportunity to check how those ‘cuties’ are being cared for.”

If Xiao Jinyan hadn’t mentioned those “cuties,” his expression would have remained unchanged, but as soon as they were mentioned, his demeanor darkened, “They are well taken care of, so much so that you wouldn’t recognize them anymore.”

Xiao Jinyu laughed upon hearing this, “Brother, stop joking, how could I not recognize them?”

Ignoring Xiao Jinyu’s disbelief, Xiao Jinyan said, “Five thousand taels of gold, when do you plan to return it?”

Xiao Jinyu instantly wilted, “Brother, I don’t have that much at hand right now, but as soon as I do, I’ll repay you as quickly as possible.”

Xiao Jinyan snorted and walked out.

Xiao Jinyu followed at a leisurely pace.