Chapter 14: The Arrangement
After returning to his room, Xi Che was later informed by Yun Yi that he was to accompany her to meet Xu Zexu.
He expressed his gratitude and after Yun Yi left, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I'm going to see...?," he murmured to himself, "Why would they ask me to go...?"
But this was also an opportunity.
He stood up and selected from his wardrobe the light blue gown with a subtle dark pattern that he had worn a few days earlier, pondering for a few moments before putting it on.
The young lady preferred bright colors.
The cobblestone path wound its way forward, and the courtyard of Ji Yunshan's residence was filled with plum blossoms.
Although they had not yet bloomed, the fragrance of plum blossoms could already be detected.
Men's voices could be heard coming from inside the room, and Xi Chen paused for some reason.
He lowered his head to make sure his appearance was appropriate and then stepped inside.
In the study, Ji Li was brewing tea, and milky white steam was slowly rising from the utensils.
Ji Yunshan sat at the head of the table, and when he saw Xi Che arrive, he said, "Ah Che, come here."
The young man was taken aback by the other's familiar address, but then he regained his composure and stepped forward to bow. "Greetings, General Ji and Lady Ji," he said, his eyes darting quickly to the man seated diagonally opposite him.
Ji Li didn't look at him.
His gaze shifted to the young man on the other side of the room. "Who is this...?"
Ji Yunshan seemed very pleased, patted Xi Che's shoulder, and introduced him, "This is Li Li's cousin, Xu Zexu. He will be staying here for a couple of months." He then added, "I've been thinking that you are at the age to study and understand the world, and it just so happens that Zexu is also quite learned. How about you follow him and study diligently?"
The temperature dropped, and the day darkened earlier, so the shops on the street all closed in the afternoon, leaving the area empty.
Xi Che restrained his expression and accepted this kindness, "Thank you, General Ji, I will study hard and not disappoint your high expectations."
However, he had a feeling that someone else seemed to be on his mind to speak.
General Ji was friendly to him, and with his generous personality, Xi Che had been treated well since arriving at the General's residence.
The fact that he was asked to study... seemed to confirm his previous speculation.
Miss intended to cultivate him.
The man in front wore a moon-colored robe, his body seeming frail with a white scarf wrapped around his neck, looking somewhat feminine and delicate.
In the next moment, he saw the man raise a faint smile and reach out to him, "Nice to meet you for the first time."
The scholarly aura emanating from him was almost tangible.
Xi Che: "...hello."
Sensing Ji Li's gaze, he subconsciously smiled, "I will rely on you in the future."
Thinking about the conversations about the Miss and him, his heart suddenly felt a bit itchy.
Wanting to punch something.
The Miss does indeed like someone who is well-read.
"Don't just stand there, come and sit." Ji Li said lightly.
Xi Che pursed his lips slightly and looked up again, greeted by that faint smile.
He felt a bit conflicted at this moment.
He wanted Ji Li to pay attention to him, but didn't want to do anything that would make her dislike him.
Ji Yunshan sipped his tea lightly and sighed, "Don't be restrained living in the General's residence in the future, just like before."
Xi Che listened quietly, unable to interject.
The gentle young man beside him then continued the conversation smoothly, throwing out new topics and engaging in a back and forth with Ji Yunshan.
Inside the room, light smoke wafted, mingling with the faint scent of plum flowers outside the window, creating a beautiful scene.
In a daze, he met Ji Li's eyes.
She remained natural and composed, while he felt trapped.
He lowered his head.
When Ji Li left, he saw her from a distance.
These days, he had been restless, always thinking that today was a rare opportunity to have a few words with her.
To his surprise, Xu Zexu passed by him and took the opportunity to talk to Ji Li.
He was tall, towering over Ji Li by half a head.
Even with his recent growth spurt, he was only slightly taller than her.
He stopped in his tracks and did not approach them.
...
Ji Li's mother is named Song Ying, a native of Su Hang and has been married to the General's residence for twenty years.
Upon her return, Yun'er quickly handed her a stack of letters and some beautifully crafted trinkets, saying they were sent by Song Ying.
These were always essentials for her when traveling with the merchant company.
As she neared home, she would always bring back many new and interesting things for her.
Flipping through the letters, she found, in addition to the usual travel journals, an unfamiliar glass bracelet.
Under the midday sunlight, a whole set of glass ornaments sparkled with various colors, giving a dreamlike appearance from a distance.
In the letter, Song Ying mentioned she would arrive in two days, making Ji Li quite happy.
It had been too long since the mother and daughter had seen each other.
Yun Yi entered from outside and asked her, stooping down, "Miss, Xi Che is looking for you outside. Do you want to see him?"
She hesitated for a moment, thinking about the person's behavior today, before nodding in response.
Soon, the footsteps in front of her grew closer, prompting her to lift her head.
The young man stood still, saying, "Please, miss." like a dog who hadn't seen its owner in a long time, "I..."
Seeming to have something to say but very nervous, he hesitated, "Have you been busy these days?"
