"Then do you want to try?"
The distance between them was a little too close.
He Yan was startled at first, then stunned. When he crashed into the limpid autumn water, he felt his cheeks quickly become hot. He wanted to retreat, but his shoulders were restrained and he couldn't move. He could only raise his head from his arms and refuse stutteringly, "… Try what?"
"You've seen so much, don't you want to try?" He raised his eyebrows and leaned closer. His gaze fell on her lips, startling He Yan.
The man's facial features were more refined and heroic than when he was young, with a kind of cold indulgence. This kind of person, when he was calm and indifferent, was like a flower on a high mountain. When he lazily curved his lips and even his gaze became hot, it was irresistible.
He Yan said, "I don't want to."
"Oh?" He curved his lips and his tone became more dangerous, "If you don't try, how will you know how it is?"
"This … You don't have to try," He Yan explained clumsily, "Actually, you'll understand after seeing more. It's the same thing. It's just that the details are different … And some of them are not suitable for ordinary people. They're all drawn for fun. There's really no need to try, just read. "
Xiao Jue: "Fun?"
He Yan: "… Some people might be thirsty for knowledge."
Xiao Jue's eyes became cold and his smile became more playful. He said lightly, "Since you're so experienced, then you must try." He was getting closer and closer, forcing He Yan to retreat to the head of the bed. He tilted his head slightly and leaned over. His thin lips were about to fall on He Yan's lips.
He Yan screamed, "Husband!"
This scream of "husband" was so loud that it shocked Xiao Jue. After a moment, he stopped and was only a little away from He Yan. He raised his eyebrows, "What are you doing?"
"I'm still an unmarried girl," He Yan pleaded softly, "I'll get married in the future. It's not good for us to be like this."
"What's wrong with that?" Xiao Jue said calmly, "You and I have already seen the picture together."
"Looking at the picture is one thing, but actually doing it is another." He Yan begged, "Governor, please spare me this time. I will never dare to ask you to look at the map with me again."
She thought that Xiao Jue's thoughts were really hard to fathom. Wasn't it just looking at a picture and he wanted to make it real? Who would dare to look at pictures with him in the future? Something was going to happen.
Xiao Jue looked at her with a faint smile. "Are you scared now?"
"I'm scared, I'm scared." He Yan was very sensible. "I promise I won't ask the commander-in-chief to look at the map in the future."
"You mean," he said unhurriedly, "you'll look for someone else?"
"I won't look for others either!" He Yan immediately said, "I won't look for myself either, really!"
She stared at him with her grape-like eyes, clear and bright, as if she was a student caught red-handed by her teacher. Xiao Jue suddenly felt a little puzzled. He felt that his actions were very strange. He Yan could look at whatever she wanted. What did it have to do with him? Just because she called him 'father', did he have to worry about everything, no matter how big or small, like raising a daughter?
But then again, how did her father raise his daughter? How could he raise such a strange person who did not know what shame was?
He suddenly released He Yan's hand and glanced at the painting on the wall. It was difficult for Cui Yue Zhi to be so meticulous, he even thought of the interesting things that happened last night for his nephew. However, there was really no use for it. He casually pulled the satin cloth from the small table and covered the picture on the wall. Then, he inserted two silver needles into the wall and firmly nailed the satin cloth.
At this point, He Yan finally understood. It turned out that Xiao Jue hated looking at this painting. Thinking about it, Second Young Master Xiao's eyes were as pure as ice and pure as jade. This kind of filthy painting would definitely dirty his eyes.
She was really particular.
After he finished all this, he got up and walked to the side of the room. He found a mattress from the short yellow wooden cabinet and laid it on the soft bed in front of the window.
The soft bed was for guests to sit in front of the window and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside while eating snacks and tea. He Yan saw this and was stunned for a moment. He asked, "Commander in chief, are you sleeping here tonight?"
"Otherwise?"
He Yan hesitated. "Actually, you can sleep on the bed with me."
Xiao Jue stopped arranging the mattress and looked at him. He said coldly, "I think you are very brave."
