Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

When Xie Jingyan heard this, a hint of subtle panic flashed across his eyes, and his hands under the table unconsciously clenched into fists.

And his subtle little movement did not escape Ji Qingyi's eyes.

Ji Qingyi keenly caught the look in Xie Jinghuan's eyes when he looked at Tao Jiuxi, which revealed more than just brotherly love.

He looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated, which made Ji Qingyi feel that this matter was not simple.

"Yes, this autumn, I will marry Xier." Ji Qingyi looked at Xie Jinghe and said word by word, declaring his sovereignty.

After hearing these words, Xie Jinghuan's face showed an even more unnatural expression.

Ji Qingyi understood what was happening when he saw this.

Xie Jinghuan must have special feelings for Tao Jiuxi.

However, when he looked at Tao Jiuxi again, he found that Tao Jiuxi's eyes had never stayed on Xie Jinghuan from beginning to end.

Based on this, Ji Qingyi guessed that this was probably just Xie Jinghuan's wishful thinking.

However, he didn't know that if Xie Jinghuan hadn't been present, Tao Jiuxi would have planned to tell him clearly right then and there that he already had a lover. But if Xie Jinghuan mentioned Shen Zhiyi at this time, the situation would only get worse.

It's fine for her to say it or for Shen Zhiyi to say it, but it can't be said by Xie Jinghuan.

Right now, we should find a way to get Ji Qingyi away, and then talk to Xie Jinghe alone and tell him not to talk nonsense.

So, she pretended to be greedy and said to Ji Qingyi, "Brother Yi, the pastry shop we met today has a set of pastries called 'Everything Goes Well'. Could you please buy some for me? If you're late, I'm worried they'll be sold out."

How could Ji Qingyi not see that Tao Jiuxi wanted him to leave first.

He felt a slight movement in his heart. Anyway, he and Tao Jiuxi would be getting married in a few months. If Xie Jingheng really had any different thoughts about Tao Jiuxi, this would be a good opportunity for them to make things clear today to avoid any trouble in the future.

So, with a hint of fondness in his eyes, he said softly, "Okay, I'll buy it for you."

After saying that, he stood up.

When Ji Qingyi tidied his clothes and was about to leave, he said to Xie Jinghuan, "Jinghuan, take good care of your cousin's wife."

His tone seemed casual, but it sounded extremely harsh to Xie Jinghuan's ears.

Xie Jinghuan was silent for a moment, but when he met Ji Qingyi's strong gaze, he still said, "Yes, cousin."

When Tao Jiuxi heard the name from Ji Qingyi's mouth, her heart suddenly tightened, and she immediately felt that this matter could no longer wait for Shen Zhiyi to say it alone.

But it was not easy to say anything in front of Xie Jinghe, so he could only curl his lips secretly, hoping that Ji Qingyi would leave quickly.

Ji Qingyi walked out of the door, and the door of the private room was gently closed with a slight "creak".

Xie Jinghuan glanced at the closed door and asked in confusion, "Why? He can, but I can't?"

His eyes were full of unwillingness as he stared straight at Tao Jiuxi, as if trying to find the answer from her face.

"What nonsense, there is no possibility between you and me."

Tao Jiuxi's answer was concise and decisive. She felt that she had already made things clear with Xie Jinghuan a long time ago, but she didn't expect that Xie Jinghuan was still struggling with this matter.

Even though Xie Jinghuan had already guessed the answer in his heart, when he heard Tao Jiuxi's resolute tone with his own ears, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable sadness in his heart.

Tao Jiuxi also realized that her tone was a bit stiff. She softened her tone and said, "Cousin Jinghuan, I didn't mean to meet you today. I hope you won't tell Brother Yi about my situation."

"You broke up with Duke Shen?"

Xie Jinghuan did not directly answer her request, but asked another question in his mind.

"This is not something you need to worry about. Please just don't say too much. Talk to Brother Yi about your own affairs, but don't talk about me."

When Xie Jinghuan saw Tao Jiuxi like this, he couldn't help but feel a sour feeling in his heart.

He just felt that she cared so much about Ji Qingyi that she made such a request.

He thought of himself. He first lost to Shen Zhiyi, and today it seemed that he would lose to Ji Qingyi again. A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face.

There was silence for a moment.

