“You’re already a student with a foundation, so you should learn to study on your own,” Xiao Qingyin replied from inside the room. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, go find those Iraqi craftsmen.”
Yi Shuihan was extremely flustered.
"You're not going to teach me anymore?"
"Yes," Xiao Qingyin said calmly. "Men and women should not touch each other. What kind of behavior is it for you to sneak into my boudoir in the middle of the night?"
Yi Shuihan: "..."
He really wanted to ask who the person was who had been so eager for him to stay overnight.
Yi Jiu can be a close confidant, but Yi Shuihan can't even enter the door. What kind of logic is that?
"That's class discrimination."
Yi Shuihan said dejectedly.
"Yi Jiu and I are clearly the same person, yet you treat us two completely differently. Just because I have a higher status than him, you think I'm less reliable? Is that reasonable?"
Xiao Qingyin was speechless for a moment.
Of course she knew this was unreasonable.
But why did she prefer Yi Jiu, who was a servant, to Yi Shuihan, who was the heir apparent?
Clearly, it's because the former has no power or influence, so she doesn't feel pressured and feels controlled; in other words, she feels safe enough.
The latter held a high position of power and was difficult to control, which made her feel threatened.
Why does she insist on gaining the upper hand and having everything under control?
If you love someone, shouldn't you stay by their side through thick and thin, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in good times or bad?
Xiao Qingyin suddenly realized that she did not love Yi Jiu.
Whether it was Yi Jiu or Bai Musheng back then, they were all just objects of her desire.
She never intended to stay with them forever.
Deep down, she didn't believe in forever or undying love; she only believed in the present moment and only wanted to pursue happiness in the moment.
Her heart was closed a very, very long time ago.
She wrapped herself in a thick shell, having no expectations of anyone, in order to protect her soft heart.
That's why she was indifferent to Bai Musheng's betrayal.
But in doing so, although she was no longer hurt, she also stopped loving.
She and Yi Jiu have spent so much time together, why didn't she recognize him as Yi Shuihan?
Because she didn't care about him much.
She could sense that Yi Shuihan had fallen for her, but she herself hadn't; her heart was already a stagnant pool.
Thinking about this, she suddenly felt a little sad for some reason.
“Yi Shuihan,” she said in a hoarse voice, “I have no class discrimination. I just don’t love you that much. My feelings for you are only a tiny bit. I may not be able to give you the kind of love you want.”
Upon hearing this, Yi Shuihan's heart trembled.
He could hear the sadness in her voice.
She was saddened that she couldn't like him more.
But why be sad?
“Silly girl,” he whispered, “I don’t want much, just a little bit. Whether you like me or not, I like you.”
Xiao Qingyin was startled.
"I don't like you, but you like me?"
Yi Shuihan replied, "Yes."
"Why?"
Xiao Qingyin pressed for an answer.
Is there really such a thing as selfless love in this world?
“I don’t know either,” Yi Shuihan said with a smile, “I just feel that being with you is especially peaceful and fulfilling, as if we were born as one.”
Xiao Qingyin fell silent.
She felt relaxed and happy with Yi Shuihan, but she didn't feel at peace or fulfilled.
Perhaps it was because she had lost the ability to perceive her own body; her consciousness could not reach him, and she could not experience this feeling of complete unity.
What if I only have a little bit of liking something in my entire life?
“It’s alright,” Yi Shuihan replied, “After all, I’ve long been prepared for you to be juggling multiple relationships at any time.”
Xiao Qingyin: "..."
The little bit of emotion I felt was instantly destroyed by his words.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I'll go find a young, handsome guy tomorrow."
"What young heartthrob?"
"A man who is younger than you, more handsome than you, more considerate than you, and gentler than you."
Yi Shuihan's face darkened.
Isn't that just a gigolo?
He sneered, "Tell me what kind you want, and I'll find it for you."
He refused to believe that after seeing someone as stunning as him, she would still be interested in those ordinary women.
Xiao Qingyin: "..."
This is the first time I've ever seen someone want to find a man for their sweetheart.
This person probably has some kind of fetish.
She got up and opened the door for Yi Shuihan.
Seeing the large bundle he was carrying, she asked in confusion, "What's that?"
Yi Shuihan smiled and said, "Apologies."
Xiao Qingyin took it, opened it, and found it was full of various contracts.
There are houses, fields, forests, and shops; roughly estimated, there are over a hundred.
“These are all under my name,” Yi Shuihan explained. “We can go to the government office tomorrow and transfer them to your name.”
Xiao Qingyin: "..."
She thought this person was a poor prince who was even behind on textbook fees, but she never expected him to be a hidden tycoon.
Yi Shuihan continued, "Although what I told you about my family having a mine that would allow dozens of generations to squander it all is still a bit far off, I will work hard to achieve that in the future."
In the past, when he won battles, he refused all spoils of war and most of the Emperor's rewards; he certainly won't do that again in the future.
After all, this woman's favorite things are gold and silver jewelry.
Xiao Qingyin retied the bundle and returned it to Yi Shuihan.
Yi Shuihan was astonished.
You don't want it?
"We're not even married yet, and you already want me to manage your family fortune?" Xiao Qingyin said irritably. "I won't do something so thankless."
Yi Shuihan quickly replied, "These are all managed by someone, you don't need to worry about them. You just need to check the accounts periodically."
"Doesn't auditing require time and effort?"
Xiao Qingyin asked in return.
"If you give me gold and silver, I'll definitely accept it immediately, but I'll pass on fixed assets."
Yi Shuihan remained silent.
These are things that money can't buy, yet she's so disgusted with them.
I've never seen anyone so lazy; they can't even be bothered to look at an account book.
It seems he'll follow in his father's footsteps; after he gets married, he'll have to manage the affairs of the inner quarters.
"Alright, I'll give it to you when I have the cash."
Xiao Qingyin found it quite amusing.
"You don't owe me anything, there's no need for you to do this."
"I'd like to."
After handing in his homework, Yi Shuihan left with his bundle.
Lying in bed at night, I thought and thought, and realized that I still needed to make people laugh.
Otherwise, we won't be able to get over this hurdle.
How can I make her laugh?
He lay awake thinking for half the night and finally came up with a good idea.
The next day, he went to see Ouyang Xiuqi.
...
It was that time of the month again for the Seven-Colored Glazed Glass Workshop to distribute its profits, and Xiao Qingyin, Ji Yunhua, Yi Shuihan and Ouyang Xiu all gathered together.
After distributing the silver, Ouyang Xiuqi said with a smile, "I'd like to treat everyone to a meal this time. How about we go to Caiyunfang?"
Ji Yunhua immediately winked and said, "Oh, Caiyunfang, that's not cheap."
Xiao Qingyin had never heard the name Caiyunfang before, and asked, "What kind of place is this?"
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