On the 60th birthday of Master Kong, Qi Jinxuan's Chinese painting teacher, the celebration was extremely low - key, with no grand banquet.
Early in the morning, Qi Jinxuan went to the warehouse to select a fine blue - and - white porcelain vase to present as a gift. When she was about to leave, after much hesitation, she took Wei Dongling, who was buried in checking accounts, with her.
Wei Dongling complained, "Miss, I have a lot of work left unfinished!"
Qi Jinxuan pondered, "I only plan to deliver the gift and then go back, but I'm afraid of running into..."
Oh, she was afraid of running into the Young Master Yun.
Presumably after witnessing Shangguan Yun's outburst of anger last time, she was heart - broken and didn't want to face him anymore.
Wei Dongling sighed silently.
Qi Jinxuan added, "If we really run into him, with you around, it won't be too embarrassing."
Wei Dongling felt stuffy inside: It might be even more embarrassing with me around! Let's leave quickly after delivering the gift.
However, just as one fears something, it happens.
As soon as the teacher's wife welcomed them into the main hall, they saw Shangguan Yun sitting at the square table, chatting and drinking tea with Master Kong.
Qi Jinxuan stepped forward nervously, curtsied, and forced herself to say respectful and auspicious birthday wishes.
Wei Dongling trembled as she presented the selected blue - and - white porcelain. She felt Shangguan Yun's gaze on her like a prickling thorn, never leaving.
Master Kong, a plump - faced master, waved for Qi Jinxuan to come and sit down. He introduced her to Shangguan Yun, "After you, this little junior sister of yours is my most satisfactory disciple." Then he said to Qi Jinxuan, "Girl, come quickly and pay respects to your senior brother."
Qi Jinxuan quickly stepped forward to pay respects. With her eyes fixed on her nose and nose on her heart, she softly said, "Good day, senior brother."
Shangguan Yun nodded absent - mindedly, while his peripheral vision was constantly catching sight of Wei Dongling, who was standing uneasily beside them.
After Master Kong let Qi Jinxuan sit down, he pulled Shangguan Yun to talk about the painting that the abbot of Lanshan Temple wanted, highly praising it. Then he talked about some of his recent masterpieces and excitedly took his two disciples to the studio to admire them.
Ignoring Qi Jinxuan's pleading look for help, Wei Dongling refused to follow them and went out to the yard to get some fresh air.
She didn't want to follow at all, for fear of being as uncomfortable as Qi Jinxuan.
At noon, Qi Jinxuan finally stammered to Master Kong that she wanted to leave first. Master Kong was unhappy and said that on this birthday, they must stay for the family dinner no matter what.
So, Qi Jinxuan had to bite the bullet and go for the meal.
The teacher's wife cooked herself.
Stir - fried yellow beef, crystal shrimp dumplings, yellow catfish stewed with tofu, stir - fried enoki mushrooms... There was a whole table full of delicious dishes. Master Kong was very happy and asked the servant to fetch the good wine he had stored for many years and drank with Shangguan Yun. The teacher's wife kept serving food to Qi Jinxuan. Qi Jinxuan was terrified and couldn't taste the food, but she had to force a smile.
Wei Dongling, smelling the delicious food, was already starving. However, she had to behave herself outside. So she squatted down to tease the flowers and plants raised by the teacher's wife.
It had to be said that the teacher's wife took extremely good care of the flowers and plants in the yard. The large patch of garden balsams was so colorful and eye - catching. Just as Wei Dongling was about to reach out and touch them, she heard someone walking behind her.
Looking up, she saw Shangguan Yun with a slightly flushed face. His straight - on look made her heart flutter.
Wei Dongling quickly stood up to pay respects, but Shangguan Yun grabbed her hand.
Probably because he had drunk some wine, there was a suspicious blush on Shangguan Yun's cheeks. He tightly held Wei Dongling's hand and softly asked, "Is your injury better?"
Wei Dongling tried to pull her hand back, but he held it tighter. She had no choice but to say helplessly, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master. My injury is much better."
Shangguan Yun was silent for a moment and then asked, "Have you been obediently drinking the traditional Chinese medicine I brought back every day? Have you applied the scar - removing ointment?"
Wei Dongling lowered her head, "I have. Young Master, don't worry about me."
Shangguan Yun's tone became low. Taking advantage of the alcohol, he hugged Wei Dongling's soft waist, "You haven't come to see me. I haven't seen you for a long time."
These words made Wei Dongling so anxious that she almost shed tears.
My dear Young Master! Please let me go quickly!
After she came back, she did intentionally avoid him. She had prepared generous gifts and asked the servant to send them to the prince's mansion.
Shangguan Yun ignored her weak struggle and hugged her even tighter.
Being held in his arms, Wei Dongling smelled his nice scent and felt a faint tremor in her heart. She whispered urgently, "Young Master Yun, you can't do this! It's not proper."
Shangguan Yun didn't let go. He lowered his head and looked at the woman in his arms, softly asking, "Is it because of your miss that you've refused to get close to me since you came back?"
Wei Dongling shivered in fear, "Young Master, please let me go first."
Shangguan Yun looked dejected and asked again, "Or is it because your heart belongs to Yu Zixi? So, even though we've been intimate and I'm willing to take responsibility, you still won't take a step closer to me?"
Wei Dongling looked up and saw the pain in Shangguan Yun's eyes. She couldn't say a word.
Shangguan Yun hugged her even tighter, greedily smelling her scent and whispering, "Zixi has his mission and can't protect you well. I'll wait for you. As long as you turn back, I'll always be here."
Suddenly, there was a noise at the door. Wei Dongling looked back and felt dizzy and flustered.
Qi Jinxuan at the door of the main hall saw the two people hugging each other clearly. Her face turned deathly pale instantly.
Seeing that Qi Jinxuan had seen them, Shangguan Yun didn't avoid suspicion at all. Instead, he hugged Wei Dongling in his arms even tighter.
Young Master, why don't you just kill me!
There was a soft cough outside the courtyard gate, which saved the still dazed Wei Dongling.
The servant of Master Kong invited a group of people in. The one in the lead was actually the Crown Prince!
The servant rushed to the main hall to report.
The Crown Prince glanced at the devastated Qi Jinxuan at the door. Then his gaze fell on Shangguan Yun and Wei Dongling. He curled the corner of his mouth and bowed to Shangguan Yun, "Long time no see, cousin. I just heard that you had an accident some time ago. I wonder how you're doing now?"
Shangguan Yun calmly let go of Wei Dongling and nodded, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness's leg injury has improved recently?"
Wei Dongling remembered that Yu Zixi had caused the Crown Prince to fall off his horse and break his leg last time. She was a bit surprised that he could be out and about so soon.
The Crown Prince was supported in by the servant. Being touched on his sore spot, his face darkened. He said unhappily, "It's better. Miss Qi is here too?"
Qi Jinxuan lowered her head and bowed to the Crown Prince, "Your servant has seen Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince nodded and glanced at Shangguan Yun. He said to Qi Jinxuan, "I've heard some rumors about Miss Qi and Young Master Yun recently. I'm sure someone is deliberately spreading false information. Miss Qi doesn't need to take it to heart. If I find out who is behind it, I will surely cut out their tongues to prove Miss Qi's innocence."
Qi Jinxuan's face was as calm as water as she bowed her head to thank him.
Wei Dongling's face instantly turned deathly pale.