Chapter 82: Slightly Drunk (1)

When Qi Ying returned to Fenghe Garden, it was still before the seventh day of the month.

Qingji Mountain remained unchanged from three years ago. The stone steps in the mountain still numbered one hundred and eight, and two lanterns still hung at the entrance of Fenghe Garden’s white-walled, black-tiled gate—nothing had changed.

Entering the garden and proceeding to the flower hall, he could see from afar that the main hall was brightly lit, lively and bustling. In the courtyard before the hall, Xuétuán was playfully pawing at a small embroidered ball. The maids found it endearing and were gathered around, laughing and teasing it.

Three years had passed, and Xuétuán had grown up, its size much larger than when it was young. Thanks to careful care from its master, it was well-nourished, significantly plumper, with fluffy, snow-white fur. It looked like a round ball, and when it ran after the small ball on the ground, one couldn’t tell which was the cat and which was the ball.

The maids were enjoying themselves so much that they didn’t notice the return of their second master. Qingzhu, following behind Qi Ying, noticed their lack of decorum and coughed slightly louder to signal them.

Those maids weren’t strangers; they were Shui Pei, Feng Chang, and Zi Jun.

Upon hearing Qingzhu’s cough, they turned around and saw their master standing at the gate. They were startled and immediately stopped laughing, bowing to Qi Ying. This cough also drew out Bai Song, who had been standing quietly in the corner with his sword. He emerged from the inconspicuous shadows and paid his respects to Qi Ying.

Qi Ying glanced at Bai Song, nodded, then casually waved his hand to dismiss the maids from their bows. He then stepped into the flower hall but didn’t see the person he was looking for. After passing through the screen and taking his seat, he asked indifferently, “Where is your Miss?”

Over the three years, the changes in the maids were minimal. Shui Pei was still in charge, and upon hearing her master’s question, she respectfully replied, “In response to Master, our Miss went straight to the kitchen upon returning today. She is personally making longevity noodles for you. Judging by the time, she should be…”

Before Shui Pei finished speaking, everyone heard footsteps in the courtyard. The maids exchanged glances, knowing it was their Miss. Shui Pei promptly closed her mouth and silently retreated to the side with Feng Chang and Zi Jun.

Qi Ying also heard the commotion. He raised his eyes toward the entrance of the flower hall and soon saw Shen Xiling emerge from behind the screen, holding a tray. Her appearance dazzled everyone in the room.

Three years had passed, and the once delicate and frail girl had transformed into a radiant young maiden.

Her appearance hadn’t changed much; she still resembled her younger self. Her enchanting eyes still shimmered, and the red mole between her brows remained as spirited as ever. What had changed was her demeanor. As a child, due to her circumstances, she often appeared timid and withdrawn. Now, she had become more gentle and poised, adding a touch of girlish charm. Her eyes seemed to have learned to speak over these three years; just a soft glance from her could instantly soften one’s heart.

She had grown taller, slender yet elegant. Today, she wore a white dress adorned with intricate embroidery, cinched at the waist, accentuating her beautiful figure. Her waist was slim, almost too narrow to grasp, yet where it should be fuller, it was indeed so, exuding a sense of allure.

Her face bore the serene beauty of a celestial maiden depicted in Buddhist scriptures, while her figure suggested the coquettish charm of a vixen spirit from folklore. Whoever laid eyes on her couldn’t help but marvel at Nüwa’s unparalleled artistry in creating such a stunning being.

Behind her, the screen was painted with vibrant flowers. Standing there vividly, she appeared as if placed within a colorful painting, even more dazzling. Just as their eyes met, her enchanting eyes immediately brightened with a full smile, making the entire flower hall seem brighter with her laughter.

Shui Pei observed clearly; the moment their Miss stepped in from behind the screen, the master’s expression softened. They exchanged a glance, seemingly calm and indifferent, yet she felt her heart flutter.

... Even an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

Her heart skipped a beat as she watched her Miss approach the master, gently placing the tray on the table and greeting Qi Ying, saying, “Master, you’ve returned.”

