Chapter 145: A Flicker of Affection

Chapter 145: A Flicker of Affection

Under Aunt Gui’s eager gaze, Xin You replied vaguely, “I had it once by chance.”

But Aunt Gui was unwilling to let the topic go: “Miss Kou, do you remember where you had it?”

This flaky milk cake was taught to her by Her Majesty the Empress!

The Empress said it was a common snack in her hometown, which is why she had never seen it before.

At that time, she thought to herself that the rumors about the Empress being a poor refugee woman were indeed unreliable. How could a place where such snacks were commonly eaten be a poor and remote area?

Her sister also learned to make this pastry from the Empress.

Realizing her excitement, Aunt Gui apologized with a smile: “To be honest, Miss Kou, flaky milk cake is not a common pastry in Great Xia. Not many people know how to make it. I am one, and my sister is another. We lost contact years ago, so when I heard you mention this pastry, I couldn’t help but think of her.”

As she spoke, tears glistened in her eyes.

“I ate it as a child, brought back by my late father. It was so delicious that I pestered for more, but we could never find it again, which made it memorable.”

Hearing Xin You’s words, the hope in Aunt Gui’s eyes dimmed: “Oh, Miss Kou, please try it. It won’t taste good if left too long.”

Xin You nodded slightly, picked up a piece of the flaky milk cake, and took a bite, using a napkin to hold it.

The exquisite flavor awakened her taste buds, familiar and comforting.

“How is it?” Aunt Gui’s eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

Perhaps the flaky milk cake Miss Kou tasted as a child was made by her sister. Now, the same little girl was eating the cake she made, creating a connection with her sister.

Sensing Aunt Gui’s anticipation, Xin You nodded: “It’s very delicious, exactly like the one in my memory.”

Aunt Gui couldn’t help but smile: “I’m glad you like it, Miss Kou. Try the grape wine too.”

Both this batch of grape wine and the previous lychee wine were made from fermented glutinous rice, smooth and not intoxicating, perfect for women to drink.

Xin You praised it accordingly.

“The first time I met Miss Kou, I felt an instant connection. I didn’t expect Miss Kou to be friends with our Lord Marquis, which confirms our bond,” Aunt Gui revealed her identity at the right moment.

Xin You pretended to be surprised: “Lord He and Aunt Gui are both kind-hearted people; no wonder you are a family.”

Kind-hearted people

Thinking of how Lord He helped a young lady for money, Aunt Gui’s face flushed.

However, judging by her expression, Miss Kou seemed to have a decent impression of the Lord Marquis.

“Our Lord Marquis is indeed cold in appearance but warm at heart,” Aunt Gui gradually began to talk about Lord He’s childhood. “Back then, the Lord Marquis often got injured, either spraining his ankle or hurting his hand. Once, he put a nest of fallen chicks back in the tree and fell himself, remaining unconscious for half a day.”

Xin You listened attentively, able to imagine what Lord He must have been like as a child.

He was quite mischievous.

Seeing Xin You’s interest, Aunt Gui was secretly pleased.

Willing to listen to her ramblings about the Lord Marquis indicated that Miss Kou had some affection for him.

“Without a father’s guidance or a mother’s care, the Lord Marquis sometimes acts inappropriately. Miss Kou, if the Lord Marquis does anything wrong, please bear with him.”

She couldn’t let him lose Miss Kou’s favor just because he charged for helping someone!

“I won’t. Lord He is very considerate and proper.”

After Aunt Gui left, Xin You realized something: Why did Aunt Gui seem like a vendor trying to sell her own melons, enthusiastically pushing them on her?

Thinking about this, Xin You patted her cheeks, which happened to catch Xiaolian’s attention.

Xiaolian was shocked: “Miss, why are you slapping yourself?”

Xin You: “My face feels stiff, I’m just patting it.”

“It is quite cold outside. You should go back inside and warm up.”

Xin You had personally escorted Aunt Gui out.

“It’s not that cold.”

Xiaolian: “” Does Miss realize how strange she is?

Xin You returned to her room, sat on the bed, and fell into deep thought:

She seemed a bit strange.

Though Xin You grew up in the valley, her education was diverse. Once she could protect herself, she traveled extensively to broaden her horizons and understand the world.

She was naturally intelligent and refused to deceive herself. The slight heat in her cheeks as she walked through the cold wind made her realize something: She had inadvertently fallen in love.

This realization did not bring Xin You joy but rather a chill.

A bone-chilling cold.

How could she fall in love while carrying the burden of blood vengeance?

Xin You pressed her lips together, deeply mocking herself.

Thinking of the man in red, she felt bitter and resentful.

If Lord He were a bit colder, uglier, of poorer character, and less interested in borrowing books,

Xin You raised her hand and covered her eyes.

She remembered her mother’s words: Some people are destined to meet. That person might have flaws or might not be suitable, but they can touch your heart just right.

What else did Mother say?

Xin You tried hard to recall.

Mother said that if you truly meet someone you like, don’t hesitate or overthink it. If later on you realize you made a mistake or time changes that person into someone you no longer like, it’s fine; just move forward.

Xin You slowly lowered her hand and took the soft pillow, resting her chin on it gently.

In this regard, she wasn’t as carefree as her mother.

Maintaining the current state was enough. Perhaps in the future, they would still face each other with drawn swords due to their different positions.

Xin You lay down and covered her face with the soft pillow.

At Shaoqing Mansion, Duan Yunling had been in a daze since waking up.

Soon, she would have to go to Ruyitang to pay respects, and then her grandmother would propose taking her out to meet Count Gu Chang’s wife.

Then, her life would be decided.

Decided.

Staring at her pale face in the mirror, Duan Yunling burst into tears.

“Miss, someone from Ruyitang has arrived.”

Duan Yunling was startled but lacked the strength to wipe away her tears. She said listlessly, “Please bring them in.”

Shortly after, Yu Zhu entered and bowed to Duan Yunling. “The old lady heard that Third Miss is unwell and has sent some nourishing items for you.”

Before Duan Yunling could react, Yu Zhu placed the bird’s nest she had brought. “The old lady wishes Third Miss to take good care of herself and doesn’t need to come to Ruyitang for respects until she recovers.”

Duan Yunling listened in a daze, and it wasn’t until Yu Zhu left that she grabbed her maid’s wrist. “Xue Ying, what does Grandmother mean? What does she mean?”

Is it what I think it is?

She didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to believe.

Xue Ying checked the bird’s nest Yu Zhu had brought and hesitated before saying, “Miss, the old lady seems to have given up on taking you out.”

“I don’t have to marry the heir of Count Gu Chang, do I?” Duan Yunling cried and laughed, her face wet with tears.

Xue Ying was also happy for her mistress and nodded vigorously. “Yes, Miss, you don’t have to marry the heir of Count Gu Chang!”

“I knew it, I knew it,” Duan Yunling murmured, laughing and crying.

How fortunate she was to have met her cousin.