HCB Chapter 403 Meeting
Chapter 403 Meeting
Two days before her coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Siyue received a letter.
When Xiao Siyue received the letter from Lu Zhijin, inviting her to Xiangmingxuan the next day, she was stunned. She never expected Lu Zhijin to invite her.
The next morning, Xiao Siyue dressed up nicely, wearing a light blue dress, which made her look fresh and elegant.
Just as I reached the main gate, I ran into Xiao Siyu, who was returning from outside.
"Hey, Yue'er, where are you going?" Why is this girl so happy today? Look at how she's skipping and hopping as she walks.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Siyue quickly suppressed her laughter and said somewhat guiltily, "Ah, brother, I went out shopping. You're back!"
"Going shopping? Going shopping so early?" Xiao Siyu asked suspiciously. He had just seen the girl's eyes darting around when she spoke, and it was obvious that she was lying.
"Yes, it's too hot at noon. It's perfect to go shopping in the morning."
That makes sense, as it's July now and the midday sun is incredibly irritating.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
"This...this isn't appropriate, brother. Aren't you busy? I'm just going shopping, I'll be back in a bit, you don't need to come with me." Xiao Siyue was a little anxious. She had things to do today, how could she bring her brother along? If he knew she was going to meet a man alone, even if that person was her brother's friend, it wouldn't be good.
"Hmph, tell me honestly, what are you going to do?" Xiao Siyu was even more skeptical now; this girl was definitely hiding something from him.
Xiao Siyue wasn't good at lying, and when Xiao Siyu asked her that question, she didn't know how to answer. She lowered her head, her mind racing, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Young Master, the Third Master wants to speak with you."
Xiao Siyu wanted to press for more information, but the servant came over and said that Xiao Qinian had something to attend to, so he had to give up.
"Alright, go quickly. Shi Hai, you guys protect the young lady well."
Xiao Siyu thought that his younger sister had always been well-behaved and there shouldn't be anything serious. His sister was about to come of age, so it was normal for her to have her own secrets. Besides, his sister was a girl, and there were some things that were inconvenient for her to tell him.
"Okay, don't worry, brother, I'm leaving now." Xiao Siyu didn't ask any more questions, and Xiao Siyue happily assured him.
After leaving the main gate, head straight for Xiangmingxuan.
Lu Zhijin had booked a private room on the second floor, towards the back. When they arrived at the door, it was closed. For some reason, Xiao Siyue suddenly felt a little nervous and didn't knock on the door immediately.
I took two deep breaths and was about to knock when the door opened by itself.
Xiao Siyue awkwardly withdrew her hand, which had been stretched out in mid-air.
"Ah Yue, you're here."
The person who opened the door was Lu Zhijin. Today, Lu Zhijin was dressed in a black brocade robe with exquisite embroidery. The dark patterns outlined by silver threads resembled stars twinkling in the night sky. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with gold thread, highlighting his extraordinary status. The white jade belt around his waist was warm and lustrous, perfectly outlining his tall and straight figure. Every gesture he made exuded the dashing demeanor of a young master from a noble family.
Lu Zhijin is quite tall. Xiao Siyue usually only reaches his chest when she looks up. The first thing she sees when she looks up is his smooth chin and slightly upturned lips.
Lu Zhijin was smiling as he looked down at Xiao Siyue. Because the door had just opened, the distance between the two was less than a foot, and Xiao Siyue could still smell Lu Zhijin's unique fragrance.
"Brother Lu, I'm sorry I'm late," Xiao Siyue said apologetically.
"It's not too late, I just arrived too. Come in quickly." Lu Zhijin stepped aside to let Xiao Siyue in.
Xiao Siyue didn't stand on ceremony and went in. Lu Zhijin very gentlemanly pulled out a chair for Xiao Siyue and asked her to sit down.
Xiao Siyue sat down, and Lu Zhijin poured her a cup of tea: "A-Yue, have a taste. This is a new tea from Xiangmingxuan."
Xiao Siyue took the cup; the tea inside was a clear, yellowish-green color. She brought it close and took a sniff; the aroma was rich.
I took a small sip, and the taste was fresh, mellow, and sweet. The tea soup swirled lightly in my mouth, and the refreshing sensation spread quickly, just like a clear mountain spring, soothing and delightful. After swallowing, the fragrance lingered in my mouth.
Having lived here for over a decade, she now has some understanding of tea. This tea is sweet and not astringent, which suits a woman's taste quite well; a man might find it a bit too weak.
Xiao Siyue glanced at Lu Zhijin across from her and, seeing him staring straight at her, quickly took another sip of tea to cover her embarrassment.
"What does Yue think? Is it a drink you like?"
"Thank you, Brother Lu. It's all good. You've gone to a lot of trouble, Brother Lu."
"Ah Yue's matter is hardly a hassle, as long as you're happy." Lu Zhijin seemed quite satisfied and blurted out.
"Cough cough...cough cough" Xiao Siyue choked on the tea she had just drunk when she heard this. Wasn't this a bit too blunt?
"Ah Yue, are you alright?" Lu Zhijin quickly came over and gently patted Xiao Siyue.
"It's nothing, it's nothing, Brother Lu, please sit down." I just choked a little by accident.
Seeing that Lu Zhijin seemed somewhat annoyed, Xiao Siyue quickly said, "Brother Lu, I'm really fine. It was just an accident."
"Hmm." Lu Zhijin was indeed a little annoyed. He shouldn't have listened to Gu Yunze. What nonsense about girls liking to hear such things.
Xiao Siyue felt her heart race as she thought about what Lu Zhijin had just said. Did Brother Lu mean what she thought?
But he was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Brother Lu, is there something you need from me today?"
Lu Zhijin looked at Xiao Siyue, whose eyes were sparkling as she looked at him: "Yes, there is something."
Xiao Siyue was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. So something really did happen; she had thought…
"Ah Yue, you'll be turning 18 the day after tomorrow. This is a coming-of-age gift for you." Lu Zhijin took out a brocade box from his bosom and handed it to Xiao Siyue.
Xiao Siyue, who had just been somewhat disappointed, suddenly brightened up: "Is this for me?"
"Here you are. Open it and see if you like it." Lu Zhijin's voice was extremely gentle, and coupled with his handsome, otherworldly face, he was truly captivating.
Xiao Siyue forced her attention to the brocade box in her hands and gently opened it.
Inside lay an exquisite hairpin, which Xiao Siyue took out and examined.
This hairpin is carved from warm, lustrous mutton-fat jade. Its slender body is as white as snow and cool to the touch. The head is meticulously carved into a blooming peony, its petals layered upon each other with exquisite detail; every fold seems naturally formed, lifelike. A round pearl is set at the stamen, radiating a soft glow in the shifting light, like a morning dewdrop, vibrant and delicate.
The craftsmanship wasn't particularly exquisite, but Xiao Siyue really liked it because the hairpin had a special meaning.
In ancient times, when a man gave a woman a hairpin, it was to express his feelings and show that he admired her.