Her voice was gentle and melodious.

Before she could bow, Qi Ying reached out to lightly support her, a faint smile playing on his lips, shaking his head. He gestured to the seat beside him, indicating she should sit.

Shen Xiling glanced at Qi Ying, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Following his gesture, she sat down on the chair beside him. Then she heard him ask, “When did you return?”

“More than an hour ago,” Shen Xiling replied. “I should have returned earlier, but we encountered rain on the way, causing some delay.”

She paused, then began to recount the minor tribulations and hardships of the journey, even mentioning how the carriage got stuck in the mud several times.

Qi Ying listened attentively until she finished, then nodded. He gave her a quick once-over, then withdrew his gaze, saying indifferently, “It’s good that you’ve returned safely.”

His words were light, yet everyone in the room could detect an unusual tenderness.

This wasn’t new. Qingzhu and Bai Song, having followed Qi Ying for a long time, especially knew that over the past few years, as his position and authority grew, his conversations with others carried more coldness and imposing pressure. Only when talking to Shen Xiling did his tone soften noticeably, and today, for some reason, it seemed particularly gentle.

Everyone kept their eyes lowered, not daring to make a sound. They faintly heard their Miss softly respond, then heard their master say, “Traveling is tiring. You should rest after returning; why go through the trouble of cooking yourself?”

At this, their Miss seemed to remember the dishes on the table. Everyone then heard the sound of bowls and plates moving on the table as she took the bowl from the tray and pushed it in front of the master.

She said, “This must be done… Master, please try it. Though I returned in a hurry today, this soup has simmered for over an hour and should be palatable.”

Indeed, there was no need for her to say it; everyone knew the taste of the longevity noodles would be excellent. The moment she walked into the flower hall with it, the rich aroma filled the entire room, reminiscent of every birthday in previous years when she brought out the noodles.

This seemed to be an unwritten agreement between them: she must make longevity noodles for him, and for the past three years, he only ate the noodles she made.

Qi Ying now gazed at the bowl of noodles she pushed towards him. The broth was thick and white, made from fresh bamboo shoots, both beautifully colored and fragrantly rich.

The green onions were finely chopped, the sesame oil slowly simmered, and the noodles were as fine as silk—she had put great effort into it.

The fatigue from tonight’s socializing gradually dissipated in the aroma of this bowl of noodles. The faint pain in his stomach seemed to slowly subside as well. Qi Ying’s expression became even gentler. He picked up a piece of bamboo shoot with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth. The flavor slowly unfurled, just as it had for the past three years—rich yet refreshing.

Her culinary skills had always been exceptional.

He raised his eyes to look at her, seeing her watching him with those expressive eyes that seemed to speak. She looked both delighted and slightly nervous, asking, “… Is it good?”

It melted his heart.

Qi Ying nodded, looking at her and replying, “Mm, it’s good.”

He had always found her cooking delicious.

As the master’s words fell, Shui Pei couldn’t resist lifting her eyelids slightly to steal a glance at the two. She saw them exchange a brief glance through the steam rising from the bowl. It was very fleeting; soon, their Miss lowered her head slightly, blushing, while the master continued to look at her for a moment longer after she averted her gaze before returning to his meal.

For some reason, Shui Pei blushed upon witnessing this scene… as if she had seen something unspeakable.

She quickly averted her gaze.

The meal concluded after midnight.

Leaving the flower hall, Qingzhu accompanied the master back to Huaijin Courtyard to attend to his changing and resting. Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Shui Pei approaching.

Qingzhu greeted her, asking, “Why are you here? Does Miss Fang have something else?”

If one were to think about it, the one who hadn’t changed much over these three years was Qingzhu.

Three years ago, when he was still a half-grown boy, he was about the same height as Shui Pei. Now, even Shen Xiling had grown taller, but he hadn’t grown an inch, still about the same height as Shui Pei, and even slightly shorter than Shen Xiling.

