Chapter 455: Cheng Bingzhi Sends Sour Pears

Chapter 455: Cheng Bingzhi Sends Sour Pears

Lu Lingyun glanced at the gift he brought this time.

A basket of small, unripe green pears that looked rather unappetizing.

Cheng Bingzhi had always been a clever kid. He thought that the Marquis's household, being such a prestigious family, would never eat what he brought. Last time, the package of peach pastries he sent was wasted, so this time he secretly plucked a basket of unripe sour pears from a roadside tree.

It was all just for show, a mere formality.

If Lu Lingyun questioned him, he’d just say, 'It’s the thought that counts!'

He’d made the effort, so as an elder, what could she really say?

Just as Cheng Bingzhi was feeling smug about having prepared a basket of gifts without spending a penny, a strong, calloused hand—clearly used to wielding a spear—reached into the basket he had brought.

Cheng Bingzhi turned his head and saw the imposing young general, Cheng Binghao, take a pear from the basket, casually wipe it, and take a big bite.

Immediately, the sourness made his teeth tingle.

"Bing Hao!" Lu Lingyun called out anxiously.

She didn’t touch what Cheng Bingzhi brought—not out of fear of poison, but because she knew he’d never offer anything worthwhile!

Cheng Bingzhi was the kind of person who strictly adhered to his mother’s ways. Even when seeking favors, he was unwilling to offer much.

They loved getting the most out of the least effort, and if they could get by without spending money, relying only on sweet words, that would be ideal.

What good could he possibly give them?

"Yuck—" Cheng Binghao's face twisted from the sourness of the pear. "Blech! Blech!"

He quickly spat out the sour and astringent pear. "Cheng Bingzhi, you scoundrel! Ten years and you haven't changed a bit. You brought these teeth-melting sour pears for my grandmother to eat? Are you trying to rot her teeth so she’s stuck slurping porridge all day?"

Cheng Bingzhi: "..."

Liu Xianxian, cuddled in Lu Lingyun’s arms, couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Cheng Bingzhi hadn’t expected his little trick to be uncovered so fast, especially at such a moment. His face turned red with embarrassment and frustration. "Second Brother, what are you saying? These pears were handpicked... they’re perfectly fine!"

"Perfectly fine? Who sold you this trash? Take me to them, and I’ll tear their stall apart!"

"I’m coming too! I’m coming too!" Liu Xianxian eagerly stood up, always ready to stir up trouble.

At this, Cheng Bingzhi’s face dropped. "Second Brother, these pears... they’re not sour..."

"Not sour? Prove it—eat one yourself!"

Cheng Bingzhi couldn’t let them find out he’d snatched these pears from a roadside tree!

If they found out he hadn’t even bought the pears but had stolen them, they would surely mock him.

Looking at the basket of pears, he steeled himself, picked one up, and took a big bite.

As soon as he bit into it, the intensely sour pear made his face twitch, the sourness drilling into his gums like needles hitting a nerve.

So freaking sour—

"Second Brother, it’s not sour. I think... it’s quite good."

Cheng Bingzhi was chomping down on the sour pear in big bites, all the while insisting it was delicious.

Liu Xianxian, standing nearby, couldn't help but burst into laughter again at the sight.

Her laughter was as radiant as a blooming flower, instantly catching Cheng Bingzhi's attention and making him stare.

Cheng Binghao, however, didn't notice his stare. He just watched as Cheng Bingzhi devoured the sour pear, waving his hand in disdain, and then pulled Liu Xianxian away, refusing to waste any more time on his nonsense.

He had always disliked his younger brother the most since childhood.

Stupid and sly, always hiding behind his mother, cowering. It seemed that after all these years, he hadn't changed one bit.

As he took Liu Xianxian out to play, Cheng Bingzhi's eyes followed them, filled with nothing but thoughts of Liu Xianxian.

At that moment, a voice came through.

"Bingzhi, what are you here for?"

Madam Lu Lingyun, sitting above, asked.

Her voice immediately snapped Cheng Bingzhi back to reality, the sour pear in his mouth making his mouth water, "Madam, I, I got some pears, wanted to give them to grandmother to help her cool off."

He repeated the words he had prepared.

After all, these were the words his mother had taught him; he didn't know anything else!

Madam Lu Lingyun: "..."

She looked at the basket of sour pears, "Bingzhi, it's thoughtful of you, but forget the pears. Your grandmother hasn't been feeling well recently, and the doctor said she can't eat many things, pears included. You should take them back."

Madam Lu Lingyun gave him some face, gracefully giving him an out.

Hearing this, Cheng Bingzhi said, "Madam, you must be looking down on me and my pears! As the saying goes, 'It's the thought that counts.' Although my pears are humble, they are a token of my sincerity."

Looking at the foolish and obstinate Cheng Bingzhi, Madam Lu Lingyun's brow furrowed with impatience, and her maid spoke up for her.

"Didn't the lady say she accepted your kind thoughts, Third Young Master! And as for your pears, even our Second Young Master found them too sour to eat. How dare you offer such things to our old lady!"

"You're talking nonsense, I've eaten these pears, they're not sour!"

The maid snorted coldly, "Third Young Master, your mouth is watering, don't you know how sour they are?"

Seeing that the maid gave him no face and directly exposed his thoughts, Cheng Bingzhi immediately became displeased, "How dare you talk to me like that!"

Madam Lu Lingyun, tired of listening to him, said, "Bingzhi, since you say they're not sour, take them back for your sister and mother to enjoy. I'm tired, you should go now."

"Madam, I..."

Madam Lu Lingyun directly went into the inner room.

Once again, Cheng Bingzhi did not see Lady Qin.

Angrily, he carried the basket full of pears back, cursing all the way.

Once outside the Marquis's Mansion, unable to contain his anger, he found the back door of the mansion, hid to the side, and smashed each pear against the back door of the mansion.

Let them look down on people!

Let Cheng Binghao ruin his plans!

Lu Lingyun looked down on him!

As he was enjoying himself as he smashed pears one by one, the back door in front of him suddenly creaked open.

A pear he had just thrown hit the person who opened the door squarely.

"Ow!"

Liu Xianxian was hit squarely by a pear, and her maid immediately cried out when she saw her mistress had been hit.

Cheng Bingzhi, realizing he had hit someone, instinctively bolted, slipped, and took a tumble.

Liu Xianxian's maid immediately shouted, "Stop the thief! He’s hurt our young lady!"

Just as the Marquis's Mansion servants were about to be summoned, Liu Xianxian recognized Cheng Bingzhi, "Is that you? The guy with the sour pears?!"

"Yes, yes, it's me!" Cheng Bingzhi immediately emerged from behind the tree. Seeing it was him, Liu Xianxian told her maid to stop shouting, "Aren’t you the third master of the mansion?"

"Yes, I'm Cheng Bingzhi," Cheng Bingzhi said with a silly smile.

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats rang out, "Xianxian, aren't you going to tour the Imperial City? Let's go!"

At the corner of the street, Cheng Binghao appeared on horseback.

Seeing him, Liu Xianxian ignored Cheng Bingzhi and waved excitedly, "Coming!"

Cheng Bingzhi stood by the tree, his eyes fixed on Liu Xianxian as she ran away, a silly smile on his face.