Although no one knew what was going on, the sudden and undisguised fierce killing intent in Yun Lie's eyes was easy to sense.
Luo Cuiwei secretly gave a wink, and Luo Fengming, understanding immediately, led Gao Zhan and Xiahou Ling with Luo Cuizhen, and quickly fled.
In an instant, only Luo Cuiwei and Yun Lie remained standing side by side in the corridor of the Luo family's courtyard.
Yun Lie noticed a careful movement on his sleeve. He turned his head and looked down, only to see a fair and delicate hand gently clinging to the edge of his sleeve.
It was a hand completely different from those of rough men who wielded spears and swords.
Her slender, white fingers were adorned with brightly colored nail polish, adding a touch of refined elegance and languid charm.
Yun Lie couldn't quite put his finger on what color this nail polish was, but he felt it resembled cherries swaying unknowingly on branches under the blazing summer sun, making one's mouth water even from eight miles away.
Soft, fair hands gently clung to the sleeves of her purple-brown robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns. The scene was truly beautiful and heartwarming.
A light, dark red blush suddenly spread across his handsome, bronze-colored face, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
What sharpness, what murderous aura, those are all illusions.
"What's wrong?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Yun Lie hurriedly cleared his throat in annoyance.
Who was that just now?! Who spoke?!
It meowed listlessly, looking utterly pathetic.
Luo Cuiwei withdrew her hand, smiling slightly as she teased, "You've had the tea, the meal, and the misunderstanding has been cleared up, shouldn't you..."
"Are you trying to turn away guests?" Yun Lie glanced at her indifferently, interrupting her.
“I was afraid you’d get bored,” Luo Cui said with a smile and shook her head. “There’s no one in my family who can keep you company and help you pass the time.”
Yun Lie gave a noncommittal "Oh" and turned his head to look into the courtyard.
Is she worried he'll be bored or uncomfortable? Such meticulous care and consideration—it must be for him…right?
Seeing that he didn't answer and showed no intention of leaving, Luo Cuiwei was a little troubled and casually said with a smile, "I can't exactly take you to stroll through my garden, can I?"
Why not?
In truth, Yun Lie had no interest in strolling through the garden, but for some reason, he sensed that she wanted to send him away, and he couldn't help but insist on getting back at her.
Originally, Luo Cuiwei had just said it casually, but as she got to this point, she suddenly remembered the purple-backed palm in the garden.
If Yun Lie were taken to the garden, he would discover that the Luo family already had two pots of purple-backed sunflowers, and her initial excuse for approaching the Prince Zhao's residence would be exposed on the spot.
Although she would have to be honest with him about these things sooner or later, she wasn't ready yet. She was afraid that if she didn't speak carefully, the situation would become awkward.
Now that it was Lunar New Year's Eve, the atmosphere between the two had eased a bit, and she really didn't want to cause any unpleasantness at this time.
In her haste, Luo Cuiwei didn't think much of it and gently pushed his shoulder: "I'm stingy. I'm afraid you'll see how pretty my flowers are and start eyeing them!"
Yun Lie's tall, battle-hardened figure was as imposing as a small mountain; if he hadn't been willing, Luo Cuiwei wouldn't have been able to easily shake him.
But he was willing to do it anyway.
As she let him push her forward, she turned back and chuckled, "I'm not going to let you steal it."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness Prince Zhao is a man of integrity, of course he wouldn't..." Luo Cuiwei struggled to support his shoulder, took a small breath, and smiled ingratiatingly as she talked nonsense, "I was afraid that I would be unable to resist giving it to you! If I gave it to you and you returned it, I would really lose face."
Looking at her smiling face, which was more beautiful than a flower, Yun Lie felt a surge of heat in his heart and regretted what he had just said.
Forget it, he'd better leave the Luo family as soon as possible.
otherwise……
He'll probably sneak around and steal Luo Cuiwei away.
****
Since Yun Lie personally visited on the tenth day of the first lunar month, the past grievances have been resolved, and the Luo family's seven-jeweled jeweled sedan chair has frequently appeared at the gate of Prince Zhao's mansion again.
However, it was usually Xiahou Ling who came.
After all, Luo Cuiwei was not a pampered girl who stayed at home all day. The reason she could go to Prince Zhao's mansion every day before the New Year, rain or shine, was because she happened to be free at that time.
Now that spring has arrived, the Luo family's businesses from all over the country are sending account books and business reports to the capital in an endless stream, making her wish she could split herself into eight pieces. Many matters that require travel and interaction have been handed over to Luo Fengming and Xiahou Ling to handle.
On the afternoon of the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Yun Lie returned to the Prince Zhao's residence from the inner city and happened to meet Xiahou Ling, who had come to deliver something, at the gate.
Xiahou Ling greeted Yun Lie with proper etiquette, and Yun Lie then casually inquired about the purpose of her visit.
"The young lady said that the camp in Linchuan is located near the mountains and there doesn't seem to be much to do, so she asked me to send some 'twenty-eight-sided running lanterns' over. Your Highness could have them sent to Linchuan so that the soldiers can have some fun when they have free time."
The "twenty-eight-sided running horse lantern" mentioned by Xiahou Ling was a type of lantern for entertainment. It was commonly seen on the streets of the capital during festivals, and wealthy families in the capital would also keep a few for occasional enjoyment.
Each lamp contains twenty-eight interconnected picture cards, which are glued to a paper wheel inside the lamp casing. When the wick inside is lit, the heat from the flame causes the picture cards to rotate slowly, and the landscapes, people, and horses on the picture cards come to life, playing out the story of the twenty-eight picture cards together.
"The eldest young lady also said that the paintings were all engraved by our great-aunt Luo Bibo herself. They are not easy to buy outside, but they are not too valuable either. Please, Your Highness, do not return them to our family." Xiahou Ling suppressed a laugh and repeated Luo Cuiwei's words.
This was a veiled jab at Yun Lie for returning the Luo family's New Year's gifts earlier; only Luo Cuiwei would dare to say such a thing.
"Thank you for your trouble," Yun Lie nodded in thanks, then coughed awkwardly twice. "Um, Luo Cuiwei... is she very busy?"
Since he returned from the Luo family on the tenth day of the month, he hadn't seen her for three days.
This Luo Cuiwei is really outrageous. She went to such great lengths to prepare such a thoughtful gift, so why didn't she come and deliver it herself?
If you admire someone and want to please them, why don't you show yourself and just have someone else deliver the gifts? Don't you know that sincerity is needed to move even the hardest heart?