Chapter 60: Xiao Qiyu, dressed in the flying fish robe, was very alluring.
As soon as Cui Ying dismounted after leaving the polo field, he was immediately surrounded by a large group of people who were all talking at once, praising him endlessly.
Xiao Shu's cheeks flushed with excitement as she grabbed Cui Ying's arm and shook it vigorously: "You're amazing! I only knew you could play polo, but I didn't know you were so good at it! That last shot just now, my heart was pounding in my chest!"
Xiao Lin wiped his sweat and said to the people around him, "Did you all see that just now? My goodness, my sister-in-law's over-the-top pass was perfect, the curve and the landing point were spot on. It completely stunned me. I almost didn't react in time to intercept the ball."
Shen Che squeezed in as well, unable to resist agreeing: "You're right, I still can't believe it. How did the ball end up with Third Sister? That was incredibly fast!"
Although Cui Ying enjoyed everyone's adulation, she wouldn't really indulge in such vanity. She turned to Chen Che and said, "Stop talking about these trivial things. I just came to my senses. So many people came to the polo match today, but why didn't I see your sister-in-law?"
The last time she met Chen Shuangshuang was at her homecoming banquet at the Duke of Wei's mansion. In the blink of an eye, more than a month has passed.
Chen Che said, "There are many people today, and my mother was afraid that my sister-in-law's movements would disturb the baby, so she left her at home to rest properly."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Che's eyes lit up, and he said, "Third Sister, I want to learn your moves. Teach me how to play polo, and I'll definitely learn well!"
Cui Ying wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed heartily, "I can teach you, but I won't teach you for free. You'll have to become my disciple."
Shen Che immediately cupped his hands in greeting and said crisply, "Master!"
Cui Ying exclaimed "Hey!" and patted his shoulder: "Good disciple!"
As the sun began to set in the west, the clouds on the horizon burned brightly.
When Cui Ying laughed with her head tilted back, her eyes curved into crescent moons, beads of sweat dripped from her chin, soaking into the collar of her fiery red riding outfit, and her full lips were slightly chapped, making her look very thirsty.
Xiao Qiyu stood in the shadow of the palace eaves, which were carved with exotic animals, holding a cup of warm, thirst-quenching tangerine peel and hawthorn drink, his clenched palms still damp.
He knew that Cui Ying got along well with everyone and could get along with anyone wherever she went; he had known this since she was a child.
But even now, seeing her smiling so brightly at everyone, Xiao Qiyu felt a tightness in his heart, as if it were entangled by tree branches.
The sunset glow on the horizon grew ever more brilliant, casting shadows on Xiao Qiyu's profile, making the shadows on his eyebrows appear even heavier, and making his already deep eyes seem even colder and more lifeless.
Should we just keep standing there, watching her chat and laugh with others?
The question only briefly crossed his mind before Xiao Qiyu lowered his eyelashes, took a step, and walked straight towards Cui Ying.
Cui Ying was indulging in her masterly role in front of Shen Che when suddenly a large hand gripped her wrist tightly, and her body was uncontrollably pulled to the side, away from the noise.
"What are you doing? What kind of mess are you making of!"
Cui Ying struggled wildly with her wrists, deliberately adopting the rigid tone of an old scholar: "Don't you know that men and women shouldn't touch each other?"
Xiao Qiyu almost laughed out of anger, and said coldly, "How dare you say 'men and women shouldn't touch each other'? Cui Ying, this isn't you—"
He wanted to say: This isn't the time for you to be clinging to me and kissing me.
Xiao Qiyu pursed her lips, quickly stopping herself from saying anything more. She shoved the teapot into Cui Ying's hands with a hint of annoyance, glancing at her parched lips: "Drink yours."
After being surrounded by people for a while, Cui Ying finally realized that she was extremely thirsty. She tilted her head back, faced the spout of the pot, and drank deeply, the beads of sweat on her neck glistening with a delicate light.
Xiao Qiyu said, "The Empress Dowager has moved to Cining Palace. After you finish drinking, hurry over and pay your respects. Also, let me remind you, your father is furious this time. Think about how to deal with it in advance."
Cui Ying swallowed the last sip of hawthorn drink, let out a comfortable sigh, blinked her watery, reddish almond-shaped eyes at him, and said without hesitation, "Don't worry, I have a brilliant plan."
