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Hu Chanyuan picked up the teacup, her slender fingers holding the lid, gently stirring the floating tea leaves. Her eyes, which had been gentle, drifted to Su Mu, and her gaze fell upon him.
The elders' gazes gradually took on a different kind of interest and languor.
"Alright, now that Xiaoxiao isn't here," she said, her red lips slightly parted, her voice seemingly even more alluring than before, "Shouldn't Mu'er talk to Aunt Hu about this?"
Another piece of good news?
Aunt Hu's mischievousness was far more formidable than Aunt Gu's, Su Mu couldn't help but sigh. After all, Aunt Gu wouldn't dare to actually do anything to her.
And Aunt Hu… Su Mu looked up and met her gaze, which seemed to see through everything: “Aunt Hu refers to?”
"Still playing dumb with me?" Hu Chanyuan chuckled, setting down her teacup, leaning forward slightly, resting her hands and buttocks on the table, her two melons pressing down on them.
In this pose, her voluptuous figure is even more prominent:
"Although His Highness didn't say it explicitly, Aunt Hu's eyes are incredibly sharp. The moment you walked in, the way your eyes conveyed affection and your hearts were intertwined..."
Their intimacy couldn't hide from me. So, you and Xiaoxiao have finally come to this?
Su Mu nodded and said, "Yes, Xiaoxiao and I have confessed our feelings for each other and become Daoist partners."
"What a wonderful occasion!" Hu Chanyuan said with a smile, her eyes full of sincere blessings. "You two children have relied on each other since childhood and have a deep bond."
Aunt Hu is truly happy for you all to be able to walk hand in hand with us.
She changed the subject, her eyes sparkling, her tone slightly teasing, "But Mu'er has grown up now, and has someone as adorable as Xiaoxiao."
"But we can't forget Prince Xiaoshu and Aunt Hu just because we're together."
Hu Chanyuan gracefully walked over and sat down beside Su Mu, moving closer to him. A subtle, rich fragrance, a blend of orchid and warm scent, wafted from her.
Come here. She tilted her head, gazing at him with tender eyes, her breath sweet as orchids:
"Mu'er's cultivation has greatly improved now, and she's even won the heart of a beauty like Xiaoxiao. Her standards must be much higher now. I wonder if she'll still find Aunt Hu appealing."
Have you brewed some coarse tea and prepared some simple fruits?
In her words, her natural charm seemed to transform into invisible threads, gently stirring the heart.
She handed Su Mu a grape; the gesture wasn't particularly outrageous, but every smile, every word, carried an innate allure.
This is not something an aunt who dotes on her younger relatives should do.
Aunt Hu used to enjoy teasing him in private, but she had never gone this far.
At this moment, Aunt Hu exuded charm with every gesture, possessing a natural allure, like a fox spirit, which slightly stunned Su Mu.
The.
But he quickly and calmly bit into the grape, his tongue casually brushing against Aunt Hu's fingertips, which hadn't fully retracted yet, feeling the delicate...
He slowly withdrew his chin, savoring the sweetness in his mouth.
Yes, Aunt Hu is just like her. Even though she's more experienced than Aunt Gu, she's still... shy. Since she dared to flirt with me, I'll just have to...
However, they had to "return" the gifts as a sign of filial piety.
Su Mu's gaze met her beautiful eyes, which held a hint of surprise:
"Aunt Hu is too kind. The tea you brewed and the spiritual fruits you prepared are naturally excellent. However, even the most fragrant and sweet tea and fruit seem a bit...
Even that pales in comparison to the intoxicating warmth and fragrance emanating from Aunt Hu today.
Looking into Su Muqing's clear and insightful eyes, Hu Chanyuan's cheeks flushed slightly. She subconsciously avoided his gaze and picked up her cup, which had already cooled down.
He took a sip of tea.
Coming to her senses, she was both shocked and frightened: Why had she suddenly acted so recklessly? Why, of all times, in front of him, had she once again...
Can you suppress your instincts?
The only two times he lost his composure, both times it happened when he was alone with Su Mu.
