Zhuge Yue suddenly called out, and the child immediately stopped in her tracks, though she didn’t turn around.

Zhuge Yue took out a small celadon porcelain bottle from a nearby drawer and slowly walked down, his boots making no sound as they stepped on the soft bearskin carpet. He reached out to grab the child’s shoulders, wanting to turn her around, but his fingers felt a stubborn resistance. Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow as he saw the child stiffening her body, refusing to turn around.

Since Zhuge Yue was many years older than her, he placed both hands on the child’s shoulders and applied a little force, forcibly turning the child around.

A small face streaked with tears and filled with grievance appeared before Zhuge Yue’s eyes. The child’s eyes were red, and upon seeing him, her tears fell even more fiercely.

“Enough, stop crying. I only scolded you a little,” the young man frowned and said, “You made a mistake and now won’t let others point it out?”

“How did I make a mistake? Young Master asked me to learn horseback riding, and I was learning well without bothering anyone,” the eight-year-old child finally lost her temper, defiantly talking back to her master. As she spoke, she sobbed, nearly swallowing her mucus.

Zhuge Yue frowned slightly, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, and began wiping the tears from the child’s face. His technique was quite amateur. As he wiped, he said, “You still think you’re right? You lost my horse, and today another fine Western Desert Snow Dragon colt died because of you, and you still say you did nothing wrong?”

“That’s not… that’s not true. I didn’t want to ride the horse myself. Besides, Young Master Yan, Young Master Yan has already returned the lost horse. I… I heard it all.” The child pressed her advantage, with tears pouring down like rain, quickly soaking Zhuge Yue’s handkerchief. Just as Zhuge Yue was about to take another handkerchief, he suddenly saw the child using his hand to wipe her nose on the handkerchief.

Zhuge Yue froze, staring in disbelief at the dirty, sticky handkerchief, as the child continued, “Even today’s horse was killed by Young Master himself.”

“Hmph, you certainly know how to argue.”

The child lowered her head, muttering discontentedly, “I’m telling the truth.”

Sunlight shone through the corner of the window lattice, falling on both their shoulders. The child was still very small, and even standing straight, she only reached the young man’s shoulder. Her cheeks were rosy, like two big apples.

“Here,” Zhuge Yue placed the porcelain bottle in her hand and said, “Go back and apply this.”

True to a child’s nature, her attention was immediately diverted. Zhuge Yue inwardly smiled as he watched the child holding up the bottle and asking puzzledly, “What is this?”

“Medicine, for treating abrasions.”

Earlier, the pony had run too fast, and Chu Qiao’s palms had been rubbed raw. The child pouted, nodded, and said, “Fourth Young Master, Xing’er will take her leave now.”

The young man sat back in his chair, not lifting his head, appearing as if he didn’t want to see her. He waved his hand and said, “You may go.”

Just as the child was about to open the door, Zhuge Yue suddenly called out, “Xing’er, in the future, when you see Young Master Yan, try to stay away from him.”

The child tilted her head, looking at him in confusion. Zhuge Yue frowned irritably and shouted, “Did you understand?”

“I understand!” the child answered loudly, then turned and left. Her small body crossed the high threshold, nearly tripping.

This child is becoming increasingly bold, thought the young man with a darkened face, secretly breathing heavily.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw Zhu Cheng’s worried face. Zhu Cheng quickly ran forward, and seeing Xing’er’s tear-stained face, anxiously asked, “What did Young Master say? Is he angry?”

Chu Qiao glanced at him, nodded, and then went back to her room.

Zhu Cheng entered the room with trepidation. Seeing Zhuge Yue with his head lowered, he didn’t dare speak and just stood carefully to the side.

After a while, something suddenly flew toward his head. Zhu Cheng was startled but didn’t dare dodge, silently thinking his life was over. Yet he felt the object was soft, and his head didn’t hurt at all when hit. Looking down, he saw it was a dirty handkerchief with a small character “Yue” embroidered on it.

“Take it and throw it away.”

Remembering Chu Qiao’s tear-stained face, Zhu Cheng seemed to realize something. He was slightly stunned, then quickly nodded and bowed, saying, “This servant obeys.”

Just as he was about to leave, Zhuge Yue suddenly called, “Wait.” Zhu Cheng immediately turned back, bending over and waiting for instructions, every bit the obedient servant.

The young man’s fair face was inexplicably reddened. After thinking for a long time, he still didn’t speak. Zhu Cheng carefully lifted his head and saw Zhuge Yue frowning deeply as if making some major decision, looking exactly like his expression when facing important matters. Zhu Cheng immediately perked up his ears attentively, waiting for his master’s orders.

After a long while, an authoritative voice came from above: “Actually, take it down, wash it clean, and bring it back to me.”

“What?” Zhu Cheng was dumbfounded and exclaimed loudly.

Zhuge Yue became furious: “What do you mean ‘what’? Don’t you understand?”

“I understand, I understand. This servant will go right away.”

The door slammed shut. Zhuge Yue sat in his chair, his breathing gradually calming. Thinking of the child’s pouting and crying face, for some reason, he felt a trace of annoyance. He stood up and went to the inner hall, which was simple and clean. Hanging directly opposite the bed was a portrait of a young girl, about eleven or twelve years old, with bright eyes and a sweet smile. She wore a soft yellow upper garment and a light green skirt, looking very charming and adorable.

Zhuge Yue slowly stretched out his hand, gently stroking the corner of the painting. After a long, long time, he finally said in a barely audible whisper, “I’ll believe just one more time.”

Chu Qiao’s small figure walked along the corridor, head lowered, ignoring all greetings from passersby—the appearance of someone who had been scolded and felt wronged. The servants on both sides made various speculations. Seeing the child raise her head upon reaching her doorway, they all went about their own business, no longer daring to spy.

The child extended her small hand, pushed open the door, and then walked in.

As soon as the door closed, the child’s face instantly lost that pouting and adorable appearance from earlier. Her expression became calm, her gaze sharp. Holding her chest, she slowly sat down on the stool, poured a cup of tea, and held it in her hand without drinking.

Regardless, she had passed this imminent crisis today. No matter how much Zhuge Yue believed, at least there was no danger for now.

The clothes on her back were completely soaked through. The cold wind blew against her garments, making them feel chilly. Chu Qiao took a sip of the cold tea, calmed her rapid breathing, then closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.

Regardless, things must be expedited. She had no time left.

The cold wind was like a knife, and this year’s winter was exceptionally cold.

Today’s fourth update, mission accomplished. How about a kiss?