Chapter 3 Honey: A Brother’s Affection

Chapter 3 Honey: A Brother's Affection

Meng Chanyin was about to utter something irritating, but he didn't want to hear it and interrupted her with a calm voice.

"Isn't Chan Er supposed to be meeting Miss Shen? If you keep talking, you might be late."

Meng Chanyin blinked her eyes and nodded innocently, "Thank you, brother, for the reminder. Look at me, every time I talk with you, I forget about other people's business, almost missing the time to go out..."

Even though she knew that, as usual, after saying something unpleasant, she would secretly try to please him.

But the chill in Xi Fumiao's eyes softened, though his face retained its aloof, languid beauty, "No matter, I'll escort you there."

Escort her there?

So the man had detained her in the courtyard with his rambling, all with this intention.

Meng Chanyin's smile froze, unable to hold any longer, so she let it fall, not caring if her tone dripped with sarcasm:

"Brother, with your official duties so pressing, yet you still find time to escort me. If people see, I wonder if they'll envy me or whisper about how this sister of yours has so captivated you. Chan Er thanks you in advance for your kindness."

The aloof and unfeeling beauty was like a flower with thorns, alluring yet armed with sharp, venomous thorns.

This was the 'dear sister' he knew.

Xi Fumiao rested his cheek on one hand, smiling at her, "Of course, it's my Chan Er who makes me happy. Who in the household dares to gossip?"

Meng Chanyin lightly tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Brother, you can surely shut people's mouths, but can you guarantee what they think in their hearts? If you truly cherish me, you should let me go sooner..."

Before she could finish, the seated young man abruptly rose to his feet, startling her into cautiously stepping back, like a startled kitten, baring its fangs and claws.

Xi Fumiao's gaze swept over her eyes, finding it amusing, and did not approach her but turned and strolled towards the door.

"Follow me."

Meng Chanyin glared angrily at the man's tall, slender back, silently mouthing the curse, "Dog of a man."

Always scaring her like this.

The man in front seemed to have heard her, his steps suddenly stopping, turning around with a half-smile, "Aren't you coming along, Chan Er?"

"I'm coming, thank you, brother."

Meng Chanyin raised a smile, picked up the wide hem of her dress that was inconvenient to walk in, and followed closely behind him.

Crossing the threshold of Suiyu Pavilion, Meng Chanyin finally understood why Chunxin hadn't returned for so long.

"Miss."

Chunxin saw her and immediately looked down with a grievance, stepping quickly to her side, clearly terrified.

Meng Chanyin nodded to her reassuringly, glancing inadvertently at the sword-holding guard, then looked away.

With a sweet smile on her lips, she quickly walked to Xi Fumiao's side, looking up, "Brother, what was Ling Feng stopping Chunxin at the door for?"

Xi Fumiao glanced at her, casually saying, "If you want to know, you can ask yourself, didn't you stop me too?"

Not only did she stop him, but she also added an extra lock to the yard, changed the windows to only open from the inside, and even locked the windows.

All this was prepared to guard against him, he absolutely believed it.

That jerk!

Meng Chanyin pursed her lips in a slight smile, choosing not to say anything further.

The Xi estate sprawled luxuriously, and along the way, numerous servants bowed respectfully.

The two masters seldom walked side by side, and many couldn't help but whisper a few words after the pair dressed in black and green had passed by.

Upon his return, the Eldest Young Master didn't visit his own sister but instead went out with this so-called young lady. As the rumors suggested, he doted on Miss Chan, who was soon to be married.

The onlookers' gazes varied, but Meng Chanyin was the most annoyed.

She trailed behind him, discreetly rolling her eyes multiple times.

A lavish carriage stood at the entrance, its body embellished with opulent gold foil, and jade wind chimes hung from the beams. The thumb-sized crystal shards accompanying the chimes produced a crisp, melodic sound. The sides of the carriage were engraved with the Xi family's totem.

This was Xi Fumiao's personal carriage in Yangzhou, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans at great expense. The engravings showcased the imperial-bestowed Tengshe totem, a symbol of unparalleled prestige in the Yangzhou region.

Meng Chanyin watched him enter the carriage before quietly waiting for hers.

Abruptly, the bead curtain was lifted by a cold, pale, and graceful hand, the beads clinking with an ethereal sound.

Meng Chanyin looked over.

The young man's strikingly handsome and ethereal face was half-concealed within, his ink-dark eyes naturally exuded a cold indifference. His thin lips parted slightly: "Get in."

Ling Feng, having just placed the wooden step, set it down once more, his meaning clear and unyielding.

Meng Chanyin, reluctant to enter, smiled as she prepared to decline.

He shot her a cold glance, interrupting her before she could speak: "Chan Er, if we delay any longer, Miss Shen might grow anxious."

