A raincoat wind and snow to the small garden

Chapter 17 Snowy Villa (Part )

Chapter 17
As she applied the medicine to Xiaoyuan, she could no longer kneel, so she leaned forward, held onto the bed frame, and bent down to press down.

The girl's slender waist with snow-white skin was bent again, and the waist was sunken deeper.

If Huai Yu wanted to apply medicine for her, he had to press his palms tighter so that they fit perfectly against her skin.

The young man was rarely at a loss. He curled his fingers and withdrew his hand after a while: "Alright."

Xiang Xiaoyuan stood up and slowly put on her clothes.

Her legs felt numb, and after calming herself down, she stood on tiptoe to help Huaiyu remove the hairband covering her eyes, and thanked her sincerely, "Huaiyu, thank you."

"It's just a small thing."

Huai Yu's eyesight returned to normal. The girl's body temperature still lingered in his palms. He put his hands behind his back at a loss.

Xiang Xiaoyuan pressed her lower back. She had a serious sprain. Although the pain had eased a lot, she still had to take the medicine for two days.

The little girl was unable to speak and asked, "Huaiyu, I may need to apply the medicine for two more days. Can you help me again?"

"No." Huai Yu frowned slightly, obviously not expecting that he would be blackmailed by Xiang Xiaoyuan.

Xiang Xiaoyuan sighed: "Okay then, I'll ask Senior Sister Yan and Senior Brother Lin when the time comes..."

Hearing Lin Qiyu's name, Huaiyu's gaze suddenly became sharp. He stared at Xiang Xiaoyuan and said in a cold and hard tone, "Are you still looking for Lin Qiyu?"

Xiang Xiaoyuan blinked innocently, "If Senior Sister Yan isn't available, I'll just be more familiar with Senior Brother Lin. Besides, you'll be at Duke Zheng's mansion in two days, and you'll have important matters to attend to, so you won't be able to find me..."

Huai Yu interrupted her: "On your birthday, I'll come back to help you after I'm off duty."

"Ah? Really?" Xiang Xiaoyuan smiled and nodded happily, "I'll wait for you!"

"Ah."

Huaiyu ignored her, turned around and quickly left the girl's boudoir.

Huaiyu thought that he simply knew that Xiang Xiaoyuan grew up in the countryside and had no awareness of the differences between men and women. He only helped her to prevent other men from offending the young lady.

It's reasonable and logical, and there's absolutely no personal preference for the little girl.

Two days later, Xiang Xiaoyuan went to Duke Zheng's Mansion with Yan Yun as agreed.

In recent years, Duke Zheng has not celebrated the New Year in the capital, but instead has spent his remaining years in a mountain villa outside Beijing. Therefore, this birthday banquet was specially held in the mountains to make it convenient for the old man.

Duke Zheng was more than twenty years older than Emperor Xie Zhen, and was both his teacher and friend. It was impossible for the emperor to go in person to celebrate the birthday of his minister, but in order to show that he highly valued his old meritorious officials, he specially granted him one more day of annual leave so that all officials would have time to go into the mountains and celebrate Duke Zheng's birthday.

The journey through the mountains was long, and the round trip, plus the dinner, would probably require an overnight stay. The Zheng family had made their fortune early in life, and their financial resources were quite affluent, but they still had some spare cash to accommodate a hundred or so guests.

Therefore, Xiang Xiaoyuan brought an extra set of clothes and prepared to spend the night in the mountains.

It was a cold winter day. By the time Xiang Xiaoyuan arrived at the villa, heavy snow had already fallen from the mountains. The white snow covered the sky and the earth, and the view was vast.

Xiang Xiaoyuan looked around and it was the first time he saw so many people coming to a birthday party.

At the gate of the villa, all kinds of luxurious carriages and horses were coming in an endless stream. Boxes and baskets filled with gold, silver, and jade were carried into the house one by one. Servants and stewards held tea and snacks in one hand and teapots in the other, knocking on the carriages from house to house and serving warm tea to the guests waiting outside.

Looking towards the small garden, I saw a thin figure in the distance. The young man was wearing a fox cloak and a green robe, with a high nose and cold eyes. His every move exuded a noble and elegant air, which was above the world.

It’s Xie Yunxue.

Just as Huaiyu said, he will come to Zheng's house today.

