In just a few days, the words "Miss" have appeared in Xie Yunzhen's ears countless times.
He found it hard not to remember this person.
Long fingers tapped the table, and he asked, "What is it?"
"It's a set of Four Treasures of the Study."
Xie Yunzhen's finger paused slightly.
Four Treasures of the Study... undoubtedly the most perfect gift.
But it also seemed rather formal.
Very likely devoid of sincerity.
Xie Yunzhen felt somewhat strange, but couldn't pinpoint the source of the odd feeling.
In short, it was very subtle.
He glanced at the frowning Tianshui, "It's for you."
The person burning the portrait asked uncertainly, "Young Master, this, this might not be appropriate, after all, it's an expression of Miss's heart. If she finds out, she could be quite upset."
Xie Yunzhen said nothing, his eyes also calm.
He never cared about others' opinions.
Upon thinking carefully, people from their household never accepted gifts from women, Tianshui then understood.
"Thank you, Young Master."
Before the General Mansion fell, the Ji Family was also quite prominent.
Mrs. Guan helped Ji Mingzhu retain most of their fortunes; her gifts couldn't be shabby.
Tianshui, as an attendant to the Princely Heir of the Duke Mansion, though of servant status, had insight far beyond the sons of small and humble households.
The inkstone was smooth, delicate in its sharpness, undeniably a fine piece.
Tianshui felt he had struck gold!
Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
Ji Mingzhu didn't know how Xie Yunzhen would handle the gratitude gift she sent.
Perhaps it would just gather dust in the storeroom.
Or maybe gifted casually to a servant.
After all, in her past life, the snacks and soup she sent to the study, Xie Yunzhen never tasted a bite.
Either thrown away.
Or given to others.
Leaning on the beauty couch, goose feather snow fluttered outside, inside the floor dragon warmed with fiery heat.
Ji Mingzhu lowered her eyes, looking at her hands.
Her skin was smooth like jade, fairer than frost and snow, like peeled green onions, without a flaw.
But in her past life, there was a burn mark on the back of her hand.
It's said to capture a man's heart, one must first capture his stomach.
To please Xie Yunzhen, she began to learn cooking.
Ji Mingzhu's thoughts suddenly drifted afar, remembering a trivial yet tear-provoking incident.
The first time in the kitchen, she had her hand burned by oil.
When she went to the study to find Xie Yunzhen, she deliberately exposed the burn in front of him.
She asked for nothing but a glance of concern.
Xie Yunzhen indeed noticed the injury on her hand.
Yet his words were like salt in her wound.
"Ji Mingzhu, you remain as manipulative as ever."
"Stop indulging in these annoying deeds, I don't fall for this."
In his scornful gaze, she was on the verge of collapse.
Eventually fleeing in disorder.
Later, whether injured or ill, she never exposed her vulnerability to Xie Yunzhen again.
That was all in the past, yet recalling it now, Ji Mingzhu's heart still aches painfully.
As Xie Yunzhen's wife, seeking his concern, how could it become such an unforgivable sin?
She was clearly a victim in that matter.
Yet sadly, Xie Yunzhen never trusted her.
This man's veins flowed with cold blood.
Those he didn't hold dear, even if they died, would likely not receive even a shred of his compassion.
Ji Mingzhu pressed her heart, trying hard to suppress the unspeakable pain.
Gao Xing didn't understand and thought she was ill again, quickly setting down the needlework.
"Miss, are you feeling unwell? I'll go fetch a doctor right away."
Ji Mingzhu hurriedly grabbed her wrist, "I'm fine, don't overreact."
Gao Xing was frightened.
Their Miss wasn't a weak and frail sick beauty, yet she had fainted inexplicably once after another days ago.
The second madam specifically instructed to serve carefully, and any mistake would be questioned at all in the Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
"Miss, truly fine?"
Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "I wouldn't joke about my health."
"But how could a servant see that your complexion isn't quite right?"
Besides her complexion, the whole of her seemed off.
Supposedly vibrant at her age, yet she seemed suddenly withered.
Gao Xing couldn't figure out the reason.
Couldn't help but mumble, before that day, the Miss was just fine.
How did attending a family dinner change her?
Though Ji Mingzhu was reborn, she hadn't lost her memory, and past matters inevitably affected her.
Having chosen to stay away from Xie Yunzhen, she should excavate him from her heart completely.
Even if it's bloody, never fall into the same trap again!
"No problem, it's just this relentless snow, I can't even leave the courtyard, it's suffocating."
Gao Xing fell silent.
The great physician said the Miss's ailment was a heart disease and advised to go out more.
But the weather was too dreadful.
Even stepping out to admire the snow needed worry whether catching a cold.
"In top health, why not leave the courtyard?" A clear male voice came.
Ji Mingzhu's eyes brightened, she sprang up and pushed open the wooden window, leaning on the ledge to look outside.
Snowflakes fluttered, the wax plum blossoms at the archway bloomed in full, the air filled with intoxicating Mei Xiang.
A tall man approached holding an umbrella.
Features handsome, aura noble, his appearance somewhat like Xie Yunzhen.
Only the former gave an impression of being approachable.
The latter made people dreadfully fearful, unwilling to approach.
"Second Brother!"
Xie Yunxuan's eyebrows raised, "Coming out in the cold without wearing more layers, aren't you tired of medicine yet?"
Ji Mingzhu crinkled her nose, "It's rare to see Second Brother's face, can't I be happy?"
"Sure, but you should also take care of yourself."
Xie Yunxuan quickened his steps, raised his hand and tapped Ji Mingzhu's forehead, "Still unobedient."
Then closed the window from outside.
The icy cold wind cut off, Ji Mingzhu chuckled silently.
Getting off the beauty couch, she went to the door to welcome Xie Yunxuan.
"When did you return to the mansion?"
"Just today."
"The elderly lady kept mentioning you, Aunt and Yun Ling sister miss you too."
"And you?"
"Hmm?" Ji Mingzhu reacted slowly.
"Speaking about others, do you miss me yourself?"
When she came to the Xie family, Ji Mingzhu was already a teenage girl.
Well passed the age of naïvety.
Though close with Xie Yunxuan, such inquiries still seemed rather forward.
Ji Mingzhu blushed with embarrassment.
Snow-white skin suddenly tinged with a flush of rouge, fair and rosy, dazzlingly beautiful.
Avoiding meeting Xie Yunxuan's eyes, Ji Mingzhu retorted, "Just like to bring amusement!"
Swinging around, headed back indoors.
Xie Yunxuan curled a smile, removed his cloak, handed it to a servant, and strode following Ji Mingzhu.
Placed the gift box on the table, "Guess what Second Brother brought you?"
Ji Mingzhu's eyes curved, pretending to think.
Left him waiting for quite a while, before leisurely speaking, "Hmm... Luminous Pearl?"
Xie Yunxuan clicked his tongue, "Guessed too easily, there's no surprise."
Opened the box, indeed, a radiant Luminous Pearl inside.
"Mingzhu suits Mingzhu; at first sight, I thought it was fitting for you, both are treasures in hand."
In her prior life, he said the same.
Ji Mingzhu's eyes moistened inexplicably.
Clearly so many treasured her like a pearl, yet why did she foolishly insist on being with Xie Yunzhen in her past life?
That truly was seeking her own suffering.