Chapter 878: Personal Feelings

Of course, Xue Ao remembered his promise, but he only chuckled slyly. “I said I’d tell you, but not right now.”

“You!” Liu Chuyan was so infuriated by his evasiveness that she pounded his shoulder in anger.

Yet Xue Ao, trained in martial arts, was all solid muscle; her blows did nothing but hurt her own hand, leaving her even more stifled and frustrated.

Xue Ao found her reaction amusing and quickly caught her wrist, bringing it to his lips to warm her hand with his breath. “Chuchu—”

“Why? I just love going out every day, what of it?” Xue Ao dodged the subject, refusing to discuss anything serious. Liu Chuyan, unable to reason with him, retorted in annoyance.

“Chuchu, aren’t you going to see Little Cat with Old General Liu? I expect Cousin Jinhuan’s situation is nearly resolved—go check on her. As for Songling, I’ll have someone bring her back.”

Liu Chuyan thought it over and decided she might as well go question Liu Xiaomao herself. At the mention of Songling, her expression faltered. “Xue Ao, how did you win over my maidservant?”

“I never bribed her!” Xue Ao feigned innocence.

“If you didn’t offer her something, would she be so obedient? She listens to you even more than to her true mistress.”

“Chuchu, truly, I haven’t. And ‘bribed’ is such a harsh word. She merely admires my character and helped me a few times out of respect. Don’t overthink it.”

“Xue Ao, stop your nonsense and be honest.” His constant evasions only made her angrier. Wasn’t he, at heart, still a rogue? Had her earlier impression just been an illusion? Suddenly, she regretted being too affectionate with him.

Seeing her face darken, Xue Ao surrendered quickly. “Chuchu, you know the truth. Though the Songling sisters both work at the Han residence and earn decent wages, their family is poor, with a sickly mother and a young brother. Life is hard for them. I was afraid she’d be too worried about home to care for you properly, so I helped her family. Out of gratitude, she simply does as I ask. Don’t worry, she’d never do you harm.”

Liu Chuyan clenched her teeth. “So now you’re my maid’s savior. How reassuring. You really are something, Xue Ao.”

“Chuchu, I didn’t mean any harm. I just wanted to know more about you and make it easier for us to spend time together.”

“Hmph.” She’d long suspected someone was watching her, but never imagined it was Songling, whom she trusted most—now nearly Xue Ao’s confidante. The thought left her unsettled. Worse, the scoundrel before her seemed completely unapologetic, not the least bit remorseful.

“Chuchu…” Seeing her pout and fume, Xue Ao grinned, lowered his head, and teased her lips with his own, gently drawing her into a kiss.

The tickle on her lips made Liu Chuyan’s heart flutter, and she couldn’t help but laugh. Still, she was annoyed about Songling. His antics left her both exasperated and amused.

“Chuchu, don’t be like this. At most, I’ll never order your maids around again. As compensation, pick any of mine you like—I’ll give them to you.” Xue Ao soothed her hoarsely, tugging at her lower lip.

“Who wants your people?” Liu Chuyan said, half annoyed, half amused. Yet her hand, still in his grasp, was pressed to his chest, and as she glanced aside, she noticed a familiar sandalwood box on the display shelf behind him and paused in surprise.

“Chuchu, what are you looking at?” Xue Ao, sensing her distraction, released her lips and followed her gaze—his heart skipping a beat. He’d been careless to let her see that. With a quick twist, he led her toward the shelf, but after veering three steps to the left, he handed her a small box instead.

“What’s this?” Liu Chuyan asked, puzzled.

“Open it and see.” While she bent her head, Xue Ao stealthily slipped the sandalwood box into a drawer behind him.

At his words, Liu Chuyan lifted the lid. Her eyes instantly filled with tears. She bit her lip. “You made all these.”

“Yes,” he replied.

Liu Chuyan had once heard Xue Huaiyu mention that Xue Ao could make magnolia-leaf bookmarks. At the time, she’d merely been curious that he had such a skill, but hadn’t thought much of it. Now, in retrospect, she realized she’d been careless. There was no end of evidence pointing to him as her childhood “Brother Jun Cheng,” yet she’d failed to recognize him.

“Chuchu, I only ever heard you describe how they’re made, never saw one. So I tried to follow your instructions step by step and made these. I’ve seen the ones you made for Huai Jin and the others—they’re finer, more elegant. My hands are clumsy, but you can see—this whole box is filled with my feelings for you.”

“I can see that.” Liu Chuyan glanced at the paintings on the wall, then at the magnolia tree in the courtyard. Tears welled up, overflowing with emotion.

“Chuchu, you’re so easily moved.” Xue Ao watched her with contentment, but seeing her tears, his heart ached. He tried to lighten the mood, teasing her gently as he wiped her tears.

“What’s this?” Liu Chuyan suddenly noticed what he was using to dry her tears and frowned. “Isn’t this the handkerchief I gave to Huaiyu? How did you get it?”

“Oh, that…” Caught, Xue Ao was so annoyed with himself he wanted to smack his own head.

“This morning in the waterside pavilion, Huaiyu told me she’d lost her handkerchief and asked me to make her another one. Yet here it is with you!” Liu Chuyan snatched it back and glared at him. “Don’t tell me you stole it?”