Before Xiang Xiaoyuan could find a way to get close to the Crown Prince, Wu Jingnu, accompanied by her maid, had already walked slowly towards Xie Yunxue.

Xiang Xiaoyuan attended the banquet today, wearing the typical uniform of a Xuanqi Division female disciple: a pink shirt and white robe, a red string tied around her waist, and a nine-tailed fox jade pendant. Her hair was styled in simple buns, and her spiky black hair resembled a pair of lively fox ears. Furthermore, Xiang Xiaoyuan was only fourteen or fifteen, in the prime of youth. With her rosy lips and white teeth, she looked delicate and beautiful no matter what she wore.

But Wu Jingnu was different. She was one or two years older than Xiang Xiaoyuan, with a slim figure. She was wearing an orange dress with peony patterns. Perhaps to match Xie Yunxue, she also wore a red fox cloak. Even the thick satin could not hide her plump breasts and buttocks, making her look much more mature than Xiang Xiaoyuan.

It was obvious that Wu Jingnu came for Xie Yunxue. After greeting him, she refused to leave for a long time. She talked about Queen Wu and asked the Crown Prince for advice on the lessons of the Xuanqi Division.

Even if Xie Yunxue disliked this cousin from the Wu family, he would never show it in front of others.

Xiang Xiaoyuan looked at this extremely well-matched couple from afar, feeling inexplicably melancholy.

"Xiaoyuan!"

"You're here so early!"

Soon, Yan Yun and Lin Qiyu patted Xiang Xiaoyuan's shoulders on the left and right.

Xiang Xiaoyuan was pushed and staggered, and his back injury almost relapsed.

She barely stopped walking, the disappointment on her face faded, and a smile reappeared on her face: "Senior Sister Yan, Senior Brother Lin, what a coincidence!"

Perhaps the three of them were laughing too loudly, and before Xiang Xiaoyuan could say a few words, Xie Yunxue looked in her direction.

Xiang Xiaoyuan met the Crown Prince's gaze and was slightly startled.

As a subordinate, how could she not pay her respects to her superiors?

Then, Xiang Xiaoyuan stepped forward and saluted, "This humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Hmm." Xie Yunxue glanced at the belt around her waist with a pair of cold eyes. On the thin leather belt hung an ivory badge of Xuanqi Division, a fox badge of a Class C disciple, and a purse filled with small change, but there was no gift from him.

Xie Yunxue lowered her eyelashes and asked thoughtfully, "Mr. Xiang, why aren't you wearing the jade pendant I gave you?"

"Ah?" Xiang Xiaoyuan didn't expect Xie Yunxue to suddenly attack him. He said that what he said was unreasonable. Did she have to wear the things he gave her all day long to admire them?
Xiang Xiaoyuan suppressed his dissatisfaction and replied in a low voice, "I am afraid that the jade gift from Your Highness is too valuable and might be damaged when I take it, so I have kept it at home and dare not play with it casually."

Xie Yunxue said nonchalantly, "Since it's a gift, it's yours. I won't blame you if it gets broken or damaged. Wear it."

"Yes." Xiang Xiaoyuan was still hoping for an opportunity to get close to the Crown Prince, so she naturally wouldn't disobey him. However, she had a new understanding of Xie Yunxue's dominance. She had to wear anything he gave her, regardless of whether she liked it or not, because he would constantly check it.

After Xie Yunxue gave the instructions, she followed Eunuch Fusheng into the villa.

Yan Yun and Lin Qiyu were confused as to why the Crown Prince was picking on Xiang Xiaoyuan. Even Xiang Xiaoyuan felt that Xie Yunxue was cold and arrogant, as if she wanted to suppress her for being the first to stand out. Only Wu Jingnu noticed something different.

Xie Yunxue had always looked down on the common people. When would he care whether a subordinate wore something bestowed upon him by the emperor? He was clearly paying attention to Xiang Xiaoyuan, as he could tell from a quick glance that the sash around her waist didn't include his jade pendant.

Wu Jingnu looked at Xiang Xiaoyuan as if she were facing a formidable enemy... It wasn't a big deal that Wu Jingnu didn't win the Crown Prince's favor, but if this village girl got there first, won Xie Yunxue's love before her, and entered the Eastern Palace, she would really want to die! Absolutely not!
After thinking about it, Wu Jingnu snorted coldly, glared at Xiaoyuan, the little vixen, and walked away arrogantly.