She tossed the teapot into Xiao Qiyu's arms and strode towards the Cining Palace. After taking a couple of steps, she turned back, waved to Xiao Shuchen and her entourage who were still standing there in a daze, humming a light tune. Her ponytail swayed behind her waist, as if nothing could stop her, even if the sky fell.
Shen Che walked to Xiao Qiyu's side, smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Qiyu."
Xiao Qiyu nodded to him, then turned his gaze from the direction Cui Ying had left to Chen Che.
To be precise, it landed on the shoulder that Cui Ying had just patted on Shen Che.
The fabric was smooth, without a single wrinkle.
But he felt there was a faint palm print there.
A strong sour feeling welled up in Xiao Qiyu's heart, like too much dried tangerine peel in a hawthorn drink, making it very astringent.
...
As the sun set, Cui Ying emerged from Cining Palace, accompanied by Lan Xin. The two chatted and laughed, while a palace servant behind them carried a vermilion lacquered and gold-painted tray. On it lay a neatly stacked black fox fur cloak, its fur glossy and without any blemishes. This was the prize bestowed by the Empress Dowager upon them for their resounding victory in the polo match that day.
When they reached the fork in the road leading to the palace, Cui Ying stopped and smiled at Lan Xin, saying, "Aunt, I'll leave you here. It's getting late, and I should head back to my residence. Thank you for your trouble."
Aunt Lanxin, with a kind face, personally handed the black fox fur cloak from the palace servant behind her to Cui Ying, and said gently, "Third Miss, you are too kind. The Empress Dowager bestowed a hundred bolts of fine cloud brocade from Jiangnan as tribute, but you did not take a single one. You only took a liking to this black fox fur cloak, which surprised me a bit."
She still habitually called Cui Ying the Third Miss, in a very affectionate way.
Cui Ying spoke frankly: "I have plenty of those silks and satins in my house. If I take them back, they'll just be stored in chests and cages and get infested with insects. Wouldn't that be a waste? This black fox fur coat is different. It's thick and warm. I can wear it as soon as it gets colder. It's very practical."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Lanxin covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes filled with a clear understanding. She said in a low voice, "In my opinion, the size and color of this fur coat are just right for the seventh son of the Xiao family. Did the third young lady specially bring it for her husband?"
Cui Ying was taken aback upon hearing this.
She hadn't originally thought of Xiao Qiyu; she just felt that the black fox fur was extremely rare and hard to come by. But after Aunt Lanxin's guidance, the image of Xiao Qiyu wearing the black fox fur involuntarily appeared in her mind.
He was tall and had a pale complexion. His features were already quite ornate and delicate, and when paired with that thick, dark fur collar, he did indeed look rather... imposing.
Seeing her stunned expression, Lan Xin assumed she had guessed correctly, and her smile deepened, her tone becoming even gentler: "At such a young age, Third Miss is already so considerate and knows how to cherish her husband. With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? This is Xiao Qi's blessing."
Cui Ying chuckled awkwardly, not wanting to recount her chaotic daily life with Xiao Qiyu, so she gave a vague reply, while conveniently shifting the credit: "Auntie, please stop teasing me. Speaking of which, I really have to thank the Empress Dowager for her discerning eye in arranging our marriage, which allowed us to..."
She racked her brains and managed to squeeze out two completely unrelated phrases: "...a respectful and harmonious marriage."
Lan Xin smiled without saying a word, then gave a few more instructions to be careful on the road before watching Cui Ying and her palace servants depart into the distance.
Cui Ying met up with Xiao Shu, and together with several other familiar young ladies, they left the palace. By the time they arrived at the Marquis's residence, the moon was high in the sky and a gentle evening breeze was blowing.
...
On the other side, after Xiao Qiyu and his brothers Xiao Ye returned to the Marquis's mansion ahead of time, they did not forget to practice their boxing every morning and evening. When they came out of the wooden dummy formation, they were soaked in sweat, their hair was stuck to their temples, their originally pale skin was as red as fire, and their chest was heaving.
Xiao Heng was waiting outside the wooden dummy formation. When he saw Xiao Qiyu, he casually said, "Perfect timing. I brought you a new set of clothes when I came back. Try them on and cool off."
Xiao Qiyu was so tired that his mind went blank. Without thinking much, he took a shower in the nearby study and put on his new clothes.
After getting dressed and walking under the lamp, Xiao Qiyu saw the clothes on her body and immediately frowned.