Meng Chanyin inhaled deeply, forcefully quelling her irritation. She glanced around, noting the sparse crowd, and gradually lifted her skirt to step onto the carriage using the wooden step.

The carriage's exterior was already lavish, and its interior was equally magnificent.

Inside, soft mats, jade seats, sandalwood incense, and even rare collectibles were meticulously arranged.

A delicate sprig of lily of the valley rested on the table against the wall. The man, clad in snow-white silk socks, lazily bent his legs, his elbow resting on the table as he perused a book. His thick lashes cast a shadow over his deep-set eyes, giving off an aloof and unapproachable aura.

Meng Chanyin sat in the corner farthest from him, arms crossed as she leaned against the carriage wall.

The unique, faint fragrance that belonged only to Xi Fumiao became increasingly noticeable in the enclosed space of the carriage.

She was annoyed by his insistence on escorting her to meet Shen Meng and his demand that they share the same carriage.

Shen Meng had invited her out of the estate, having heard about her situation, to arrange a meeting with Lou Zixu. Now that he was tagging along, she wasn't sure if she could even have a proper conversation with Brother Zixu.

Not only did he want to ruin her good fortune, but he was also preventing her from meeting Lou Zixu. He was truly detestable.

She closed her eyes, her expression blank, pondering what his recent actions truly meant.

On one hand, he displayed brotherly care, but on the other, his affection seemed to go beyond that of siblings.

Regardless of which it was, she had to preserve her relationship with Lou Zixu.

The night before, spring rain had fallen, and the carriage wheels rolled over the wet stone pavement, splashing water from the puddles. No one dared to approach the carriage on the street, and it moved smoothly and unimpeded.

The meeting place was the spring peach grove in the outskirts.

In early spring, the delicate pink and white peach blossoms bloomed vibrantly. A gentle breeze swept through, sending petals fluttering down like a soft, powdery rain.

The winding flagstone path, with one stone for each step, led directly to the ancient corridor and the elegant pavilion, where two people were seated.

The woman in a snow-white dress, radiating a cold yet stunning beauty, was Shen Meng. The man dressed in a straight green robe, wearing a scholar's headscarf, with the demeanor of a refined literati, was Lou Zixu.

Meng Chanyin's eyes brightened upon seeing the two in the courtyard. She quickly raised her hand, waving lightly, her voice cheerful and brimming with joy: "Meng'er, Brother Zixu."

At her call, the two who had been waiting in the pavilion turned their heads.

Lou Zixu turned to see a man and a woman emerging slowly from the peach grove, especially the handsome young man in a black robe and jade crown, whose striking appearance truly deserved the praise of being as refined as gold and jade, naturally gifted.

As they approached, Shen Meng stood and bowed to Xi Fumiao: "Greetings, Lord Xi."

"Greetings, elder cousin." Lou Zixu also did not expect that Xi Fumiao would come.

He hastily stood and bowed, flustered, his headscarf slipping off, and he fumbled to retie it, embarrassed.

"Sister Chan'er," Lou Zixu called out quickly, blushing and covering the back of his neck, too shy to meet her gaze in his disheveled state.

Noticing his slight embarrassment, Meng Chanyin stepped forward, took Shen Meng's hand, and teased: "It's been a while since I last saw Brother Zixu, and now you can't even tie your headscarf?"

Seeing her calm expression, Lou Zixu immediately felt relieved and ushered the newcomers to their seats.

Xi Fumiao ignored Lou Zixu and turned forward.

Noticing the flower tea brewing on the table, its fragrance wafting through the air, he casually remarked: "Adding a bit of honey to the flower tea makes it quite delightful, no wonder Chan'er is so eager to join us today."

Eager to impress his future brother-in-law, Lou Zixu quickly followed suit, brewing a cup of hot tea and presenting it respectfully with both hands.

"Elder cousin, please try this. Zixu specially brought this honey from a neighboring country, and it's exceptionally smooth."

Xi Fumiao glanced up with a half-smile at his flattering expression, set the bone fan on the table, accepted the tea, and paused before drinking. He turned his head to look at Meng Chanyin, who was kneeling obediently beside him.

"I remember Chan'er loves this kind of honey the most."

Meng Chanyin nodded obediently: "Brother still remembers."

Xi Fumiao then placed the teacup in front of her and suddenly smiled lightly: "Then sister should drink a few more cups. After all, the snow honey I sent can't compare to others', and it's no big deal if it's casually discarded in some corner of the flowerpot, right?"

The man's words were light, carrying a rare gentleness and jest, but Meng Chanyin's natural smile froze on her face.

She remembered. No wonder he had been away so long without sending anything. He must have known she had discarded the honey he brought back from the South Sea last time.