Xiang Xiaoyuan rolled her eyes for no reason. She touched the tip of her nose and asked blankly, "Did I offend Senior Sister Wu?"

Yan Yun sneered: "Ignore her, she is sick."

Lin Qiyu: "That's right, let's go, after we give the gifts, let's go and book the guest rooms first. If we go too late, we won't be able to stay in the same courtyard."

Thinking of the big event of grilling lamb skewers together in the courtyard that night, Xiang Xiaoyuan ran away with his friends without saying a word. Xiang Xiaoyuan was just a small errand boy in the Xuanqi Division. After delivering the gifts that night, he followed Yan Yun to the banquet for the younger generation.

Yan Yun and Lin Qiyu went to the next yard to fetch wine, leaving Xiang Xiaoyuan alone waiting at the table.

After a while, several granddaughters of Duke Zheng came to entertain the younger ones on behalf of their elders. When the young ladies get married in the future, they will have to take care of the banquets and entertaining guests at home, so naturally they need to gain experience in advance.

The sisters from several rooms were wearing orange dresses with gold weaving. They looked to be of similar age. They had flowers in their hair and their eyes were bright and beautiful. They were all beautiful and charming.

Only the girls from the Zheng family came together, but there was a little girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old following far behind, and no one paid any attention to her.

The little girl was all alone, with only her maid as company. She looked so pitiful.

I feel so isolated, I don’t know if it’s because my sisters are angry with me.

The second wife of the Zheng family was acquainted with Wu Jingnu, and upon seeing her, she came forward to greet her: "Jingnu, I'm glad to see you! If it weren't for my grandfather's birthday, I don't think you would have bothered to come and play with me, would you?"

Wu Jingnu smiled and held her hand: "How could that be? I miss you too."

Zheng Erniang took her sisters and introduced them to Wu Jingnu: "This is Sanniang. I told you that she loves making incense. This is Siniang..."

Zheng Erniang finished her speech, glanced at the lone Eighth Sister, and snorted coldly, "Let's not talk about that one. I found her in the countryside last year. I took her to a family dinner before, and she couldn't even catch Bai Miaomiao's flying flower order. It was such a disgrace to me! Bai Miaomiao told everyone I had a silly sister, and she even suspected that I had inherited some of that country girl's temperament."

Zheng Erniang complained continuously. She was obviously the eldest sister, but instead of covering up for her younger sister, she cut off ties with her own eighth sister in front of outsiders, fearing that others would classify her as a country girl and laugh at her vulgarity in private.

Wu Jingnu chuckled softly. Instead of helping Zheng Ba Niangzi and Zheng Sirou out of trouble, she gave Xiang Xiaoyuan a meaningful look and said, "Well, your eighth sister and my junior sister Xiang have both lived in the countryside for a long time. I think they will have a lot to talk about."

Wu Jingnu pointed towards the small garden, and the eyes of all the young ladies immediately fell on her.

Those looks, some probing, some surprised, some mocking, some sneering... none of them were kind. If they treated Xiang Xiaoyuan kindly, wouldn't that be a public announcement that they also approved of unruly village girls?

Zheng Sirou's tears welled up in her eyes. She bit her lower lip and said, "I can already recite those poems with flowers. I'm working hard to learn..."

She choked up and said something, but still did not get the understanding of the noble ladies. Instead, seeing her crying in public, they all had to cover their lips and laugh.

Zheng Sirou was at a loss as her fingers were tightly grasped by another small hand, and warmth spread to her palm.

She turned her head in surprise and met Xiang Xiaoyuan's friendly gaze.

Xiang Xiaoyuan held Zheng Sirou's hand tightly and said to Wu Jingnu, "Sister Wu, do you mean that it's shameful for me to live in the countryside for so long?"

Wu Jingnu deliberately spoke in a sarcastic tone to imply Xiang Xiaoyuan. It would have been fine if she understood what he meant, but she had to ask so directly.

How could Wu Jingnu justify this sarcastic and mean image? Xie Yunxue was also present at the dinner tonight.

If the prince knew that Wu Jingnu helped outsiders and bullied fellow disciples of Xuanqisi, she would probably suffer the consequences.

