Chapter 19

In the teahouse, after Lu Minghua recovered from the surprise of seeing Xiao Chun and the other maids, she noticed that the tall figure had already disappeared. Her heart trembled, a mix of fear and unease, which she brushed away, leaving a faint sense of regret. She didn’t even know his name, and she had wanted to thank him properly.

The Lantern Festival, which should have been joyful, was overshadowed by this sudden incident. The patrol guards’ arrival made the outside quiet for a moment, but as more unaware people arrived, it became even more lively.

Someone mentioned the woman who was almost kidnapped earlier, and when they looked towards the teahouse, they found she was already gone.

In the small courtyard, Lu Minghua couldn’t sleep all night. Every time she fell asleep, she was awakened by nightmares of the terrifying faces of the men and women, so she stayed awake until dawn.

The next day, she returned to the villa and slept the entire afternoon in the cold fragrance of the plum blossoms.

Outside, Mama Li’s voice was clear and crisp. Compared to her stern demeanor at the Marquis’ residence, she was now much softer.

“Mama, what are you busy with?” Lu Minghua asked, opening the window.

“Miss, you’re awake. Come inside quickly. You can’t stay like this,” Mama Li hurried over, fussing about her catching a chill.

Lu Minghua smiled and closed the window. Mama Li came in from the door and said, “People are tidying up the courtyard next door. They said they were missing something and came to borrow it, so I sent someone over to help.”

“People have arrived? Is the owner coming?” Lu Minghua asked, sitting at the dressing table as Mama combed her hair.

“They say so. I don’t know if the new neighbors will be easy to get along with,” Mama Li said, a bit worried. Her young lady was living alone in this remote place, and it would be troublesome if the neighbors were difficult.

“Since Mama lent out some help, it seems the new neighbors aren’t difficult to get along with,” Lu Minghua smiled.

Mama Li, who usually seemed hard to deal with, had lent out items and sent people to help, indicating the new neighbors were likely easygoing.

“Miss, I’m worried about you. This place is too remote. Why don’t we go back to the capital?” Mama Li suggested.

Lu Minghua shook her head, the white jade beads in her hair gently swaying. She picked up a jade hairpin, examined it for a moment, and inserted it into her hair, smiling, “Mama, I don’t want to see those people in the capital. This place is nice and peaceful.”

Mama Li’s lips moved, but she said nothing more. She couldn’t help but worry. Her young lady was still so young. Would she spend the rest of her life in this remote villa?

She looked up at the mirror. The woman in the reflection had skin like creamy jade and eyes like autumn water. Just a slight smile and a lowered gaze made her look like a delicate flower trembling on a branch. It wasn’t boasting to say that her young lady’s beauty was outstanding in the entire capital.

Mama Li felt a surge of frustration, unable to understand how those people could be so blind and treat her young lady this way.

After the New Year, it seemed like spring had arrived.

The neighboring courtyard was tidied up for half a month. Finally, one morning, a carriage arrived, and a steward knocked on the villa’s door, announcing the owner’s arrival. But this had nothing to do with Lu Minghua. Once the neighbors knew the villa housed women, they rarely came to disturb them. Though the two villas were close, they maintained a mutual understanding of not disturbing each other.

The willow branches sprouted new buds, the green hills gradually turned a light green, and before the plum blossoms had fallen, a few wild apricot trees on the mountain bloomed first. The green hills dotted with white flowers were simply breathtaking.

One morning, Lu Minghua, looking at the distant view, suddenly felt like going for a walk. She put down her embroidery frame, where a beautiful bird was grooming its feathers. Her embroidery skills had significantly improved with practice.

Changing into soft-soled shoes, Lu Minghua took her servants and went out, leisurely walking along the mountain path.

It was morning, and the spring sunlight was clear and gentle, not harsh. The fragrance of flowers and grass filled the air, making her feel relaxed. She wasn’t in a hurry, walking leisurely. But as she neared the apricot trees, she began to feel a bit tired, a sensation she hadn’t felt in a while. It seemed she needed to take better care of her health, she thought.

In the distance, she could see the apricot trees growing together, but she paused, hesitating as she looked at the dark green figure standing by the trees. Could this be the new neighbor? She suddenly felt a sense of familiarity with the figure.

The person seemed to sense her presence and turned to look.

It’s him?! Lu Minghua was surprised.

On the other side, Yan Yuanhua was equally astonished. He hadn’t expected to see Lu Minghua here.

The woman next door was her? Did she live here?

“Sir, thank you for your help last time,” Lu Minghua couldn’t help but smile, stepping forward and bowing deeply.

Since the Lantern Festival, she had wanted to see him again—not for any other reason, only to thank him sincerely for being willing to lend a hand at that time.

