Chapter 89

The small notebook lay lonely on the desk, its thin and yellowed pages looking particularly fragile at this moment.

Jinglian’s heart was suspended, and for a moment he didn’t react.

At first, he thought his good master was just mocking him as usual, but soon he realized that Xie Yun seemed to be serious.

Could it be? Could he really be serious?

Jinglian stood there silently for a moment, not saying anything. But Xie Yun’s patience had already run out, and his expression turned displeased. “Are you deaf?”

Jinglian straightened his body silently. Various responses flashed through his mind, and he finally chose one that he thought Xie Yun would like to hear and that he also felt was appropriate.

In a low voice, he said, “…Because I think you and the young lady are very well-matched.”

He really did think so.

No one understood him. When those people in the flower hall were still trying to match his master with this person or that, he was already fascinated by Xie Yun and Sang Yao.

What kind of bad judgment did those people have?

It was difficult to articulate why they were so well-matched, but every time they were together in the same environment, he felt a strange and exhilarating sensation enveloping him.

He felt that Sang Yao’s appearance and personality were perfectly matched with his master’s.

Although they were rarely together and rarely made eye contact, every time they did, he felt like there was a deep affection between them.

Xie Yun nodded at the answer, not surprised at all. He said, “That’s quite obvious.”

In this world, only he and Sang Yao were truly compatible. Jinglian had some insight in this regard.

He asked the key question: “But why do you think we’re well-matched?”

This question stumped Jinglian again. How could he describe it to Xie Yun?

Under the oppressive gaze of the man, he hesitated for a while, then said, “…Because I think… I think you are handsome, and Miss Sang is cute and beautiful. Even though no one openly admits it, Miss Sang is charming and beautiful, and she matches well with you.”

In fact, he felt that Xie Yun, as the so-called noble flower, should have a charming and beautiful young woman to strip away his cold facade.

But he didn’t dare to say that.

Obviously, these words didn’t satisfy Xie Yun, and he pondered for a moment before saying, “Miss Sang has a gentle and soft temperament, kind-hearted, and she… she matches well with young master.”

Xie Yun remained silent, so Jinglian continued, “Miss Sang is different from others. She doesn’t covet wealth and glory, she doesn’t compete or snatch…”

After praising Sang Yao for a while and seeing Xie Yun’s expression getting worse, he had to add in a low voice, “She matches well with you.”

What he said was true.

If it had come from his own mouth, it would have been normal. But coming from this waste in front of him, he found fault with everything.

“When did you start writing?”

Jinglian hurriedly replied, “About a year ago.”

Xie Yun didn’t speak.

Jinglian became even more uneasy and then said, “Three or four years ago…”

Three or four years ago, Sang Yao was only fourteen or fifteen.

He hadn’t even remembered Sang Yao’s name at that time, but Jinglian had been observing Sang Yao for so long.

Could it be that he had already set his sights on Sang Yao a long time ago, but because he was too inferior, he felt ashamed and focused his gaze on his master instead?

Xie Yun Yue became increasingly silent, but he didn’t want to settle the score with him today.

He pressed his lips together, reaching for the small booklet on the table and flipping it open on his knee, his gaze lowered.

His heart, now even more subdued, began to tense. How did he seem?

There wasn’t really much to see. Xie Yun flipped through it a couple of times, almost memorizing its contents. Nothing particularly special.

He spread the open booklet on the desk and said to Jing Lian, “Come over and take a look together.”

“… “

He curled his toes even tighter, thinking this must be the master’s new way of punishing him.

Jing Lian dared not refuse, quietly walking over, then enduring the shame and embarrassment as he looked together with Xie Yun.

The atmosphere was eerie.

Xie Yun was unusually serious as he even circled a typo with a red pen.

Silently, Xie Yun turned the page.

On this page, he had written about the day when Xie Yun had just returned from the palace. Unable to contain his longing for Sang Yao in the darkness of night, he immediately chose to leave the mansion, sneaking into Sang Yao’s boudoir, boldly expressing his longing.

The wording was bold and impassioned.

Both of them stared at this passage, then Xie Yun quietly asked him, “Is this how you see me in your heart?”

Jing Lian shook his head.

Xie Yun said, “Tell me one more lie, and you don’t have to follow me anymore.”

Jing Lian’s face turned bitter, then he forced himself to say, “Because this subordinate thought that Madam might like it more, and this subordinate speculated that you must have an unreleased… wild soul inside.”

Clearly, he guessed wrong.

His soul wasn’t wild at all.

Jing Lian added quietly, “Miss Sang is reserved and gentle. I feel like Madam wouldn’t say these things.”

He didn’t know much about Miss Sang, but over the years of observation, he had some understanding.

Miss Sang had no mother since she was young, and her closest sister entered the palace when she was still a child. A cousin in the mansion often teased her.

At first, she had a few friends, but somehow she ended up alone. Sang Yin, busy with daily affairs, didn’t have time for her.

Every time there was a palace banquet, she would consciously stand in a corner, avoiding others and not wanting to be approached.

Sometimes he felt sorry and lonely for Madam. She wouldn’t say it directly, but she must crave love.

So in his writing, Xie Yun was portrayed as an outgoing and passionate person.

Xie Yun asked, “…So you think I can say it?”

The man’s fingers remained on the book, and there had been no progress since earlier.

Just as he was about to turn the page, Jing Lian, who had been looking down all this while, answered softly, “I don’t think so.”

Xie Yun didn’t continue flipping the pages.

