Chapter 299: Yu Chan 6

Chapter 299: Yu Chan 6

Despite sensing the sarcasm in Qi Yun's tone, Xiao Yuchan still took Xiao She to meet Sun Dian and Liu Chu without saying a word to Qi Yun.

Xiao She asked in confusion, "Sister, don't you like Qi Yun?"

Xiao Yuchan replied, "What are you talking about? I don't even know him. I just don't want to hear you spouting nonsense about whether someone looked at me or not."

Xiao She admitted, "...I was wrong."

Xiao Yuchan said, "Alright, don't mention to our sister-in-law that you ran into a colleague later. I'm afraid she might feel embarrassed."

Xiao She asked, "Why would sister-in-law feel embarrassed?"

Xiao Yuchan sighed, "You're so clueless. Sun Dian deliberately came to 'bump into' sister-in-law. She's shy and doesn't want others to know about this."

Though Xiao She was simple, he knew Sun Dian had a thing for their sister-in-law. He just hadn't expected tonight's encounter to have such hidden intentions.

"Alright, I won't say anything."

Xiao She kept quiet and was relieved Qi Yun didn't come over.

Xiao Yuchan, on the other hand, wasn't so relieved.

It had been four months since she'd last seen Qi Yun. Occasionally, she would think of his handsome face, but Qi Yun had insisted on waiting for her to change her mind, even throwing out a harsh remark that he couldn't promise how long he would wait. It felt as though, given enough time, even if she regretted it, he might have already married someone else. Xiao Yuchan didn't like hearing that and didn't want Qi Yun to think she would regret her decision. So, for the past four months, she had stayed at home during her days off and only went out occasionally.

Tonight, when she came to the South Market, Xiao Yuchan truly hadn't expected to run into Qi Yun. The Qi residence was so close to the North Market. Why would Qi Yun come to the South Market instead? And to coincidentally line up behind her and her brother, saying those things—was he here specifically to look for her?

Whether he was looking for her or not, Qi Yun looked exceptionally handsome tonight, standing tall and dashing in the line. When Xiao Yuchan turned around, she caught sight of him immediately.

If she hadn't seen him, it would have been fine. But once she did, even after he walked away, his image lingered in her mind.

Xiao Yuchan casually glanced back a few times but didn't see Qi Yun again. After being disappointed multiple times, she stopped looking.

After finishing their stroll around the South Market, the four from the Xiao family prepared to head back.

Sun Dian suggested they wait at a small snack stall near the North Gate of the South Market while he took the eldest son back to Fushan Lane nearby. He would then return to escort the four of them home.

Xiao She said, "You don't need to escort us. With me here, no one would dare cause trouble."

Liu Chu lowered her gaze, meeting her daughter's amused smile.

Xiao Yuchan quietly munched on melon seeds, while Sun Dian patted Xiao She's shoulder with a smile, telling them to wait as he would be back soon.

Not long after Sun Dian left, while spitting melon seed shells into the paper bag Xiao She held, Xiao Yuchan caught sight of Qi Yun again.

Tonight, Qi Yun was wearing a blue brocade robe that appeared almost moon-white under the night lights. The handsome gentleman carried a jug of wine in his left hand and twirled a folding fan in his right, walking alone toward them while casually glancing at the street scenes on either side. His gaze eventually landed on the food stall where the four of them were seated, and his eyes met hers.

As Xiao Yuchan looked away, she saw the fan in his hand drop to the ground.

In the chilly first month of the year, who was he trying to impress with that fan?

She continued munching on melon seeds. Xiao She recognized Qi Yun and was about to call out to him, but then remembered that Sun Dian would be back soon. Xiao She ducked his head and turned his back, trying to block his sister with his broad shoulders and signaling with his eyes for her not to show herself. He also glanced toward their sister-in-law, hinting at her.

Xiao Yuchan: "..."

Qi Yun: "..."

Because Xiao She pretended not to see him, Qi Yun had to walk past without a glance.

Retrieving his own horse, Qi Yun slowly rode forward.

Because he was moving too slowly, when he reached the end of the stone bridge leading to Luobei, the carriage carrying Xiao She, Sun Dian, and Xiao Yuchan and her family caught up with him.

Recognizing Qi Yun from behind, Xiao She whispered to Sun Dian, "Let's take another bridge."

Sun Dian: "...Why?"

Xiao She pointed ahead: "If Qi Yun sees you with us, sister-in-law will feel embarrassed."

