Xin Jiuwei was surprised by her father's open-mindedness and didn't know what to say for a moment. Her father then smiled and said, "But your brother, I heard, is quite fond of Xin Kui..."
"Your father already knows?" Xin Jiuwei asked in surprise.
Father Xin nodded with a smile: "Yunzhou can't keep secrets. He was distracted while practicing his sword this morning, and after I asked him a few questions, he confessed everything."
"So what does Father mean?"
"Xin Kui is a good girl," Xin's father sighed. "Although she comes from a humble background, she is of good character and has a special skill. As long as Yunzhou likes her, I have no objections."
Xin Jiuwei felt a huge weight lifted from her heart and couldn't help but step forward and hug her father: "Thank you, Father!"
Father Xin lovingly stroked her hair: "Silly child, I only hope that you and your siblings can both find people who truly care for you." He paused, his tone suddenly becoming serious, "However, Wei'er, the Sixth Prince is, after all, a member of the royal family, and in the future..."
"Father, rest assured." Xin Jiuwei looked up, her eyes filled with determination. "Xiao Xun promised me he wouldn't let me down."
Looking at her confident demeanor, Mr. Xin finally smiled with satisfaction: "Good, good... I trust your judgment."
Leaving the study, Xin Jiuwei found Xiao Xun waiting for her in the corridor. Moonlight bathed his tall, imposing figure, making him appear like a figure in a traditional Chinese ink painting. Seeing her emerge, he quickly approached, asking, "What did you say, Lady Xin?"
Xin Jiuwei smiled and said, "Father said he's very comfortable entrusting you to me."
Xiao Xun was taken aback, then chuckled, "Isn't that backwards?"
"What, you're not convinced?" Xin Jiuwei raised an eyebrow.
Xiao Xun suddenly became serious, took out a warm, smooth white jade pendant from his bosom, and solemnly tied it around her waist: "This was left to me by my mother. I give it to you today as proof that I, Xiao Xun, will never betray you in this life."
The jade pendant gleamed softly in the moonlight, warm to the touch. Xin Jiuwei looked down at the clearly precious pendant, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She gently grasped Xiao Xun's hand: "I believe you."
Under the moonlight, their shadows intertwined, indistinguishable from one another. The old plum tree in the courtyard swayed gently in the night breeze, as if witnessing this vow.
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.
The Xin family mansion was filled with a busy and festive atmosphere. The relatives from Yuncheng had already joined in. The maternal grandmother, along with Xin Xiyao, Xin Jiuwei, and a group of younger relatives, were busily preparing sugar melons and New Year cakes for the Kitchen God Festival in the kitchen; the maternal grandfather was enthusiastically directing Xin Yunzhou and several cousins to paste window decorations and hang lanterns; and the Xin father and his two uncles were enjoying tea and conversation in the study, with bursts of laughter occasionally escaping from them.
Xin Jiuwei carried a plate of freshly made, golden and crispy sesame candy out of the kitchen. The sweet aroma immediately attracted her younger cousins playing under the eaves. She smiled and shared it with them, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the depths of the courtyard. Xiao Xun was standing under the plum tree, talking quietly with Xin Yunzhou. Xin Yunzhou nodded occasionally, and sometimes showed an expression of sudden realization.
"What are you teaching your brother again?" Xin Jiuwei walked over and stuffed the largest piece of sesame candy into Xiao Xun's hand.
Xiao Xun took it, took a bite naturally, and relaxed his brows and eyes: "Mmm, delicious. I didn't teach you anything, but Brother Yunzhou asked me about the New Year customs in the capital, and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to entertain you properly."
Xin Yunzhou scratched his head sheepishly, "Yes, it's rare for my maternal grandparents to come, and my father values it highly, so I can't be impolite." He looked at Xin Jiuwei with a serious expression, "Don't worry, little sister, I definitely won't let you down this time."
Xin Jiuwei felt a warmth in her heart and patted her brother's arm: "Brother is now very reliable in his work, what do I have to worry about?" She glanced at Xin Kui, who was carefully wiping the railings of the corridor with several maids, and Xin Yunzhou's gaze unconsciously followed the busy pale purple figure.
Xiao Xun watched this unfold, gently nudging Xin Jiuwei's elbow with a mischievous smile in his eyes. Xin Jiuwei understood and deliberately raised her voice, "Xin Kui, stop busy, come and try some freshly made sesame candy."
Xin Kui looked up at the sound, her cheeks slightly flushed, and quickly walked over. Xin Yunzhou immediately became flustered, her eyes darting around. Xin Jiuwei handed her the sesame candy: "You've worked hard, take a break."
"Miss Xie." Xin Kui took the food and ate it in small bites, but her eyes quickly glanced at Xin Yunzhou. As if she had received some kind of hint, Xin Yunzhou mustered up her courage and took out a small brocade pouch from her sleeve: "Um... it's cold, this... is for you to warm your hands."
Xin Kui was taken aback. She took the hand warmer and opened it. Inside were a pair of hand warmers made of high-quality gray squirrel fur. The stitches were fine and dense, and a layer of soft velvet was sewn inside. It was clear that a lot of thought had been put into them.
"Young master... this is too precious..." Xin Kui held the hand warmer, her voice trembling slightly.
“Not valuable at all! Not valuable at all!” Xin Yunzhou hurriedly waved his hand. “I…I saw you always busy outside, your hands are all red from the cold…this is warm…” He stammered, his ears turning bright red.
Looking at the exquisite and warm gift in her hand, and then at Xin Yunzhou's awkward yet sincere face, Xin Kui felt a lump in her throat and tears welled up in her eyes: "Thank you, young master... I like it very much."
Xiao Xun coughed lightly at the right moment and tugged at Xin Jiuwei's sleeve: "Wei'er, let's go see if the 'Fu' character that Grandpa pasted up is straight."
Xin Jiuwei suppressed a laugh and cooperated as Xiao Xun pulled her away, leaving Xin Yunzhou and Xin Kui behind. One scratched her head and grinned foolishly, while the other lowered her head and stroked the hand warmer, her cheeks flushed. The air was filled with a youthful and sweet atmosphere.
The New Year's Eve ceremony for worshipping the Kitchen God was solemn and lively. As the head of the family, Mr. Xin devoutly offered incense and prayed, asking the Kitchen God to "speak good words in Heaven and bring peace to the world." The sweet aroma of the sacrificial candy filled the hall, and the children eagerly awaited their turn. After the ceremony, a sumptuous family feast was laid out on the large round table in the main hall. Grandfather sat at the head of the table, looking at his children and grandchildren, especially Xin Kui sitting beside Xin Yunzhou, naturally accepted by the entire Xin family, his eyes filled with satisfaction. He raised his glass and exclaimed, "This year's New Year is the most comfortable and lively one I've had since my wife passed away! Seeing you all doing well makes my heart sweeter than honey! Come, let's drink to this together!"
"Wishing my maternal grandfather/father/father-in-law good health and longevity!" Everyone raised their glasses in unison, and laughter filled the entire Xin residence.
After the family dinner, Xin Jiuwei chatted with her maternal grandmother in the warm pavilion. The old lady held her hand, carefully examining the plum blossom hairpin given to her by Xiao Xun in her hair, and then looked at the warm white jade pendant tied at her waist. Her smile was kind and meaningful: "Wei'er, Xun-ge'er is a good boy. He's steady, polite, and his heart is always with you. Your grandmother has lived to such an old age, and I can't be wrong about people. Now that your father has given his approval, your grandmother is even more at ease."
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