Chapter 88: A Polite Refusal

"Miss, Prince Mu has arrived."

Knowing that Yuan Siyin was suffering from the cold, Ziyuan simply stood at a distance after entering.

"Why is he here?!"

Speak of the devil and he appears; you can't even think about it.

Yuan Siyin was so startled that she dropped the hand warmer from her sleeve, and only after regaining her senses did she pick it up again and hold it in her arms.

"I don't know. Zhong Heng is carrying a food box, so he must be here to deliver red bean cakes again. But I didn't expect Prince Mu to come this time as well."

Yuan Siyin's lips twitched.

What's wrong? You're going after her, aren't you?

She resignedly got up and looked through the carved window; it was snowing lightly outside.

"Alright, help me up and do my hair. It's time to go out for a walk."

However, she had only stretched out half of her body when she immediately pulled it back.

"hiss……"

Without saying a word, Zi Yuan immediately put a scarf around her neck.

Yuan Siyin stuck her head out again to test the temperature, and found it was indeed much warmer, so she felt relieved and went out.

Yu Shiyan, dressed in a flowing white robe, his black hair streaked with snow, and wearing a white fox fur cloak, stood tall and elegant on the bridge, holding a blue oil-paper umbrella, admiring the swirling snowflakes on the lake, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Hearing the soft rustling of footsteps in the snow behind him, he slowly turned around.

The girl had her hair simply styled in two buns, with red pearl flowers and tassels hanging down to her ears. Her snow-white scarf made her face look only the size of a palm, and it was also decorated with exquisite agate, which made her skin look even whiter and more delicate. She was charming and lovely.

Looking at Yuan Siyin, who was also dressed in white and hopping around like a rabbit, Yu Shiyan felt a sense of balance.

She was thoughtful; knowing he was coming, she didn't wear pale yellow.

What brings you here?

Although I could guess why he came, I still had to put on an act, right?

I had to politely decline his pastries without embarrassing him.

Yuan Siyin gasped.

After three months of paid leave, work finally came back.

The two then sat down in the pavilion. Servants hung up the warm curtain, set up the charcoal brazier, and laid out pastries and tea before retreating.

Zhong Heng placed the food box on the table and then retreated to wait outside the pavilion.

Yu Shiyan didn't speak, he just stared at her. Yuan Siyin awkwardly leaned to the side, trying to escape his gaze, but he saw right through her.

"Sit still, don't even think about hiding."

Yuan Siyin frowned like a kitten.

Yu Shiyan was very satisfied, and after a while came to a conclusion: "He's gained weight."

"Gained weight?! Where did I gain weight?!"

Yuan Siyin made a loud statement, but ultimately lacked confidence.

"It's too far away, let's get closer and take a look."

A faint smile appeared in Yu Shiyan's eyes.

Yuan Siyin had no choice but to move closer as instructed, muttering to herself, "If it weren't for your good looks and the fact that you're the male lead, I would have beaten you to death!"

The two were close enough that Yu Shiyan could overhear a thing or two, and a smile immediately appeared on his lips.

He gently pinched her cheek; the warm, soft touch was irresistible. "I knew I was wrong, she hasn't gained weight."

"It never existed in the first place."

Yuan Siyin snorted in annoyance.

Don't try to reason with her when she's angry; she's deaf!

"By the way, how's my little red bean?"

Seeing him open the food box, revealing the still steaming glutinous rice cake, Yuan Siyin remembered the little sprout she had forgotten.

Yu Shiyan paused for a moment, then said, "I don't know."

Yuan Siyin pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

After all, we're not the female lead, so it's normal that we don't get that kind of treatment. Survival is the most important thing.

Zhong Heng stood outside the pavilion, holding his long sword and letting the cold wind blow on him, his eyes downcast and his mind at peace.

They're so beautiful, we've moved them inside and look at them every day.

He couldn't understand why a sprouted red bean was so delicate.

The one outside, battered by wind and rain, is left to its own devices. Could the one in the pot possibly bloom a different kind of flower?