They wouldn't just protect him from the elements, pat him on the head, and then set off alone to a higher and more distant world.
The atmosphere was inexplicably sad and heavy. Luo Cuiwei felt a little uncomfortable. After sighing again, she got up, opened the window, and called Tao Yin to bring some tea and snacks.
"Alright, I'll make time to accompany you to apologize to Miss Fu Qi tomorrow."
Gao Zhan, being a man of principle, immediately said with remorse, "Since I'm the one who caused this mess, there's no reason for you to suffer for me and put on a smiling face. I'll go myself."
“I’d better go with you. I’m afraid you’ll get into a fight with someone again if you disagree,” Luo Cuiwei said with a smile. “After all, you two might be colleagues in the future. If you really fall out over something so small, it will not only be difficult to work together in the future, but people will also think you are reckless and troublesome.”
****
Over tea and snacks brought by Tao Yin, the two chatted for a while. Gao Zhan relaxed considerably, and the previous unpleasantness vanished instantly.
After happily finishing the whole plate of honey jujube cake, Gao Zhan picked up his cup, took a sip of warm tea, and suddenly sighed with regret.
"If it weren't for His Highness Prince Zhao's ruthless and swift action..."
After saying that half-sentence, he turned around warily to look at the half-open hall door. To make sure no one was eavesdropping, he leaned his head across the table and got close to Luo Cuiwei, lowering his voice to hum, "I originally wanted you to be my sister-in-law."
"Huh?" Luo Cuiwei paused, her hand holding the cup to her lips, then laughed and spat, "What nonsense is this?"
"Do you remember the flower-viewing banquet that my family didn't manage to hold last year?" Gao Zhan raised an eyebrow mysteriously, as if he had a huge secret.
Luo Cuiwei slowly put down her teacup and nodded blankly, "Yes, you said your house was haunted and all the flowers fell off overnight."
"Hmph, what a mess," Gao Zhan wrinkled his nose and said softly, "It was only after my second brother investigated that we found out it was General Xiong who secretly led his men to carry out this heinous act in the dark of night."
Xiong Xiaoyi had no grudges or dealings with the Duke of He's family. Who else could he be, besides that righteous-looking Prince Zhao, to order him to do such a pointless thing?
Luo Cuiwei was stunned, but for some reason she wanted to laugh.
“I thought to myself, I don’t have a sister like you, but I can have a sister-in-law like you,” Gao Zhan said regretfully, clenching his fist and waving his hand. “I have five older brothers, four of whom are not married. They are good at both martial arts and literature, so you can have whichever one you like.”
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness," Luo Cuiwei replied listlessly, feeling at a loss for words.
This guy treats his brothers like cabbages, letting anyone pick them at will?
****
When Luo Cuiwei escorted Gao Zhan to the courtyard gate, she happened to run into Yun Lie returning.
Having just spoken ill of someone behind his back, and this person was none other than the King of Linchuan, who held his future and life in his hands, Gao Zhan immediately shrank back timidly, blushed, greeted him, and then hurriedly fled for his life.
Halfway there, he turned back abruptly and gave Luo Cuiwei a meaningful look from afar.
Luo Cuiwei smiled and nodded, indicating that she would not betray him, and he left with peace of mind.
Yun Lie frowned suspiciously, but pursed his thin lips and asked nothing. He simply took her hand and led her back.
“He had a little unpleasantness with Miss Fu today,” Luo Cui said with a smile, shaking his hand as they clasped together. “I called him over to say a few words.”
"Then what was he feeling guilty about just now?" Yun Lie snorted and squeezed her hand a little harder.
"I scolded him so much that he's become very guilty around everyone," Luo Cuiwei laughed and made up a story before quickly changing the subject. "I didn't expect you to come back so early. Dinner isn't ready yet. If you're hungry, have some snacks to tide you over?"
Yun Lie and Song Jiuyuan went to inspect the progress of the city defense construction today. They were out running around all day and only ate a few bites of dry food at noon.
He hadn't felt hungry while he was out, but now that his wife was beside him, speaking sweetly and caringly, he suddenly felt quite hungry.
So he nodded and put the annoying Gao Zhan out of his mind.
"I remember there's still some of the honey jujube cake you made for me a few days ago..."
Luo Cuiwei cleared her throat awkwardly, smiled apologetically, and whispered, "I brought it out to treat everyone after I had Gao Zhan talk earlier."
There was only one plate left, and it was all eaten clean.
"There's also white sugar cake made by Tao Yin in the kitchen... Hey!"
Before Luo Cuiwei could finish speaking, Yun Lie's face turned ashen, and he released her hand and headed for the bedroom.
Where are you going?
Her soft, slightly reproachful voice held Yun Lie's feet captive.
He turned around, his eyes gleaming: "Go to sleep."
Actually, he wanted to chop Gao Zhan up and make meat patties.
Lately, he and Luo Cuiwei have both been very busy, and the time they can spend alone to have a casual and intimate chat is less than half an hour in total.
And that damned Gao Zhan!
He finished an entire plate of his honey-flavored jujube cake, which means that Gao Zhan and he had a very pleasant conversation for at least an hour today!
Is there no law anymore?! Is there no justice left?!
“Who’s so stingy?” Luo Cuiwei walked over and tugged at his sleeve, soothing him with a soft laugh. “Tomorrow… oh, tomorrow won’t do. I’ll make you another one after tomorrow, okay?”
Yun Lie frowned. "Why not tomorrow?"
"I have to go with Gao Zhan tomorrow..."
"Luo Cuiwei, this is going too far!" Yun Lie said angrily, his face turning cold.
In fact, Luo Cuiwei knew that if she coaxed him as usual, she should be able to appease him quickly. However, she didn't know if it was because she was too tired today or what, but when she saw Yun Lie's cold attitude, she suddenly felt a surge of anger.
So she also put on a stern face, flicked his sleeve, and turned to walk towards the kitchen.