"No, I know what you are worried about," He Yan said. "We only need two mattresses. When I was in Liangzhou, I also slept in a large shared bed. It was not a big deal for more than ten people to sleep in one bed. Moreover, I believe in your character. You will not tarnish my reputation. "
Xiao Jue sneered. "But I don't believe in your character. I am afraid that you will tarnish my reputation."
He Yan: "…"
She did not know how to respond.
She saw Xiao Jue lay down after arranging the mattress. She thought for a moment, blew out the lamp, and lay down as well.
In the room, only the moonlight outside the window shone on the floor in front of the table. It was covered with a layer of silver frost.
When they were young in the Xianchang Mansion, the two of them slept in the same room. They were quite far apart. He Yan slept alone in the same room because He Yuanliang had specially informed Shi Bao.
Now that he was sleeping in the same room as Xiao Jue, he felt a little like he did in the past.
She lay flat. The mattress under her was soft and warm. He Yan asked, "Are you asleep?"
Xiao Jue did not answer.
He Yan continued, "I don't think so. They are … Young Master, let's talk."
Xiao Jue still ignored her.
"Why did we come to Jiyang?"
She only knew that they came to Jiyang to accompany Xiao Jue. However, she did not know what they were going to do.
In the dark night, Xiao Jue's voice sounded. "We are looking for someone."
He Yan was stunned. He did not expect Xiao Jue to answer. He asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Chai Anxi."
"Who is Chai Anxi?"
The room was silent for a moment. Then, Xiao Jue said, "He is my father's subordinate."
Xiao Zhongwu's subordinate? He Yan was stunned. During the Battle of Mingshui, Xiao Zhongwu's most trusted subordinates died in battle. Since Xiao Jue said that he was a subordinate, it sounded like he was a very trusted person. Could this person still be alive and in Jiyang?
Jiyang was the territory of the vassals. There were very few people from the Central Plains who came here. Even if there were, they would just pass by and would not stay for long. Chai Anxi looked like he was hiding from someone in Jiyang. Could it be that he was hiding from Xiao Jue? However, why would he hide from Xiao Jue? Xiao Jue was Xiao Zhongwu's son. He should be loyal to him.
Perhaps a general's mind was especially sensitive in this aspect. He Yan immediately thought of something. Could it be that there was something wrong with Xiao Zhongwu's death during the battle?
After all, Xiao Zhongwu's defeat during the Battle of Mingshui was too tragic. Everyone said that he was headstrong and self-opinionated. However, based on Xiao Zhongwu's past achievements, he was not a headstrong person.
Perhaps … Xiao Jue came here because of what happened back then. The person who knew about it was no longer around. However, Chai Anxi was still alive. It was indeed suspicious.
He Yan thought for a moment and said, "We will definitely find this person."
In the dark night, he seemed to hear Xiao Jue chuckle. He asked, "Why did you come to Jiyang?"
"Me?" He Yan was puzzled. "Didn't you ask me to come?"
Xiao Jue snorted and said, "Even if I didn't ask you to come, you would still find a way to follow me, wouldn't you?"
He Yan's heart skipped a beat. This person was too sensitive. She indeed had an ulterior motive. She still hoped to find Liu Buwang in Jiyang.
However, she would not say this to Xiao Jue.
"You're too suspicious." He Yan made up a story. "This time, I came purely for you. As long as you need me, I will not hesitate to climb a mountain of swords or dive into a sea of fire. "
Xiao Jue was silent for a moment and said, "Flattery."
He Yan said, "What else can you say other than flattery?"
"Big words."
"What else?"
"Falling from the sky."
"What else?"
"Deceiving the heavens and concealing the earth."
He Yan was speechless.
She said, "Young Master, do you know that you are really childish now?"
Xiao Jue said, "Sleep."
He no longer paid attention to her.
The spring night was still chilly. For some reason, He Yan did not feel cold, perhaps because there was someone by his side tonight. He happily got into bed. The bed was warm, and he fell asleep in an instant.
The next day, when He Yan woke up, Xiao Jue was no longer in the room.
She was stunned for a moment. She guessed that the sky had just brightened, but Xiao Jue had actually woken up earlier than her? He Yan stood up, hurriedly washed up, and put on an outer robe. At a glance, he saw Xiao Jue sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard. A dirty wild cat was lying on the stone table in front of him, and it was eating the food in his hand.