This was a crimson flying fish robe made of the finest brocade. The flying fish pattern was embroidered with interlaced gold and silver threads, swirling around the hem of the robe, shimmering with light and exuding an air of majesty. The tailoring was also extremely exquisite, perfectly fitting his figure, making his arms appear long and powerful, his waistline sharply defined, and his legs straight and slender.
A true tiger-backed, wasp-waisted, mantis-legged creature.
Xiao Heng nodded in satisfaction under the lamplight: "Not bad, it looks like it was made to fit your size, it's made for the Northern Garrison."
Xiao Qiyu's face was as cold as ice, and he said resolutely, "Third brother, give up on that idea. I will never go to the Northern Garrison. No matter how well these clothes fit, they cannot change my decision."
After saying that, he turned and left without any room for negotiation.
Xiao Heng seemed to have anticipated his reaction. He shook his head, sat back down at his desk with a sigh, muttered to himself, "You're just being stubborn," and then went about his official business.
...
Inside Qiyun Pavilion.
Cui Ying had already bathed and changed, waiting for Xiao Qiyu to return so she could let him try on the black fox fur coat. If it fit, she would give it to him; if not, she would shorten it and keep it for herself.
She was casually flipping through a storybook on the bed when she heard the door open. Without even looking up, she asked fiercely, "Where have you been? Why are you so late? Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"
Before he could finish speaking, Cui Ying casually glanced up and his gaze fell on Xiao Qiyu's current attire, and he was instantly stunned.
The lamplight cast a soft glow, and a flying fish robe accentuated the boy's exceptionally handsome figure. The dazzling crimson color made him appear even more like a jade-like man, yet the imposing presence of the robe itself added a touch of aloof and stern authority. The fusion of these two contradictory feelings created a beauty as radiant as spring flowers cleansed from snow, or frost reflecting fire.
Cui Ying was still in a daze.
In her past eyes, the flying fish robe was ordinary, and so was Xiao Qiyu.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Qiyu looked like this when he put on the flying fish robe...
Cui Ying's cheeks flushed, unable to find the right word to describe it. For some reason, she thought of the extremely explicit word "tempting" in the storybooks.
Yes.
Xiao Qiyu looks very alluring in her flying fish robe.
"What are you looking at?"
Xiao Qiyu felt a burning sensation behind his ears and frowned. He subconsciously interpreted Cui Ying's gaze as mockery and turned his face away in great displeasure.
"Isn't the point of wearing clothes to be seen?" Cui Ying asked rhetorically, but her tone was unusually gentle. She even unconsciously rested her chin on her hands, staring at Xiao Qiyu with her almond-shaped eyes in a daze, and said in a silly, dreamy voice, "Xiao Qiyu, you look so good in this outfit."
Xiao Qiyu was stunned.
If anyone else had said that to him, he wouldn't have even blinked.
Whether it looks good or not is none of his business; anyway, it's not his clothes, and he'll never wear them again.
Faced with Cui Ying's undisguised praise, Xiao Qiyu's heart suddenly raced.
He didn't want to admit it, but he was even a little flattered.
"Is it really beautiful?" Xiao Qiyu asked Cui Ying earnestly, his expression turning serious.
Cui Ying nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice. The moment their eyes met, she even buried her face in the blanket: "Oh, don't look at me like that! I'm shy!"
Xiao Qiyu felt like he was dreaming.
Is Cui Ying... shy towards him?
In her entire life, was there ever a time when she felt shy towards him?
An indescribable feeling of comfort lingered in Xiao Qiyu's heart. Looking down at the annoying flying fish robe again, he felt that the clothes were not so irritating after all.
...
The evening breeze caresses the balustrade, and the moon rises over the western tower.
Jin Feng arrived at the front study and, after being announced, cautiously stepped into Xiao Heng's study.
"Reporting to Third Master, the young master specially sent me to convey a message to you. He said... he will not go to the Northern Garrison Command." Jin Feng swallowed hard as he spoke.
Xiao Heng was wiping a sword, not even looking up, and only gave a faint "hmm": "I know, would he really send you to deliver a message again?"
Jin Feng forced a smile and cautiously continued, "Also, the young master said that although he is not going, the clothes fit him well, so he will not return them for the time being."
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Author's Note: Sex only has meaning when both people are truly attracted to each other's bodies! [doge]
Starting tomorrow, updates will be at 6 PM every day. See you then! I'll let you know if I have to take a break.
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