Chapter 15 Chapter 15 "How do you kiss?"...

Xiao Ye gave her the jade pendant and left.

Shuyun felt a little uncomfortable with the extra piece of jade on her chest. She took out the jade pendant and held it in her palm to examine it carefully.

The small jade bead on the top has slight signs of wear and tear, and looks quite old. The strap of the pendant is very new, as if it was newly replaced.

She plans to visit her biological parents' graves to pay her respects tomorrow.

But once she goes back, will the Tian family make things difficult for her?

Shuyun held the jade pendant in her hands, lost in thought. After hesitating for a while, she went to the ancestral hall alone.

The ancestral hall is solemn and dignified, with tablets of the Xiao family's ancestors enshrined in the shrine.

Xiao Shuzhen knelt on the mat, her body swaying from side to side, as if she could no longer hold on. Seeing Shuyun appear behind her, she was filled with hatred.

With her palms supporting herself on the cushion, Xiao Shuzhen slowly straightened her back, turned around and looked at her, trying hard to maintain her dignity.

Shu Yun said, "Let's be friends and stop fighting. I will return all the things I have from the past sixteen years to you."

Xiao Shuzhen felt like she was just laughing. "How are you going to repay me for all the suffering I've endured over the past sixteen years?"

Shu Yun was speechless, feeling extremely guilty. "I'm sorry."

She squatted down beside Xiao Shuzhen and asked sincerely, "I've never seen my father and mother. What kind of people are they? My mother is an embroiderer in town. Why did she lose her memory?"

Xiao Shuzhen rolled her eyes at her. She was originally kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet, but because of Shuyun's arrival, she turned around to look at her and was now facing the door of the ancestral hall.

Xiao Shuzhen caught a glimpse of a figure walking outside the ancestral hall. She quickly grabbed Shuyun's hand and pushed her towards her with it, causing her to fall heavily to the ground.

Shuyun was stunned. Before she could react, Xiao Shuzhen's eyes were red and she cried, accusing her, "I forced Sister Yun into a marriage in the countryside. I was foolish for a moment. After being punished by Grandmother and Big Brother, I already know my mistake. Why did Sister Yun still force me to do this?"

"Sister Yun, I was wrong. I will never dare to go against you again. Please don't mention this in front of Big Brother again."

Xiao Shuzhen climbed up from the ground with tears in her eyes. Her body just touched Shuyun, and then she fell back suddenly. Because of the angle of view, it seemed like she was pushed down by her again.

"Zhen'er!" Wang Huilan walked quickly into the ancestral hall. Shuyun was pushed away by her and fell to the ground.

Nanny Wu helped Xiao Shuzhen up. She had a sad face and immediately threw herself into Wang Huilan's arms, crying sadly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Wang Huilan looked annoyed, glared at Shuyun, and scolded, "Apologize to Zhen'er."

Shuyun sat on the ground at a loss, staring blankly at Xiao Shuzhen crying in Wang Huilan's arms, "I didn't push her."

Wang Huilan said in a bad tone, "Shuyun, I'm not blind. I've been occupying your home for so many years, and I've spoiled you so much that you've forgotten your own identity!"

Xiao Shuzhen carefully tugged at Wang Huilan's sleeve and sobbed, "Mother, forget it. Don't make a big deal out of this. If it gets to Grandma's ears, she'll definitely be angry."

"Sister Yun, let's be good friends from now on. I'm already very satisfied with finding my mother, and I won't fight with you for anything anymore."

Xiao Shuzhen left Wang Huilan's arms. Her knees were sore from kneeling for so long, so she stumbled to her feet, holding on to the arm offered by Nanny Wu.

"Kneel down."

Just as he was about to go back to Chao Shuyun, a majestic and cold voice suddenly came from outside the ancestral hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. Xiao Ye had arrived without anyone noticing. He lifted the hem of his robe, walked up the steps, stepped over the threshold, and entered the ancestral hall.

With a face as cold as ice, Xiao Ye stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Xiao Shuzhen with a sullen gaze, "When did you give in to my punishment of kneeling?"

