Chapter 16: Firelight

The next morning, the rain on the mountain finally stopped.

The sky was clear, the sun was shining brightly, and it was a good day for an outing. The Xie family and the Li family met at the back door of the temple, ready to set out. The Gao family also arrived, expressing their desire to join them in viewing the peach blossoms. Madam Xu brought Gao Tongtong, Madam Zhao brought Gao Xun, and a few maidservants followed, looking well-prepared.

Madam Song was polite, “It’s more lively with more people. Let’s go together.”

The Peach Garden was not far from the temple. A young monk led them, and they arrived in about fifteen minutes. The children were relatively well-behaved, causing no major trouble.

Xie Zhen always stayed close to Xie Rong. Probably because the way down the mountain was challenging, she followed closely behind him, saying, “Brother, slow down.”

Unlike Li Yu, Xie Rong is different. When Xie Zhen asks him to slow down, he will definitely slow down. Sometimes, he even directly picks her up and carries her for a while. As a result, Xie Zhen, the little girl, didn’t exert much effort on the way down. When they reached the Peach Garden, she was the most energetic, while Xie Xian had fallen asleep on the nanny’s shoulder.

The Peach Garden spans dozens of acres, with thousands of peach blossoms competing to bloom, forming a sea of flowers that presents a beautiful sight before everyone.

Petals of peach blossoms fall with the wind, creating a wave of pink waves, bringing a strong floral fragrance. Xie Zhen walked a few steps to a peach tree, looked up at the petals above her head, and was stunned by the spectacular scene. She stood there for a long time without coming back to her senses.

A petal fell from above, spinning and landing on her forehead. The petal, with residual dew from the night before, was cool on her forehead. She reached out and picked it up. The spot where the petal fell left a touch of crimson flower juice, as if deliberately applied cinnabar.

When she turned around with a smile, the peach blossoms behind her became a beautiful background.

Even at such a young age, she exuded a charming temperament. No wonder Gao Tongtong called her a little fox spirit. This statement was not false at all. She didn’t have the dignified and elegant beauty; instead, she had a bit of delicacy and charm. Especially when she smiled, there was a captivating power, making people involuntarily fall into it.

Now standing under the peach tree in her pink dress, she smiled with clear eyes and waved to them, “Mother, Brother, come quickly! The flowers on this tree smell especially good!”

Madam Leng and Xie Liqing went over as instructed, and Xie Rong also approached slowly, leaving behind a group of mesmerized onlookers.

When the members of the Xie family went over… each one of them seemed more attractive than the other, truly creating an exquisite and unparalleled painting. It’s really unfair, as if all the good-looking people were gathered in this family.

Gao Xun stood in place, foolishly watching his little fairy. He couldn’t hear even after Zhao Shi called several times.

Zhao Shi, helpless, tapped his head, “What are you thinking? Your mother called you several times.”

He just came to his senses, reluctantly withdrawing his gaze, “What does Mother want from me?”

Zhao Shi pointed ahead, “The Li family young master has already passed by. Aren’t you going?”

Only then did Gao Xun see that Li Yu had long been by Xie Zhen’s side. He turned his face, and the jade-like face showed little expression. But Xie Zhen liked him a lot, always taking the initiative to talk to him, which made Gao Xun envious.

Since the last time he took them out but almost lost them, he has been feeling guilty and hasn’t had the courage to approach her. However, today, upon seeing her, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He walked to Xie Zhen, stammering for a while, calling her name, “Ah Zhen…”

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhen’s attitude toward him didn’t change at all. As usual, she was gentle, “Hmm?”

Gao Xun felt relieved, feeling that the depression that had been pressing on his heart for days had dissipated. He finally couldn’t hold it back and said the words he had been brewing for a long time, “I’m sorry for almost losing you last time… If something like that happens again, I will definitely protect you!”

Xie Zhen had almost forgotten about it, but when he mentioned it, her rosy face turned pale.

It was indeed not a pleasant memory, and she would rather not think about it in the future.

