NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: The Future Grand Minister Makes a Kite For Her
“You are nothing but a lowly bastard, how could you possibly be worthy of me? Moreover, I once saw you beat one of your maids to death. You, with such cruel and dark thoughts, are absolutely not worthy of me.”
Liu Jiyu still remembered, after she finished saying those words, she saw the nervous expression of the youth turned stiff all of a sudden. His bright eyes dimmed, and even his face paled at her hurtful words.
Thinking of this, Liu Jiyu couldn’t help but feel her head throb. What sin had she committed?
Suddenly, a sharp gaze turned towards her. Liu Jiyu was startled as she looked up to see the handsome youth staring at her expressionlessly.
Liu Jiyu: “!!!”
Seeing her staring at him with wide eyes, Mei Shuyu’s mouth turned slightly upward before he shifted his gaze elsewhere.
Liu Jiyu didn’t know what expression to wear when facing Mei Shuyu. She couldn’t be too friendly, right? Afterall, she had just rejected him not long ago, but she couldn’t be too cold either. Offending him now might lead to trouble in the future. Although she had already offended him, there must be a way to make amends, right?
“Brother Yiming, do you have confidence in this year’s Autumn Examination?” Mei Shenxing asked, smiling at Liu Jiuyuan.
Yiming was Liu Jiuyuan’s courtesy name.
Seeing Mei Shenxing smile, he replied, “I dare not to boast, only diligence will suffice.”
After saying this, he turned his gaze back to Mei Shuyu and asked, “And Jingchu?”
Jingchu was Mei Shuyu’s courtesy name. Seeing the young man smile faintly, he replied, “I’ll do my best.”
The other two young men from the Mei family showed a hint of disdain in their eyes, clearly not taking his words to heart.
Liu Jiyu, on the other hand, took his words to heart. If she remembered correctly, Mei Shuyu would surely be among the top candidates in this year’s Autumn Examination.
Liu Jiyu held Liu Jiluan’s hand and whispered softly in her ear, “Sister, what is the Mei family here for today?”
Liu Jiluan raised her hand to tousle her sister’s hair bun and smiled, “Just here to stay for a few days, why do you ask?”
Of course, Liu Jiyu wanted Mei Shuyu to leave quickly, but upon hearing Liu Jiluan’s response, she pursed her lips and said, “Oh, it’s nothing, just a casual question.”
The little girl clearly had something on her mind. Seeing that she wasn’t speaking, Liu Jiluan didn’t press further and simply smiled before falling silent.
Yunrumei was chatting with Mei Jianxue, and Liu Jiluan joined in. Liu Jiyu really didn’t want to stay with Mei Shuyu any longer, so she thought of returning to the courtyard. “Well then, I’ll head back to the courtyard first.”
“Eh, why are you going back to the courtyard? It’s so boring to be alone,” Yunrumei called out to her, not letting her leave.
Mei Shenxing smiled at Liu Jiyu and said, “Yinyin, do you like kites? Tell second brother, what kind you like, and I’ll make one for you and bring it over.”
If Liu Jiyu’s guess was correct, then Madam Qin wanted her to become her daughter-in-law. As for the choice of her son’s partner, it was either Mei Jinyan or Mei Shenxing.
“No need, second brother Mei,” Liu Jiyu hurriedly refused him, but couldn’t come up with a better excuse.
Yunrumei chimed in, providing support, “Yinyin, weren’t all your kites in the past made by the third brother from the Mei family?”
Liu Jiyu was at a loss.
Her temples throbbed, thinking: Could the future Grand Minister and Prince’s Grand Tutor make kites for her?
But Yunrumei persisted, “Yinyin, I think Mei Sanlang’s kites are really beautiful. Why don’t you ask him to make one for you again? And while he’s at it, make one for me too, okay?”
In her heart, Liu Jiyu silently thought, No, this isn’t good. Moreover, they’re right here sitting next to us. Is it really appropriate to ask like this?
Liu Jiyu really wanted to refuse. She had just said such malicious words to Mei Sanlang a while ago, and now she was going to ask him to make a kite for her?
Suddenly, the young man’s cold voice echoed in the pavilion, “Perhaps Seventh Miss finds my skills lacking.”
Liu Jiyu jumped in surprise. How could she dare! She quickly said, “No, I don’t find them lacking at all.”
After speaking, she wanted to slap herself. What had she done?
“Third brother Mei, I like kites with pink butterfly patterns. Could you make one for me too?” Yunrumei looked at the young man eagerly, her eyes full of anticipation.
