After a brief period of low spirits, Yu Changfeng resumed his carefree demeanor as a young master from a prominent family in the capital.
Madam Yu had Gao Momo pour him a cup of roasted buckwheat tea and said, “Little Seven says this tea can soothe the mind and improve vision, and lower blood pressure. You should have some too, lest you get worked up before you even complete your task.”
Yu Changfeng took a sip and praised, “Mmm, this tea is good. It seems like it’s the one Aunt sent to Grandfather and Grandmother a few days ago. You have no idea, those two elderly people treasure it dearly. Normally, they only allow a cup when I pay my respects on the first and fifteenth of the month. On other days, it’s impossible to get, let alone steal… uh…” Yu Changfeng realized he had spoken too freely in his excitement.
Madam Yu flicked him on the forehead, telling him not to embarrass himself in front of his cousin.
Su Xiaoqi pretended not to hear and offered a polite smile. She thought to herself that the second young master of the Duke of Yu’s mansion was indeed an interesting person. She wondered who the person he was looking for was, and what the so-called token was. Su Xiaoqi didn’t genuinely want to know; she was just curious. However, she knew that curiosity killed the cat, so she didn’t probe further, letting it pass after hearing it.
“Oh, right, Godmother, since Grandfather and Grandmother like this roasted buckwheat tea, I’ll bring more when I go to the capital this time, and have the shopkeeper mail some to them regularly from now on.”
“Hehehe, that’s good. It will also prevent some people from always finding crooked ways to cause trouble,” Madam Yu gave Yu Changfeng a sidelong glance. These brats were so troublesome, truly embarrassing. It was better to have a daughter, she was her intimate little padded jacket!
“Hahaha, what are you ladies chatting about so happily?” Mr. Gu’s voice was as cheerful and magnanimous as ever. His voice arrived before he did.
Su Xiaoqi looked in the direction of the voice and saw Mr. Gu at first glance. On such a cold day, he was wearing a wide-sleeved robe, and it was a single layer without cotton padding. She, on the other hand, felt cold even though she had wrapped herself up like a mummy. This contrast made one feel utterly defeated.
Shen Yun followed Mr. Gu. He also wore light clothing, explaining that he had practiced martial arts since childhood, so he had strong inner fire. This was indeed true; even though he wore little, his hands were always warm. He could also conveniently serve as Su Xiaoqi’s personal heater.
As they were talking, new people arrived, and introductions were naturally in order. Su Xiaoqi had initially worried that the outwardly proper Shen Yun wouldn’t get along with the somewhat lively Yu Changfeng. However, the two of them were much more harmonious than she had imagined. Moreover, with Mr. Gu’s introduction and endorsement, Shen Yun quickly gained Yu Changfeng’s trust. He even described the appearance of the token he used to find someone in front of them.
“A round object, not wood, not iron, not gold, not silver, black, about this big… Oh dear. The item is with Brother Qi, and it’s a bit difficult for me to describe. Please wait a moment, I’ll go find Brother Qi and bring the token over so you can help me take a look.” Yu Changfeng said and was about to leave.
Su Xiaoqi looked at Yu Changfeng, shocked. Why did the thing Yu Changfeng described sound so much like the piece she held in her hand? She glanced at Shen Yun and saw him winking at her. Remembering that Shen Yun had also seen that piece, and knowing he could tell, she knew Shen Yun had also recognized it. Su Xiaoqi sent him a questioning look, and Shen Yun nodded to her.
Su Xiaoqi hesitated, then let out a long sigh, and took out the black circular piece made of the same material as the horse’s mane whip from her spatial storage. She cleared her throat and said gently, “Cousin Changfeng, are you talking about this?”
“Ah, holy crap… No, no, I’m not cursing you, I’m just too, too shocked. How did the thing that was with Brother Qi end up in your hands? Do you know Brother Qi?” After saying this, Yu Changfeng seemed to realize something was wrong. “Brother Qi is such a cautious person, he wouldn’t lose this token. And when I parted ways with him just now, I saw it in his hand… Ah, you, you are the person we are looking for?” Yu Changfeng pointed at Su Xiaoqi with wide, round eyes and an equally wide-open mouth, looking at her in disbelief.
“Holy crap, this is big trouble, the Crown Prince has become a Commandery Prince…” Yu Changfeng realized he had spoken out of turn again and clamped his hand over his mouth, not daring to speak further. If he continued, he didn’t know what else he might say. But how to explain what was happening now? However, he was intelligent and quickly set his sights on Shen Yun. Thinking that they were a couple. After all, the person who sent them had repeatedly instructed them that they were looking for a young master, not a young lady. So, his mind raced, and after realizing the issue, he discovered this problem.
“Is this yours?” he pointed at Shen Yun.
Under Shen Yun’s expectant gaze, he flatly denied, “No.”
“Ah, then, whose is it?”
“Changfeng, don’t be anxious. We understand you have something on your mind, but how can you get anything done by being so flustered?” Madam Yu said with exasperation, wishing he were steel. Her nephew was good in every way, but his temperament was a bit too unrestrained. Alas, she wondered if he would ever change. Did he really need to suffer a few setbacks as her husband suggested to learn restraint?
After being reminded by his aunt, Yu Changfeng finally came to his senses. His reaction had indeed been a bit too much, but it was because he was in front of his own family that he behaved like that. He quickly lowered his head to apologize, then looked at Su Xiaoqi with a gentle expression and asked where she had obtained it.
Su Xiaoqi was somewhat speechless about Yu Changfeng’s impromptu performance. Seeing him normal now, she smiled and said, “This is from a friend of mine.”
“A friend, is it a male or female?” Yu Changfeng’s heart pounded violently, and he struggled to ask, holding back the suffocating feeling that threatened to overwhelm him.
Su Xiaoqi replied with a smile, “It’s a young master.”
“Excellent, excellent!” Yu Changfeng couldn’t help but jump for joy.
Madam Yu once again covered her forehead in exasperation, giving Su Xiaoqi a helpless smile, and explained to Shen Yun, “Ah, this child grew up on the border when he was young and has always been used to a free and unrestrained life, lacking any proper manners. Please forgive his rudeness, Brother Xu.”
Shen Yun said calmly, “Madam, you are too kind. Second Young Master is innocent and candid, showing his true nature only among family.”
Madam Yu speaking this way, in fact, distinguished the closeness and distance. She did not explain to Su Xiaoqi because she truly considered her a daughter. But Shen Yun was not. Even though he now held a dual identity, as the husband of her goddaughter and a student of her husband. But in Madam Yu’s eyes, Shen Yun’s intentions were too deep. Her daughter was intelligent and clever, as well as gentle and kind; marrying him would be too much of a compromise. It was just a pity that she had recognized this daughter too late. Otherwise, she would have found a good husband for her.