CH 6

In front of Yin Huayue, Li Jingyun appeared hostile and cunning, making people want to kick him out of Jinghua.

But every time he sat in front of Lady Zhuang, he remained quiet and distant.

At such times, Huayue was happy that Lady Zhuang's eyes were bad; no matter how Li Jingyun's expression begged for a beating, she could still say to Lady Zhuang gently, "The flowers are flowering wonderfully today; Young Master came to see you as soon as he arrived at the house."

Lady Zhuang was astonished and moved, so she drew up her sleeve and said, "Hurry and get him tea first."

Huayue answered with a "yes" before randomly pouring tea from the teapot and sending it to Li Jingyun. She then cleaned a cup, emptied the water into the teapot, and served top quality Tie Guanyin [1] to Lady Zhang.

Li Jingyun, "..."

He had the impression that Yin Huayue might no longer wish to live.

Lady Zhuang smiled while rubbing the teacup she was holding. She had a hazy glimpse of the person seated in the Taishi chair [2]. Her lips were raised and then slowly closed. She hesitated for a while before softly enquiring, "Are you feeling better?"

"Answering mother, very well."

“Then…how about the training ground?”

"Answering mother, very well."

"Did the flowers bloom properly on the fruit trees in your courtyard?”

"Answering mother, very well."

With nothing else to say, Lady Zhuang tightly cinched the skirt.

She yearned to be close to Jingyun and wanted to hear her son act like a spoilt child with her. Even if he complained about something, about the difficulties he encountered every day, or any joyous occasions deserving of celebrating.

But no, Jing Yun was never interested in speaking with her.

Lady Zhuang sighed and caressed her eyes while smiling to himself.

"Madam." Huayue's cheerful voice sounded suddenly next to her, “We passed the Baolai Pavilion on the way back, while this servant was eager to get back and report. Who knew that the young master had unexpectedly developed a liking for this magnolia hairpin and had to persuade this servant to buy it so she could bring it to show you."

"Look, do you like it?"

Mrs. Zhuang stroked the outline of the smooth, cool jade, and her eyes glowed a little as she questioned, "Jingyun bought it?"

“Yeah.” Looking at Li Jingyun with a rigid face, Huayue went up close to Lady Zhuang's ear and whispered, "Young Master has a tough mouth since he was young and could not say anything good, but he always remembered that what you liked.”

Lady Zhuang's eyes were somewhat red, and she stroked the hairpin many times before attempting to insert it into her bun with shaky hands. It was taken over by Huayue, who admiringly put it on for her "The young master has a distinct vision, but Madam is naturally lovely and looks wonderful in anything she wears. This magnolia and Madam are the perfect complement to one another; stunning and alluring, and her grace is unmatched."

Li Jingyun exhibited a constricted expression.

He opened his mouth wanting to explain that this dog slave was talking nonsense, but Yin Huayue looked at him just as he started to speak.

She had cold eyes with a hint of warning.

Li Jingyun was perplexed as to how a lowly servant would dare to glare at her lord. However, he remained silent for a while as he observed this woman lull Lady Zhuang into happiness before approaching and escorting him outside.

“When did you acquire that hairpin?” he questioned hazily.

“Answering Young Master, it has already been prepared for some time.”

“Then why did you say that I brought it?”

“Answering Young Master, anything that is brought by you, Madam would absolutely like it.”

When Li Jingyun, who had been plainly nodding, finally regained consciousness, he seized her shoulders and said, "As a slave, when are you able to make decisions for your master?"

Huayue smiled docilely and folded her hands in front of her tummy, allowing him to hold her. "Young master can just teach me a lesson."

"Do not use this kind of expression on me; it is useless." Li Jingyun sneered, “Glaring at the Lord very merrily in there, after leaving your master, you’ve already tucked your tail in.”

"Young master can merely teach me a lesson."

“Are you under the impression that someone is rooting for you, so you don't take this Young Master seriously? Yin Huayue, you enter my yard, you are my person, and I can create a reason to throw you into the Administrative Office three times a day."

After a moment of shock, Huayue consented, saying, "Young master can merely teach me a lesson."

Li Jingyun was enraged as blue veins appeared on the forehead and yelled, "Don't use this kind of face value remark to be perfunctory; enraging people when they hear it."

Yin Huayue's smile started to fade as she looked up at him, "Mother and son make these kinds of perfunctory comments. Why can't master and slave?”

Still continue to teach him a lesson? Li Jingyun gritted his teeth, approached her and pinched her chin, “The dog that was delivered to someone, still barking for the original owner, is loyal enough. Given how you are protecting Madam like this, why don't you roll back to the main courtyard?"

If possible, she would also like to return to the main courtyard.

Huayue lowered her eyes and reluctantly looked behind her, but with just one glimpse, she calmed down.

