Chapter 51. Haruzumi Yoshiro will prepare a birthday gift for her elder brother...
Even days later, Cui Yiluo would still unconsciously think of that scene when she was lost in thought.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, Jiang Yunjin's dark eyes shone with a golden light, unusually bright, and carried a faint, cloud-like smile.
His handsome face was always expressionless, and he exuded an aura of arrogance, distant yet dangerously oppressive, making people afraid to approach him. Cui Yiluo didn't like his rule-abiding demeanor and always wanted to taint him with worldly desires. When she truly glimpsed the slightest hint of his icy side, Cui Yiluo wanted it to melt away completely.
"Yi Luo, what are you thinking about?"
Cui Yiluo suddenly came to her senses and saw Xie Xiyun looking at her with a smile on her face.
Cui Yilu shook her head, looked at the row of jade pendants in front of her, and said calmly, "I'm just thinking about which one to choose."
The four jade pendants placed in front of me on the brocade cloth were all exquisite and translucent, warm and lustrous white, each carved with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums, lifelike and elegant.
The Four Gentlemen of Flowers, symbolizing elegance and integrity, are further enhanced by the exquisite craftsmanship of jade. Jiang Zhaoyue and Yang Jingling exchanged a knowing glance, their intentions for the jade pendant quite clear.
It seems that although Jiang Yunjin is usually indifferent, and even outsiders think he has no feelings for his wife, Cui Yiluo is so serious about choosing a jade pendant for Jiang Yunjin. Obviously, the two have a good relationship. If she really didn't like it, why would she spend time and effort to choose a jade pendant for her husband?
After looking at them one by one, Cui Yiluo finally chose the jade pendant carved with orchids.
The name "Lan" perfectly matches the name of the lychee orchid.
She instructed the maidservant waiting beside her to wrap up the orchid-shaped jade pendant. Seeing that the distinguished guest had chosen it, the maidservant hurriedly and carefully took the extremely valuable jade pendant downstairs and put it away.
Yang Jingling looked at Cui Yiluo, who seemed to have resolved her worries and relaxed, and smiled, "Did you come out today just to pick out gifts?"
Cui Yiluo gently toyed with a hairpin adorned with vines and butterflies in her hand and replied, "Yes, a birthday gift."
Yang Jingling glanced at Jiang Zhaoyue questioningly. Jiang Zhaoyue was already barely able to hold back her laughter, her eyes full of teasing. She nodded to Yang Jingling, and Xie Xiyun, seeing the two exchanging glances, also understood the meaning behind it.
Cui Yiluo was her savior. Now that she saw Cui Yiluo not only escape Chu Ke's plot and drugging, but also living in harmony with her husband, she couldn't help but smile from the bottom of her heart.
But Cui Yiluo, who was on the other side, noticed the secret exchanges between the group and picked up an orchid hairpin, examining it closely.
Lilan grew up with her since childhood. When she was in the Cui family, she was mistreated by Yao, but Lilan never had any intention of abandoning her and remained loyal.
Previously, she managed several shops under her birth mother's name, and there were many places where money needed to be spent, so the birthday gifts she gave to Lilan each year were always limited. But now she is much more financially secure, and the shops and estates under the eldest son's name are doing steadily well under her management. This time, for Lilan's birthday, she should naturally put in more effort.
So Cui Yiluo ordered someone to wrap up the orchid hairpin as well.
A hairpin and a jade pendant complement each other perfectly.
This situation appeared even more ambiguous and subtle to the three of them.
Jiang Zhaoyue teased, "Yi Luo, I've noticed that you and your elder brother have gotten along better these days. Every time I see you and your elder brother together in the manor, I always feel that your elder brother is in a better mood than usual."
Cui Yiluo, however, was not convinced. Whenever she was with Jiang Yunjin, she would always try to break his rules, making him both aroused and angry. How could his mood be better than usual? It was nothing more than indulging in the satisfaction of lust.
She simply smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
Yang Jingling mistakenly thought that Cui Yiluo was just a little shy, and couldn't help but laugh, "Looks like my box of things came in handy?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoyue glanced helplessly at Yang Jingling, then turned her head away. Xie Xiyun had rarely gone out due to her half-sister's affair with Chu Ke, missing several invitations, and was therefore completely confused, not knowing what the box of things referred to.
Cui Yilu shook her head.
Yang Jingling was both surprised and frowned upon seeing this. After a long silence, she finally hesitated and said, "Why don't you find a doctor to take a look at him? Could it be that he's overworked and is actually suffering from exhaustion?"
Loss. Cui Yiluo thought it was possible, otherwise, although he adhered to the rule of only once a night, he was always deep and full, and except when she had her period, he did it almost every night.
The two had been married for a little over two months. Ordinary couples usually have news within a month or two. Although Cui Yiluo was not in a hurry for children and only wanted to let nature take its course, now that she thought about it, could Jiang Yunjin really have suffered some loss?
