Na Muzhong paid no mind to what Yizhixie was thinking. She dangled the immaculately clean porcelain plate in front of him, then placed it in his hands.
"Little Brother Xie, this is something we both ate from. I helped Shen Xiaoyan with her chores just now, so washing dishes is up to you."
With that, Na Muzhong sat aside, observing Yizhixie with leisurely interest.
Shen Xiaoyan, watching this unfold, felt utterly bewildered.
Just then, Yizhixie's next words made her abandon any thought of speaking.
"Then, can I sleep on the bed tonight?" Yizhixie pondered for a moment before asking with a smile.
Na Muzhong thought for a bit and said, "Talk about it after you've washed the dishes clean."
"Alright!" Yizhixie agreed gleefully, then stood up and said to Shen Xiaoming, "Come on, Xiaoming, take me to find the kitchen."
Na Muzhong watched Yizhixie's retreating figure until he passed by the window. She then leaned on the windowsill, watching Yizhixie and Shen Xiaoming head towards the west courtyard, a triumphant smile finally appearing on her face.
"Serves you right for always calling me foolish, hmph."
"What are you talking about?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, perplexed.
Na Muzhong winked at Shen Xiaoyan and said cheerfully, "I only said he should wash the dishes first, I didn't say he could sleep on the bed after washing them."
Suddenly, Shen Xiaoyan felt an overwhelming wave of sympathy for Yizhixie, who was trotting off to wash dishes.
Moreover, Shen Xiaoyan found herself very curious about Na Muzhong's upbringing and family environment.
What kind of family could raise such a daughter?
Yizhixie returned very quickly. It was unclear whether his actions were fast or if he hadn't washed the dishes at all.
Na Muzhong was also very happy to see Yizhixie return. She strode over to him and asked, "Little Brother Xie, are the dishes washed?"
"Yes, they're washed." Yizhixie nodded with a light smile.
"Mm-hmm, you can go look for it now."
"Look for what?" Yizhixie asked, a little confused and puzzled.
"Go find where you're going to sleep tonight," Na Muzhong said matter-of-factly.
Then, she began counting on her fingers, turning to look out the window, and continued, "I've observed for you. Look, the corridor is actually a good option, though you might not like it. The garden is also nice. Although there aren't many flowers now, at least there are a few evergreen trees..."
"Muzhong, what are you talking about?" Yizhixie quickly interrupted, asking with some confusion.
"I'm talking about where you're sleeping tonight. Isn't this a very serious issue?" Na Muzhong appeared completely innocent.
Yizhixie felt a bit muddled. Hadn't they agreed that he would wash the dishes, and then...?
"You're deliberately playing games."
Recalling their conversation just now, Yizhixie's face immediately darkened.
Indeed, Na Muzhong hadn't promised anything; she had only said to wash the dishes and then see.
"Muzhong, you've become clever now."
Yizhixie adjusted his facial expression and said to Na Muzhong in a surprisingly joyful tone.
Na Muzhong was a little surprised by Yizhixie's reaction. Shouldn't he be furious?
Perhaps it was because someone else was present, and he was trying to maintain his image, hence his deliberate calm demeanor?
"Since Muzhong cares so much about me, I mustn't disappoint Muzhong either." As Yizhixie spoke, he walked to Na Muzhong's side, took her hand, and led her to the kang.
"Muzhong, look, what about that area over there?" Yizhixie said, pointing with his finger at the circular open space surrounded by the garden.
Although covered by snow, the outline of the circular open space was still visible, and it was quite vast.
"What about it? It's spacious enough. How about I sleep there tonight? I can also enjoy the beautiful snow scenery. Oh, no, I mean, I can experience the joy of building a snowman."
Yizhixie's voice was filled with longing, as if sleeping in the snow at night was a truly wonderful thing.
Na Muzhong was momentarily speechless.
She had originally wanted to see Yizhixie erupt in anger and then try to coax him.
But who could tell her how things had turned out like this?
"Alright, since you like it, then you can sleep there tonight. Do you need a quilt?"
Despite feeling annoyed, Na Muzhong absolutely would not retract her previous words and considerately asked Yizhixie if he needed a quilt.
"No need. A quilt would also get wet from the snow, so it's better this way. Actually, if you don't mind, I'd like to sleep without clothes, so my clothes won't get wet."
Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei exchanged glances, both feeling utterly speechless about the couple.
"Forget it, let's go out and look. The distance is too great to clearly see the most suitable place to sleep."
With that, Yizhixie pulled Na Muzhong and hurried out.
Before Shen Xiaoyan and the other two could react, they saw the two of them already out in the snowy ground.
"Is he really the Grand Tutor?" Shen Xiaoyan asked Zheng Wei with suspicion.
She truly couldn't believe that such a... man could be the formidable Grand Tutor that Zheng Wei had spoken of.
Although one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, so far, apart from having a glib tongue, Shen Xiaoyan saw no sign of Yizhixie's prowess.
In fact, Zheng Wei also felt a bit awkward but couldn't say anything.
After all, the person he and Sima Han had met last time was indeed him.
Moreover, back then, Yexie wasn't like this.
The distance was quite far, and their voices were not loud, so Shen Xiaoyan and the others couldn't hear what they were saying, only that they were pointing and discussing different places.
After about another quarter of an hour, the two walked back together.
Shen Xiaoyan thought, had they already chosen? Would they really sleep there tonight?
"Hehe, we looked around, and we didn't find any good places, and the scenery wasn't good enough. So, Muzhong decided to let me sleep in the house tonight."
Yizhixie entered the room and immediately said with a smile to Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others looked at Na Muzhong simultaneously, and saw her nod reluctantly.
Shen Xiaoyan put her hand to her forehead. So, the couple was just playing a trick on them.
Just as everyone was at a loss for words, Sima Han returned.
"There's an empty side room in the front, and the other side is occupied by Lu Taobao. It's perfect for the Grand Tutor and his wife to move in. I've already arranged for people to prepare whatever is needed."
"That's very kind of you," Na Muzhong said to Sima Han with a smile and then looked at Yizhixie, "Little Brother Xie, shall we go take a look? There's still some time before lunch, and I'd like to wash up."
"Let's go. I'll take you, and I also need to go back to my room," Lu Taobao said, standing up.
Lu Taobao led Yizhixie and Na Muzhong to the front. Shen Xiaoming also stood up, saying he wanted to go back to his room to read. Sima Han went to the west annex to see Yue Qingxin and the child.
Eventually, only Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei remained in the room.
After the cups of tea were cleared away, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei sat down together to talk.
"Why do you think he came?" Shen Xiaoyan said lightly.
She hadn't named anyone, and her statement was completely without context, yet Zheng Wei understood what she meant.
"He must have had a reason for coming. But since they're not saying anything now, we can't push it," Zheng Wei said, shaking his head.
Shen Xiaoyan naturally understood this, but her curiosity remained, which is why she was discussing the matter with Zheng Wei.
Suddenly, Shen Xiaoyan remembered what Na Muzhong had said by the kitchen door earlier and recounted it to Zheng Wei.
After hearing this, Zheng Wei remained silent for a long time.
Although Yizhixie was only the former Grand Tutor, his life wouldn't be that bad. Even if the Emperor Dowager no longer held power, her words didn't carry as much weight as before.