Chapter 22 Tests Yu Er's Wish to Become a Pine Tree, Lifting a Young Eagle to Soar to the Clouds...
As the sun began to set, a ray of light slanted through the half-open wooden window, and beside the girl lying on the table was a book that had been blown open by the breeze.
When Ji Yucheng came in with the ointment, she looked dazed and even walked lightly.
He opened the porcelain lid, gently placed the ointment on the table, dipped his fingertip in some of the milky-yellow ointment, and then rubbed it onto her earlobe, which bore mottled blue and red teeth marks.
The sunlight cast obscure shadows on the boy's eyelids, making it impossible to discern the emotions in his eyes.
"Thank you for your trouble." Zhu Xuanning's voice was gentle but extremely polite.
Ever since the moment Ji Yucheng agreed to the contractual marriage, Zhu Xuanning has stopped making any deliberate attempts to seduce him.
Ji Yucheng wasn't in a good mood to speak; instead, she felt as if something was stuck in her chest.
After applying the ointment, Ji Yucheng wiped the remaining ointment off her fingertips with a cloth and said her first words upon entering the room: "Three times a day, and the marks will be mostly gone in two days."
"Thank you." Zhu Xuanning put away the plaster on the table and smiled at him.
Ji Yucheng gave a soft "hmm," her brows gradually furrowing.
He still had a cold expression, but Zhu Xuanning could sense that he seemed unhappy.
But what does this have to do with her?
Zhu Xuanning glanced at him, not wanting to ask why, but tilted her head and politely asked, "Is there anything else?"
Her voice was crisp and rising, as if she was completely unaware of Ji Yucheng's emotions.
Ji Yucheng didn't know what to say; she only felt that the lump of cotton in her heart seemed to swell even larger.
"It's nothing," he replied calmly, then turned and left.
Ji Yucheng pushed open the door, his gaze still fixed on his toes, when he felt a shadow fall in front of him. When he looked up, he saw Yu Xuan's personal servant bowing to him: "Young Marquis, the Fifth Young Master Yan has arrived."
A "thud" sound suddenly came from the previously quiet room.
The book in Zhu Xuanning's hand fell to the ground.
She suddenly bent down, leaned forward, and tried to reach the book in front of her.
Ji Yucheng closed the door, and with a flick of her sleeves, she bent down halfway.
"If you can't move easily, don't force yourself." He pressed down on Zhu Xuanning's thin shoulder, and the girl's fragrant black hair brushed against his neck. Ji Yucheng's breath hitched, and he glanced sideways to pick up the book that had fallen to the ground.
Zhu Xuanning was forced to sit down. The close proximity allowed her to see the boy's reddened ears, like a layer of frost covering rouge, which was distracting.
Zhu Xuanning was lost in thought when the book was stuffed into her arms. The girl subconsciously reached out to take it, but someone touched her cool fingertips.
She snapped out of her daze, her gaze unexpectedly meeting Ji Yucheng's. Her pale, icy eyes held an undeniable warmth.
Zhu Xuanning turned her head away to avoid that gaze. She abruptly curled her fingers, the book crumpling from her grip.
The light in Ji Yucheng's eyes faded, his eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings, and he immediately distanced himself from Zhu Xuanning.
"You don't need to worry about Hengdan." Ji Yucheng left only these words before leaving the room.
After Ji Yucheng left, Zhu Xuanning's rapid heartbeat gradually calmed down.
"Miss, did you have a fight with the young marquis?" Po Mo asked cautiously as she entered the room.
"No," Zhu Xuanning replied, lowering her eyes, not wanting to discuss the matter, and changed the subject: "Is everything settled?"
"It's all taken care of." The worry on Po Mo's face faded, and when he heard Zhu Xuanning ask this question, his eyes brightened up: "I feel more at ease now that Miss has a shop and a house."
Zhu Xuanning smiled faintly and chatted with Po Mo for a few minutes. When she heard Po Mo mention Yan Hengdan with concern, she genuinely felt a bit disgusted: "Don't worry, I have dirt on him. It's not certain who will deal with whom."
Zhu Xuanning hummed a note, twisted her sleeves, and her eyes welled up with malice that had not been vented for a long time.
When Xi Yin knocked on the door, Yan Hengdan was picking through the exam papers and writing annotations.
"Yu Cheng is here?" Yu Xuan glanced at Xi Yin, his tone gentle.
When Ji Yucheng walked in, Yan Hengdan put down her pen and said, "Everything is here."
"Then I'll tell you something." Yan Hengdan lowered her head, and Qiu Man placed a tiger-skin cushion on the table.
