Conan's physique? The Crown Princess is involved in a murder case again

Xu Xingyin's few light words left Chen speechless.

Although she didn't refute it at that time, Xu Xingyin could see that Chen was still somewhat moved.

So Chen didn't say it directly afterwards, but she would occasionally say a few good things about the young master of the Shen family.

Xu Xingyin just thought that Chen didn't understand what she was thinking, so he took generous gifts and happily attended Zeng Tingxue's birthday party.

There are many powerful people in the capital, and their circles are clearly divided. Those who have more frequent interactions are the families of officials who are of similar rank.

So as soon as Xu Xingyin appeared in Zeng's house, he attracted the attention of a group of girls.

The Duke's Mansion is a first-rank family, while the Zeng Mansion is only a seventh-rank chief clerk's mansion. The guests they invited are at most sixth-rank. They were more or less intimidated to see a "lady" like Xu Xingyin.

When everyone thought of Xu Xingyin's bad reputation, they were even more afraid to offend her.

Although Xu Xingyin's temper is not good, he is not the kind of person who makes enemies everywhere.

Then Xu Xingyin happily took out a few boxes of snacks and distributed them to everyone. He looked very friendly and soon won over the ladies.

The topics the little girls talked about were still the timeless ones - clothes, jewelry, and handsome men with makeup. Xu Xingyin listened happily with her chin on her hand, and would occasionally interject a few words.

Zeng Tingxue has a steady temperament and speaks slowly.

There is a sense of silence about her, like a wise person who has seen through the world.

It was completely different from Xu Xingyin's noisy tone, but there was a strange resonance between the two of them that made people feel that they were closer.

A few people were talking about the number one scholar's marriage when they saw the woman in pink looking at Xu Xingyin with gossipy eyes.

"Sister Xu, I heard someone say that you and the Crown Prince have been engaged since childhood. Is that true?"

"Nothing."

Xu Xingyin was stunned and retorted subconsciously. After a pause, he realized that it was inappropriate and explained again.

"It's just a joke between the elders, but it's getting more and more outrageous. You must never believe such words. The Crown Prince is such a beautiful man, how can I reach his level?"

"Sister Xu is also very good, don't underestimate yourself."

The woman in pink then realized that it was inappropriate to ask this question, and she blushed and hurriedly comforted Xu Xingyin.

Xu Xingyin didn't bother with it and happily changed the subject, thus resolving the matter.

The girls chatted for an hour and it was almost time for dinner. Zeng Tingxue called the girls to go to the banquet hall. When Xu Xingyin stood up, she bumped into the maid who came in to serve tea and was splashed with tea.

The maid was so frightened that she immediately knelt down and begged for mercy. Zeng Tingxue looked apologetic upon seeing this. She apologized to Xu Xingyin and sent another maid to take Xu Xingyin to the backyard to change clothes.

Xu Xingyin didn't think much about it. After a few polite words, he went to the backyard with the maid. But he didn't expect to see an unexpected person after turning the moon gate.

I met Shen Haoyuan once.

Xu Xingyin naturally knew that there would be no such coincidence, so he pursed his lips and said nothing. Shen Haoyuan bowed and spoke first.

"Mr. Shen knows that it is inappropriate to ask Miss Xu to stay for a while like this, so I would like to apologize to Miss Xu here first."

"Since Master Shen knows that it is inappropriate, why bother me?"

Xu Xingyin's words did not save any face and made Shen Haoyuan blush, but he gritted his teeth and continued.

"I have the audacity to invite Miss Xu here today because I have something to say to her. My brother offended Miss Xu, and it is his fault. Last time, I and my mother came to apologize with sincerity. I wonder what your family thinks of the suggestions I made?"

To be honest, Xu Xingyin had no opinion about Shen Haoyuan, and would not take his anger out on him because of Shen Er's affairs.

But Shen Haoyuan should never, ever, trick her into coming here like this!

She was a rebellious person and hated being deceived the most, so she was not polite at all to Shen Haoyuan.

"Mr. Shen may have found the wrong person. Such an important matter is decided by the parents. How can a girl have any say in it?"

"Ms. Xu has misunderstood. Mr. Shen does not want an answer, but... wants to know what Ms. Xu thinks."

Shen Haoyuan's wheat-colored face couldn't help but blush, and even his ears were burning.

"What I am going to say next has nothing to do with the Shen family. It only represents me, Shen Haoyuan. I... have read Miss Xu's poems, and I admire her talent and her broad mind. I... have a good impression of Miss Xu and I am sincere. I hope Miss Xu can seriously consider this marriage."

Xu Xingyin was stunned by this sudden confession, blinking like a frightened deer.

"Are you pleased with me?"

"Yes!"

Shen Haoyuan also looked at a loss. He didn't dare to look at her face. He buried his head and spoke very quickly.

"My name is Shen Haoyuan. I am the eldest in my family and have a younger brother who currently works in the Ministry of Industry. I don't have any bad hobbies. I just like to read poetry and other things. If I can get Miss Xu's approval, I will definitely treat Miss Xu well in the future, respect her, love her, pity her and cherish her."

"..."

Xu Xingyin looked at Shen Haoyuan in shock. Her dumbfounded expression was somewhat funny. She finally calmed down and was about to speak when she heard Zeng Tingxue's voice calling for her from outside.

"If someone sees us like this, it may damage Miss Xu's reputation. I will go ahead. I hope Miss Xu will consider what I have mentioned today and then ask for a reply."

Shen Haoyuan reacted faster than Xu Xingyin. After saying this, he bowed and left.

Xu Xingyin scratched her hair awkwardly, pretended to be calm as she walked out of the moon-shaped door, and saw Zeng Tingxue rushing over. Zeng Tingxue looked her up and down, and seeing that she had not changed her clothes yet, she was very anxious, and hurriedly took her to her room to change clothes.

It must be said that Shen Haoyuan's behavior really left Xu Xingyin stunned for a long time. After dinner, he chatted with the young ladies from various mansions about some gossip in the capital and then found an excuse to return to the Duke's Mansion.

As soon as Xu Xingyin left Zeng Mansion, the Zeng Mansion’s housekeeper went to the East Mansion.

North City East Mansion——

"You mean, Xu Qi is having an affair with a man outside of his family?"

The man sitting on the high seat had deep eyes and an aloof look. His cold tone made the Zeng family’s housekeeper, who was kneeling in the hall, even more nervous, and he answered with trembling hands.

"Today, I saw the man say a lot of ambiguous words to Miss Xu Qi, but it sounded like the man was just one-sided, and Miss Xu Qi did not agree. But I heard that the two families seem to be discussing marriage recently."

The man sipped his tea leisurely, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but his mind, which had been honed over the years, quickly calmed down, and he curled his lips and said something.

"My things have always been coveted by people."