This time, when Yu Chi Cheng entered the palace, he still stayed in the Huiyang Palace. The Huiyang Palace was not far from the Twin - Hall. Yu Chi Cheng should be the first one to be sent back to his accommodation.
When he entered the Huiyang Palace, I couldn't help stealing a few more glances at him. Unexpectedly, my big brother caught me red - handed. Now that he suddenly asked me, I didn't know how to answer.
Seeing that I kept silent, big brother immediately thought that I had really been bullied. He said angrily, "Did he really bully you? I'll go and avenge you right away!"
I quickly stopped him and said, "Big brother, it's not like that. Brother Cheng has taken good care of me all the way. He's not as bad as you think."
"Brother Cheng?" Big brother noticed the way I addressed him and looked at me in disbelief. "When did you get so close to him?"
I quickly covered my mouth and then explained, "Because there's also Bei Han and Brother Xu. If I called him Brother Yu Chi, it would be confusing."
Big brother gave a snort. I quickly went over and tugged at his sleeve to placate him. "Of course, you're my only real big brother. No one else can compare to you."
Only then did big brother look a bit more pleased. Then I deliberately complained, "Big brother, I'm so tired!"
Big brother immediately put on a concerned look and said, "Alright, no one can compare to your big brother. You should go back and rest quickly. We'll talk about other things tomorrow."
I nodded right away and went back to my own right - wing hall to wash up and rest.
Exhausted from the journey, I fell into a comfortable sleep as soon as I lay on my bed. When I woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky.
Big brother had gone to the academy early. Since I missed the time, feeling a bit bored, I went to the Huiyang Palace to find Yu Chi Cheng.
Before going to him, I inquired whether he was up or not. So after entering the Huiyang Palace, I didn't ask anyone to announce my arrival. I just wanted to give Yu Chi Cheng a surprise.
At that time, Yu Chi Cheng was concentrating on fiddling with something on the table. I quietly came up behind him and suddenly covered his eyes, saying, "Guess who I am?"
Hearing this, he smiled, took my hands off, then turned around and held my hands, saying, "Who else could it be but Xi He?"
Then I pointed to the things on his table and asked, "What are these?"
Yu Chi Cheng said, "These are the materials for making a lantern. Do you still remember when you first had your period? I made a lantern for you, but then I lost it before I could give it to you. At that time, I promised to make another one for you. Now I'm making it."
"Wow, Brother Cheng, your memory is so good. I almost forgot about this." I scratched my head in embarrassment.
But Yu Chi Cheng said, "Of course I remember. A promise must be kept. Would you like to help me?"
"Sure I would." I stepped forward immediately.
"Then draw a pattern on the paper." He had already thought it out. He took a pen filled with golden ink and handed it to me. I took the pen, thought for a while, and casually drew a cute little rabbit.
Yu Chi Cheng watched me beside me and praised, "Xi He draws so well!"
Hearing this, I laughed. Yu Chi Cheng then started to whittle bamboo strips. He was very skillful with the small knife, so he quickly whittled the bamboo strips for the lantern's framework. Then he began to tie the framework. Watching his fair and slender fingers flying, I couldn't help but think of the time in Bei Han when he made a grass ring for me. I couldn't help sighing that Yu Chi Cheng's hands were really dexterous.
While my drawing was drying, I went to watch him make the framework. Yu Chi Cheng said, "The quality of a lantern depends entirely on its framework. So Xi He, don't be impatient. I'll take my time making this framework."
Although he said he would take his time, in fact, his movements were not slow at all. I couldn't help getting closer to him and saying, "Brother Cheng, you're so amazing!"
Yu Chi Cheng smiled and said, "Xi He only knows how to praise people. Even if it's not nice, you'll still say it's nice."
I shook my head. "No, no. I'm really sincere in my praise!"
I don't know how long I watched beside him. I only knew that it took him a long time to finally tie the lantern's framework.
This time it was our turn to work together. Yu Chi Cheng held the framework while I unfolded the pre - drawn golden rabbit and measured it against the lantern's framework, thinking about how to paste the paper on it to make it look better. However, just at this moment, someone outside the Huiyang Palace reported, "The Crown Prince is here!"
Yu Chi Cheng and I were slightly startled. We both looked towards the door. I saw my big brother almost storming in. Seeing me and Yu Chi Cheng standing closely together working on something in our hands, he said, "Yu Chi Cheng, you dare to seduce my sister. I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Hearing this, I immediately said, "Brother, it has nothing to do with him. I came here on my own!"
Big brother immediately asked, "What are you doing here? Come back with me now."
I shook my head and said, "No, I won't go back. I'm making a lantern here!"
Big brother squinted his eyes and asked, "What kind of lantern? Let me have a look."
Yu Chi Cheng smiled and said, "This lantern is for Xi He after I finish it. Why should I show it to you?"
Big brother was angry. "Hey! You're in Dayong. How dare you be so presumptuous? I'll teach you a good lesson today!"
Hearing this, I quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Yu Chi Cheng. "Brother, no! If you two fight in the Huiyang Palace, my lantern will surely be broken by you!"
Yu Chi Cheng said, "Did you hear that? Xi He likes this lantern very much. So for the sake of not damaging the lantern, I won't fight with you today."
Big brother was extremely angry. He could only say, "Xi He, come here quickly."
At this moment, I didn't dare to go over. I just said, "Brother, don't think of Brother Cheng as such a bad person. He's actually very nice."
"You still dare to speak for him?" Big brother got even angrier.
I said, "Brother, you go back first. I'll come back right away after the lantern is done."
At this moment, big brother was both angry and furious. He didn't dare to fight with Yu Chi Cheng, nor did he dare to come forward and drag me away. Helpless, he had no choice but to flick his sleeve and leave, deciding not to talk to me anymore.
Seeing big brother leave, I heaved a big sigh of relief. But Yu Chi Cheng suddenly tightened his arm around my waist and pulled me into his arms. In an instant, we were very close. His voice was low and carried a hint of mockery. "Xi He, you defied your big brother for me today. Later, you won't scold me with him just to appease your big brother, will you?"
Hearing this, I couldn't help forcing a laugh. He really knew me well. Would I do such a thing? Of course I would! But I couldn't admit it in front of him. I could only shake my head guiltily and say, "No... Brother Cheng, you have to believe me."
Yu Chi Cheng then let me go understandingly and began to paste the paper on the lantern in his hand... Soon, a beautiful rabbit lantern was finished. Yu Chi Cheng carefully lit the lantern and then handed it to me, asking softly, "Do you like it?"
I looked at the lantern and nodded. Then I looked at him and said, "Brother Cheng, you're so thoughtful. Xi He likes it very much."
Yu Chi Cheng said, "This afternoon, I have to check some leather materials that were sent here. I'm afraid I can't accompany you. You can rest this afternoon, okay?"
Actually, Yu Chi Cheng should be able to empathize with the tiredness I felt, which was why he told me to rest. But what about him? Didn't he need to rest? I suddenly felt a bit sorry for him.
He seemed to understand the emotion in my eyes and said, "Don't worry. I'm fine. I still have to seize this opportunity to perform well and then tell Uncle about our relationship."