Chapter 6, The Long Ditch Flows Silently Under the Moon (II)

I deliberately elongated the words "that cousin" in a soft manner, carefully observing his expression, and indeed, his face turned slightly red.

The earlier despondency seemed as if it had never occurred, and he cheerfully took my hand, saying: "I knew you would come to see me again. Come, let us together..." Suddenly, I noticed Mu Xin behind me, looking at us with a somewhat strange expression. He paused slightly, slowly released my hand, and awkwardly smiled, saying: "Xin Di, you are here too."

Turning, I plan to take a detour back to the side courtyard. At worst, I won't go to the Fengshui Pavilion. Perhaps my godfather and the others are still chatting with my mother in the side courtyard.

Before the words were finished, a hand suddenly reached out forcefully. The strength of the grab caused Mu Xin's sleeve to flutter in the wind, and a vexed voice exclaimed: "Let me see, what treasure is this!"

Biting my lip, I stood up, swiftly tearing off a piece of my clothing to gently cover the still-bleeding wound. I also kicked the dazed Mu Xin, saying: "What are you standing there for? Hurry and call for help!"

The bodyguards of the godfather also wore expressions of shock and fear, and one young bodyguard could not help but exclaim: "Your Highness..." but was instantly silenced by someone beside him.

Mu Xin had already cried out in surprise, and I, with a pale face, gently laid Yun's head flat. Mother had said that a person with a head injury should not be moved carelessly

Yunwei smiled a bit shyly and said, "How have you been lately, Xindi?"

In the midst of my bewilderment, although I heard the commotion, I did not pay attention. I saw the panic on everyone's faces, as if the sky had fallen, and I realized that this calamity was no small matter. Yung's identity must be of great importance; if something were to happen, it would likely bring misfortune to my uncle. It is my uncle's birthday, and with this incident occurring, how could I face him? Yung is my godbrother; if anything were to happen to him, I would carry a guilty conscience for the rest of my life. And then there is my godfather... Ah! What have I done? Yung is my godbrother; if anything were to happen to him, I would carry a guilty conscience for the rest of my life. And then there is my godfather... Ah! What have I done?

My heart tightened as I slowly turned my head, and indeed it was my mother. Her hair was lightly styled, and her eyebrows were shrouded in mist. The shimmering autumn waters radiated flowing waves. Although it was my uncle's joyous occasion, and she had changed into a new outfit, the autumn fragrance-colored satin robe embroidered with begonia flowers could not conceal her frost-like complexion.

Yun was taken aback by the series of sudden events, feeling a bit at a loss. He rushed forward, wanting to support me while also trying to grab the jade pendant. Not wanting to be too hasty, he slipped and, with a startled cry, fell backward, the two jade pendants subsequently falling down and, quite coincidentally, hitting him squarely in the face.

As she turned her head in response, she saw me, and her eyes sparkled with brilliance. I secretly sighed to myself, realizing that my attire today was perhaps too extravagant, as everyone who saw me wore the same expression.

I truly cannot bear the syrupy conversation between these two. As my eyes wandered, I suddenly noticed the jade pendant hanging from Yun's waist, pure white as snow, adorned with a flying dragon motif. I couldn't help but be taken aback: "Brother Yun, how is your jade pendant the same as mine?"

I leisurely brushed off the nonexistent dust from my sleeves: "Did you not tell me? It is a taboo."

As everyone let out a long sigh, the guards gradually retreated. Both my uncle and my godfather, fearing it would affect Yun's recovery, went to the outer room. I slowly began to calm my heart and was about to go before my godfather and uncle to apologize once more when I suddenly caught sight of a slender figure in the doorway.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, he shook his finger and said, "No, no, I don't want to argue with you"

"Then don't you want to know what taboos were violated?" Mu Xin said, a bit anxiously

The head is the crown of the human body, a crucial part that indeed requires careful attention. If there are no further discomforts after tonight, it is likely that there will be no issues.

Yun Guoran was at the waterside pavilion. When I saw him, he was leaning on the railing with a hint of sadness, gazing down: "The lotus fragrance fades, the green leaves wither; the west wind stirs sorrow among the green waves."

