"The morning court finished early, and as I was passing by your manor, I thought of visiting my fiancee.", Xuan Xu Chen explained. "My elders have advised that this official start cultivating feelings with his betrothed as soon as possible for a harmonious married life."
If Lou Yi was a regular princess just out of her boudoir, she'd probably have flushed cheeks by now. After all, in the ancient era, marriage isn't a comfortable topic to talk about with males. Instead of blushing, Lou Yi's face was still expressionless. However, she nodded as if indicating that she understood what Xuan Xu Chen was implying.
"Indeed.", she agreed to his words. "Cultivating feelings ahead of time is beneficial for us. If we try to understand each other, we can prevent fights and misunderstandings in the future. The walls have ears, it will be bad for the Prime Minister's residence if its master and its mistress are known to not get along. The Prime Minister and this Second Princess will lose face."
Xuan Xu Chen's lips twitched upon hearing Lou Yi's words. Although there is nothing wrong with Lou Yi's pragmatic words, he was helpless with how she wasn't acting like a young princess at all. Shouldn't princesses her age be giddy at the prospect of getting along with their husband instead of thinking about losing face?
"Second Princess is correct.", Xuan Xu Chen helplessly agreed to her words. "If the Second Princess doesn't have anything to do, would you like to accompany this official to take a stroll in the capital? I'm sure you haven't seen much of the capital since you came here."
'Is this man asking me for a date?', Lou Yi subconsciously asked herself.
"I plan to visit the Third Princess after this, but I don't have any plans for the afternoon. If the Prime Minister is still free by then, it would be my honor to take a stroll with you."
"That's great.", Xuan Xu Chen beamed at her. "Then, this official will no longer prevent the Second Princess from visiting the Third Princess. I will pick you up in the afternoon then."
Lou Yi breath a sigh of relief when she saw Xuan Xu Chen standing up and preparing to leave. Even when the two of them had come in contact several times already, she still feels a bit uncomfortable when together with the man. For Lou Yi, she will always be wary of someone who treats another person really well despite the other showing suspicious intentions.
After Xuan Xu Chen left, Lou Yi returned to her room to change to another set of clothing. As what she said to Xuan Xu Chen, she indeed plans to visit her younger sister. It wasn't just an excuse she made up on the spot.
Once she was done changing clothes, she immediately walked out and traversed the pathway connecting her courtyard with her sister's. As the courtyard was a bit inside, it took a while before she was able to reach the place.
When a maidservant saw Lou Yi, she immediately curtseyed to her and told her that Rou Xi is in the Jade Garden. The maidservant offered to inform Rou Xi of her arrival but she declined, walking to the Jade Garden herself.