It was originally said that only my cousin and second elder brother would come.
Yuan Yuhe nodded, “Yes, let them spend a few days together. If they take a liking to each other, your aunt and I will finalize the marriage arrangement. If not, we’ll just treat it as a family visit.”
Ming Yuelin made a sound of acknowledgment. She remembered that her second elder brother and cousin got along quite well.
At the beginning of the You hour, Ming Zhaohuan and Ming Zhouqing went to receive the three visitors from the Yuan family. Tian Feng entered the manor first to announce that Madam Yuan was about to arrive.
“Aunt, cousin, younger cousin,” Ming Zhaohuan called out while riding his horse alongside the carriage.
Yuan Wan, who had been sitting in the carriage for so long that she felt listless, lifted the curtain. Seeing a handsome face that looked somewhat familiar, her eyes brightened slightly, “Are you… my eldest cousin?”
It had been six or seven years since she last saw her eldest cousin, so her tone was somewhat uncertain.
Ming Zhaohuan reined in his horse, his all-black riding attire adding to his noble bearing, his demeanor naturally dignified.
He glanced at Yuan Wan briefly, finding her not much different from how he remembered his cousin. With a slight smile at the corner of his lips, he replied, “Yes, it’s been so long since you last saw me, cousin. I imagine you’ve almost forgotten what I look like.”
Yuan Wan looked at him, her heart inexplicably beating faster. She leaned out, “That’s somewhat true. I’ve been wanting to visit ever since I heard that eldest cousin had returned.”
A hand pressed down on her shoulder, pushing her back inside. Then a youth of about eighteen or nineteen leaned out, saying with a bright smile, “I’ve long admired how heroic you were on the battlefield, cousin! Now I can finally witness the elegance of the Great Zhou Jade-Faced General!”
Ming Zhaohuan raised his eyebrows slightly, his smile widening, “In a couple of days, I’ll take you riding and hunting. The Duke’s Manor has a mountain outside the city where all kinds of birds and beasts are particularly active in spring.”
“Great!”
Noticing a noblewoman also looking out from the carriage, Ming Zhaohuan asked, “Aunt, you must be tired from the journey. We’ll arrive at the manor in about half an hour.”
“Good, Zhaohuan, you’ve grown even more upright. How is your mother?” Madam Yuan asked with a smile.
“Mother is well. We can catch up properly after you get out of the carriage.”
Ming Zhouqing, who had been ignored all this while, pretended to be jealous nearby: “Why are all of you just like Second Sister, only able to see Eldest Brother?”
Madam Yuan laughed and said to him, “Zhouqing, you’ve also grown quite a bit taller since I last saw you.”
“Cousin, I’m tired of sitting. Let’s switch places. You keep my mother and sister company in the carriage, and I’ll ride with cousin,” Yuan Qingchen suggested.
Ming Zhouqing readily agreed, “Alright.”
The carriage stopped, and the two switched places.
After boarding the carriage, Ming Zhouqing greeted them, “Aunt, cousin.”
Madam Yuan looked him over with a smile, “It’s been a year since I last saw you. You’ve indeed grown sturdier and taller.”
“Well, I can’t just eat rice for nothing without growing,” Ming Zhouqing quipped self-deprecatingly.
Ming Zhaohuan and Yuan Qingchen rode their horses ahead of the carriage. Unable to see them anymore, Yuan Wan regretfully lowered the curtain and turned to ask, “Second Cousin, what has Lin’er been up to?”
Mentioning Ming Yuelin, Ming Zhouqing sounded somewhat helpless, “As you know, Cousin Shi is staying at our manor.”
“Today, they were supposed to go to the Farmstead to learn carriage driving, but Second Sister dragged Cousin Shi to skip class and go spearfishing. She didn’t hold the spear steady, letting the fish escape. That fish was wider than a palm and ended up hitting Cousin Shi on the head. Right now, Second Sister is probably off somewhere feeling guilty.”
“Cousin Shi looks quite listless. I don’t know what the manor physician said.”
Madam Yuan remarked, “Lin’er has always been lively and active.”
Yuan Wan chimed in, “Last time Lin’er visited our home, she kept mentioning how she often takes Cousin Shi Jianli horseback riding, archery, and playing.”
