Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Xie Xiaoyi was interrupted by Fu Yaoqin before he could finish speaking.

"It seems that Sister Mu will not be able to make it. Young Master Xie has already agreed to escort me back to Ya Yin Fang."

"Oh?" Mu Pingting raised an eyebrow and looked at Xie Xiaoyi. "Young Master Xie, is that really true?"

Xie Xiaoyi looked bewildered, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the wine jar in his arms.

What is Fu Yaoqin up to?

Isn't this blatantly ruining my chances of finding a partner?

"Young Master Xie, I'm asking you a question!"

"Uh...that's right. Just now, Master Fu did say that it was dark and the road was long, so she asked me to escort her."

Upon hearing this, Fu Yaoqin's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and a smile appeared in her eyes.

Seeing this, Mu Pingting gently patted Xie Xiaoyi on the shoulder and sighed with feigned regret.

"Never mind, I was just unlucky to come. If I had known she was coming, I wouldn't have come."

As soon as Mu Pingting finished speaking, the servants of the city lord's mansion led three ebony carriages to a stop below the steps to wait.

"In that case, I won't get in your way."

As Mu Pingting spoke, she gently pinched Xie Xiaoyi's shoulder with her fingers, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear her.

"Thank you for sending me such a beautiful lady. Tonight at midnight, I will be waiting for you in the warm tent in the west wing. Do you dare to come?"

Without waiting for Xie Xiaoyi's reply, she gracefully stepped onto the outermost carriage. The curtain rose and fell, leaving only a faint fragrance in the air.

With a shout from the servant, the carriage wheels creaked softly as it headed south of the city.

Only Xie Xiaoyi and Fu Yaoqin remained below the steps.

Fu Yaoqin looked up at Xie Xiaoyi: "What...did she whisper in your ear just now?"

"Uh...hey! What can I say? It was just Master Mu joking."

"Is it really just a joke? She just touched your shoulder with her fingertips; it didn't look like she was just joking."

"Master Mu is naturally fond of joking. Perhaps he was just teasing me because he saw that I had beaten Su Mubai."

"It's getting late, Master Fu. We should head back to Ya Yin Fang now, lest the people there worry about us."

"Let's go." Fu Yaoqin took the lead, her tone becoming indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Xie Xiaoyi weighed the Han Tanxiang in his arms, watched her retreating figure, and quickly followed after her.

The carriage moved slowly forward. Xie Xiaoyi leaned against the carriage wall, glancing sideways at Fu Yaoqin, who was sitting upright opposite him, and couldn't help but complain:

"Master Fu, you were really ruthless just now, ruining my chances with women for no reason. This debt needs to be settled properly."

"Heh, Young Master Xie, you flatter me. If it's a true match, how can it be broken up by someone else?"

"That's just sophistry," Xie Xiaoyi chuckled, leaning forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of roguish teasing.

"How come I don't remember that I promised to take you back to Ya Yin Fang?"

Master Fu is... forcing me to be his protector?

"Young Master Xie is too kind."

Qingjiang City is not safe at night. I am a woman traveling alone, so it's always safer to have more people with me.

Xie Xiaoyi was dumbfounded.

This is really a headache.

It seems that whether it's ancient times, modern times, or even the ancient times of a parallel world—

Women are born with the ability to argue unreasonably.

"How does Master Fu plan to compensate me? Will he compensate me with a jar of plum blossom wine?"

Or maybe I'll just get another chance at love...

Why is this person so blunt?

Fu Yaoqin was lost in self-pity when her wrist was suddenly gently pulled, and the next second her back was pressed against the carriage wall.

Xie Xiaoyi firmly supported her ear with one hand, completely encircling her between himself and the carriage.

The wall slam was decisive and forceful.

"What's wrong? Why are you so nervous?"

"I...I didn't...Young Master Xie, please step back!"

Xie Xiaoyi didn't back down at all. Instead, he leaned closer, staring at her reddened lips, and then lowered his head to kiss her.

"Snap"

Fu Yaoqin was both ashamed and angry, and raised her hand to slap him hard across the face.

"Young Master Xie, please have some self-respect."

I invited you back to Ya Yin Fang only because I was worried you might overindulge in wine and women at Yu Sheng Fang and harm your health; I had no other intentions.

Xie Xiaoyi dared not go too far, leaned against the car wall, rubbed his cheek, and slowly swung his legs:

"oh?

So, am I overthinking things?

That's such a pity. I thought... Miss Fu liked me.

"Young Master Xie, please refrain from speaking nonsense!"

Although I am not from a noble family, I am aware of propriety and shame, so please refrain from speaking recklessly.

We're almost at Ya Yin Fang now, so I won't keep Young Hero Xie for tea any longer."

Her reserve was really too much for Xie Xiaoyi to handle.

She wanted to prevent him from getting too close to Mu Pingting, but also prevent herself from getting too close to her.

That's really domineering.

Xie Xiaoyi chuckled softly, then stopped pressing the matter and placed the heavy jar of "Han Tan Xiang" in the carriage.

"I'm giving you the Fragrance of the Cold Pool."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and lifted the carriage curtain, letting the night wind carry the moonlight in and stir Xie Xiaoyi's clothes.

The scene is extremely elegant.

Fu Yaoqin looked at the jar of wine, her fingers trembling slightly.

Just as she was about to say something, Xie Xiaoyi's voice came from outside the curtain, carrying a hint of self-mockery, yet also a vague and inexplicable sense of melancholy:

"I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shone on the gutter. Miss Fu, farewell forever."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Xiaoyi's figure disappeared into the night, leaving only the carriage curtain swaying gently.

Fu Yaoqin stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the jar of Cold Pool Fragrance.

I would have my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon illuminates the ditch.

This person uttered a single, casual remark that was enough to leave a lasting legacy.

His talent was extraordinary, yet he also possessed a cynical and roguish air, which was quite peculiar.

He said it was goodbye forever?

Does he not want to see me again?

Looking at the moonlight outside the car window, Fu Yaoqin suddenly felt a chill.

......

After leaving Fu Yaoqin, Xie Xiaoyi didn't stop there; he went straight to the lights of Yushengfang.

Compared to the refined elegance of Ya Yin Fang, Yu Sheng Fang was brightly lit, with the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifting in on the night breeze.

Xie Xiaoyi was standing on "Swallow Turning Clouds," and the guards on duty in the courtyard of Yushengfang did not even catch a glimpse of the hem of his clothes.

I made my way to the west wing. The courtyard was very quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling front yard.

Only the west wing window let in a faint, warm light, reflecting the indistinct figures inside.

Inside the room, Mu Pingting was leaning against her dressing table, toying with a jade hairpin in her hand, as if waiting for someone.

Xie Xiaoyi chuckled softly, pushed open the door, and called out loudly, "Is Master Mu waiting for me?"

He was incredibly agile; Mu Pingting only realized he was inside when he turned around in surprise, a hint of astonishment flashing in her eyes before a smile spread across her face.

"Young Master Xie arrived quickly. I thought you would be held up by Sister Fu, or that you wouldn't have the courage to keep my appointment at midnight."

Xie Xiaoyi closed the door behind him, leaned against the doorframe, and gave a roguish smile:

"With such an invitation from Master Mu, I would come even if it meant going through fire and water, let alone to such a warm and inviting place?"