Chapter 673: Who Taught You_1

“There’s no need to be so nervous, I’m just an old man, and won’t bite.”

The old man smiled softly, finally putting aside his nostalgic remembrance.

He looked at Ning Anran, his tone gentle, “Your nails… can I take a look?”

Ning Anran didn’t understand why he wanted to see her nails, but how could she refuse if he wanted to take a look?

At the insistence of Ye Zi, the old man and she walked to a nearby pavilion and sat down.

It was then that Ning Anran extended her nails in front of the old man.

She quietly watched him, her face full of confusion, still unsure of what the old man wanted to do.

The old man stared intently at her nails without blinking, and then suddenly took her hand in his own.

Ning Anran was startled, her breathing became slightly rushed.

She wanted to pull her hand back; after all, she wasn’t familiar with the old man.

But, she didn’t dare to.

Ye Zi stood to one side, seeing her look at him with pleading eyes.

He could only nod to her, signaling her not to panic.

As the old man said, he wouldn’t bite, what was there to fear?

“Who taught you to mix the petals of the rose with the juice of leaves and to apply it to your nails?”

Looking at her faintly red nails, the old man’s face slowly turned grave.

“Normally, people wouldn’t think of mixing in juice from leaves.”

“I… I discovered it by accident,” Ning Anran replies softly, not daring to speak loudly.

“If they’re mixed together, the color is more vibrant, and it can last longer.”

The old man nodded, and continued to look at her nails for a while.

The sadness in his eyes lingered for a long time.

Ye Zi remained silent, entirely quiet.

Even though Ning Anran was so anxious it felt like she might die, she dared not speak as the old man remained silent.

The silence continued until Baili Xia returned from the backyard.

Seeing the old man and Ning Anran sitting under the pavilion, she paused for a moment before quickly walking over.

“Miss Xiaxia.” Seeing her, Ye Zi’s eyes lit up with a hint of pleasure.

When the old man saw Baili Xia, he immediately let go of Ning Anran’s hand.

He waved to Baili Xia with a smiling face, “Have you been training in the backyard again?

Look at all the sweat.”

“Yes, I was practicing archery,” Baili Xia walked over.

After looking over Ning Anran and seeing nothing wrong with her appearance, she finally relaxed.

“What were you doing outside instead of sleeping in your room? What will you do if you overexert yourself?”

Ning Anran simply smiled lightly, because the presence of the old man kept her from speaking randomly.

However, the old man really spoiled Xiaxia, it was clear from the look in his eyes.

Since Xiaxia appeared, the old man only had eyes for her.

“I feel much better and didn’t want to stay in the room so I went for a walk.”

After glancing at the old man, she bowed her head.

“I didn’t know where I was allowed to go here…

I…

I won’t wander around next time.”

“What nonsense, where can’t you go in the Mu Mansion?” The old man shook his head.

It’s not like there are any secret places here.

Speaking of places off-limit, in the past, girls were not allowed to wander around the Sihai Residence.

But, I heard that she lived in the Sihai Residence, and that was approved by Jiu.

If she could go there, then where else would be off-limits?

“Xiaxia, your friend here is really well-behaved, in the future, bring her to our home more often.”

The old man stood up.

When he stood up, Ning Anran also immediately stood up.

When seeing the old man off, Ning Anran remained demure and respectful, never daring to lift her head.