My Aloof Lord Ex-Husband Begs for Remarriage
Chapter 497: The Sudden Invitation

Chapter 497: Chapter 497: The Sudden Invitation

Lin Xuanxuan laughed as she introduced herself before turning her head towards Chu Nanli.

Chu Nanli smiled, and likewise, told Lu Xinyue her name.

Lu Xinyue, not minding Chu Nanli’s somewhat cold demeanor, continued to speak, "I’m still not very familiar with the capital; do you know where I might find something novel and fun? Would you be able to show me around?"

"Unfortunately, we have important matters to attend to next and I’m afraid we won’t be able to accompany you."

Though she did not outright refuse her request, Chu Nanli did not accept either.

Making up an excuse, the two of them promptly left the place.

On the ride back in the carriage, Lin Xuanxuan could no longer hold back and looked at Chu Nanli, full of bewilderment.

"Nanli, why do I feel like you don’t really like that Miss Lu we just met?"

Having known Chu Nanli for so long, she was naturally quite familiar with her personality.

If Chu Nanli was this aloof towards someone she just met, there must be something off about that person.

She always believed this to be true.

Regarding her own speculations, Chu Nanli had no intention of hiding them from her.

"She said her last name is Lu, does that remind you of anything?"

Following Chu Nanli’s words, Lin Xuanxuan quickly came to a realization.

There were no prominent families with the surname Lu in the capital, and Lu Xinyue’s demeanor was too distinguished to be from a minor household.

Thinking of prestigious families beyond the capital, Lin Xuanxuan’s first thought was of the Vassal King of Lingnan.

"It really is a coincidence, the Vassal King of Lingnan also has the surname Lu, and I’ve heard his eldest daughter is about the same age as me..."

"Could it really be her?"

Chu Nanli nodded, "If I’m not mistaken, she must be the Commandery Princess Changping."

The power of the Vassal King of Lingnan was, among all the vassal kings, considered to be the strongest, and his daughter was naturally conferred the title of Commandery Princess by the Emperor to pacify the people’s hearts.

"Have you ever considered, why would a Commandery Princess come out with only one maid? It’s too inconsistent with common sense."

Faced with Chu Nanli’s question, Lin Xuanxuan still did not ponder deeply.

She ventured a guess, "Maybe it’s because she doesn’t want to be too ostentatious?"

Even so, would the Vassal King of Lingnan really be at ease letting his daughter come out like this?

"We are not mind-readers, how could we possibly know what she’s thinking."

Chu Nanli laughed and shook her head without explaining too clearly.

She could sense that Lu Xinyue seemed to have approached her with a purpose in mind.

But these were just hunches; if she were to voice them, it might be considered being suspicious without cause.

Maybe everything today was just a coincidence?

"Since you’ve said so, then such a person really doesn’t warrant a deeper friendship."

Lin Xuanxuan trusted what Chu Nanli said; since she said so, that Lu Xinyue definitely was not someone worth befriending.

Their conversation did not linger on Lu Xinyue.

They did not have much contact with Lu Xinyue today and, without any accidents, they shouldn’t have much contact in the future either.

What neither of them expected was that Lu Xinyue was unexpectedly persistent about becoming friends with them.

She probably also realized that her earlier act of concealing her identity might cause displeasure in others.

So this time, she simply and openly used the identity of Princess Changping to invite Chu Nanli and Lin Xuanxuan out together.

Although Chu Nanli did not have a good impression of her, she uncharacteristically agreed to the invitation.

As for this, Lin Xuanxuan felt quite baffled.

Before heading out to the meeting, she couldn’t help but ask, "Nanli, you said what you did that day, so why agree to the invitation today? If you really don’t want to go and find it hard to refuse, then let me be the one to refuse."

She still couldn’t understand—if Lu Xinyue obviously had ill intentions, why should they associate with such a person?

Why not just keep a distance?

"Didn’t you notice where she arranged to meet us?"

Chu Nanli’s finger lightly tapped on the invitation, and only then did Lin Xuanxuan notice that the place was in fact the hotpot restaurant owned by Chu Nanli.

"Why should I refuse when someone is eager to bring me silver?"

Besides, Chu Nanli was indeed curious about what exactly Lu Xinyue wanted to do.

Although she had always been in Lingnan, she accompanied the Vassal King of Lingnan to the capital this time; it was impossible for her to be completely unaware of recent events in the capital.

Even if she wasn’t aware, wouldn’t the Vassal King remind her?

That day, she observed that Lu Xinyue was not someone who acted recklessly, instead, her actions were measured and well-educated.

"That’s true," Lin Xuanxuan said thoughtfully, "It’s just a pity that even if she orders every dish on the menu, it will all come to just a few dozen silver."

It wasn’t that Chu Nanli didn’t want to tell her the truth.

It’s just that she always felt that Lu Xinyue was targeting her personally, and there was no need to worry Lin Xuanxuan with this matter.

To avoid causing her worry.

When the two of them arrived at the hotpot restaurant, Lu Xinyue was already waiting there.

"I am so happy that you could come," she said.

The smile remained on Lu Xinyue’s face, betraying an air of innocence.

"Actually, that day, I did not intentionally want to hide my identity. It’s just that I had sneaked out from the post station without telling my father, so it wasn’t convenient to reveal who I was. I hadn’t expected to find myself in such a situation."

Lu Xinyue appeared somewhat sheepish as she mentioned the event.

"Actually, you don’t really need to thank us so much since, after all, we didn’t really help you that day."

Lin Xuanxuan’s blunt way of speaking left Lu Xinyue not knowing how to respond.

"Also, you shouldn’t do that. If you had encountered any danger, it would have caused the Prince so much worry."

"Miss Lin is right; I’ll remember that," Lu Xinyue quickly showed a troubled expression upon hearing this, "It’s just that I haven’t been to the capital for many years, and I am not familiar with everything here, nor do I have any friends."

"You must be quite familiar with the capital, right? Where do you usually go?"

Without any guard, Lin Xuanxuan blurted out, "But the places we usually go to, I’m afraid most noble ladies in the capital wouldn’t like to visit."

"Besides, I usually stay at Jici Academy and don’t go to other places for entertainment."

"Jici Academy?"

Lu Xinyue’s eyes lit up as if she had discovered something new and interesting.

"I had heard about Jici Academy while I was in Lingnan. The Empress Dowager once praised it, and you know, I accompany my mother to distribute porridge every year in Lingnan. It would be nice if I could also visit Jici Academy."

"Sure, if you want to go, I can take you to see it some day."

The one who spoke was not Lin Xuanxuan, but Chu Nanli.