Regenbögen jagen

Kapitel 24

Di Xiu shook his head, "I don't know which side they are. It's best to avoid them for now."

Yu Chi Mingyue nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Di Xiu pulled her to the horse, patted its neck, and said, "Xi Zhui, let's go."

The horse seemed to understand, let out a long neigh, and galloped away.

Di Xiu pulled Yu Chi Mingyue up and said, "Come with me."

Yu Chi Mingyue smiled and nodded, following his steps as they entered the woods.

The night grew increasingly dark, and a light rain began to fall again. The rain soaked through her clothes, bringing a chill. Yu Chi Mingyue instinctively moved closer to Di Xiu. The warmth of his palm reassured her. Though she didn't know where they were going, she felt safe and secure, without a trace of fear.

She walked for a moment, then asked, "Di Xiu... will my father and my siblings be alright?"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu laughed again, "You only just remembered to ask?"

Yu Chi Mingyue frowned and said softly, "I... I was so flustered just now that I was only thinking about you..."

Di Xiu's voice, tinged with laughter, said, "Don't worry. Your father won't let anything happen to them..."

Upon hearing his words, Yu Chi Mingyue felt slightly relieved, but still felt a little puzzled.

"I really don't understand why things have come to this..." Yu Chi Mingyue sighed softly, filled with melancholy.

Di Xiu did not answer, but simply held her hand tighter.

Yu Chi Mingyue noticed the pressure of his fingers and asked no more questions. At this point, she had received what she wanted. There was no need to think about anything else…

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Yu Chi Mingyue followed Di Xiu for a long time, and as it approached the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), they arrived at a small town. Di Xiu led her around a cluster of houses, turned into an alley, and walked for a while before finally reaching a house.

It was an ordinary house, connected to a small courtyard planted with flowers and trees. The night was dark, making it difficult to discern details.

Di Xiu pushed open the courtyard gate, walked to a tree, brushed away the soil, and took out a key. He opened the door and pulled Yu Chi Mingyue inside.

After Di Xiu lit the lamp, Yu Chi Mingyue was able to see the situation inside the room clearly. It was a guest room about three zhang square. In the center of the room was a square table and four long benches. Opposite, against the wall, was a tea table and two bamboo chairs. The door on the left should be the kitchen, and the one on the right should be the bedroom.

Di Xiu held the lamp and led her into the bedroom. The bedroom was also simple. Besides the bed, there was only a camphor wood cabinet, a desk, and a chair. Yu Chi Mingyue couldn't help but think of his room in the Yu Chi family, which was also so simple and monotonous.

Di Xiu released her hand, put down the oil lamp, walked to the camphor wood cabinet, took out a few pieces of clothing, and handed them to her, saying, "Change out of your wet clothes. Put mine on first."

Yu Chi Mingyue took the clothes and nodded.

Di Xiu smiled and said, "I'll go boil some water." After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.

Yu Chi Mingyue laughed too. She changed her clothes and sat down on the edge of the bed. His clothes were really too big for her. She raised her arm, looked at the wide and long sleeves, and laughed happily. She thought for a moment, then withdrew her hand, smelling the scent on the clothes. The faint scent of camphor wood made her feel inexplicably shy, and she couldn't help but blush.

At that moment, Di Xiu's voice rang out along with the knocking: "Are you done yet?"

Yu Chi Mingyue immediately lowered her hand, sat up straight, and responded.

Di Xiu then pushed open the door and came in. He carried hot water and placed it on the low cabinet by the bedside. Then he wrung out a damp towel, walked to the bedside, and carefully wiped the dust off her face.

Yu Chi Mingyue looked at him, then frowned slightly and said, "Why don't you change your clothes?"

Di Xiu replied, "I'll change it later."

"No! Change it now!" Yu Chi Mingyue scolded, "You're not allowed to wear this dress!"

Di Xiu smiled helplessly and raised his hand to cover her eyes, "Just don't look."

Yu Chi Mingyue was slightly taken aback, then recalled that he had done the same thing before he regained his senses. A warmth welled up in her heart, and she couldn't help but sigh. Yes, he was who he was, he had never changed…

She gently grasped his wrist, pulled his hand away, and repeated softly, "...You're not allowed to wear this dress..."

Di Xiu smiled and shook his head. "Fourth Miss, you don't mean for me to take off my clothes in front of you, do you?"