He Yan walked closer and saw that he had taken a plate of pastries from somewhere. He was pinching them into small pieces and feeding them to the wild cat in front of him. When the wild cat saw that someone had come, all of its fur stood up. It did not know which pond it had rolled in, but its fur was stained with dirty water, and it had congealed into small pieces.
"Why is there a cat here?" He Yan asked. He wanted to touch it, but the cat immediately bared its teeth. He Yan retracted his hand and said, "It's quite fierce."
Xiao Jue glanced at her and said, "I picked it up."
The young man's fingers were long and slender, and he was very patient as he broke the pastries into small pieces. The cat was probably very good at judging people's looks. It was very gentle towards Xiao Jue, and it was eating while softly calling out "Mimi".
Needless to say, it was quite beautiful.
He Yan could not help but ask, "Young Master, don't you love cleanliness the most?" Phew, when he was with her, he despised her in every way, and even pulled up his sleeves to wipe the dust off. Why, when he was with a dirty wild cat, he became generous.
"It depends on the situation." Xiao Jue said slowly.
He Yan thought to himself, what did he mean by depending on the situation? Did he mean that she was worse than a cat?
As he was thinking, Xiao Jue finished feeding the cat the last piece. She patted the cat's head, and the cat was smart. It arched its body, jumped up the wall, and disappeared in a flash.
He Yan stared blankly.
At this time, Cui Jiao's voice sounded from outside, "Young Master, Young Mistress, the kitchen has sent breakfast."
He Yan felt hungry and said, "Let's go and eat something."
Xiao Jue washed her hands and followed He Yan into the house. She saw Lin Shuanghe take out the silver needles from the food and said, "Eat it. I've tested it. It's not poisonous." After saying that, he whispered angrily, "The difference between people is too big. Why can't we eat as much?"
He was now "Housekeeper Lin", but he could not eat with Xiao Jue and He Yan. He had to eat with Chi Wu and Fei Nu. He could not even taste it, in case someone found out.
Xiao Jue said, "Scram."
Lin Shuanghe scrammed and left.
Hong Qiao stood behind He Yan. He Yan waved his hand and said, "Go and eat with Chi Wu and the others. Young Master and I don't like to be served. I'll do it."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao were stunned. They looked at Xiao Jue. Seeing that Xiao Jue did not say anything, Cui Jiao said, "This servant understands." She pulled Hong Qiao and left.
When they reached the door, Hong Qiao asked hesitantly, "Cui Jiao, is it good for us to leave like this? Young Mistress and Young Master don't usually want us to serve them. Are they not satisfied with us? "
"That's not it." Cui Jiao was clever and said, "Perhaps they are from the capital and are different from Jiyang. Moreover, I heard that Young Mistress and Young Master are newly married. They probably want to serve Young Master personally. This is called … this is called fun."
At this moment, Young Mistress, who was supposed to "personally serve" Young Master, was eating a plum blossom bun with relish.
The last time he ate so well was when he pretended to be his nephew and accompanied Xiao Jue to Liangzhou City. However, at that time, the food was only the specialty of the inn. This time, it was different. Cui Yue Zhi's status in Jiyang was not low. Moreover, he was his nephew whom he had not seen for a long time. Therefore, he treated him with extra care. It was early in the morning. Look at the food on the table. There were assorted grilled meat, Xishi milk, pheasant slices soup, fish maw stewed with ham, bird's nest shredded chicken soup …
"This morning's food is too oily," He Yan said as he took a bite of the eight treasure wild duck.
Xiao Jue endured it and finally could not help but say, "Did I not feed you enough?"
He Yan's mouth was full. "Huh?"
He looked away in disgust. "Do you have to eat like a reincarnated hungry ghost?"
"But don't you think it's delicious?" He Yan swallowed the food in his mouth.
Xiao Jue said mockingly, "Is that all you have?"
"You're a young master and a commander in chief. You live like a prince. Of course, you've seen the world and don't think it's a big deal. We're soldiers. It's good enough that we can eat until we're full. How can you not say that it's good? "He Yan muttered," You're a well-fed man and you don't know the suffering of a hungry man. "
He choked and gave up on reasoning with He Yan. He said lazily, "Whatever."