Ji Yucheng glanced at Yu Xuan out of the corner of his eye, only to see that Yu Xuan also looked puzzled and shook his head slightly at him.
Yan Hengdan was lying on the soft pillow and didn't see their exchange of glances.
His sharp jaw sank into the soft cushion, and the silvery-white textured leather added a touch of humanity to his feminine features.
Yan Hengdan found a comfortable spot and turned to look at them: "I recently acquired a hot spring estate in Tuocang Mountain, and I've arranged for a spring hunt. Do you want to come?"
Yan Hengdan finally revealed her purpose.
"I'm not going." Ji Yucheng refused succinctly, his voice cold. He had never been interested in activities like horseback riding and hunting.
Yan Hengdan narrowed her eyes, flicked her fingers, lifted her chin from the cushion, and glanced at Ji Yucheng.
“You’ve picked a good time. I have the palace examination in less than five days, so I can’t accept your invitation now.” Yu Xuan chuckled, paused slightly, and continued, “Yu Cheng’s refusal means exactly that. If I don’t participate in the archery competition, you two won’t have enough fun.”
"That's how it is," Ji Yucheng coldly replied to Yu Xuan.
Yan Hengdan lightly tapped the side of her face with her fingertip, neither confirming nor denying.
“Your hot spring resort is a perfect place to rest. Why don’t we take advantage of it and relax for a few days?” Yu Xuan smiled gently, offering a way out, his words carrying a hidden meaning: “As for the hunting, how about we wait until Xiao Ming returns from Jiangnan?”
"Once we've had our fun and started playing around, we've opened up about this matter. After all, we've been friends for almost ten years; it's not something you can just cut off like that."
Yan Hengdan's attention shifted to the second half of Yu Xuan's topic. His thin eyebrows drooped down, his glassy eyes gleamed, and then he snorted coldly, his voice weakening: "Who wants to play with him? That heartless and ungrateful wretch."
Yan Hengdan was known for his irony, and Yu Xuan knew he had taken his words to heart, so the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
“Since you think Yu Er’s suggestion is feasible, then bring the Zhu family’s daughter along on this trip as well.” Ji Yucheng replied naturally, her voice still indifferent.
A dark cloud suddenly gathered between Yan Hengdan's brows. He glanced at Yu Xuan, then at Ji Yucheng. In the end, out of consideration for their relationship, he could only suppress his lips and say in a cold, heavy voice, "Do as you please. If you bring her, keep an eye on that cripple yourself. I may not deal with her, but if anything happens to her on my estate, don't blame me."
The news of the trip to the hot spring resort soon reached Zhu Xuanning's ears.
"I've heard that the hot spring resort on Tuocang Mountain is reserved for the royal family. It was only recently allocated to the fourth young master of the Yan family. Miss, since you are prone to feeling cold, you can go there to soak in the hot springs and strengthen your body," Po Mo said excitedly.
After listening, Zhu Xuanning looked puzzled: "Isn't Yan Wu the youngest son of a fallen marquis's family? How come he seems to enjoy even more favor than Song Ming?"
Even someone as flamboyant as Song Zhaohan never mentioned to her that she had a royal hot spring resort, but Yan Hengdan got one.
Although Po Mo was a busybody, he didn't know the inside story.
Zhu Xuanning couldn't figure it out, so she kept the question to herself for the time being and asked Po Mo to pack up her usual perfumes and rouge.
As for clothes and accessories, Zhu Xuanning personally selected them.
There were only three carriages here, so Zhu Xuanning's destination became a problem.
As Yan Hengdan stepped onto the carriage bench, she glanced at the girl who was being helped out by her maid with a half-smile.
Only when the carriage was about to depart did he ask Qiu Man, "Has the Zhu family's son gotten into the sedan chair yet?"
Between Ji Yucheng and Yu Er, only Yu Er was willing to reluctantly allow Zhu Xuanning to get on the bus, considering that Song Ming had declared his intention to formally marry Zhu Xuanning.
Qiu Man knew that the young master would ask this question, so he waited a while before getting into the car.
"The carriage that got on was Young Master Yu's carriage," Qiu Man replied.
Yan Hengdan snorted but didn't say anything.
"Young Master, do we still need to do what you ordered before?" Qiu Man asked in a low voice.
Yan Hengdan rested her elbows on the small table, her delicate eyelashes fluttering slightly. Her voice was indifferent yet lazy: "No need. Tell the people below to leave. I was too angry before and got stuck in a rut. She's just someone Song Ming can't marry anyway. Why take her seriously? As long as she doesn't bother me again, I'll be lenient this time."
