A glimmer of crystalline light flashed in Ji Mingzhu’s eyes.
Xie Yunxuan was slightly taken aback, pretending to tease her, “It’s just a night-luminescent pearl—no need to be moved to tears, is there?”
Ji Mingzhu felt both like crying and laughing.
In her previous life, she had truly lived a miserable existence—emotionally sensitive and prone to overthinking.
Now that she had returned to the starting point, how could she not weep for joy?
Her wrist was grasped by a warm, large hand, and the man gently tugged, “Didn’t you want to go out to clear your mind? Come, Second Brother will take you right now.”
Perhaps due to her recent illness, her body had grown somewhat lighter.
The sudden movement pulled Ji Mingzhu, causing her to stumble into the man’s embrace.
Xie Yunxuan had come from the icy, snowy outdoors, his body carrying a cool fragrance, along with a faint scent of plum blossoms—likely picked up near the entrance.
He was not a martial artist, yet his chest was firm and solid, concealing a latent, vigorous strength.
An intense masculine aura washed over her, and Ji Mingzhu’s heart leaped into her throat.
Instantly flustered, she hastily retreated half a step.
Fearing her reaction might embarrass Xie Yunxuan, Ji Mingzhu calmly asked, “Second Brother, where are you taking me?”
Her gaze swept outside, where everything was blanketed in white.
In the time they had been speaking, the snow had already stopped.
His palm felt suddenly empty, the slender wrist already gone.
The soft sensation lingered—warm and delicate. Xie Yunxuan lightly clenched his fist, placing his hands behind his back.
He cleared his throat softly, returning to his usual demeanor.
“How about going to the garden to brew tea and admire the snow?”
He hadn’t been home in a long time, and Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to dampen his spirits.
A walk outside would be nice, better than staying cooped up indoors, dwelling on the troubles of her past life.
After all, Xie Yunzheng had no such leisurely inclination to go out and enjoy the scenery.
Even within the Guogongfu, he stayed in Dongyuan handling official matters, rarely venturing out.
The Guogongfu was so vast; as long as she made an effort to avoid him, they wouldn’t cross paths.
Seeing that Ji Mingzhu was willing to go out, Xie Yunxuan instructed Jinzi, “Prepare some cold-weather gear for your cousin.”
With that, he headed to the doorway first, ordering the servants to prepare the tea-brewing utensils.
Ji Mingzhu added an extra padded jacket for warmth and changed into waterproof deerskin boots.
Donning her cloak and clutching a hand warmer, she followed Xie Yunxuan out of Xiaoxiangyuan.
The servants in the Guogongfu were busy clearing the snow.
Upon hearing they were going to the garden to brew tea, the steward said, “Second Young Master, Cousin, the pavilion has been dusted with snowflakes. I’ll have someone clean it right away. Please take your time walking and watch your step.”
Xie Yunxuan nodded, then asked, “Is Eldest Brother in the Guogongfu?”
The steward replied, “Shi-zi-ye is injured and hasn’t left the Guogongfu these past few days.”
Clutching the hand warmer, Ji Mingzhu tightened her grip slightly. As long as she remained in the Guogongfu, it seemed she couldn’t completely avoid Xie Yunzheng.
Even if she didn’t deliberately inquire, news related to Xie Yunzheng would still reach her ears through various channels.
Clearing her mind, she tried hard not to think about that person.
“Since we’re passing by, let’s go see Eldest Brother.”
These words exploded like thunder beside her ear.
Ji Mingzhu shook her head repeatedly, “I’m not familiar with Shi-zi-ye. It wouldn’t be appropriate to disturb him so abruptly!”
Xie Yunxuan tapped her forehead lightly, “Why are you so timid? Shi-zi-ye doesn’t bite.”
Ji Mingzhu thought to herself, Doesn’t he, though?
Indifference, sarcastic remarks… these were the traits of a man-eating demon.
Even without the events of her past life, given Xie Yunzheng’s temperament, if she dared to approach, his chilling aura alone could freeze her to death.
Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to invite trouble for herself.
“I suggest, Second Brother, shall I wait for you in the garden first?”
Xie Yunxuan knew nothing about what happened on the day of the family banquet.
