Chapter 22. He forcefully kissed her thin lips, accurately sealing her lips...

When Cui Ying woke up again, the sun was already high in the sky.

After a quick breakfast, she went to the Bodhi Hall to find out how her grandmother's health was recovering.

The sun was blazing, the sky was cloudless, and even with lush trees providing shade, a hot breeze still blew and cicadas chirped incessantly.

Upon reaching the door of the Bodhi Hall Master's house, Cui Ying was already drenched in a light sweat. Just as she had asked Granny Meng to announce her arrival, she heard a hoarse, angry shout from inside:

"I'm old! I'm useless now! I can't take care of you anymore!"

"Let me ask you, were you all bewitched by lard yesterday, or were you possessed by a demon?"

"They all act more dignified than the empresses in the palace on ordinary days, but when it comes to the crucial moment, how come they all slip up? Did they think things weren't chaotic enough? Crying and threatening to hang themselves, they're worse than those shrewish village women! This is the daughter-in-law of our Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion, what a fine lady, what a good mistress of the household!"

After finishing her tirade, Wang coughed violently, and immediately, cries of "Grandmother, please calm down!" echoed from inside.

Madam Wang continued, "I've said it so many times, the most important thing in a large family like ours is unity from top to bottom, and the most taboo thing is infighting. But look at you all, you've started killing each other before the outside world has even invaded. I'm not even dead yet, and you're already like this. What will you do when I'm really dead? Won't you turn the world upside down?"

Qin's voice came through: "Daughter-in-law wouldn't dare."

The sound of Xue crying followed immediately: "Even your daughter-in-law wouldn't dare!"

Wang, however, wouldn't let them off the hook, and continued, "With Luming Academy about to have its summer break and the children coming back, you've caused such a disgraceful incident. The outside world will laugh their heads off, and the children will be ashamed along with you. What kind of mothers are you!"

Under the eaves, thrushes chirped and sang.

Upon hearing the voice, Cui Ying was filled with deep regret.

If I had known it would be this lively, I wouldn't have come.

Just as she was having second thoughts, Granny Meng came out and said to her gently, "Young Madam, please come in."

Cui Ying sighed and went inside, steeling herself.

Inside the main house, Madam Qin and Madam Xue had just sat down, their knees trembling slightly, as if they had been kneeling for a long time.

Wang was lying on the daybed, her face originally cold, but as soon as she saw Cui Ying enter, she immediately smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Good child, there's no need for formalities, come and sit next to your grandmother."

Cui Ying had no choice but to walk over and sit down in front of Wang.

When Madam Wang saw the fine sweat on her forehead, she felt a pang of heartache and ordered the maid to bring her cool drinks and fruits, as well as various snacks and candied fruits, as if she were attending a grand peach banquet.

Cui Ying was both amused and exasperated, and softly declined, "Grandmother, I've already eaten, and my stomach is already full."

Madam Wang said with a loving expression, "If you can't eat it, I'll pack it up for you and take it back to Qiyun Pavilion later."

Cui Ying nodded obediently.

Today she wore a light pink silk robe and a light willow-colored floral skirt. Her hair was styled in a cloud-like bun with a red rose adorning the side. The fresh and bright colors of her outfit made her skin look as white as snow, making her resemble a lady from a painting.

Looking at Cui Ying's almond-shaped eyes, rosy cheeks, and clear pupils, Madam Wang felt more and more sorry for her and found her adorable. Her eyes reddened as she said, "Good child, I owe you so much for yesterday. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have made it to the Western Paradise to find Buddha before nightfall."

Cui Ying laughed and said, "It's because my grandmother is very lucky and has the protection of the Bodhisattva. I just happened to be lucky. If I want to thank someone, I have to thank Madam Chen, the young mistress of the Duke of Huguo's mansion, for her generosity. When she saw that I wanted some, she gave me all the salted citron she was carrying. Otherwise, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have been able to."

Wang pondered for a moment and said, "Chen? I didn't know it was all thanks to that child."

He immediately instructed Granny Meng to prepare generous gifts and sent someone to the Northern Garrison Command to ask Xiao Heng to choose a free day to personally deliver the gifts to the Duke of Huguo's mansion to express his gratitude.

Qin Shi, whose face was pale and who had not yet recovered from being scolded by her mother-in-law, raised her eyes slightly upon hearing this commotion and glanced at Cui Ying out of the corner of her eye.

