Chapter 129: Finished Speaking

“It's nothing, just a bit pretentious, indulging in some affectation now and then.”

“No need to belittle yourself like that.”

“I’m not belittling myself; I’m just mocking myself.”

“Sigh, I don’t really know what to say about you two. But even if you part ways, I hope I can still be your friend.”

“Of course.”

Yet, only as ordinary friends—those connected to Xuanyuan Juesi can only be ordinary friends. Mo Qianli was a good person, but right now, she found it impossible to trust anyone again.

The matter with Ye Xuan had dealt a heavy blow to her—especially in terms of friendship.

And in love, the hurt from Xuanyuan Juesi was equally profound. At this moment, she longed to drink. Tea wouldn’t do.

“Is there any wine?”

Si Nuosang asked Mo Qianli.

“You want some wine?”

“Yes, I do.”

Si Nuosang nodded, so Mo Qianli handed over her wine flask.

“If you don’t mind, there’s still some wine left inside.”

Si Nuosang took the flask, poured a cup into her teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

“Hmm, this wine is quite good. At least ten years old!”

The aroma was fragrant and mellow, deeply enticing.

“Looks like Miss Si knows her wine! Indeed, it’s a ten-year-old Daughter’s Red.”

“Daughter’s Red? This is the first time I’ve had it. I’d only heard of it before.”

“Really?”

Mo Qianli looked at Si Nuosang with some surprise. It was strange—her first time drinking Daughter’s Red? This was quite a common wine around here. But at over ten years, it was indeed a fine flask.

Usually, she would save it for special occasions. Seeing Si Nuosang drink so heartily, she resolved to retrieve more from Xuanyuan Juesi.

Mo Qianli understood the feelings Xuanyuan Juesi held for Si Nuosang—perhaps as an outsider, she saw things even more clearly.

But even though they loved each other, with matters having come to this point, turning back was difficult—especially for two stubborn souls like them.

Neither would likely yield. The situation was extremely delicate. Of course, if they could be together, that would be best. But if the future was uncertain, too much contact would only bring pain.

Si Nuosang’s tolerance for alcohol was weak, so after finishing the flask, she collapsed onto the table and fell asleep.

Actually, Xuanyuan Juesi had arrived.

In truth, it was Mo Qianli who met Xuanyuan Juesi here. They happened to run into Si Nuosang, so they brought her along.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Xuanyuan Juesi looked at Si Nuosang slumped over the table.

“She’s drunk.”

“I know. Why is she drinking?”

Xuanyuan Juesi wasn’t a fool; he knew she was drunk and that the wine came from his senior brother’s personal flask. Otherwise, where would there be wine in a teahouse?

“It’s all because of you, isn’t it?”

“Because of me? No, it should be Ye Xuan.”

“If you know, then why ask me? You clearly know everything.”

Mo Qianli rolled her eyes at him. She really had no way to deal with this junior brother of hers. He could have controlled things but didn’t act. By the time regret came, it was already too late.

“Senior Brother, don’t be angry. What should we do with her now?”

Pointing at Si Nuosang, who was now drunk and passed out here.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

Mo Qianli couldn’t help but ask Xuanyuan Juesi.

He looked at her seriously, then raised his gaze to Mo Qianli.

“I sent someone to Biyuan and absolutely cannot let her appear before Si Nuosang.”

“What person?”

“Her sister. Si Nuosang must never know of her existence, and they must never meet.”

Xuanyuan Juesi’s considerations were far-reaching, not just about the immediate problem.

“What? You sent her to Biyuan?”

“There was no other way. That place is hard to escape from. It’s the only way to prevent the two from meeting.”

“Xuanyuan Juesi, how many secrets are you hiding from me, your senior brother? I don’t understand your thoughts or actions at all. I really don’t.”

Looking at Xuanyuan Juesi, Mo Qianli felt he had become a stranger.

“Sorry, Senior Brother. Some things even I don’t fully understand. But I can promise you, I have no ill intent.”

“I know you don’t. But do you realize what you’ve become? You’re no longer the person you once were. Because of Si Nuosang, you’ve changed completely. I know it’s for the better, but now, I don’t even know what to say.”

He truly cared about Xuanyuan Juesi. As a prince, few cared for him at all. As his senior brother, he had always tried hard to look after him.

Yet it still wasn’t quite enough. A little gap between people is normal.

“Sorry to worry you, Senior Brother.”

“Enough of this talk. What about her now?”

Mo Qianli asked.

“Call Yiyi over,” Xuanyuan Juesi said to a nearby attendant. The attendant immediately hurried toward the Sang Residence.

Mo Qianli couldn’t understand Xuanyuan Juesi’s approach.

“Even now you want to let go? If that’s the case, why not let the sisters meet? You won’t let them meet because you want to stop her from leaving, right? Xuanyuan Juesi, you’re so contradictory. I don’t understand—you’re just torturing yourself.”

She was truly angry and couldn’t comprehend his actions—not at all. But what could be done? Xuanyuan Juesi had already turned things into such a state.

Yiyi arrived quickly and, upon seeing the prince and Mo Qianli, immediately bowed.

“Take her back and take good care of her.”

Xuanyuan Juesi looked at Yiyi. Though he had released her, her registration still remained within the prince’s mansion.

In the end, Yiyi was still a member of the household, though she had absolute freedom outside.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yiyi helped Si Nuosang up and left the teahouse, returning to the Sang Residence, then helped her to bed.

Though she didn’t understand the full situation, Yiyi knew something was definitely amiss.

But as long as Si Nuosang was by her side, everything else could be set aside. After the misdeed she had committed, she was even more determined to take care of Si Nuosang. Si Nuosang’s current state was her own fault.

Qin Shuang was truly despicable, using her jealousy against her.

Thinking this, Yiyi deeply regretted it. But if given the choice again, she would still choose to help Qin Shuang, for she could not allow anyone to take Si Nuosang from her.

Yiyi’s possessiveness was even stronger than Xuanyuan Juesi’s. A woman’s jealousy could be terrifying beyond measure.

And Xuanyuan Juesi was no different.

Only now, he was enduring it all. Sitting face to face, Xuanyuan Juesi told Mo Qianli everything about Si Xueyi.