Chapter 78 Why Ningning always refuses to look me in the eye these days

Although it was early morning, the weather was already a bit hot.

Wen Xingluo walked in a hurry, and when she arrived at Wansong Courtyard, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

She looked towards the hanging flower hall, where Xie Shian was chattering around Xie Guanlan, asking him questions.

The light and shadow from the window fell on Xie Guanlan. He was still dressed in red clothes and jade belt, standing tall and majestic. His silhouette sitting on the armchair concealed his sharp edge, with a smile on his thin lips. He seemed gentle and amiable, but in fact, his eyebrows and eyes were full of distant scrutiny.

The hand casually placed on the armrest of the chair was as slender as jade, with no new injuries.

The hem of her skirt brushed against her embroidered shoes, and Wen Xingluo tried to step into the threshold as gracefully as possible.

She called out, "Eldest brother, Fourth brother."

"Ningning, you've arrived just in time," Xie Shi'an exclaimed happily. "My brother said that Governor Du is dead! Last time, he deliberately tampered with the embankment, causing you to be stranded in the deserted village. Now you can be said to have avenged yourself!"

Wen Xingluo smiled and said, "Yeah."

"Oh, right," Xie Shi'an pointed at the box on the table, "Big brother said he brought us gifts. They're Yangcheng's most famous seasonal candy cakes. Who likes candy these days? They're so sweet! You can take them all. My second brother and I don't want them! And you, big brother, it's so rare for you to go to such a far place, but you only brought back candy cakes? You knew my second brother and I don't like candy..."

He talks a lot and doesn't care whether others pay attention to him or not. He talks endlessly like pouring beans.

Wen Xingluo looked at the savings box.

It is a very exquisite storage box, made of expensive rosewood, carved and painted, and each compartment is filled with candies of different colors.

The sugar cakes are brightly colored, some are shaped like small pears, some look like half an apple, and some look like blooming flowers.

It is very popular with girls and children at first glance.

Wen Xingluo curved his almond-shaped eyes and motioned Cuicui to put it away. "Then I won't be polite. Thank you, elder brother."

Xie Guanlan tapped the armrest with his fingers, seemingly indifferent. "Eating too much will give you toothworms. Eat less every day and don't eat it all in one go."

Wen Xingluo: “…”

Does she look like someone who could eat that many candies in one sitting?

When did she leave Xie Guanlan with such an impression of being such a big eater...

Xie Shian glanced at Xie Guanlan, then at Wen Xingluo, and suddenly had a ridiculous illusion - this box of candies was actually brought by his eldest brother specifically for Wen Xingluo. He and his second brother seemed to have received gifts, but in fact they didn't!

But it doesn't make sense.

He was the eldest brother's favorite little darling. When they were boxing in the training ground, the eldest brother would try to hit him as lightly as possible.

How could Big Brother be partial to Ningning?

Maybe it’s because the rain in Yangcheng is too heavy, so it’s not convenient for my brother to buy other gifts.

The more Xie Shian thought about it, the more he agreed with it, and he nodded maturely.

He said cheerfully, "I'll go see if the jujube paste cakes in the kitchen are ready!"

After he left, Wen Xingluo took out the amulet, lowered her eyelashes, and handed it to Xie Guanlan with both hands. "A few days ago, my fourth brother accompanied me to Ciyun Temple. I asked for amulets for my grandmother and father in the Guanyin Hall. This one is for my eldest brother."

Xie Guanlan looked at the amulet.

The little girl's mood is harder to predict than the weather. Last time she was inexplicably upset in front of the mansion, but now she's fine on her own.

He took it.

Twisting the amulet lightly with his fingertips, he said slowly, "Including Du Guanghong, all thirty-eight people were slaughtered by my henchmen. Will Guanyin protect someone like me who is so reckless and careless about human life?"

