Chapter 5: Secret Meeting I don’t know whether to say she is innocent or stupid…
The fragrance blows on your face and the heat flows under your palms.
The unfamiliar touch made Xiao Yunqi's fingers tighten unconsciously, and then he lowered his eyes.
As the sight got closer, the girl who was pinned against the wall had a panicked look on her face, her eyes sparkling with water and a crimson hue at the corners of her eyes. Her neck was forced to be raised, revealing a patch of snow-white skin, making her look pitiful and touching.
Xiao Yunqi looked at her trembling eyelashes, wondering why she appeared here.
Suddenly, a soft touch climbed up along the collar of my clothes.
He looked down and saw a pair of white and tender hands clutching his clothes, as if nervous, but their fingertips gradually reached his shoulders.
Xiao Yunqi's face darkened, he signaled her to be quiet with his eyes, and suddenly withdrew his hand.
Xue Zhiying was freed from the shackles, and the fabric in her hand was pulled away as the man retreated.
She pursed her lips, the touch of the slightly cool palm still lingering on her face.
But she had no time to rejoice at the rare closeness.
Whenever I wanted to meet Xiao Yunqi by chance, I could never meet him, and he would catch me red-handed when I was doing something bad.
Why did he appear in Cuihuayuan?
Xiao Yunqi lowered his voice and said, "Come with me."
Xue Zhiying lowered her head and followed behind him.
It was not until they walked out of Cuihua Courtyard that Xiao Yunqi stopped and looked at her.
The atmosphere was not tense, and his attitude could even be described as calm.
Xue Zhiying, however, seemed to still be under pressure, and said, "I'm sorry, cousin, I didn't mean it."
It was that soft voice again, with lowered eyebrows and eyes, and her hands folded awkwardly in front of her. The sunlight slanted onto one side of her cheek, illuminating the red at the end of her eye that had not yet faded. Against this already deceptively beautiful face, it was hard to blame her.
Xue Zhiying raised her eyes timidly and saw that Xiao Yunqi had the same expression and did not react at all to her active apology.
She lowered her eyes again and explained, "The Second Madam asked me to come and make new clothes for the banquet in a few days. When I left just now, I couldn't find my handkerchief, so I wanted to look around, so I walked to that corner... I didn't hear anything."
Xiao Yunqi looked at the face with delicate and fair skin. Her eyelashes covered her eyes, but her face still showed the nervousness and fear that she was frightened by him.
Just like the day she appeared at the door of his study.
It was another story full of loopholes, and he even tried to cover up his own eavesdropping by mentioning it.
I don't know whether to say she is naive or stupid.
He didn't care what secrets of the second house she might have overheard, nor did he care about her intentions in doing so.
The action just now was to prevent her from screaming and exposing him, which would cause some trouble.
After all, her worries were unnecessary and he had no reason to blame her.
Xiao Yunqi looked at the red at the corners of her eyes, his thin lips trembling: "Don't be nervous, I don't mean to blame you, I was the one who offended you just now."
Xue Zhiying raised her eyes when she heard the voice, the watery color in her eyes reflected the light, as if she was delighted by his gentle attitude.
"No, if it weren't for my cousin's intervention, I would have accidentally cried out and it would have been difficult to explain to the Second Madam."
Xiao Yunqi asked slowly, "Just explain it to me, what's so difficult about that?"
He saw the corners of the girl's lips curl up, a blush spreading to her cheeks. With a clear hint of shyness, she answered him softly, "My cousin believes me, so it's not difficult to explain."
A vague chuckle escaped Xiao Yunqi's lips.
Did he look like he believed her far-fetched explanation?
He didn't ask any more questions, but instead asked, "Do you still want to go to the yard to look for your handkerchief?"
Xue Zhiying shook her head: "I've even checked the corners. It doesn't look like it's here. I'll look for it on the way back. If I can't find it, I'll just forget it."
