With Xu Xiangqian's shameless slander coming first, Jiang Wang now faced Li Fengyao, unable to escape the awkwardness.
From Linzi to Daze Commandery wasn't too far, but it wasn't close either. There was still some time on the road.
Li Fengyao was beautiful indeed, but also cold and proud, making it hard for anyone to feel at ease around her.
Now he also learned she had a "hobby" of hitting people...
Just listen.
She had hit someone eighteen times in a row, making even the fearless Xu Xiangqian not dare to get close.
Putting himself in that position, could he withstand being beaten?
To Jiang Wang's reaction, Li Longchuan could only offer a bitter smile: "I didn't know beforehand either. My sister's affairs have always been her own decision."
"If you're... I could ask my sister to leave first?" Li Longchuan asked again.
In front of these people, he ultimately didn't utter the word "afraid."
"It's fine, it's fine," Jiang Wang waved his hand fearlessly. "I'm unfamiliar with the area, so I'd appreciate Miss Li showing me the way."
Chongxuan Sheng quietly gave a thumbs up.
Yan Fu and Gao Zhe cast appreciative glances.
Jiang Wang raised his cup, looking around with pride.
Jokes aside though.
With Li Fengyao's Inner Palace realm cultivation, her proposal to go to the Seven Stars Tower together was actually more of a favor to Jiang Wang.
It was probably out of consideration for Li Longchuan that she made this invitation.
As long as Jiang Wang wasn't completely blind to the world, he couldn't refuse this kindness.
"When does your sister plan to depart?" Jiang Wang asked.
Just then, the Li family servant whispered something in Li Longchuan's ear.
"That..." The heroic Li Longchuan looked slightly embarrassed. "My sister's carriage is already outside the tower."
So soon?
Jiang Wang's eyelid twitched.
The fat on Chongxuan Sheng's face trembled.
Yan Fu and Gao Zhe both kept their mouths shut tight, afraid that saying anything more would be overheard by Li Fengyao.
Xu Xiangqian's lesson was still fresh.
Right, if Li Fengyao was already outside, then...
Had Xu Xiangqian slipped away?
These fair-weather friends said nothing, but their expressions all became animated.
"In that case, I'll set off now."
Jiang Wang stood up, raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, possessing the air of a hero departing on a one-way journey.
Unfortunately, it was tea he drank, inevitably lacking three parts of that heroic spirit.
Since Li Fengyao's carriage was right outside, everyone merely raised their tea cups in farewell. In short, though each of them was usually quite arrogant, few dared to actually stand before Li Fengyao immediately after talking about her behind her back.
This tea house had a serene environment and wasn't easily found, located at the end of a deep alley. It only accepted acquaintances, or friends brought by acquaintances. The place wasn't large, but it had great style.
It was one of the properties Chongxuan Sheng had recently taken over, very suitable for private gatherings.
Jiang Wang left alone. Not one of the drinking companions came out to see him off. But Jiang Wang was certain that while they wouldn't all crowd at the window to spy so obviously, they would all be straining their ears, waiting to see the show.
Li Fengyao's carriage was parked at the alley entrance. The carriage was large and spacious, appearing simple and elegant at first glance, belonging to the heritage of a hereditary marquis, all in the small details.
Only one horse pulled the carriage, but it was extraordinarily spirited, its entire body snow-white without a single spot of other color. Only its eyes, like ink jade, were extremely lively.
A pretty maid stood beside the carriage, gesturing with her hand, saying politely: "Young master, please board."
Putting aside other aspects like temperament, family background, and strength, just judging by appearance, the person sitting inside the carriage was also a top beauty. Saying he felt no nervousness at all would be impossible.
Jiang Wang nodded in greeting, his expression still calm.
The carriage curtain had already been lifted. He only had to lean half his body in to see Li Fengyao.
But he saw her sitting upright in the main seat, her features like fresh snow, extremely cold, extremely proud, extremely beautiful. Even though this was their second meeting, he was still moved by that beauty.
"Um, greetings, Miss Li," Jiang Wang controlled his gaze and politely greeted her.
Li Fengyao blinked her eyes: "Hello to you too."
Jiang Wang looked around, unable to hide his discomfort: "Actually, I can sit outside."
"Pfft."
It was the maid who couldn't help laughing: "You should go on inside. I have to sit outside to drive."
Jiang Wang awkwardly tried to save face: "I could drive for you."
The pretty maid smiled sweetly. Having grown up in the Li household, she was used to all kinds of young masters and talented youths, most of whom were spirited and elegant. It was rare to find one with such a shy demeanor, which she found rather novel: "That won't do. If you do my job, what would I do? Besides, 'Qu Hei' doesn't take kindly to strangers."
The horse also turned to look at him, its gaze seemingly full of disdain.
"Qu Hei" must be its name.
Qu Hei... meaning black, yet it's white.
Hmph, just a carriage horse.
Jiang Wang gave a mental snort, naturally not daring to say anything more. So he stepped onto the carriage, bent down to enter the cabin, and sat properly in the corner on the left side.
There were five seats in the carriage. The seat against the carriage wall, facing the door directly, was the main seat where Li Fengyao sat. Two seats were on each side, separated by a low table in the middle. Jiang Wang sat in the left corner, with one seat between him and Li Fengyao.
The low table had some indentations, holding an exquisite teapot and jade plates for pastries and fruit.
Only then could Jiang Wang observe the carriage's interior decoration. The overall style was elegant and bright, showing Li Fengyao's taste different from ordinary girls.
Hearing the sound of wheels rolling, though the carriage itself didn't feel shaky, they had already set off.
Ha, smooth sailing.
Jiang Wang thought to himself with some self-amusement. Those waiting for the show must be quite disappointed.
In the smoothly moving carriage, Li Fengyao's voice sounded: "Tea and pastries are available, please help yourself, no need to be reserved."
"Understood," Jiang Wang answered like a student responding to his teacher, quite obediently.
After thinking, he added: "Thank you, Miss Li, for giving me a ride."
"We'll both be attending the Seven Stars Tower together. If we keep being so formal with 'Miss Li' here and 'Young Master Jiang' there, it would be too distant, don't you think?"
"Ah... yes."
Li Fengyao looked directly at Jiang Wang. She saw him facing forward, eyes not straying, as if studying the texture of the carriage material. From this angle, she could only see his profile. His nose was straight, his lips slightly pursed. His expression was somewhat awkward, but also refreshingly clean.
A hint of light amusement appeared in her eyes as she said: "You're good friends with Longchuan and Xiangqian. If you really don't know how to address me, you can call me Sister Fengyao, just like they do. I'll just call you Little Wang."
"Oh, sure," Jiang Wang agreed.
The bit of awkwardness in his heart truly dissipated quite a bit.
But there was also an inexplicable, faint sense of regret.
Li Fengyao gently tapped a teacup with the back of her index finger: "Drink tea."
Ding~
Jiang Wang could sense that this sound, under exquisite control, rippled far outward.
Inside the carriage it sounded ordinary, but for those "ears" focusing their dao essence and full attention here, it probably wasn't so pleasant...
Jiang Wang vaguely heard several screams, all from familiar voices.
He couldn't help but pick up his teacup and take a small sip.
"Good tea!"