Chapter 46 Your cousin... did he display his peacock feathers?

Half an hour later, Tang Xiaoning looked at the "work" that Li Minghua had solemnly placed on the table.

The things carved crookedly with a sword blade on a white radish:

Its lines were as stiff as a city wall, its facial features were as blurry as an abstract painting, and its two ears were different sizes, making it barely recognizable as a creature with long ears.

She first widened her eyes, her lips slightly parted, then suddenly raised her hand to cover her mouth, her shoulders beginning to tremble violently.

She held back and held back, but finally, a thunderous laugh burst out from between her fingers.

"Hahahaha... Ming, Minghua... This... this is a rabbit?" She laughed until tears streamed down her face.

She pointed at the "masterpiece," laughing so hard she nearly collapsed onto the soft couch, almost breathless.

"This is clearly... a fat rat that stole lamp oil and ate too much!"

Hahaha...it's like a mouse that's been stepped on! Hahaha..."

The two maids outside the window heard their mistress laughing loudly inside, a sound they hadn't heard in a long time. Curious, they peeked at the "radish and mouse" on the table and couldn't help but burst out laughing as well. They quickly pulled each other away.

Li Minghua stood by the table, looking at the horribly disfigured "fat rat" that he had created.

Looking at Tang Xiaoning, who was laughing hysterically, with tears in her eyes and her cheeks flushed, I felt a surge of heat rush to my cheeks and ears, even turning my earlobes bright red.

She turned her face away in annoyance, pursed her lips, and after a long while squeezed out two dry words: "...I'm not good at it."

His tone carried a rare hint of embarrassment.

She turned around as if she was in a hurry to get rid of the failed product.

Tang Xiaoning laughed for a while before she could barely stop. She wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes and, seeing Li Minghua's actions, quickly reached out to stop him.

She carefully picked up the radish rabbit, which was uniquely ugly.

My fingertips brushed over the rough, uneven engravings, feeling the clumsy yet incredibly earnest intention behind them.

She leaned closer and, without hesitation, took a small bite of the "rabbit's" blurry nose, chewing it with a crunchy sound.

Then she flashed Li Minghua a dazzling smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "Mmm! Sweet!"

Li Minghua suddenly turned her head, looking at her chewing movements with a mixture of confusion and astonishment. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she subconsciously retorted, "White radish is spicy."

How could that raw, astringent taste be sweet?

"I don't care!" Tang Xiaoning said matter-of-factly, holding the chipped "carrot rabbit" in her arms with her chin slightly raised, displaying a touch of unreasonable arrogance.

Her gaze, however, gently locked onto Li Minghua: "This was 'carved' by your own hands, carrying the heartfelt sentiments of the great heroine Li!"

So it's sweet, the sweetest thing ever!

Her words, like a plum coated in icing sugar, struck Li Minghua's heart with a bittersweet flavor.

Li Minghua was stunned by her twisted logic and frank smile, and was speechless for a moment.

Taking the opportunity, Tang Xiaoning hugged her "precious" rabbit and snuggled closer.

She turned slightly to the side and gently bumped Li Minghua's arm with her shoulder, her voice suddenly softening:

“Minghua, I know you’re worried about me. These past few days, look at you…”

Her gaze swept over the faint dark circles under Li Minghua's eyes and his face, which looked even thinner than before, and her heartache overflowed.

"But look, I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I? I'm lively and energetic."

Liu Yiyi has been punished and will no longer harm others.

She paused, her voice becoming even softer, as if afraid of disturbing something, yet it clearly reached Li Minghua's ears:

"Please don't be so nervous, okay? It breaks my heart to see you like this."

The last two words were spoken very softly and gently, yet they were like warm feathers that gently scratched Li Minghua's heart, which had been tense for many days, bringing a wave of soreness and warmth.

Li Minghua gazed intently at the person so close to him.

Her own reflection was clearly visible in those clear eyes, which were filled with unreserved concern, dependence, and a warm smile.

The string in her heart, which had been taut like a fully drawn bow for days, was gently caressed by that gaze, and finally, with a "clang," it slowly relaxed.

Even the taut lines of her shoulders have softened a bit.

She raised her hand, her fingertips calloused and warm, and gently brushed away a soft wisp of hair that had fallen across Tang Xiaoning's cheek from her earlier laughter.

Looking deeply into her eyes, Li Minghua replied in a low, husky voice, "Okay."

Although it was just a promise made in a single word, low and brief, Tang Xiaoning could sense the relaxation in her eyes and the growing seriousness between her brows.

She listened and agreed.

The afternoon sun was exceptionally generous, shining obliquely through the exquisitely carved window lattice, its warm light dancing and gently enveloping the adorably ugly "carrot rabbit" on the table.

**

The turmoil surrounding Liu Yiyi has completely subsided. The authorities have convicted her of causing trouble and assault and sent her to labor for several months.

The dark clouds that had been hanging over the Tang residence finally dissipated, and Li Minghua's overly tense nerves gradually relaxed as well.

Life seemed to have returned to a seemingly peaceful routine: practicing swordsmanship, reading books, and strolling through gardens.

But some things are different now.

For example, Tang Xiaoning keenly noticed that Li Minghua's gaze was still fixed on her.

But this "tightness" is no longer the kind of vigilance that feels like facing a formidable enemy or seeing enemies everywhere, but rather a kind of... comforting warmth, a protection that seems like a matter of course.

When she walks, Li Minghua will naturally take two steps closer, protecting herself on the outside of the path;

When she stood on tiptoe to reach the books on the high shelf, Li Minghua's slender arm would always reach down easily and hand them to her first.

