Chapter 114: A Pleasant Conversation

After the crowd dispersed, Wu Laosan poured a cup of wine for Li Shimin. “Come, Second Master, allow me to offer you this cup. Thank you for taking care of Meixue these past few months. This girl has had a hard life—she’s been alone since she was young. I’m useless, only good for farming and hunting. Not only have I failed to give her a single day of comfort, but I’ve also forced her to work to support the family. I truly feel ashamed of myself.”

Yunyi frowned slightly. “Father, why are you bringing this up during the New Year? Besides, how many times have I told you—I don’t feel any hardship at all.”

Wu Laosan chuckled. “Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more.” Raising his cup, he said to Li Shimin, “Second Master, please.”

To his surprise, Li Shimin didn’t raise his cup immediately but instead said, “I’ll drink this cup, but Uncle Wu must promise me one thing.”

This made Wu Laosan somewhat uneasy. “What is it?”

Li Shimin smiled. “I call you ‘Uncle,’ yet you refer to yourself as ‘this lowly person.’ It makes me uncomfortable. Please stop addressing yourself that way—it diminishes my blessings.”

Realizing it was such a simple matter, Wu Laosan readily agreed. He was growing fonder of this Second Master by the moment—not only was he kind-hearted, but he was also humble, lacking the arrogance often seen in noble-born youths. How wonderful it would be if he could become his son-in-law! Alas, even though Li Shimin was approachable, he was still the second son of the governor’s residence—a match far beyond their reach.

Unaware of Wu Laosan’s thoughts, Li Shimin tipped his head back and downed the wine in one gulp. The fiery liquid burned down his throat, spreading warmth through his body like a comforting stream in the winter cold.

As Wu Laosan refilled Li Shimin’s cup, he said, “If Meixue ever does anything wrong in the future, I hope you’ll forgive her, Second Master.”

“I will, Uncle Wu, don’t worry.” After they clinked cups once more, Wu Laosan placed a fragrant roasted pheasant leg into Li Shimin’s bowl. “Here, Second Master, try this.”

“Uncle Wu is too kind,” Li Shimin replied, taking a bite. After swallowing, he praised, “It’s tender and delicious—far better than ordinary domestic chicken.”

Wu Laosan laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Next time I go into the mountains, I’ll see if I can find more. If I do, I’ll have Meixue send some to you.”

“Uncle Wu is too considerate.” As they continued their conversation, they drank together, laughing and chatting despite their vastly different statuses. They even discussed going hunting together in the mountains next time.

The meal lasted nearly half an hour. Yunyi accompanied Li Shimin outside afterward. After walking a short distance, she pointed ahead and said, “That path leads straight to where we first met. I’ll see you off here, Second Master. Take care on your way.”

Just as she turned to leave, Li Shimin suddenly spoke. “On the fifth day, don’t return to the residence. Stay home and spend more time with Uncle Wu.”

Yunyi, sharp as always, immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words. “They haven’t given up?”

“Don’t worry about this matter. Just wait for my messenger before returning to the residence.”

“I understand.” After a brief silence, Yunyi couldn’t help but ask, “Have they caused trouble for you, Second Master?”

Li Shimin smiled faintly. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Spend the New Year well with Uncle Wu. I’ll take my leave now.”

Though Li Shimin spoke lightly, Yunyi clearly saw the difficulty and helplessness in his eyes. Wang Wei and Gao Junya must have pressured him greatly, yet he still chose to protect her, refusing to hand her over to appease them. Li Shimin…

A cold gust of wind brushed against her face, startling her out of her thoughts. She shivered and slapped her cheeks forcefully, repeatedly reminding herself that no matter how kind Li Shimin was to her, he was still her enemy. She had to kill him—she absolutely had to!

Unbeknownst to Yunyi, Chunxiu stood nearby, biting her lip tightly in resentment. Why did Meixue get the Second Master’s favor while she was stuck doing menial labor in the firewood shed? She worked herself to exhaustion every day and could only return home for a single day during the New Year. This was so unfair!

Chunxiu grew increasingly resentful. Just as Yunyi was about to reach her doorstep, Chunxiu rushed forward and grabbed her arm. “You, stop right there!”

“You?” Yunyi looked at her in surprise. “What is it?”

Chunxiu glared at her and sneered. “You’re quite the manipulator, aren’t you? Not satisfied with seducing the Second Master at the residence, now you’ve brought him to your house during the New Year.” Without waiting for Yunyi to respond, she shook her head mockingly. “Wu Laosan seems honest enough—how did he end up raising such a shameless daughter?”

Yunyi didn’t speak but simply stared coldly at her. Under her piercing gaze, Chunxiu felt a chill run down her spine but tried to mask her fear with bravado. “Why are you staring at me like that? Am I wrong?”

“Are you done? If you’re done, then leave!” Yunyi’s harsh words infuriated Chunxiu, who snapped back, “Don’t think you’ve really won the Second Master’s favor. With his status, even being his concubine would be too good for you!”

Yunyi laughed bitterly. “I’m not worthy, but are you? Even if you stripped naked in front of him, he wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”

“You!” Chunxiu was so enraged she couldn’t speak. At that moment, Wu Laosan heard the commotion outside and came out. Seeing Yunyi and Chunxiu standing confrontationally at the door, he was startled and quickly stepped in to mediate. “Isn’t this Chunxiu? What a coincidence! Have you eaten yet? If not, why don’t you come inside and have something? We still have half a pheasant left!”

Chunxiu sneered disdainfully. “Who would eat your pig slop? And who gave you permission to call me by name?”

Wu Laosan was embarrassed by her rebuke and stood awkwardly, unsure what to say. While he could endure it, Yunyi couldn’t. A flash of murderous intent appeared in her eyes as she coldly said, “Are you done? If you’re done, then leave!”

Wu Laosan was startled by her words and quickly grabbed her hand, scolding her. “Girl, don’t talk like that! Quickly apologize to Chun… to Miss Feng.”

Chunxiu trembled with anger, brushing her sleeve aside sharply. “No need! I don’t deserve such an apology. However…” She glared at them, her voice dripping with venom. “I’ll tell my father everything that happened here, mark my words!”

Terrified, Wu Laosan hurriedly tried to placate her. “Miss Feng, let’s talk this over calmly, Miss Feng? Miss Feng?!”

No matter how much he called after her, Chunxiu stormed off without looking back. Yunyi pulled Wu Laosan, who was about to chase after her, and said, “Father, don’t bother with her.”

Wu Laosan stamped his foot anxiously. “How can I ignore her? If she tells her father Feng Cheng about this, we’ll never have peace again!” He added unhappily, “And you, girl! Knowing how domineering she is, why did you provoke her like that? You’ve never acted this way before.”

Yunyi lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Father. I was reckless. It won’t happen again.”