Chapter 208: The warmth of the morning light and the growing love
At dawn, the courtyard of Shufangzhai was already bustling with activity. The morning air after the snow was exceptionally crisp, and the icicles on the eaves reflected the rising sunlight, glittering brightly. Young eunuchs were sweeping the snow, their brooms making a rustling sound that startled a few sparrows from the branches into flight, leaving behind a few crisp chirps.
The charcoal brazier in the warm room, which had been burning all night, was still glowing red, suffusing the entire room with a cozy warmth. Little Swallow, draped in a moon-white cloak, sat cross-legged on the kang, a freshly peeled tangerine in her hand, absorbed in a storyteller sitting on a small stool. She was wearing a bright red jacket with tiny peach blossoms embroidered around the collar. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, a few strands draping over her cheeks, swaying gently as she moved.
"...Then Sun Wukong raised his golden cudgel and struck the White Bone Demon on the head!" Xiao Deng stood in front of the kang, chopsticks in his hand acting as a gavel, his saliva flying. He wore a gray cotton-padded jacket, his face red from the cold, but his eyes sparkled. "The White Bone Demon was so frightened that she revealed her true form and turned into a puff of green smoke, trying to escape. But Sun Wukong was prepared. He plucked out a hair and turned it into a golden hoop, which instantly trapped her!"
"Good!" Xiaoyanzi clapped her hands so hard that the orange peels were almost crushed. "Well done! This monster who spreads rumors and causes trouble should be severely punished!" Everyone knew who the "monster" she was referring to, and everyone in the warm room couldn't help laughing.
Ziwei sat on a soft couch by the window, a book in her hands, but she wasn't really reading. She just smiled at them. She wore a lavender satin jacket, and the sunlight filtered through the window lattice onto her face, revealing the fine hairs. A faint smile permeated her lips. Erkang sat beside her, holding a hand warmer, occasionally pushing a snack into her hand, his eyes tender enough to bring tears to her eyes.
"Look at you, orange juice is all over your hands." Yongqi came in from outside, a chill on his body. He was wearing a royal blue brocade robe and holding a freshly picked wintersweet in his hand. He walked up to Xiaoyanzi and naturally took up his handkerchief to wipe her hands. "I just went to the Imperial Garden and the wintersweet was in full bloom. I picked a branch for you."
Xiaoyanzi looked at the wintersweet in his hand. The golden petals were still stained with dew and had a delicate fragrance. Her eyes lit up and she snatched it away and put it in her hair, raising her chin proudly. "Is it beautiful?"
"It looks good." Yongqi looked at her sparkling eyes, unable to hide the smile on his face, "You look good in anything you wear."
"That's corny!" Xiaoyanzi blushed and reached out to push him away, but Yongqi took her hand. His palm was warm and dry, gently wrapping around hers. Xiaoyanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to look at Juzi, but her ears were secretly red.
Ziwei watched them playfully, her eyes full of smiles. She turned to Erkang and whispered, "Look at them, they're always like this."
Erkang held her hand tightly, his fingertips caressing the back of her slightly cold hand, his voice low and gentle: "This is better, lively and lively, so you won't be affected by those gossips." He paused, looking into Ziwei's eyes, "Don't worry, I'm here, I won't let you get wronged."
Ziwei looked at his serious eyes, her heart warmed, and she nodded gently: "I know."
As he was speaking, Xiao Jian came in, wearing a navy blue suit with a black belt around his waist. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree. He was holding a food box and said with a smile, "I just came from home. Mom asked me to bring you some freshly baked osmanthus cakes."
"Brother Xiao Jian!" Xiaoyanzi's eyes lit up, she jumped down from the kang, ran to him and opened the food box. The sweet-scented osmanthus cake inside was white and tender, still steaming, and filled with sweet fragrance. "The sweet-scented osmanthus cake made by mother is still the best!"
Xiao Jian smiled and patted her head: "You are the only one who talks sweetly." He glanced across the warm room and landed on Ziwei and Erkang by the window, his eyes smiling, "It seems everyone is here."
"Brother Xiao Jian, you're here just in time!" Xiaoyanzi picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and stuffed it into his hand. "The rumors out there are really bad, and we're just looking for something to do. Can you give us some advice?"
Xiao Jian took a bite of the osmanthus cake and said thoughtfully, "Instead of paying attention to those rumors, why not do something practical? I heard Ziwei wants to open an academy outside the palace to teach orphans to read?"
Ziwei's eyes lit up: "Yes, but it's still in the planning stage."
"That's a good idea!" Xiao Jian nodded. "Proving one's character through actions is much better than empty words. If you need help, just let me know. I know some carpenters and I'll take care of the yard repairs."
"I can help too!" Yongqi raised his hand. "The palace's library has a lot of unused books. I'll ask the Emperor to allocate some to the academy."
Erkang also said: "I can invite a few teachers to give free lessons."
Xiaoyanzi watched everyone chatting away, and the haze in her heart vanished. She clapped her hands and smiled, "Great! Let's divide the work and work together to make the academy a success. Let's see what those rumormongers have to say!"
Footsteps were heard outside the warm room, and Qing'er walked in carrying a basket. She was wearing a lake blue jacket and skirt, her hair in a gentle bun. In the basket were some freshly embroidered handkerchiefs. "I just came out of the Empress Dowager's Palace and stopped by to take a look." She saw Xiao Jian, her cheeks flushed slightly, and handed the basket to Mingyue. "These are handkerchiefs I embroidered for everyone. It's cold out, so they're perfect for wiping your hands."
"Princess Qing's craftsmanship is really great!" Mingyue opened the basket. The handkerchief inside was embroidered with various patterns, such as orchids, plum blossoms, and mandarin ducks. The stitches were fine and the colors were elegant.
Xiao Jian looked at the handkerchief embroidered with bamboo, and remembered the one he had picked up in the imperial garden last time. His eyes softened a little. He walked forward, his voice unconsciously lowered, "I just need a handkerchief. I wonder if Princess Qing would give me this bamboo handkerchief?"
Qing'er was stunned for a moment, her cheeks turning even redder. She lowered her head and said softly, "If Master Xiao Jian doesn't mind, you can take it."
Xiaoyanzi was watching with great amusement and nudged Ziwei: "Look at them, they're just like you and Erkang back then!"
Ziwei smiled and shook her head, her eyes filled with relief. The charcoal pot in the warm room crackled, the sweet aroma of osmanthus cake mixed with the fragrance of winter plum, and the sunlight shone through the window lattice onto everyone's face, making them feel warm.
Yongqi looked at Xiaoyanzi's brightly smiling face and quietly took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Xiaoyanzi turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling and a sweet smile on her lips.
Erkang held Ziwei's hand, and they smiled at each other, the affection in their eyes needing no words. Xiao Jian held the bamboo-patterned handkerchief, gently stroking it with his fingertips. Qing'er secretly raised her eyes to look at him, her eyes hiding shy joy.
The snow outside the window had long since stopped, and sunlight streamed across the courtyard. Snow still clung to the branches of the crabapple tree in Shufangzhai, glittering in the sunlight like a dusting of diamonds. In the warm room, laughter and chatter mingled, a gentle and lively melody. The rumors that swirled above the palace walls seemed to dissipate in the warmth. As long as their hearts were connected, they could weather any storm together.
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