Even if she only felt a slight numbness on the tip of her tongue from the steam of the freshly brewed hot tea and hissed softly, Li Minghua would immediately frown and silently push the already cooled water cup precisely to her side.

This meticulous and omnipresent care seeped into Tang Xiaoning's heart like honey, making her feel as sweet as if she were carrying a heavy jar of honey whenever she thought of it.

On this afternoon, the warm autumn sun shone through the sparse bamboo leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on the stone chessboard in the pavilion.

The two sat facing each other, with black and white chess pieces scattered among them.

This time, Li Minghua seemed to have deliberately toned down his overt "military tactics" and played with exceptional patience and composure.

Even Tang Xiaoning, whose chess skills are mediocre, can hold her own for several rounds and even occasionally organize a small counterattack.

"Here!" Tang Xiaoning held a glistening white piece between her fingers, intently searching for a tiny flaw in the black pieces' formation.

Her eyes sparkled with the excitement of having met her match (even though the opponent was giving her a handicap).

Just then, a young maidservant, carrying an exquisitely crafted brocade box adorned with gold and colorful decorations, approached the pavilion with light, quick steps.

"Miss, the young master has brought something from the capital again!"

They say it's newly acquired rouge and face powder from the palace, and also a pair of exquisitely lustrous South Sea pearl earrings!

The young maid's voice was clear and melodious, tinged with a hint of envy, as she carefully placed the brocade box on the stone bench beside her.

Tang Xiaoning's mind was completely absorbed in the stalemate of the game, and without even looking up, she simply replied:

"Okay, leave it there. Please write a letter for me to thank my cousin for his trouble."

Her fingertips hovered above the chessboard, still searching for that decisive move.

Although Tang Xiaoning didn't notice at all, Li Minghua, who was playing chess opposite her, paused slightly when he heard the words "Young Master Cousin".

The black piece, about to fall, paused in mid-air for a moment, ultimately deviating from its intended precise position and landing with a "thud" in an insignificant corner of the chessboard.

Tang Xiaoning's eyes lit up, and she almost immediately caught the flaw.

Without hesitation, she precisely placed the white piece on her fingertip, the crisp sound of the piece landing like a victory horn.

"Haha!" She clapped her hands happily, her eyes crinkling with a hint of smugness.

"Minghua, you're distracted! This patch of black pieces is mine! I'm finally going to beat you this time!" She happily picked up the few black pieces that had been "besieged," as if holding a trophy.

Li Minghua looked at the "lost territory" on the chessboard that had been swallowed up by the white pieces, his thick eyelashes lowered, concealing the complex emotions that flashed through his eyes.

She remained silent, extending her slender fingers to carefully pick up the scattered black stones one by one and return them to the chess basket. Her movements were still steady, but seemed a few steps slower than before.

The pavilion was quiet for a moment, with only the soft sound of chess pieces clattering together.

Li Minghua's gaze, however, always seemed to drift unintentionally to the glaring brocade box on the stone bench, containing new-style rouge and pearl earrings... fashionable items in the capital.

She picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea seemed a little cold, and it slid down her throat with a slightly bitter taste.

After a while, she raised her eyes and looked at Tang Xiaoning, who was still smiling with delight at her earlier small victory. She deliberately kept her voice calm:

"Your cousin... seems to care about you a lot. He always brings you these things from afar."

Her other hand, hanging by her side, unconsciously caressed the crooked, bluish-gold tassel on the hilt of her sword.

Fingertips brushed against the rough tassels, as if drawing a sense of peace.

"It's alright," Tang Xiaoning replied casually, her mind still mostly savoring the brilliant move she had just made and anticipating the victory that was about to come, her eyes still lingering on the chessboard.

"He just likes to bring back trendy little trinkets from the capital. I guess he thinks our little place has nothing like that, so it's just something new and interesting."

She picked up a white piece, tapping its edge lightly with her fingertips. Her delicate brows furrowed as she intently planned her next move to expand her advantage, a lingering smile on her lips.

She was completely unaware that the previously peaceful atmosphere opposite her suddenly turned somber with her casual reply, and even the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

"Oh," Li Minghua responded softly, his voice muffled, as if something was stuck in his throat.

She looked at Tang Xiaoning's slightly furrowed brows as she focused on thinking, and her full lower lip that she was unconsciously biting.

Glancing again at the unsightly brocade box beside her, she felt a sudden surge of bittersweet irritation, a heavy weight pressing on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

This emotion, which she had never clearly understood before, left her confused and helpless, and she could only clench the small sword tassel in her palm even tighter.

The rough texture pressed against my palm, bringing a slightly painful yet reassuring feeling.

Tang Xiaoning finally figured out the winning move. With a confident smile, she pinched a white piece between her slender fingers and placed it on the chessboard with a crisp "snap".

"Done! Now you..." She raised her bright smile, ready to declare victory, but the moment she looked up, she met Li Minghua's deep, calm eyes.

The usual tranquility and gentleness were gone; instead, a melancholy she had never seen before enveloped it.

"Minghua?" Tang Xiaoning's smile froze instantly.

She leaned forward slightly, carefully observing Li Minghua's face, which was noticeably more gloomy than before, and softened her voice:

"What's wrong? You look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

She subconsciously reached out to feel the temperature of Li Minghua's forehead.

Li Minghua stiffened slightly the moment she reached out, then subtly turned her head to avoid her touch.

She looked up at her, her lips moving slightly, the question that almost escaped her lips, "Do you really like what he gave you?" lingered on her tongue.