Chapter 251 – Xiaosi Do You Like Him?
With their home destroyed by fire, Yan Shuyun was anxious to return and see her mother and two older sisters. Hearing Yan Xiaosi’s words, she turned to Long Yi and gave a slight bow, gently saying, “Then I’ll have to trouble Dragon Guard Long Yi to escort me back.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Miss Yan,” Long Yi replied. He leaped onto his horse first, then gently extended his hand to help Yan Shuyun up onto the horse behind him.
Before spurring the horse forward, he softly reminded Yan Shuyun, “Miss Yan, please hold on tight and sit securely.”
Yan Shuyun hesitated for a moment before carefully grasping onto Long Yi’s robe. Only then did Long Yi squeeze the horse’s flanks with his legs and command, “Go!”
Liu Xu stood at the entrance of the Xu Family Fur Store, watching the two ride off together into the distance, his brow furrowed and unable to relax for a long time. He was so preoccupied that he didn’t even notice when his brother-in-law and sister walked up beside him.
“Little Brother Xu, what’s the matter? You don’t seem happy,” Liu Ke gently asked, her voice startling him out of his thoughts.
“Sister, Brother-in-law, when did you come out?” he responded in surprise.
Xu Hailin said, “Your sister and I have been standing next to you for a while now, watching you stare after Ms. Yan in a daze.”
Liu Xu’s cheeks instantly flushed red.
Seeing the blush spread all the way to his ears, Liu Ke directly asked, “Little Brother Xu, do you have feelings for Ms. Yan? Is that why you seem unhappy watching Ms. Yan leave together with that Guard Long?”
“Sister, it’s not like that,” Liu Xu denied.
“I’m an experienced person, don’t try to hide your little thoughts from your sister. If you truly have taken a liking to Ms. Yan, your sister and brother-in-law can find a matchmaker to inquire at Shaoyao Village for you. But let me remind you, Ms. Yan is not only pretty, she’s also skilled at embroidery and has a good temperament. There will definitely be no shortage of men interested in her in the future.”
Hearing Liu Ke’s words, Liu Xu’s heart grew anxious. He looked at Liu Ke, then at Xu Hailin with urgent eyes and nervously said, “Sister, Brother-in-law, please quickly find a matchmaker to inquire at Shaoyao Village for me then.”
Liu Ke and her husband exchanged a smile.
“Alright, tomorrow I’ll go find a matchmaker. The day after, the matchmaker and I will personally make a trip to Shaoyao Village,” Liu Ke promised.
“Thank you Sister, thank you Brother-in-law,” Liu Xu gratefully replied.
On the road back to Shaoyao Village, the horse that had galloped like lightning on the way there now moved as slow as if plagued by disease.
Seeing their master’s horse slowly plodding along in front, Long Yi and the others had no choice but to control the speed of their own horses to match.
With the slow pace, Yan Xiaosi swayed back and forth on the horse’s back, yawning sleepily, her body soft and limp. Several times during the journey she nearly leaned back against Long Yu’s chest.
“War King, at this rate, when will we arrive back at Shaoyao Village?” Yan Xiaosi asked.
“You’re in a hurry to get back?” Long Yu responded.
The horse was already moving at a snail’s pace. At Yan Xiaosi’s question, Long Yu pulled on the reins again, slowing the horse’s steps even further.
Yan Xiaosi yawned, her eyes red with fatigue. “Yes,” she replied. Leaning against Long Yu’s chest to sleep while riding a horse ultimately wasn’t proper, so she needed to get back and roll out her bedding in the living room.
However, Long Yu misunderstood her meaning. “You’re anxious to get back and see Tian Dazhuang,” he stated.
Drowsy and her head muddled, Yan Xiaosi answered without thinking, “I’ve been out so long without returning, Brother Dazhuang is probably worried.”
She meant that not only Tian Dazhuang, but Ms. Zhong and the others were likely worried too.
Long Yu’s brow immediately furrowed. He coldly reminded her, “Don’t forget, Tian Dazhuang is your brother-in-law.”
His voice was so icy that it startled Yan Xiaosi awake. She opened her eyes wide and with renewed alertness said, “My mother and two sisters, as well as Auntie Tian, will also be worried.”
So that’s what she meant. Long Yu’s knitted brows finally relaxed.
Then, holding the reins in one hand, he reached into his robes with the other and took out two silver ingots, passing the hand holding the silver around Yan Xiaosi’s waist to hold them in front of her.
“Are you short on money to build a house? Take this silver to use first,” he offered.
Earlier at the Xu Family Fur Store, Yan Xiaosi had merely been joking. She didn’t expect Long Yu to actually give her silver.
“I was just kidding with you before,” she said.
But Long Yu didn’t retract his hand. “Take it. Consider it an advance on your wages,” he insisted.
After building the house, there was little silver left from what she had on hand. Going forward, they still needed to purchase furniture and household items in addition to daily expenses, requiring a significant sum.
Since Long Yu had already said it was an advance on her wages, Yan Xiaosi considered for a moment before accepting it.
“Many thanks. After entering the army camp, I’ll be sure to work diligently,” she promised.
“Mm,” Long Yu grunted in acknowledgment. Then suddenly, he fiercely squeezed the horse’s flanks with both legs.
The horse let out a pained whinny and shot off like lightning. Caught off guard, Yan Xiaosi’s body tilted back, the back of her head heavily colliding with Long Yu’s firm chest. The impact left her head spinning as if concussed, while Long Yu only let out a muffled groan.
“I beg you, Your Highness, next time you accelerate, please give this commoner a heads up first,” Yan Xiaosi complained, her voice trailing in the wind to reach Long Yu’s ears.
The corners of Long Yu’s mouth quirked up, his mood elated. Next time? Was she looking forward to riding with him like this again?
Yan Xiaosi’s heart thudded in her chest. “This commoner misspoke,” she quickly added.
Hearing the hint of embarrassment in her tone, the curve of Long Yu’s lips rose even higher. A next time…he was also vaguely anticipating it.
Seeing their master’s horse speed up, Long Yi and the others had no choice but to follow.
A short while later, the group neared the entrance to Shaoyao Village.
At this time near dusk, there were usually a few women chatting under the big tree at the village entrance. If someone saw Yan Shuyun riding together with Long Yi, it would inevitably lead to gossip.
“Your Highness, let this commoner and Third Sister dismount here,” Yan Xiaosi suggested.
“Very well.” Long Yu indifferently agreed and brought the horse to a stop, then lifted Yan Xiaosi down.
Before Yan Xiaosi could steady herself, he sat high on the horse and looked down to remind her, “Yan Xiaosi, remember to report to Tongluo Plain first thing in the morning tomorrow.”
Seeing Yan Xiaosi nod, he rode off in a cloud of dust.
With some distance still to the village entrance, Yan Shuyun and Yan Xiaosi walked the rest of the way back to the Tian family home.
Along the way, Yan Shuyun tugged on Yan Xiaosi’s sleeve and frowned as she advised, “Xiaosi, don’t forget, you’re a girl. How can you be so–”
“Third Sister, I know. I have my boundaries. Don’t worry,” Yan Xiaosi cut her off. Her attitude clearly showed a lack of awareness of the gravity of the situation.
Yan Shuyun grew a bit angry. “Xiaosi, do you have feelings for the War King? You’re really muddleheaded. With our status and background, how could we possibly aim that high? Even if we did, with our status, the most we could be is a concubine. Didn’t you agree with Big Sister that it’s better to be a poor man’s wife than a wealthy man’s concubine? How could you yourself–“