He suddenly withdrew his hand, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked at Jing Lian.

“That’s indeed a possibility.”

Jing Lian was stunned.

What possibility?

Meanwhile, Sang Yao, dressed neatly, sat in front of the mirror.

Her maid was doing her hair, while Huai Meng was behind her, preparing the things she would need to bring to Yu Zhi later.

Ever since Yu Zhi found out about Sang Yao’s excellent embroidery skills, she had wanted her to teach her. Sang Yao often went to find Yu Zhi at this time.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror and asked, “How many months has Second Sister-in-law been pregnant?”

Huai Meng replied, “Madam, it’s been five months.”

Sang Yao nodded, thinking no wonder Second Sister-in-law’s belly seemed heavier these days.

She sighed, saying, “I see Second Sister-in-law can’t eat this or that during pregnancy. It must be hard.”

Huai Meng smiled, “Indeed it’s hard, but after ten months of pregnancy, the baby will be very cute.”

Sang Yao thought of her six-year-old nephew, with his snow-white softness, often calling her “Auntie” in his childish voice.

She smiled and said, “Indeed, very adorable.”

Huai Meng joked timely, “Madam, you could have a child with the master too.”

“A little Miss or a little Master would surely be very cute.”

Sang Yao had never considered this question before.

She was startled by the suggestion, feeling a bit scared subconsciously.

Her father had also said she was still young and shouldn’t have children so soon.

She replied, “…Let’s talk about this later.”

After finishing packing, Huai Meng said, “Madam, it’s up to you to decide. The master likes you so much, he wouldn’t force you.”

Sang Yao knew Xie Yun wouldn’t force her, but these words still seemed to strike a chord with her. She couldn’t help but sit up straighter, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said softly, “…He wouldn’t.”

Huai Meng smiled and covered her lips, saying, “The master likes you the most. I’ve never seen him care so much about anyone else.”

Xie Yun was not the affectionate type, even Madam and Elder Xie couldn’t control him.

But since Madam entered the mansion half a month ago, it was like Xie Yun had become a different person.

Sang Yao asked, “How did you figure that out?”

This question caught Huai Meng off guard.

Actually, it was quite easy to tell when they were together.

For example, the master would get up early in the morning and wash up in the side room to let Madam rest well.

Then there was the incident with a new maid upsetting Madam, and since then, everyone in the mansion had been investigated, and those with questionable intentions were driven away.

Not only that, but the master even sent away all the servants in West Courtyard who weren’t good-looking except Jing Lian.

And let’s not forget the elaborate wedding ceremony.

Almost everything in the wedding was personally inspected by the master, and all the items were extremely valuable. So in the month or two before the wedding, Xie Yun, who was already busy, was even busier every day.

And on the wedding night, it was tradition to place a clean white cloth in the middle of the bed, but the master seemed to think it was somewhat disrespectful, so he insisted on skipping this custom.

In any case, it’s hard to list them all, but really, when it comes down to it, there doesn’t seem to be much to say about these everyday trivial matters.

There’s no grand love-hate drama between the master and Madam, but when they stand together, they somehow exude an inexplicable harmony.

Huai Meng didn’t know what else to say for a moment and said, “Anyway, this servant feels that the master loves you all the time.”

Sang Yao looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her lips involuntarily curled up at the words, but she quickly suppressed it.

She whispered, “Is that so.”

She knew Xie Yun treated her well, and she could sense all the kindness he thought was hidden.

She remembered her sister’s words.

“Anyone can say they love you, but the ones who truly love you never just say it.”

Her sister was right. She knew she was being childish and twisted now. If she wanted to know, she should just ask directly instead of playing games.

But she dared not.

She had never been a favored child, not once from childhood to adulthood.

Only her busy father and her sister, who entered the palace early, would occasionally comfort her.

But other than that, she had always been denied.

They said she wasn’t pretty, too exotic. They said she was stupid, a simpleton. They said she was worthless, even if she could become a legitimate wife, she wouldn’t be fit to be the mistress.

She couldn’t believe she was worthy of love in such an environment.

No one understood her.

If she talked about it with others, they would only think she was troublesome, twisted, and childish.

Even if she was childish, she would rather be cautious.

Because Xie Yun was important to her, she couldn’t help but want to be more certain.

It was like before going on a long journey, repeatedly checking the doors and windows.

Every time she received clear and obvious proof, she wanted even clearer and more definite proof.

She knew this was actually wrong.

She was also annoyed.

As she finished packing, Xie Yun happened to return from outside.

Sang Yao pushed open the door and walked out, only to bump into Xie Yun head-on.

She casually said to him, “I’m going to find Second Sister-in-law.”

Xie Yun just made a sound of acknowledgment, then suddenly grabbed her wrist at the doorway.

Sang Yao looked up in confusion, waiting for him to speak.

She actually didn’t want to be so close to Xie Yun in this situation, especially with Huai Meng behind her and Jing Lian behind Xie Yun.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

Xie Yun wasn’t the type to speak sweet words, which made it difficult for him.

He looked at Sang Yao, then recalled the tattered booklet and the mushy stuff written on it.

Meeting the bright and probing eyes of the girl in front of him, he pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then reluctantly pulled out a sentence as if completing a difficult task, and said seriously:

“Come back soon, otherwise I’ll miss you to the point of passing out.”

Sang Yao: “…”

Silence surrounded them.

Sang Yao felt embarrassed to the point of sucking in a cold breath.

What was he saying? Help, does anyone want to shut Xie Yun’s mouth up…