“Mar… Marquis?” Liu Lu cried out in alarm as she held onto the oil candle and immediately rubbed her eyes. What is the Marquis doing? Is he kissing Young Miss? She wanted to approach closer to have a better look but she saw the Marquis turned his head slightly and gestured to be silent.
Liu Lu didn’t dare to move and stood stiffly at the same spot.
At this time, Yu Xiang raised half an eyelid and mumbled, “Elder Brother? You are back?” In a half asleep manner, the snow-white and floral scented arms naturally wrapped around her Elder Brother’s neck. She slightly tilted her head and snuggled into her elder brother’s face. She let go a while later, embracing the blanket and squirmed inwards to vacate a space on the bed.
The young girl’s voice was already delicate but it was a little raspy from her sleepiness, which brought a sweet taste that couldn’t be dissolved. The tip of Yu Pin Yan’s ears went numb and his heart felt like it was soaked in honey, rising up and down and unsteadily. His lips curved and he removed his coat and boots in front of the incredulous eyes of Liu Lu and laid beside the young girl.
Before she was twelve years old, the siblings often slept in the same bed so they were very familiar with each other’s movement. As soon as one cranes their neck, the other would tuck their arm under it and lightly pat the person he was hugging in his arms.
The young girl, who was already petite, curled up like a cat and burrowed further in her brother’s arms, appeared even smaller and softer like a ball, causing one to pity her. Yu Pin Yan merely gave a quick glance and couldn’t help giving a small laugh. He gently inserted his five fingers into her hair and gently stroked it. Then, sighing in contentment.
Yu Xiang was extremely comfortable with his stroking. Her eyelid grew heavier and heavier but she suddenly opened her eyes and asked, “Elder brother has gone to attend to Yu Si Yu’s matter?”
“Mm. I have dealt with it.” Yu Pin Yan indifferently nodded.
Yu Xiang responded with an “oh”. Her eyelids drooped twice before she fell into a dark and sweet dream, her small hands tucked tightly onto her elder brother’s collar.
Liu Lu held the oil lamp and went out for a while. When she returned, her master was already asleep while the Marquis was still lying beside her as he embraced her. One of his hands was under her neck and the other was playing with her master’s hair. The unusually handsome face was half revealed under the candlelight and the other half was hidden in the darkness. It was difficult to discern what his expression really was but his long, narrow and Phoenix like eyes were somewhat surprisingly brilliant.
Liu Lu secretly swallowed her saliva and took a while before she hesitantly spoke softly, “Marquis, I have just informed the front courtyard. They have already prepared the hot water and bathing utensils as they wait for your return. You have to attend imperial court tomorrow. Please rest early. Young Miss will be well taken care of by this servant.”
Yu Pin Yan didn’t respond. He combed and smoothed out his younger sister’s hair with his finger and carefully gathered up the corners of her blanket before he slowly pulled his arm out and was about to get up. However, at this time, he realised that his younger sister was still holding onto his collar and did not loosen her grip even in her sleep. The feelings of attachment overwhelmed him.
With both his arms resting beside his younger sister, he chuckled heartily and placed a kiss as soft as a butterfly on her forehead. Only then did he take out the dagger on his waist and cut off the cloth of his collar. He got off the bed and he paused slightly when he passed by Liu Lu as he stared intently at her.
When the tall figure finally disappeared in the night, Liu Lu could finally exhale and take a breath. She walked in a light headed manner to her master’s bedside, and discovered that her master was holding onto the piece of cloth. She was mumbling “Elder brother,” in her sleep, which was just simply extremely naive.
Liu Lu placed a hand on her face and sat on the foot of the bed for a moment before leaving, rubbing her throbbing head.
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Scandalous rumours always spread particularly fast. When Yu Si Yu was ordering someone to capture Jiang Xue, her affairs with Fang Zhi Chen had already become the talk of the town. Once again, people started to say that the upbringing of the children in the Marquis manor was really bad. With Yu Xiang being arrogant and domineering, the other Yu Si Yu being unbearably promiscuous. It was only the Second Young Miss who was not only gentle and obedient but also of high moral character, which was as expected of Abbess Kong’s disciple.
Although Abbess Kong had renounced her title as the imperial princess, she was still an imperial family member. With her as the backing, naturally no one dared to criticise Yu Miao Qi.
After only three days, Yu Si Yu managed to capture Jiang Xue and brought her back. Without asking any questions, she hurriedly brought her in front of the Old Madam. She said that she wanted to clear her name and invited Lin Shi and her daughter, Yu Pin Yan and Yu Xiang over. It appeared like it was going to be a public trial.
The Old Madam sat on the couch and Yu Xiang was resting on her elder brother’s arm as she nibbled on a cucumber. Lin Shi and Yu Miao Qi sat one seat lower than the Old Madam. One of them had a slightly tense expression, the other appeared angry but was in fact excited.
“Tell us, who instructed you to cause me trouble?” Yu Si Yu angrily pointed at Jiang Xue who was kneeling in the hall.
Jiang Xue shuddered and then she sheepishly looked towards Yu Xiang who was sitting on the upper seat and shouted, “Third Young Miss, you promise this maidservant that you will save me! You have promised this maidservant that you will definitely not implicate this maidservant. Otherwise, how would this maidservant dare to do such a wicked thing?!”