Arc 2: Part 17
He used to despise Xiao Qingwan and didn't wish to see her. However, he hadn't realized how interesting this young maid could be.
Surprisingly, he found himself no longer harboring any dislike for her.
Without the dislike clouding his judgment, he found the serious demeanor of the little girl amusing... and had an urge to tease her.
Indeed, as soon as he voiced his intention, she looked at him with wide, surprised eyes as if she hadn't expected him to suggest such a thing.
Xiao Lingchen stared at her in silence, a smile dancing in his gaze.
Tong Su, over the surprise, didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He was, after all, a highly esteemed official. Was he actually willing to have his meal in the kitchen?
The kitchen was not as refined as his living quarters. It was a rare occurrence to have the master stepping into such a humbly decorated place.
In the extravagant era of the Dakang dynasty, aristocratic households embraced luxury. Nobility surrounded themselves with silk and brocade, treading on ornamental rugs, yet Xiao Lingchen appeared unaffected by this grandeur.
Tong Su's fondness for him increased considerably. However, she refrained from agreeing immediately.
After all, the sly Xiao Qingwan was still hidden in the kitchen!
Luckily, her quick reactions saved the day before she showed any hesitation. Guiding Xiao Lingchen towards another path, she smiled warmly and said, "If you wish so, I can only be glad. Look at this pond of lotus, now withered and forlorn. But in the summer, when the lotus seeds are in abundance, picking fresh seeds is simply a joy. They taste so crunchy and sweet.”
While she distracted him, she noticed the kitchen door slightly cracked open from the corner of her eye. Xiao Qingwan, with an ashen face, tip-toed and swiftly made her escape.
Only then did Tong Su take Xiao Lingchen into the kitchen.
He had suggested that Tong Su 'serve' him, but in reality, Xiao Lingchen didn't make her do subservient tasks. He stopped Tong Su and personally brought over several stew pots, ladling the rib soup into bowls for both of them.
Tong Su stood at the side, laughing lightly, “I didn't expect you to be so adept at these tasks."
Xiao Lingchen averted his gaze, saying calmly, "You must have been too young to remember. Our parents used to do this too.”
Upon saying this, warmth flooded his eyes, "Thankfully, I still have you and Bai Zhu. I am not entirely alone.”
At his mention of 'father' and 'mother,' she questioned internally, 'Could he be referring to Mother Ji and Lord Xiao?'
Tong Su was relieved; she had arrived at a stage where Xiao Lingchen was not the ruthless rebel he later became in the government.
As long as familial affection lingered in his heart, as long as he still cared about their past connection and was willing to protect a stepsister with whom he shared no blood ties, she could figure out a way to wedge a gap in Xiao Lingchen, and complete her task!
Lost in thought, Tong Su joined Xiao Lingchen in finishing the meal. Approachable words exchanged between the formerly cold siblings, gradually they warmed up. When she finally bid goodbye, quite a bit of familiarity had formed between the two.
"If there's anything you lack or desire, feel free to tell Little Thirteen. You don't have to be reserved."
Tong Su, a clear sparkle in her contrasting black and white eyes, looked at him. The corners of her lips rose into a smile, "The only thing I want is for you to remain healthy. I hope you refrain from staying up late and harming your health with poor eating habits. Can you give me that?”
She leaned in closer to him, so much so that she was almost resting against his neck. Xiao Lingchen froze for a moment, the gentle scent of her sweetness filled his senses, altogether gentle, sleek and serene.
A warmth that tugged at his heart.
He glanced down at her, after a short while, he responded slowly, "Alright, I'll try my best."
Xiao Bai Zhu lived in a side room in Xiao Qingwan's courtyard. Xiao Qingwan didn't let her live alone and insisted on keeping her under her watch.
Tong Su's previous blackmail had only resulted in her having a new group of maids in service.
She started thinking of another plan, firstly to separate herself from Xiao Qingwan.
Lost in thought as she was, she was taken aback when someone suddenly grabbed her arm the moment she entered the courtyard gate and pulled her into a shadow.
A livid and pretty face came uncomfortably close, with a threatening whisper, "You didn't drop hints, did he suspect anything? Xiao Bai Zhu, I'm warning you, don't you dare have any wicked intentions!"
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