Chapter 7: Cousin Miss

His illness was something even the imperial physicians in the palace couldn’t do anything about.

How could a chubby little girl like Yao Yao, who knew nothing, possibly cure him? It must have been a coincidence.

Yao Yao hadn’t expected she had nearly become a divine doctor by accident.

Besides her love for eating meat buns, Yao Yao was also quite the chatterbox. She loved to ramble on. She could mutter away even while pinching weeds in the yard—let alone when there was a real, living person like Xie Yixing in front of her.

Even though her mother had told her that girls should be quiet and ladylike—well-read, reasonable, gentle, and virtuous—she just couldn’t manage it.

Yao Yao stubbornly believed that people were given mouths so they could speak.

For someone who loved talking, being told to shut up all the time, or that this or that couldn’t be said, was just suffocating.

Once Yao Yao realized that as long as she obeyed Xie Yixing and stayed by his side, she wouldn’t get eaten by her scary werewolf neighbor brother, her frowning little face relaxed into a bright smile. She was even rewarded with a tray of freshly baked pastries.

Suoxin deliberately placed the crab roe pastry near Xie Yixing, avoiding Yao Yao’s little outstretched hand.

Yao Yao looked regretfully at her empty palm. She didn’t cry or throw a tantrum. Instead, she straightened up obediently and looked longingly at Suoxin.

She suddenly remembered her mother’s words: when visiting someone else’s home, you had to follow their rules.

But the pastries in Persimmon Brother’s home were just too delicious—far better than the ones her elder sister had brought back from Lotus Paste Pavilion.

Before Suoxin could continue currying favor, Xie Yixing had already shot a cold glare her way, one that hid killing intent.

Suoxin’s face instantly turned pale.

When she first came to serve here, her mother had warned her repeatedly: never provoke this living ancestor’s anger.

Ever since the young heir became aware of things, none of the servants dared approach him easily. Anyone who irritated him disappeared from the household the very next day.

Her mother had said those who resigned and left either broke an arm or leg, or ended up with crooked mouths and slanted eyes—unable to care for themselves. Tragic stuff.

Suoxin immediately moved the plate of crab roe pastries in front of Yao Yao and reluctantly said, “Miss Yao Yao, please enjoy.”

Yao Yao glanced at Xie Yixing. Seeing that he didn’t seem very interested, she couldn’t help but curl her lips up in a smile. “Persimmon Brother, you eat first~”

Xie Yixing never cared much for pastries. He disliked sweet things and couldn’t stand anything soft or sticky.

Once, a cook forgot his preferences and prepared a whole table of sweet dishes. That night, the cook had stomach issues. The mansion’s physician found no signs of poisoning and simply said he was unlucky. Before dawn, the cook fled in fear.

The current chef in Xie Yixing’s courtyard was formerly a palace chef. His food was tolerable—not amazing—but good enough for Xie Yixing to eat a little more than usual.

What Xie Yixing didn’t know was that the chef had shed many tears in the kitchen just trying to prepare his meals. He once said that serving the young heir was harder than serving the emperor.

Yao Yao, however, loved the chef’s food. She could easily finish a whole big bowl every time.

Right now, she was drooling at the sight of the crab roe pastry in front of her.

She didn’t even want to blink. The aroma in the air alone was enough to steal her soul.

Xie Yixing was about to hand her the whole plate when he suddenly remembered—half an hour ago, she had just devoured a big, round meat bun.

Worried that she might get a stomachache from overeating, he deliberately picked the smallest piece for her.

He had thought she’d be upset—after all, she was a little glutton.

But to his surprise, she was overjoyed to receive even the tiny palm-sized piece of crab roe pastry.

Instead of eagerly stuffing it into her mouth, she carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief, gently pinched a small crumb from the edge, and let it melt in her mouth.

The crumb melted instantly. Yao Yao licked the corners of her mouth with lingering desire but resisted the urge to eat more. She wanted to save this little piece and bring it home for her mother to try.

Xie Yixing noticed the restraint in her expression, and his brows twitched slightly.

She didn’t like crab roe pastry?

If she liked it, she wouldn’t be able to resist.

His face darkened, and his voice turned icy cold, freezing the air.

“Take it away. Throw it out.”

Upon hearing the young heir’s command, Suoxin quickly took the plate of crab roe pastries away and shot Yao Yao a nasty look.

She completely forgot the warning she had just received.

Stupid girl—who knows which slum she crawled out from? Ruining the young heir’s appetite like that.

Suoxin smugly believed that no one in the household understood the young heir better than she did.

She had been sent to serve him since the age of six. Her grandmother had said she would be the closest person to the heir in the future.