Xiao Shuzhen's eyes slowly turned red again, she felt wronged and wanted to cry. With Wang Huilan's support, she didn't want to kneel, but when she saw that sharp gaze, her legs became weak uncontrollably and she lowered her head and knelt on the mat.

Xiao Shuzhen lowered her head to wipe her tears, and glanced at Wang Huilan to observe her expression.

Xiao Ye scolded Xiao Shuzhen, "The ancestral hall is solemn and dignified. You dare not speak loudly. How can you tolerate noise in front of our ancestors?"

Wang Huilan and Xiao Ye had always been at odds, and she sneered, "I blame your third sister, not Shuyun."

Xiao Ye looked over and saw Shu Yun sitting on the ground, looking at him without saying a word. She covered her ankles with her hands, tears falling one by one, and she wiped them pitifully.

"Sister Yun didn't punish me to kneel, so what's wrong with that?"

Xiao Ye openly favors her, he did so in the past and even more so now.

Wang Huilan's face turned blue with anger.

Xiao Ye walked towards Shu Yun. Shu Yun had just been pushed down by Wang Huilan and hadn't gotten up yet. She wept pitifully and sobbed, "Brother, I sprained my ankle and can't get up."

As Shuyun spoke, tears fell from her eyes and her brows drooped, making people feel soft-hearted.

She was crying like this because she recalled so many sad things. She could also pretend to be pitiful.

Xiao Ye put his arm around her waist and carried her up from the ground without saying a word. Shu Yun was stunned, thinking that her brother would say a few words of concern, but he just carried her out of the ancestral hall.

The crisp scent of cedar lingered around her nostrils, tightly wrapping around her. The hand around her waist also held her tightly. Shuyun's cheeks were hot, and she even forgot to pretend to be pitiful. She wrapped her hands around the man's neck helplessly, trying to get out of his arms.

"Don't move." Xiao Ye looked ahead and spoke in a low, mellow voice.

Shuyun didn't dare to move. She clenched her sleeves with her fingers and let him hold her obediently.

After returning to Hengwu Garden, Xiao Ye put her on the couch. Shuyun was nervous all the way, and the tips of her ears were slightly red.

Xiao Ye called Qiongzhi and asked her to bring the medicine box.

Shu Yun said nervously, "No need."

Xiao Ye lowered his eyes to look at her, his dark eyes seemed to be able to see through her thoughts. Shu Yun's gaze dodged, her hands hung on her knees, clutching the hem of her skirt, and her feet subconsciously retracted into her skirt.

Shu Yun whispered, "The sprain doesn't seem serious, so there's no need to apply medicine."

She was not injured, but she saw Xiao Shuzhen pretending to be pitiful in front of her mother to gain sympathy, so she learned a little from her.

Xiao Ye's eyebrows moved slightly, and he asked Qiongzhi to put the medicine box beside the couch and sent her away.

Xiao Ye opened the medicine box and took out the bottle of ointment he had given her before.

Sitting down beside her, Xiao Ye looked at her drooping skirt. Shu Yun had no choice but to slowly lift her skirt and stretch out her left foot closest to him.

Xiao Ye bent down, grasped the slender ankle with his big hand, and took off the embroidered shoes.

Shuyun's cheeks flushed, and she leaned over to hold his hand. Helplessly, she took off half of her stockings, revealing only a part of her snow-white ankles.

There is no redness or swelling at all.

Xiao Ye held the slender ankle, placed her foot on his knees, took the ointment, melted it in the palm of his hand, and covered the snow-white ankle.

His long, bony fingers exerted a little force, grasped her slender wrist, and slowly led her feet forward. Her toes brushed against his soft robe. Shuyun's cheeks were burning, and she curled her toes and shrank back shyly.

Xiao Ye held it down, closed his palms, gripped his heels, and even shortened the distance.

"Why did you go to the ancestral hall?" Xiao Ye asked, rubbing his ankle with his big hand covered with ointment, never letting go for a moment.

Shu Yun covered the pendant on her chest and began to regret, "My mother's jade pendant is a little strange, so I went to ask the third girl."

Shuyun looked at the man and said, "Brother, I didn't push her."

"Brother believes in you."

