15. Chapter 15 Holding Hands
Xiaoxiao was a little confused. She felt a chill on the tip of her nose. She subconsciously looked up and saw a man's strong chest.
The coolness was the moisture on his body. After taking a shower, he always wiped himself a few times and then got dressed directly. The moisture on his chest had not yet completely dried.
Xiaoxiao not only pulled open his collar, but also bumped into him with her cheek.
Xiaoxiao's cheeks flushed and she quickly took a step back. Pei Xiuhan had already let go of her. When he noticed that his clothes were open, he slipped into the house. When he came out again, he had put on his outer robe and tied his belt.
After he left, Pei Jing got up from the ground. He was extremely unhappy, with his head drooping. He looked somewhat pitiful and felt that the biased uncle was really annoying. When he looked at Xiaoxiao again, he no longer had the pity he had before, and only felt sour in his heart.
Pei Xiuhan couldn't empathize. He lifted his eyelids and glanced at the boy, feeling annoyed. "Why don't you just go back? Are you standing here like a door god?"
He could scold him all he wanted in private, but seeing him actually telling him to get lost in front of Xiaoxiao, Pei Jing got even more angry. He held it in for a long time, his eyes red, and then he angrily said, "Just go, you deserve to be single!"
He turned around angrily, his stomach growling at the same moment. A twelve-year-old boy was at the age of sensitivity, and when he saw that the emperor's uncle hadn't invited him to stay for dinner, he became even more annoyed. He turned around and left the Prince of Yan's mansion, muttering, "Biased ghost" as he left the courtyard.
He was filled with resentment. Little Leo followed him closely, not daring to make any noise while walking, for fear of offending this ancestor.
After he left, Xiaoxiao and Pei Xiuhan were the only ones left in the yard.
Dusk was gradually falling, and when the breeze blew, the flowers in the yard fluttered in the wind. Xiaoxiao's black hair also swayed slightly. The fragrance of the flowers and the fragrance of the girl's body gradually merged into one, refreshing the heart for no reason.
Xiaoxiao rubbed the tip of her nose, feeling strangely embarrassed. She didn't know why, but she didn't dare to look him in the eye. She had clearly seen his chest before when she was wiping his body, but this time she felt particularly nervous.
She lowered her head and handed the calligraphy copy that Pei Jing had written for her to Pei Xiuhan, asking in a low voice, "Can I copy these first?"
Pei Xiuhan took a quick glance and was a little surprised to see that it was Pei Jing's handwriting. After all, this brat has always been playful, and asking him to practice writing is like asking him to die.
Pei Jing's calligraphy was indeed more suitable for Xiaoxiao to practice. Pei Xiuhan nodded and said, "Okay."
Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao took the calligraphy and ran away quickly, leaving only a sentence, "I'm going back too."
When she ran away, it was already completely dark. The maid took a lantern and hung it at the door. In the flickering candlelight, her slender figure, like a dancing butterfly, quickly disappeared outside the courtyard gate.
Pei Xiu Han was not aware of the little girl's strange thoughts, nor did he care. He had something else to do, so he did not have dinner at home. He took Yang Hao and left the house.
In the next few days, Xiaoxiao stayed in her room practicing calligraphy. Pei Xiuhan was so busy that he didn't eat with her anymore. He would go to the military camp to train soldiers during the day and go to the palace at night.
Pei Jing was still young. Although he was smart, he was playful and rebellious. He could not sit still when learning how to govern the country, let alone the patience to review memorials. Memorials were basically reviewed by several elders together. When there was a disagreement, Pei Xiuhan had to step in.
Unconsciously, the weather gradually became colder. It seemed that overnight, all the leaves on the trees turned yellow and fell to the ground. The maids cleaned up quickly, and the only green trees left in the mansion were the evergreens and pine and cypress trees.
When Pei Xiuhan received the letter from the border, he thought of Xiaoxiao again. The little girl had been living in the mansion for more than ten days.
After the morning court session, he went to see Xiaoxiao.
There are many hibiscus and chrysanthemums planted in Xiaoxiao's yard. The deep red hibiscus and chrysanthemum yellow chrysanthemums are blooming, adding a lot of vitality to the yard.
Xiaoxiao is still practicing calligraphy. She cherishes this hard-won learning opportunity. After ten days of copying, her handwriting is already 70% similar to Pei Jing's.
Seeing how eager she was to learn, Pei Xiu Han suddenly remembered that he should arrange a teacher for her. The little girl not only had a strong learning ability, but was also very diligent and hardworking. It would be a pity if she was left alone.
Xiaoxiao finished writing another page before she realized that Brother Pei had come. She hadn't seen him for several days. Her eyes lit up instantly, "Brother, when did you come? Why didn't you call me?"
Pei Xiuhan picked up her calligraphy and flipped through it, then casually replied, "Not long."
She ran to the golden nanmu round table, on which was placed a set of ice-type Pei Cui Magpie Herald of Spring tea set. Xiaoxiao picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Pei Xiuhan. The tea was freshly brewed and still steaming.
Pei Xiuhan took only a sip and placed it on the desk. Seeing her unconsciously rubbing her wrist, Pei Xiuhan raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Stand up and move around after writing for a while."
Xiaoxiao nodded obediently, and Pei Xiuhan then told her the good news from the border. The list of soldiers killed in the battle had been drawn up, and because there were too many people, they chose to be buried on the spot. Her brother was not among them.