Finally, Xie Jinghuan finally compromised, his voice filled with a hint of helplessness: "I promise you."

"Thank you." Tao Jiuxi breathed a sigh of relief.

While the two were talking in the private room, there was a light knock on the door outside.

Afterwards, the waiter began to serve the dishes one after another, and was about to close the door and leave after serving the dishes.

"Just leave the door open." Tao Jiuxi ordered, her voice sounding particularly clear in this slightly quiet space.

Being alone with Xie Jinghuan made her feel a little depressed, and opening the door made her feel a little more comfortable.

When Ji Qingyi came back, he saw the two of them in silence from outside the door.

He pretended nothing had happened, put a gentle smile on his face, and walked in with pastries.

"The cakes at Xianpinzhai are really exquisite. I saw a few other beautiful styles, so I bought some for you." Ji Qingyi said as he placed several boxes of cakes in his hand on the tea table beside him.

"That's too much, but you came back just in time, and the food has just been served."

Tao Jiuxi greeted with a smile, trying to make the atmosphere more relaxed and not seem so awkward.

Seeing her like this, Ji Qingyi was no longer as nervous as before, and felt a little relieved, thinking that the problem must have been solved.

He didn't think there was anything special between Tao Jiuxi and Xie Jinghe. It was just that Tao Jiuxi was so likable, so it wasn't surprising that some people had special feelings for her.

Although he thought so in his heart, he did not slack off in his actions. He was chatting with Xie Jinghuan about the past, but his hands were busy all the time, picking up dishes and serving soup for Tao Jiuxi, and entertaining him very well.

After the meal, the three cousins ​​each had their own thoughts.

After dinner, Xie Jinghuan said goodbye and left first, and invited the two to go to Xie’s house another day.

Ji Qingyi readily agreed, as he felt that this was a normal interaction between relatives.

Tao Jiuxi refused, as she had no intention of setting foot in Xie's house again.

In the carriage back to the mansion, Tao Jiuxi's thoughts were wandering and her eyes were wandering blankly. She was secretly thinking about how to say it more tactfully while making Ji Qingyi understand what she meant.

"Xier, are you tired?" Ji Qingyi picked up a few cushions from his side and gently handed them to Tao Jiuxi who was sitting opposite him, asking her to lean on them.

"No, I was just taking a walk after eating." Tao Jiuxi answered softly, with a hint of fatigue in her eyes.

"Tomorrow, after you've had enough sleep, we'll go out to the south of the city to look for those kids."

"it is good."

Tao Jiuxi responded softly, looking out the window, only to see that the sky outside was already as dark as ink.

She couldn't think of a good way to say it, and felt that no matter what she said, it would probably hurt her. She thought to herself that since Shen Zhiyi hadn't shown up during the day, according to his usual habits, he should come to see her at night. She was eager to discuss with Shen Zhiyi how to start the conversation.

Just as he was lost in thought, Ji Qingyi spoke again, "I have a good friend in the capital who happened to leave the capital last night and won't be back for a few days."

When Tao Jiuxi heard this, his scattered thoughts immediately focused on listening to Ji Qingyi's words.

"When he comes back, I'll take you to find him. Let's go to Shili Ferry in the north of the city together, okay?"

When Tao Jiuxi heard this, her heart skipped a beat. She had a vague feeling that the good friend Ji Qingyi was talking about might be Shen Zhiyi.

Shen Zhiyi left Beijing?

How could it be so sudden?

She was full of doubts, but had no one to ask.

However, she changed her mind and thought again, if Shen Zhiyi had not left the capital, Ji Qingyi would have already paid his respects to the emperor, and naturally he would have also seen Shen Zhiyi in the court. Based on this inference, Shen Zhiyi was actually not in the capital.

Seeing Tao Jiuxi fall into a trance again, Ji Qingyi asked softly, "Are you distracted again?"

"No, I thought you weren't familiar with the capital... I didn't expect you to know some places to visit."

"It's quite familiar, but I haven't been back for a few years, so it's a little different."

"Then my father asked me to take you for a walk..." Tao Jiuxi said helplessly.

"My uncle probably wants us to get to know each other better before we get married, so that you won't always be so shy in front of me." Ji Qingyi teased with a smile, and his hand unconsciously rubbed Tao Jiuxi's head lightly.