The young man responded with a neutral “Mm,” then turned his gaze to Liu Jiyu.
Liu Jiyu blinked her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes round and watery. The prominent crimson mole just below her eyes made her look even more adorable.
The young man’s Adam-apple bobbed slightly as he calmly looked at the girl. “What kind of design does Seventh Miss want?”
Liu Jiyu wanted to say she didn’t need it, as she felt she wouldn’t even dare to fly the kite, fearing it might be a burden on her conscience. But she couldn’t say that. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, “I like the design of carp fish.”
The young man nodded silently, his gaze lowered.
Liu Jiyu swallowed nervously and cautiously said, “Thank you, Third Brother.”
“No need to thank me.”
Mei Shenxing glanced at Mei Shuyu, then smiled at Liu Jiyu. “Third Brother’s kite-making skills are indeed excellent. However, there’s still a world of difference between what he makes and what’s available elsewhere. Yinyin, you still need to be careful and not be deceived.”
Although he was talking about kites, he was indirectly referring to people. Implicitly, he hinted at Mei Shuyu’s lowly status and questionable character.
Liu Jiyu’s heart trembled slightly. She thought, If you want to court trouble, go ahead, but why drag me into it?
Liu Jiuyuan frowned. Mei Shenxing’s narrow-mindedness was becoming apparent. He was directing the criticism towards his own younger brother over a trivial matter like kite-making.
Seeing the little girl’s frown, Mei Shenxing felt a pang in his heart and hurriedly said, “I just said it casually, all for Yinyin’s own good.”
Liu Jiyu rolled her eyes inwardly and then turned to talk to Liu Jiluan.
“Young Misses, Madam has sent me to inform young misses that it’s time for lunch,” Ruanyun came in and informed them.
Liu Jiluan stood up, pulling Liu Jiyu along. She smiled at the other girls and said, “Let’s go.” Then, she nodded and threw a smile at the young men before walking away.
As Liu Jiyu walked outside the pavilion, she had to pass by Mei Shuyu, but the young girl was too invested in conversation with her elder sister and didn’t notice him.
The young man could smell a faint of sweet fragrance as she passed by. He lowered his gaze and noticed the embroidered shoes the girl wore, adorned with a round, lustrous white pearl on the toe. They looked delicate and luxurious.
***
During lunchtime, after washing her hands and rinsing her mouth, Liu Jiyu leaned against old madam Liu and entertained her with some playful jokes, making the old lady laugh repeatedly. On the other side, Madam Sui was having a pleasant conversation with Madam Qin while occasionally casting gentle glances towards her youngest daughter.
When the meal was ready, old madam Liu addressed the group, “You may go ahead and eat, no need to wait on us.”
Madam Sui stood up, smiled at Liu Jiluan, and gestured towards Liu Jiyu. Liu Jiluan then nodded with a smile.
Only the family remained at the table. Old Madam Liu sat at the head, with Liu Jiyu and Yunrumei on either side of her. Liu Jiyu sat next to Liu Jiluan, while Yunrumei sat next to Mei Jianxue.
“You lively little one, when will you become as calm and composed as your sister Jiluan? The older you get, the more mischievous you become.” Old Madam Liu used her index finger to lightly poke Liu Jiyu’s head. Although her tone carried a hint of disapproval, there was still an indulgent expression on her face.
Yunrumei chimed in, “Exactly, not composed at all.”
Liu Jiyu pouted her mouth as she glanced at Yunrumei, and then playfully shook Old Madam Liu’s arm, saying in a coquettish tone, “Grandmother~ look! Yunyun always knows how to criticize me, she’s not better than me in any way.”
The young girl’s voice was soft, and her way of talking was very sweet that it melted Old Madam Liu’s heart instantly. “Alright, alright, you two sisters are just the same. Let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s eat, it wouldn’t be good if it gets cold later.” Old Madam Liu said, with a gentle smile hanging on her face.
After lunch, Liu Jiyu felt a bit sleepy, so she chatted with Old Madam Liu for a while before returning to the Miao Miao Courtyard.
Liu Jiyu walked along the covered corridor, feeling increasingly drowsy. She wished she could just lie down and sleep right here and then. Her eyes were half-closed as she swayed forward.
Hualing originally was following her from behind, but she got distracted by the flowers and plants outside the corridor. By this time, Liu Jiyu could only hear a cry of “Ouch!” which brought her back to reality.
Liu Jiyu looked ahead as she held her forehead and said “Ouch!”. She saw another person standing in front of her, gently massaging his temples as he looked down at her. Wasn’t this Mei Sanlang?