That year, Xue Cen still had a touch of youthfulness about him, appearing gentle and refined.
He paid his respects to General Yu at the front steps, conversing amicably with his good friend Yu Huanchen, yet his gaze kept unconsciously drifting to the corridor, following that graceful and enchanting figure.
“What are you looking at?”
Yu Huanchen followed his line of sight, then casually draped an arm around Xue Cen’s shoulder and gave him a playful shake, deliberately teasing, “Listen, you’re already betrothed to my eldest sister, so why do your eyes only see my second sister? You rascal, you can’t be eyeing another dish while eating from your bowl!”
“Yu Huanchen!”
Yu Xinyi despised when others joked about this matter. Angered, she struck the stone table and coldly scoffed, “Try talking nonsense again? Who’s betrothed to that bookworm!”
Xue Cen had a good temperament. Smiling, he shook his head and freed himself from Yu Huanchen’s grasp.
He unconsciously touched his sleeve and softly called out: “Second Sister.”
Yu Lingxi, who was pouring tea, turned around, her face immediately brightening with a smile as she nodded in greeting: “Brother Cen.”
“Second Sister, may I have a word with you?” Xue Cen’s eyes contained the warm light of winter as he gestured a “please” toward the side.
The Yu household was open-minded, without the many restrictive rules of other families. Yu Lingxi nodded and confidently walked with him beneath the moon gate.
“This is for you, Second Sister.”
Xue Cen retrieved a small, long, and exquisite gift box from his sleeve, quite solemnly presenting it to Yu Lingxi.
Meanwhile, in the hall.
Madam Yu gazed through the window toward the moon gate in the courtyard, her tea-brewing motions slowing.
General Yu blew on his tea leaves and glanced outside following his wife’s gaze.
He chuckled, saying unconcernedly: “The Xue family leads the civil officials, while our Yu family ranks highest among military generals. Our families have been friends for generations, so, normally, our children often visit and play together, developing close relationships.”
“That may be true, but the children have grown up now, unlike when they were young.”
Madam Yu cast a reproachful glance at her rough-hewn husband, “Have you forgotten? The Xue family made a verbal marriage agreement with us back then. Though they didn’t specify which of our daughters since Sui Sui wasn’t born yet, everyone assumed the betrothal was to Xinyi. I worry that if Sui Sui and Young Master Xue become too close, it might cause trouble for both daughters.”
“My lady worries too much.”
General Yu set down his teacup and reassuringly patted Madam Yu’s still-delicate hand, “Both daughters are the apple of my eye. The Xue family would do well marrying either one. As long as the children like each other and are mutually fond, that is enough.”
“That’s true. I see Xinyi doesn’t seem to have those kinds of feelings for Young Master Xue. If Sui Sui truly likes him…”
After some thought, Madam Yu said, “Very well, I’ll ask our daughter about her feelings later. As for the Xue family’s thoughts, please explore that further, my husband.”
General Yu agreed.
Beneath the moon gate, the sun cast lazy, long shadows.
Opening the gift box, she saw an exquisitely carved white jade purple-haired brush.
For bamboo brushes, one judges the lacquer; for jade brushes, one judges the carving. Such delicate jade carving was the work of a master, requiring considerable effort.
“Brother Cen, this brush is too valuable.” Yu Lingxi’s first reaction was to refuse.
Xue Cen maintained his posture, saying gently: “It was just something I happened to acquire. Remembering Second Sister’s talent for calligraphy and painting, I took the liberty of purchasing it. If Second Sister doesn’t like it, then I’ve acted inappropriately.”
With the conversation having reached this point, further refusal would seem ungracious.
Yu Lingxi had no choice but to accept it with both hands, smiling: “It would be impolite to refuse. Thank you, Brother Cen.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Xue Cen gazed at her smiling eyes, his earlobes turning slightly red.
Yet a trace of melancholy spread in his heart.
The vivacious young woman before him remained as close and sincere as before, yet not as adoring as previously, with no shy blush coloring her small face anymore.
Three months apart, she seemed to have matured significantly—calmer, more beautiful, and… more distant.
Not only Xue Cen, but Yu Xinyi also noticed something amiss.
“Sui Sui, did Xue Cen upset you?” Yu Xinyi asked when the sisters were catching up in their room later.
Yu Lingxi’s almond eyes darted: “Why would Sister say that?”
Yu Xinyi, with her high ponytail, unbuckled her sword and sat at the desk, laughing spiritedly: “Didn’t you always follow Xue Cen around like a little tail before? Today you were so quiet, barely exchanging two sentences before parting.”
“Did I?” Yu Lingxi appeared genuinely surprised, “I used to always follow him around?”
Yu Xinyi laughed: “That kind of budding admiration—even a blind person could see it.”
Yu Lingxi tried to recall, but her memories of Xue Cen from her previous life seemed veiled in fog, becoming indistinct and difficult to discern.
What she remembered was the night she was helpless and forced to apply makeup before being offered to the Prince’s manor. Only Xue Cen had ridden urgently to her aid, kneeling in the rain outside the Regent Prince’s manor for an entire night, begging for her.
After the incident at Zhao’s birthday banquet, Xue Cen took all responsibility in prison, yet had two of his fingers broken.
Yu Lingxi would forever be indebted to him for this.
Seeing the still gentle and warm Xue Cen again, Yu Lingxi was certainly happy, as if the guilt and regret that had tortured her for so long were instantly smoothed away at that moment.
But beyond that, she had no other romantic feelings.
That feeling was like…
Yu Lingxi’s gaze fell on the pepper powder and tea snacks on the desk, and she came up with a somewhat inappropriate metaphor: it was like after experiencing the sharp sting of pepper powder, one could no longer taste the flavor of plain congee.
She didn’t know when it began, but Xue Cen had become like an elder brother in her heart.