Chapter 14: Miss, why is your face red?

At the same time

By West Lake lies the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa.

Inside an old-fashioned room, delicate embroidery hung on the curtains, an exquisitely carved jade-inlaid tooth bed stood, with embroidered quilt and coverlet, and small exquisite sachets hung on the curtain hooks at either side, giving off a faint fragrance; the furnishings nearby were all those used in a young lady's boudoir.

At that moment, a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl lay on the bed, wearing clean white silk pajamas, her black hair spread over the pillow, a jade-white little hand stretched out from the covers and lay horizontally on the edge of the bed; looking at her face, though pretty and lovely, she had an innocent, simple-minded air.

She was exactly the 'Silly Girl' from years ago; now fifteen or sixteen, she no longer played in the mud.

Beside the tooth bed sat a similarly dressed girl in plain clothes, taking the pulse of the 'Silly Girl', her pretty eyebrows furrowing and relaxing on her lovely face.

This person was none other than Yan Huai xi, whom Niu Dingtian had 'abducted', and beside her stood a dazed maid named Yun Ling.

"Sister! Sister! Hehe."

Suddenly seeing someone walk in at the door, the 'Silly Girl' on the bed lit up with delight, flung off the covers and happily flung herself into the woman's embrace, like a swallow returning to its nest.

The visitor was none other than Chen Jin'er.

Seeing the 'Silly Girl' rush over, Chen Jin'er caught her in her arms and, with an indulgent expression, stroked her head.

Then she reacted, quickly pulling the 'Silly Girl' back onto the bed, tucking the covers over her, and said with a reproachful face:

"Be careful not to catch a chill! In such cold weather, how could you run out without clothes, my dear? Not allowed next time."

Having said that, she gave her a cross look.

"Hehe."

The 'Silly Girl' said nothing, merely opening her big eyes and gazing at Chen Jin'er with a happy, foolish smile.

The two people beside her looked on, full of pity.

Yun Ling's face showed some exaggeration.

"Sister Huai xi, have you been getting used to staying here these past few days? If anything is not right, just tell your sister directly; don't treat your sister as an outsider."

Chen Jin'er then took Yan Huai xi's hand and asked with concern:

Regarding her younger brother-in-law's misdeeds, she felt quite guilty; now he had run off with no news, leaving her to clean up the mess.

No, it's that only she can clean up this ruined situation.

"Sister Jin'er, don't stand on ceremony; this place is quite nice, the manor is large with many places to play, and usually you and your sister keep me company with conversation."

"Moreover, the study contains some precious medical texts, which are exactly what you used to long for but could not obtain."

Yan Huai xi listened and hurriedly replied:

Regarding this sister's concern, she truly felt a bit embarrassed; living in the manor, everyone up and down treated her with respect, making her feel almost like a half-mistress.

Each day she merely took over from her father the task of treating the 'Silly Girl'; other times she had nothing to do.

Poor Miss Huai xi still did not realize that she and her father had been imprisoned here together.

It was also because Father Yan pitied his daughter's fright and anxiety, not telling the truth, only saying that he had made a mistake while seeing patients in the palace, fearing the authorities would call him to account later, so he hid in this manor.

"Sister Jin'er, I don't know when Young Master Niu will return to the manor."

Immediately after, Yan Huai xi cautiously asked Chen Jin'er the question she cared about most.

She merely felt that, as a young woman, it was hard to bring up, and as if thinking of something, her face turned slightly red, feeling quite embarrassed.

"Miss, miss! Why is your face red?"

"Are you sick? Should I have Yun Ling tell the master?"

Suddenly, Yun Ling beside her seemed to notice that her young lady's face had turned red, and she hurriedly asked in a dazed, concerned way.

Upon hearing this, Yan Huai xi's pretty face instantly flushed crimson; she felt as if her face were on fire, both ashamed and annoyed, and she glared with her beautiful eyes, red-faced and angrily exclaimed:

"It's just that the room is a bit hot; don't talk nonsense! All this startle."