At this point, Xue Zhiying had no intention of forcing him to stay and say more. She waited for Xiao Yunqi to tell her to leave.
Suddenly, there was a snapping sound—
They both turned their heads at the same time to look at the sound.
Xue Zhiying was stunned and saw a figure standing next to the bushes not far away, trying to hide but failing.
Mu Yan pulled the corner of his mouth awkwardly, not daring to look at his master. He could only give Xue Zhiying an apologetic look, and then looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose.
He didn't mean to disturb them. How could he know that these two people had deliberately avoided meeting each other because of his presence before, and would make an appointment to meet privately at this time.
Mu Yan lowered his head and faced the two gazes staring at him, and quickly sorted out the whole story in his mind.
In the morning, the master made time to meet his cousin at Guanlan Pavilion, but he was too talkative, so the master had to leave in anger.
Afterwards, the master quickly finished his official duties with Master Xie, rejected Master Xie's invitation, and turned around to come here to meet his cousin.
No wonder the master sent him away to get something. Wasn't he afraid that the master would blame him for taking a long time to get something? If he had known this, he would have delayed a little longer. Now, he gets scolded even if he moves faster.
As expected, the next moment he heard Xiao Yunqi coldly ask, "How long are you going to stand there?"
Alas, Mu Yan sighed in his heart, not daring to stop, and walked quickly.
Xue Zhiying was puzzled as to why Xiao Yunqi's attendant looked so strange, but she felt it was no longer appropriate for her to stay, so she took the initiative to say, "Cousin, I'll go back first."
Xiao Yunqi stared at Mu Yan's slow pace, and impatience was already evident in his eyes.
He nodded slightly without looking at her.
Suddenly, I heard her whisper again, "Thank you so much for today, cousin."
Xiao Yunqi smelled that fragrance again. It was not as strong as before, but it drifted into his nostrils accurately.
He turned around and saw that the girl had already walked away, and the fragrance in her breath dissipated with the wind.
Mu Yan came up to him and said unwillingly, "I am late, please punish me, Master."
Xiao Yunqi retracted his gaze and said, "Well, then go and do the verification of the three warehouses and report back within three days."
Mu Yan's eyes widened.
No, is it really a punishment?
He wasn't punished for being late to the rescue, but he was punished so severely for interrupting a private meeting with his cousin?!
Oh, that’s right.
When she was urging him to get married, she would put up a screen with a big crack in it and exchange glances with him. She said she blamed him for coming late, but maybe she was actually dissatisfied in her heart that he couldn't stay a little longer.
Mu Yan sighed in his heart. The clerks in the government warehouse hated it most when their superiors sent people to check the accounts, and they had plenty of ways to shirk responsibility and delay.
The verification has been delayed for more than half a month and there is still no conclusion. Now he is asked to confirm the number within three days. Wouldn't he have to spend the whole day in a dusty warehouse, facing piles of account books and grain bags?
"Why, are you having trouble?"
Mu Yan felt bitter, but said, "No, I will obey your orders."
Xiao Yunqi turned around and went to Cuihua Courtyard.
Just as I was about to take a step, a soft crescent of white flashed across my sight.
Mu Yan also saw it. It seemed to be a woman's handkerchief, which fell on the side of the path. Most of it was blocked by branches, leaving only a corner fluttering in the wind.
The woman who just appeared here is...
Mu Yan opened his mouth, but the words rose to his throat and he swallowed them back.
I can’t mention it, and I dare not mention it, for fear that three days will turn into one day.
It was Xiao Yunqi who took the initiative to speak: "Pick it up."
Muyan: "...?"
Who, did he pick it up?
Let him touch his cousin's things?!
Xiao Yunqi glanced at him lightly.
Mu Yan took action immediately, bent down and picked up the handkerchief by the path.
He held his fingers stiff, as if it didn't count as touching since he didn't feel anything, and presented the handkerchief to Xiao Yunqi with both hands.