Pei Xiuhan also had someone specifically investigate Zhang Li. Although Zhang Li was only fifteen years old, he was extremely brave. In the previous battle, he not only survived but also saved the life of his superior. Now he was appreciated by the superior and became his personal soldier.
When Xiaoxiao heard the good news, she was extremely happy. After the excitement, her eyes became red unconsciously. During this period, every time she thought of her brother, she felt inexplicably anxious, fearing that something had happened to him. Seeing that he was safe, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiaoxiao sincerely thanked Pei Xiuhan, "Thank you, brother."
Pei Xiuhan said, "He's not even eighteen yet. If he wants to go home, he can come back anytime. I'll be going to the battlefield in a month or so, and I can have someone send him back then."
Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up for only a moment before they were filled with worry. Ripples appeared in her bright eyes, and her little hands unconsciously clenched the cup in her hands. "Ah? Brother, are you going to the battlefield too?"
Pei Xiuhan nodded.
Xiaoxiao's voice was small and powerless. "Can't I not go?"
Pei Xiuhan glanced towards the southwest, his eyes dark and distant. "If this drags on, I don't know how many people will die in the battle, and the Great Zhou treasury will be depleted. The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."
The implication is that he must go.
Xiaoxiao didn't say anything else. She didn't understand why the war had to happen, but she sincerely hoped that the war would end soon.
However, thinking that Brother Pei was also going to take risks, she felt a little panic for no reason. After a long while, she tried to force a smile and said, "In that case, then Brother, go ahead. You must return safely!"
A layer of mist unconsciously filled the little girl's eyes. She was clearly smiling, but her pitiful appearance made people's hearts break.
Pei Xiuhan couldn't help but rub her little head and nodded.
He stayed and had breakfast with her. After the meal, Xiaoxiao remembered something.
In recent days, she has received four invitations, all asking her to attend a flower-viewing banquet. Xiaoxiao has just arrived and does not know the noble ladies in the capital at all, and does not understand why they invited her.
There was a recent flower viewing banquet three days later, and Xiaoxiao still hadn't figured out how to respond to the other party. She also didn't know if refusing would have a bad impact on Brother Pei. After all, she now lived in Prince Yan's Mansion.
Xiaoxiao simply told the story.
Pei Xiuhan said: "If you want to go, go. If you don't want to go, just refuse directly. Don't worry about anything."
Xiaoxiao nodded obediently. She naturally didn't want to go. Apart from Zhang Li, she had no playmates and was afraid to interact with others. In her opinion, instead of wasting time, she might as well practice calligraphy and wait for her brother to come back, who would definitely be happy with her progress.
After Pei Xiuhan left, Xiaoxiao replied to the ladies.
The sun gradually rose to the middle of the sky, and the sunlight hitting my body was warm. The flowers in the yard also competed to stretch their muscles, looking energetic, which reduced the bleakness of winter.
After Pei Xiuhan returned to Wuyata Hall, he once again thought about hiring a teacher for Xiaoxiao. The noble ladies in the capital city have a lot to learn, and Pei Xiuhan is not quite sure which teacher to hire.
Thinking of the clan school at his grandfather's house, he simply wrote a letter to his uncle, hoping to send Xiaoxiao there to study. It wouldn't be good for the little girl to stay in the mansion all the time; she had to interact with people her own age.
Pei Xiuhan received a reply from his uncle that night. Seeing that it was late, he did not inform Xiaoxiao. Only the next day did he send someone to talk to Xiaoxiao and asked her to make some preparations. He would send her to school the next day.
When Xiaoxiao heard the news, her eyes were filled with joy. She had never expected that girls could go to school. She was extremely envious when her brother went to school.
Xiaoxiao practiced writing on another page, and wrote a sentence at the end: she owed Brother Pei more and more. When she grew up and had the ability, she would definitely repay him. She didn't know what Brother Pei was missing.
The next morning, Xiaoxiao got up early. Pei Xiuhan had breakfast with her. After breakfast, he took Xiaoxiao to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
The Duke Zhenguo Mansion is also very grand, with pavilions, towers, rockery and flowing water. Even in winter, the scenery is still beautiful.
Pei Xiuhan's maternal grandparents have both passed away, and now it is his aunt, Mrs. Zhong, who is in charge of the household expenses.
Pei Xiuhan took her to the main house.
Zhong was a typical lady from a noble family. She was gentle and resourceful, and she managed the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion very well.
When Xiaoxiao and Pei Xiuhan came in, Zhong stood up with a smile on her face and looked at Xiaoxiao with amazement.
As everyone knows, Pei Xiuhan's appearance is top-notch and no one can surpass him. When the little girl stood quietly in front of him, she was not inferior to him.
The girl has fair skin, rosy cheeks, bright eyes, white teeth, and a pair of big, black eyes that are extremely lively.
Mrs. Zhong came back to her senses and said with a smile, "This is Xiaoxiao, right? You are so pretty. From now on, I will let Wen and Hong take you to the clan school."
Standing behind her were Wen Yatou and Hong Ge'er. Both of them were half a head taller than Xiaoxiao and had outstanding looks.
Seeing that the three of them were looking at her curiously, Xiaoxiao became a little nervous. Her little hand unconsciously reached out to pull Pei Xiuhan's sleeve, but unexpectedly she grabbed his fingers.
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