Chapter 105: Chapter 105: The Lin Family and the Marquis’ Manor—Not Exactly Close, Right?

Then she saw the little girl frowning, deep in thought, completely forgetting about making incense.

No wonder there wasn’t a sound.

“If you’re bored, go play with Ying Yue,” Xiao Chengyu said.

He found it strange as well; Xiao Yingyue always talked about Fu Shinian, but now that Fu Shinian was here to stay for a while, Xiao Yingyue was nowhere to be seen.

“I’m not bored,” Fu Shinian quickly said, “I’m busy making incense, not bored at all.”

Xiao Chengyu’s gaze fell on the empty porcelain bowl in front of her, “Really?”

Fu Shinian looked down and said, “I’m just thinking about a new formula.”

Xiao Chengyu smiled and said no more.

Fu Shinian, on the other hand, said, “Master, you’ve been sitting for too long, you should stretch your limbs and rest your eyes.”

Just then, Shaoyao called from outside the study, “Master, Second Miss, it’s snowing outside.”

Charcoal was burning in the study, so one of the windows was slightly open for ventilation.

Fu Shinian quickly pushed the window open a bit more and indeed saw large snowflakes swirling down with the wind.

“Master, I’m going out to have a look,” Fu Shinian said before the words were fully out of her mouth, already opening the door.

“Wait.” Xiao Chengyu, helpless, pulled her back and took a cloak from the shelf to drape over her.

Fu Shinian looked down to see Xiao Chengyu’s long fingers tying the cloak’s strings carefully for her, and he sighed, “You always remind me, yet forget to wear a cloak yourself? Doesn’t the cold make you feel weaker?”

“Though snow is common in the capital’s winter, I can’t help but feel excited each time I see it,” Fu Shinian said, “When I was young, I wasn’t well in winter and could only stay inside, unable to play in the snow.”

“My brother and sister would bring in basins of snow for me to play with, but they wouldn’t let me touch it for long, fearing I’d catch cold,” Fu Shinian said, “Though I couldn’t play for long—the charcoal inside would melt the snow into water quickly.”

“Later, I got healthier, though still slightly weak in winter, yet not as frail as when I was young. Perhaps because of this, I feel especially happy whenever it snows, wanting to play to my heart’s content,” Fu Shinian explained.

Xiao Chengyu tied the cloak’s ribbons and didn’t forget to put the hood on for her, “Go play, but don’t get so caught up that you forget to come back if you get cold.”

“Okay.”

Seeing Fu Shinian went out, Xiao Chengyu instructed Jing Lai, “Have someone buy a pair of gloves.”

Jing Lai looked at Xiao Chengyu’s hands, then at Fu Shinian outside, “Are they for the Second Miss?”

“Since you know, why ask?”

Jing Lai grinned and hurried off.

Xiao Chengyu found himself unable to concentrate on work, his eyes constantly following Fu Shinian.

Seeing Fu Shinian dragging Chunyu and Shaoyao to play.

Before long, Chunmian also came over, caught by Fu Shinian as well.

Shaoyao saw Fu Shinian directly holding snow with her hands and said, “I made new gloves, they’re clean and unused, let me get them for you.”

“No need, no need,” Fu Shinian said, “You made them for yourself, right? You need to take care of your hands in winter.”

“I rarely do this, so I don’t really need gloves,” Fu Shinian said, “You have many things to do and your hands are often exposed, don’t give them to me.”

“It’s all right, I’m used to it,” Shaoyao said, “I’ll go get them for you now. The cloth and cotton I used are good, and I’ve softened the fabric with my hands, it won’t hurt your hands.”

Just as Shaoyao got up, Xiao Chengyu walked out, “Master.”

Hearing the voice, Fu Shinian also stood up, “Master, you’re out to relax too?”

Xiao Chengyu looked down, seeing Fu Shinian’s hands flushed red from playing in the snow.

The redness on each joint of her pale fingers was especially noticeable.

This appearance had a strange beauty.

However, Xiao Chengyu would rather this beauty not appear.

He held a pair of his gloves in his hand.

The outside of the gloves was made of leather, filled with soft cotton, and lined with lamb wool.

“These are my gloves, they’re clean, wear them first,” Xiao Chengyu said, “I’ve already sent Jing Lai to buy you some.”

“What did I tell you earlier?” Xiao Chengyu said as he put the gloves on Fu Shinian, “Told you to be careful not to freeze, not to get so absorbed in playing. You agreed so well, but I see you didn’t listen to a single word.”

Shaoyao chuckled on the side, usually, others nagged at Xiao Chengyu.

Unexpectedly, there was a day when Xiao Chengyu nagged at someone else.

“I didn’t even feel cold yet,” Fu Shinian said.

Xiao Chengyu laughed, “You only know how to talk when it comes to me, but when it’s about you, there are so many excuses.”

Fu Shinian obediently let him put the gloves on her, though Xiao Chengyu’s gloves were really too big for her.

The fingertips had plenty of space left.

Xiao Chengyu had no intention of working anymore, staying outside to watch the snow with Fu Shinian.

Shaoyao had people bring over tables and chairs placed under the veranda, with a charcoal brazier near the foot.

She also placed a kettle on top, boiling it, and prepared hot tea for the two.

Fu Shinian wore the gloves for a while and felt warm, so she took them off, holding the hot tea in her hands, watching the snow under the veranda.

“When the snow gets thick, let’s build a snowman in the yard,” Fu Shinian said.

Xiao Chengyu picked up a baked orange from the brazier, its peel already discolored, and peeled it, handing it to Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian split it in half, giving one half to Xiao Chengyu, “Master, have some too.”

“Master, have you finished your work?” Fu Shinian asked.

“There’s always work to be done, so I’m taking a break today,” Xiao Chengyu said.

At this moment, Jing Lai returned with gloves bought for Fu Shinian.

But now Fu Shinian didn’t need them, so Shaoyao said, “I’ll wash these gloves for you to use.”

At this moment, Ying Chun, the old lady’s attendant, came in, “Master, Second Miss, Lin Siye, his wife, and Miss Lin have come to pay respects to the old lady for the New Year. Lin Siye also wishes to pay respects to you, so the old lady asks if you are free to come over.”

If you’re not free or unwilling, you don’t have to go.

After all, they’re not important people.

Because of Lin Qingqing, Old Madame Xiao was also displeased with Mr. and Mrs. Lin.

However, since the Lin family came to pay New Year’s visits, there was no reason to refuse them.

Yet, in her heart, the old lady couldn’t help but murmur, the Marquis Changping’s residence and the Lin family are miles apart.

Although Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing were involved, at least on the surface, the Marquis’s residence and the Lin family were never close.

The Lin family’s visit was really a bit puzzling.

Fu Shinian was quite curious about what the Lin family was up to.

“The Lin family and the Marquis’s residence aren’t close, right?” Fu Shinian asked Xiao Chengyu.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep