Chapter 428 How about... we do something more meaningful?
Yun Hua also forced a weak smile, but his eyes were much brighter than before: "Mom, it's almost time for dinner. I'm still weak, so I won't go to the front hall. You go. Wait for me. When I'm fully recovered, I'll go kowtow to my grandparents and father and pay my respects, and... give them a surprise!" He wanted his family to see a completely transformed Yun Hua.
Liu looked at the seriousness in her son's eyes and nodded repeatedly, full of joy: "Okay, okay! You rest assured, mother will go soon! Whatever you want to eat, mother will ask the kitchen to make it for you!" She tucked the corner of the quilt for her son, then turned and left, with brisk steps, her face showing a relaxation and glory that she had never had in recent days.
Garden, pavilion
At dusk in early winter, the sky was dark, the grass and trees in the garden were withering, and the pavilion felt even colder.
Yun Yiyi saw Lan Xiyue leaning against the railing alone from afar. She took a deep breath, mustered up her courage, lifted her skirt, and moved over carefully like a frightened little rabbit.
"Cousin, cousin... come in and sit for a while?" She stood at the stone steps outside the pavilion, her voice as thin as a mosquito, filled with extreme uneasiness.
Upon hearing the voice, Lan Xiyue simply replied, "Yeah." No emotion could be heard from her voice, but it made Yun Yiyi's heart even more anxious.
Lan Xiyue walked in and sat down.
Yun Yiyi quickly picked up the teapot that was warming on the stone block next to her and poured a cup of hot tea.
She held the cup of tea in both hands and handed it over, her attitude almost humble: "Cousin... drink some tea to warm yourself up."
Lan Xiyue then turned her head slightly, and her cold eyes swept between Yun Yiyi's face and the cup of tea.
The scrutinizing look in his eyes made Yun Yiyi's heart beat faster.
After a moment, Lan Xiyue stretched out two slender fingers, casually pinched the rim of the cup, took it, brought it to her lips, and took a sip.
Seeing Lan Xiyue accept her tea, Yun Yiyi's eyes flashed with joy. She twisted the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the effort. Finally, she mustered up all her courage and asked the question that had been tormenting her day and night: "Um, cousin, have you... have you forgiven me?"
Lan Xiyue put down the teacup, and the bottom of the cup made a crisp sound when it hit the stone table.
"Does it matter whether I forgive or not?"
Yun Yiyi nodded vigorously, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's important! It's important! To me... it's very important! Cousin, I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong..."
Lan Xiyue did not respond to her confession. She suddenly stretched out her hand, and with a hint of casual force, she tapped Yun Yiyi's smooth forehead with her index finger neither lightly nor heavily.
"In the future, remember to use your brain." Lan Xiyue's voice was still cold. "Don't let yourself be sold again and foolishly help others count money."
After she finished speaking, she did not stop, but tightened her cloak, stood up and strode out of the pavilion without looking back.
Yun Yiyi covered her forehead, where it had been tapped, and stood there in a daze, watching the resolute figure disappear behind the rockery. Her delicate brows knitted tightly together as she whispered in confusion, "Cousin, has she forgiven me, or not?"
The personal maid who had been holding her breath a few steps away from the pavilion finally dared to tiptoe over and whispered, "Miss, I see that your cousin is no longer angry with you."
Yun Yiyi looked at her puzzledly: "Hmm? What do you mean?"
The maid lowered her head and analyzed carefully, "Think about it, if Miss Cousin was still angry with you, with her temper, she probably wouldn't even bother to look at you, let alone take the tea you poured, and... she even tapped your forehead like that when she spoke. In the past, when Miss Cousin was at her wit's end, every word she said to you was as cold as ice, and her eyes were freezing."
Upon hearing this, Yun Yiyi carefully recalled the details of what had just happened—her cousin had accepted the tea, drank it, and even tapped her forehead while speaking... Her dim eyes suddenly brightened, and her face instantly turned from gloomy to bright, a tearful, relieved smile bloomed on her face: "Yes! Yes! You're right! My cousin must be less angry now! She's willing to pay attention to me!"
However, the joy did not last long, and she subconsciously touched her forehead again, where the cool touch of Lan Xiyue's fingertips seemed to still remain.
She pouted, looking at the maid with a bit of innocent dissatisfaction, "Hey, tell me, am I really that stupid? My cousin actually specifically called me 'brainy'?"
The maidservant beside her lowered her head even lower, her eyes looking at her nose and her nose looking at her heart, not daring to breathe, how could she dare to respond to this conversation.
Yun Yiyi waited for a long time but got no response. She curled her lips and found a way out for herself: "Forget it, forget it. I'm just a little stupid. I just hope my cousin isn't angry!"
She shook the handkerchief in her hand and regained her spirits. "Let's go. It's getting dark. It's time to go to the front hall for dinner. Don't keep grandma and the others waiting."
The main hall of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion was brightly lit and filled with warmth.
Maids and servants came in one after another, and skillfully placed exquisite dishes on two large round rosewood tables.
The hall was divided into two areas: the old Duke and several masters sat at the main table with Mo Liyuan, toasting each other and discussing the court situation or interesting military events, with the aroma of wine and hearty laughter intertwined; the other table was occupied by the old lady, Qin, Liu and other female relatives. The atmosphere was relatively subdued, with discussions revolving around gossip about family matters, and occasional gentle laughter.
After dinner, Mo Liyuan did not stay long. After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, he took Lan Xiyue and said goodbye to return home.
He held her hand, gently rubbing his fingertips on her slightly cold fingertips, and the silent warmth dispelled the chill of the winter night.
Back in the palace, isolated from the noise and cold of the outside world, the maids prepared warm and fragrant soup.
The two of them took a shower and changed their clothes, washing away the smell of fireworks and putting on soft and close-fitting pajamas.
The winter nights were long, and the ancients had little entertainment. In addition, the smoke from the stove in the house made people lazy. Lan Xiyue lay on the wide brocade bed, looking at the intricate embroidery patterns on the ceiling, and had no desire to sleep.
Mo Liyuan turned sideways and held her in his arms, his strong arms carrying an unquestionable possessiveness.
His low voice with a smile sounded in her ears, and his warm breath brushed against the sensitive earlobe: "Yuer, can't sleep?" His fingers were already lingering among her scattered long hair.
Lan Xiyue found a more comfortable position in his arms and replied muffledly, "Well, it's still early, I'm in high spirits." Her fingers unconsciously drew circles on the front of his pajamas.
The corners of Mo Liyuan's mouth curled up in a knowing yet dangerous arc, and his deep eyes were like sparks in the dark night under the dim candlelight, jumping with undisguised desire.
"Since Yue'er isn't in the mood to sleep," he tightened his arms, almost embedding her completely in his embrace, "why don't we... do something more meaningful, okay?"
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