Xiao Yunqi did not reach out to take it, but just lowered his eyes to take a look. The word "Ying" embroidered with pink thread could be vaguely seen on the corner of the silk handkerchief.
"Send someone to Jingshuiyuan and return it to her."
Mu Yan was overly cautious and was wondering whether he should ask "Who is she?"
Xiao Yunqi suddenly added, "Have someone from Cuihua Courtyard deliver it and say it was found by someone from the Second House."
*
Guanlan Pavilion is located in the south-facing garden of the Xiao Mansion. In spring, flowers bloom in full bloom and the breeze brings pleasant fragrance. It is a great place to enjoy the scenery and relax.
Xue Zhiying went to Guanlan Pavilion to sit for a while again, but of course she didn't just want to enjoy the scenery and rest. She wanted to try to see if she could meet Xiao Yunqi again.
But it's clear that hope is slim.
She leaned forward slightly, scanning the paths leading to Guanlan Pavilion, twisting the silk handkerchief in her hand from time to time.
It was the one she deliberately dropped in front of Xiao Yunqi that day.
The silk handkerchief was returned to her that day, but it was sent back by a maid from Cuihua Courtyard.
It looked like it was picked up by someone from Cuihuayuan, and her little trick was of no use, but that was not the case.
The people in the Xu family courtyard would not be so kind. Even if they found the handkerchief, they would not go out of their way to return it.
Thinking of this, she twisted the handkerchief again with her slender fingers.
When my thoughts paused, I heard some crisp and cheerful laughter.
Of course, that couldn't be the sound of Xiao Yunqi appearing, but Xue Zhiying still turned around to look.
Several girls in brightly colored and gorgeous clothes were flying kites in the open space in the garden.
It was the second young lady of the third branch of the Xiao family, Xiao Yuanxiang, and her friends.
Xue Zhiying tilted her head in confusion.
It is called an open space, but it is in a garden after all, surrounded by green plants and flowers. The terrain of the open space is completely unsuitable for flying kites.
However, Xue Zhiying and Xiao Yuanxiang are not familiar with each other, and Xiao Yuanxiang may even be a little repulsed by her.
Xue Zhiying took a quick look and then looked away, wondering whether to leave.
The voices from the clearing suddenly rose, and a few clear conversations could be heard.
"Her surname is not Xiao. She is our cousin."
"What's so beautiful about her? She's just a country girl from a remote place, plain looking, and hasn't seen the world yet."
Xue Zhiying heard it, but she didn't stop standing up, nor did she plan to turn around. She was about to leave without saying a word.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuanxiang came towards her quickly with her skirt lifted up. As soon as she walked out of Guanlan Pavilion, she ran into her head on the path.
Several girls who were with Xiao Yuanxiang also followed her.
Xue Zhiying had to stop.
Just as she looked up, she saw Xiao Yuanxiang holding his chin slightly up, with an arrogant look on his face. He didn't know what he was trying to save face for, but he said to her bluntly, "Why are you here instead of staying in your own yard?"
Xue Zhiying was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Can't I come here?"
Xiao Yuanxiang didn't expect her to have this attitude. It sounded irritating, but her gentle tone made it impossible to find a reason to criticize her.
She frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "I didn't say you couldn't come, but why didn't you say hello to me when you saw me?"
Xue Zhiying thought for a moment and nodded at her: "Sister Yuanxiang, I say hello to you."
A faint blush appeared on Xiao Yuanxiang's face, and he glared at Xue Zhiying angrily as if he had lost face.
"Who is your sister!"
Xue Zhiying is older than her, so it is reasonable for her to call her sister. However, the way she is being unreasonable and making a fuss at this moment really makes her look like an immature little sister.
Apart from this, she had no other name to call her, as they had nothing in common.
The girls around Xiao Yuanxiang didn't stare at Xue Zhiying out of courtesy, but they still glanced at her from time to time, and then turned back to Xiao Yuanxiang.