Everyone in the capital said that the Censor-in-Chief had failed to properly educate his daughter, Cui Sanniang, who was spoiled by the Princess and became lawless. From the time she was old enough to understand, she caused trouble all day long. This well-bred young lady was neither good at needlework nor skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She was willful and capricious, simple-minded and reckless, and had nothing to do with the word "intelligent".

But what Cui Ying just said was clearly quite sophisticated.

Such a life-saving grace would normally prompt an ordinary person to exaggerate their merits and seek rewards. However, Cui Ying managed to absolve himself of all credit in a few words, instead highlighting the weakest member of the family, Chen Shi. This not only made the old lady remember Chen Shi's kindness, but more importantly, it brought them closer together.

The old lady of the Duke of Huguo's mansion is very concerned about her reputation. If she knew that her daughter-in-law had saved the old lady of the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion by a twist of fate, she would definitely look at her differently and not in the same way as before.

The good deed she did alone benefited several people.

This requires more than just intelligence; it also requires a broad mind.

When Qin looked at Cui Ying again, her gaze became somewhat complicated.

On the other side, Granny Meng first prepared a gift list herself, and then handed it to Madam Wang for review, so that she could add to it.

Looking at the gift list, Wang nodded and shook her head at times, then added a few more items before putting it aside.

“Even if Chen’s child has made the greatest contribution, you will still be rewarded.” Wang said with a smile, and instructed Meng Mama, “Go and get the key to my private treasury.”

Upon hearing this, not only was Madam Qin stunned, but even Madam Xue, who was wiping away tears, looked up.

If you are to bestow rare and precious treasures as a reward, you can simply state their names and have someone fetch them.

If they ask for the keys, there's only one possibility...

A moment later, the key was delivered. Madam Wang took the key out of the brocade box, pulled Cui Ying's hand, placed it in her palm, and said with a smile, "From now on, it is yours."

Qin's face suddenly turned pale.

The old lady's private treasury contained not only her dowry, but also treasures bestowed by the emperor over the years, as well as rare and precious antiques left by the old marquis. Any calligraphy or painting picked out from it would be priceless.

She actually wants to give it all to Cui Ying?

Qin pinched the flesh of her palm, so much sourness almost overflowing.

Cui Ying glanced down at the delicate key in her palm, blinked, and then looked up and said, "I don't want it."

In an instant, all eyes turned to Cui Ying.

Madam Wang smiled in surprise, stroking the girl's jet-black hair affectionately: "There are countless jewels and hairpins in here, endless silks and satins, and countless rare treasures. Just touching one of them could be exchanged for a luxurious mansion. Do you really not want it, my little one?"

Without even thinking, Cui Ying shook her head.

She said, "I already have enough to wear and wear. I only have one head and one body. There's no use in having more. I can't wear them all. As for those treasures, I'm not good at recognizing their value. In my eyes, there's no difference between jade and stone, or between calligraphy and paintings and scrap paper. If they fall into my hands, it would be a waste. They should belong to someone who can appreciate them."

After listening to the girl's heartfelt words, Madam Wang was briefly stunned. When she came to her senses, she simply sighed softly, touched Cui Ying's face, and said, "Is there anything you really want? Tell your grandmother, and your grandmother will do something for you."

Cui Ying pursed her lips and began to think about it carefully.

After thinking for a while, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "I remember!"

"I want to build a small kitchen in Qiyun Pavilion and hire a few cooks who suit my tastes!"

Cui Ying's eyes sparkled with excitement as she tugged at Wang Shi's arm and pleaded, "Promise me, Grandmother! I want this, only this!"

Mrs. Wang readily agreed, beaming from ear to ear. After agreeing, she asked, "Why do you suddenly want a small kitchen? Is the food at home not to your liking?"

“It’s not that it’s not to my taste,” Cui Ying racked her brains for a more tactful way of putting it, “it’s just that I feel a little, a little…”

"It tastes awful."

Wang was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Qin and Xue couldn't help but laugh, and the previously cold and serious atmosphere finally became relaxed and lively.

Madam Wang tugged at Cui Ying's soft cheeks: "You little monkey, tell me quickly, did you complain about the food in my house on your very first day after you married into the family? It's amazing that you could put up with it for several days. If you want to eat a certain kind of food, it's just a matter of saying the word. If any of the servants dare to disobey you, I will kick them all out of the mansion."

Cui Ying just smiled and joked, snuggling up to Wang Shi and acting coquettishly, but in her heart she thought: The food I love to eat, ordinary cooks can't make it.

