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

Xie Yige got up very early, which was unusual for her.

She sat before the bronze mirror, watching Bichun busily working on her hair, feeling both expectant and nervous. Today she was going to his villa to admire the pear blossoms, and she didn't want to appear too deliberate, yet she couldn't help wanting to dress up nicely.

After much deliberation, I finally chose that pinkish-purple gown. It was soft and comfortable, and moved with a graceful, flowing motion. Paired with a flowing shawl, I looked like a goddess who had stepped out of a Dunhuang mural.

Bichun styled her hair into a flying bun, adorned it with a pair of "crabapple blossom" pear blossom hairpins, and decorated her forehead with a floral ornament, making her peach blossom eyes appear as clear as water.

"Miss, I feel so accomplished dressing you up!" Bichun took two steps back, admiring her work from left to right, beaming with pride. "I'm a genius!"

Xie Yige was amused by her and tapped her nose: "I know, your and Zhixia's monthly allowance will be doubled this month."

"Wow! Thank you, Miss! Bichun will always protect you!" Bichun's eyes lit up, and she quickly expressed her loyalty. She glanced at Zhixia, who was sitting quietly beside her, and added, "Zhixia too."

Zhi Xia immediately nodded in agreement. Although she still didn't show much expression, there was a clear smile in her eyes.

"Stop joking, I have to go."

"Miss, please be careful," Bichun cautioned from behind her. "Don't let anyone take advantage of you."

"Okay, I understand."

Xie Yige walked out of the Pear Garden, through the corridor, and just as she reached the vicinity of the Flower Hall, she saw a familiar figure sitting in the hall drinking tea.

It's my older brother, Zhou Xuan'an.

She paused, but it was too late to turn back.

Zhou Xuan'an looked up, saw her elaborate attire, and was taken aback: "Where are you going?"

Xie Yige quickly put on a smile: "Brother, I made an appointment with Zhiwei to go to the suburbs to admire the pear blossoms."

Feeling a little guilty, she thought for a moment and added, "If we stay out too late, we might have to stay out overnight."

Hearing that he was with Li Zhiwei, Zhou Xuan'an felt much more at ease. He had met Li Zhiwei a few times; she was cheerful and generous, and her martial arts skills were quite good—a reliable person.

"Alright, be careful." He picked up his teacup. "Remember to have Zhixia with you."

"Okay!"

Xie Yige responded and quickly walked out of the flower hall, afraid that he would ask a few more questions.

After leaving the Zhou residence and turning into an alley, she saw Cui Yutang, who had been waiting for her for a long time.

He leaned against the carriage, his moon-white robe accentuating his refined and noble air. Hearing footsteps, he looked up—

Then I was completely stunned.

His gaze moved from her hair bun to her eyebrows and eyes, and then from her eyebrows and eyes to her dress, as if he were nailed to the spot by something, forgetting even to breathe.

"That was close." Xie Yige patted her chest, still shaken.

Xie Yige quickly walked up to him and tugged at his sleeve in confusion: "Cui Yutang, what's wrong? We have to go."

"Oh... okay." Cui Yutang finally came to his senses, his ears turning red, and he quickly and carefully helped her into the carriage.

Bao Yu and Zhi Xia, who had witnessed the whole thing, exchanged a glance and both sighed silently.

The carriage moved slowly, and Cui Yutang sat opposite her, his gaze fixed on her, unable to look away.

"Why did you say it was a close call?" He remembered what she had just said and finally calmed down a bit.

"I ran into my brother this morning," Xie Yige said with a hint of resentment in her eyes. "I only greeted my sister-in-law last night."

Did he give you any trouble?

"Luckily I made plans with Zhiwei, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out."

Upon hearing this, Cui Yutang's mood immediately soured.

It seems I need to find a way to get along well with Zhou Xuan'an.

They met up with Li Zhiwei and his sister at the intersection of East Street.

Li Zhiwei was dressed in a pale yellow, narrow-sleeved Hu-style dress today, looking dashing and spirited. As soon as she saw Xie Yige, she lifted the carriage curtain and waved to her.

Li Zhige rode alongside, dressed in a black outfit, his posture upright. When he saw Xie Yige, a hint of amazement flashed across his face, and then he nodded politely.

The carriage traveled for about half an hour before arriving at the gate of Chaoyi Villa.

Li Zhige looked up and saw the four characters "Chaoyi Villa" above the door. His brows furrowed slightly, so quickly that almost no one noticed.

They walked along the bluestone path.

Li Zhiwei was instantly stunned by the elegant style of Chaoyi Villa, which was simple yet profound, and its magnificent scale.

"Young Master Cui, now I finally understand why the Cui family of Qinghe is known as the foremost family in the Tang Dynasty," she exclaimed sincerely. "Your family is truly wealthy."

"It's acceptable," Cui Yutang replied casually.

"These dozens of acres of rolling mountains and fertile fields all belong to your family, right?" Li Zhiwei pressed.

"Um."

Xie Yige was also surprised: "Is this the same Pear Mountain we saw last time?"

She had always thought that Lishan was a natural mountain landscape.

Seeing her surprised, doe-like eyes, Cui Yutang smiled and his gaze softened: "Yes. There are also peach blossom groves, plum blossom groves, and bamboo groves here. There are beautiful views to enjoy in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and you can even pick fruit to eat."

"Wow, this place is amazing."

"Do you like it?" Cui Yutang looked at her with sparkling eyes. "I'll transfer this villa to your name."

Xie Yige's face turned red instantly.

"Shut up," she whispered, recalling what happened at Linshui Pavilion, and thinking that this person was really capable of doing such outrageous things.

Li Zhiwei watched with envy. Xie Yige really has excellent taste; this man is amazing!

She couldn't help but glance sympathetically at Li Zhige, whose expression wasn't very pleasant.

She insisted on coming along to suffer; I have to admire her brother for that.

The four of them walked along the mountain path towards Lishan.

Looking out, the mountains were as green as ink, shrouded in a white mist, with thousands of trees like clouds and snow, layer upon layer spread across the sky and earth, like a dream. Although this was the second time Xie Yige had seen it, she was still amazed.

"Yige, this place is simply a paradise on earth!" Li Zhiwei exclaimed in surprise, holding her hand. "Luckily, I'm shameless enough to have come along, otherwise we wouldn't have had this feast for the eyes."

"I've never seen such a large pear orchard before either," Xie Yige said, recalling the last incident. It was such a pity, all his fault! She couldn't help but put on what she thought was a fierce expression and glared at Cui Yutang. But with her stunning makeup today, that glare was full of charm.

This instantly made Cui Yutang feel very satisfied.

Fearing her brother might suddenly die on the spot, Li Zhiwei quickly urged Xie Yige, "Let's go!"

This is so difficult. Can't we just let her out and have some fun?

As you walk into the pear blossom grove, you yourself become part of the scenery.

The pear blossoms on the tree were as white as snow. A gentle breeze blew, and the petals fluttered down, landing on their hair and shoulders. Sunlight filtered through the dense branches, casting dappled shadows, making each cluster of flowers seem to glow.

Watching Xie Yige, dressed in a pink and purple gown, flit among the pear trees like a pear blossom fairy, Li Zhige finally couldn't help but ask, "Yige, is there anything you like? Do you need me to pick some for you?"