Chapter 8. The heat and aroma were so intense that it made it hard to breathe...
In the bright afternoon sun, Huai De and Chi Zheng stood under the shade of a tree in the courtyard, idly teasing the fish swimming in the small pond.
As Wilde picked up some fish food from the amber bowl and lowered his head, he saw a slender figure reflected in the clear, mirror-like water.
The two were startled and thought to themselves in unison, "Why does this young lady walk so quietly?"
Chi Zheng immediately realized what was happening, turned around to greet her, and said with a beaming smile, "Miss Biao."
Cui Yao nodded. "Where is your young master?"
Huai De looked troubled. "Miss, the young master is not in the manor at the moment. Please come another day."
Not here?
Ji Chengning doesn't need to go to the Imperial Academy today. Since he's not at home, has he gone to some quiet and secluded place to look for someone?
Chi Zheng shoved Huaide and scolded, "You're so foolish. The young master already said that Miss Biao is not an outsider. If Miss Biao comes, don't try to fob her off; just invite her over directly."
After speaking, Chi Zheng bowed and said, "Miss, please follow me."
Cui Yao didn't say much and followed.
The Yongning Marquis's mansion is quite large. After several expansions and renovations, there are also many side courtyards within the mansion, each a secluded paradise.
For example, the courtyard in front of them.
The courtyard was in a very remote location, occupying only four rooms. Next to it was the Marquis's storeroom. The doors were all locked with large brass padlocks, and there were no servants to guard it. It was lonely and ordinary.
The only striking feature was that the gate to the courtyard was not made of wood, but rather cast from a single piece of black iron, heavy and cold, exuding a somber, gloomy atmosphere.
Even stranger, there were occasional "bang bang bang" sounds coming from inside.
Huai De stepped forward and knocked on the menacing tiger-head door knocker.
"Knock knock knock—"
Three times.
Ji Chengning, who was inside the courtyard, was momentarily distracted when someone came to disturb him.
Repairing a musket is a delicate job; a slight mistake can lead to disastrous consequences. He heard a "click" under his finger, and the lead bullet was immediately stuck in the chamber.
His teeth were grinding together so hard they were making a grinding sound. Ji Chengnin asked angrily, "What are you doing here again!"
Cui Yao said through the door, "Your Highness, I have come to return a letter."
"Oh," Ji Chengnin thought impatiently, "Cui Yao is coming back—"
Who's going to return the book?!
Ji Chengnin tensed up instantly.
He couldn't explain why he was nervous, but it was probably out of guilt for humiliating Cui Yao.
Ji Chengnin threw down the iron skewer and said dryly, "You, you come here."
Cui Yao said softly, "Yes."
Push the door open and enter.
The first thing he saw was a long, black gun barrel.
The musket rested on the table. Thanks to the owner's care, the gun was meticulously maintained. The barrel had just been oiled, and the sunlight shone down, casting a cold, black-gold-like sheen.
At this moment, the young marquis, who was as precious as gold and jade, knelt on one knee, the butt of his gun pressed against his chest, causing the skin to sink slightly and the delicate fabric of his clothes to become wrinkled.
Ji Chengning's long hair was tied up high, with a few stray strands falling in front of his forehead, making his eyes slightly red.
He squinted uncomfortably, but remained motionless.
It was cold, sharp, and filled with murderous intent.
Far superior to the weapon in one's hand.
Cui Yao's Adam's apple bobbed silently beneath her collar.
He instinctively pressed down on the ring.
However, the next second their eyes met, and Ji Chengnin suddenly smiled, his imposing aura instantly vanishing.
Upon seeing Cui Yao, he recalled his previous actions and awkwardly touched his nose.
"Your Highness."
Ji Chengning stood up briskly and gave Cui Yao a bright smile, "Cousin."
The young marquis's charming and endearing demeanor, his bright eyes gazing at him, was remarkably similar—the thumb ring was gripped even tighter by Cui Yao, much like a small dog he had once owned.