Xiao Yuanxiang felt that the sisters were looking at her with doubts, as if asking, is this just plain appearance?
She became even more annoyed.
Who knew Xue Zhiying would dress herself up so gorgeously today...
Looking at her unmade-up face, Xiao Yuanxiang stopped thinking.
The atmosphere seemed to be stagnant, but Xue Zhiying quickly spoke: "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Whatever happens, whatever can happen.
It was just that a sister saw Xue Zhiying sitting in Guanlan Pavilion just now and asked her who that beautiful woman was.
She remembered that her second brother was often scolded by her second aunt because he was infatuated with Xue Zhiying. Even though he was not familiar with Xue Zhiying, he had no good feelings towards her. She was instinctively xenophobic and spoke ill of her.
She approached the person with the intention of giving her a warning, but when she saw the face that looked gentle and harmless, and whose beauty was undeniable, she felt that if she deliberately made things difficult for her, it would make her look vicious.
Xiao Yuanxiang's face was stiff and his lips were slightly open, he was speechless for a moment.
At this time, a girl next to her said, "Our kite is stuck on the tree. Can you help us take it down?"
Xiao Yuanxiang's expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at the girl who spoke.
What's going on? She was planning to let the person go, and Zhiyuan was about to call the servants to get him.
The girl raised her eyebrows and gave Xiao Yuanxiang a look that seemed to ask for credit.
Xue Zhiying looked at the treetops not far away, showing no surprise.
Sure enough, it was hung on the tree.
But this height...
She looked back at the few people whose faces were clearly concerned and replied, "Okay, I'll get it for you."
Xiao Yuanxiang was stunned and asked in surprise, "You want to help me get the kite?"
Xue Zhiying had already walked towards the small tree, and said as she walked, "Well, I can help you get it."
It was really just a small tree, and the place where the kite was hung was a treetop on the right side of the tree. There was a flower stand under the treetop, and you could take it down by standing on it and tiptoeing slightly.
Xue Zhiying didn't understand why these rich young ladies were unwilling to do even such a small thing themselves. She thought that even if they didn't want to make things difficult for her, they would still ask the servants to get it.
She didn't feel that she was being degraded by helping to get a kite. It was just a small favor.
Xue Zhiying stepped onto the flower platform, and Xiao Yuanxiang and the others followed.
Some people were surprised, some were watching the show, and some were talking about other things indifferently.
The treetops were a little higher than expected, and Xue Zhiying stood on tiptoe but couldn't reach the kite immediately.
Xiao Yuanxiang tilted her head slightly. She didn't want to admit that she was a little worried that Xue Zhiying would fall. She was also annoyed that she actually helped her get the kite. She wondered if she would invite her to fly the kite together out of courtesy later.
But she doesn't want to play with her.
Someone whispered to her, "Yuanxiang, is what you just said true? Will your eldest brother really show up at the banquet this time?"
Xiao Yuanxiang answered absentmindedly, "Yes, I heard from my second brother..."
She saw Xue Zhiying's body sway slightly, and her breathing stopped for a moment.
Xue Zhiying reached out and grabbed the kite, then jumped off the flower bed lightly and steadily in the direction of her leaning body.
Taken down...
Until Xue Zhiying walked up to her, she still hadn't thought about breathing again.
The kite was handed to her, and Xue Zhiying's fingertips brushed against hers, causing her heart to beat faster. Her face flushed, perhaps from holding her breath or from nervousness.
"for you."
Xiao Yuanxiang stared blankly and stammered, "Thank you, thank you."
Xue Zhiying looked at Xiao Yuanxiang's blushing cheeks and smiled slightly. She was not making fun of her, but seemed to be in a good mood.
The corners of her lips curved beautifully, her eyebrows curved gently and charmingly, and her voice mixed with Xiao Yuanxiang's heartbeat came into his ears.
"You're welcome. Thank you too."
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