Chapter 18 A heat spread from the tips of my ears to my whole body

Yu Tan's fingertips gripped the silk thread on her sleeve; she couldn't find an excuse to refuse Old Madam Song.

“Grandmother, this trip will mean spending the New Year in Lingnan.” Yu Tan got up and poured a cup of tea for Old Madam Song. The steam from the tea blurred her vision as she handed the warm tea to Old Madam Song.

Madam Song took the teacup and gently patted her hand.

"I've celebrated the New Year in Bianjing seventy times, it's time for something new, but I can't stop worrying about you, I always want to keep you by my side."

If it weren't for Chu Minglang, she would have been willing to go to Lingnan with Old Madam Song. However, if she stayed with Chu Minglang for a long time, the more plot events would be triggered, and she might really end up in the original ending.

“Grandmother, I’ve grown up a long time ago.” She squeezed Madam Song’s hand back. “I still have things to do in Bianjing.”

Madam Song said, "I've heard that you've grown up and started learning how to do business."

"grandmother……"

Madam Song sighed, "Learning to do business is a good thing. It puts my mind at ease. I can't keep taking care of you forever; you have to grow up eventually."

"When is Grandmother leaving?"

“Tomorrow, otherwise how can I get Granny Chang to urge you to come see me?” After finishing a cup of tea, Madam Song looked up. “Why don’t we keep Granny Chang here? She’s handled all the estates and shops in the Yu family. She’s an experienced old woman, and she can give you some business advice without any problem.”

Yu Tan smiled faintly and said, "Grandmother, didn't you just say that I should learn? You arranged for Granny Chang to teach me. How can this be considered my own ability?"

"That's true." Madam Song nodded. After lunch, she accompanied Madam Song on the low couch to play chess to aid digestion.

Old Madam Song held the black chess piece in her hand: "Yaoyao, have you been going to Fengxu Courtyard a lot lately?"

Yu Tan rubbed the chess pieces with her fingertips. Back then, it was because she was too attached to Yu He'an that Old Madam Song was worried about affecting Yu He'an's imperial examination, so she asked Granny Chang to keep an eye on her and not allow her to go to Fengxu Courtyard.

Now that the scientific expedition is at a crucial juncture, is it possible that she will be unable to go again?

“My elder brother returned from his studies abroad, bringing back many interesting books. I wanted to read them, so I often went to see him…”

"Go if you want to. Back then, I was always worried about He'an's career in the imperial examinations, so I wouldn't let you go. But you did pass the exams. I took you to Yuyang for two years, and then he went away to study for three years. The siblings became estranged, and the previous friendship was completely worn away. I remember you two were extremely close when you were young..."

Looking back now, I wonder if this is what caused He'an's aloof personality. I'm more worried about him than you are about him. He always keeps things to himself and doesn't say anything. Too much wisdom can be harmful. Was it a mistake to let him go down this path in the first place?

Yao Yao, thank you for taking care of him these days.

Yu Tan lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement.

Madam Song put down the chess pieces and said worriedly, "People should always have some basic human qualities, otherwise they'll end up like bodhisattvas in a temple if they get covered in mud."

“Grandmother, I know.”

After everything was settled and the game of chess was finished, Old Madam Song got sleepy and started nagging her to leave.

"Grandmother, I will come to see you off tomorrow."

"Alright, let's go back." Granny Chang helped Old Madam Song into the house.

With Madam Song's words in mind, she unconsciously walked towards Xufeng Courtyard. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw the two standing under the corridor. She subconsciously glanced at Yu He'an's sleeve. Yu He'an had changed into a white robe made of cloud brocade without any embroidery, which was very elegant.

Yu He'an usually wears white and has a cool and aloof temperament.

She recalled Old Madam Song's words: "Everyone should have some basic human touch."

She felt that Yu He'an was acting strangely ever since they met, initially thinking it was just the awkwardness between the siblings...

Yu Tan tried to pull her feet back, but it was too late. Chu Minglang was wearing a royal blue robe, a golden crown, a jade pendant at his waist, and a cloak. He raised his head, smiled, and waved to her, "Sister Yu, you've come."

She stepped closer and happened to be standing under the wind chimes in the corridor. She curtsied and said, "Young Master Chu."

Chu Minglang looked around and his gaze fell on her. "There are no plum blossoms in Xufeng Courtyard, so why is there a plum fragrance?"

Yu He'an explained, "There's an early plum tree in Grandmother's yard; it should be blooming by now."

Chu Minglang asked happily, "Did you go to Old Madam Song's place just now, Sister Yu?"

Yu Tan nodded.

"Has Madam Song mentioned that we should go back to Lingnan together?"

Yu He'an turned to look at her, his face still bearing that indifferent expression. "Back to Lingnan?"

“This winter in Bianjing is bitterly cold, so I’m going back to Lingnan. My grandmother invited Madam Song to stay in Lingnan for a few months, and Madam Song said she would bring Yu-mei with her.” Chu Minglang turned to face her. “Isn’t Yu-mei very interested in Miao territory? I can take you there to play.”

She was relatively safe with Yu He'an between her and Chu Minglang.

Yu He'an remained silent and subtly moved away, cutting off their line of sight.

Yu Tan said, "I have already informed my grandmother that I will not go to Lingnan."

Chu Minglang frowned, his face contorted with disappointment. "Isn't Sister Yu most afraid of the cold? Winters in Lingnan are quite warm; even a single robe or a gauze skirt will suffice..."

Yu Tan shook her head decisively.

Chu Minglang sighed. He had originally thought that Yu Tan would definitely not refuse, and then said, "There are many fun places in Lingnan."

