Chapter 58 Love the House and the Dog

"What? You don't want to follow your master anymore? Well, after all, you will get married in the future, and then your heart will not have room for other people..." Qing Yi teased with a mischievous smile on his lips.

"Bah! You little rascal, stop talking nonsense here! Wherever the master is, there I will be! You...you are only the same age as me, why do you call yourself my brother!" Qingqing blushed as if to dispel the inexplicable emotion in her heart and started arguing with Qingyi.

"Ah? We are the same age? How is that possible! You must be younger than me!" Qing Yi's face was full of suspicion, and his brows were furrowed.

"That's right! Your birthday is in October, but mine is in July. So, I'm three months older than you!" She spoke confidently and clearly, with confidence in her eyes.

"This...you girl, how do you know my birthday?" Qing Yi was speechless for a moment, as if he was choked. He didn't know how to refute and could only mutter softly.

"Hmph!" He snorted softly with pride, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, his eyes full of cunning little pride.

"Hey, Qing girl, you can't just look at it like that. Our relationship has to start from your master, right? He is older than you and treats you as his sister. You also know the relationship between him and me, so naturally I treat you as my sister." Qing Yi was not willing to admit defeat easily, and hurriedly racked his brains to defend himself.

"...How is this possible?" Her gentle voice suddenly dropped, and a hint of unconcealable loneliness flashed in her eyes. She knew in her heart that she was just one of many maids, so how could she dare to expect her master to treat her as a sister? Only someone like Qing Yi, who had never lived under royal power and did not understand the rules, would say such words without paying attention to social status.

"Hey, don't worry, I'm here! As long as you recognize me as your brother, I promise that your master will also recognize you as his sister!" Qing Yi saw Wei Xiao's disappointment, patted his chest, and made a promise solemnly.

"Don't try to trick me here! I don't believe you!" Qingqing said this, but the worry on her face had dissipated, revealing a smile. She understood more and more that this boy was indeed different from others. No wonder his master, such a favored child, chose him.

"I am a hero who always keeps my word. Just wait and see, Qing girl, you have to be nicer to me in the future!" Qing Yi raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a confident and free-spirited smile, and said jokingly.

"When have I been mean to you? If it weren't for me, would you have gotten to know my master?" Qingqing was in a particularly good mood, with curved eyebrows and a smile as she retorted.

"Here you go again! How many times have you said this? You're so talkative at such a young age. But don't worry, I, Qing Yi, will remember your great kindness, Miss Qing, for the rest of my life." Qing Yi never spoke in a serious manner. Perhaps it was because they were of similar age and both had lively and active personalities. Compared to other people, they were always talking and laughing, and there were endless topics to talk about.

The two were walking and chatting animatedly when they suddenly saw Steward Lin directing the servants to move things.

"Uncle Lin, what are you busy with?" Qing Yi asked. He had always had a keen nose and had already smelled the rich aroma of wine. He was wondering who had sent so much good wine.

"Young Master Qingyi, this is the agarwood wine bestowed by the emperor. The young prince ordered it to be moved into the wine cellar." When Manager Lin saw that it was Qingyi, he hurriedly responded politely.

"Are they all agarwood wine?" Qing Yi was overjoyed when he heard it. He had been thinking about this wine for a long time.

"Thirty jars in total." Manager Lin reported truthfully.

"Why do we have to put it in a wine cellar? Send these ten jars to my room so I can try them first." Qing Yi said bluntly.

"This..." Steward Lin's face showed a hint of hesitation. If it were the palace's own wine, he would definitely give it to the young prince's benefactor without hesitation. But this was, after all, a gift from the Emperor of Chu, not the palace's property, so he didn't dare to make a decision on his own.

"Why, you're reluctant to give it to me?" Qing Yi thought for a moment and guessed that it must be the agarwood wine that Xiao Ye asked for for him. Why is Manager Lin so stingy?

"Master Qingyi, this is the wine bestowed by the Emperor of Chu. I dare not make the decision on my own. I have to ask the young prince for instructions." Steward Lin explained respectfully.

"Uncle Lin, do you think the young prince would be reluctant to give me even a few jars of wine?" Qing Yi asked, looking at Steward Lin with a half-smile.

"This... Young Master Qingyi, it's not that the young prince is reluctant to let go, it's just that the royal rules are very strict. The items bestowed by the emperor to the palace can only be used after the master gives the order. This old servant really dares not overstep the line." Manager Lin felt that this young man named Qingyi was really arrogant. Even though he had saved the young prince, he should pay attention to his identity and not take himself too seriously.

"Don't worry, no matter how many jars I want, the young prince will definitely give them to me." Qing Yi patted his chest and said confidently.

"Then please ask Master Qingyi and the young prince for instructions. I will be waiting here." Manager Lin was a smart man. He didn't want to offend Qingyi, but he couldn't break the rules of the palace to avoid being criticized.

"Oh, what a trouble! Qingqing, go and tell the young prince that I want ten jars of agarwood wine delivered to my room." Qing Yi said carelessly. With so many people watching around, he planned to show off the young prince's preference for him.

"Yes." He replied softly, then turned around to report. Qing Yi, on the other hand, chatted idly with Manager Lin, making Manager Lin smile widely.

After a while, Qingqing and Ruyi came back together.

"Qingqing, what did the young prince say?" Qing Yi asked loudly, deliberately raising his voice.

"Um, Master Qingyi, the young prince said that he would give you a jar of agarwood wine today." He spoke softly in a low voice.

"What? Just one jar?" Qing Yi's eyes widened. He had never expected Xiao Ye to only give him one jar. Hadn't they begged for all this wine just for him? He suddenly felt embarrassed.

"Then I will follow the young prince's instructions and deliver this jar of agarwood wine to your room," said Chief Steward Lin, still smiling, his face showing no surprise at all. Qing Yi secretly glanced at Ruyi, who had come with Qingqing, and the other servants of the palace, feeling that they seemed to be mocking him for overestimating his own abilities.

"..." Qing Yi wanted to be stubborn and refuse, but when he thought about the rich taste of the agarwood wine, he thought, "One jar is enough. Even if it's sent to the palace wine cellar, what's the harm?" He really didn't believe he couldn't drink it. But Xiao Ye was really too mean this time, actually being so stingy.