"Young Master is exhausted from the carriage ride; it's best to return to East Courtyard to bathe and change."

Li Jingyun was very irritated because the person in front of him was like a ball of cotton that he couldn't crush despite his best efforts. However, she had the power to infuriate him with just a few gentle words.

Need to find a way to make her pay.

When he was free, Li Jingyun went to the main courtyard to pick a servant, and ask in confusion, "Do you recall when Housekeeper Yin entered the General's mansion?"

The servant pondered for a while, “It has been three years. Housekeeper Yin was one of ten maids who were accepted by the house three years ago when the palace sent out a group of servants.”

Actually held a position in the palace previously.

Li Jingyun curl his lips and inquired again, "Then what are her daily preferences?"

The small slave laboriously scratched their head and said, "In terms of preference, Housekeeper Yin truly doesn't have any. She works every day and has a lot going on. However, as soon as she receives her monthly income, she will visit Baolai Pavilion.

In Jinghua, Baolai Pavilion is a well-known jewelry store. She spends her entire salary each month on it? Li Jingyun questioned why he had never seen any good jewelry on her head on weekdays.

As he remembered the magnolia hairpin that Yin Huayue had brought out that day from nowhere, Li Jingyun halted and then had a bright glow.

When Huayue returned from getting water in the backyard, Li Jingyun was waiting for her by the hallway.

“What orders does Young Master have?” She gripped the bucket firmly in defense.

Li Jingyun stretched and said very naturally, "This Young Master has an appointment with someone tonight."

“Answering Young Master, the General has ordered…”

"If you act as though you didn't notice it, this Young Master will purchase jewelry from the Baolai Pavilion tomorrow and personally deliver it to the main courtyard."

"..." Huayue's pupils immediately shrank, and she droopily raised her head.

He will take the initiative to send jewelry to Madam?

She had been in the mansion for so long, Li Jingyun was nearly always tied up when he entered the main courtyard, and would not have easily show affection to Madam. If it hadn't been coaxing her all the time, Madam would have long been anger to death by him.

But now, what did she hear?

The person in front of him cocked his head slightly to the side, his eyes narrowed a little, showing a hint of impatience. When he caught her gaze, he didn't move, his eyes rolled back a little, and he smirked at her, asking, "The General's order or the Madam's happiness, which one is more important?"

The complexion of Yin Huayue was quite intriguing.

She was an obedient slave, and since the General was the lord of the manor, she would unquestionably follow his instructions. She would never be able to act favoritically because she was in charge, even if Madam had come to speak to her.

The area was unusually silent as the wind blew through the hallway and the wind chimes under the eaves chimed continuously and clearly.

After a while, a slightly hoarse voice sounded in the corridor.

“How long will Young Master be gone?”

Li Jingyun suddenly started laughing, and one sound of laughter was insufficient. His shoulders shook with laughing, supporting the red stone pillar next to him. Huayue's face went green with his laughter.

Huayue wanted to pour the pail he was holding over his head, but she naturally thought instead of doing so.

While patiently waiting for him to laugh enough, she bent her knees and inquired once more, "How long will this Young Master be going?"

"One hour." Li Jingyun wiped the tears from his eyes as he laughed and extended his index finger to her, saying, "I'll be back in an hour, and I swear nobody will find out."

After giving it some thought, Huayue spoke the following: "Hairpin the Madam already have; please come back with a hairbrush, and in a magnolia flower style."

After a little pause, she said, "It would be great if there were hair ornaments."

Although she had earlier pledged to follow the general's orders, Li Jingyun truly hadn't counted on being able to open the door from this angle. Now, however, she is letting him go in a serious manner.

"You Shi [3] go out from Eastern side door, be sure to come back before Hai Shi [4]."

"A dog was reared at the eastern side entrance. I'd want to ask the son to hurl a stone against the courtyard wall when you come back so that this servant may coordinate more smoothly."

"Young Master, are you clear?"

Perhaps his gaze were too teasing, Yin Huayue became irritated. She pursed her lips and said coldly, "If anybody discovers out, this servant will instantly bring someone to seize Young Master."

"Really cold-blooded."

Li Jingyun sighed and laughed at it once again.

Yin Huayue is like a cold, emotionless knife; she is accustomed to being sharp and can make others’ lives more difficult. But then there was a brief moment of weakness and it appeared as though she had returned to her original state as a living being.

He briefly considered reaching out and stroking her fair-skinned neck.

But if he does this, she could splash him with water.

Li Jingyun reluctantly withdrew his hand and shook his head.

Notes: [1] A variety of Chinese oolong tea

[2] A special armchair among the classic furniture of ancient China, named after an official title, is the Taishi (the prince’s teacher) Armchai