After Yan Hengdan finished speaking, her slightly red lips curved upwards, and she laughed heartily: "As for Song Ming, when he overestimates himself and loses his beloved, that will be the perfect opportunity for me to get my revenge and stab him in the heart."
He had been holding a grudge and wanted to use some means to deal with Zhu Xuanning, but after hearing Yu Xuan's words that offered a way out, his mind instantly changed, and he suddenly felt that dealing with an ant was meaningless.
Qiu Man trembled, feeling deep sympathy for Young Master Song.
Not long after Zhu Xuanning came out, Shu Qing rolled up the curtain, revealing a gentle and respectful smile: "Please come this way, Miss Zhu."
Xi Yin paused, her hand already halfway out of the carriage curtain, and turned to look at Ji Yucheng.
"Come back." Ji Yucheng lowered her thick eyelashes to hide her disappointment, suppressed her emotions, and said in a calm voice.
He didn't like the hot spring trip, but since Miss Zhu was in poor health, he had no choice but to agree.
Xi Yin sensed a slight gloom emanating from the young marquis. He said "yes," carefully shrank back, and sat back in his seat.
Inside the spacious carriage, Yu Xuan poured tea, his sky-blue satin robe sliding down to reveal his wrists, which were as supple and resilient as pine trees.
He heard Zhu Xuanning get into the car, and a smile appeared on his scholarly face. Through the rising steam of the tea, the young man looked up at Zhu Xuanning and said, "Miss Zhu, we meet again."
For some reason, Zhu Xuanning relaxed. She was stunned for a moment, then bowed, smiled shyly, and lowered her head to Yu Xuan, saying, "Second Brother Yu."
After they sat down, Shuqing placed a small table in front of Zhu Xuanning. Yu Xuan placed the milk tea he had poured in front of Zhu Xuanning and smiled with lowered eyes: "I saw that you are used to drinking milk tea, so I also brewed a pot. The temperature is just right now, not too hot to drink. Try it and see if you like it."
Zhu Xuanning thanked her, took a sip, and then, like a cat that had received a dried fish, squinted her eyes happily.
"Is it good?" Yu Xuan asked her gently, unconsciously clenching his hand into a half-fist shape.
"It's delicious," Zhu Xuanning replied, her eyes filled with joy. "Second Brother, the milk tea you brewed is the best I've ever had."
"As long as it suits your taste." Yu Xuan suddenly let go of her hand and laughed.
Zhu Xuanning glanced at Yu Xuan out of the corner of her eye, and then suddenly paused, startled.
It wasn't because Yu Xuan was too handsome, but because I really felt a sense of familiarity with him.
The words she had blurted out earlier, "like an old friend," now seemed to come true. It wasn't Pei Yu, but someone else, though she couldn't quite place them.
"Why are you staring at me again?" Yu Xuan caught Zhu Xuanning red-handed once more.
The girl holding the teacup slowly blushed.
"Wipe your mouth." Yu Xuan looked at the slight white tea foam on her lips and handed her a satin handkerchief.
Zhu Xuanning lowered her head, thanked her softly, and accepted the handkerchief. When she saw the small fruit embroidered on Bai Siyun's satin handkerchief, she was stunned for a moment.
"Miss Zhu, do you recognize her?"
My mother used to pick sweet potatoes for me to eat, but I haven't eaten them since I was eight years old.
Yu Xuan's breathing became erratic for a moment. He turned to the side, lowered his eyes, and pulled open the drawer next to the carriage. The drawer was full of exquisitely crafted toys.
Yu Xuan found a box inside, held it with both hands, and handed it to Zhu Xuanning.
"Open it and take a look?" He leaned down slightly, his voice gentle.
The contrast between the jade-like white hands and the dark black wooden box was striking, abruptly attracting Zhu Xuanning's attention, and she took it.
Yu Xuan deliberately pulled his fingertips back slightly, avoiding contact with Zhu Xuanning's skin.
With a click, Zhu Xuanning opened the wooden box, revealing the building blocks inside.
"Can you spell it?" Yu Xuan asked her.
Zhu Xuanning shook her head blankly: "I've never played it."
"It's okay, just watch me put it together." Yu Xuan took out a box that was exactly the same as the one Zhu Xuanning was holding and gestured for her to look over.
Zhu Xuanning patiently looked over.
Yu Xuan lowered his head, revealing his refined chin, his voice gentle. His five fingers picked through the dark purple building blocks and then assembled them. When Zhu Xuanning's attention shifted to him, Yu Xuan turned his face to the side and raised the corners of his lips: "Did you understand the first step?"
Zhu Xuanning nodded, like a well-behaved student, which made Yu Xuan's gaze soften.
“Then let’s give it a try,” he said.
