CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 331: WEDDING IN PROGRESS (PART 5)

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly: "I’ve instructed the kitchen to send some dishes to you, have something to eat first!" After saying that, he glanced at Xiqiu, then turned and walked alone along the path out.

Xiqiu watched him leave and then turned back into the room, mindful of the uncertain timing of the Empress’s attendants’ visit. She only had Chunyan bring water to wash off her makeup and sat again at the round table sipping tea.

The two maidservants dressed in Qiuxiang-colored overcoats who were in the room earlier still stood at the door. Seeing Xiqiu look over, they came forward to pay respect: "Fourth Madam!"

Xiqiu nodded slightly and asked with a smile, "Are you both serving by Fourth Master’s side?"

The two maidservants’ faces changed, fear showing in their eyes. As they hesitated, the Fourth Madam smiled and said, "I just arrived today and am not familiar... What are your names and what are your duties?"

The slightly taller maidservant on the left replied, "I am Ziyang, responsible for laundry in the Fourth Master’s courtyard." The other said, "I am Treasure Bead, responsible for Fourth Master’s daily life."

All named after trees!

Xiqiu smiled and said, "Got it, you both have had a long day, go rest!" Immediately, she heard the two maidservants breathe a long sigh of relief!

A strange old maid brought in eight dishes and a soup. Xiqiu asked the four just arrived: "Have you eaten? Join me for a meal."

Chunliu and Bihuai said, "We came early and ate downstairs." They then looked at Chunyan and Biwu, Chunyan laughed and said, "We’ve eaten!"

Biwu looked at the full table of dishes and swallowed.

Xiqiu laughed and let Biwu fill a bowl of rice. Biwu, not daring to sit at the main seat, picked some dishes and quickly ate a bowl of rice on a stool, prompting Chunyan to frown and twist her ear, saying, "All you think about is eating!"

Biwu looked aggrieved, "I wasn’t full. There were so many strangers just now, and I couldn’t see Miss. I was too anxious to eat much."

Chunyan, also happy, jokingly scolded, "You barely ate? I saw you had two big bowls." Biwu pouted and said nothing.

Xiqiu smiled and said, "Don’t tease her. Have you arranged where you’ll stay tonight?"

Chunliu replied, "It’s arranged, right behind Miss’s courtyard." Xiqiu nodded without speaking further, holding the bowl, feeling very hungry but managing only half a bowl of porridge before stopping.

After Xiqiu finished eating, a maidservant called from outside the door: "Fourth Madam, Fourth Master invites you to the outer courtyard. The Empress’s decree has arrived!"

Xiqiu hurriedly wiped her hands and took Chunyan, Chunliu, and the others to the front courtyard.

The Empress awarded a Jade Ruyi, along with a set of hairpin and bracelet adorned with Bixi rubies and flying golden phoenixes, as well as eight rolls of crimson Shu brocade and Snow Fine Gauze fabric, and a jade pomegranate tree symbolizing fertility and prosperity.

When Xiqiu returned to her room, she immediately had Chunyan bring water for her to bathe. Soaking in the bath, she felt the tension of the day loosen, but before she could take a breath, she heard Chunyan outside call, "Fourth Master!"

Fourth Master Xiao is back? So early!

She quickly got up, hastily grabbed a towel to wipe herself, put on a familiar pale pink innerwear, and donned a routinely worn old red overcoat, fastening the collar and taking a deep breath before going out.

Fourth Master Xiao was sitting at the table where she just ate, drinking porridge, with a faint scent of alcohol about him.

Seeing Xiqiu come out, Fourth Master Xiao put down the bowl, noticed her wet hair draping behind, wearing an old overcoat, casual yet a bit lazy, but her expression was wary. He stood up expressionless and pointed at her hair, "Dry your hair quickly, or you’ll catch a cold."

Xiqiu dared not look at him, just nodded with her head down.

"I’m going to bathe!" Fourth Master Xiao stood up and walked into the bathing room, his hands behind his back. Xiqiu turned to look at Ziyang and Treasure Bead, seeing them standing by the door, eyes on the ground, not intending to assist.

Don’t they serve up close? Does Fourth Master Xiao handle everything himself?

She hesitated whether to send Chunyan in to serve, but the sound of water already came from inside, so she had Chunyan bring a dry towel to dry her hair. Ziyang quickly fetched a fire basin to help Xiqiu dry her hair, while Bihuai and Biwu cleared the table, and Chunliu went behind the screen to make the bed.

When her hair was half-dry, Fourth Master Xiao came out from the adjacent room, wearing a brown home robe, the alcohol scent replaced by a faint, pleasant aroma she couldn’t place.

Fourth Master Xiao sat at the round table carved with red plum blossoms against snow.

As soon as he came out, Ziyang and Treasure Bead voluntarily left. Chunyan and Chunliu hesitated and looked at Xiqiu, who nodded, so Chunyan led the three out.

Xiqiu, with her hair hanging loose, stood up, her heart racing in her chest. Not daring to look at Fourth Master Xiao, she knew the door was closed but still walked over and pushed it... Suddenly, Fourth Master Xiao’s low cough came from behind. She turned and met his deep, bright eyes, staring at her with a bemused smile.

Xiqiu felt her breath stop, didn’t know where to put her hands and feet, forced calm as she walked to the table, poured tea, and handed it to him: "Drink tea!"

Fourth Master Xiao pursed his lips but didn’t take the tea; instead, he turned his arm and directly grabbed her arm...

"Ah!" Without warning, Xiqiu was pulled into his embrace, her nose filled with his faint fragrance, and her face flushed instantly.

Inches apart, they could hear each other’s breaths!

Xiqiu instinctively covered her chest with her hand, her heart pounding like a drum. She awkwardly tried to find something to say, "Well... I... are you hungry?" She regretted offering to get him food, remembering he just had a bowl of porridge.

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, eyes full of laughter, and quickly kissed her forehead, raising an eyebrow he said, "Actually, I’m hungry!"

His words were teasing, causing Xiqiu’s face to redden like a tomato: "You... let me down, we need to talk!"

"We’ll talk tomorrow!" His tone was unquestionable, then he stood up, lifting her in his arms.

Xiqiu felt her waist tighten, lifted off the ground. She grabbed Fourth Master Xiao’s lapel in surprise, looking at him in fear, "What are you doing!"

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her startled face, then laughed aloud, kissed her forehead again, and said joyously, "You really are a little girl!"

As the room’s lights dimmed, only the two large red wax candles outside the screen flickered, casting an intimate red hue over the room. Xiqiu fell into the soft brocade, unable to adjust before Fourth Master Xiao’s weight pressed down, his hand slipping inside her clothes...