Upon returning to the mansion and hearing that Mingzhu had fallen ill, he hurriedly paid his respects to the elders and then went straight to Xiaoxiangyuan.
He thought it was his elder brother’s stern demeanor that had frightened Ji Mingzhu.
Xie Yunxuan said gently, “I heard that Mr. Xi Yu is also in the mansion. It would be a good opportunity to ask him to reexamine your health.”
Ji Mingzhu pursed her lips, “I’ve already had the divine physician examine me, and the medicine I’m taking is also prescribed by him.”
“Then accompany your second brother to see him. I want to thank him personally.”
Ji Mingzhu was both amused and exasperated, “I’m not a child anymore that I need my brother to thank someone on my behalf. I’ve already sent gifts to the divine physician—a hundred-year-old ginseng.”
Xie Yunxuan also smiled. Perhaps because Mingzhu had just undergone her Ji-ji ceremony, he always felt she wasn’t yet adept at handling such matters.
Lowering his voice, he coaxed, “Elder Brother is injured. Let’s go visit him. Show your face in front of him, so that if I’m not in the mansion in the future and you encounter an emergency, you can seek his help.”
Ji Mingzhu thought to herself that if she really dared to do so, who knows how Xie Yunzheng would perceive her.
Lowering her gaze, Ji Mingzhu replied honestly, “I don’t want to go.”
“Why not?”
“That day, I bumped into Shi-zi-ye. He seemed a bit intimidating.”
Xie Yunzheng, who rarely ventured out for a stroll, overheard someone mentioning him and involuntarily paused his steps.
The two stood at the corner, unaware of Xie Yunzheng’s presence.
Xie Yunxuan continued to speak well of his elder brother, “Elder Brother may appear cold on the outside, but he’s warm-hearted. Don’t be deceived by his exterior.”
Ji Mingzhu curled her lips slightly. In her previous life, she had thought the same.
She believed Xie Yunzheng was merely reserved in expressing his emotions.
But reality proved that his coldness ran deep into his bones, capable of freezing others until they were covered in wounds.
There was no warmth within him to speak of.
Perhaps he was passionate when facing that Miss Du.
But that had nothing to do with her anymore.
“I don’t want to associate with Shi-zi-ye. Given my status… people might think I’m trying to climb the social ladder.”
Xie Yunxuan’s eyes widened, “Who dares to talk nonsense? I’ll take their life!”
His sleeve was gently tugged, and the charming girl blinked at him.
Her tone teasing, “Second Brother, be careful not to be overheard, lest people think you’re an arrogant bully!”
Whenever Ji Mingzhu called him “Second Brother,” Xie Yunxuan’s heart softened.
How could he force her to do something she didn’t want to do?
As for visiting the sick, it could be done later.
He reached out and patted Ji Mingzhu’s hair bun, “A bully it is, then. I can’t let anyone bully you.”
“No one bullies me.”
Although the Old Matriarch and Junzhu Niangniang looked down on her, as long as she didn’t harbor certain ambitions, they couldn’t be bothered with her.
Keeping her distance from Xie Yunzheng was enough.
Fearing that Xie Yunxuan might bring up the visit again, Ji Mingzhu glanced around.
She whispered, “I don’t like Shi-zi-ye.”
Living under someone else’s roof, she had never spoken such words.
Now that she uttered these three words, it was clear how poor her impression of Xie Yunzheng was.
And how much she wanted to avoid any interaction with him.
Xie Yunxuan looked at her suspiciously. Could something have happened that he didn’t know about?
“Alright, let’s not talk about him anymore.”
As their voices gradually faded into the distance, Xie Yunzheng emerged from the corner.
Eavesdropping on conversations about himself—the feeling was rather peculiar.
Xi Yu nudged his shoulder, “To think there’s someone who isn’t captivated by your masculine charm. Miss Ji truly has discerning taste.”
Xie Yunzheng shot him a cold glance, “Watch your words.”
Xi Yu’s eyes glinted mischievously. “That cousin is a rare beauty—peerless in looks, with a voice as lovely as her face. Are you truly not the least bit tempted?”
“What do you think?” Xie Yunzheng’s gaze grew even colder.
Not only did he have no interest in Ji Mingzhu to begin with, but after hearing her words, why would he offer warmth only to be met with coldness?
He wasn’t out of his mind!