Chapter 24: The Power of the Destined Pair
She was truly brilliant!
Her eldest brother was far too doting, and he possessed an obsession with learning and education that went beyond the understanding of ordinary people. As long as she used the excuses that she wanted to accompany him to the Imperial Academy and that she was eager to begin her studies there, he would certainly be willing to help her convince their mother to let her enroll quickly.
"Very well." Chu Hengyang was moved.
[My little sister truly loves me this much. She is so eager to experience the joy of learning. Since that is the case, I cannot stand in the way of her desire to be with me and to taste the pleasures of scholarship.]
"Little sister, go quickly. I shall await you at the Imperial Academy," Chu Hengyang said.
Plan successful!
Chu Ying’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she giggled, "Alright."
Since she had come up with such a clever and witty plan to ensure her future sister-in-law and her brother had time alone together, she certainly wouldn't let it end too quickly. She would, of course, wait until the Imperial Academy’s poetry competition had concluded and her brother had returned home before appearing to tell him that everything had been arranged.
"Big brother, please hurry and board the carriage!" Chu Ying urged, "Don't keep Her Highness the Princess waiting."
"Indeed." With his little sister's sweet words ringing in his ears, Chu Hengyang had completely forgotten the nervous apprehension he felt about facing Xiao Yixi. He turned quickly and climbed into the carriage.
The moment the curtain was drawn, Xiao Yixi’s exquisite, ethereal face immediately entered his field of vision.
Chu Hengyang’s face, still glowing with the happiness of his sister’s affection, froze instantly. Only then did it dawn on him that Xiao Yixi was right there in the confined, intimate space of the carriage with him. As he looked into the beautiful eyes she turned toward him, his heart hammered like a drum, his hand gripping the door frame trembled uncontrollably, and his breathing became erratic.
*Swish.*
He dropped the curtain and sat down directly on the driver’s bench.
"Uh, Young Master?" Xiao Wu looked at him, bewildered. What had come over the young master? Why had he suddenly snatched away his duties?
Chu Hengyang’s knuckles turned white from the intensity of his emotions. He kept his expression composed and said gently, "You may lead the horse from beside the carriage. Her Highness is of noble status; it would be improper for me to share the carriage interior with her. It would damage her reputation."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu was startled and replied in a panic, "Yes, sir!"
That was a close call. How could he have forgotten that Her Highness was not only incredibly noble but also a lady? How could an unrelated man share a private space with her? As he led the horse, Xiao Wu felt a lingering fear, yet he remained puzzled. It was truly strange; anyone should have been able to spot the impropriety of the situation immediately.
Why had he failed to notice anything amiss for the entire time the Princess had been in the carriage, or even after the young master had joined her?
Xiao Wu did not know that there existed such a thing as a "destined couple." It meant that for two people born to be together, no matter what they did, others would never find it strange. They would only feel that it was exactly as it should be.
The carriage rattled away. Outside, Chu Hengyang’s heart remained in turmoil. Inside, Xiao Yixi felt a profound sense of regret. It was a pity that Little Ying’s timing in leaving had been so impeccable. Otherwise, if Hengyang had remained in the carriage with her—in such a confined space, a space so intimate that their very breaths would have been forced to intertwine—it would have been far too easy to "lure" him into kissing her.
However…
As Xiao Yixi thought of the melodic, jade-like voice of Chu Hengyang coming through the curtain, speaking of "protecting her reputation," a smile of unadulterated, affectionate joy bloomed upon her face.