I used too much force, and even my bones were hurting from the pressure.
The little dog named Ji Chengnin seemed to want to come and sniff around him, but because of what had happened before, it felt a pang of conscience and guilt, and was too embarrassed to go over.
Cui Yao lowered his eyes, avoiding Ji Chengning's gaze. He gently placed the box containing the books on the table, bowed to Ji Chengning, and prepared to leave.
Ji Chengnin looked closely at the book cover and exclaimed in surprise, "Why did my cousin return the book?"
The ninth volume of Qingletang is so thick that even if Cui Yao were a spider with eighteen claws, he wouldn't be able to copy it completely in half a day.
Did he pick the wrong book?
Ji Chengning thought to himself with frustration.
In the short life of the young marquis, which lasted less than twenty years, there was never a time when he took the initiative to bow his head and the other party did not give him a way out.
Therefore, he never considered that this was Cui Yao's way of rejecting him because she didn't want to be associated with him.
He looked bewildered and confused, his chin slightly raised, revealing his bare, thin neckline without any defense.
Cui Yao lowered her eyes and replied politely, "Thank you, Your Highness, but this item is too valuable. I have done nothing to deserve such a reward."
Anyone with a brain can tell this is just an excuse.
But the young marquis's incomparably beautiful head seemed to serve only a decorative purpose. He asked, puzzled, "You don't like it?"
Cui Yao was caught off guard by his question and fell silent for a moment.
She then smiled slightly and said, "It's not that I dislike it, but I'm afraid I might soil the pages of the book. Only by returning it to the young master can I feel at ease."
Ji Chengnin scoffed, "Even the most valuable books are just for people to read. What's there to be afraid of touching?"
After he finished speaking, he suddenly realized that he was apologizing, and he forced his tone to soften, "I originally wanted to have someone copy the book for you and send it over, but I was afraid that they would be clumsy and damage the book, or miss words or pages, so I had to trouble my cousin to copy it herself."
Cui Yao was annoyed by his nagging, her smile faded, and she was about to refuse him again.
Ji Chengnin stepped forward.
On one rare occasion when the two were standing close together, face to face, Ji Chengning was startled to realize that he could not look Cui Yao in the eye!
Young Master Ji's pupils dilated violently.
Although he wasn't particularly tall or strong, he was still a slender man, but he never expected that the beautiful woman with fair skin and jade-like features in front of him would be so tall.
He was still determined to steal, and thought it must be because Cui Yao's hair ornament was too high, so he looked closely.
Today, Miss Cui simply tied her hair into a bun, with her cloud-like black hair hanging down her neck. Not only did it not make her look taller, it also made her appear several inches shorter.
The contrast was too stark, and Ji Chengning instinctively wanted to step back.
Cui Yao raised her hand, making a gesture of blocking Ji Chengnin from behind, "What's wrong, cousin?"
This address of "cousin" seemed to have flipped a switch for Ji Chengnin, causing the young marquis to snap out of his daze and subconsciously reply, "cousin."
He suddenly realized that Cui Yao had changed her way of addressing him, and no longer caring about creating distance, he immediately seized the opportunity and said in a soft voice, "Good cousin, please, I'm begging you. I went through so much trouble and suffered so many humiliations to get this. If you don't accept it, wouldn't I have been scolded for nothing?"
Cui Yao knew perfectly well that, given Ji Chengnin's status, no one except the emperor would dare to rebuke him; his words were nothing more than feigning helplessness.
They had to admit their mistakes while also seeking credit.
His shallowness is obvious at a glance.
But when those bright, peach-blossom eyes stared at Cui Yao, even the arrogant, upturned corners of her eyes drooped listlessly, and she called him pitifully, "Cousin Yao."
The proud and arrogant young marquis rarely softened his stance, becoming humble and subservient, and trying every means to curry favor. To onlookers, he seemed overwhelmed with gratitude.
Cui Yao remained silent for a moment.
