1439: The Softness That Left After A Fleeting Touch

The Softness That Left After A Fleeting Touch

Zhao Qian said rather guiltily, "Everything is good as long as you aren't sick. Master is still waiting for me at the imperial study. I'll take my leave first." With that, he left in a hurry. When he bumped into Long Yin and Yaoyao, who were rushing in, he gave them a quick bow and scurried away.2

Yaoyao asked curiously, "Why is Butler Zhao running so fast?"

Long Yin shook his head. "No idea."

The siblings entered Chu Qi's room with Bao Yu.

They looked at the man wiping down his sword while seated. Yaoyao asked, "Big Bro Lil Qi, Bao Yu said you were sick. How are you feeling right now? Has my mother been here to check your pulse?"

Chu Qi darted a look at Bao Yu.

The action made Bao Yu feel a slight chill.

"She did, but I'm not sick. It was Butler Zhao making up stories." Chu Qi turned his gaze away and explained.

Yaoyao was taken aback. "No wonder Butler Zhao ran away so fast. Was he feeling guilty?"

Long Yin took a look at Chu Qi's face. "It's good that you're fine. By the way, Ji'er came by just now. Where is she now?"

"Ji'er is admiring the Osmanthus in the imperial garden with Her Highness," Chu Qi replied nonchalantly.

Yaoyao immediately piped up when she heard this, "Let's go too, Royal Brother."

"Alright," Long Yin replied.

"Are you coming with us, Big Bro Lil Qi?" Yaoyao did not forget to invite Chu Qi.

"No. Both of you should go on ahead." Chu Qi's voice sounded distant as he lowered his head and continued wiping his sword.

Yaoyao did not persuade him further when she saw this. She pulled Long Yin's hand and ran toward the imperial garden.

…

Ji'er returned after having dinner at Grand Phoenix Palace.

She went straight to Chu Qi's room the moment she was back.

Chu Qi was sitting on the soft bed right next to the window. He was studying a military book.

He did not even need to look when he heard footsteps to know that Ji'er had come.

Ji'er snuck inside quietly, thinking that Chu Qi did not notice she was there.

She quietly crept behind him and stepped on tip-toe to cover his eyes with her hands. She said in a gruff voice, "Guess who?"

A smile appeared on Chu Qi's cold face.

"Is it Yaoyao?"

"Nope, you're wrong. Guess again!"

"You're Bao Yu?"

"No, I'm not."

"Give me some time to figure this out."

Ji'er began to pout. She was unhappy that she was not the first person he had guessed. He had made a few guesses and none of them was her.

"Is it Ji'er?" A long moment passed before Chu Qi said with a smile, acting as though the answer just crossed his mind.

Ji'er put her hands down and sat next to him grumpily.

"Why was your first guess Yaoyao?"

This bothered the little lady.

Chu Qi looked at her small face and a smile twinkled in his dark eyes. "I knew it was you from the very start."

Ji'er's eyes brightened. "Did you make the wrong guess on purpose?"

"Yes." Chu Qi felt this game was very childish, but he was willing to accommodate her as long as it made her happy.

Ji'er finally let it matter drop when she heard his explanation.

Her eyes crinkled and when she smiled, it looked like there were stars in her eyes. It was dazzling. When she was angry, her eyes became as cold as frost, which was quite a shame.

Chu Qi had great patience and tolerance for every side of Ji'er.

He watched this little lady who was now all grown up and felt a sense of happiness that could not be described. This was a child he had brought up personally.

A spark of delight appeared in his eyes and his lips curved upward.

However, he suddenly felt a cool sensation at the corner of his lips. Something soft had touched it and left after a fleeting moment.

His body stiffened. By the time he realized what had happened, the little lady was back in her seat.

Ji'er stuck her tongue out at him and quickly jumped to the floor.

She was about to return to her bedroom, but when she saw the paintings on the table, she stopped in her tracks and went over to them curiously.

Ji'er picked up the paintings and flipped through them. When she realized the paintings were all of beautiful women, her little face immediately fell.

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