Wen Xingluo's expression remained calm. "Although I haven't read many books, I understand the principle of 'eradicating the root of the problem.' We have a blood feud with the Du family. Since one of us has to die, why not them? Furthermore, Governor Du, an official appointed by the imperial court, destroyed the dike for personal vendettas, wasting vast resources and manpower, and causing considerable casualties. Such an official is nothing more than a pest to the state. In my opinion, his death deserves no regrets."

Xie Guanlan raised his eyebrows and said playfully, "According to Ningning, I killed Du Guanghong to eliminate harm to the people?"

"Why not?"

Hearing the girl's crisp answer, Xie Guanlan laughed softly.

He handed the amulet to Wen Xingluo and said, "Put it around my waist."

The amulet was exquisitely made, carefully carved from a small piece of peach wood, and decorated with goose yellow tassels at the bottom. It could be hung in the room or used as an ornament.

Wen Xingluo said, "Please stand up, elder brother."

Xie Guanlan stood up and straightened his robe.

Wen Xingluo lowered his head and solemnly put the amulet on his waist.

The strong scent of sandalwood on the young man made her breath stop for a moment.

Her fingertips touched the young man's waist.

Even through the brocade clothes, she seemed to be able to feel his strong and tough muscles, so hot that it seemed to burn her fingertips.

It was a completely different feeling from a woman's body.

Wen Xingluo left immediately, putting some distance between him and Xie Guanlan, "Alright."

Xie Guanlan touched the amulet.

He caught a glimpse of the girl's drooping eyelashes. He paused and asked bluntly, "I believe I never treated you harshly back in the deserted village, but why have you been refusing to look me in the eye lately?"

The young man was tall and slender, and his falling shadow almost covered Wen Xingluo, making her look like a trapped little beast.

Wen Xingluo held the handkerchief and said, "No."

Xie Guanlan lowered his brows and slowly approached her, "Wen Ningning, I'm not someone you can fool."

Wen Xingluo retreated step by step in silence.

Just when the situation was at a stalemate, Xie Shian came back excitedly with a plate of date paste cake.

The boy is innocent and lively, like a heartless puppy.

He was completely oblivious to the strange and heavy atmosphere in the hanging flower hall. While eating, he squeezed in between the two of them, holding up the jujube paste cake and asked vaguely, "It's hot. Do you want some?"

Xie Guanlan and Wen Xingluo turned their faces away and ignored him.

Xie Shian came up to Wen Xingluo and said, "The jujube paste cakes in grandma's yard are getting more and more delicious..."

Wen Xingluo avoided his spit and said, "Fourth brother, eat more."

"That's right!" Xie Shi'an smiled and moved closer to Xie Guanlan. "I'll ask the kitchen to steam another pot and bring it to Old Man Li tomorrow to eat. Big brother, would you like some?"

Xie Guanlan said with disdain, "I'll eat you to death."

Xie Shian chewed and chewed: "Brother, you have such a cruel heart! Am I still your sweetheart?!"

As the three of them were talking, the old concubine came out.

After learning of Du Guanghong's fate, she leaned on her dragon-headed cane and sighed deeply, "I wonder if the one in the palace will send someone else to take over the position of prefect."

Du Guanghong is that person's minion.

Even if Du Guanghong dies, there will still be Zhang Guanghong and Li Guanghong.

Seeing the maids bringing in plates of various breakfast dishes, Xie Shian picked up a greasy meat bun and said, "Who cares? If there's one, I'll kill one. If there's two, I'll kill a pair! With big brother here, we don't have to fear anything!"

Wen Xingluo looked at Xie Guanlan quietly.

He ate his meals in an elegant manner.

He is trusted and relied upon by everyone in the Zhenbei Palace, and he is everyone's umbrella of protection.

The old concubine didn't want to think about these annoying things anymore, so she smiled and said, "The day after tomorrow is the Qiqiao Festival. We didn't have any young girls in the palace before, but now that we have Ningning, we have to make it more decent. Ziheng, will you accompany your sister to celebrate the festival?"