Chapter 10: The Mysterious Man

Yalan Bi tried hard to calm down and only then did she notice the complex and mocking gaze beside her. With a quick glance, she felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

The man, though dressed casually, had a stern and imposing look, which indicated his extraordinary background.

They were sitting across from each other at a tea table, and she deliberately lowered her voice, hoping he wouldn't hear her, right?

Yalan Bi suspected in her heart, and unable to sit still any longer, she suddenly stood up.

Yasong Bi grabbed Yalan Bi's wrist. "Where are you going?"

This time, Yalan Bi truly saw the man's gaze, which seemed to be smiling with hidden meaning, as if he had a great interest, making her tremble with unease.

Could someone's gaze be so terrifying? As if it could see right through you.

"Brother, coming out today, it's not just for tea, is it?" Yayun Bi forced a smile and said to Yasong Bi.

Yasong Bi, seen through by Yalan Bi, felt embarrassed and stood up, saying to Yajian Bi, "Let's go, there's nothing to hide."

What's there to hide? It's just filial piety.

They left the teahouse and went to the opposite gold shop, which also kept Yalan Bi away from that probing gaze.

"Sister, help us choose one of these two pairs of gold jewelry." Yasong Bi signaled the shopkeeper to bring out the previously selected gold jewelry and placed it in front of Yalan Bi.

One gold bracelet was shining brightly, exquisitely carved, without any gemstone decorations, quite substantial.

The other bracelet was delicate and slender, with even more skilled craftsmanship.

It wasn't difficult to choose; the slender bracelet was better.

As Yalan Bi's fingers reached for the bracelet, another cold finger touched hers, making her shiver involuntarily.

She suddenly looked up and immediately recognized the man.

It was the man who had been staring at her with his probing gaze in the teahouse. What a coincidence, he had also come to the gold shop?

"Do you like this one, miss?" The clear and cold voice reached Yalan Bi's ears, though it was as fast as a clear stream, the pressure it conveyed was evident.

Yalan Bi nodded involuntarily and saw the man looking at the other jewelry.

"If the gentleman likes this one, he can pick it first," Yasong Bi said to her. "The shop has other styles that you might find better."

Yalan Bi regained her composure and nodded in agreement, then turned to the man and said, "Yes, sir, please choose first, and we'll look at the others!"

"I shall defer to you," the man replied perfunctorily.

As the man was about to have the shopkeeper wrap up a bracelet, Yalan Bi politely said to him, "A gentleman does not force others to do what they don't want."

She didn't mean what she said.

The man glanced at her meaningfully and smirked, "Miss, you're too kind."

Yalan Bi blushed and looked at the man as he turned to the other gold jewelry, biting her lip.

"He's quite a character," Yasong Bi praised the man. "You two go back to the carriage first."

Yalan Bi couldn't be bothered and pulled Yajin Bi out.

"I'm not as troublesome as my brother, just a painting will do," Yajian Bi said smugly. "Mother likes my paintings the most."

As they walked to the carriage, Yalan Bi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Strange, she didn't even know that man, so why did she lose her composure like that?

"Sister? That gentleman looks a lot like the Third Prince," Yajian Bi said thoughtfully, but Yalan Bi reminded him, "Don't speak nonsense."

How could a commoner look like a prince?