After he shed his clothes, his lean yet powerful physique was revealed. During their lovemaking, the muscles in his arms and abdomen unleashed their accumulated strength, leaving her feeling that there was no deeper thrust or connection. But perhaps, the problem lay within?
Furthermore, she had never deliberately avoided having children, nor had Jiang Yunjin, so it seems there is indeed something amiss.
Even after returning to the manor, Cui Yiluo still couldn't figure out how to find out what was wrong. After all, Jiang Yunjin was acquainted with the famous physician Doctor Xu, so he certainly wouldn't let the doctor she brought take his pulse. Doctor Xu might know about his condition, but he wouldn't tell her.
She figured she could only investigate slowly; there was still plenty of time, and she would eventually find some clues. If he was truly in poor health, as the only son of the eldest branch of the Jiang family and the Grand Secretary in the court, he would naturally have to keep it a secret. She wouldn't be able to find out anytime soon.
-
Meanwhile, on the other side, Jiang Zhaoyue went to welcome her brother Fang Xia, who was returning home after his shift. At the gate of the mansion, she also met her cousin, who had returned home with her brother.
Jiang Mingxun glanced behind Jiang Zhaoyue, where her personal maid was carrying several brocade boxes, and asked unsurprisingly, "Bought things again?"
"Although I did buy it, I bought it together with Jingling." Jiang Zhaoyue deliberately asked, "Brother, has it been a long time since you've seen Jingling?"
With their wedding date fast approaching, it's best to avoid seeing each other as much as possible—this is common knowledge, and only Jiang Zhaoyue would bring it up directly in front of her brother.
Seeing that Jiang Mingxun was indeed displeased, Jiang Zhaoyue's face became even more smug. She then looked at Jiang Yunjin, who had a cold and aloof temperament, standing next to Jiang Mingxun, and said in a more respectful tone, "Brother, Yiluo is also with us."
Jiang Yunjin, however, did not seem surprised, clearly already knowing about this, and simply gave a faint "hmm".
Jiang Zhaoyue recalled Cui Yiluo choosing a jade pendant for him, which clearly showed that their relationship had improved considerably since their marriage. She couldn't help but wonder how someone as indifferent as Jiang Yunjin would treat his wife who had fallen in love.
So she deliberately asked, "Brother, aren't you curious about what Yiluo bought?"
Given Jiang Yunjin's usual temperament, he would usually just give a brief, casual reply and then find an opportunity to leave, but Jiang Zhaoyue was taking a gamble this time.
The next moment, Jiang Yunjin, who never cared about anything outside of official business, raised his eyelids slightly and looked over. Although he did not speak, his eyes clearly signaled Jiang Zhaoyue to continue.
Seeing that Jiang Yunjin really cared, Jiang Zhaoyue was surprised, but couldn't help but smile with pride.
Her bright eyes were filled with suppressed laughter as she said meaningfully, "Isn't it my elder brother's birthday in a few days? Yi Luo will prepare a birthday gift for you, but I hope you will forgive me for not telling you the specifics. However, I will put some thought into choosing it today. You can wait and see."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunjin paused slightly, then lowered his eyes, his thin eyelids concealing the undercurrents in his dark eyes.
Jiang Zhaoyue had been secretly observing Jiang Yunjin. Although she couldn't see his eyes clearly at this moment, she keenly sensed that his aura had softened a bit. Although she hadn't had much contact with Jiang Yunjin, he was, after all, her cousin. She knew a little about his reserved and introverted nature. His reaction clearly showed that he felt more than just a respectful wife towards his cousin.
She added, "There happens to be a lantern festival in Shengjing that day. Why don't you take Yiluo out for a stroll, brother?" Noticing Jiang Yunjin's gentle attitude towards Cui Yiluo, Jiang Zhaoyue became bolder. "Brother is usually busy with official business and has never celebrated his birthday, but he should still consider Yiluo's feelings. Why not take this opportunity to take Yiluo out for fun and strengthen our relationship?"
After saying that, she was still a little intimidated by Jiang Yunjin's personality, so she added awkwardly, "Harmony in the family brings prosperity in everything."
Seeing his younger sister speak so boldly, Jiang Mingxun glared at her before trying to smooth things over: "Big brother, don't mind her. All she thinks about is having fun."
Jiang Yunjin slowly raised his eyes, gave a soft "hmm," and his eyes darkened slightly.
-
After returning to her room, Cui Yiluo carefully placed the brocade box, intending to give it to Lilan on her birthday the next day. She wanted to create a surprise and didn't want anyone to find out beforehand.
Just as I closed the cabinet door, I heard it open and close.
Cui Yiluo quickly walked away from the cabinet and saw a tall figure in a crimson official robe standing next to the door.
"My husband."
"Um."
Cui Yilu frowned slightly, sensing a hint of lightness in his expression. Looking at the man's face, she noticed that he was usually reserved and rarely showed his emotions, but his dark and aloof features had softened somewhat.
What happy thing happened?
Author's Note: [doge] Oh no, it was a misunderstanding.
It's a bit laggy tonight. [poor face]
Thank you to all the little ones who watered with nutrient solution! [heart emoji]
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