Befriending Ji Chengnin was not part of his plan, however—
The venomous snake, accustomed to dwelling in the shadows, raised its lips and finally responded softly, "Your Highness's kindness is too much for me, I am extremely apprehensive," a hint of bright red tongue peeking out, "Then, thank you very much, cousin."
However, if there are only advantages and no disadvantages, why would he refuse?
Ji Chengnin's eyes lit up.
"really?"
He asked so excitedly that Cui Yao suspected the little dog would jump up and lick his face if he answered truthfully.
Cui Yao nodded slightly.
Before Ji Chengnin could speak again, his gaze flickered and landed on the firearm. "Young Master, what is this?"
When the topic of his beloved possessions came up, the young marquis immediately forgot how much truth and falsehood was in Cui Yao's words.
He only cared about his own conscience; if Cui Yao accepted the gift, it was tantamount to her tacitly forgiving him.
Ji Chengning was beaming. “This is a long flintlock musket,” he said, adding, “It’s a type of weapon, like a dagger.”
Cui Yao was led forward by him to take a closer look.
With long, pale fingers seemingly casually brushing against the gun barrel, Cui Yao asked softly, "Can this be used to fight on the battlefield?"
Ji Chengnin was about to nod when he shook his head again.
“Cousin, look,” he pointed to the inside of the spear. Cui Yao stared intently and saw a thin fuse. Ji Chengning’s tone was somewhat irritated. “It’s too slow to ignite and it’s very easy to extinguish. If we take this kind of firearm to the battlefield, the enemy will be right in front of us before we even light the musket.”
He was so engrossed in his speech that he inadvertently turned his head and met Cui Yao's gaze.
The latter was staring at him intently, her eyes sparkling with a cool, radiant light.
Ji Chengnin paused for a few seconds before speaking.
Cui Yao smiled and said gently, "I don't understand what the young master is saying, but I'm very willing to listen."
Ji Chengnin rubbed his itchy ear tips.
He rarely talked about these things with others.
Firstly, the prevailing social trend favored literature and refined conversation, and there were very few sons of officials like Ji Chengning who personally handled military equipment. After all, making firearms was considered a rare and ingenious skill, and it would be beneath their dignity to spread it around. It was more elegant and respectable to enter officialdom.
Secondly, the young marquis is arrogant and has a tendency to judge people by their appearance. Even if others want to curry favor with him, Ji Chengning is too lazy to deal with those who are not good-looking.
"Your Highness, I have never seen such an exquisite weapon before. May I pick it up and examine it closely?"
His attitude was gentle and polite. Ji Chengning said, "Cousin, please do as you please."
Cui Yao stepped forward.
He had never used a long flintlock musket before and didn't know the trick. He simply stretched out his arms to try and move it by force, slightly bending down and gripping the barrel with both hands. It seemed like he was using a lot of strength, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged out, making his knuckles look even more sharp and angular.
Ji Chengnin watched from the side, secretly alarmed.
His cousin is really strong!
Then, Miss Cui, who had been displaying her immense strength, trembled as if she could no longer bear the strain. Before she could put down her firearm, her body was pulled forward, and she stumbled violently.
Ji Chengning was shocked to see this.
My gun!
He reacted quickly and caught the firearm.
Cui Yao braced herself against the table to steady herself, her voice tinged with surprise, "So heavy."
Ji Chengning carefully straightened the gun barrel. "Seventeen pounds and three ounces, that's not exactly light. I forgot to tell my cousin that."
Cui Yao shook his head and laughed, "It's my clumsiness. I couldn't learn how to use the musket that the young master gave me before. Now, seeing this long musket, I dared to touch it without considering my own strength, and almost broke the young master's beloved item."
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned the musket; the fact that he did made Ji Chengnin's face flush again.
He touched his nose. "I'll teach you."
Then she remembered the difference between the two, one male and one female, and asked, "What do you think, cousin?"
Cui Yao lowered her head, "It is my great fortune to receive personal instruction from the Crown Prince."