Ji Li wasn't particularly busy, she just wanted to avoid this person a bit.
"A little," she replied in a flat tone.
In the next instant, she noticed a hint of red in the person's eyes but he was holding back, being extremely careful, "Did I anger you?"
He spoke softly, "Or am I just too stupid, unable to learn what you've taught me and bothering you?"
Ji Li hadn't fully readjusted to this familiar feeling when the young man suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand—
As their skin touched, she couldn't help but look up.
unexpectedly, she met the young man's enthusiastic gaze.
His dark eyes stared straight at her without blinking, catching every subtle change in her expression.
"Are you tired of me?" his tone began to lower, "Or... am I too embarrassing, making you lose face?"
"No, no..." she couldn't help but speak out to explain.
In her heart, she hadn't anticipated Xi Che would react so strongly.
Her intention was not to make him sad, just to keep some distance for now.
To suppress this relationship.
She knew what she was feeling.
But her hand was being subconsciously squeezed tighter by the young man.
The sudden intensity in his expression made her frown slightly, "Xi Che, let go." Her expression turned serious, "What are you doing?"
"Do you not want me anymore?" he didn't move his hand, instead clutching it lightly, looking at her, "Can you not be like this? Don't, don't reject me..."
He seemed unable to continue, his tone becoming more melancholic.
Since they had met, Ji Li had never seen him in this state, so shaky.
Despite his humble and timid appearance, his actions hinted at a hint of madness and paranoia.
She couldn't help but draw a connection between the young man before her and the ruthless minister of the past.
Dropping her gaze, she said, "I don't not want you."
This sentence seemed like a soothing balm, quickly calming Xi Che down.
The tense atmosphere around them dissipated.
Ji Li knew that he didn't completely believe her.
Thinking about Xi Che's past experiences, her heart softened.
Lifting the decorative piece on the table beside her, she handed it to him, "This is a gift from my mother while she was traveling, I'm giving you this jade pendant as a symbol of our agreement, how about that?" She looked at him deeply, "Xi Che, I never break my promises."
With trembling hands that had distinct knuckles, he hesitantly took the jade pendant, only to quickly and firmly hold Ji Li's hand again.
Seemingly in a state of stress, he tried to explain himself, "Thank you, miss, I believe in you."
Ji Li responded with a hesitant, "Um..." silently wishing he would loosen his grip or not hold her hand at all.
The young man looked up at her, his voice slightly hoarse and with a hint of barely noticeable sobbing, "I really do."
In the flickering candlelight, his fair face, adorned with a red mole, seemed to come to life, injecting vitality and enhancing the beauty of the scene.
At that moment, he was looking at her with intense passion.
Unexpectedly, she was captivated by his charm and impulsively reached out to touch the top of his head.
His hair was soft, akin to a puppy's fur, exuding a sense of familiarity.
However, the young man suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into an embrace—
"Ji Li." He didn't address her as usual.
Perhaps it was the privilege he had been given in the past, Ji Li didn't immediately realize that something was amiss with those two words.
Confused, she asked, "What?"
The tacit approval of his direct address undoubtedly boosted his confidence in speaking.
All those hidden, unspeakable thoughts.
Xi Che slightly raised his chin, lowered himself to a subordinate stance, and gathered his courage to speak again, "You touched me, you have to take responsibility for me."
"Are you out of your mind? I didn't touch...!" She paused, explaining, "I touched your head."
"What's wrong with touching the head? The head is also very important." He pursed his lips, with a tinge of grievance, "You just said you wanted me, promised not to go back on your word."
Ji Li responded, "...I have a lot on my mind at my age."
Seeing her about to pull her hand away, Xi Che this time didn't stubbornly resist and slowly let go.
"I came back with you, sister," his voice now carried a subtle hint of charm, "You have to take responsibility for me."
"I will work hard to learn, as long as it's something you want me to do, want me to learn, I will do my best." Lowering his posture even more, he added, "I'm not stupid, many people used to praise me for being smart."
After saying several more sentences and seeing Ji Li remain silent, he gently squeezed her hand, "Are you okay with that?"
After nearly a month of being together, he had already become familiar with some of her small habits.
Seeing Ji Li blink more frequently, he slowed down his tone, "How about it..."
"Don't be like this." Making me feel like a trafficker.
"I..." Ji Li vaguely sensed from Xi Che's words that he might have figured out her thoughts.
She just didn't know how he interpreted them.
Looking at him with eyes as wet as a big dog's, she fell silent for a while.
Was that fleeting moment of aggression just an illusion?
She sighed softly, "Okay," not rejecting the young man's request.
She just made up her mind to be more discreet in the future.
Seeing her agree, Xi Che solemnly stated, "You are nurturing me, and I am very grateful."
Ji Li's eyelashes fluttered but she did not deny it.
Then, his voice continued to ring in her ears with a resolute tone, "In the future, I am willing to be the sword in your hand, helping you eliminate all obstacles." He was extremely serious, with only Ji Li's reflection in his pupil, "I will grow quickly, please trust me."
"I will never let you down."