Zhuge Yue suddenly called out, and the child immediately stopped in her tracks, though she didn't turn around.
Zhuge Yue took out a small celadon bottle from a nearby drawer and slowly walked over. His boots made no sound on the soft bearskin rug. Reaching out to grasp the child's shoulder to turn her around, his fingers met with a stubborn resistance. Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow, noticing how the child stiffened her body, refusing to turn.
Being much older than her, Zhuge Yue placed both hands on her shoulders and, with a slight exertion of force, forcibly turned her around.
A small face streaked with tears appeared before Zhuge Yue, full of grievance. The child's eyes were red, and upon seeing him, her tears fell even more heavily.
"Alright, stop crying. I only scolded you a little," the young man said with a frown. "You made a mistake, and you won't allow others to say anything?"
"What mistake did I make? It was you who told me to learn horseback riding. I was learning just fine and didn't bother anyone." The eight-year-old child finally lost her temper, arguing back at her master with righteous indignation. As she spoke, she sniffled, nearly inhaling her snot.
Zhuge Yue frowned slightly, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, and began wiping the tears from the child's face. His technique was clumsy. As he wiped, he said, "You still think you're in the right? You lost my horse, and today, because of you, a fine young snow dragon horse from the Western Desert died. And you say you did nothing wrong?"
"It's not... it's not like I wanted to ride the horse myself. Besides, Young Master Yan... Young Master Yan already returned the lost horse. I... I heard it all." The child, feeling justified, refused to back down. Tears pattered down, quickly soaking Zhuge Yue's handkerchief. Just as he was about to fetch another one, the child suddenly used his hand to wipe her nose on the handkerchief.
Zhuge Yue was taken aback, staring dumbfounded at the dirty, sticky handkerchief. The child continued, "Even today, it was you who killed that horse."
"Hmph, you certainly know how to argue."
The child lowered her head and muttered defiantly, "I'm just telling the truth."
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on their shoulders. The child was still very small; even standing straight, she only reached the young man's shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed red, like two big apples.
"Here," Zhuge Yue placed the porcelain bottle in her hand and said, "Take this back and apply it."
True to a child's nature, her attention was immediately diverted. Zhuge Yue watched with faint amusement as the child held up the bottle and asked curiously, "What is this?"
"Medicine, for your abrasions."
Earlier, when the pony had run too fast, Chu Qiao's palms had been rubbed raw. The child pouted and nodded, saying, "Fourth Young Master, then Xing'er will take her leave now."
The young man sat back in his chair, not even lifting his head, as if he couldn't bear the sight of her. He waved his hand and said, "Go on."
Just as the child was about to open the door, Zhuge Yue suddenly called out, "Xing'er, from now on, when you see Young Master Yan, try to stay away from him."
The child tilted her head, looking at him in confusion. Zhuge Yue frowned irritably and shouted, "Did you hear me?"
"Understood!" the child replied loudly, then turned and left. Her small frame nearly stumbled as she stepped over the high threshold.This child's audacity is truly growing by the day. The young man's face darkened as he silently gasped for breath.
The moment the door opened, Zhu Cheng's worried face appeared. He hurried forward and, seeing Xing'er's tear-streaked face, anxiously asked, "What did the young master say? Was he angry?"
Chu Qiao glanced at him, nodded, then returned to her own room.
Zhu Cheng entered the room with trepidation. Seeing Zhuge Yue with his head lowered, he didn't dare make a sound and cautiously stood to the side.
After a while, something suddenly flew toward his head. Zhu Cheng was startled but didn't dare dodge, inwardly lamenting that his life was over. Yet the object felt soft, and being hit didn't hurt at all. Looking down, he saw it was a dirty handkerchief embroidered with a small "Yue" character.
"Take it away and throw it out."
Remembering Chu Qiao's tear-streaked face, Zhu Cheng seemed to suddenly understand something. He froze for a moment before hastily bowing and scraping, saying, "This servant obeys."
Just as he was about to leave, Zhuge Yue suddenly called out, "Wait." Zhu Cheng immediately turned back, bending at the waist to await instructions, every bit the servile attendant.
The young man's fair face was inexplicably flushed. After thinking for a long while, he still didn't speak. Zhu Cheng cautiously looked up and saw Zhuge Yue frowning deeply, as if making some major decision—exactly the same expression he wore when facing important matters. Zhu Cheng immediately pricked up his ears, attentively awaiting his master's command.
After a long time, an authoritative voice came from above: "Take it down to be washed clean, then bring it back to me."
"Ah?" Zhu Cheng stared wide-eyed and exclaimed loudly.
Zhuge Yue flew into a rage: "What do you mean 'ah'? Don't you understand?"
"Understood, understood! This servant will go right away."
The door slammed shut. Zhuge Yue sat in his chair, his breathing gradually calming. Remembering the child's pouting, tearful face, he felt inexplicably irritated. He stood up and went to the inner hall. The inner hall was simple and clean, with a portrait hanging directly opposite the bed. It depicted a young girl of about eleven or twelve, with bright eyes and a sweet smile. She wore a soft yellow upper garment and a light green skirt, looking utterly charming and adorable.
Zhuge Yue slowly reached out and gently touched the corner of the portrait. After a long, long while, he whispered almost inaudibly, "I'll believe one more time."
Chu Qiao's small figure walked along the corridor, head lowered, ignoring everyone who greeted her along the way—clearly the picture of someone who had been scolded and was holding a grudge. The servants on both sides speculated among themselves, but when they saw the child lift her head upon reaching her door, they immediately went about their own business, not daring to watch any longer.
The child stretched out her small hand, pushed the door open, and went inside.
The moment the door closed behind her, the child's previously sulky, adorable expression vanished completely. Her face turned calm, her eyes sharp. Holding her chest, she slowly sat on a stool, poured a cup of tea, and held it in her hand without drinking.
No matter what, she had survived today's imminent crisis. Regardless of how much Zhuge Yue believed, she was temporarily out of danger for now.
The clothes on her back were completely soaked through. A cold wind blew, chilling her through the damp fabric. Chu Qiao took a sip of cold tea, calming her rapid breathing, then closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh.In any case, she had to speed things up—there was no time left.
The cold wind cut like a blade; this winter was exceptionally harsh.
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