High-class Spring Joy

A few days ago, Jiang Qingyun finally knelt for three days and three nights and was carried back to Baiyun Courtyard to recuperate.

Seven days have passed since Jiang Qingyun was punished.

After she questioned Chu Jingyu last time, Chu Jingyu's attitude towards her changed slightly. He didn't talk much anymore and was usually expressionless. She went to serve Chu Jingyu as usual, but there was no other interaction between them.

Qingyuan guessed that the scoundrel was giving her the cold shoulder again. She was too lazy to care and just lived her own life. She would do whatever she was told, and when she was free, she would embroider the picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water. She would rest when night fell and spent seven days in peace.

When people are in a good mood and relaxed, they work much faster. Qingyuan hurriedly finished two-thirds of the embroidery of the mandarin ducks playing in the water. It was obvious what she was going to embroider.

Qingyuan calculated the time; she had seven days left, which meant she would definitely finish embroidering, so there was no need to rush.

The main reason was that she was thinking about how the Third Young Master and Guard Chen Sha had helped her twice, and she couldn't just be ungrateful and not repay their kindness.

She thought for a long time but couldn't come up with anything she could give. After all, what she gave to the Third Young Master couldn't be too shabby or too hasty, or it would seem perfunctory. But it also couldn't be too sensitive, since this was a secluded mansion, and if people misunderstood her, she would have to bear another charge of seducing her master.

That won't do. She wants to leave the manor safely and live a good life!

After thinking for a long time, Qingyuan decided to make something for the Third Young Master, but she didn't know much about his preferences, though she vaguely remembered that he liked sweets.

Qingyuan got up and went to the kitchen, slipped some loose change to the cook on duty, and began to cook.

Her cooking skills were developed out of necessity; Chu Jingyu was incredibly picky, not only could his words be deadly, but he was also notoriously picky about food.

Madam Dou hired more than a dozen chefs, including a former imperial chef who had retired from the palace. However, Chu Jingyu was in a bad mood and refused to eat anything prepared by even the most powerful person.

At that time, Qingyuan was only twelve years old and had been in the manor for four years. That day, Chu Jingyu was furious because he didn't see his favorite lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake. He refused to eat anything, and even when the small kitchen made up for it, he still wouldn't eat it.

Later that night, when she was so hungry she couldn't stand it anymore, she cried to Qingyuan, "Qingyuan... I want to eat lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, I want to eat what Qingyuan makes."

Qingyuan went to learn overnight. He didn't even glance at the dishes in the small kitchen or the delicacies prepared by Madam Dou. He just waited eagerly for Qingyuan's lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake. In the end, he received a plate of some broken pieces, but he still ate it happily.

From that day on, whenever he lost his temper, he would make Qingyuan cook his favorite dishes, saying that he would only cook what Ayuan made. With just one sentence, he made Qingyuan happy and heartbroken. She learned to cook all the dishes he liked, but she didn't care that she got two big blisters on her hands.

Later, Chu Jingyu was no longer the same Chu Jingyu. He never said those things to her again, and she no longer easily went into the kitchen.

Qingyuan, carrying a food box, was hesitating whether to enter Chixia Garden. As soon as she met Chu Jingxian, she made a series of mistakes.

She was lucky; after wandering around a corner of the Chixia Garden for a while, she happened to stumble upon Chensha coming out.

As soon as Chen Sha saw her, he said, "What are you doing here, little girl?"

Qingyuan didn't care what he called her. He was just a brute, so she let him be. People tend to be more tolerant of those who don't have much of a brain.

She handed him the food box: "Guard Chensha, the Third Young Master and you helped me a lot the other day. That purse was very important to me, and I haven't had a chance to thank you. I heard that the Young Master likes sweets, so I made some honey and brought it over. The large plate on top is for the Young Master, and the two small plates on the bottom are for you and that guard I don't know. Please take them in for me."

Upon hearing that there was food, Chen Sha's face lit up with joy. He opened the food box and his eyes lit up. He immediately agreed.

Seeing that Chen Sha had gone inside, Qing Yuan left with peace of mind.

When Chen Sha entered the study carrying a food box, Zhe Ji was reading the account books from the past few days to Chu Jingxian, which were piled up like a small mountain on the table.

This was after Zheji and his subordinates handled 90% of the matter; the remaining 10% was beyond their control.

