"What did you just say?" Xie Jiayan's dark eyes held a hint of amusement.
Yu Mingyue shook her head. "Nothing."
She had been too hasty today.
"Then who is the 'flower'?" Xie Jiayan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"It's just..." Yu Mingyue forced a smile. "What I mean is, Brother Jiayan has the temperament of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum... a flower of the high mountains, yes, a flower of the high mountains, unattainable, beyond reach, even a princess is not worthy of you."
As she uttered the last few words, Yu Mingyue tiptoed again, her small hand cupped around her lips, and whispered.
After all, criticizing royalty was a crime.
She spoke softly, ensuring no one else could hear.
Xie Jiayan looked at the sharp-tongued, glib young girl before him. Her current fawning demeanor was a stark contrast to how she had dealt with Madam Feng earlier that day.
"Is that so?" The young man's lips curved upwards as he gazed down at her.
It was the hour of sunset, and the lingering light cast a faint golden hue upon his handsome face, making him appear like an immortal descended to earth.
"Yes, whoever can be worthy of Brother Jiayan must be an immortal fairy from the heavens." Yu Mingyue nodded affirmatively.
Compared to a fairy, a princess was truly nothing.
She had to praise not only the future Grand Chancellor but also his future wife.
Xie Jiayan lowered his head, looking at Yu Mingyue's sincere expression. The smile on his lips lingered for a long time before he finally spoke slowly, "Then I shall accept your good wishes."
Yu Mingyue nodded earnestly. "I am a very good judge of character."
Seeing that Xie Jiayan's expression seemed to have improved, Yu Mingyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he truly disliked the idea of becoming a consort. This was something she had to remember firmly and never mention again.
However, what if the Sage took a liking to him and insisted on bestowing a marriage?
Stop, don't think about it. He would surely find a way to resolve it.
Xie Jiayan browsed for a while and picked out a calligraphy and painting. Yu Mingyue, on the other hand, selected quite a few items. When it was time to pay, she shrewdly paid for Xie Jiayan's calligraphy and painting as well.
How could she miss such a good opportunity?
Once they were in the carriage, Xie Jiayan returned the money for the calligraphy and painting to Yu Mingyue. "This is a gift I intend to give to a colleague. How can I let Sixth Miss bear the expense?"
"A gift?" Yu Mingyue felt a pang of regret.
She had thought Xie Jiayan liked this calligraphy and painting and had planned to collect more to give to him.
Having interacted with him for so long, she found that apart from reading books, his other preferences were truly difficult to fathom.
"Yes."
A colleague was getting married in a few days, and this calligraphy and painting was very suitable.
"Then whose calligraphy and paintings does Brother Jiayan like?" Yu Mingyue seized the opportunity to ask.
She still owed a favor for helping her second elder brother enter the Imperial Academy. She had pondered for a long time but couldn't think of a suitable gift. She couldn't possibly send another five hundred scrolls of books, could she?
"The landscape paintings of Longqiu Jushi are exquisite." It was a pity that his surviving works were extremely few.
"Longqiu Jushi?" Yu Mingyue seemed to have heard the name. She would ask her mother when she got back.
"Since you liked the illustrations in that travelogue, you should also like his works," Xie Jiayan said more than he usually did.
"Then what is their relationship?" Yu Mingyue asked curiously.
Xie Jiayan's expression clearly showed he was suppressing a smile. "Why do you ask?"
"Is there no relationship?"
Yu Mingyue had thought they were the same person when he said that earlier.
"Mr. Longqiu passed away many years ago," Xie Jiayan said with a hint of regret in his voice.
Yu Mingyue let out a soft "Oh." She was indeed learning to appreciate calligraphy and paintings and knew many famous artists, but she had never heard of this Mr. Longqiu.
As the carriage stopped in front of the Xie mansion, night was about to engulf the land, and the western glow was making its last stand.
Xie Jiayan stood there, watching Yu Mingyue's figure disappear completely before stepping inside.
Liaokong appeared before Xie Jiayan like a phantom. "Young Master, the third master of Liancheng will arrive in the capital in three days."
"Understood."
After speaking, Liaokong vanished as silently as he had appeared.