Chapter 5: If I Cry Again, I'll Bite You

Songhe Academy.

Nan Bao Yi leaned in the arms of the old lady, holding up her small hand to show her, and answered softly, "My hand doesn't hurt anymore, and the cold is gone. Grandmother, don't worry."

In just two days, the injured hand seemed to have been reborn, with new delicate and fair skin.

The old lady exclaimed, "Truly a miraculous medicine from the divine physician of Shu, Master Jiang's Broken Jade Ointment is truly remarkable."

Nan Bao Yi thought to herself, it's also very expensive.

Just a small jar costs thousands of gold, which ordinary families could never afford.

Grandmother doted on her, she was the only one among her sisters who received such affection.

In her past life, Nan Yan Yan coveted this jar of Broken Jade Ointment, and she generously gave it to her, only to end up with the consequence of disfiguring herself...

"Jiao Jiao, tell grandmother honestly, did your second brother bear a grudge and harm your hand like this in revenge?" the grandmother suddenly asked.

Nan Bao Yi hurriedly shook her head, "It was because I was being playful and greedy. I smelled the fragrance of chestnuts in my second brother's room and wanted to eat them, so I accidentally knocked over his charcoal brazier and burned my hand. Grandmother, please don't blame my second brother."

The old lady stared at her, the little girl's eyes were clear and honest, not like she was lying.

After considering for a moment, she signaled for someone to bring Xiao Yi over.

The young man stepped into the threshold and looked up at the high seat.

The little girl was wrapped in a crimson cloak, nestled in the old lady's arms, with soft black hair cascading down, her round face was soft and fair, her long curly eyelashes drooped, and she pursed her red lips, holding a cup of milk and drinking it earnestly.

The green jade cup holding the milk was exquisite and delicate, she held it with her fingertips, which emitted a soft white glow, her pale pink fingertips were translucent and even more delicate and lovely than the green jade cup.

He withdrew his gaze and knelt in the hall.

The old lady did not like this adopted grandson, and kindly said to Nan Bao Yi, "Jiao Jiao, tell grandmother honestly, did he threaten you and forbid you from telling the truth to grandmother? If he dares to threaten you while grandmother is here, grandmother will have him severely punished!"

Only then did Nan Bao Yi notice Xiao Yi's presence.

The young man who had been copying scriptures in the ancestral hall for two days had an even colder demeanor.

She suppressed her fear and handed the green jade cup to the maid, earnestly holding the old lady's sleeve, "Grandmother, my second brother didn't bully me. I really hurt my hand by myself. My second brother is good to me, he carried me back to the Embroidered Pavilion. Please don't blame him..."

The old lady stared into her eyes, "So, grandmother wrongly accused him?"

Nan Bao Yi's eyes sparkled, nodding like a little chick pecking at rice.

The old lady pondered for a moment and gestured for Xiao Yi to sit, "This time, I wrongly accused you. Do you resent me?"

Xiao Yi's eyes were as steady as a mountain, "I dare not."

He dared not, but it didn't mean he didn't resent her.

The old lady sneered inwardly and appraised him for a few moments, "Come to think of it, you're also eighteen this year."

"Yes."

The old lady nodded, a hint of pity in her eyes.

Although he was not of the direct bloodline, and they were not close in their daily interactions, he was still the adopted son personally brought back by the eldest son. He had an excellent appearance, even more so than her own grandchildren.

She slowly said, "After the eldest son passed away, the Nan family has neglected you quite a bit. You must have grievances, and I can understand that. This time, you helped Jiao Jiao but were misunderstood, and I feel guilty. Jimo, go to the storeroom and pick a few good pieces of satin for the Second Young Master to make clothes, and pick a few decent stationery items. Also..."

She pondered for a moment, "How many maids do you have serving you?"

Nan Bao Yi felt it was time to show her worth.

In a milky voice, she said, "Grandmother, my second brother doesn't have a single maid in his courtyard!"

The old lady nodded, "In that case, Jimo, pick two maids with good looks from the mansion and send them over. After all, he's grown up now, and it's time..."

She didn't continue, considering Nan Bao Yi's presence.

Nan Bao Yi smiled, feeling as clear as a mirror in her heart.

Look, she handled things beautifully, not only avoiding her second brother's punishment, but also arranging for his concubine!

She glanced at Xiao Yi to show off, but met his cold gaze.

She trembled, had she made a mistake?

She quickly remedied, "Grandmother, my second brother's courtyard is very old. Why not have it renovated?"

The old lady was puzzled, "Jiao Jiao, what's gotten into you today?"

Normally, her relationship with Xiao Yi wasn't this good.

"I..." Nan Bao Yi was afraid of being found out, and also wanted to remind the old lady of Xiao Yi's promising future. She choked up and threw herself into the old lady's arms, "I don't have parents to dote on me, and my second brother doesn't have parents to dote on him either. No one in the mansion pays attention to him. Even if he passes the imperial examination, no one cares. My second brother is so pitiful, wuwuwu..."

The maid laughed, "It seems that the Fifth Miss and the Second Young Master are destined to be together."

The old lady's eyes flickered.

The Nan family had been in business for generations, and among the grandchildren, only Nan Cheng Shu and Xiao Yi were studying and taking the imperial examinations.

It seemed that the Nan family truly didn't have the brains for studying. Although Cheng Shu was very diligent, his performance at the academy was always at the bottom, and there was no hope of passing the imperial examination. Even becoming a scholar was out of the question. On the other hand, Xiao Yi's academic performance at the academy was quite good, and there was hope for him.

Even if he only became a minor official in the future, at least he would be an official, right?

A hundred years later, as the elder brother, he would surely be able to support Jiao Jiao.

Thinking of this, her attitude towards Xiao Yi improved a bit, "I'm very pleased to see you two getting along. Jiao Jiao, serve your second brother some tea."

Nan Bao Yi carried a cup of hot tea and ran to Xiao Yi, "Second brother, tea!"

She ran too fast, accidentally stepping on her skirt with her embroidered shoes, and the cup of tea flew out of her hand and shattered, causing her to fall into Xiao Yi's arms!

Nan Baoyi's little face turned red, and she buried her head in Xiao Yi's clothes like a quail, secretly cursing herself for messing things up again. She couldn't even handle a cup of tea properly, feeling utterly useless.

There was a faint, sweet and cold fragrance in the young man's arms. She sniffed it nervously, feeling even more anxious than before, and didn't dare to look up at his expression.

Xiao Yi remained expressionless.

The girl in his arms was both fragrant and soft, her tears wetting his clothes, which annoyed him greatly.

He lifted the back of her collar, and the girl's fair and tender face was covered in tear marks, her cheeks red from crying, making him want to take a bite.

Meeting her red eyes up close, he threatened in a voice only they could hear, "If you cry again, I'll bite you."

Nan Baoyi trembled, and her tears were scared back by his threat.

Xiao Yi said lightly, "Smile."

Nan Baoyi obediently grinned, like a red bean bun with the filling exposed, smiling even more unsightly than when she cried.

"Miss Five is smiling!" Nanny Ji was delighted. "Madam, look, Miss Five is smiling! It seems that the Second Young Master and Miss Five are truly destined. You can rest assured!"

Madam nodded with relief.

Just then, a maid came in with a tray. "Madam, Lady Liu sent something, saying she made it herself for you and Miss Five."