Chapter 207 Moonlight Boat (11)

Mingyuelin stood still and looked away.

She was very frank in writing that she missed him, but she still felt a little embarrassed when he said it to his face.

"Look at me." Ji Rangzhou raised his hand, bent his fingers to lift her chin, and straightened her face. "Are you shy?"

Years ago, she glared at him with a clear conscience to express her dissatisfaction and asked him to pay attention to her, but now her eyes are always wandering.

Facing his deep gaze and listening to his flat tone, Mingyuelin bit her lower lip slightly.

How could he ask this question in such a calm tone?

Ji Rangzhou brushed the corner of her lips with his fingertips and retracted his hand. "I haven't seen you for over a month. I miss you too."

His eyebrows arched, his heartbeat rose and fell but refused to return to its normal rhythm. Ming Yuelin moved her fingers, poking her fingertips into his chest, and began to ask: "Why did you miss me? You didn't come to see me on the first day I came back. You didn't come on the first day, and you didn't come on the second day. Are you busy?"

"I heard you haven't been very busy lately."

Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, and Ji Rangzhou hid the subtle smile in his eyes. "I guess you've just arrived in Beijing and must be very tired, so I don't want to disturb you. Your holiday is coming soon, so I can see you all day."

"Okay, I forgive you." Ming Yuelin took back his hand, "What gift did you bring me?"

Ji Rangzhou glanced at her retracted fingers, "Raw rice paper, Junshan Yinzhen, Qihong, pastry."

"How do you know what I like?" She unconsciously moved forward again, staring at him and asked.

She is used to painting on raw rice paper, and her favorite teas are Junshan Yinzhen and Qihong. As for pastries, she likes any kind that is not bad.

"Ask my sister." Ji Rangzhou finally couldn't help but rub her head.

My fiancée is indeed a little young.

…

Because Qiu Lie Shishi saw that Li was injured, and Ming Yuelin was so focused on her that he had no intention of playing, Ji Rangzhou did not bother her. He would wait until she turned around and was willing to pay attention to him, and then he would find time to visit her.

It was snowing heavily in winter and the end of the year was approaching, and all departments of the court began to get busy.

This year, the Duke of Anguo's Mansion paid New Year's tribute to the Duke of Fuguo's Mansion. Ming Yuelin got up early and followed Ming Weisu to the Duke of Fuguo's Mansion with Ming Zhouqing.

Ming Yuelin followed Ming Weisu and listened to the conversation between Ming Weisu and the Duke of Fuguo. After sitting for a while, he began to look around boredly.

Ming Zhouqing glanced at her and asked the Duke of Fuguo, "Uncle Ji, isn't Brother Ji free today?"

The Duke of Fuguo replied, "Today, the Junior Official of the Dali Temple came to discuss important matters with him. He is currently in his study. Don't just sit there, take a walk around."

Ming Yuelin shook his head. "It's cold outside, but it's quite interesting to sit here and listen to you and my father talking."

After sitting for a while, Ming Yuelin couldn't help but pull Ming Zhouqing for a walk. When they came back, Ji Rangzhou was already in the living room with the two elders.

Seeing the two people coming in, Ji Rangzhou stood up and went over.

Ming Zhouqing glanced at his sister who was particularly active in accompanying him to pay New Year's greetings today, asked Ji Rangzhou, and then went in and sat next to Ming Weisu.

Ji Rangzhou walked to her side and held her wrist, "Walk with me for a while."

Ming Yuelin glanced at his second brother with a teasing look in his eyes, took the initiative and pulled Ji Rangzhou away.

When she stepped onto the stone steps, her feet slipped and she stumbled forward two steps. Then, a hand from behind grabbed her waist and pulled her back.

Ji Rangzhou's voice was cold and slightly tense: "Be careful."

He put her aside and let go after she stood firmly. "The freshly compacted snow is slippery, so watch your step."