Xiao Ye rubbed his ankles, and his half-taken stockings gradually fell down. Shu Yun panicked and hooked her toes against the stockings, but it was useless in the end.

The loose stockings came off her feet because of the rough foot rubbing and fell to the ground between the man's legs.

Shuyun was embarrassed, her ears were red and hot. After he finished applying the medicine, she quickly retracted her feet back under her skirt, but the stockings were between his legs as he sat apart, and she couldn't reach them.

Xiao Ye glanced at it indifferently and picked up the silk stockings that were still warm. Shu Yun blushed and quickly took it and stuffed it into her sleeve.

Xiao Ye put his hands down, his palms dropped to his knees, and he twisted his two fingers through the silk stockings and rubbed them carefully.

Shu Yun: "Brother, I want to go to worship my biological parents tomorrow. Can you accompany me?"

Xiao Ye looked at her leisurely and asked, "Sister, have you met the Tian family? Do you think you look alike?"

Shu Yun was stunned, and subconsciously placed her palm on the jade pendant on her chest.

"The day is not suitable, let's go another day." Xiao Ye stood up, told Shuyun to take good care of herself, and left the house.

Shuyun pursed her lips, rubbed her hot cheeks, lowered her head and lifted her skirt.

The ankle that had been massaged was slightly red and hot, as if the man's palm was still there.

Shuyun frowned slightly, feeling a little strange.

*

In the evening, pedestrians went home one after another, and the streets that had been bustling all day gradually became quiet.

The backyard of Yunshuang Pavilion.

The garden was filled with flowers in profusion, the air was filled with fragrance, lanterns were hung under the eaves, and the party was bustling with activity.

Several people gathered together to celebrate Shu Yun's bright future.

Lin Yunxi half-supported his chin as he looked at Shuyun. The Luo mother and son had been making a lot of noise these past few days, saying that Shuyun was their unmarried daughter-in-law and that the Marquisate was bullying her by taking advantage of their power and refusing to recognize the marriage.

Lin Yunxi felt sorry for Shuyun, "This marriage was originally for a real daughter. How could it be forced upon you? It even went to court. Now, because of this, your reputation has been ruined. Moreover, the whole capital knows that the original Third Young Lady of the Marquisate was a fake."

Shuyun looked worried.

Shuang Niang had heard a little about this. She had met Xiao Shuzhen at Yunshuang Pavilion that day and said, "This person in the mansion is not a good person. But when it comes to pretending to be pitiful and gaining sympathy, she is far inferior to me."

Shuang Niang had her hair tied up and wore a hairpin, with a strand of hair around her ear wrapped around her finger. Her eyes were full of affection, and she was plump and graceful, full of charm.

Putting her hands on Shuyun's shoulders, Shuangniang's waist was as soft as if it had no bones, and she leaned towards Shuyun, "Sister Yun, you should also pretend to be pitiful. Let me teach you how to be just right in being pretentious, so as not to be annoying, but to soften people's hearts with your pitiful appearance."

Shuang Niang lifted Shu Yun's chin and said with a smile, "Which man wouldn't feel sorry for this cute and aggrieved look?"

Shu Yun felt like she was being teased, blushing slightly as she scolded her, "Shuang Niang...you're doing this again, so indecent."

Shuang Niang stopped teasing her and asked the two of them to pick up some food. She got up and went outside to get some wine.

She may seem to be the owner of Yunshuang Pavilion, but there are actually two other girls who have never been seen. She was originally a prostitute in Gusu City, redeemed by a wealthy businessman and offered to the city's imperial merchant. Later, when the imperial merchant fell from power, she escaped by chance and wanted to see the world in the prosperous capital and build a career.

She had lofty ambitions but a fragile life. She was down and out in Beijing and met Shu Yun and Lin Yunxi when she was in the most difficult time.

The two helped her, and the three of them became friends.

Shuangniang liked to tinker with rouge, powder and spices. Shuyun and Lin Yunxi invested some money, and that's how Yunshuang Pavilion was established.

"I knew you were here." The Prince of Huainan was dressed in a bright red robe, wearing gold and silver jewelry, and dressed like a peacock with its tail spread out. He walked into the house in a swagger, waving his folding fan.

