Chapter 34 Your cousin... he's certainly gone to great lengths.
Li Minghua's gaze followed her finger and landed on her lively and radiant face.
The subconscious, rational rebuttal, "Swallows are not a good match for weapons of war," had already slipped to his lips, but when he met those bright, sparkling eyes, he swallowed it back.
His gaze was so intense that it stirred a strange warmth within her.
Her Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but in the end she simply lowered her eyes, her gaze returning to the gleaming sword in her hand, and replied in a low voice, "Alright."
A simple word carries more indulgence than ever before.
The warm sunlight spilled into the courtyard, and golden dappled light danced on the stone table.
The courtyard was extremely quiet, with only the faint chirping of birds in the distance, the rustling of bamboo leaves in the breeze, and the rhythmic, subtle sound of the sword in Li Minghua's hand rubbing against the soft velvet cloth.
Tang Xiaoning leaned against Li Minghua with a sense of security, tilting her head and her gaze almost glued to Li Minghua's profile as he focused on wiping his sword.
His well-defined jawline, his slightly pursed thin lips, and the soft shadow cast by his thick, long eyelashes when he lowered his head—every feature of him was captivating.
Those once-cherished fantasies of swordplay and grand adventures in the martial world seem to have been quietly replaced by the tranquil companionship imbued with the warmth of everyday life, becoming blurred and distant.
She could even clearly smell the clean scent emanating from Li Minghua, a mixture of sunshine, sweat, and a faint scent of soapberry. It was so close, and she felt incredibly at ease.
In a corner of the corridor, Yunxiang, a young maid, was pretending to bend down and wipe the railing, but her ears were perked up.
When she heard that Tang Xiaoning was going to embroider a sword tassel for Guard Li that resembled a little swallow, she couldn't help but cover her mouth, and her shoulders twitched suspiciously.
A little voice inside screamed: "Oh my goodness! Is the young lady embroidering swallows or herself? And Guard Li actually agreed! How strange! How truly strange!"
In this warm tranquility, Tang Xiaoning seemed to suddenly remember something, and moved her body slightly closer.
She lowered her originally cheerful voice, and whispered with a hint of hesitation and nervousness:
"Speaking of which... that Liu Yiyi, she probably won't be coming again, right?"
She looked up and stared intently at Li Minghua's profile, trying to catch the slightest reaction from her.
"Hmm." Li Minghua's hands did not stop for a moment, his tone was calm and unwavering, with a sense of certainty that everything had been settled. "I have already made it clear that she should back down."
"That's good!" Tang Xiaoning's tense shoulders instantly relaxed, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.
Immediately, a sly, lively smile spread across her lips. She deliberately tilted her head, her eyes shining brightly, carrying a hint of smugness and a deeper probing intent, staring directly into Li Minghua's eyes:
“Well—now there’s no Liu Yiyi, and no Zhou Wenyuan either,” she deliberately drew out the words, emphasizing each one clearly, “it’s just the two of us now. Lady Li…”
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes, which seemed to speak volumes, gleaming with anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness, clearly reflecting Li Minghua's image:
"So, are you now... my 'exclusive' martial arts consultant and bodyguard?"
She emphasized the word "exclusive" with both light and heavy emphasis, like a small pebble coated in honey, precisely sinking into Li Minghua's heart.
Li Minghua finally stopped wiping completely. She slowly raised her head and met Tang Xiaoning's clear eyes, which were now filled with tension and anticipation.
Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds in the golden sunlight, with only the soft rustling of the breeze against their clothes.
The few seconds of silence felt like an eternity to Tang Xiaoning.
She almost thought that Li Minghua would, as he had done countless times before, brush her off with a stereotypical "it's my duty."
Her heart leaped into her throat, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.
However, to her surprise, Li Minghua simply looked at her quietly.
In the depths of those always calm eyes, something seemed to be slowly flowing and settling.
Finally, just as Tang Xiaoning was about to hold her breath, she nodded slightly, the movement being minimal.
"Yes, it always has been."
Tang Xiaoning was overjoyed. She felt a surge of heat rush from her heart to the top of her head, and her cheeks instantly turned bright red.
A silly yet incredibly happy smile bloomed uncontrollably on her face, her lips turned up high, revealing a row of pearly white teeth, and her eyes curved into two adorable crescent moons.
“That’s more like it!” she exclaimed, almost jumping for joy.
No longer caring about being reserved, she immediately nestled back against Li Minghua's solid and secure side, like a little swallow that had finally found a warm nest.
I felt the sunlight overhead was warmer, the breeze brushing my temples was gentler, and the air I inhaled carried a sweet, honey-like scent.
"Exclusive".
"It always has been."
These two sentences, like a plump berry, gently landed on the softest part of my heart, bursting open with a sweet and intoxicating juice.
It sounds so nice.
She quietly pressed her face against Li Minghua's arm, feeling the soothing warmth emanating from beneath the fabric, and smiled silently.
Yunxiang, standing in the corridor, had long forgotten her work and stared in disbelief at the young lady's undisguised radiant smile and the profile of Guard Li, whose expression remained blank but whose lines seemed to soften.
She felt her heart race, her cheeks flush inexplicably, and she quickly turned away, pretending to be busy, but inwardly she couldn't help but marvel:
Goodness gracious, is it possible that this time, the young lady has actually melted the iceberg?
Ever since that day under the starry sky on the rooftop when they connected, and that resounding "exclusive" confirmation, Tang Xiaoning felt that every day the air was filled with sweet honey.
It seems that her relationship with Li Minghua is somewhat different from before.