She had met that cousin from the Shi family who had come to seek refuge a couple of times and remembered her as quite quiet-natured.
“They get along the best.”
At the entrance of the Duke’s Manor, Yuan Yuhe and Ming Yuelin had only waited a short while when they saw Ming Zhaohuan and Yuan Qingchen riding ahead, followed by a carriage.
“Aunt, Cousin!” Yuan Qingchen dismounted with a bright smile.
Yuan Yuhe nodded with a smile, “Was the long journey tiring?”
“Not too bad, though I am feeling a bit hungry now.”
Ming Zhouqing helped Madam Yuan and Yuan Wan down, and after exchanging greetings, Yuan Wan happily linked arms with Ming Yuelin.
Yuan Yuhe said, “We informed the Old Madam early this morning of your arrival. Now we’ll take you to pay your respects, and you’ll also dine there this evening.”
“That’s only proper, but we’ve traveled far and should change clothes first to avoid being discourteous,” Madam Yuan nodded.
Ming Zhaohuan walked behind them, lowering his head to instruct Tian Feng, “Go check on Miss Li’s condition.”
“Yes, sir.” Tian Feng quickly departed from his side.
…
When Shi Jianli awoke, it was pitch dark around her. Pushing back the covers and drawing the curtain aside, she could faintly see a faint red glow in the Beast Head Brazier.
She called out, “Lanxing, Xianyue.”
“You’re awake, Miss?” Lanxing entered and lit a candle. “How are you feeling? Dizzy? Nauseous?”
“None of those symptoms. What time is it?”
Lanxing draped a cloak over her shoulders. “It’s the third watch. Are you hungry, Miss?”
“I am.” Shi Jianli tightened the cloak around herself.
Spring nights were still quite chilly.
“Xianyue has gone to the kitchen to fetch your meal. Around the middle of the You hour, the Heir sent his attendant Tian Feng to inquire about your condition and brought some nourishing items. Near the end of the You hour, the Second Madam and Third Young Master came to see you once.”
“During the first watch, the Second and Fourth Young Ladies also visited.”
“The Second Madam said that since you’re injured, you needn’t attend the Family School these next few days.”
Shi Jianli nodded.
Lanxing brought over a cup of warm water. “Moisten your throat first. I’ll go prepare your medicine.”
“Alright.”
Shi Jianli held the cup, sipping the water slowly.
The night was silent, with occasional wind sounds outside the window. As the wind seeped through the window frame, the candle flame flickered slightly, and suddenly, a crackling sound broke the stillness.
She looked over—it was the lamp wick sparking.
The room dimmed momentarily.
Shi Jianli, wrapped in her cloak, went to trim the wick, and the flame trembled back to life.
Staring at the fire, she snapped out of her reverie, found a brush, and added a couple of strokes to the design draft placed on the candlestick.
This was the downside of being accustomed to designing clothing—she’d see something and instinctively consider adding it to a garment.
Xianyue brought the late-night meal. After eating and taking her medicine, Shi Jianli sat by the windowsill, reading the “Golden Stone Book” for a long while before feeling sleepy.
The next day, she woke late. As soon as Shi Jianli sat up in bed, Xianyue came over and used a silver hook to draw the curtains aside.
“Miss, the Duchess has arrived and is speaking with the Second Madam in the courtyard.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?” Hearing this, Shi Jianli got out of bed.
Xianyue helped her dress and checked her forehead. “The Duchess said you’re injured and told us not to disturb you, so you could sleep longer.”
“The redness and bruising on your forehead have mostly faded.”
Shi Jianli nodded, quickly washed, dressed, and went out.
Upon stepping out, Shi Jianli saw Yuan Yuhe and Qiao Ruoying sitting together drinking tea. She approached and greeted them, “Madame, Auntie.”
Yuan Yuhe stood up and took her hand, examining her carefully. “Dear child, how are you feeling today? You’ve suffered so much, all because of that rambunctious Lin’er. What if you had really gotten a cut or injured your eye?”
“After a night’s sleep, I feel quite well. The redness on my forehead has mostly faded,” Shi Jianli replied obediently, allowing herself to be inspected while answering unhurriedly. “Don’t blame Lin’er. Minor bumps and scrapes are common when playing outside. She already feels very guilty—please help reassure her not to take it to heart.”