Gao Xun approached, earnestly assuring, “I mean it!”

Xie Zhen nodded absentmindedly, really not wanting to continue this topic. Her mind quickly turned, and suddenly she remembered to settle the score with him, “You promised to keep everything a secret. Why did you tell Little Brother Yu about the hairpin incident?”

She questioned petulantly, not because she didn’t want Li Yu to know, but because she felt that since he promised her, he shouldn’t have told anyone else.

Gao Xun suddenly felt guilty, looking at Li Yu with pleading eyes. That look was clearly asking Li Yu to speak up for him. But Li Yu acted as if he hadn’t seen it, turning around to look at the blooming peach blossoms behind, leaving Gao Xun alone to face Xie Zhen’s questioning.

In the end, Gao Xun was scolded by the little fairy, looking dejected and repeatedly apologizing. Despite this, he still felt content and willingly accepted the scolding.

*

On the other side, Gao Tongtong deliberately walked closely with Xie Xian, following wherever the maid led Xie Xian.

Heading deeper into the peach blossom garden, there was a small pavilion built with bamboo, allowing ventilation from all sides, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere. In the middle stood a bamboo table, even the tea cups were made of bamboo. Contrary to the peach trees around, it blended the red and green colors perfectly, giving off a feeling of an otherworldly paradise.

The women rested and enjoyed tea inside the small pavilion, chatting and gossiping. Soon, maids brought in several plates of snacks, fruits, and the unique peach blossom wine, pouring a small amount into each person’s cup.

Madam Leng took a sip, and the sweetness upon her lips and teeth seemed to contain the rich fragrance of peach blossoms. Swallowing it, the aftertaste lingered.

Madam Xu also took a sip, but her attention was not on the peach blossom wine; it was outside the small pavilion. “Tongtong seems to have a good relationship with the daughter of the Duke…”

Following her gaze, Madam Leng noticed not far away under a tree, Gao Tongtong was walking behind Xie Xian. Wherever the maid led Xie Xian, Gao Tongtong followed.

Those unaware might truly believe they had a close relationship.

Xie Xian felt that Gao Tongtong seemed to be following her today. Wherever she went, Gao Tongtong went too, showing enthusiasm by asking various questions.

Xie Xian didn’t want to answer at all because the questions were quite strange.

For example, “What do you play at home?”

And, “What does Xie Rong do? Does he go to school or have a private tutor? Is he good at his studies? What does he usually like?”

The conversation quickly shifted to her brother.

Being young, Xie Xian couldn’t remember all these details and soon became impatient, shaking her head like a tambourine. “I don’t know, I don’t know!”

Gao Tongtong was persistent, “If you tell me these, I’ll buy you snacks from Ruyi Fang.”

This is too cunning. Xie Xian puffed up her cheeks and shook her head firmly, “I don’t want it.”

God knows how determined she was to refuse something delicious for her brother. At the age of four, she didn’t even know what it felt like to dislike someone, but she instinctively rejected Gao Tongtong.

She thought of going to find Xie Zhen, but after a few steps, Gao Tongtong blocked her way. Gao Tongtong tried to maintain a pleasant expression, smiling and asking, “Then what do you want to eat? I’ll have the servants buy it for you when I go back. How about you tell me Xie Zhen and Xie Rong’s preferences, and I’ll prepare something for you all?”

Xie Xian, with her beautiful big eyes open, said, “I don’t know.”

Gao Tongtong took a deep breath, “Then does he have anything he doesn’t like?”

Xie Xian still replied, “I don’t know.”

Gao Tongtong couldn’t take it anymore, bent over and poked her forehead, “Why don’t you know anything? Are you stupid?”

She didn’t use much force, but Xie Xian took a step back, accidentally stepping on a protruding stone, stumbling and sitting straight on the ground. The maid, not noticing for a moment, hurriedly helped her up, dusted off the dirt from her, and worriedly asked, “Miss, where does it hurt? Did you fall?”

Xie Xian rubbed her buttocks and said it hurt.