Yu Chi Mingyue blushed and muttered with her head down, "...It's not like you haven't taken your clothes off before."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu felt a pang of shyness. He frowned, stood up, and said, "There's no point in dwelling on the past. You...you should rest!" With that, he picked up the water and left.

Seeing this, Yu Chi Mingyue quickly followed him out. Di Xiu noticed but did not stop her, letting her follow.

Yu Chi Mingyue followed Di Xiu to the kitchen, and as soon as she entered, she looked around with great curiosity. The stove, firewood, pots and pans were all things she had never seen before. A large pot on the stove was boiling water, steaming hot.

She walked to the stove and watched with interest as he ladled water. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I'll fetch the water for you; you go change your clothes!"

She was about to pick up the water ladle after she finished speaking, but as soon as she raised her hand, Di Xiu gently patted it.

"Don't touch it." Di Xiu frowned and scolded softly.

Yu Chi Mingyue frowned, rubbing the back of her hand, and said with dissatisfaction, "Fine, I won't touch it then. Humph!"

Di Xiu glanced at her and was deeply moved. His clothes were loose and baggy on her, looking completely out of place. The sleeves were longer than her fingers, and she didn't even bother to roll them up. Her hair was all down, draped over her shoulders like black satin. At this moment, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she was pursing her lips, as if she were angry, which made her look even more charming and lovely.

He had never imagined such a scene. But now, he knew that what he was seeing was not a dream. With a smile, he looked away and continued filling the container with water.

Seeing him smile, Yu Chi Mingyue smiled as well. She thought of something, paused for a moment, and then said, "Di Xiu... I'm not going back to the Nanling Prince's Mansion..."

Di Xiu was slightly surprised and turned to look at her.

“I know that my mother treated you that way, and sending you to the Prince of Nanling’s mansion will definitely put you in a difficult position…” Yu Chi Mingyue’s expression was very serious, and her words came out without the slightest hesitation. “Yu Chi Manor isn’t a good place either, so don’t worry about it. I’ll live here with you…” A smile appeared on her face, bright and beautiful. “Although I don’t know anything else, I’ve been learning needlework since I was little. From now on, you can farm, and I’ll do the embroidery, okay?”

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing his slight tremor as he laughed, Yu Chi Mingyue frowned and said angrily, "Is what I said so ridiculous?!"

Di Xiu looked up, smiling as she said, "I... don't know how to farm..."

Yu Chi Mingyue was startled, "Huh? You don't know how!"

Di Xiu laughed so hard he couldn't speak. It took him a while to catch his breath before he asked, "Why would I need to know that?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Mingyue frowned and asked with a troubled expression, "Then what should we do?"

Di Xiu was filled with helplessness. He put down the water ladle, took her hand, and led her back to the bedroom. He walked to the camphor wood wardrobe, opened the door, pulled out the bottom drawer, and took out a box. He opened the lid and handed it to Yu Chi Mingyue.

Yu Chi Mingyue looked down and saw that the box was divided into three compartments: one for silver notes, one for land deeds, and one for jewelry. Although she was naive, she knew the value of these things. She blinked, unsure of what to say for a moment.

Di Xiu smiled, with a hint of helplessness, and said, "I still have the means to get married and start a family."

Yu Chi Mingyue looked at him awkwardly, speechless.

Di Xiu closed the box lid, gently placed the box in her hand, and said, "We are only temporarily taking refuge. Once the situation has calmed down, I will go back to the Prince of Nanling's mansion with you."

Holding the box, Yu Chi Mingyue asked happily, "Are you willing to return to the Nanling Prince's Mansion?"

Di Xiu nodded and smiled, "I can't really let you elope with me, can I?" He sighed softly and said, "I deceived you before and acted too rashly. It was my fault. I will apologize to the Prince and the Princess properly..."

Hearing him say this, Yu Chi Mingyue was even more delighted. She put down the box, hugged him tightly, buried her face in his chest, and laughed softly.

Di Xiu gently hugged her, then picked her up and carried her to the bedside, placing her on the bed. He spread out the quilt, covered her up, and then said, "You must be tired, go to sleep."

Yu Chi Mingyue nodded, watching Di Xiu leave. But as he reached the door, she seemed to remember something and called out to him, "Di Xiu..."

