The servant followed Ping An’s gaze.
The Eldest Young Master was covered in dirt, sitting on the ground playing with a pile of broken pine and cypress branches.
A trace of disdain flashed in the servant’s eyes. “Guests have arrived at Madam’s courtyard. They’ve asked the Eldest Young Master to come for dinner.”
Ping An waved him off. “Got it. Go tell Madam the Young Master will change clothes and be there shortly.”
The servant turned and left. As he rounded the corner, he spat to the side. “Treating a fool like a treasure.”
At the dining table, Xie Jinghong was already seated beside Hu Rui.
Lin Yu sat across from him, casting shy, timid glances his way from time to time.
She picked up a cup of tea, stood up, her delicate face full of maidenly charm “Aunt is kind enough to let my sister and me stay at the General’s residence and even help arrange matches for us.
I’ve heard Cousin Hong is willing to help look out for good matches for us. I’ll use tea in place of wine to offer Cousin Hong a toast.”
Yu Lin was furious to the point of nearly toppling over.
Wasn’t this like a weasel offering a toast to a chicken?!
She anxiously looked at Xie Jinghong, wanting to stop him.
But he smiled gently, as refined as jade, and raised his teacup with a nod.
“Cousin Yu, you’re too polite.”
Lin Yu looked bashful.
“Cousin Hong, I feel an instant connection with Sister Lin. I’d like to live and dine with her to grow closer would Cousin Hong mind if I troubled you?”
Xie Jinghong didn’t even spare Yu Lin a glance. Smiling, he said, “Of course that would be fine.”
Yu Lin shut her eyes in pain.
Taking a deep breath, she was about to speak when a figure rushed in like a gust of wind.
“An’an!”
Yu Mu’an was happily watching the drama unfold when she was suddenly pulled into an embrace.
Xie Jingyan, like a big dog just back from running wild outside, wrapped his arms around her from behind, rubbing his chin repeatedly against the top of her head.
“An’an An’an An’an… I missed you so much! Where did you go, An’an?”
Yu Mu’an: “…”
One day, she was definitely going to kill this…
“Enough! There are guests here you’ll frighten the young ladies!”
Hu Rui’s expression darkened for a moment before she pretended to scold him, stopping his actions.
Xie Jingyan refused to let go of Yu Mu’an, glancing around the table.
Xie Jinghong looked disgusted and lowered his head to drink tea.
Yu Lin’s face was full of schadenfreude as she stared at Yu Mu’an, smiling.
The two unfamiliar girls looked frightened, gazing at him with pitiful expressions.
Xie Jingyan pouted and continued rubbing against Yu Mu’an’s head.
“What do I care about others? I just want my An’an!
An’an An’an An’an~ I like you so much, An’an”
Hu Rui’s expression turned cold.
Yu Mu’an snapped, “Xie Jingyan!”
He immediately stood properly, looking at her with a pitiful, aggrieved face.
Even knowing he was doing it on purpose, she still had no choice but to play along.
Anxin quickly stepped forward to fix Yu Mu’an’s disheveled hair ornaments.
Xie Jingyan sat beside her, offering her a teacup with a flattering smile.
“An’an, drink tea!”
Yu Mu’an stood and curtsied.
“Please forgive me, Mother. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of our cousins.”
Hu Rui smiled.
“It’s fine. Seeing how much Yan’er likes you brings me comfort.
Still, seeing you work so hard, I can’t help but feel sorry for you.
Now that your cousins are here, Xin’er can stay in your courtyard for a while and help you out.”
Yu Mu’an lowered herself respectfully. “This daughter-in-law will follow Mother’s arrangements.”
Xie Jingyan suddenly jumped up. “No, no! I don’t want the ugly one!”
Lin Xin’s already strained smile instantly collapsed. She looked at Hu Rui with pleading eyes, tears glistening.
Xie Jingyan hugged Yu Mu’an tightly, glaring at Lin Xin.
“No stealing my An’an! Ugly one, go away!”