At the same time, both Yun and Mu Xin, whose expressions had changed dramatically, rushed forward to grab the jade pendant. I acted quickly, flipping my palm to catch the silk cord of the jade and book pendant that had not yet fully descended. With a surge of joy, I tightened my grip, just as I was about to raise my head. However, I was suddenly knocked off balance by Mu Xin, who came rushing in. With a cry of surprise, my body tilted, and the jade pendant flew out of my grasp once again

Her smile was filled with joy as she gently caressed the jade pendant: "Yes, I have had this jade pendant since I was little, but you just never noticed. Ours are the same, you know."

The daughter still does not look at me, but turns to her uncle. Before she can speak, her uncle is already shaking his hand repeatedly: "No, no, Wuxu, Huaisu has not committed any serious offense, so do not be too harsh on him."

Mu Xin is smiling, but I find his smile somewhat strange: "Yun Ge, I hope you have been well."

I approached him and leaned over the corridor railing together with him: "Brother Yun, even in this melancholic season, one should not be so hasty. The climate in the southwest is warm; although the season has turned to autumn, the ten miles of lotus flowers transplanted by the侯府 are still urged by the east wind to reveal their delicate beauty, yearning to bloom in deep red while opening lightly. Why are you so anxious, still sharing in the weariness of time, unable to bear the sight of it? Where does this sentiment arise from?"

I scoffed: "Flattery, if you wish to make such a splash as well, I wouldn't mind planning something for you next time, cousin."

Halfway through laughing, I suddenly felt something was off. Why hasn't Yun opened his eyes? Could two small bags really knock him out? Also, the hand I used to support his head feels sticky; what is it?

I sneered at him: "If you want to leave, then by all means leave. However, if I do not wish to walk the same path as you, then that is entirely up to me."

He wore a lazy and unrepentant expression: "The road is so wide; if you can walk, why can't I?"

Once again, the sound of that brat's detestable boots was heard.

I scoff once again: "Naive!"

The tumult surrounding the birthday gift has passed, and I no longer have the heart to stay any longer. I am also too indifferent to notice Mu Xin's strange expression. I only smiled at my second brother Mu Sheng, who stood beside Mu Xin and had been watching me with concern, resembling our father. After apologizing to my uncle, he hurriedly left the room

The uncle and the librarian soon arrived, bringing the best doctor from the Hou residence. Everyone carefully placed Yun on the soft couch in the inner hall of the waterside pavilion. The doctor stepped forward to clean Yun's wound. My pale yellow collar had already been stained red with blood, while Yun's wound was a small gash, gaping open like a crimson mouth, shocking to behold. He had fallen, striking the back of his head against the artificial rock behind him.

The godfather looked deeply at the mother and shook his head: "It's just a child's play, there is no serious issue, let's just let this matter go and not frighten the child."

I curiously leaned over, carefully comparing the jade pendant in my palm with Yun's. Indeed, they were identical in every detail. I picked up both pendants and held them up to the sunlight, captivated by the flowing, translucent jade color: "Ah, it is truly beautiful..."

I stared intently at the doctor's mouth, fearing that the lips surrounded by his grizzled beard would utter a terrifying answer. Yet, that old fellow spoke slowly: "Young master, it is merely a flesh wound, there is a lot of blood, but it is not serious." As soon as these words were spoken, the room was filled with sighs of relief.

I looked at him with a beaming smile: "I want..." Mu Xin's eyes lit up, but before his smile could form, it instantly faded: "However, I don't plan to ask you. I'll ask my uncle, and he will tell me the same. I won't fall for your tricks."

I am truly a bit angry; this fellow is as stubborn as a copper pea, impervious to steaming, boiling, pounding, or frying, and his insolence seems endless. Just because my name Liu Huaisu contains the character 'su', does that mean I am truly a vegetarian

I was startled by a suddenly outstretched hand, causing my own hand to become unsteady, and two jade pendants immediately fell down. I was in a panic; below was either the ground or a lotus pond, and wherever they fell would result in a shattered outcome. I hurriedly reached out to catch them.