Di Xiu stopped and turned to look at her. "What's wrong?"

Yu Chi Mingyue looked at him, smiled shyly, and said, "Actually, this outfit... looks very good on you..."

Di Xiu chuckled and nodded in response, "Thank you for your praise, Fourth Miss."

"Don't call me Fourth Miss!" Yu Chi Mingyue said, displeased.

Di Xiu smiled gently and called out, "Mingyue."

Hearing him call her that, Yu Chi Mingyue finally understood what contentment truly meant. A sense of peace washed over her, and drowsiness washed over her. She slowly closed her eyes, a smile on her face, and gradually drifted off to sleep…

Di Xiu walked out with a smile and gently closed the door. He stood outside, reluctant to leave. Just then, he sensed something was amiss, and his smile vanished. He strode outside and saw a person standing in the courtyard.

Upon seeing this person, Di Xiu frowned deeply. He lowered his voice and called out, "Master..."

The newcomer was none other than Yuchi Siguang. He stood in the misty rain, his hands behind his back, looking slightly annoyed.

Di Xiu was on guard, watching him silently.

Yu Chi Siguang sighed softly, and said in a similarly low voice, "Surprising, isn't it?" He paced a few steps, "This residence, though secluded, isn't hard to find..."

Di Xiu suppressed his panic and looked around.

"Don't worry, it's just me." Yu Chi Siguang glanced at the light in the bedroom window and said, "I don't want to wake Mingyue."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu's fear intensified.

“Di Xiu, you’ve been by my side since you were a child. I know you very well,” Yu Chi Siguang said. “Over the years you’ve served as steward, you’ve constantly purged my cronies and secretly embezzled the assets of Yu Chi Manor. I’ve been aware of these things for a long time, but I haven’t done anything to you. Do you know why?”

Di Xiu frowned and replied, "Because I still have value to you."

“Wrong,” Yuchi Siguang laughed. “Because whatever you do is under my control. You can’t beat me, so I’m not worried at all.”

Di Xiu couldn't help but feel a pang of hatred.

“I didn’t want to kill you.” Yuchi Siguang’s smile faded as he said, “But you’ve gone too far. You’re not satisfied with just swallowing up Yuchi Manor; you also want to set your sights on the Prince of Nanling’s Mansion?!”

Di Xiu sneered, "Master, you are overthinking it."

“Now that things have come to this, there’s no need for you to make excuses.” Yu Chi Si Guang sighed. “It’s a pity that Ming Yue is so naive and has been deceived by you. If you die, she will surely be heartbroken. It would be better if you were to leave her unfaithfully. …Speak your last wishes. As your servant, I will grant them.”

"Yuchi Siguang, don't force me!" Di Xiu gritted his teeth and said, forcing a low voice.

"It seems he has no last wishes." Yuchi Siguang smiled faintly, said no more, and struck Di Xiu with a palm.

Di Xiu did not dodge, but responded with a palm strike.

Their palms clashed, forcing both of them back several steps. Di Xiu staggered back to the table, feeling his internal energy churning and realizing he was no match for them.

Yuchi Siguang shook his arm. "My martial arts skills are good, but my internal strength is still lacking. Just accept your fate."

Having said that, he raised his palm again, about to attack once more. At that moment, a gust of wind broke through, and a figure suddenly flashed into the room, blocking the two men.

Di Xiu recognized the newcomer and exclaimed in surprise, "Sir?"

Yu Chi Siguang took a step back, also surprised: "You...you're from Meigu?"

The newcomer was none other than Mei Ziqi. He greeted him with a smile, addressing him respectfully as "Master of the Manor," and then said, "Hehe, we're all family, let's not be so aggressive. Let's talk this out."

Yuchi Siguang frowned. "It's none of other people's business to interfere in the affairs of Yuchi Manor."

“Master, it was indeed originally a family matter of your Yuchi Manor, but…” Mei Ziqi smiled helplessly, glanced back at Di Xiu, and said, “But he will soon become the grandson-in-law of the Prince of Nanling, so Master should still give the Prince some face.”

"Grandson-in-law?!" Yuchi Siguang exclaimed in shock and anger, "Absurd! How could the Prince agree to this marriage!"

Just as Mei Ziqi was about to persuade her again, she heard a gentle female voice from outside the door say, "I agree."