He Yan looked at Xiao Jue as he ate. He was amazed by his elegant table manners. Logically speaking, people like them who had been in the military camp for many years did not care about such etiquette. It did not matter if they were young masters or young masters in the past. When He Yan was "Eldest Young Master He", he did pay attention to his manners. However, when he was in a real battle, he could finish a biscuit in two or three bites and then get up to work. Who would care about his manners?
He Yan did not believe that Xiao Jue had never behaved like that before. However, after going through such a difficult time, he was able to return to being the Second Young Master of the Xiao family. This was not something an ordinary person could do. At least, she had long forgotten how to be a "young master".
After the meal, Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao came over to help He Yan dress up. Cui Yue Zhi was going to hold a banquet in his residence at noon. He had also invited many famous nobles in Jiyang City. The purpose of this banquet was to make Xiao Jue proud. Therefore, he could not be careless.
Xiao Jue went out to look for Lin Shuanghe. He Yan sat in front of the dressing mirror. Hong Qiao took out the "mermaid gauze" from the box and asked He Yan, "Madam, do you want to wear this today?"
He Yan thought for a moment. There were many people coming today. It would be safer to wear the most expensive one. He nodded and said, "Okay."
The two maidservants began to get busy.
He Yan was usually the most impatient to do these kinds of things. Sometimes, he even felt that doing such delicate work for a woman was more tiring than doing it for a man. Just combing her hair, putting on makeup, choosing jewelry and shoes, and even tucking her hair in to make it look cute was not an easy task. As she combed her hair, she fell asleep.
He Yan was woken up by Hong Qiao. Hong Qiao said, "Madam?"
He Yan opened his eyes and asked in a daze, "Done?"
"Done." Cui Jiao smiled at the side. Her eyes were filled with amazement, "Madam, you look really good."
He Yan said, "Thank you."
She raised her head to look at herself in the mirror and was stunned for a moment. Her previous female clothing was still elegant and simple. However, this "mermaid gauze" could be considered charming and gorgeous. Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao must have put in a lot of effort today. They did not even dare to make a mistake in their makeup. He Yan looked at her unfamiliar self in the mirror and was slightly absent-minded.
This time, she did not even look like the real Lady He.
Cui Jiao smiled and pushed the door open, saying, "Young Master is next door. This servant will call Young Master over to take a look."
He Yan said, "No …"
Before he could finish the word "must", Cui Jiao left happily.
He Yan stood up and suddenly hesitated. She was still thinking about how to face Xiao Jue in a more natural manner when she heard a casual voice behind her, "Done?"
He Yan looked back.
The young girl was thinking about something. Her clear eyes were a little confused, and her expression was a little hazy. She was originally beautiful and delicate. Originally, the heroic spirit between her eyebrows was deliberately covered by makeup, making her appear pure and moving. Her face was charming and her black hair was simply tied up, obediently hanging on her shoulders. Her body looked very thin and petite. Her pale white silk embroidered dress made her look even more graceful. The dress hid a very faint hidden flower. When the sun shone through, it looked like the scales of a mermaid, glowing with a faint blue-purple gold powder. Her entire being was enveloped in a layer of magnificent colors, as if she was a legendary mermaid who had just climbed onto the shore and had just arrived in the mortal world.
Xiao Jue's gaze paused.
Lin Shuanghe's voice came from behind, "I want to see what a dress that costs a hundred gold coins looks like. Let me see, let me see!"
His noise suddenly disappeared when he saw He Yan. Only amazement remained in his eyes.
Chi Wu and Fei Nu, who had followed closely behind, also saw. Fei Nu was fine, but Chi Wu seemed to have suffered a huge blow. This person … can actually be so beautiful when dressed as a woman?
They couldn't tell that he was a man at all. It was too scary!
He Yan was at a loss as to what to do. He felt like he had become a monkey on the stage for everyone to admire. He grabbed the corner of his clothes and said pitifully, "… Isn't this … a little too much?"
Wasn't it just attending a banquet? Was there a need to dress up like this? Wasn't it too grand?