The lethal amount of bell pepper alone is not something an ordinary person would dare to put in.

Before we knew it, noon had arrived.

After having lunch at the Bodhi Hall, Cui Ying returned to the Qiyun Pavilion for a short rest in the afternoon.

True to her word, Wang hired craftsmen to build a kitchen that very day. To prevent the courtyard from becoming too crowded with an extra kitchen, she even demolished one of the courtyard walls, expanding the entire courtyard.

At night, Xiao Qiyu returned from his shift and saw the wall that had been knocked down. He thought he had gone to the wrong door.

It wasn't until he pushed open the door and saw Cui Ying sprawled on the couch like a shrimp, leisurely reading a storybook with her legs crossed, that he was certain he had come to the right place.

"What's going on outside?" Xiao Qiyu put down the light armor and poured himself a cup of tea to quench his thirst.

Cui Ying got tired of lying down, rolled over so he was face up, and continued reading the storybook: "When you have nothing to do, build a doghouse."

Xiao Qiyu picked up his teacup and asked before taking a sip, "When did you get a dog?"

Cui Ying: "The dog is talking to me."

Xiao Qiyu spat out a mouthful of tea.

Cui Ying looked at him and exclaimed, "Oh dear, the dog choked!"

Xiao Qiyu wiped the water stains from the corners of his mouth with a dark face, and strode towards the bed, his suppressed anger like a dark cloud pressing down.

Cui Ying sensed something was wrong, so she sprang to her feet and ran off without even putting on her shoes.

She rushed to the door and flung it open, yelling, "Help! Murder!"

Unfortunately, before she could take a step out, Xiao Qiyu grabbed her and pulled her back, slamming the door shut behind her.

Before Cui Ying could react, he was already pinned against the door. The light in the room was completely blocked by his imposing figure, and when he looked up, he could see only the boy's dark, displeased phoenix eyes.

Xiao Qiyu said coldly, "Say it again, who is the dog?"

Cui Ying narrowed his eyes, seemingly unfazed, like a dead pig waving a cricket on the execution platform: "Whoever speaks first is a dog."

Xiao Qiyu's forearm veins throbbed suddenly, his eyes darkened, and he lowered his head to blow a breath of hot air into Cui Ying's ear.

Strike at the snake's vital spot! Cui Ying felt as if her life force had been seized. Not only did her legs go weak instantly, but her voice also became soft and powerless: "I'm a dog, I'm a dog, okay? Xiao Qiyu, are you even a man? You're so vengeful, you should change your name to Stingy Yu!"

"Little Jade" snorted coldly, and in an extremely malicious manner, breathed on her sensitive, red earlobe again: "I'm not a man, so who are you?"

While he was distracted by talking, Cui Ying put her hand behind his waist and pressed a finger on his lower back.

Xiao Qiyu let out a muffled groan, his thick eyebrows furrowing in unbearable discomfort as an unbearable tingling sensation spread from his lower back throughout his entire body.

Cui Ying shoved him away and, like a rabbit released from its cage, quickly hid behind the round table, with Xiao Qiyu following closely behind.

The two men chased each other around the round table, like an eagle catching a chick, both men fiercely competing and neither willing to give in.

Xiao Qiyu felt even more exhausted than fighting against 108 wooden figures. Panting heavily, he hissed, "Cui Ying, don't let me catch you, or I'll definitely—"

Cui Ying rolled her eyes: "What can you do to me? What can you do to me?"

"I'll kill you." Xiao Qiyu's eyes were icy as he uttered these harsh words.

But in reality, he really couldn't do anything to her.

When they were little, they could ride on each other and throw punches. Now, he can't even pin her to the ground and pinch her. He can't touch her anywhere, or he might accidentally pinch the wrong spot.

Even now, though he was furious, Xiao Qiyu reminded himself to maintain a proper physical distance from Cui Ying. They weren't children anymore; she might not understand nonsense, but he had to.

Cui Ying seemed to see through his thoughts, patted her chest with her snow-white little hand, and whimpered, "Oh dear, I'm so scared."

Then, patting his slender neck, he cursed, "If you've got the guts, come and kill me! You bastard!"

Xiao Qiyu's eyes darkened, and he braced himself on the table with one hand before flipping over.

The moment Xiao Qiyu flipped the table over, Cui Ying's pupils suddenly contracted, and his cocky expression froze.

The next moment, as soon as Xiao Qiyu's feet touched the ground, Cui Ying fell to the ground.