Ming Yuelin looked at him with some frustration, "This is the second time. Just now, when I was coming back, I fell forward, and my second brother grabbed me and pulled me back by the collar."

She was in a very embarrassing state, and her second brother even laughed at her.

Ji Rangzhou rubbed her head, pulled up her wrist, took out a purse from his sleeve and put it in her hand, "Be happy."

Ming Yuelin looked down and said, "Are you going to give me the New Year's purse now?"

"I'll see about the lucky money bag on New Year's Eve." Seeing that her face was a little red from the wind, Ji Rangzhou pressed his fingertips against her cheek and rubbed it. He felt the cold touch and asked, "Are you cold?"

There was a smile in her eyes, her eyes sparkling, "It's not cold."

Ji Rangzhou lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Send someone to the kitchen to bring a bowl of hot soup to warm you up."

Ming Yuelin smiled and curved her eyes, "Ji Gudong, you have changed a lot this year."

This time last year, he was indeed cold and hard, not at all intelligent, and his words were heartbreaking.

Ji Rangzhou didn't comment, took her back to the house with plenty of charcoal fire, and watched her drink the warm soup.

After the New Year celebrations, the Great Zhou Dynasty ushered in the New Year of the twelfth year of Chenzheng.

During the Lantern Festival, Mingyuelin happily kept Ji Rangzhou's appointment and strolled around the Lantern Market with him.

Seeing Mingzhao still talking to Shi Jianli with his head down at the corner, Ji Rangzhou calmly stood in front of Mingyuelin, held her wrist, and took her to the inn to watch the fire show.

Halfway through, the scene in the opposite window was clearly reflected by the firelight, and Ji Rangzhou and Mingzhao met eyes.

Mingyuelin waved to them and pulled Ji Rangzhou's sleeve. "Shall we go to my elder brother and sister Li's place?"

Meeting her eldest brother's slightly teasing gaze, she suddenly felt guilty for having a secret meeting with a man outside without her parents' knowledge.

We've almost finished shopping and will be able to go back with them later.

Ji Rangzhou was silent for a moment, "No."

As soon as the words came out, Mingyuelin realized that her elder brother didn't want them to disturb him and Sister Li.

Ji Rangzhou stretched out his hand, placed his fingertips on her shoulder, and with a little effort, he made her turn around to face him. "What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."

"It's all right. Eat anything you want." Ming Yuelin poked his arm, moved closer to look at him, and rolled his eyes.

Ji Rangzhou lowered his eyes to meet her curious gaze, "What are you looking at?"

"Did it be my aunt or Sister Yang Qing who asked you to ask me out?" He never asked her out on holidays before, but he has become much more proactive in recent months. Did Aunt Ji and the others give him some advice?

"no."

The light from the jugglers' fire below dimmed, leaving only the flickering candlelight in the room due to the wind.

Taking advantage of the dim light, Ming Yuelin grew bolder and poked him in the waist. "Did you want to ask me out yourself?"

"No?" Ji Rangzhou's throat tightened slightly, and his tone was calm.

"Okay." Ming Yuelin's eyes curved, and she looked at him for a long moment. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. "But you look so stern, like you're being forced to do this. You look reluctant."

Ji Rangzhou's expression changed slightly, and he froze for a moment. After a while, he said, "I don't laugh often, not because I don't want to."

He found her eyes and stared at her for a while. Then Ji Rangzhou lowered his hand slightly and held her fingers, completely covering her hand which was much smaller than his. "Do you believe it?"

Ming Yuelin was stunned for a moment, and struggled to pull her hand back, but couldn't. The temperature of her hand where he held it was high, as if a ball of scorching fire was transmitted from her skin, burning her cheek. She turned her head away with a red face, "Believe it, I was just teasing you."

What a loser! I've already hugged him, and he just held my hand, but I'm still so shy.

His eyes changed slightly, and Ji Rangzhou slowly released her hand, his fingertips brushing through her hair, "Xiao Lin."