Sun Dian exclaimed in surprise: "Well, when did you become so clever?"

Xiao She, while keeping an eye on Qi Yun, led Sun Dian to hide on the other side of the carriage and then instructed the coachman to turn.

As the carriage changed direction, Xiao Yuchan curiously lifted the curtain, about to ask her brother what was going on, when she saw someone looking back at the bridge ahead.

Xiao Yuchan's voice caught in her throat.

The moon on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month was full, and the moonlight was bright enough to illuminate the quietly flowing Luoshui River and the face of the young man at the bridge.

The distance was quite a distance, and Xiao Yuchan didn't know if Qi Yun had recognized her.

She put down the curtain, counted to one hundred silently, and then lifted a corner of the curtain again. Qi Yun was still standing at the bridge, looking in the direction of the carriage.

So, at least for these four months, he had not met any other young lady and was still waiting for her.

But she had not changed her mind; what she wanted was him, not to marry him.

——

On the day off of the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Qi Yun thought she would reappear at the teahouse, but he waited all day, and Xiao Yuchan did not come.

At the end of the first lunar month and the tenth day of the second lunar month, Qi Yun waited two more times. As the saying goes, things should not be done more than three times, but he still did not see her.

Qi Yun continued to act as if nothing had happened, as the second son of the Marquis's household and continuing his duties at the Southern Camp. But only he knew that he did not want to join in the jokes of the Xiao brothers, did not want to handle military affairs, and thought of Xiao Yuchan on his way to and from Luocheng, thought of her while eating and on duty, and at night, lying alone in bed without needing to pretend for anyone, Qi Yun was even more restless and unable to sleep.

In late February, the Xingping Emperor suddenly issued an edict to launch a northern expedition against the Wu Country. In addition to the border troops from Jizhou, Da Tong, and Liaozhou, Xiao Zhen, the Marquis of Yong'an, would also lead 50,000 cavalry from the Southern Camp to the border to participate in the war.

After the edict was issued, the Southern Camp had three days to prepare.

On the first day, Qi Yun and other guard commanders were at the Southern Camp preparing for the expedition.

On the second day, Qi Yun took half a day off from Xiao Zhen. Early in the morning, he went to the usual tavern with a bundle and sat by the window of a private room, waiting.

He wasn't sure if he could wait, but he was willing to.

When the sun was high, Qi Yun saw a familiar figure. She still smiled as if nothing had happened, accompanied by a maid and two guards.

Qi Yun suddenly realized that she did not dislike listening to storytelling; she had just reduced the day off's session.

She really liked his face, but she could also really put him out of her mind.

——

At the teahouse, Xiao Yuchan sat in the private room, but her heart was full of irritation.

Her father and second brother were going on an expedition again, and her mother was sighing at home. Xiao Yuchan not only could not comfort her mother but was also made restless by her mother, so she could only go out to find some peace.

Of course, she was also worried about her father and brothers, but military orders are absolute. What's the use of worrying? It's better to curse the Khan and enemy soldiers of Wu a few more times.

Master Wu was also aptly narrating a previous battle against Wu by the Xingping Emperor.

To hear more clearly, Xiao Yuchan deliberately opened half of the door.

Just as Xiao Yuchan was engrossed in listening, a figure in a white dress suddenly appeared outside the door, wearing a veiled hat.

Xiao Yuchan: "..."

The person stopped outside the door, locked eyes with her for a moment, and then walked straight in.

The two guards remembered that this person was the lady's close friend, but still looked inquiringly inside.

Xiao Yuchan: "...I will talk with Seventh Miss, you go down for tea, Jinling, you go too."

Jinling curiously glanced at "Seventh Miss" twice, obediently left, and closed the door from the outside.

Qi Yun was still standing by the door, waiting for the footsteps outside to fade away, he deftly slid the door bolt.

Xiao Yuchan had already calmed down, sitting steadily by the table, watching Qi Yun take off his outer garment and veiled hat, revealing his familiar, though thinner, handsome face, his expression tinged with gloom, lacking his former vigor.

Xiao Yuchan politely poured him a bowl of tea, said nothing extra, and tilted her head to listen to Master Wu's storytelling.

Qi Yun sat down opposite her, looking at her plump and fair face, asked: "Why didn't you come to listen to the storytelling on your day off?"

Xiao Yuchan: "...How do you know I didn't come?"

