After these people dispersed, Wu Laosan poured Li Shimin a cup of wine. “Come, Second Young Master, let this humble person toast you. Thank you for taking care of Meixue these past few months. This girl has had a hard life, alone and helpless since childhood. And I’m useless, only knowing how to farm and hunt. Not only have I never given her a single good day, but I’ve also made her, a young woman, go out and work to supplement our household income. I’ve truly failed her.”

Yunyi frowned slightly and said: “Father, why are you saying such things during the New Year? Besides, I’ve told you countless times—I don’t feel bitter, not at all.”

Wu Laosan smiled: “Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore.” Then he raised his cup to Li Shimin: “Second Young Master, please.”

To his surprise, Li Shimin didn’t raise his cup, but instead said: “I can drink this cup, but Uncle Wu must promise me one thing.”

This made Wu Laosan somewhat anxious as he asked tentatively: “What thing?”

Li Shimin smiled: “I call you Uncle, yet you refer to yourself as ‘this humble person.’ It truly makes me feel uncomfortable, so please don’t refer to yourself that way anymore, Uncle Wu. You’re diminishing my good fortune by doing so.”

Hearing it was about this matter, Wu Laosan readily agreed. He was growing more and more fond of this Second Young Master—not only was he kindhearted, but also so modest, completely lacking the arrogance and conceit typical of young masters from aristocratic families. How wonderful it would be if this were his son-in-law. Unfortunately, no matter how down-to-earth Li Shimin was, he was still the Second Young Master of the Governor’s residence—hardly someone a family like theirs could aspire to reach.

Unaware of his thoughts, Li Shimin raised his head and drained the cup in one gulp. A spicy warmth flowed down his throat into his stomach, becoming a warm current in the winter day.

While Wu Laosan refilled Li Shimin’s cup, he said: “If Meixue does anything wrong in the future, please be tolerant, Second Young Master.”

“I will, Uncle Wu, don’t worry.” After the two men drank again, Wu Laosan picked up a fragrant stewed pheasant leg and placed it in Li Shimin’s bowl. “Come, Second Young Master, try this.”

“You’re too kind, Uncle Wu.” Li Shimin took a bite, and after swallowing, praised: “Tender and delicious—much better than ordinary domesticated chicken.”

Wu Laosan smiled: “As long as you like it, Second Young Master. Next time I go into the mountains, I’ll look for more. If I find any, I’ll have Meixue bring them to you.”

“You’re too kind, Uncle Wu.” The two men talked and drank together. Despite their vastly different social positions, they conversed animatedly, even discussing going hunting in the mountains together next time.

This lunch lasted nearly half an hour. Yunyi escorted Li Shimin out, and after walking for a while, she pointed ahead: “If you keep walking straight, you’ll reach the road where we first met. I’ll see you off to here. Take care, Second Young Master.”

As she turned to go back, Li Shimin suddenly said: “On the fifth day of the New Year, don’t return to the residence yet. Stay home and spend a few more days with Uncle Wu.”

Yunyi was perceptive and immediately understood the hidden meaning in his words: “They won’t give up?”

“Don’t worry about this matter. Just wait until I send someone to notify you before returning to the residence.”

“I understand.” After a moment of silence, Yunyi couldn’t help but ask: “Have they made things difficult for you, Second Young Master?”

Li Shimin smiled: “It’s fine, I can handle it. Just spend the New Year well with Uncle Wu. I’m leaving now.”

Although Li Shimin spoke lightly, Yunyi clearly saw distress and helplessness in his eyes. Wang Wei and the others must be putting considerable pressure on him, yet he still chose to protect her, unwilling to hand her over to please Wang Wei and his companion. Li Shimin…

A cold wind brushed across her face, making Yunyi shiver and awakening her from her reverie. She forcefully slapped her cheeks, constantly warning herself in her heart that no matter how well Li Shimin treated her, he was still her enemy. She must kill Li Shimin, she must!

Yunyi didn’t notice Chunxiu standing not far away. The latter was biting her lower lip hard, filled with hatred. Why could Meixue gain the Second Young Master’s favor while she could only work in the woodshed, exhausted every day until she couldn’t straighten her back? Even during New Year, she could only return home for one day and had to rush back to the Governor’s residence early tomorrow morning. This was so unfair!

The more Chunxiu thought about it, the more resentful she became. As Yunyi was about to reach her front door, she hurried to catch up and grabbed Yunyi’s arm: “Stop right there.”

“It’s you?” Yunyi looked at her in surprise and asked: “What do you want?”

Chunxiu stared at her with a cold laugh: “Quite capable, aren’t you? Seducing the Second Young Master at the residence isn’t enough—you’ve even lured him to your home during New Year.” Without waiting for Yunyi to speak, she shook her head mockingly: “Wu Laosan seemed honest enough, but how did he raise such a shameless daughter like you?”

Yunyi said nothing, only stared at her coldly. Chunxiu felt her heart chill under that gaze and said with false bravado: “What are you staring at me for? Did I say something wrong?”

“Are you finished? If so, then get lost!” Yunyi’s blunt words infuriated Chunxiu, who shouted: “Don’t think you’ve really caught the Second Young Master’s attention! With his status, you wouldn’t even be worthy to be his concubine!”

Yunyi laughed in anger: “I’m not worthy? Are you saying you are? Even if you stripped naked and stood before the Second Young Master, he wouldn’t spare you a glance.”

“You!” Chunxiu was too angry to speak. At this moment, Wu Laosan heard the commotion outside and came out. Seeing Yunyi and Chunxiu standing at the door in confrontation, he was startled and hurried over to mediate: “Isn’t this Chunxiu? What a coincidence! Have you eaten? If not, why don’t you come to my house for a meal? We still have half a pheasant left!”

Chunxiu said with disgust: “Who wants to eat your pig food? And my name isn’t for you to call casually!”

Wu Laosan was embarrassed by her scolding and stood there awkwardly. He could endure it, but Yunyi couldn’t. A flash of killing intent flickered in her eyes as she said coldly: “Are you finished? If so, then get lost!”

Wu Laosan was startled by her words and quickly grabbed her hand, scolding: “Girl, don’t talk nonsense! Quickly apologize to Chun… to Miss Feng.”

Chunxiu trembled with rage, swept her sleeves dramatically, and shouted: “No need! I can’t accept such an apology. But… I’ll tell my father everything that happened today, hmph!”

Wu Laosan was terrified and quickly tried to placate her with a smile: “Miss Feng, please speak nicely. Miss Feng? Miss Feng?!”

No matter how he called from behind, Chunxiu left without looking back. Yunyi pulled Wu Laosan, who wanted to chase after her, saying: “Father, don’t mind her.”

Wu Laosan stamped his foot: “How can I not mind? If she goes back and tells Feng Cheng about this, we won’t have good days ahead.” Then he said somewhat unhappily: “You girl, knowing her temperament is so unreasonable, why did you still say such things? Weren’t you deliberately opposing her? You weren’t like this before.”

Yunyi lowered her head: “I’m sorry. Your daughter was impulsive for a moment. It won’t happen again.”