573: Sad, comfort

After all, she was a direct daughter of a noble family, not some low-born dancer. Her dancing yesterday was merely to maintain the atmosphere of the banquet and to save the situation. With nothing pressing today, she naturally refused to agree.

Although she loved dancing, it shouldn't be at your command.

Just as Ning Xinyou was about to decline, Yu Guili smiled and responded, "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, Xinyou, please grace us with another dance."

"But I..."

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Yu Guili looked at Ning Xinyou, a hint of urgency flashing in his eyes.

Seeing this, Ning Xinyou had no choice but to rise.

She moved with light, lotus-like steps to the center of the venue, her heart filled with grievance and unwillingness.

The music slowly began. This time, while her dance was still graceful, it lacked some of its former agility and joy, replaced by a forced, lonely smile.

When the music ended, thunderous applause erupted from below the stage. Yu Guili's face was full of pride: "Xinyou, your dancing skills are truly becoming more exquisite."

Ning Xinyou forced a faint smile and replied softly, "Thank you for the compliment."

"Chen Xuan, look, your Sister-in-law Xinyou's dance is rarely seen in this world."

"Yes, yes, yes, everyone knows you, Brother Yu, have good fortune!" Chen Xuan casually brushed him off, for he had already noticed that Ning Xinyou's mood was not good at the moment.

"However, I see that Sister-in-law Xinyou has already given so much to this banquet, and now she has just performed a meticulous dance. She must be very tired. Why not let her rest for a bit?"

Yu Guili paused slightly, then smiled and said, "What Chen Xuan said is absolutely right. Xinyou, you go and rest."

Ning Xinyou looked at Chen Xuan with surprise and gratitude, seemingly not expecting Chen Xuan's thoughts to be so delicate, but due to Yu Guili's presence, she still chose to turn and leave.

After Ning Xinyou had walked away, Yu Guili patted Chen Xuan's shoulder: "Chen Xuan, you are quite attentive to Xinyou."

"Sister-in-law is kind-hearted and has always looked after me. I naturally hope that she can have everything go smoothly and avoid exhaustion."

Yu Guili nodded, saying nothing more.

When Ning Xinyou returned to her room, she sat before the bronze mirror, looking at her slightly weary reflection, and couldn't help but shed tears.

Although she was the direct daughter of a noble family, she was often not her own master. Furthermore, at this banquet, Yu Guili, whom she deeply loved, personally made her dance, and he was not as considerate as Chen Xuan...

After a long while, Ning Xinyou calmed herself down and decided to go out for some fresh air. Unconsciously, she walked into the garden and coincidentally met Chen Xuan again. Their eyes met, and a thousand words were exchanged without speaking.

At this moment, she didn't even think about why Chen Xuan would be here.

"Sister-in-law, are you alright?" Chen Xuan asked softly.

Ning Xinyou shook her head slightly and said with a wronged expression, "Chen Xuan, I, I feel like today I'm like a bird bound by ropes, unable to fly freely. Today I didn't want to dance, but Yu Guili..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened again.

A direct daughter of a noble family could not bear such grievances.

Chen Xuan looked at her in this state, "heartbroken beyond measure," and impulsively stepped forward, grasping her hand: "Sister-in-law, you shouldn't suffer such grievances. In my heart, you are unique and should not be treated like this! Just now, I saw that you didn't want to dance!"

Ning Xinyou looked at Chen Xuan's sincere eyes, her heart a mix of emotions. She gently withdrew her hand and whispered, "But I... after all..."

"But I don't want you, Sister-in-law, to suffer such grievances again!"

"Little Xuan, you, don't be like this, Sister-in-law actually... isn't wronged!"

Chen Xuan's gaze was burning, and he said urgently, "Sister-in-law, don't deceive yourself anymore. The grievance and loneliness in your eyes, I see them clearly!

My elder brother, he really is something. As your fiancé, he should protect you and understand your heart, but today he forced you like this, which is truly inappropriate."

Ning Xinyou bit her lower lip upon hearing this, tears glistening in her eyes: "Chen Xuan, you don't understand. The matter between my elder brother and me is very complicated. Even if I am unwilling to dance, I can only silently endure it."

"No, you are the one who doesn't understand! The feelings between you two shouldn't become shackles that bind you. Sister-in-law, although my power is meager now, I have the determination and courage to change all of this. You shouldn't be trapped in this seemingly luxurious but actually cold cage."

"Little Xuan, it's easy for you to say that, but truly doing it is far from easy. Sister-in-law's matters, you'd better not get involved..."

"No."

Chen Xuan took a step forward, looking at Ning Xinyou with piercing eyes: "Sister-in-law, even if the path ahead is fraught with thorns, I will never retreat. For your happiness, I am willing to brave any difficulties. You just need to trust me, give me some time, and I will surely free you from this painful situation."

Ning Xinyou raised her eyes, gazing at Chen Xuan's "determined" face, her heart rippling with emotion.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan slowly extended his hand and gently held Ning Xinyou's hand. This time, Ning Xinyou did not withdraw it.

"Sister-in-law, I promise you, I will not disappoint you. I will prove it to you step by step with my actions."

Ning Xinyou felt the warmth of Chen Xuan's palm, and the defenses in her heart gradually crumbled.

Her tears welled up again, and she choked out, "Chen Xuan, thank you, thank you for understanding me so well. It's just, can we really do it?"

Chen Xuan looked at the crying beauty, gently pulled her into his embrace, and softly patted her back:

"We definitely can, Sister-in-law. There is nothing in this world that cannot be changed. As long as we work together, in the future, we will surely make you feel good... *cough cough*, let you gain true freedom, and make Brother Yu understand your suffering!"

Ning Xinyou leaned in Chen Xuan's embrace, feeling a warmth and security that Yu Guili could not provide.

Because Yu Guili had never even once had any physical contact with her from beginning to end!

After a long while, she looked up, a hint of determination in her eyes: "Okay, Chen Xuan, I trust you. So what should we do next to make Guili care about me?"

"We just need to..."

As the two were speaking, footsteps suddenly came from afar. They hurriedly separated, pretending as if nothing had happened.

The person who came was one of Yu Guili's attendants. He saw the two of them and respectfully said, "Young Miss Ning, Young Master Yu has instructed me to ask you to come over in a moment."

"Ask me to go over? What does he want?"

"This..." The attendant glanced at Chen Xuan, hesitating to speak.

"Little Xuan is one of us, you can speak freely!"

"Yes, it's someone from your Ning family. They heard that an Immortal King came yesterday..."

"I understand, I'll go now! Little Xuan, you come with me too." Ning Xinyou said, pulling on Chen Xuan's sleeve, and heading back to the venue.