It would have been better if she didn't make this expression. Once she did this, her eyebrows seemed to frown, and she suddenly looked delicate and pitiful. Xiao Jue said indescribably, "… Don't talk with this expression."
"But, but!" Lin Shuanghe became excited, "This is great, it's just right! This dress that costs a hundred gold coins is indeed a dress that costs a hundred gold coins. It's really extraordinary. This money was well spent! "
Cui Jiao was happy, "Isn't that right, Madam? This servant said that it's really beautiful! "
When He Yan was a man, he was often praised as "mighty, brave, and boundlessly handsome". He had never experienced being praised for his looks as a woman, so he was a bit shy. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond, so he cupped his fists and said loudly, "You flatter me."
Xiao Jue, "…"
Lin Shuanghe, "…"
The rest of the people, "…"
Lin Shuanghe said, "… It's beautiful, but Madam, sometimes you don't have to be so forthright."
Xiao Jue sneered, "You should speak with that expression just now. Otherwise, I might forget that you're actually a woman."
He Yan, "…"
Alright, he forgot himself for a moment.
At noon, the entire Cui Residence became lively.
Carriages continuously stopped at the entrance of the Cui Residence. Madams, young misses, young masters, and old masters all entered the residence.
Jiyang was a territory belonging to a vassal. The current princess, Mu Hongjin, grew up together with Cui Yue Zhi. Cui Yue Zhi was Mu Hongjin's confidant and was also the First Lieutenant of Jiyang. Everyone had to give him face. When they heard that Cui Yue Zhi had found his long-lost nephew, they specially prepared a banquet for his return. Everyone wanted to take a look.
The Cui Residence was huge. There was a lake at the back of the residence. Jiyang had a lot of water and the water was gentle. In the middle of the lake, there was a long pavilion in the middle of the lake. Today's banquet was held in the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
In the pavilion, the servants had already prepared a few long and short tables. The banquet on the tables was also very sumptuous. Some of the distinguished guests had already taken their seats. Cui Yue Zhi, the master of the residence, had yet to leave the residence. He didn't have a wife and only had four concubines. Therefore, the only one who helped to greet the guests was the old housekeeper, Zhong Fu.
Next to a woman on the right side of the pavilion sat a young girl dressed in pink. This young girl was delicate and charming. Her skin was slightly darker, so she had put on more makeup. This made her look less barbaric and more melancholy. She frowned impatiently and asked, "It's already so late. Why aren't Young Master Qiao and his wife here yet?"
"What's the hurry?" The woman next to her, who was probably her mother, smiled and comforted her. "The banquet hasn't started yet. Moreover, Lord Cui hasn't arrived yet. How can Young Master Qiao show himself first? Min 'er, are you hungry? "
Yan Min 'er, who was the young girl dressed in pink, frowned and said, "I'm not hungry. It's natural for us to wait for Cui Zhongqi. However, I heard that Cui Zhongqi's nephew was adopted by a merchant after he left Jiyang City. Now, he's just a merchant. How can a merchant who stinks of money be worthy of our bitter wait? Does he really think he's a big shot? "
After all, the noble families in Jiyang all knew that Qiao Huanqing was a merchant. Although they came to the banquet today because of Cui Yuezhi, they didn't think highly of Qiao Huanqing in private. They just wouldn't say it out loud like Yan Min 'er.
"Shh —" Madam Yan hurriedly covered her mouth. "Don't talk nonsense. No matter what, he's still Lord Cui's nephew. I think he's spoiling you too much. That's why you're so lawless. Didn't you see that Lord Cui set up a banquet today to welcome Young Master Qiao? Do you think Lord Cui will be happy if you say that Young Master Qiao is bad? "
"So what?" Yan Min 'er said disdainfully, "Lord Cui and my father are friends. He won't blame me."
"Oh you." Madam Yan wanted to stop her beloved daughter from speaking without thinking, but she couldn't bear to really scold her.
Yan Min 'er's beautiful eyes turned. She thought for a while and said disapprovingly, "I think that maybe he hasn't seen such a big event before. He's hiding somewhere and doesn't dare to come out. He's waiting for Cui Zhongqi to help lead the way."
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