How could this little chubby stray girl compare to her?

After she left, Xie Yixing raised an eyebrow and glanced meaningfully in Suoxin’s direction, his lips slightly pursed.

Once, twice—there wouldn’t be a third time. She had already crossed the line three times.

That night, under Xie Yixing’s orders, Suoxin was told to go pick flowers in the plum garden behind the rockery. As she stepped near the edge, her shoe slipped. She lost her balance and fell into the pond, which had a thin layer of ice.

Fortunately, she was rescued by an old maid passing by and escaped with her life. But she caught a cold and would be bedridden for at least ten days.

Yao Yao was still reminiscing about the crab roe pastry when she heard the news about Suoxin falling into the water.

She had no idea the palace chef had secretly cried again while making the pastry for the young heir.

The chef cried while thinking: when will my contract end so I can retire in peace?

Yao Yao, meanwhile, pouted. “That fragrant, sweet crab roe pastry… when can I taste it again?”

Sigh…

Not wanting to wallow in her pastry sadness, Yao Yao lifted her round chin, scooted closer to Xie Yixing, and saw that he was practicing calligraphy.

Not wanting to disturb him, she just gave him a sweet smile. Two shallow dimples appeared on her fair little face.

Her long, thick lashes fluttered as her big watery eyes blinked, completely distracting Xie Yixing from what he was writing.

Outside the room—

A young girl around Yao Yao’s age, dressed in a pink jacket and skirt, glanced uneasily at the old maid beside her and slowly asked, “Cousin has a new maid?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, just like her. Delicate and pure, like a willow swaying in the breeze.

The old maid, who served beside Lady Wei, followed her gaze and saw Yao Yao’s chubby, doll-like face. Her wrinkled eyes crinkled with a smile.

“You mean Miss Yao Yao, young miss? She’s not quite a maid of the Marquis household. She’s the young heir’s savior.”

Lady Wei had been afraid outsiders would use Yao Yao to stir up trouble in the household. She had instructed the servants with a unified story: that Yao Yao had saved the lost young heir, and the household took her in as an act of gratitude.

The young girl being addressed as “young miss” was none other than Lady Wei’s niece, the young heir’s cousin.

Wei Yuhui, a legitimate granddaughter of the Wei family, was already stunning at just six years old. Delicate and graceful, she was a natural beauty.

Because of her good looks and gentle personality, the Wei family had intentions to strengthen their ties with the Marquis household. Every now and then, they would send her over to stay at the estate.

Publicly, it was said that Lady Wei was lonely and wanted to raise her like a daughter.

In truth, it was to let her spend more time with the young heir and later claim they were childhood sweethearts when proposing a marriage.

When Wei Yuhui heard the old maid’s explanation, her flawless face turned slightly pink. Her rosebud lips pouted slightly, her voice low, “Why didn’t Cousin drive her away?”

She had always considered herself obedient, well-mannered, and good-tempered. Even though Cousin treated her coldly, she never complained.

The household servants had told her that the young heir was like that with everyone—distant and unapproachable.

But her mother had said, if she took more initiative, she could melt his icy heart.

And now… she had just seen with her own eyes how Cousin smiled at that chubby little outsider. Her heart couldn’t help but ache.

Wei Yuhui clenched the handkerchief in her hand like kneading dough. Her beautiful eyes locked on Yao Yao.

Yao Yao, unaware of being watched, was animatedly sharing her experience raising a bunny with Xie Yixing.

She widened her round eyes, her snow-pale cheeks dimpling with each word, babbling on:

“Yao Yao’s little white bunny was a gift from Daddy. I raised it super well!”

Though Xie Yixing didn’t say a word, he quietly made a mental note that she liked rabbits.

He’d have the steward buy one tomorrow.

Little did Yao Yao know, she’d soon have a courtyard full of bunnies—causing quite a stir in the household. But that’s a story for another time.

Before Yao Yao could finish boasting, the sky to the west had already turned red.

The evening glow lit up the sky like flames, golden clouds like brocade.

Just as she was mid-sentence, a gentle laugh came from behind.

She turned halfway and saw a delicate face with rosy cheeks—Wei Yuhui.

Her pretty peach blossom cheeks curved in a graceful smile, her steps small and ladylike as she slowly walked toward them.

Yao Yao noticed the tender affection in her eyes, the sweet softness in her gaze. It reminded her of her older sister, and her nose stung with sudden longing.

Xie Yixing sensed the change in Yao Yao’s mood. His previously calm gaze turned guarded—cold as a blade—as it landed unkindly on Wei Yuhui’s face.

He spoke faintly, but his voice carried ice.