Xu Yunci had just returned to Songyuan when the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Dali Temple had been cooperating with the Ministry of Justice to deal with the remnants of the Prince of Yan. For several days in a row, he had returned home close to midnight.
Sitting in the chair, Xu Yunci rubbed his temples, looking at the remaining papers on the table, the ones he had rejected. The pent-up anger in his heart seemed to dissipate.
With my eyes closed, my little cousin's smile seemed etched in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Your Highness."
When Xu Yunci opened his eyes, he saw Chang Shun hesitating, clearly having something to say.
Noticing that his master seemed to be in a bad mood after returning home today, Chang Shun took a deep breath: "Today, Ling'er, the maid of Miss Chun Jinxuan, inquired about when Miss Chun Jinxuan would enter the manor, why she was engaged to the young master, and what the young master's preferences were."
After speaking, Chang Shun carefully raised his eyes to observe Xu Yunci's expression. Others might not know, but he had served the prince for quite some time, and he could see through any woman's thoughts.
Xu Yunci was puzzled, seemingly not understanding why Wei Yujie's maid was asking him.
"Just now, someone from Chun Jin Xuan delivered some things, saying they were some trinkets for the manor, and a handkerchief for the young master. The person who delivered it said that Miss Wei Biao sewed it for the young master herself, stitch by stitch."
Chang Shun emphasized the words "personally, stitch by stitch" on purpose. When he saw Xu Yunci's cold gaze, he quickly waved his hand and said, "This servant did not accept it. These things are personal items. Now that the young master is engaged, it is not appropriate for him to accept things from others."
"So this servant refused, and the maid didn't insist. I hope the young master won't blame this servant for acting on his own."
Seeing the shrewdness in his eyes, Xu Yunci nodded: "Well done. Keep an eye on Chun Jinxuan and make sure nothing goes wrong."
handkerchief...
Xu Yunci took out his dark blue handkerchief from his clothes. It was sewn by Yang Shi. He hadn't received a handkerchief embroidered by his little cousin yet. Wasn't she said to be very skilled at embroidery?
Xu Yunci really wanted to go to Chengyu Pavilion, but at this hour, going from the front courtyard to the back courtyard would inevitably disturb the servants. After thinking about it, Xu Yunci decided to give up the idea.
In the following days, Xu Yunci was busy with matters concerning the Jingzhao Prefecture and did not return home for three consecutive days. After finishing his work, he went straight to the Duke's Mansion.
I haven't seen her for several days. I wonder if she's gained any weight. She looks so thin, like she could be blown away at any moment. I hope she eats more.
With these thoughts in mind, Xu Yunci quickened her pace considerably.
"Your Highness."
Xu Yunci's expression was indifferent, and he suppressed the joy in his eyes as he looked at the woman who came out from the front, or rather, blocked his way.
Today, Wei Yujie wore a bamboo-green jacket with a light begonia pattern, and her hair was adorned with a begonia hairpin and a jade hairpin.
She suppressed the joy in her eyes, pursed her lips, and looked up carefully to observe Xu Yunci's expression. However, her flushed cheeks betrayed her thoughts: "I haven't seen the young master for the past few days. Has the young master been very busy?"
Xu Yunci did not step forward, but nodded slightly from a distance: "Miss Wei."
There was no reply, and even his words were cold and distant, shunning everyone. This feeling was unpleasant. Wei Yujie clenched her hands, looking at Xu Yunci with a hint of grievance in her eyes: "These past few days, Yujie has made some little trinkets and given them to everyone. Are they not to the liking of the young master?"
"Yu Jie doesn't have much to offer right now, only what I've made. If the young master finds it lacking..."
"Hmm, I can't accept it." Xu Yunci didn't wait for her to finish speaking. Even when she saw the grievance and pitiful look in the woman's eyes, Xu Yunci remained indifferent. Upon closer listening, her expression revealed a distance beyond mere rejection, along with a hint of impatience.
Unexpectedly, his reply was so straightforward. Wei Yujie forgot to maintain her pitiful appearance and blinked at Xu Yunci.
However, Xu Yunci didn't give her time to react. After thinking for a moment, he still saved some face: "I am already engaged. It is naturally better for the bride to receive such a personal item as a handkerchief. Even if we were not engaged, I shouldn't accept it. I understand your feelings, and I have other matters to attend to."
As soon as he finished speaking, he bypassed Wei Yujie and headed straight for Chengyu Pavilion, clearly heading towards it.
Chang Shun walked slowly, but as he passed by, Ling'er grabbed him. He looked impatient, but Ling'er held on tightly, and he couldn't shake her off.
He had no choice but to patiently curtsy and ask, "What are your instructions, sister?"
Ling'er was taken aback; she wasn't that old, let alone "older sister." She pouted, looking in the direction Xu Yunci had left, clearly still unwilling to give up: "Where is the young master going?"
Inquiring about the master's whereabouts is a major taboo in the inner quarters, but judging from the hope in Ling'er's eyes, even if the Wei family is not a prominent family, they should know this rule.
But I still asked, knowingly committing a wrong.
Chang Shun frowned, forcefully breaking free from Ling'er's hand, and took a half step back: "A servant cannot reveal his master's affairs without permission."
As soon as he finished speaking, he quickened his pace and chased after them.
When Xu Yunci stepped into Chengyu Pavilion, all was quiet, but he stopped at the courtyard gate. Li Shiyue was leaning against the swing under the tree, already drifting off to sleep.
The forehead gradually droops down, and the swing is specially made to be long and wide, with a specially woven chair back.
With the shade of the trees overhead, Chunling fanned herself. She was still conscious and wanted to speak when she saw Xu Yunci, but Xu Yunci shook his head, walked quietly to her, and took the fan. Chunling and Changshun exchanged a glance and quietly retreated.
Her nose felt itchy, as if the cool breeze had subsided. Li Shiyue reached out and touched the tip of her nose. Feeling the coolness above her head, she tilted her head to one side, squinting. Suddenly, she met a pair of familiar phoenix eyes and instantly stood up, wide awake.
Xu Yunci, who was watching intently, was startled and almost dropped the fan in his hand.
He pulled her down by her sleeve, his doting touch barely perceptible, and continued to move his hands: "Why didn't you go inside to sleep? If you catch a cold, Grandmother will scold you again."
By now, her drowsiness had long been driven away. Li Shiyue didn't look up, but her red earlobes showed that she was shy again.
"Who knew you'd come at this time? Did you resolve things outside?"
Xu Yunci nodded and sat down on the stone bench next to him: "Yes, I came to see you as soon as I got back."
Is this how a person talks?
Li Shiyue looked at Xu Yunci with a puzzled expression. When Xu Yunci looked over, she coughed twice and said, "You've come at just the right time. I also have something for you."
She got up, went inside, and returned after a while with something in her hand.
Xu Yunci picked them up with surprise in his eyes. He had come over to talk about handkerchiefs, but what he found were two handkerchiefs and a sachet.
After picking it up and examining it closely, he noticed the fine stitches. He then looked at Li Shiyue, who remained silent, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Did you embroider all of this?"
Li Shiyue nodded, looking at Xu Yunci expectantly: "Do you like it?"
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