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

While taking a bath tonight, Xie Yige didn't dare let Bichun and Zhixia get close. She stayed alone in the bathhouse, the steam blurring her reflection in the bronze mirror. The shimmering water in the tub and the dim lamplight created an atmosphere of boundless spring.

Her fair and smooth skin was submerged in the water. She had a slender frame, and the lines from her chin to her neck, glistening with water, were as graceful as a swan's, while her shoulders were rounded and lovely. She lowered her head to carefully examine her upper body, revealing a pair of beautiful shoulder blades on her back.

Sure enough, a patch of red moonlight appeared ahead, especially at the very top, which was even more noticeable underwater. She lightly touched it with her fingertip and couldn't help but gasp—it was both painful and numb, with an indescribable tingling sensation.

Thinking of the tingling and strange pain he felt when he sucked on her during the day, she felt hot all over and her heart was pounding.

She closed her eyes, but the image of him lying in front of her involuntarily surfaced in her mind—his lowered eyelashes, his hot breath, the temperature of his lips and tongue.

"That bastard," she murmured, her face flushed red, whether from the warm mist or something else, making her look unusually charming.

She didn't use the ointment. After showering, she lay directly on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Under the covers, she secretly wrapped his black cloak around herself.

The cloak carried his lingering scent, a cool, crisp sandalwood fragrance, enveloping her tightly like his embrace.

The next morning, Xie Yige had just finished breakfast and returned to Pear Garden when someone came to inform her.

"Miss," Bichun said with a strange expression, "that woman from the Persian Pavilion who came last time has come again, saying she wants to see you."

"That Persian woman?" Xie Yige looked up in confusion. "Please come in."

This time, the Persian woman was not veiled, but dressed in a red exotic outfit, her steps light and graceful. She had deep-set features and snow-white skin, a very charming woman. This time, she carried a beautifully carved wooden box, larger and more exquisite than the last, its surface inlaid with tiny gemstones that shimmered brilliantly in the light.

She bowed slightly as she entered, smiling brightly: "Thank you, Madam. Yaoyue has come to see you again."

"What should I call you? Can I just call you Yaoyue?" Xie Yige was seeing a woman from another country up close for the first time, and her beautiful eyes were filled with curiosity as she looked at her. She noticed that Yaoyue's eyes were a light brown, as clear as glass.

"Just call me Yaoyue." Yaoyue smiled and handed the box to Xie Yige.

"What's this?" Xie Yige asked, looking at her with a puzzled expression after taking the box. The box felt heavy, making her even more curious about what was inside.

"The gentleman who gave you the crabapple hairpin last time said that a single hairpin was too lonely." Yaoyue's voice was tinged with laughter. "So he had our best craftsmen work day and night, and after more than half a month, they finally finished making a complete set of crabapple hairpins."

Xie Yige opened the wooden box and was immediately amazed.

The entire "Crabapple Blossom" headdress was made of snow-white jade petals, crystal clear, scattered layer upon layer like blooming pear blossoms. The crown's jade petals and pearly stamens were full and delicate, exuding a dignified aura that suppressed all the beauty of spring.

The delicate petals of the hairpin are exquisite and slender, while the pearls in the center of the pear blossoms resemble countless stars, their shimmering light dancing gently. The jade pendant, earrings, and necklace complement each other, capturing the pure and noble beauty of a pear tree in a breathtaking way.

"Miss," Bichun whispered in her ear, "last time one hair ornament cost a thousand taels, this whole headdress will cost..."

She didn't dare finish her sentence.

I can't believe it. Even if you sold two thousand of them, they wouldn't be worth that much money.

Xie Yige felt a sudden pang of heartache upon hearing this. He was such a spendthrift. She gently stroked the jade petals; they were warm to the touch, and the carving was so exquisite that the veins of each petal were clearly visible.

Such craftsmanship and top-quality materials could not have been completed in just half a month; he must have started preparing long ago.

Seeing her ever-changing expression, Yaoyue couldn't help but find it amusing. She probably didn't even know that half the shops on that entire street belonged to that person. The Cui family of Qinghe possessed a terrifyingly strong foundation.

Not long after Yaoyue left, a woman claiming to be the manager of Linshui Pavilion also came to pay her respects to Xie Yige.

"Zhixia, did we lose anything yesterday? Why are the people from Linshui Pavilion here?"

"No." Zhi Xia was very meticulous and never gave her ambiguous answers. "I checked everything when I came back."

Before long, the woman arrived in front of Xie Yige.

This person was none other than Yu Niang, the unfortunate woman who was woken up by Cui Yutang in the middle of the night to do chores.

"Yu Niang greets Lady Xie." Yu Niang was dressed in a purple outfit, her hair tied up high, looking very neat and efficient. Her movements carried a heroic air, clearly indicating that she was someone who spent many years managing business outside the home.

"May I ask what brings you here, Yu Niang?" Xie Yige's large eyes were full of questions.

Yu Niang presented a thin wooden box containing a contract: "This is the contract for Linshui Pavilion. Young Master Cui said you really like the food here, so Linshui Pavilion has now been transferred to your name."

Xie Yige, Bichun, and Zhixia were all dumbfounded after hearing this, their three faces showing the same expression, truly befitting their master and servant status.

Yu Niang chuckled inwardly, but didn't show it on her face: "Madam, there's no need to feel pressured. Linshui Pavilion is the master's private property. You can treat it as your own private kitchen from now on. Whatever you want to eat, just have the chef make it for you. Don't be shy."

After saying that, she took her leave, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.

Only the three of them, master and servant, remained, their mouths agape.

"Miss," Bichun swallowed hard, taking a while to find her voice, "Young Master Cui has truly added a magnificent touch to your already abundant dowry. Amazing."

She had already made up her mind to resolutely side with Cui Langjun from now on. A son-in-law like him was a rare find, even with a lantern.

"But I just like the food here, he doesn't have to give me the whole shop." Xie Yige held the contract, still somewhat dazed.

"Yi Ge?" Zhou Xuan'an's voice came from outside.