Thinking is one thing.
In reality, she acted on those thoughts.
By the time Yuan Siyin realized what she was doing, her finger had already poked the girl.
The girl didn’t resist, merely widening her eyes and obediently watching her.
“This elder sister?”
Yuan Siyin coughed awkwardly and withdrew her hand: “That… I didn’t mean to.”
She admitted there was an element of gambling in her actions, but was it really feasible to abduct someone in broad daylight and take them home?
Was it feasible?
Right?
“It’s alright. I’m Qi Shenshen. Since my father was promoted, I’ve just arrived in the capital and don’t know many people. I wonder if I could become friends with you, elder sister?”
She pursed her lips somewhat shyly, yet her eyes were full of hope.
Yuan Siyin opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat.
Should she make up a fake name?
Otherwise, if this girl discovered she was the infamous villainess of the capital and turned away, what would she do?
Just as Yuan Siyin was pondering this, Xiao Quanzi approached, smiling as he flicked his horsetail whisk, followed by several palace attendants who came to pay their respects.
Yuan Siyin immediately had a bad feeling.
“This humble servant greets Miss Yuan.”
“Miss Yuan?”
Qi Shenshen murmured the name softly, as if realizing something, her expression turning somewhat stunned.
Seeing her reaction, Yuan Siyin knew things had likely gone sour and could only surrender, turning to Xiao Quanzi: “What is it?”
“Today is Qixi Festival. The Empress Dowager specifically sent this humble servant to deliver some fruits.”
With that, he signaled with his eyes, and the palace attendants behind him filed forward to place Golden Fruits, Muskmelons, and other fruits on the table.
“Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s reward.”
Upon hearing it was a reward from the Empress Dowager, everyone fell silent and came forward to express gratitude.
After dealing with Xiao Quanzi and turning back, Qi Shenshen’s figure was nowhere to be seen.
Yuan Siyin couldn’t help but sigh.
What a pity.
The longer she stayed, the more Yuan Siyin found the conversation dull. She simply grabbed a Muskmelon, hid it in her robe, and stealthily slipped away to the rockery.
If she couldn’t play, couldn’t she at least eat some melon?
Just as she lit the tinder, another person appeared before her.
Yuan Siyin held the melon, staring wide-eyed at Yu Shiyan.
Seriously, officer, is eating melon illegal too?
Yu Shiyan used the light from her tinder to examine her from head to toe.
When he noticed the Muskmelon hidden in her robe, his brow clearly furrowed.
“Didn’t you eat quite a lot during dinner just now?”
Yuan Siyin: ?
Listen to that! Is that even human language?
“I ate quite a lot, but I can still eat quite a lot more.”
She glared at him, thoroughly displeased.
That’s right.
These past few days in the palace, for some unknown reason, her aunt had been sending Feicui to Changbai Hall every mealtime to invite him.
She had indeed helped him gain favor, but as a result, he had gradually grown bolder these days.
He even dared to talk back to her now!
Though perhaps this was a good thing—at least he was willing to initiate conversation with her.
Even if the words weren’t pleasant.
Not caring about her dress, she directly sat cross-legged, placing the Muskmelon on her lap.
If once was coincidence, what about twice?
Yu Shiyan quietly hid the note in his palm into his sleeve, planning to test her.
Yuan Siyin placed the tinder beside her leg, tossed her hair behind her back, raised her palm, took a deep breath, and with a “ha!” chopped down.
The jade-skinned Muskmelon cracked open with a “crack!”
Yu Shiyan: “…”
Seems there was no need for that.
She really was here to seriously eat melon.
Seeing him lingering, Yuan Siyin showed a hint of reluctance on her face but still offered him half of the muskmelon: “Want some?”
Yu Shiyan followed the half muskmelon to her hand, noticing her fair and delicate wrist beneath the sleeve, appearing exceptionally slender under the flickering firelight.