Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 325 Pay off the debt

Nianyao opened her eyes and saw the familiar ceiling and the familiar rabbit palace lantern on it. She blinked; the rabbit palace lantern was still there!

Uncle Liu would bring her something every time he came back from a trip. That time, he came back during the Mid-Autumn Festival and brought her a rabbit lantern, which he hung on the ceiling.

All these years have passed, and the rabbit lantern is still here. This is probably what they mean by "things change, but people change."

Nianyao sat up in bed, rubbing her temples as her thoughts began to resurface: At Qi Yang's wedding, she, Xue Yunfan, and Su Wuming helped fend off the excessive drinking, and all three of them ended up drinking too much. Where were Xue Yunfan and Su Wuming when she was on Chongming Island?

Nianyao called out, "Yunfan?"

The door creaked open, and Eighth Sister came in carrying a bowl: "Madam is awake? Young Master told you to drink this hangover soup to relieve your headache."

Nianyao took the bowl and gulped down the drink in a few big mouthfuls, then handed the bowl back to Eighth Sister: "Where is Xu Sheng?"

Eighth Sister asked, "Is Mr. Xu playing chess with the young master in the tea room?"

Nianyao then realized something was wrong: "Young Master? Who is that?"

Eighth Sister's eyes widened, and she said anxiously, "Madam, are you alright? Your face is so red, could you be delirious from the fever? I'll go and fetch the young master to help you..."

Nianyao suddenly threw off the covers, jumped out of bed, and rushed out.

Eighth Sister tried to pull her: "Madam, you didn't..."

Nianyao rushed out of the room and then jumped out of the main gate.

A gust of cold wind blew, causing the door to slam against the wall and bounce back with a loud bang, startling Eighth Sister.

Nianyao ran towards the front yard like lightning, almost bumping into Huzi as she jumped over the moon gate.

Fortunately, Tiger reacted quickly and leaned against the wall, thus escaping danger.

As the figure flashed past, Tiger stood up straight, dusted off his clothes, and muttered, "If Eighth Sister sewed these new clothes for me and gets them dirty or ruined, I'll kill her... Hey, that person looks like the gang leader?"

A thick, plain gray cloth curtain had been hung on the door of the tea room, and a charcoal fire was burning brightly inside. Nianyao lifted the curtain, and a wave of heat rushed out, colliding with the cold wind outside. She stood by the door and shivered.

Two people were playing chess in the tea room, their back-and-forth exchange perfectly harmonious. At that moment, they both turned their heads and looked over at her, scanning her from head to toe, but their reactions were completely different.

Luo An frowned slightly, while Xu Sheng smiled in a half-smile.

Nianyao was dressed in a light white undergarment, barefoot, with slightly red eyes and a pouting mouth, looking every bit the pitiful, wronged wife.

Xu Sheng withdrew his gaze, tossed the chess piece back into the box with a crisp snap. He stood up and walked out, casually pushing Nianyao into the tea room as he went: "Chief Xue, be careful not to catch a cold."

Luo An beckoned to her: "Come here."

The moment Nianyao saw Luo An, an inexplicable sense of grievance rushed to her head. Seeing Luo An sitting firmly as a mountain, while she stumbled several steps before regaining her balance, her sense of grievance intensified.

Nianyao looked at the wall opposite the tea room, standing still and not responding.

Feeling pity, Luo An got up and walked over, draping a long red cloak over Nian Yao, instantly enveloping her in warmth.

Nianyao pouted, tugged at her clothes, and noticed the exquisite white cranes embroidered on them. The clothes looked familiar.

Luo An followed Nian Yao's gaze and said, "This is made of snow fox fur, and it's one of a kind. Please sit down."

Nianyao remembered that Luo An had put the clothes in the warm room, but Xue Yunting took them out: "Judging from the color, they should be a Spring Festival gift that your brother-in-law prepared for you in advance."