Zheji asked, "What are you carrying in your hand?"

"This was sent by Miss Qingyuan. She said that the young master helped her a few days ago, and she heard that the young master likes sweets, so she made some honey to express her gratitude."

As Chen Sha spoke, he placed the food box at the other end of the table.

Chu Jingxian frowned slightly: "Where is he?"

"She's gone. Miss Qingyuan left after delivering the things," Chen Sha said nonchalantly.

"You didn't invite her in?"

Chu Jingxian frowned even more deeply.

"No, Miss Qingyuan only said that she wanted me to bring her in for you, young master; she didn't say she wanted to come in herself!"

Chen Sha said in a very serious tone.

Chu Jingxian: ...

Frustrated and helpless, he sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Chen Sha didn't think anything was wrong. He opened the food box, took out several dishes of honey, and casually placed the large dish in front of Chu Jingxian. He placed one of the two smaller dishes in front of himself and the other in front of Zheji.

Chu Jingxian clearly heard the sound of several dishes hitting the table: "Did she make a lot?"

"Indeed. Young Master, this large dish must contain at least twenty or thirty pieces, and there's also a small dish for your subordinates. Even for Zheji, whom I've only met once, Miss Qingyuan prepared a small dish for him!"

Chu Jingxian pinched one and felt it with his fingers. It seemed to be... shaped like a little rabbit?

As soon as you get close, you can smell a fresh and sweet orange scent, which is very tempting.

While flattered, Zheji was even more curious about Qingyuan, but his first reaction was to push the small dish in front of Chu Jingxian: "Well... I have never liked sweets, as you know, young master. Besides, I cannot accept such a reward without having done anything for you. Why don't you eat it for me?"

"You really like... um..." Chen Sha asked in surprise, but before she could finish speaking, someone covered her mouth.

"Don't speak." Zheji pushed the plate of Shensha back to Chu Jingxian. "Young Master, Shensha... Shensha doesn't like to eat either. Please eat it with him. I'll take my leave now..."

"Mmm...I love it...mmmmmmm"

Chen Sha was dragged away by Zhe Ji before he could finish speaking.

Faced with Chen Sha's question, Zhe Ji simply said, "Brother, I'm saving you."

Are you out of your mind? Didn't you see how happy the young master is?

-

As soon as Qingyuan left her residence and entered the kitchen, someone couldn't sit still anymore.

Chu Jingyu didn't go with Jiang Qingge today. Firstly, Jiang Qingge was busy taking care of her younger sister. Secondly, every time she talked about Jiang Qingyun, he got a headache and even felt a little unwilling to listen to Jiang Qingge.

He was all alone, bored out of his mind. He couldn't paint or write, and he felt completely lost.

He was quite happy before Jiang Qingge came, so why is he now...?

In the past, when he painted or wrote calligraphy, Qingyuan would grind ink beside him. Although she didn't speak, as long as he looked up, he could see the smile on Qingyuan's face and the tenderness in her eyes.

Blue Kite…

Chu Jingyu couldn't help but recall the questions Qing Yuan had asked him seven days ago, and he felt both reluctant and angry!

It was just a few words; even if she was angry, she should have calmed down by now. She's been so cold and indifferent to him for days!

Does he have to take the initiative to find her?

That's what he thought, but his feet unconsciously led him over there.

He grew angrier the more he thought about it, and even after arriving at Qingyuan's residence, he lingered there for almost half an hour before finally stepping inside when he saw that no one was in her room.

As soon as Chu Jingyu entered, he saw the embroidered basket neatly arranged on the bed.

He wanted to see what she had been doing all this time, ignoring even him, her young master.

Chu Jingyu picked up the neatly folded fabric from the embroidery basket, opened it, and immediately recognized it. His eyes revealed a knowing glint, and a smile played on his lips.

"Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water in Joy"

The embroidery wasn't finished yet, and his birthday was only a few days away. Chu Jingyu finally understood.

Oh.

On the surface, she seemed indifferent, but in reality, she wanted to embroider a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water as a thank-you gift...

He knew that she was just jealous that his attention was on Ge'er these past few days, so she was throwing a tantrum to get his attention!

He said that Qingyuan couldn't live without him, so how could she not care about him?

It's all an act, just a little trick between girls vying for favor.