Ji Chengnin grimaced at the hypocrisy of those words and slammed his hand on the table. "Cousin, come here."
Cui Yao didn't stand on ceremony and immediately knelt beside the gun, mimicking Ji Chengning's posture.
He knelt upright, his back perfectly straight, without bending at all.
Ji Chengnin leaned down, lightly shielding him from behind.
The two stood a foot apart, maintaining a very polite posture.
Ji Chengning picked up the iron skewer next to him and tapped Cui Yao's arm, "Raise your hand and brace it against the butt of the gun."
Cui Yao did as she was told, her arm taut and stiff as a stone.
Ji Chengning, rarely acting as a teacher, was in high spirits. While intently observing Cui Yao's movements, he said, "Don't lower your head, don't look down. Cousin, you've been keeping your eyes down. Is there a silver ingot that someone dropped on the ground?"
Cui Yao was extremely obedient and dutifully placed her hand on the gun.
If you don't use the musket properly, you can easily hurt yourself. Ji Chengning patiently fiddled with him, "No, raise your arm, raise it again. I want you to use force, not just let it hang loosely on your arm."
Ji Chengning watched Cui Yao's clumsy and awkward movements and almost wanted to sigh in despair.
His cousin, with her beautiful and fair face, how could she be so stupid!
Ji Chengnin frowned deeply. "That's not right."
"clang--"
Cui Yao was perhaps too nervous; he pressed down hard on his palm, causing the musket to tremble violently and slam heavily onto the table.
Ji Chengning, unable to bear it any longer, leaned over Cui Yao, grabbed his right arm, and tapped his wrist with two fingers through the fabric. "Use this to grip the musket tightly."
Cui Yao paused for a moment.
The young man was full of energy and his body was burning hot, like a pot of charcoal. Not to mention the incense that Ji Chengning used to use, which was hot and fragrant, making it difficult for him to breathe.
He frowned slightly.
Ji Chengning was completely unaware, only surprised that his cousin's skin was firmer than that of ordinary people, and it felt hard and uncomfortable to the touch when she exerted force.
"Understood," Cui Yao said meekly, adjusting her posture, her fingers tightening around the gun.
Thanks to the young marquis's hands-on guidance, Cui Yao's progress was nothing short of miraculous. Just a moment ago, she was so clumsy that she didn't even know where to put her hands, but now she can put on a pretty flower stand in a very proper manner.
Ji Chengnin was very satisfied. With a flick of his wrist, the tinderbox rolled from his sleeve pocket into his palm.
"puff!"
The flames instantly burned his face.
Cui Yao glanced over and saw the tinderbox twirling deftly between Ji Chengning's fingers twice. "Don't look at me," the young marquis said in a deep voice, "look at the target."
When he taught Cui Yao, he kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he were surrounded by an exceptionally beautiful doll, showing none of his previous frivolous and unrestrained manner.
Cui Yao slowly turned her face.
The instant he looked straight ahead, Ji Chengnin shoved the tinder into the chamber, igniting the fuse instantly, and commanded, "Press."
Cui Yao squinted, inserted her finger into the hole, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.
"Bang!"
A dazzling light surged from the muzzle, carrying astonishing heat, and shot straight toward the scarecrow several feet away.
The next moment, the scarecrow shook violently backward, and with a crack, the jujube wood pole inside snapped, and the scarecrow's head rolled to the ground with a thud.
Ji Chengnin suddenly stood up, clapped his hands, and exclaimed, "Excellent aim!"
The heat source disappeared instantly.
Cui Yao lowered his long eyelashes slightly, stood up gracefully, raised his hand, and gently brushed his right arm with a small gesture, as if he were brushing away a petal that had accidentally fallen. "It is thanks to the Crown Prince's good teaching."
Upon hearing this, Ji Chengning raised his chin smugly.
He turned to look at Cui Yao, and saw that his cousin Cui's fair cheeks were slightly flushed, like cold jade tinged with rosy hues.