Hmph, knowing to feel embarrassed means there is still hope. Then forget it, I can't be bothered with him and I leave with large strides

However, it was no longer necessary for us to call for help. Not far from the corridor, the godfather and his guards, along with the guards of the marquis's residence, noticed the commotion here one after another and hurried over. The godfather rushed over and, upon seeing Yun standing motionless, his face turned pale in an instant

Mu Xin glanced at me with a look in her star-like eyes that conveyed an inexplicable emotion: "Where did you embarrass yourself? You are so impressive, so confident, so showy!"

The feeling of unease in my heart grew stronger. I slowly withdrew my hand that was supporting Yun's neck, and the deep, vivid red shocked all my senses. Blood

He looked at me, his smile radiant: "Huaisu, do you want to know why that word was taboo just now?" He was certain that I would be unable to restrain myself from asking him, wearing a face full of confident pride.

I bit my lip and knelt silently on the cold bluestone ground

Just now, when the doctor was treating Yun, I briefly explained the situation to my godfather and uncle, stating only that I had been greedy to admire the jade pendant and accidentally dropped it. Yun was injured while trying to catch the pendant, and I did not mention Mu Xin at all. Although my godfather and uncle were anxious, they both comforted me gently. At this moment, my godfather remained as gentle as before and stopped me from kneeling down, saying: "Huaisu, you acted without intention; how can you be blamed?"

I sneered: "I am even more reluctant to waste my breath."

A stir arose in my heart, yet I immediately smiled even more brightly than he did: "I don't want to." "It was as if a large glutinous rice ball had suddenly been stuffed into my mouth, and I could clearly see Mu Xin's set of pristine white teeth: 'No, no, no... You don't want to? You, you, you, you strange person, don't you have any curiosity?'

The doctor, surrounded by a crowd, bandaged Yun's wound, took his pulse, and prescribed medicine. Immediately, someone rushed off to prepare the medicine. The godfather and uncle looked anxious, repeatedly asking, "Is it serious?"

As I spoke, I reached into my sleeve and took out a deep purple pouch with golden threads. I opened it and took out a jade pendant, which was given to me by my godfather during his last visit. I am very fond of its pure and flawless texture, and I carry it with me often

She sighed softly: "Today is a good day for your grand library, yet it has been utterly disrupted by that detestable girl. How can I possibly forgive this child? I have always thought of her as lonely and isolated, and my heart could not bear it, which led to my excessive indulgence. Who would have known that I was ultimately mistaken? Huaisu's temperament is unruly, capricious, and reckless. If she is not severely punished, it is hard to guarantee that greater troubles will not arise in the future..." Turning to look at me, she said coldly: "Kneel!"

I glanced at the boy's pale face, feeling quite pleased as I turned around: "If you want to follow me, then go ahead. Brother Yun is coming. If you want to get your hands on his beloved little crossbow, how can you afford to waste time?"

After taking just a few steps, I heard someone following behind me. Turning around, I saw it was that kid Mu Xin. I glared at him irritably and said, "What are you doing here? Isn't it enough that you think I embarrassed myself?"

Mu Xin immediately hurried to catch up with me: "Hey, I followed you for this reason. Let's go find A Yun to play. If you accompany me and have fun, I will tell you that taboo. I heard it from Uncle Fang, and it took a long time for him to tell me..."

I do not want to hear the sound of boots clattering behind me. That kid really has some nerve, actually following me again. I frowned and said, "What do you keep following me for?"

Mu Xin, who had always been quite close to me, had already supported me. The two of us looked at Yun on the ground, still in shock. The two jade pendants, having first struck his forehead before falling to the ground, were surprisingly intact. I stepped forward to pick up the jade pendants and then went to help Yun. Seeing that his forehead had two red bumps from being hit by the jade pendants, I found it both coincidental and amusing, and couldn't help but chuckle.

Yet I saw that old fellow shaking his head and mumbling: "However..." My heart was once again lifted, and I glared at this old man fiercely, wondering if keeping people in suspense could actually kill someone

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, she approached gracefully, not even glancing at me. Instead, she first bowed to her godfather, saying: "Huaisu has been mischievous, causing Yuner to be injured. This is entirely due to my inadequate guidance as an elder sister. I kindly ask my brother not to take our relationship into account and to properly punish this troublemaking girl."