Hu Rui could no longer hold back and slammed the table. “Impudence!”
Xie Jingyan showed no fear. “If An’an wants me, then I want her!”
“She already said she’d follow my arrangements didn’t you hear?!”
Hu Rui was so angry she nearly lost her composure.
Xie Jingyan looked suspiciously at Yu Mu’an. “Is that true?”
Hu Rui’s gaze toward Yu Mu’an turned icy.
Yu Lin smirked from the side. “Yes, your dear wife agreed to it herself.”
Xie Jingyan glared at her. “Ugly one, go away!”
Yu Lin: “???”
He turned back and snuggled up to Yu Mu’an again, smiling brightly.
“An’an said it! An’an wants that ugly one!”
Right in front of Hu Rui, Xie Jingyan had just piled a fresh wave of resentment onto Yu Mu’an.
When Hu Rui left, the emotions in her eyes were barely concealed.
But Xie Jingyan’s satisfaction didn’t last long.
The main room door was tightly shut.
Anxin stood at the entrance, small but firm, her face puffed up with anger.
“The side room has been prepared for the young lady. Eldest Young Master, you may go there and play with her.
Our Eldest Young Madam is unwell today and has retired to rest.”
Xie Jingyan was stunned.
He had just been given attitude by a little maid?!
“Please go, Eldest Young Master!”
After saying that, Anxin turned and went inside, slamming the door shut.
Xie Jingyan flew into a rage one part real, nine parts acting.
He paced like a trapped beast outside the main room, roaring and kicking over potted plants.
Ping An tried to soothe him until his mouth practically sparked from over-talking.
Turning his head, he saw Lin Xin standing by the side room, unable to hide her fear.
She forced herself to speak, “Y-Young Master, would you like ”
“Get lost!!!” Xie Jingyan roared.
She trembled violently and stumbled back into her room, slamming the door shut.
As if she had just seen a ghost.
That night, the Eldest Young Master grudgingly slept in the study.
At Yunfei Pavilion.
Yu Lin had been suppressing her anger all the way back, originally intending to coax Xie Jinghong.
But that Lin Yu kept acting innocent, clinging to Xie Jinghong and chattering away, making him smile warmly.
This was all tactics Yu Lin had long mastered!
And now she dared use them in front of her?
Yu Lin clenched her teeth in fury when she heard Lin Yu’s soft voice:
“Cousin Hong~ are we almost there? I…”
“Oh!”
Yu Lin suddenly staggered and fell heavily to the ground.
Nanny Liu, who was holding a lantern nearby, was startled and quickly set it down to help her.
“Young Madam! What happened? Let me see if you’re hurt!”
Xie Jinghong frowned and looked over.
Yu Lin sat on the ground, her profile illuminated by the dim candlelight.
Her sweet smile was gone, replaced by restrained pain.
A flicker of pain pierced Xie Jinghong’s heart, and he stepped forward.
“What happened?”
Yu Lin glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her head again.
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion “I’m fine, husband. I’ve embarrassed myself in front of our cousin please don’t let her laugh at me.”
In Xie Jinghong’s eyes, only that fleeting glimpse remained.
Her moist eyes shimmering, reflecting the warm glow of the lantern.
So bright it was dazzling, igniting an itch deep in his heart he couldn’t scratch.
After speaking, Yu Lin leaned on Nanny Liu to stand, but as soon as she exerted force, she gave a soft cry of pain and fell again.
Xie Jinghong immediately scooped her up in his arms and strode toward Yunfei Pavilion.
“Go call the physician!”
Lin Yu looked stunned, lifting her skirt as she hurried after him.
“Cousin Hong! Wait for me!”
Yu Lin rested her chin lightly on Xie Jinghong’s shoulder, her breath brushing against his neck.
Like feathers, lightly stroking again and again.
She could feel his arms tighten around her, his chest pressed close, his heartbeat quickening.
Looking back, she saw Lin Yu chasing after them, biting her lip.
A smug, cold smile appeared on Yu Lin’s face.