A mere glance, an unintentional touch of a fingertip, or even the slightest ripple of Li Minghua's robes fluttering in the wind as he stood with his sword in hand, could make Tang Xiaoning's lips curl into an uncontrollable smile.
And in Li Minghua's deep eyes, a trace of warmth and care would flash by, which she could detect.
That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting beams of light into the warehouse filled with boxes and cages, with tiny dust particles dancing in the light.
Tang Xiaoning enthusiastically pulled Li Minghua through the area, calling it a "treasure hunt," to find the perfect finishing touch for her new swallow sword tassel.
She flitted among the dazzling array of goods like a cheerful little bird.
"Minghua, Minghua, look at this black jade!" Tang Xiaoning picked up a jet-black, lustrous bead from a brocade box and held it up to Li Minghua like a treasure.
The bead gleamed with a deep, understated luster under the light. She looked up at Li Minghua and said, "It matches your sword perfectly, steady and reliable, just like you!"
She held the beads up next to the sword at Li Minghua's waist, her fingertips almost touching the hand that held the sword.
Li Minghua's gaze fell on the black jade bead, then shifted to Tang Xiaoning's cheeks, which were slightly flushed with excitement, his eyes softening.
Before she could even speak, she picked up a bright, fiery-colored coral bead from the side:
"And what about this coral red one? So bright and lively! Doesn't it look like me?" She blinked, a hint of pride in her eyes.
Before Li Minghua could comment, she exclaimed again, as if she had discovered a new continent: "Oh my, look at this amber!"
She carefully picked up a golden bead, inside which was a tiny, lively flying insect. "How peculiar! Unique, just like you!"
Li Minghua followed closely behind her, acting as a silent protector and a mobile display stand.
Seeing her dazzled by a pile of shimmering pearls and gems, her cheeks flushed with excitement like the morning sun, Li Minghua couldn't help but whisper a reminder, his tone one of helpless indulgence:
"The most important thing about the sword tassel is that it is sturdy and does not hinder the swinging motion; its beautiful decoration is secondary."
"I know, I know, 'practicality first'! I'll keep Miss Li's teachings in mind!" Tang Xiaoning replied without turning her head, drawing out her tone, clearly not taking it to heart.
She then picked up a translucent, bluish-gold glass bead and compared it repeatedly to the dark hilt of Li Minghua's sword. Sunlight shone through the bead, casting dreamy spots of light on her fair palm.
“But being ‘good-looking’ is also important!” She emphasized deliberately, turning her head to look intently at Li Minghua.
A sly yet sweet smile played on her lips:
"After all, it's now my 'personal' bodyguard's sword. What's on it represents my taste and standards!"
She emphasized the word "exclusive" with particular clarity, conveying an intimate sense of possessiveness.
Upon hearing this word, Li Minghua's eyes flickered slightly. She parted her thin lips slightly, but ultimately said nothing.
She subtly adjusted her stance to make it easier for Tang Xiaoning to gesture, tacitly approving of her "representative perspective" fuss.
As the two were talking in hushed tones, the heavy wooden door of the storeroom was gently pushed open, and the butler, Uncle Fu, walked in with a smile, carrying an exquisitely crafted rosewood box.
His kind gaze swept over the two people who were standing very close together, and lingered for a moment on Li Minghua's sword, which Tang Xiaoning was gesturing with beads on. His smile deepened.
“Miss, Miss Li,” Uncle Fu said gently, “excuse me. The things that Young Master sent from the capital by fast horse have arrived.”
"Cousin?" Tang Xiaoning paused, looked up from the glass bead, her face showing a hint of confusion. After a moment, she suddenly realized what was going on.
"Oh...is it my mother's distant cousin from her maternal family?"
Didn't he move to the capital with his uncle to take up an official post several years ago?
What is he bringing this for?
Her tone was purely curious, with little hint of intimacy.
Uncle Fu respectfully handed over the heavy box: "Young Master mentioned in his letter that these are some of the most fashionable trinkets in the capital right now. I specially found them for Miss to play with and relieve her boredom."
Tang Xiaoning's curiosity was completely piqued. She put down the beads and took the box.
Opening the carved box lid reveals a soft brocade lining containing several exquisite items:
A rouge box inlaid with colorful mother-of-pearl and depicting a lady;
A delicate hand warmer, about the size of a palm, gilded all over, and carved with a lotus scroll pattern;
The most eye-catching feature is the mechanical bird placed in the center.
The bird is made entirely of brass, with clear and lifelike feather patterns, and its beak is slightly open.
"Wow!" Tang Xiaoning's attention was instantly captured by this exquisite bronze bird.
She carefully took it out, placed it in her palm, and gently wound up the spring under the wing a few times, following the instructions on the small note next to it.
With a few soft "clicks," the mechanical bird actually started hopping on the table, its small wings fluttering slightly, and it made a clear and melodious chirping sound, just like a living creature.
"This little bird is so cute!" Tang Xiaoning stared at it, unable to resist reaching out to poke its little head, a pure, childlike smile spreading across her face.
Li Minghua's gaze also fell on the open mahogany box.
Her gaze calmly swept over the exquisite, ornate, yet obviously overly delicate objects, finally settling on Tang Xiaoning's smiling face, who was holding the mechanical bird.
Her expression remained calm and composed, without the slightest ripple. However, her hand, which had been casually resting on the scabbard, slowly moved to the middle of the scabbard, her five fingers slightly clenched, and a faint white tinge appeared at the knuckles due to the exertion.
“Your cousin…” Li Minghua’s voice rang out, his tone flat and emotionless.
Her gaze remained fixed on Tang Xiaoning's bright smile, as if trying to discern something from that smile. "You've certainly put in a lot of effort."
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