247 Heart skipped a beat

Zhou Linghuai looked at the tightly drawn curtain and saw the little girl tiptoe to take a wooden box with yellow rosewood patterns from a secret compartment on the bookshelf.

Yu Youyao placed the box on the desk and smiled. “Cousin, come closer. Don’t be so far away from me.”

Zhou Linghuai pursed his lips and leaned over.

“Lower your head a little, a little more,” the little girl said as she moved closer to her cousin, her little head almost touching his chest.

Zhou Linghuai felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to lean back, but he heard Yu Youyao say, “Cousin, don’t blink!”

Zhou Linghuai’s body stiffened and he did not move. He did not even blink when he heard the little girl’s words. He saw her carefully open the lock on the box. She covered the surface of the box with one hand and gently opened the lid a crack with the other…

Zhou Linghuai’s expression paused for a moment. In the dark study, he could see a dazzling light seeping out from a small crack, so he guessed what was inside.

As the lid of the box was lifted and opened, the light of the Night-Luminescent Pearl spread out from the box and filled the entire room.

The dark room was instantly as bright as day.

Yu Youyao tilted her head to look at her cousin. Her fair face reflected the moonlight, making her look even more beautiful. “Cousin, it’s a night pearl. Does it look good?”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Where did Cousin get it from? It’s really rare.”

The two Night-Luminescent Pearls were the size of lychees. They weren’t too big, but they weren’t small either. One was moon-white, and the other was sun-yellow. The color wasn’t special, but their quality wasn’t bad.

Night-Luminescent Pearls were rare, and it was rare to see them among the commoners. Most of them were kept in the palace, and only a few families kept them well, afraid that others would find out.

Back then, his family had a box of Night-Luminescent Pearls. The big ones were as big as tea bowls, and even the small ones were like lychees.

When he was young, he was playful. He felt that the shine of the Night-Luminescent Pearl was very beautiful, so he stole it and flicked it on the ground like a ball. Later, when his father found out, he whipped him.

Only then did he realize that this box of Night-Luminescent Pearls had been obtained by his father when he was at the palace and dug out the emperor’s brother’s private vault as a betrothal gift for her mother.

Yu Youyao’s eyes narrowed with a smile as she pointed at a moon-white pearl. “This one is called the moon pearl. My maternal grandfather gave it to my mother.” As she spoke, she pointed at another sun-yellow pearl. “This one is called the sun pearl.” The smile on her lips became brighter and brighter. It was not inferior to the brilliant night pearl. “My maternal grandfather gave it to me.”

Zhou Linghuai smiled. “So they’re a pair.”

The Night-Luminescent Pearls were all individuals, and he had really never heard of a pair. He took a closer look at the “sun pearl” and “moon pearl” in the box. Indeed, one was like the moonlight, and the other as bright as the sun. One was yellow and one was white, and there was a hint of blue and a wisp of white. It was a little strange.

Yu Youyao suddenly held her cousin’s hand.

Zhou Linghuai was stunned for a moment, and his hand trembled slightly. He looked down at the little girl and gently opened his palm, placing the “sun pearl” on it.

“Cousin, you always like to stay in the study at night and read until late at night.” At this point, she glared at him and pouted unhappily. She said reproachfully, “You’re like a child. You don’t listen no matter what.” She sighed and shook her head. She said helplessly, “In the future, Cousin, you can put the Night-Luminescent Pearl in the study. You won’t have to worry about hurting your eyes.”

Zhou Linghuai was not surprised at all. He tightened his grip and wrapped the sun pearl in his palm. There was still light between his fingers. “Okay!”

Yu Youyao tilted her head and looked at her cousin’s face, which was so close to hers. It reflected the bright light of the sun, and his fair face looked as beautiful as if it was glowing. She couldn’t help but smile, and her curved eyebrows shone brightly.

The two of them were extremely close to each other. The little girl suddenly tilted her head, and Zhou Linghuai’s heart skipped a beat. The little girl’s delicate and beautiful face was reflected in his eyes, and his eyes were pierced by the dazzling light of the night pearl in her bright eyes. The eyelashes on her eyes were thick and slender, trembling slightly like butterfly wings. They gently tugged at his heartstrings, and even his heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Zhou Linghuai tightened his grip on the armrest of the wheelchair, his fingers turning pale. He slowly lowered his eyes, and the little girl’s smiling lips caught him off guard.

When she smiled, her red lips were like a beautiful peach that had bloomed to the limit. When the little girl leaned close, he could almost smell a trace of sweetness.

The little girl usually used rosy lipstick. It was pink and delicate, and she was very beautiful. This was the first time he had seen her use red. She looked especially fresh and beautiful. It was probably a new product brought by the Xie family this time.

Since when did he start paying attention to the little girl? Things like eyebrows and lips? Zhou Linghuai felt that it was inappropriate. He looked up again and changed the topic. “The day after tomorrow is the Flower Festival in the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence. Although Grandaunt asked Second Aunt to bring you along, when you’re outside, she won’t be able to surpass Madam Yang, your stepmother. I’m afraid she won’t be able to interfere in anything. You have to rely on yourself. Don’t let yourself suffer.”

Yu Youyao recalled that her cousin had said that he would take care of everything for her. She wasn’t a fool, so how could she not tell that he wasn’t joking at all? Her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat. She kept feeling that her cousin was very mysterious, as if nothing in this world could stop him. Even a prominent family like the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was nothing but an ant in her cousin’s eyes.

At the thought of this, Yu Youyao did not dare to think about it anymore. Anyway, her cousin treated her well and would not harm her no matter what.

She smiled. “Cousin, I understand. During this period of time, Nanny Xu has taught me a lot of etiquette. She has also told me about the members of the various families in the capital. Even if there’s anything, I’ll know how to deal with it.”

It was worth mentioning that Seventh Miss Cao of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, Cao Yingxue, and Fifth Miss Lu of the Marquis of Weining’s Residence, Lu Mingyao, had to interact with them at the Flower Festival. Naturally, they had to be especially careful.

There were also some noble ladies of the imperial family with important statuses. Most of them were slightly older and probably wouldn’t get along with them, so there was no need to be too nervous.

The Flower Festival of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was about to arrive. Old Madam Yu picked suitable ladies and gave Yu Youyao, Yu Shuangbai, and Yu Jianjia each an exquisite piece of jewelry.

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