Wu Jingnu immediately defended herself, "No...that's not what I meant. I just meant that you two have similar circumstances and will definitely get along well."

Xiang Xiaoyuan nodded in understanding: "So, Senior Sister Wu also thinks the countryside is wonderful?"

Wu Jingnu was at her wit's end and nodded reluctantly.

If she hadn't been afraid of Xie Yunxue, the top leader of the Xuanqi Division, and Huai Yu, the head of the secret guards, she wouldn't have been unable to even defeat a village girl.

Xiang Xiaoyuan helped Zheng Sirou get back 10% of the points. She did not linger and pulled the girl away.

When they reached the moon-shaped gate of the inner courtyard, Xiang Xiaoyuan let go of her hand and apologized: "I was impulsive in helping you out, but I don't know if I have caused you any trouble. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

Xiang Xiaoyuan saw injustice and helped out, forgetting whether Zheng Sirou was willing to have anything to do with her. If she helped out in vain and ended up making Zheng Sirou unhappy, she would be shooting herself in the foot.

Fortunately, Zheng Sirou was a grateful young lady. She chuckled and shook her head at Xiang Xiaoyuan: "Miss Xiang is willing to speak up for me. Sirou is very grateful. I never think there is anything wrong with living in the countryside. Life in the countryside is obviously much more comfortable than in Beijing."

At that time, Zheng Sirou had not yet been found by the fourth branch of the Zheng family. She lived in the town with her adoptive parents. Her parents treated her kindly and loved her as their own daughter. They would buy her new clothes, and her brother would bring her delicious cakes every time he came home from the county school.

All the delicious food comes to Zheng Sirou.

But when she returned to Duke Zheng's mansion, which was obviously a prestigious family that was out of reach for ordinary people, she felt that every day was so hard... Her brothers didn't like her, and her sisters despised her. No matter how Zheng Sirou tried to please them or how well-behaved she was, no one would look at her straight in the eye.

Even if her parents had found her, it was only because they didn't want their bloodline to be left among the common people...

Zheng Sirou is not likable.

Xiang Xiaoyuan had no intention of getting close to her and turned to leave, but Zheng Sirou stopped her: "My name is Zheng Sirou. My brother used to call me Xiaorou. Do you have a nickname, Miss Xiang?"

This means to make deep friendships.

Xiang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but smile: "You can call me Xiaoyuan."

Xiang Xiaoyuan chatted with Zheng Sirou about life in the countryside. When they returned to the guest room, the moon was already at its zenith.

She pushed the door open wearily and walked in, vaguely seeing a tall and narrow figure behind a brocade screen with osmanthus patterns.

Xiang Xiaoyuan choked and became alert. Before she could draw out the dagger from her waist, her wrist was restrained by several slender finger bones.

"it's me."

The sound is like water hitting a jade disk, cool and warm, it is the sophora japonica rain.

Xiang Xiaoyuan was surprised: "Huaiyu, are you here to apply medicine to me?"

The young man in black archery uniform sighed and nodded.

Xiang Xiaoyuan climbed onto the pearwood couch obediently and put the medicated oil into Huaiyu's hand.

After he covered her eyes and gave her a heavy massage, he asked Xiaoyuan, "Huaiyu, has His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arranged a marriage?"

When Xiang Xiaoyuan asked about Xie Yunxue for the first time, Huaiyu was stunned. His hands stopped unexpectedly, and his phoenix eyes were blocked by the cloth, so he couldn't see Xiang Xiaoyuan's expression clearly.

He didn't know what she meant, so he pondered it in his heart and said calmly, "Why are you asking this?"

Xiang Xiaoyuan had a worried look on her face. Of course, she wanted to get close to Xie Yunxue so that she could meet the emperor as soon as possible.

But he is close to Wu Jingnu today, and will be close to Zheng Niangzi tomorrow. If he already has someone he likes, she would not want to do anything fickle to avoid arousing suspicion.

She said something that didn't make sense to Xiaoyuan: "In our country, if anyone gets close to a man who's already engaged, pig's blood will be thrown at the door."

Huaiyu thought about it for a long time and vaguely understood that Xiang Xiaoyuan seemed to want to get close to the crown prince.

why?
The boy's brows furrowed slightly.

He hesitated for a long time before he slowly said, "Your Highness... you have no engagement, nor any woman you are attracted to."

(End of this chapter)