Chapter 1403 - 762: A Lucky Man with Many Wives (Double Chapter)

After meeting with the Princess, Chen Yi made a detour to the kitchen to grab some snacks and happened to bump into Xiuhe carrying sour plum soup, so they returned together.

Feeling calm, he exchanged a few words with Xiuhe about Lin Wanxiao along the way. Xiuhe was naturally forthcoming, speaking without reservation. However, when she was getting excited, she suddenly paused and stopped talking.

Chen Yi couldn't help but ask her what was wrong.

She rubbed the corners of her eyes, which had become sour, and said, "I thought you didn't care about the lady."

She seemed somewhat surprised, thus becoming a bit tearful with joy.

Chen Yi felt guilty inside but couldn't say anything, so he smiled and said, "After all, she is my woman. How could I not care? If there were too many women, I might not manage, but I don't have that many."

"I will surely convey the master's sincere feelings to the lady," Xiuhe said.

"No need," replied Chen Yi, adding, "You also don't need to refer to yourself as 'slave' in front of me. However you call yourself in front of her, you can just call yourself the same here."

"…Alright."

Xiuhe wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes.

As they turned along the path, they suddenly saw Lin Wanxiao. The New Year atmosphere had brought some color to her cheeks, making them less pale. Under the plum tree, her figure was graceful and serene.

She saw Chen Yi and Xiuhe walking together, was a bit surprised, then covered her face and left from under the plum tree.

"Stop."

Chen Yi called out, and she actually stopped.

Lin Wanxiao slightly furrowed her brows, looking somewhat unwilling. Xiuhe brought over the sour plum soup, and she asked her to put it back in the hall.

"Xiuhe told me you wanted some candy."

"…She was talking nonsense."

"If you are embarrassed to get it yourself, you can just ask me to get it."

Saying so, Chen Yi fumbled out a handful of candies from his pocket and offered it to her. The young lady didn't extend her hand, so Chen Yi, knowing her stubborn nature, simply grabbed her hand and put it in her palm,

"Take it. I told you I'm happy to do small things."

"...What kind of thing is this?"

Chen Yi wasn't sure if she was complaining that the matter was too petty or just complaining for the sake of it.

Thinking it over, he still said, "I can't accompany you tonight. I need to join the host for the New Year's Eve dinner."

"I never expected you to keep me company."

"Ha, so arrogant."

Saying this, Chen Yi suddenly pinched her face. Lin Wanxiao couldn't dodge in time and had to let him have his way,

"You're the type of woman who is conquered last in the 'Gal Game.'"

Lin Wanxiao frowned extremely tightly, wanting to move his hand but found she couldn't, so she reluctantly let go and said:

"What are you talking about, 'Gal Game?' I don't understand."

The speaker had no intention, but the listener did. Chen Yi couldn't help feeling a bit melancholy. Zhou Yitang wasn't there, and the little fox who understood the Heavenly Ear wasn't there either; no one could understand his joke.

Moreover, this young lady in front of him, always distant because she was forcibly brought into the mansion, never willing to get close to him.

He let go of her hand and corrected, "It's 'Gal Game.'

"…'Gal Game…'"

Hearing her blurt it out, it was purely to deal with him. Chen Yi sighed after all, he shouldn't have hoped to connect with her on a deeper level and said:

"When you hear me talking about things that make me happy, you should be happy with me. Your current indifference and impatience are not how it is in Gal Games."

Lin Wanxiao didn't respond to him this time; it was unclear if she had heard or not.

Chen Yi turned and left, not entangling further with her.

Indeed, he was willing to do small things for Lin Wanxiao, but she wasn't willing to open her heart to him, so that was all there was. He still had to focus more on other women.

......

Half of the twilight sank into the distant mountains, and the Prince Mansion's garden torches had lit up half the sky.

The ink had dried on the painting, Qin Qingluo softly blew on it, studying it carefully. There was always a place that didn't satisfy her, but given the busy holiday affairs, she scarcely found time to paint, to handle the brush and pigments—she couldn't find fault.

In the painting, there were only two people: one riding ahead to inspect the land, and one following behind, leisurely traveling.

This painting was a farewell gift. He couldn't stay forever in the Southern Border; when he mentioned the Western Jin before, she already knew his intention to leave, so she didn't bother to persuade him to stay. His roots weren't here.

A candy wrapped in oil paper lay in the corner of the painting. Qin Qingluo picked it up when she was drying the painting and tossed it in her hand.

Because there was only one piece of candy, Qin Qingluo didn't have the heart to eat it then. Such a thought amused her, and she laughed self-mockingly twice,

"Let's consider it for that bitch's sentiment."

She put it in her pocket, thinking of sharing it with Chen Yi during the New Year's Eve dinner.

The Prince Mansion lights were lighting up one by one, with the torches' glow and the lanterns' warm light intermingling, full of the year-end atmosphere.

Not long after, Qin Qingluo carefully rolled up the dried painting, tied it with a silk ribbon, and put it along with that solitary piece of candy into her sleeve. She tidied her robe and walked out of the art hall.

Turning through several corridors, she arrived at the dining hall within the inner courtyard, where the family dined daily. At this moment, the hall was brightly lit, bustling with people, and before entering, Qin Qingluo already saw the familiar figure of Zhu E inside, busily directing everyone.

Zhu E was wearing a slightly formal reddish robe with lotus patterns, her hair styled in an elegant coiffure, instructing a few maidservants. Her finger was lightly tapping the tableware layout on the table. Under the candlelight, her eyebrows were still exquisite, her demeanor was serious as if she were the mansion's mistress taking care of affairs.

Qin Qingluo's steps paused outside the threshold.

The discord that arose a few days ago in the garden, due to Chen Yi, had not been mentioned again, but the grudge was like thin ice, yet to melt away completely. At this moment facing Zhu E, Qin Qingluo suddenly didn't know how to speak normally.

After a moment of hesitation, she stepped inside, speaking with a somewhat halting voice:

"Aunt Zhu."

Hearing the voice, Zhu E turned her head and saw Qin Qingluo, her face showing no difference. Instead, she smiled warmly and kindly, as if those unpleasantnesses had never occurred.