Having said that, she seemed to feel that Chen Jin'er was mocking her, and she glared at her dazed maid as well.

Just then, the 'Silly Girl' on the bed suddenly pointed at Yan Huai xi with an excited expression and laughed:

"Hehe. Sister's face is red! Sister's face is red!"

Yan Huai xi:

No place to hide.

Seeing this, Yun Ling felt bewildered for a moment, somewhat wronged.

She thought: "What's wrong with the young lady? She never used to be so fierce toward people; does she dislike me now?" Sniffle sniffle sniffle.

It's no wonder Yan Huai xi set aside her maidenly reserve to ask that.

She thought: that person, upon first meeting, touched places he shouldn't have, embraced what he shouldn't have, and moreover...

... and pinched with such force that even now recalling it still feels a bit painful.

Originally she thought to just bury it in her heart and not mention it to others, but these days she occasionally recalls the scene, and inevitably feels a bit ashamed and annoyed.

She also thought that he didn't even offer an explanation, just patted his butt and left, and to this day she hasn't seen a trace of him.

All at once, a myriad of thoughts.

If Niu Dingtian were here, knowing what this girl thinks, he would surely shout: "Wronged!"

Seeing this, Chen Jin'er gave a knowing smile.

Thus she hurried over, took Yan Huai xi's hand, and said apologetically:

"Sister, don't blame me; it's not that my uncle intentionally slighted you and your father,"

"Indeed, that day he had urgent business to attend to in the Jin State, and he still hasn't sent back any news,"

"The manor also has some business in the Jin State; sister has already sent people to inquire, and any news will be passed along immediately; when he returns, sister will surely have him apologize to you and your father!"

Hearing this, Yan Huai xi felt her heart ease a little, though her face remained somewhat embarrassed.

"Madam, it's time for dinner."

Just then, the guard Xiao Qing from the rear courtyard came in, announcing that it was time for dinner; Chen Jin'er dressed the 'Silly Girl' in clothes, tidied her up, and then affectionately took Yan Huai xi's little hand and walked toward the dining hall.

Following behind, the 'Silly Girl' thought:

Sister, why aren't you holding my hand today? Do you not like me anymore?

Xiao Qing is a guard of the Sun and Moon Mountain Villa, responsible for personally protecting Chen Jin'er's safety; she commands over thirty female guards, mainly in charge of the inner courtyard's security.

There are also over thirty male guards responsible for the outer courtyard's security, managed by a boy named Niu Kui.

These people were all selected and adopted by Niu Dingtian from the southern refugees six years ago; after six years of special education and training, they are absolutely loyal, and their martial arts, honed under his personal instruction, are quite impressive.

The outer courtyard of the villa is usually managed by Niu Wuye; indeed, he is the Niu Wuye from Niu Clan Village, now seventy-eight years old, the villa's steward. Although his back is bent and he has grown much older, he knows everything about the villa's inside and outside affairs.

In Niu Dingtian's view, Niu Wuye is one of his own; six years ago, after the villa was completed, he invited Niu Wuye over.

Back then, I told Niu Wuye, 'Grandpa Niu, I've come to support you in your old age and see you off,' and the old man smiled and agreed; I didn't expect that after arriving he would still be treated like an old ox to be driven, but the old man actually enjoys it.

"Xiao Qing, have Niu Kui assign more personnel; we must find the villa master's whereabouts as soon as possible."

"Be sure not to alert the eyes and ears of the palace."

After finishing lunch, Chen Jin'er came to the courtyard, pondered for a moment, then immediately summoned the guard Xiao Qing from nearby and instructed:

"Yes, madam."

After receiving the order, Xiao Qing withdrew.

"Ah"

Gazing at the empty chaise beside the pomegranate tree in the courtyard, Chen Jin'er grew increasingly anxious and couldn't help but sigh softly.

(End of chapter)