Zhu Xuanning recalled Yu Xuan's steps and began to assemble.
One person taught, and the other learned. Before long, a lifelike eagle with outstretched wings appeared in Zhu Xuanning's hands.
Her eyes shone brightly, and even her tone rose in a cheerful upturn: "It's done!"
Yu Xuan looked at the girl, whose mood had improved, and then laughed: "See this buckle? The final step is to attach the fledgling eagle in your hand to it."
The boy held up a sturdy pine tree that was growing towards the sky, offering it to her with both hands, his eyes gentle as the spring sun shining on the water.
Zhu Xuanning's dark eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. After a moment of stunned silence, her cold rationality abruptly pulled her out of the gentle web woven by Yu Xuan.
"Thank you." She thanked him quietly, took the pine tree that Yu Xuan had pieced together, and all her outward emotions vanished instantly, even her back was slightly damp with sweat.
That's terrifying. She actually showed her true emotions in front of this person just now.
Upon noticing this anomaly, Zhu Xuanning immediately became wary of Yu Xuan.
The initial warmth dissipated like shattered dust as Zhu Xuanning stepped back.
Yu Xuan sensed it, but did not take any further steps. Instead, he maintained his usual gentle attitude: "The milk tea is getting cold. Drink a few more sips, and we'll be at Hengdan's hot spring estate soon."
That's not exactly a lie.
She had a sweet tooth, and at Song Zhaohan's behest, trays of pastries and sweets from the shop were sent to her courtyard. Whenever Ji Yucheng came, she would see pastries that were more than half-eaten on her table. Because of this, Ji Yucheng deliberately reminded her directly, and from then on, Zhu Xuanning began to strictly control her eating habits.
But these words took on a different meaning when they reached Yu Xuan's ears.
Zhu Xuanning sat upright, her eyes fixed straight ahead. Yu Xuan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his dark eyebrows furrowing, and gave a soft "hmm": "That's right, just listen to Yu Cheng."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuanning smiled beautifully and politely. Just as she was about to offer a perfunctory reply, Yu Xuan brought up the topic again, seemingly unintentionally: "I have a good relationship with Yu Cheng. I've always seen him aloof and reserved, but lately he's been smiling more often. I suppose you and Yu Cheng must get along very well."
As Zhu Xuanning pondered Yu Xuan's words and considered how to respond, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and Shu Qing's voice came from outside.
"Young Master, Miss Zhu, we've arrived at the estate. It's time to get off the carriage."
The car door was half-open, letting in some sunlight. Yu Xuan didn't wait for Zhu Xuanning's reply, but walked out first, as if what she had just said was really just an unintentional remark.
"Miss Zhu, my young master asked me to pack up this young eagle and deliver it to you," Shuqing reminded Zhu Xuanning from outside.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuanning put down the assembled object in her hand, took the hand of the ink splasher and got off the carriage. At this moment, the three carriages stopped in a row, and Yu Xuan's figure was no longer in sight.
Yan Hengdan was not there, and neither was Ji Yucheng.
Zhu Xuanning wasn't surprised. Before things escalated, Ji Yucheng would always try to avoid suspicion. On the other hand, although Po Mo understood, there was still some disappointment in his eyes.
Shuqing boarded the carriage, carefully packed the items into a jade-inlaid rosewood box, and then disembarked.
After delivering the items to Zhu Xuanning's room, Shuqing returned to Yu Xuan to report.
Yu Xuan calmed himself down and flipped through the book. Only after Shu Qing reported back did he turn his attention to the matter: "Dispose of all the dairy cows we bought a few days ago."
Shuqing was stunned for a moment, not understanding why the young master had been buying cows and learning to make milk tea these past few days.
"Yes." Shuqing replied respectfully without asking any questions.
After a while, Shuqing still hadn't heard Yu Xuan give any further instructions. Just as he was about to quietly retreat, he suddenly heard Yu Xuan ask again, "Is today the fourteenth of March?"
"Yes." Shuqing remembered the date and time perfectly, and she kept track of the time until the palace examination.
Yu Xuan relaxed his grip on the book slightly, and the sunlight cast heavy shadows on his eyelashes under his eyelids. He slightly raised his chin, and Shu Qing stepped forward.
Shuqing's expression shifted from calm to confusion, and finally to astonishment.
"Have you remembered?" Yu Xuan asked gently, but his tone carried a hint of coldness.
Shu Qing shuddered and quickly nodded emphatically.
It wasn't until after he left that Shuqing came to his senses and finally realized, albeit belatedly, that the young master treated Miss Zhu differently.
Author's note: Our Yu Er always likes to do things for Li Meibao quietly and discreetly.
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