"I have more important things to do in Bianjing."

Seeing that Yu Tan insisted, Chu Minglang had no choice but to give up. He mysteriously took out a brocade box from behind his back and handed it to Yu Tan. "Last time we met, we made a big blunder, which caused Sister Yu to be scolded by Brother He'an. This is an apology. We'll open it when we get back to the courtyard."

Yu Tan didn't want to accept it, but if she refused again, the brocade box would fall to the ground, so she had no choice but to take it and keep it safe so that she could return it later. "Thank you, Young Master Chu."

"No need for thanks, it's nothing important." Chu Minglang smiled and took his leave. "Sister Yu, if you wish to meet any Miao people, I will bring them to Bianjing when I return."

"Thank you, Young Master Chu." Yu Tan curtsied and saw Chu Minglang off, carrying the brocade box.

Yu He'an turned to look at her and asked, "Why do you want to see people from Miao territory?"

"I'm curious; I've never seen it before."

Yu He'an raised her hand above her head. She was very close to the moon-white robe, and she smelled that pleasant cedar scent again. She remembered that she had her hair all messy before. In front of Yu He'an, was her hair all disheveled again?

Yu Tan took half a step back: "Brother."

Yu He'an stepped into the house: "Last time you mentioned Liangzhou, you also said you were curious? Why are you curious about everything?"

Yu Tan whispered, "I've never been there."

After she was brought home, she was raised in Bianjing. The farthest place she ever went was Yuyang, which was only two hundred miles away from Bianjing.

Yu He'an was taken aback. He suddenly remembered that Yu Tan didn't like to go out in the winter.

When she was little, every time he took her out to play, she would cough, and they would both get scolded, after which she would refuse to go out.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Yu He'an kept staring at her, and Yu Tan touched her face. "Is there something strange?"

Yu He'an said, "Are you looking for someone from Miao territory to cure your illness?"

Yu Tan shook her head. She had sought out the Miao people for Wu Niang's sake. "My illness is truly cured."

This time, the high fever subsided very quickly; it was just a nightmare.

"After the scientific expedition, I'll take you out for a walk."

Yu Tan exclaimed with delight, "Brother, it's true!"

Yu He said calmly, "Think about where you want to go in advance."

Yu Tan waved her fingers. The imperial examination would be over in March, and there were still six months before her identity was exposed. She should be busy making money and planning her way through the plot, and shouldn't be indulging in pleasure.

But the thought of going out, especially with Yu He'an, filled her with joy, just like when she was a child waiting to buy candied fruit.

“Brother, it’s settled then.” Yu Tan sat on the low couch, not giving Yu He’an a chance to back out.

"Hmm," Yu He'an responded, and Wen Shu did not look up again.

Yu Tan was quite content, lounging on the low couch flipping through a book, carefully planning where to go for fun. "I want to see the sunset in Liangzhou, and also see the dancers from the Western Regions..."

If she could go south, she could also see the sea and watch the moon rise over it.

"Brother, how much free time will you have after the imperial examinations?"

Yu He'an looked up from his book. There was about a month of free time between the imperial examination and the palace examination, and then to the confirmation of his official position.

"Want to go further?"

Yu Tan shook her head. Everything just now was just a prediction. Yu He'an couldn't really just leave. She would also be drawn into staying here by the plot.

It's fine to just walk around nearby.

Yu Tan asked with delight, "Nearby prefectures and counties are fine. Brother, you've been to so many places, which places have the most delicious food?"

"I'll choose then."

Upon seeing Yu Tan's appearance, Yu He'an knew that Yu Tan wanted to go to too many places but knew too little about them, making it impossible for her to choose.

"Oh." Suddenly losing the initiative, Yu Tan became unhappy, but she was determined to choose a place.

Surrounded by the scent of cedarwood and with the earthenware radiantly burning, she felt as if she were soaking in warm water. Her limbs and body exuded a relaxed energy, and her head bobbed up and down as she fell asleep on the small table.

When Yu He'an looked up again, he found Yu Tan curled up in her usual spot, with the soft blanket covering her pressed down on her body.

He put down his book, walked to Yu Tan's side, and softly called out, "Yao Yao."

Yu Tan frowned and waved her hand.

Helpless, Yu He'an could only pull at the soft blanket, causing Yu Tan to stagger from side to side. He finally managed to cover Yu Tan with the soft blanket.

But Yu Tan grabbed his wrist, her fair fingers covering the scars on his right hand. For the first time, he found the scars an eyesore.

Yu Tan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she opened her almond-shaped eyes a crack, her gaze hazy. When she saw that it was Yu He'an, she closed her eyes again.

He muttered something under his breath, but he couldn't hear what Yu Tan was saying.

I couldn't help but want to get closer, even closer, to hear more clearly.

Until the warm touch brushed against his ear, even though it was just a fleeting touch, he felt a damp trace lingering on the tip of his ear.

Perhaps it was just a chance encounter with the wind that stirred my heartstrings.

The heat spread from the tips of his ears to his whole body, and his heart was overflowing like a sea, something about to spill over.

This time, he could clearly hear what Yu Tan was muttering in her sleep.

A note from the author:

Thank you to the roadside couch potato [starry eyes] Qiu Shiyu [starry eyes] for kicking the cripple's good leg [starry eyes] for reading a few chapters and then subscribing to the whole thing so often getting injured [starry eyes] Xiha Yeze [starry eyes] Mingxin [starry eyes] 52636942 [starry eyes] for the nutrient solution. So happy, spinning around.

I should be able to update more this weekend [sparkling eyes]