His brow twitched slightly, and he looked up at me.
I then realized that I was extremely close to his face, so close that I could see my own reflection in his eyes. His eyes were exceptionally dark, deep and unfathomable, and of course, it was impossible to see his thoughts.
He said calmly, "This is just a dagger, but it's a masterpiece by Master Mingxiang of the Jingwu Martial Arts School in the capital. I'm giving it to you for self-defense."
I was taken aback: "Self-defense?"
His gaze returned to the book, and after a long pause, he said, "You always have to be more careful around pretty girls."
His voice was as soft as a feather, carried gently to my ear by the wind. It took me a while to realize that he seemed to be saying that I was good-looking.
I was both happy and touched. I half-squatted down, looked up at him, and said, "Brother, you are so good to me. You are so thoughtful and considerate."
His brow twitched slightly again as he picked up his teacup and took a sip of the cool tea.
I was so touched that I couldn't help but add, "You're just like my mother." It was just a metaphor; I've heard that mothers are the ones who think the most about their children.
His lips twitched, as if he had choked on his herbal tea, and he coughed twice before saying, "I don't deserve it."
I felt as if his face was coated with an invisible layer of powder, and his eyelashes seemed to tremble slightly. Perhaps I was too excited and my eyes were playing tricks on me.
I carefully put the dagger away; it was a work by Master Mingxiang, and it was quite valuable.
Yunzhou was indeed generous; when he did make a move, it was astonishing.
I happily stepped out of my room in Yunzhou, feeling wonderful about celebrating my birthday. It's a pity it only happens once a year.
As soon as I returned to my room, I saw my master walk in carrying a bundle. My heart sank, and I frowned.
My master handed me the bundle: "This is being delivered to the mountain gate, just like every year."
I looked at the bundle and said dryly, "Looks like they remember my birthday very well." As I spoke, for some reason, a cool, sour feeling welled up in my eyes and teeth at the same time.
Seeing that I wouldn't take the bundle, my master had no choice but to put it on my table.
I took two steps forward, picked up my bundle, and walked straight out the door.
The master hurriedly called out, "Xiao Mo, what are you doing?"
"I threw it away."
"Aren't you going to take a look?"
"What's there to see? Inside are a hundred taels of silver notes, four sets of clothes for spring, summer, autumn and winter, and a gold lock for peace. There's no mistake."
This is the strange gift I receive every year. Every year on my birthday, I receive this bundle outside the mountain gate, and the contents have remained unchanged for fifteen years. Actually, seeing this every year makes me unhappy; it reminds me that I'm an abandoned person. Since they've abandoned me, why bother sending me something every year as if it's nothing?
I never wore the clothes inside. I treated the gold lock like a silver note, buying my master the most expensive and best wine. I didn't feel any pain when I spent it. This year, I decided to throw it away.
My master grabbed my arm and sighed, "Xiao Mo, perhaps your family has their own reasons. Forget it, stop being stubborn, just keep it."
Not wanting to disobey my master's wishes, I decided to secretly throw it away behind his back. So I casually placed the bundle on the table and didn't even want to look at it.
My master took a small cloth bag out of his pocket and handed it to me.
I immediately beamed: "Master, is this a gift for me?"
"yes."
I took the bag, opened it, and found a small vest, light white in color, with a pearly luster. It felt light as a feather in my hand, and a cool sensation seeped into my palm.
I was so delighted with it that I couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, the material of this vest is so good! Why didn't you give me the whole garment? I love it so much!"
The master gasped, his lips twitching, "Girl, do you know that this Golden Silkworm Jade Silk Garment is made from the silk spun by a rare snow silkworm that takes seven years to produce? And you're asking for the whole thing!"
I stuck out my tongue and chuckled, "Master, I'm just ignorant."
"This garment is perfect for keeping warm in winter, but it feels cool in summer."
"Master, you're so good to me." I happily hugged my master's arm and shook it twice.
The master leaned back, forcefully pulling his arm away, and coughed twice, saying, "Xiao Mo, this, 'coming of age' means that one is ready to get married."
"kindness."
"Well, you have no parents, so I'll have to take care of you. As the saying goes, 'Don't let the good stuff go to outsiders.' Our Xiaoyao Sect has plenty of male disciples. Sixteen senior brothers, you can choose whichever you like, I'll make the decision for you."
I was deeply moved. Such a wonderful master is rare in this world!
I blurted out, "Master, there's no need to choose. I think Senior Brother Yunzhou is the best."
The master paused for a moment: "He is indeed good, but you should know that feelings should always be mutual. I'm letting you choose, but you should also consider the other person's feelings, and being well-matched in terms of social status is also very important."
"I feel like we have a strong connection."
The master rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "Alright, I'll go talk to him."
I happily watched my master's departing figure; this birthday was truly wonderful.
That night, I lay in bed flipping through an old storybook, but I didn't really absorb anything.
The small purse swayed in front of me seven times. At first I didn't pay attention, but later I noticed that her expression was a little strange, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't, and her eyes were brimming with tears.
I put down my book and asked her, "Is something wrong?"
"Miss, I heard that Master is trying to arrange a marriage for you today?"
I nodded shyly. Actually, I was quite nervous, wondering if Yunzhou would agree. But he always respected his master, so he probably wouldn't refuse his master's matchmaking.
The woman with the small purse looked distressed: "Miss, actually, that..."