Is this the only one of its kind that neither Lord Dongyang nor the Crown Prince and Crown Princess possess? Not even Luo An has it? Xue Yunting must have realized the value of this garment back then, right?

Nianyao stroked the warm, smooth fur coat, and the deep sense of grievance between her noses gradually dissipated.

Luo An embraced Nian Yao and walked to the table. He sat down first, then gently pulled Nian Yao onto his lap, his hands moving down her thighs and finally stopping at her feet: "Why aren't you wearing shoes? They're all frozen solid."

Nianyao felt as if Luo An's hand was electrified; his touch made her entire leg go numb.

Luo An seemed like a gentleman, as if he was really just checking if she was cold, which made her seem like she was overreacting and being a petty person.

Nianyao rubbed her face against Luo An's chest, took a deep breath, and felt the familiar, warm, and reassuring scent of medicine.

But this was a tea room, and such a posture was really inappropriate. With her last bit of reason, Nianyao forced herself to sit up straight and gently nudged Luo An: "Put me down, someone will be here soon."

Luo An didn't care about others and casually reassured them, "Don't worry, it won't happen..."

“Madam, your clothes and shoes… ah… ya…” Eighth Sister carried the clothes and shoes, lifted the curtain and came in, but quickly retreated when she saw them.

Eighth Sister stood outside the curtain, intending to stuff the clothes in one by one through the gaps in the curtain.

Tiger, seeing Eighth Sister acting cautiously, assumed she was struggling to pull the curtain open while holding her clothes, so he quickly went to help. With a swift movement, he opened the curtain.

Staring wide-eyed, Tiger was the first to react: "...Boss, this is so unchaste! In broad daylight, under the clear sky, you..."

Nianyao grabbed the teapot and threw it over, and Huzi reflexively pulled the curtain closed in front of him.

With a crack, the teapot shattered.

With a ripping sound, the curtain fell.

Seeing that things were going badly, Hu Zi grabbed the clothes and shoes from Ba Mei's arms, threw them inside, and ran away with Ba Mei.

Nianyao brushed Luo An's hand away, stood up, put on her clothes and shoes, and when she looked up and saw the faint smile in Luo An's eyes, she instantly lost her temper: "Go back to your room."

The two walked slowly back from the tea room. Luo An asked, "Xu Sheng said you drank the most at Qi Yang's wedding?"

Nianyao pouted: "If he said yes, I should have drunk the most."

Although Nianyao and Qi Yang know each other, it's unlikely that Nianyao would be the one to shield Qi Yang from drinking.

Xu Sheng said, "Firstly, Qi Yang is Xue Yunting's brother, and you are Xue Yunting's sister. Today, Xue Yunting should have been the one to drink on behalf of the others, but since he is not here, it is your duty as the older sister to step in."

Secondly, Qi Yang has to leave the next day, and if he gets drunk, their wedding night will be ruined. Qi Yang is honest and respectful to you, and loyalty is important in the martial world; you must be worthy of Qi Yang calling you "sister."

Nianyao felt something was wrong: "Why does he have to leave the next day? Isn't it supposed to be a three-day homecoming?"

Xu Sheng said, "The battle at the front is intense, there's no time for him to return home. Besides, this is what Qi Yang requested; he prioritizes the overall situation."

Nianyao was already moved by Qi Yang's background and upbringing, and considering that he didn't even have time to get married, Nianyao felt even more strongly that a child who is not loved by his parents will be mistreated when he grows up.

Qi Yang and Xue Yunting both call her "sister," even though they are her younger brothers! She has a responsibility and obligation to ensure her younger brothers have a proper wedding and a happy marriage.

A surge of loyalty fueled Nianyao's drinking spree, she accepted almost every drink offered, until she was completely drunk and unconscious.

Nianyao said, "That's how it is. I plan to return to Bianjing the next day. What are you doing here?"

Luo An's reason was much simpler: "To pay off debts."