Despite the table laden with sumptuous dishes and delicacies, the two of them found the food tasteless and unable to savor any flavor.
Lin Xihe secretly planned to find an inn to stay in, where she could be free from constraints.
However, she had already promised Ji Zhuo that she would return to the manor, so she had no choice but to reluctantly follow Ji Zhuo and step into the manor gate.
"Greetings, young master. Greetings, Miss Lin."
A clear voice broke the silence, and a pretty maidservant hurriedly came forward; it was Xiao Lan.
"Why are you waiting here?" Ji Zhuo frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and asked Xiao Lan softly.
Xiao Lan bowed slightly, a respectful smile on her face, and replied softly, "Young Master, Master and Madam have already retired for the night. Madam was concerned about you and Miss Lin, so she specially instructed me to wait here. She also prepared a side room in your courtyard so that Miss Lin can make do for the night. Madam also said that everyone will move to the house in the north of the city tomorrow."
"Has Mother been appeased?" Ji Zhuo's lips curled up slightly, as if he was already used to the way his parents interacted.
Xiao Lan cleverly lowered her voice and whispered, "Master was kicked out of the house by Madam twice today, but he still gritted his teeth and went back in. I don't know what they said, but they made up."
"Alright, Xiaolan, you should go back and rest too. If there's any news, remember to quietly tell Langyue." Ji Zhuo's expression and tone carried a touch of elder brotherly gentleness, and his concern for Xiaolan was evident.
"Yes, young master, this servant will take her leave." Xiao Lan responded obediently, curtsied, and then turned and left briskly.
After Xiao Lan left, Lin Xihe couldn't help but praise, "Your little maid is so clever and cute, she's so lovable."
"Xiao Lan was taken in by my mother when she was only three years old. Although she was a maid, my mother doted on her and raised her as her own daughter. This girl is as innocent as a blank sheet of paper and has no guile. Everyone in the mansion likes her from the bottom of their hearts."
Lin Xihe quietly watched Ji Zhuo, secretly marveling at how Ji Zhuo's demeanor had become so gentle and refined since returning home, completely losing the sharp edge he had when he was out.
Lin Xihe thought to herself that Ji Zhuo's mother must be a wonderful person. At her age, she could still be so carefully cared for and pampered by her husband. Such affection between husband and wife was a kind of enviable happiness.
"Does this mean your mother has accepted me?" Lin Xihe tilted her head slightly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, and asked softly.
"Of course, that's why I've arranged for you to stay in my courtyard."
"Isn't it because most of your yard was burned down and you had nowhere to put me?" Lin Xihe mercilessly exposed his "lie" on the spot.
“Tomorrow, when you go to the new house, you will know your mother’s feelings. My mother’s temper is like a summer thunderstorm, it comes and goes quickly.” After Ji Zhuo finished speaking, he gently took Lin Xihe’s hand and walked towards his courtyard.
"I'll send everyone away, and you can rest in my room, how about that?" A hint of expectation flashed in Ji Zhuo's eyes, and his voice became gentle.
"You're daydreaming! You can find excuses when you're outside, but now that we're at your place, do you think it's not safe? If it's really not safe, then I'll go and stay at an inn right away." Lin Xihe pretended to be angry and issued a "threat" to Ji Zhuo.
"No, please don't! We can sleep separately. But I have to go to the palace early tomorrow morning. You need to stay at home and get along well with your mother."
A hint of worry appeared in Ji Zhuo's eyes. He did have something on his mind. Tomorrow, he had to go to the palace to inform the Emperor about his relationship with Lin Xihe, as this matter concerned their future.
"Hmm." Lin Xihe nodded gently, but an ominous premonition inexplicably welled up in her heart.
She recalled the plot of the book, and realized that she had only read the part where Ji Zhuo and Gu Qinghuai were vying for each other's affections. She hadn't had time to read the rest of the story before she was unknowingly transported into the book.
Now, she has absolutely no idea what the future holds.
That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.
Ji Zhuo and Lin Xihe lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, each lost in their own thoughts, until the sky began to lighten.
The next morning.
When Lin Xihe slowly woke up and opened the door with sleepy eyes, the scene in front of her made her slightly stunned.
Six maids stood neatly outside the door, their eyes respectful, carrying exquisite toiletries, brand-new clothes, and gorgeous hairpins.
"Greetings to Miss Lin. Madam instructed us to wait for you here." The head maidservant curtsied slightly and said softly.
Lin Xihe was somewhat surprised, but secretly glad that Ji Zhuo's mother did not make things difficult for her; on the contrary, she treated her with great courtesy.
This put her mind at ease a little, and she felt more hopeful about her future life in the Ji family mansion.
After Lin Xihe finished washing up, she went to pay her respects to Ji Zhuo's mother, Chu Yunni, led by her maid.
In the backyard, Chu Yunni, dressed in a simple single garment, moved with agility, gripping a long spear tightly in her hand, and was dancing with abandon in the center of the yard.
The silver spear danced in her hands, its cold light flashing, each swing accompanied by a whooshing sound, displaying extraordinary power and a heroic and valiant demeanor.
Xiao Lan, with her sharp eyes, spotted Lin Xihe approaching and quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Miss Lin, please sit here. Madam will be finished practicing in a little while."
"Does Madam practice so diligently every day?" Lin Xihe asked curiously, her eyes full of admiration.
"Yes, Madam insists on practicing shooting every day, rain or shine. She just loves it, and no one can dissuade her." As Xiao Lan spoke, she skillfully picked up the teapot and poured Lin Xihe a cup of fragrant tea. The steaming aroma of the tea instantly filled the air.
Lin Xihe thought that women who knew martial arts were very powerful. Now, seeing Chu Yunni wielding a spear, she was even more attracted and filled with admiration, and couldn't help but focus on watching her.
Her eyes revealed undisguised admiration, her gaze following Chu Yunni's figure closely, gleaming with the movement of the silver spear.
Chu Yunni caught a glimpse of Lin Xihe's adoring gaze out of the corner of her eye, which seemed to inspire her. Her movements became even more vigorous and powerful, and her spear flourished even more brilliantly, as if she wanted to fully display all the skills she had learned in this life.
A moment later, Chu Yunni finished demonstrating a set of spear techniques. She placed the spear steadily to the side, turned around, and walked to the basin of water to wash her hands.
After washing her hands, she walked gracefully toward Lin Xihe.
Upon seeing this, Lin Xihe was about to stand up and bow when Chu Yunni quickly waved her hand gently, indicating that she did not need to be so formal, and then sat down directly opposite Lin Xihe.
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