His expression hadn’t changed either; it remained as solemn as when he was young. Despite being younger than Shui Pei, he carried himself with a precociously mature air, commanding respect.

Shui Pei curtsied to Qingzhu and then said, “Our Miss wishes to invite the master for a few words. Is the master available?”

Just as she finished, she glanced sideways and saw the lights in Huaijin Courtyard extinguished. Presumably, the master had already retired. Sure enough, she heard Qingzhu say, “It’s too late tonight. The master has already retired. You can inform Miss Fang that…”

Shui Pei felt disheartened on behalf of her Miss but saw that before Qingzhu finished speaking, the door to the main room of Huaijin Courtyard opened, and the master stood there, wrapping himself in his robe, asking, “Where does your Miss say she is?”

His voice was neither high nor low, his expression calm and composed, but Shui Pei inexplicably felt that the master was in a good mood. Thus, she reassured herself, turned to the master, and bowed, suppressing a smile as she respectfully replied, “In response to Master, she is at Wang Garden.”

When Qi Ying arrived for the rendezvous, Shen Xiling was sitting cross-legged in the pavilion by the small pond in Wang Garden. A small red clay stove was set up on the ground, with a fire burning on it and a small steamer placed on top, though it was unclear what was being steamed.

She heard the commotion and turned her head toward the stone gate of Wang Garden, just in time to see Qi Ying walk in, wrapped in his robe.

The master’s phoenix-like eyes gleamed as he stepped forward under the moonlight through the bamboo shadows, exuding an ethereal aura.

However, as soon as he entered the pavilion, he frowned and scolded her, “Why are you sitting on the ground again—get up.”

This “again” had some history behind it.

For the past three years, Wang Garden had remained off-limits to others, but Shen Xiling had become a frequent visitor, often sitting in the pavilion.

When Qi Ying was in Fenghe Garden, they sometimes talked together in the garden. When Qi Ying wasn’t around, she occasionally came alone to sit. Sitting alone wasn’t an issue, but when they chatted together, she felt it incomplete without eating and drinking. Consequently, they developed the habit of cooking in Wang Garden, transforming the once tranquil place into a lively, smoke-filled space.

Qi Ying didn’t actually mind her doing this. Since her cooking suited his taste, setting up a small stove to cook didn’t bother him. Instead, it always brought a sense of peace and tranquility. Therefore, he never objected. However, whenever she cooked, she had a habit of sitting on the ground. The ground was cold, and her constitution was weak, resulting in abdominal pain every month during…

He had repeatedly told her not to sit on the ground, but this little girl was feigning obedience. She promised sincerely in front of him, but as soon as he turned away, she resumed her old habits.

Shen Xiling glanced at his frowning face and pursed her lips, showing no intention of getting up. She said, “Didn’t Master have them install heated floors here? It’s very warm, not cold at all.”

Indeed, this was true.

Because she refused to change despite repeated admonishments, he had no choice but to let her be. Eventually, he had heated floors installed under the pavilion, which were used year-round except during the hottest summer months, ready for her occasional visits.

Installing heated floors in an outdoor pavilion and operating them for three seasons each year was unheard of anywhere else. But because he doted on her, he allowed it.

As Shen Xiling spoke, her eyes held a hint of playful coquetry, soft and tender, making it impossible for anyone to reprimand her further. Qi Ying was somewhat helpless with the little girl. He sighed, then bent down to feel the temperature of the floor. It was warm to the touch, indeed warmer than regular seating. He withdrew his hand and didn’t insist she get up anymore.

Author’s Note: Qi Ying: I’m going to sleep. Qingzhu: Yes, he’s sleeping. Shui Pei: Ah… Qingzhu: Stop looking, he’s really asleep. Let’s go. Shui Pei: Such a pity! Our Miss originally planned for a date, but it seems it’ll have to be postponed… Qi Ying: Wait a moment—I’m awake. Qingzhu: What? Are you targeting me because I’m short?