A glimmer of light flashed in Ji Mingzhu's eyes.
Xie Yunxuan was slightly taken aback and pretended to joke, "It's just a Luminous Pearl, not worth crying over, is it?"
Ji Mingzhu both wanted to cry and laugh.
In her past life, she really had a terrible time, emotionally sensitive, and prone to overthinking.
Now that she's back to the starting point, how could she not cry with joy?
Her wrist was held warmly, and the man gently pulled, "Didn't you want to go out for a stroll? Come, Second Brother will take you."
Perhaps she had fallen ill a few days ago, her body felt a bit lighter.
The sudden movement pulled Ji Mingzhu into the man's embrace.
Xie Yunxuan came from the snowy grounds, carrying a cold fragrance and a faint scent of Mei Xiang from the entrance.
Although he wasn't a martial artist, his chest was hard, concealing vigorous strength.
With a strong masculine aura directly before her, Ji Mingzhu's heart leapt to her throat.
She panicked instantly, stepping back half a step.
Afraid her actions might leave Xie Yunxuan embarrassed, Ji Mingzhu asked calmly, "Second Brother, where are you taking me?"
Her gaze swept outside, where the ground was a vast expanse of white.
In the time it took to speak, the snow had already stopped.
Her palm now empty, the slender wrist had already left.
The soft sensation lingered – warm, smooth – Xie Yunxuan gently clenched his fist and stood with his hands behind his back.
Clearing his throat lightly, he returned to his usual self.
"How about brewing tea and enjoying the snow in the garden?"
It had been a long time since he had been home; Ji Mingzhu didn't want to spoil the mood.
Going out for a walk wasn't bad, better than staying cooped up inside, always thinking about her past life's troubles.
After all, Xie Yunzhen wasn't interested in such leisure activities as going out to admire the scenery.
Even if he was in the mansion, he'd be in the East Court handling affairs, rarely venturing out.
With the Duke Mansion being so big, as long as she was mindful, avoiding him wouldn't be hard.
Seeing Ji Mingzhu was willing to go out, Xie Yunxuan instructed gold, "Prepare some winter clothing for your cousin Miss."
He finished speaking and went to the doorway first, ordering the servants to prepare the tea brewing tools.
Ji Mingzhu put on an extra winter coat, and changed her shoes to waterproof deerskin boots.
With a cloak draped over her and holding a hand warmer, she then followed Xie Yunxuan out of Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
The servants in the mansion were busy shoveling snow.
Hearing they were heading to the garden for tea brewing, the butler said, "Second Young Master, Miss, the pavilion has collected some drifting snow. I'll have someone clear it. You two take your time; mind your steps."
Xie Yunxuan nodded and then asked, "Is Big Brother in the mansion?"
The butler replied, "Young Master has injuries; he hasn't been out these past few days."
Ji Mingzhu hugged the hand warmer, gripping it slightly. As long as she was in the Duke Mansion, it seemed she could never completely avoid Xie Yunzhen.
Even if she wasn't deliberately inquiring, matters related to Xie Yunzhen would reach her ears through various means.
Emptying her thoughts, she tried hard not to think about that person.
"Just on the way, let's check on Big Brother."
The words exploded like a thunderclap by her ear.
Ji Mingzhu shook her head repeatedly, "I'm not familiar with Young Master, it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb him suddenly!"
Xie Yunxuan tapped her on the forehead, "Why are you so timid? Young Master doesn't eat people."
Ji Mingzhu mused inwardly, why doesn't he eat people?
With his indifference, sarcastic remarks—it was as if he was a demon hungry for devouring souls.
Even without the events of her past life, with Xie Yunzhen's temperament, simply getting close would freeze her to death from his cold presence.
Ji Mingzhu didn't want to go seeking trouble.
She suggested, "Second Brother, how about I wait for you in the garden first?"
Xie Yunxuan didn't know about the incident at the family banquet.
Hearing that Mingzhu was ill upon returning, he hurriedly paid respects to the elders and went straight to Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
He thought his older brother's stern demeanor had scared Ji Mingzhu.
Xie Yunxuan spoke gently, "I've heard that Mr. Xi is also in the mansion; it's fitting to ask him to check your health again."
Ji Mingzhu pursed her lips, "I've already been seen by a divine doctor and am drinking medicine from his prescription."
"Then accompany Second Brother to thank him."
Ji Mingzhu was half crying and half laughing, "I'm not a child who needs my brother to thank on my behalf. I had already sent a gift to the divine doctor, a hundred-year-old ginseng."
Xie Yunxuan chuckled; perhaps because Mingzhu had just come of age, he felt she still couldn't handle such matters.
He lowered his voice to coax her, "Our elder brother is injured; we should visit him. If there's an emergency in the future when Second Brother is not around, you can go find him."
Ji Mingzhu thought inwardly, if she dared to do that, who knows what Xie Yunzhen would think of her.
Lowering her eyes, Ji Mingzhu was honest, "I don't want to go."
"Why not?"
"The other day, I ran into Young Master, and he seemed a little frightening."
Xie Yunzhen, out for a rare stroll and hearing someone mentioning him, unconsciously paused his steps.
The two stood at a corner, unaware of Xie Yunzhen's presence.
Xie Yunxuan continued to speak well of his brother, "Big Brother is cold outside but warm inside; don't be fooled by his outward appearance."
Ji Mingzhu curled her lips; she used to think the same in her past life.
Thinking Xie Yunzhen was merely reserved in emotions.
But in truth, his coldness penetrated to the bone, leaving wounds all over.
There was no warmth inside to speak of.
Perhaps he was passionate towards that Miss Du.
But it no longer concerned her.
"I don't want to have any dealings with Young Master; given my status... anyone unaware might think I'm trying to climb up the social ladder."
Xie Yunxuan's eyes widened, "Anyone who dares to speak nonsense, I'll end them!"
Her sleeve was gently tugged, and the coquettish young lady blinked at him.
In a teasing tone, "Second Brother, be careful lest someone hears you and mistakes you for an unruly bully!"
Whenever Ji Mingzhu called him Second Brother, Xie Yunxuan's heart softened.
How could he force her into something she didn't want to do?
As for visiting the sick, that could be done later.
He lifted his hand and touched Ji Mingzhu's hairdo, "If a bully I must be, then a bully who won't let others wrong you I shall be."
"No one bullies me."
Though the old lady and the Commandery Princess didn't favor her, as long as she harbored no intentions, those people couldn't be bothered with her.
It was better to stay far away from Xie Yunzhen.
Fearing Xie Yunxuan might bring up the matter of visiting the sick again, Ji Mingzhu glanced around.
Softly, she said, "I don't like Young Master."
Under others' roofs, she had never spoken such words.
The fact she uttered these three words now, showed how poorly she thought of Xie Yunzhen.
And how much she wanted to have nothing to do with him.
Xie Yunxuan's eyes held a hint of suspicion, could there be something happening that he didn't know about?
"Alright, let's not mention him."
Their voices gradually faded, and Xie Yunzhen finally emerged from the corner.
Listening in on his own family members, it felt quite peculiar.
Xi Yu nudged his shoulder, "There's actually someone not moved by your male charm; Miss Ji has good taste."
Xie Yunzhen cast a frosty glance, "Watch your words."
Xi Yu's eyes were teasing, "That cousin Miss is truly a rare beauty, unmatched in looks, and with a melodious voice – aren't you moved at all?"
"What do you think?" Xie Yunzhen's gaze grew even colder.
Even if he had no intention towards Ji Mingzhu, after hearing her words, how could he warmly approach her cold disdain?
He wasn't out of his mind!