"Ouch, my foot hurts so much!" Cui Ying cried out pitifully.

Xiao Qiyu's anger turned into speechless sobs. Looking at the person curled up in a small ball on the ground, he raised an eyebrow: "Cui Ying, that's not how you stage an accident."

He didn't touch her at all.

"No, it really hurts," Cui Ying squeezed out tears, her eyes red and glistening with tiny crystals. "I think I stepped on something."

Xiao Qiyu's disdainful expression immediately turned serious. He first bent down to look at her feet and asked, "Do you think you can still stand up?"

Cui Ying sniffed and shook her head.

Xiao Qiyu's brow twitched, as if he had a brief internal struggle, before he stretched out his long arms and lifted Cui Ying up in his arms.

The girl's body was soft and warm, and for a moment, Xiao Qiyu felt as if he were holding a fragrant bundle.

His throat tightened inexplicably, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

After placing Cui Ying on the couch, Xiao Qiyu gently lifted the foot that had cried out in pain and examined it carefully. Finding no wound, he assumed the injury was internal and asked, "Tell me clearly, where exactly does it hurt?"

Cui Ying frowned, seemingly enduring the pain as she said, "It seems to be in the sole of my foot."

Xiao Qiyu's hand enveloped her forefoot, his grip softening considerably, and he asked, "Here?"

Cui Ying nodded: "A little higher up, it looks like the thumb."

Xiao Qiyu carefully moved his palm, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his face serious.

My thoughts, however, involuntarily became chaotic.

Such tiny feet.

It's not even as big as his hand.

So white, so soft, what's that paint on my nails? It looks so pretty...

Wait, what is he thinking?

Xiao Qiyu shook his head vigorously, closed his eyes tightly, and then opened them again.

His well-defined fingers carefully grasped the slender, delicate toes in his palm, and he asked, "Here?"

Cui Ying nodded, her eyes glistening like dewdrops, her fair and rosy cheeks like lotus blossoms after the rain, seemingly harmless.

Xiao Qiyu swallowed, shifted his gaze from her face, gently pinched the fragile toe, and said, "It's not broken, it's probably just a sprain. A few days of rest will do."

He withdrew his hand as he spoke.

"But it really hurts," Cui Ying said pitifully, tears welling up in her eyes. "It hurts so much I can't stand it anymore. Can you blow on it for me?"

Xiao Qiyu frowned: "What are you bragging about? One breath won't heal the wound. Cui Ying, how childish are you?"

"But when I'm at home, whenever I bump or scrape myself, my mom will blow on my wound."

Cui Ying covered her face with her sleeve and sobbed, "Now that I'm married, even if I'm hurt, I can't find anyone willing to comfort me anymore. I miss my mother so much, I want to go home so much."

Xiao Qiyu was used to Cui Ying's aggressive and domineering manner, so when he first heard her cry, his heart clenched and he felt inexplicably irritated.

He said, "Don't cry, I'll blow it for you."

Cui Ying immediately stopped crying and lifted her foot, saying, "Thank you."

Xiao Qiyu: "..."

Something just feels off.

He lowered his head, lifted Cui Ying's foot with his hand, and gently blew a breath onto that small, white toe, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Just then, Cui Ying raised his leg and, in the blink of an eye, kicked Xiao Qiyu directly in the mouth.

In the mouth...

Xiao Qiyu froze.

He froze, his neck stiff as he turned, his eyes fixed on the culprit.

The culprit smiled broadly, withdrew her leg, and leisurely swung her clearly unharmed foot, her long eyelashes fluttering: "Is it delicious?"

That little face, which had just been glistening with tears and looked so pitiful, was now filled with smugness, its eyes clearly saying: Hehe, I disgusted you, didn't I?

She won this round again!

In the dimly lit tent, the candlelight flickered, and the temperature gradually became scorching and dangerous.

Xiao Qiyu remained expressionless, with lingering marks on his lips, and stared intently at Cui Ying without uttering a word.

Cui Ying gradually lost her smile.

She felt that Xiao Qiyu's expression was a little scary.

Not only did he not say a word, but he also stared at her intently, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

She felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively shrank back, wanting to get as far away from Xiao Qiyu as possible.

Before she could even set off...

Xiao Qiyu suddenly closed in on her, his tall body pressing down on her without any mercy.

Thin lips sealed her lips perfectly.

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Author's note: Five thousand more words to go (claws trembling)