Songhe Yard.
Nan Baoyi leaned in the arms of the Old Madam, lifted her hand to show her, and said softly, "My hand doesn't hurt anymore and my cold is cured, Grandmother need not to worry."
Within only two days, her injured hand looked all better with new layers of fair and delicate skin.
Old Madam was pleased, "Jiang Master's balm is really amazing, no wonder he's called the best doctor in Shu."
It was also very expensive too, Nan Baoyi thought to herself.
One small jar would cost thousands of gold. Many normal families could not afford it.
Her grandmother loved her. Only she had the balm among her sisters.
In the previous life, Nan Yan had her eyes on this balm and she gave it to her generously, only to end up having her face mutilated...
"Jiaojiao'er, tell Grandmother honestly, did Second Brother caused your hand to be injured like this because he wanted revenge?" Grandmother suddenly asked.
Nan Baoyi shook her head hurriedly, "I was too playful and greedy. I smelled the delicious smells of the chestnuts in Second Brother's room and wanted to eat them. But I accidentally injured myself when I overturned his fire pan. Grandmother, don't blame Second Brother."
Old madam looked at her. The little girl's eyes were bright and honest and did not look like she was lying.
After considering for a moment, she motioned to the servants to bring Xiao Yi over.
The boy stepped into the room and looked up at the seats.
The little girl was wrapped in a red cloak and nestled in the arms of the old lady. Her soft and thick black hair hung freely and her face was tender and soft. Her long eyelashes drooped and her small red mouth was drinking earnestly the glass of milk she was holding.
The green glass that contained the milk was exquisitely made. She held it with her fingertips, her hand was fair and soft like a soft halo glowing, her light pink fingertips translucent against the glass, looking more exquisite than the green glass itself.
He withdrew his sight and knelt down in the hall.
Old Madam did not like this adopted grandson. She lovingly said to Nan Baoyi, "Jiaojiao, tell grandmother honestly, did he threaten you and tell you to lie to me? Grandmother is here. If he still dares to threaten you, Grandmother will have him beaten up!"
Nan Baoyi only realized that Xiao Yi was here now.
After copying scriptures for two days in the ancestral hall, the boy's manner looked even colder.
She suppressed her fear and passed the green glass to He Ye. She held on to the old lady's sleeve earnestly and said, "Grandmother, Second Brother did not bully me. The wounds on my hands are really caused by myself. Second Brother is good to me, he carried me back to Jinyi pavilion. Don't blame him…"
The old madam stared at her, "So this means, Grandmother blamed him wrongly?"
Nan Baoyi's eyes shone brightly and nodded her head vigorously.
The old lady pondered for a moment and motioned for Xiao Yi to sit, "I blamed you wrongly this time, do you resent me?"
Xiao Yi frowned, "I wouldn't dare."
He wouldn't dare, not that he did not resent her.
The old lady sneered in her heart and looked at him up and down a few times, "You are already eighteen this year."
"Yes."
The old lady nodded with pity in her eyes.
Although he was not her oldest son's own flesh and blood and she was not close to him, he was still adopted by her oldest son. He had good looks and looked even better than her own grandsons.
She said slowly, "After Big Master left, Nan family neglected you a lot. I can understand if you have resentment. This time you helped Jiaojiao but was misunderstood. I am ashamed. Aunt Ji, go to the storeroom and choose some good satin cloth for Second Young Master to make new clothes, and choose some decent looking calligraphy set. Also…"
She paused for a moment, "How many maids do you have to serve you?"
Nan Baoyi felt that this was her time to do good.
She said coyly, "Grandmother, there's no maid in second brother's yard!"
Old madam nodded, "In that case, Aunt Ji, choose two good looking maids for him. He's already old enough, he should…"
Because Nan Baoyi was here, she did not continue on.
Nan Baoyi smiled and understood immediately.
Look how good she handled it. Not only did she save her second brother from punishment, but he would have concubines arranged for him!
(Translation note: some maids are only maids in name but concubines in reality)
She looked at Xiao Yi proudly, hoping to take credit, but her eyes were met with Xiao Yi's cold stare.
She shivered, was something wrong with the arrangements?
She quickly chipped in more, "Grandmother, Second Brother's yard is very old, why don't you hire people to fix it up?"
Old Madam was confused, "Jiaojiao, what's wrong with you today?"
Normally her Jiaojiao'er and Xiao Yi's relationship was not very good.
"I... " Nan Baoyi was afraid of being discovered, but she also wanted to tell Old Madam about Xiao Yi's bright and promising future, so she swallowed her words and threw herself in the old lady's embrace. "I don't have parents to care for me, Second Brother also doesn't have parents to care for him, everyone in the family ignored him. Even if he got first place in the imperial examination no one would notice. Second Brother is so pitiful…"
Aunt Ji smiled, "From what I can see, Fifth Miss and Second Young Master have some fate with each other."
Old Madam's eyes flickered.
The Nan family had been doing business for generations. Among all the grandchildren, only the son of the Second Master Nan Chengshu and Xiao Yi had the aptitude to study and take the imperial examination.
No one in the Nan family had the brains to study. Although Chengshu was very hardworking, his grades in the academy were still among those in the bottom list. Being a successful candidate in the imperial examination was out of the question. Passing the imperial examination was already a big celebration.
Xiao Yi's performance in the academy was rumored to be not too bad, still able to be counted on.
Even if he could only be a small officer in the future, he was still an officer, right?
After she passed on, as her older brother, he could still help Jiaojiao.
Thinking of this, her attitude towards Xiao Yi improved slightly, "I'm very pleased to see you both brother and sister being so close. Jiaojiao, serve your Second Brother some tea."
Nan Baoyi held a cup of hot tea and gladly ran towards Xiao Yi's side, "Second Brother, here's some tea!"
She ran too hurriedly and accidentally stepped on her skirt with her embroidered shoes. The teacup fell out of her hands and smashed into pieces while she fell into Xiao Yi's embrace!
Nan Baoyi's face was very red. She buried her little head in Xiao Yi's robes and secretly scolded herself for messing things up again. She could not even serve tea properly, so useless.
There was a slightly sweet fragrance in the teenager's embrace. She sniffed and unconsciously tensed up. She cried more than before and dared not look up to see the boy's face at all.
Xiao Yi's face was expressionless.
The little girl in his arms was soft and smelled good. Her tears soaked his robes making him very unhappy.
He lifted her back collar up and the little girl's fair tender face was covered in tears, cheeks turning red. He had the desire to take a bite at her.
He looked at her red teary eyes closely and threatened her with a voice only the both of them could hear, "Cry again and I'll bite you."
Nan Baoyi shivered. Her tears dried up by her fear.
Xiao Yi said softly, "Smile."
Nan Baoyi obediently curled her lips. Her smile was more unsightly than when she was crying.
"Fifth Miss is smiling!" Aunt Ji was happy, "Look, Old Madam, Fifth Miss is smiling! Second Young Master and Fifth Miss surely have fate with each other, you can be at ease!"
Old Madam nodded happily.
At this moment, a maid came in carrying a tray, "Old Madam, Madam Liu sent someone to deliver something, said she made it especially for you and Fifth Miss."