Li Ce sat down next to Lin Yunxi, put down his folding fan, and looked at Lin Yunxi with his chin in his hand, as if he wanted to talk to him.

"It is an honor for our humble home to have the Crown Prince here." Shuang Niang added a new set of bowls and chopsticks, poured a glass of wine and handed it over.

Li Ce: "We are all friends, don't be polite."

Li Ce raised his glass and said, "This glass of wine is for Miss Yun. The clouds have finally cleared and the sun is shining."

Lin Yunxi suggested: "Let's have a clink together."

The four of them clinked their glasses together. Li Ce spoke the most, and because of his arrival, there was more laughter at the table.

Shuyun seldom drinks, but today her friends were all here, so she was happy and had two drinks. However, she couldn't hold her liquor and leaned against Shuangniang, feeling dizzy.

On this side, Shuyun also laughed when listening to Li Ce and Lin Yunxi telling funny stories.

Shuyun was picking up the jug to pour wine when a bony hand suddenly snatched the jug away. She was a little slow to react and stared blankly at the broken cup, looking towards the snatching hand.

"Brother, brother?" Shuyun's face flushed, her tone was slow and her voice was soft.

Xiao Ye sat beside her. Shu Yun blinked slowly, supported her tilted head and looked at him, smiling, "Why are you here, brother?"

Xiao Ye frowned and asked everyone at the table, "How many drinks did she have to get so drunk?"

Li Ce stretched out three fingers, thought for a moment, and then retracted one.

Shu Yun was drunk and was interrupted while pouring her wine. She reached out to take the wine jug in front of Xiao Ye, but before her fingers touched the jug, Xiao Ye took the jug to the opposite side, leaving her empty-handed.

"It's getting late. I'll take her back."

Xiao Ye pulled her up. Shu Yun held Shuang Niang's arm tightly and said angrily, "But I still want to drink some wine."

Xiao Ye also had a rare good tone, "You're so drunk, and you're still drinking."

"If you want to drink, I'll pour you some wine."

Before Shuyun was taken away, she picked up the wine in the cup and drank it in one gulp.

She drank too quickly and choked, coughing and even crying.

*

As the night deepened, the carriage moved steadily along the street, only occasionally jolting over potholes.

Shu Yun leaned softly against the car board. She became more and more drunk and stared at the man sitting next to her with her drunken eyes.

Xiao Ye also looked at her. She had a faint sweet fragrance mixed with the scent of sweet wine.

Xiao Ye brushed away the hair in front of her forehead. Shu Yun smiled at him, and the dimple on her right cheek was cute and lovely.

"Brother is so handsome and good-looking." Shuyun said what was in her heart, her misty eyes almost narrowed into lines.

She touched her face, held her chin with both hands, and smiled: "I am also born beautiful, with beautiful face, bright eyes and white teeth."

Shu Yun leaned against the car wall, closed her eyes sleepily, and whispered about her beauty. Xiao Ye smiled and moved towards her. The drunk girl leaned on his shoulder.

Suddenly, she mumbled in a daze, "Beautiful Yun'er, only... only my cousin is allowed to like me."

Xiao Ye smiled angrily, his face darkened, and he took her by the slender waist, holding her on his lap, and ordered in a cold voice: "No."

Shu Yun was so drunk that she was unconscious. She hugged his arm and murmured softly. Her voice was coquettish and sticky, like a happy kitten. She pressed her face against Xiao Ye's neck and rubbed it.

Xiao Ye's breathing became heavy and increasingly disordered. The palm on her soft waist tightened involuntarily, and he endured and restrained himself.

Shuyun couldn't form a sentence, "Humph, it must be allowed. Only for cousin, because I like it."

Xiao Ye frowned, turned the little face buried in his neck, and pinched her cheeks with his long, bony fingers.

The cherry lips are pink and very soft.

"I like him very much, I like him very much, Yun'er likes him." Shuyun said vaguely.

Xiao Ye suddenly lowered his head, and his warm lips covered those soft and tender cherry lips.

Shu Yun hummed and left his lips.

The two lips were so close yet so far away, her soft lips brushed against the corner of his lips, and Shu Yun asked confusedly: "How do we kiss?"

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