“Of course not!” Xue Ao denied, feeling guilty.

“Not? Did you find it lying around?” Huaiyu cherished that handkerchief and kept it close—how could she have lost it? Liu Chuyan was unconvinced. Then she caught sight of another corner of white cloth peeking from his sleeve. She quickly snatched it. “Huai Jin’s is here too! Are you a pickpocket?”

“Chuchu, I—I just wanted one of your handkerchiefs. Look, you gave them to the others, but I have nothing. Poor me.” Xue Ao shamelessly played the victim, a far cry from his former self—utterly transformed, heart and soul.

Liu Chuyan could only rub her forehead in exasperation. “But you’re a grown man. What would you do with a young lady’s handkerchief? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Not at all. The ones you embroider are nothing to be ashamed of,” he replied without a hint of hesitation, his tone firm and righteous.

Liu Chuyan couldn’t help but smile. “You’re like a child fighting for sweets. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with you. But those handkerchiefs were gifts for Huai Jin and Huaiyu—feminine and delicate, not suitable for you. If you really want one, I’ll embroider a square one for you.”

“Chuchu, you’re wonderful!” Overjoyed, Xue Ao cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “Remember your promise, don’t forget.”

“I won’t.” He was as clingy as sticky rice candy from Yangzhou. Liu Chuyan pushed his chin away. “I’ve been here too long, I should go back. Since Songling has returned, I’ll head back to the residence first, and then take her and Qinghe with me to the general’s manor. If you want to help, escort Old General Liu home.”

“All right.” With her request, Xue Ao agreed at once and prepared to send her back. Qin Yan and Qin Su, ever reliable, had only slipped away to the tavern in the alley behind the Duke of Xing’s estate for a quick drink, returning just in time. Now, as Xue Ao reached the side gate, they were just coming in.

As for Liu Chuyan, she’d forgotten the back gate was locked and didn’t expect anyone outside. Pushing it open, she startled.

Xue Ao glared at his two men in annoyance. Though not unattractive, they were burly and unkempt—hardly presentable—and they’d frightened his Chuchu. “Qin Yan, Qin Su, you’re not needed today. Go home, shave, and put on some clean robes. And your shoes—look at them, all covered in mud. Go home and change. If you don’t have clean ones, buy some. I pay you enough; it’s not for you to hoard. Make yourselves look decent.”

“But Second Master, we’re saving up to get married,” grumbled Qin Yan, who was even older than Xue Ao. His family had been urging him to settle down, but he hadn’t found anyone suitable yet.

Xue Ao, for the first time, found his two men both troublesome and endearing. “Don’t worry. As long as you keep me and Chuchu happy, I’ll pay for your weddings and children.”

“Really?” Though they knew Xue Ao was generous, they could hardly believe their luck.

“Really. Now get out of here, you’re in the way.” He waved them off, and seeing Liu Chuyan suppressing her laughter, burst out laughing himself. “Chuchu, I handpicked them from the army. Grew up crawling in the mud, always outside, not ones for cleanliness. Did they frighten you?”

Liu Chuyan shook her head. “I was just thinking that Songling is of age and should be married off soon. But her elder sister, Yunling, has been delayed since her fiancé’s family is in mourning. Still, the mourning period is nearly over. I’ve been worrying about it, and now here are two suitable candidates. Later, you can see which one is better and find someone to arrange a match.”

“That’s best. Once they’re married, Songling won’t leave you, and she’ll be able to care for you even better. I’ll talk to them tomorrow and see who’s willing.”

“Hey, don’t make it public! What if neither of them likes Songling?”

“Impossible. I actually think Qin Yan has a bit of a fondness for your Songling. He’s the one I had run errands for her family, and he’s always been attentive to their needs, though he usually never pays attention to women.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. They’ve only met a few times.” The thought that her maid had become Xue Ao’s confidante—and now attracted his men—seemed unbelievable.

“Miss.” Before Liu Chuyan could say more, Songling pushed open the side door, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“How did you know to come?” Liu Chuyan asked, puzzled.

“I kept track of the time and thought it was about right, so I came over,” Songling replied, head bowed low, hoping her mistress wouldn’t see through her. Yet her shyness only made her seem more suspicious.

With a small smile, Liu Chuyan reached out and fished a paper ball from Songling’s palm.

Songling hadn’t expected to be caught, and her head nearly disappeared into her chest.

Liu Chuyan opened the paper and saw a note—likely from Qin Yan or Qin Su—telling her their conversation was over and to wait by the side gate. Given Xue Ao’s words, it must have been from Qin Yan.

Xue Ao, observing her glance up, grinned meaningfully: See? Songling and Qin Yan…

Liu Chuyan only rolled her eyes, leading Songling toward the Fragrant Garden.

Xue Ao followed at a respectful distance, a yard behind, his gaze tracing her graceful figure—willowy and poised, the very picture of “willows swaying and flowers smiling.”

Author's note: Under the story title, in the place where you used to throw “king votes,” there’s suddenly something called “Nutrient Solution.” Do you guys know what it is?

[Bookmark this story][Download][Earn free coins][Recommend to friends][Irrigate with Nutrient Solution]—that sort of thing.

I looked at it for ages and still don’t get what it is. Don’t know what the admin is up to this time…