Chapter Six: Your Little Wife Wants a Hug

Just as Shen Qingnian was about to leave, a low, cold voice suddenly came from behind her.

Although the voice was not loud, it contained an undeniable air of authority.

"stop."

Shen Qingnian paused, then turned to look at Xie Yanzhi.

Xie Yanzhi's cold gaze fell on Shen Qingnian: "Don't ever show this kind of crude trick in front of me again."

"And don't make me wear clothes of this color, you don't deserve it."

"Otherwise, you would never have gotten away with this so easily."

Shen Qingnian paused for a moment, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

If she had the time to devise a seductive scheme for him, she would have already devised a way to survive.

She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes, remaining silent. She simply curtsied to Xie Yanzhi and then removed the crimson cloak from her body.

He took off his cloak and threw it on the ground in front of Xie Yanzhi, then walked forward without looking back.

Ling'er was stunned when she saw the cloak on the ground. She quickly picked it up, bowed to the young master, and hurried after her mistress.

Yuan Qing watched as the young lady took off her cloak, which seemed quite sensible, but something still seemed a little off.

Something felt off. He thought for a moment and realized that although her expression was respectful and she didn't argue, it didn't quite seem like the right thing to do.

This young lady is quite interesting.

When he turned around, he found that his master's face had become even more gloomy, and the fish food in his hand turned into dust in an instant, scattering on the bluestone slab.

Sigh, Grandpa's angry again.

Why doesn't this new cousin know how to be more considerate of the master?

Given today's coincidences, I wouldn't believe he didn't try to attract his master's attention. He could have just apologized properly and been done with it. Why bother?

The main thing is that her face is indeed beautiful; maybe if we try a different approach, we can still have a chance.

This is the only cousin who can get the master's attention and make him angry.

Yuan Qing was just thinking about how to appease his master when Xie Yanzhi sneered, "She's perfectly fine."

He had to admit that this woman named Shen Qingnian was quite capable and had indeed caught his attention.

Ling'er caught up with her mistress and, worried that she might catch a cold, kept trying to put the cloak on her: "Miss, put on the cloak, be careful not to catch a cold."

Shen Qingnian stretched out a hand to block Ling'er's movement, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.

She was really angry, but she couldn't show it.

Otherwise, she would really rush up and question him, asking why wearing this color is considered seducing him, and why this color was dyed just for him.

“Miss…” Ling’er’s tone became anxious. She was really worried that her mistress would catch a cold in this cold weather.

She looked around and thought, "Why is Miss so serious and making herself suffer?"

So she handed the cloak over.

Shen Qingnian calmed down and looked thoughtfully at the cloak in Ling'er's hand.

Xie Yanzhi forbade her from wearing crimson again, meaning that he didn't mind the dress itself, but rather the color.

Is there something strange about this color?

But this cloak was originally given to her by her aunt. Yesterday, when she left Wenxin Hall, her aunt sent Qiuye to deliver this cloak. Qiuye said to her, "Miss, your aunt said that you are at the peak of your beauty, so you shouldn't always wear such plain clothes."

Shen Qingnian looked at the cloak. The underfur was thick and dense, the surface was smooth and straight, and every inch of it had a delicate and glossy sheen. It was obviously made of the finest raccoon fur.

"But this must be my aunt's favorite item. It's so precious, I really can't accept it," Shen Qingnian said, declining the offer.

Qiu Ye smiled and said, "Miss, please don't think like that. Your aunt has been missing her family every day while she's been in the manor all these years." "I'm so happy to finally have you here. I'd give you anything, no matter how precious, let alone this raccoon cloak. Please understand my heartfelt wishes as an elder."

"Here, let me put this on you so you can try it on." With that, Qiuye gently draped the cloak over her shoulders.

Shen Qingnian felt that the cloak was very warm to wear. Her fingertips gently touched it and found it to be delicate and silky, like being wrapped in flowing clouds.

The color, though described as a true red, wasn't gaudy; a dark red, yet not somber. It accentuated Shen Qingnian's fair complexion, making her appear even more elegant and dignified. Qiu Ye secretly marveled at how beautiful this young lady was. No wonder…

Ling'er was also stunned by what she saw.

Miss's previous dresses were all plain-colored, which made her look like a fresh, bright, gentle and graceful woman from Jiangnan. This time, wearing a cloak of this color, she is no less noble and bright than the ladies of noble families in the capital.

Qiuye then told her to wear more layers, and when her aunt saw this, she was happy.

This morning, she specially wore this cloak to see her aunt, hoping to make her aunt happy.

Could it be? A thought popped into Shen Qingnian's mind, but she hesitated for a moment before suppressing it.

"Miss?" Ling'er noticed that her mistress was staring at the cloak and not saying anything.

"Miss, what's wrong?" Seeing her mistress's dejected expression, Ling'er asked cautiously.

Shen Qingnian said calmly, "It's nothing. Go back and put this cloak away in the closet. Don't take it out again."

Ling'er said "Oh," then realized what she meant and said in surprise, "Ah? But Miss looks very good in this dress."

Ling'er thought that her mistress's clothes were usually too plain, and it was rare to find one that was bright and cheerful.

Could it be because the eldest son forbids it?

Thinking of the eldest young master, Ling'er's legs still feel weak and she is still in fear.

No wonder the young lady doesn't dare to wear it anymore.

Ling'er gave a pitiful look, feeling indignant for her mistress, and sighed inwardly.

Miss is usually low-key and unassuming, so how did she manage to offend the eldest young master?

The next second, Ling'er saw her mistress beckon to her, signaling her to lean in and then whisper a few words in her ear.

"Did you remember?" Shen Qingnian asked, looking at Ling'er's innocent expression.

Ling'er was taken aback, then quickly nodded, "Mhm."

Seeing Ling'er nod vigorously, Shen Qingnian took another step.

Ling'er followed behind, clutching the cloak. Although she appeared calm, she was uncertain and unsure whether she could fulfill her mistress's instructions.

at night

As a child, Xie Yanzhi wore a small brocade robe, his back straight, his little hands neatly placed at his sides, standing next to his mother, frowning as he looked at the little girl opposite him.

The little girl looked like a round, chubby rice ball. She was eating with her plump little hands when she suddenly smiled at him, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and she made a giggling sound.

Seeing this, the mother smiled happily and said, "Yan'er, look how beautiful your future wife is."

He frowned again, not wanting to look at the strange little thing anymore.

The little girl actually reached out her two jade-like hands to him again.

"Look, your little wife wants you to hug her." Everyone in the room laughed.

His mother looked at his pretentious little face and shook her head with a smile.

The red swaddling clothes on the baby girl suddenly floated to the ground. When Xie Yanzhi looked up again, both the mother and the baby girl who had just been there had disappeared.

Xie Yanzhi woke up from a dream late at night.

He dreamed of his birth mother, Yang, again.

And that little girl, with that shade of crimson.

Is this a dream or reality?

He couldn't figure it out for a moment.