In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

A short while later, Baoyu was seen standing in front of the hanging flower gate, holding a long wooden box.

"Zhixia, why are you here to pick me up?" Baoyu's face lit up with joy, and her eyes brightened.

"Let's go." Zhi Xia said succinctly, then turned and walked back.

"Mhm." He followed along eagerly, his steps light as if he were walking on clouds. "By the way, how's your martial arts practice going lately? Shall we arrange a place to have a fight?"

"Shut up."

"No, sparring helps us improve!"

"Let me tell you, I recently learned a new trick, it's amazing, I guarantee it'll blow your mind..."

Zhi Xia didn't say much, but rolled her eyes a dozen times before quickening her pace.

Baoyu kept talking nonstop the whole way, completely unaware that she had been disliked.

He was dressed in a dark blue outfit today, his hair was tied up neatly, and he looked more serious than usual.

Before long, they arrived at Pear Garden.

"Greetings, Miss Xie." He held the long box and bowed respectfully.

"Baoyu, what brings you here?" Xie Yige asked anxiously. "How is his injury?"

"My master said not to worry, he is in good health and will recover soon," Bao Yu replied respectfully, then handed the long wooden box in her hand to Xie Yige. "This was sent by my master."

Xie Yige's big eyes were full of doubt. She took it and opened it, and inside were several scrolls of paintings?

"What is this?"

"This was painted by the master himself," Baoyu explained. "It's a realistic painting of the interior and exterior of the Liantang Residence where the master lives. The master said, 'Please take a look and see where any changes or additions are needed, and do everything according to your preferences.'"

Xie Yige's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her ears turned as red as if they were about to bleed.

Bichun covered her mouth and chuckled to herself, while Zhixia, though expressionless, looked as if she had been stuffed with something in her mouth—these two were still half a month away from their wedding, and they were already being sickeningly sweet.

"In addition, the master said that he can accompany you to Chaoyi Villa in person, so no map was drawn."

"I understand," Xie Yige replied softly, but her heart was bubbling with excitement.

She opened the first scroll.

What comes into view is an elegant courtyard layout.

Her gaze was instantly drawn to the emerald green lotus pond—the water was azure, the lotus leaves swayed gently, and she could almost smell the sweet fragrance carried by the summer breeze. Beside the pond stood a tall, old pear tree, its branches strong and vigorous, with tiny green fruits peeking out from its tips.

"Is there running water under this lotus pond? How come it's so clear?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Yes," Baoyu replied, "It is a rare living lotus pond in the capital, very clean and clear."

The image immediately flashed into Xie Yige's mind.

A guqin can be placed in the middle of the pavilion on the lotus pond, and transparent gauze of sky and water blue can be hung around it, fluttering in the wind, making the blue water hazy.

They listen to the rain in spring, admire the lotus flowers in summer, play the zither in autumn, and brew tea in winter.

That sight must be absolutely magnificent.

She continued looking down. A three-story main building with dark tiles and upturned eaves overlooking the water, a deep courtyard, and winding corridors. The main building, connecting rooms, flower hall, main hall, study, bedroom, back garden... every place was clearly marked.

The layout of the bedroom, the location of the desk, the style of the window curtains, the color of the curtains... every detail is depicted in great detail, even the vase in the corner and the pen holder on the desk are not omitted.

With delicate brushstrokes, meticulous and refined colors, and ingenious variations in lines, the painting vividly depicts the beauty of artistic conception.

It's obvious that a great deal of thought and effort was put into it.

How can he be so good?

She was engrossed in reading when she suddenly noticed a line of barely visible text below.

When Xie Yige got closer and took a look, her eyes instantly turned red.

The sign read: Xie Yige and Cui Yutang's home.

She blinked her big eyes, and glistening tears clung to her long eyelashes, sparkling and shattering—it was incredibly beautiful.

Xie Yige felt a pang of sadness and her heart melted. She wished she could bury herself in his arms and hold him tightly.

She carefully rolled up the painting, gently placed it back into the long wooden box, and then securely fastened it before looking up at Baoyu.

"I'll talk to him in person when I see him." Her expression was extremely gentle, like a pool of spring water melting in spring.

"Is there something urgent? Could you wait here? I'd like to prepare some medicinal cuisine for him."

"My most important task today is to come to you," Baoyu replied respectfully. "I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."

Xie Yige then led Bichun into the inner kitchen of the Pear Garden.

Soon after, a fragrance wafted out, instantly filling the entire pear orchard.

The aroma was rich and warm, carrying the medicinal fragrance of angelica and the savory flavor of mutton, spreading through the air and making one's mouth water.

Since Zhixia was not good at cooking, she stayed outside and lay under the pear tree, basking in the sun and lost in thought.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the lush branches, casting dappled shadows on her.

These days are wonderful, and she likes them very much.

Bao Yu watched her from afar, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

From now on, they can follow the two masters together.

Xie Yige brewed a pot of "Angelica and Ginger Lamb Soup".

She took a double-layered insulated food container, lined the bottom with soft cotton to prevent it from tipping, and then carefully and steadily placed the whole soup pot inside.

The soup was milky white and warm, and the mutton was stewed until it was fresh, fragrant and tender. It was an ancient dietary therapy specially made for those with sword wounds to nourish their blood and qi, replenish yang and promote muscle regeneration.

When Cui Yutang received the medicinal meal that Baoyu brought back, his whole demeanor brightened.

He eagerly opened the lid, and a rich aroma wafted out, carrying the warmth of angelica and the freshness of mutton, instantly filling the entire room.

"It smells so good."

He took a small bite, and his eyes immediately lit up. The meat was so tender that it melted into the broth, with a rich and lingering flavor. The warmth slid from his throat all the way to his stomach, making him feel completely comforted.

Such a wonderful Xie Yige—can only belong to him from now on.

Cui Zhinuan returned home early from court today, a rare occurrence. He arrived at his Liantang Residence before even changing out of his court robes.

Upon entering, one sees Cui Yutang holding a food box, drinking with great satisfaction.

"What are you drinking?" Cui Zhinuan asked.

Cui Yutang subtly pulled the soup closer to his chest.

Cui Zhinuan was speechless. Did he think he would steal her drink? The Cui family wasn't poor!

"It was Yige who made me the Angelica and Ginger Lamb Soup." Cui Yutang's expression was pleasant with a fleeting hint of pride. "She said it was an ancient dietary therapy method from the 'Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold'."

Cui Zhinuan felt heartbroken.

He raised his son for twenty years, and before they were even married, he was already siding with his future wife.

"You can talk while you drink, don't let it get cold." Ignoring his smugness, Cui Zhinuan sat down in the chair opposite him, her expression turning serious. "You'll be officially in office the day after tomorrow, and there are a few things I need to tell you."

Cui Yutang's expression also turned serious as he looked intently at Cui Zhinuan.