In the small courtyard, the Leng and Xu families noticed the situation and immediately rushed over. Leng took Xie Xian in her arms and asked what happened.

Gao Tongtong quickly said in front of her, “I was just playing around with Ah Xian… I just lightly touched her, didn’t expect her to fall. It’s my fault.”

Her sincere apology made it difficult for the adults to say anything. However, Leng’s expression didn’t look good. Her daughter had encountered trouble because of this girl several times, and she couldn’t develop a favorable impression of her.

Due to Xu also being present, Leng just said, “Just be more careful in the future.”

Xu, being reasonable, apologized to her daughter a few times, and the matter ended like that.

After the adults left, only a few onlooking children remained.

Xie Zhen shielded Xie Xian and Xie Rong behind her, her beautiful face full of anger, glaring at Gao Tongtong, “Are you bullying Ah Xian again?”

How could Gao Tongtong admit it? “I already said she didn’t stand steady on her own. What does it have to do with me?”

Behind, Xie Xian lay in Xie Rong’s arms, rubbed against his neck, and said with a grievance, “Brother, I’m not stupid.”

Xie Rong was taken aback, touched the back of her head, “Ah Xian is not stupid. She’s the second smartest in our family.” Of course, the first was Xie Zhen. As her brother, he never argued with them. Then he asked, “Who said such things about you?”

Guided by Xie Rong, Xie Xian finally explained the whole incident.

Xie Rong’s face looked very unpleasant. He put her down, stood up, and looked at Gao Tongtong, “Miss Gao, do you think you are very clever?”

Gao Tongtong was still confronting Xie Zhen and didn’t notice the situation behind her. When she heard this, she was taken aback, “What?”

Xie Rong asked again, “If so, why can’t you guess what I like, or how well I perform in my studies?”

Gao Tongtong was completely stunned, looking at him at a loss.

Xie Rong continued, “If you want to inquire about me, you should be kind to my sister. Otherwise, not only this time, but even the next time and the time after that, she won’t tell you anything.” He lowered his head and rubbed Xie Xian’s head, “Right, Ah Xian?”

Xie Xian nodded vigorously, perhaps feeling it wasn’t enough, she added, “Yeah!”

Gao Tongtong blushed, wishing she could find a hole to hide in and never come out.

*

At noon, when they returned to Puyin Temple, Leng discussed with Xie Liqing and decided to set off early the next morning to return home.

After having the temple’s vegetarian meal, all three children were quite tired. Madam Leng had them sent back to their rooms to rest. She and Xie Liqing, lacking sleep, lay together on the bed, talking for a while. Not long after, as the two were about to doze off, the outside of the railing window suddenly lit up, and the flames illuminated the sky.

Xie Liqing got up to look outside the window, only to see that the fire originated from the main hall not far away, and he could almost hear the crackling of sparks.

He was surprised, “Why is the main hall on fire?”

Saying this, he was about to go check.

Madam Leng, fearing he might act impulsively, quickly put on clothes and followed him. Several children were still fast asleep. Leng Shi instructed the maid to take good care of them without waking them up.

Not long after Mrs. Leng and Xie Liqing left, Xie Zhen woke up. Unable to find her parents, she heard from Shuangyu that they were ahead. It was then that she noticed a touch of red in the sky. The fire gradually intensified, painting half the sky red.

Most of the residents in the temple had gone to stop the fire, and Song Shi and Li Xiqing were also absent. The backyard suddenly became quiet.

Xie Xian was still asleep, and no matter how they tried, they couldn’t wake him up. Feeling a bit scared alone, Xie Zhen noticed that Li Yu’s room was the closest. Without much thought, she ran towards his room.

Li Yu’s door was tightly closed, with no maids outside.

The door was unlocked, and Xie Zhen pushed it open and walked in.

“Little Brother Yu, are you there?” she asked softly.

However, just as she entered the inner room and hadn’t seen the situation inside clearly, a hand reached out from behind and covered her mouth.

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