Ji Chengnin assumed he was just too excited, so he smiled and asked, feeling very understanding, "Want to do it again?"
Cui Yao smiled and said, "Okay."
From that day on, Cui Yao and Ji Chengning met frequently.
Cousin Cui was beautiful and not annoying. She was also very good at speaking gently to Ji Chengning when he was so angry that he was about to kick the table: "Your Highness can do this. I wonder how many people in the world can compare to you."
“The young master is already perfect in every way. If he can repair the musket in one go, then Heaven would be too biased.”
Such examples are too numerous to mention.
Ji Chengning was pleased with the flattery. He had always been fond of wealthy women and had a penchant for giving them a smile. Since he had taken a liking to Cui Yao, he instructed the steward to provide Cui Yao with the same level of necessities as him. Although Cui Yao later politely declined, the young marquis never hid his actions. As a result, the whole household knew that this newly arrived cousin had unexpectedly won the young marquis's favor.
Cui Yao simply smiled upon hearing this.
On the eve of the Flower Festival, Ji Chengning flew into a rage again over the irregular rifling of the newly cast gun barrel. He threw the iron pipe with all his might, sending it flying quite a distance.
Cui Yao first poured Ji Chengning a cup of tea, then calmly stepped forward and bent down to pick up the iron pipe.
Ji Chengnin was still angry, his brows furrowed tightly, and he even disliked Cui Yao for picking up the iron pipe. "What are you going to do with it?"
Cui Yao took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the dust from the ironware.
It was a plain brocade handkerchief, with only a vermilion evening flower embroidered on the corner. As its owner moved, the white handkerchief became dusty.
After polishing the ironware until it shone like a mirror, Cui Yao put the gun barrel back on the table.
Ji Chengnin's expression softened slightly, and he stared at him silently for a long time. "Cousin, wouldn't you say that's like stroking a tiger's whiskers?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Yao looked up, her pale eyes fixed on Ji Chengning without blinking.
Ji Chengning felt a little uneasy under their gaze.
Cousin Cui is very pretty, but her eyes are just too eerie.
"how?"
Cui Yao nodded. "I'll count."
The young marquis was overjoyed and beckoned to Cui Yao, signaling him to come over.
Cui Yao obediently approached.
Ji Chengnin chuckled and said, "I prepared a gift for you, and it has already been delivered to your courtyard."
He saw that Cui Yao's eyes were wide open, as if she was a little surprised. He was about to make a joke when he heard a series of loud bangs outside the door.
Ji Chengnin suddenly turned his head, "Who?"
A muffled voice came from outside, "Your Highness, it is I."
"come over."
Huay De pushed open the door and entered.
Inside the courtyard, the young master and Miss Cui sat on opposite sides of the table, one drinking tea with his head bowed, and the other fiddling with a wax model.
He didn't dare look any longer and quickly lowered his head.
Ji Chengnin asked, "What is it?"
Just as Huayde was about to answer, he suddenly felt a chill creeping down his neck.
Thinking he had angered the young marquis again, Huaide swallowed hard and said cautiously, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come and wants you to go there immediately."
Ji Chengnin put down the wax model. "What's wrong?"
"The messenger said that His Highness the Crown Prince is unwell and would like you to come and see him."
Cui Yao raised her eyebrows upon hearing this.
This is absurd. Ji Chengning knows nothing about medicine. Even if ten doctors came, it would be of no use to the illness. Besides, the Crown Prince is ill, and the imperial physicians will take good care of him. Why would they need Ji Chengning?
It's clearly just a pretext to deceive people.
However, the young marquis suddenly stood up after hearing these blatantly false words.
Cui Yao looked up at him with some surprise.
Ji Chengnin didn't notice Cui Yao's little actions at all, and said in a deep voice, "Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and prepare the carriages and horses."
A note from the author:
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Thank you for your support, my wife! [cat emoji][cat emoji] Seeing the comments every day after starting a new story makes me so happy! [cat emoji][cat emoji] Thank you!
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