Qi Yun pursed his lips, looking directly at her: "Because I came, every time."

Xiao Yuchan: "...Why bother, if I change my mind, I will tell you."

Qi Yun was amused by this: "I'm afraid I won't live to see that day come."

Xiao Yuchan's gaze circled his face, picked up the tea bowl and said: "I think there will be, but I'm afraid when that day comes, the second young master will already have a lovely companion by his side."

Qi Yun: "I am about to follow the Marquis to the battlefield, maybe I will die in battle, and the last beautiful companion I see will be you."

Xiao Yuchan frowned: "What nonsense, you don't cherish your life, but I hope none of the troops from the Southern Camp are left outside."

Qi Yun: "Then I am truly honored, to be cared for by the lady along with the fifty thousand troops in the camp."

Xiao Yuchan: "..."

She turned her head and ignored him.

Qi Yun: "Don't you think I'm handsome anymore, not worth your look?"

Xiao Yuchan glared at him: "I know you must have eaten firecrackers for breakfast, if you want to set them off, go outside, I won't serve you."

Qi Yun: "If you won't serve, why did you let me in?"

Xiao Yuchan: "...Fine, you can leave now."

Qi Yun: "Why should I leave? I remember someone said that while I still like her, I can occasionally come out to meet her."

Xiao Yuchan smiled: "Still remember that? It's been several months since I said that, it doesn't count anymore, besides, I also remember someone said he couldn't be an ungrateful villain."

Qi Yun also smiled: "I might not even be around for long, so what's the harm in being a villain once."

Xiao Yuchan shot him a glare, "If you keep bringing up death, do you really think I won't leave right now?"

Qi Yun: "Why? What’s it to you if I die?"

Xiao Yuchan slammed the table and stood up to leave.

Just as she was about to walk past the chair, Qi Yun suddenly stood up and blocked her way in a few steps.

Having trained on plum blossom stakes since childhood, his stature was no less impressive than the brothers of the Xiao Family, towering a full head taller than Xiao Yuchan.

Xiao Yuchan glanced at his chest, then sidestepped to the left.

Qi Yun followed and blocked her again.

Xiao Yuchan smiled, crossed her arms, and looked up at him, "What’s your point?"

Qi Yun, looking into her eyes that showed neither fear nor shyness, said, "There's something I want to ask you clearly."

Xiao Yuchan: "Go ahead."

Qi Yun: "Do you like me?"

Xiao Yuchan's gaze flickered, and she tilted her head, "I like you, but not in a way that makes me want to marry you."

Qi Yun: "Then what kind is it?"

Xiao Yuchan laughed and countered, "Have you ever been with a woman?"

Qi Yun's breathing became heavy, and Xiao Yuchan looked up to see his handsome face flushed. She understood and said, "Clearly not, so even if I explained, you wouldn’t get it."

Qi Yun: "If you dare to say it, I dare to understand."

Xiao Yuchan smiled even more deeply, "Instead of teaching you, I’d rather find someone who doesn’t need lessons—that’d be more fun..."

Before she could finish, Qi Yun suddenly lifted her high. Just as Xiao Yuchan instinctively braced against his shoulders, Qi Yun had already placed her on the tea table, one hand around her waist, the other cupping her face as he kissed her.

Another woman might have dodged or resisted, but Xiao Yuchan was just stunned for a moment. When Qi Yun loosened his grip, either out of inexperience or loss of courage, she wrapped her arms around his neck, opened her red lips, and actively pulled him closer.

Qi Yun almost lost his balance.

The adjacent private rooms were occupied, but Xiao Yuchan bit her lip and made no sound. Only when she pressed Qi Yun's head down did she whisper in his ear, "Good boy, today I’ll treat you to something special."

Qi Yun’s mind went blank, and he abruptly pulled up her clothes, pressing her tightly into his chest, and said hoarsely above her head, "Stop it."

His voice was already extremely hoarse.

Xiao Yuchan couldn't reach his head, so she simply reached down.

Qi Yun's arms around her tightened again.

Xiao Yuchan said with satisfaction, "You look so refined, didn’t expect you to be so well-endowed."

Qi Yun gritted his teeth, took several deep breaths, then lowered his head and bit her shoulder through her clothes.

The pain made Xiao Yuchan loosen her grip. Just as she was about to react, she heard him whisper in her ear, "From now on, I belong to you."

"Don't forget me."