Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 612 - 614: Surprise (Part 4)

The hall was empty, and Nanny Cen was leading the maids in tidying up. There were originally five or six old women left in the courtyard to keep watch and clean daily. There wasn’t much to tidy up anymore; Nanny Cen was just making the bed and organizing all the items Xiqiu used. Xiqiu entered the room, the curtains still the color of sky blue, with green bamboo embroidered on the hanging drapes, the leaves rising and spreading to the ceiling. A gentle breeze blew in through the window, causing the bamboo leaves to flutter, and a faint sweet fragrance wafted through the air.

After changing clothes in the restroom, Bihuai asked, "Madam, should someone go find Fourth Master?"

Xiqiu waved her hand and said, "Perhaps he’s dealing with matters, let’s just wander around ourselves." With that, the three of them walked out. She instructed Bihuai, "No need to take out unnecessary things; we’ll just have to tidy up again tomorrow. Have Nanny Cen prepare the meal. Everyone’s been busy all day today; let’s not wander aimlessly in the mountains and retire early."

Bihuai replied, "I checked the kitchen, and there were originally two old women left there. The utensils Nanny Cen brought weren’t needed, so I didn’t let her take them out but used what was already there. The two old women were honest... However, let’s have Nanny Cen personally handle dinner."

Xiqiu nodded, and the three of them stepped outside and talked in the courtyard. Biwu asked softly, "Madam, if there’s nothing else, why don’t I take two of the old women to pick wild vegetables? I’ve heard they’re especially fragrant when seasoned with sesame oil, to whet your appetite."

Xiqiu smiled at her and nodded, saying, "Go ahead, take a few guards with you, and be careful. The mountains are different from home." Biwu agreed with a smile, selected two old women serving the courtyard, picked up a basket, and headed to the back mountain.

Jiwei Mountain is vast, almost encircling half the Capital. It boasts lush vegetation, but fortunately, with frequent visitors, there aren’t many animals.

Xiqiu sat on a stone stool by the pond. Moisture from the eaves condensed into dew droplets, dripping into the pool, producing a tick-tock sound that echoed in the empty four-sided courtyard, resonating long... Xiqiu reached out to touch the water in the pool, finding it refreshing but not too cold, remarkably pleasant.

She waited for about half an hour when Fourth Master Xiao strode in from outside. Xiqiu stood to greet him, not daring to ask in front of the servants, simply saying, "Fourth Master, you’re back!"

"Yes, I walked around the back mountain but didn’t see you on the way back..." He was wearing the light green summer tunic Xiqiu had just made, with silver embroidered dark patterns on the corners of the hem, much softer than the deep colors he usually wore. Xiqiu suddenly smiled; she had been deliberately making him light-colored clothes for some time now, perhaps subconsciously wanting him to appear less stern.

Fourth Master Xiao took her hand with a smile and said, "I’ve just been to the back mountain, let me walk you around the front." Xiqiu nodded in agreement. They dismissed the accompanying maids and women and strolled to the back mountain together. Following Fourth Master Xiao’s footprints, Xiqiu felt particularly warm, her hand nestled in his palm. Fourth Master Xiao sensed something and deliberately slowed his steps, turning to ask, "You’ve traveled half the day, are you tired?"

"I’m not tired." Xiqiu smiled, "I’ve often heard Jiwei Mountain is beautiful; thanks to Fourth Master’s blessing, I’ve seen it today."

Fourth Master Xiao stopped, reached out to embrace her waist, and said with a smile, "If you like it, we can stay a few more days." Hearing this, Xiqiu shook her head and said, "I’m concerned about matters at home, and you have business at the government office, we can’t stay here every day."

Fourth Master Xiao laughed softly, and Xiqiu moved to push his hand away, looking around, "There are people all around..." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Fourth Master Xiao watched her with delight, saying in a low voice, "I’ve sent them away."

Xiqiu glared at him and decided not to continue the topic. Who could have imagined that the usually stern and silent Grand Commander Xiao could be so shameless in private?

The two continued down the road paved with pebbles, with Xiqiu stopping in astonishment halfway down the mountain at the sight of a whole spread of vibrant camellias. She turned to Fourth Master Xiao with a sigh, "How can this be..."

Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t see why she was so excited about the flowers but was pleased to see her happy. He said with a smile, "This mountain area is leased to fruit farmers; further down there’s a grove of orange trees."

Xiqiu was still absorbed in wonder, nodding, "Unexpectedly, there’s another world here." She still appeared very happy.

They stood cosily together for a while, then Fourth Master Xiao took out a box from behind him. Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the black wood box in his hand and paused, looking at Fourth Master Xiao, who said, "Birthday gift."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but recall the scene when he gifted her a box by the Lotus Pool in the back mountain of Puji Temple, it was also made of black wood, with double row copper clasps. Raising her eyebrows, she opened it to find inside a white jade hairpin identical to last time, except this one was carved with a pattern, scattered like lotus flowers...

"Thank you, Fourth Master." Xiqiu smiled and put away the box. If she remembered correctly, this was the fourth similar box in her room.

Fourth Master Xiao replied with a sound and led her back, saying as they walked, "Let’s go back; it’s cool at night."

With her hand in his, Xiqiu walked back, looking at the box in her hand and then at the calmly composed Fourth Master Xiao, her lips curled into a smile.

Xiqiu wanted to change clothes, having walked through the woods just now with both their hems wet with dew. Fourth Master Xiao suggested doing so after dinner, and Xiqiu did not insist when she saw he was determined. At dinner, there were only the two of them and several old women, but neither Bihuai nor Biwu were present, nor was there any sign of Nanny Cen.

She couldn’t help but look suspiciously at Fourth Master Xiao, who remained blissfully unaware.

After dinner and tea, they sat in the courtyard for a while as the sky gradually darkened. Xiqiu saw Bihuai, Biwu, and Nanny Cen emerge from the side door, then Fourth Master Xiao shifted his gaze, took her hand, and said, "Let’s go back now."

Following him into the main hall, palace lanterns were lit in the corner of the walls, quiet with not a single person around...

When Fourth Master Xiao lifted the sky-blue curtain and revealed the scene before her, Xiqiu suddenly understood what his earlier "secret preparations" were all about.

In the dim room, the entire place was covered in pink camellia petals, falling everywhere as if enveloped in a sea of flowers, enchanting the senses. The overwhelming fragrance blurred her vision. In this haze, Fourth Master Xiao emerged from behind the curtain, reaching out to her with a smile, and Xiqiu placed her hand in his palm, holding it as he said, "Too rushed, only got these!" His face showed a look of helplessness.

Xiqiu laughed, teasing, "If Fourth Master had picked more, the flower farmers might have reported it to the authorities."