“Miss, there’s no need for such formalities. Please rise. What I did was just a small favor,” Yan Yuanhua said, stepping aside with a smile.

“But only you would have done it,” Lu Minghua smiled, looking at Yan Yuanhua seriously.

Yan Yuanhua didn’t think much of it. He happened to see it and just resolved it. Not wanting to dwell on it, he changed the subject, smiling, “I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“My surname is Lu, and my name is Minghua. If you don’t mind, you can call me by my name,” Lu Minghua said. She was rarely addressed as “Miss,” and although he was courteous, she was not used to talking to men, so she mentioned it.

“So, it’s Miss Lu,” Yan Yuanhua said calmly, as if he hadn’t known her name before, and smiled, “My surname is Yuan, and my name is Ji’an.”

“Mr. Yuan. I didn’t expect the neighbor to be you, Mr. Yuan. I must have been negligent,” Lu Minghua smiled and said, “I had been wanting to find you to thank you properly. Now that we’ve met, I’ll have my family send a small gift as a token of gratitude. Please don’t refuse.”

“That’s not necessary,” Yan Yuanhua laughed, “Miss Lu, you’re being too formal.”

“My life is worth more than these small gifts. Do you think so, too?” Lu Minghua didn’t want him to refuse again, so she smiled and said playfully.

Yan Yuanhua hadn’t thought much of it, but seeing Lu Minghua insist, he didn’t want to refuse anymore. Seeing her say this, he agreed.

“Miss Lu, are you here to see the flowers too?” He stepped back, making way, and glanced at the pear blossoms beside them, smiling, “These pear blossoms are blooming beautifully.”

“Yes, I saw them this morning. The spring day was so pleasant that I decided to take a walk, and I unexpectedly met you, Mr. Yuan. What a pleasant surprise,” Lu Minghua said, stepping forward. As she reached the spot Yan Yuanhua had made way for, she couldn’t help but smile at him.

Perhaps it was because he had appeared at the right time that night, but seeing him made Lu Minghua feel much more at ease.

Maybe it was the bright sunlight today—

Yan Yuanhua blinked, and the stars in this young woman’s eyes seemed even brighter. She turned to look at the apricot blossoms, her exposed cheek as white as jade. His gaze lingered, and realizing his thoughts, he quickly looked away, reaching out to pick an apricot blossom casually.

When the flowers were in his hand, Yan Yuanhua returned to his senses, pausing briefly as he held the branch.

“Mr. Yuan, do you like flowers?” Lu Minghua turned her head to look at him.

She smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling like stars. Yan Yuanhua, hiding his inexplicable embarrassment, nodded.

Seeing his somewhat stiff expression, Lu Minghua assumed he was uncomfortable and considerately looked away.

Indeed, it was rare for men to like flowers—Especially someone like Mr. Yuan, who was tall and exuded a carefree and unrestrained aura.

“Let me see. This branch is nice, and this one, too. You can take a few more branches back and put them in a vase. I have a celadon vase that would be perfect.” Lu Minghua naturally pointed out a few branches she thought looked better, then pondered.

Since she pointed them out, Yan Yuanhua had to pick them.

The apricot blossoms were blooming so profusely that they still looked abundant even after picking a few branches.

After picking the flowers, the two walked back together. Lu Minghua reached home first, while Yan Yuanhua had to walk a bit further.

Watching her go, Yan Yuanhua, holding a bunch of flowers, thought helplessly about what his subordinates would think of him.

As soon as the door opened, Zhao Shiyi was stunned, staring dumbfounded at the bunch of apricot blossoms in his master’s arms, then looking at his face.

No mistake, this was indeed his master.

Yan Yuanhua glanced at him, wanting to throw the flowers away, but remembering Lu Minghua’s serious expression, he decided to keep them.

Just as he sat down, Zhao Shiyi quickly ran in, holding a vase and placing it on the table.

He looked up.

A celadon vase, with a wide mouth, this…

“The servant next door brought this, saying their master instructed them to send it for you to keep the flowers,” Zhao Shiyi said, trying to appear casual. Still, his eyes kept darting around, filled with curiosity.

What happened? How did his master not only bring back flowers but also prompt the neighbors to send a vase?

Surprised by Lu Minghua’s quick action, Yan Yuanhua tapped the vase, producing a clear ringing sound. He smiled, put the flowers down, and gave Zhao Shiyi a look, “Go, put the flowers in the vase. If you don’t do it well, you’ll be banned from drinking for a month.”

Zhao Shiyi’s expression changed, and he carefully took the vase and flowers outside. After a round, he found a craftsman to help arrange them. Finally done, he wanted to ask his master where to place the flowers but couldn’t find him, so he put them in the bedroom.