She took a deep breath and told herself: I must never lose control like I did before—just thinking about how I had once made advances towards him when he was still a child.
Feelings of affection—it was truly wrong. Those memories surged back to my heart like a tidal wave.
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Chapter Seventeen: Let Me Blow Your Blow
Eleven years ago, at the Prince Ning's Mansion.
Five-year-old Miss Li Qinghan, with her hair styled in two buns and dressed in a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), had a round and adorable face. At that moment, she was pouting, looking very unhappy.
Di and Hu Chanyuan were at odds.
At this moment, Xiao Qinghan's rosy cheeks were slightly puffed out, and her eyes revealed a hint of coquettish willfulness, which, far from appearing unruly, added to her lively and charming appearance.
Love.
The entire clan of Hu Chanyuan and Qinghan are of average appearance due to their rare bloodline, including Qinghan's mother. However, Qinghan has been exceptionally beautiful since childhood.
She exuded a refined and elegant air, with beautiful features, clearly a future beauty. Like Hu Chanyuan herself, she was a product of the ancestral bloodline within her.
But at this moment, Hu Chanyuan's beautiful face was filled with sorrow.
"Qinghan, be good, just one more bite, okay? You need to eat so you can grow tall..." Hu Chanyuan held a bowl of vegetables, trying her best to persuade her.
Gently coax and persuade.
"Qinghan doesn't want carrots!" Little Qinghan shook her head like a rattle drum, refusing to open her mouth no matter how she tried to persuade her.
Hu Chanyuan was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her delicate face was filled with helplessness and frustration.
Qinghan is her sister's bloodline, her beloved niece. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the two left their hometown.
She was a close friend of Prince Ning, Li Zhaoning. Li Zhaoning not only brought them both into his palace, making her the head steward, but also...
Li Qinghan adopted her as her daughter and raised her like a princess.
Normally, Xiao Qinghan might be afraid of Li Zhaoning, who wears a mask and looks somewhat stern, and would scrunch up her face and finish eating the carrots at her command.
But today, Li Zhaoning went to inspect the army, and Hu Chanyuan is now completely helpless against this little girl.
Just as she was at a loss, a clear, gentle, and slightly childish voice rang out: "Aunt Hu, let me try."
Hu Chanyuan turned around and saw Su Mu, who was only ten years old, standing beside her. Although young, his delicate features already showed a calmness and composure far beyond his years.
Su Mu then squatted down and looked gently at Xiao Qinghan, who was pouting. She had some experience in dealing with children who wouldn't eat.
"Does Qinghan dislike the taste of carrots, or does she think they're...not cute?"
When Xiao Qinghan saw Su Mu arrive, her stubborn attitude softened somewhat. She blinked her big eyes and muttered softly, "Not cute."
"Then I'll change its appearance. Qinghan, see if it becomes cuter, okay?"
“…Okay, Qinghan will listen to her brother.”
Su Mu took the bowl of vegetables from Hu Chanyuan's hands. In just a moment, she returned with a delicate little plate.
The carrot in the dish is cleverly carved into the shape of an adorable little rabbit, and is decorated with other vegetables and candied fruits to resemble small flowers.
Little grass.
Xiao Qinghan's eyes lit up instantly as she looked at the "little rabbit" with delight. Her previous reluctance vanished, and she picked up the small spoon on her own initiative.
They ate the vegetables clean, bite by bite.
Hu Chanyuan watched in stunned silence, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She was relieved that Qinghan was willing to eat, yet also surprised by the ten-year-old child.
A sigh mixed with a hint of indescribable guilt.
The problem that I had been trying to solve for ages without success was resolved so easily by him.
She suddenly realized that she, as an elder, was so clumsy in taking care of the child, far less attentive than a child herself.
"Qinghan is great! After you finish eating, go find Xiaoxiao to play." Su Mu patted Qinghan's head.
Xiao Qinghan snuggled comfortably against his hand and replied sweetly, "Mmm! Brother Mu is the best!"
Then, Li Qinghan and five-year-old Mang Xiao went to the corridor to play cat's cradle, their laughter as clear and crisp as wind chimes. Su Mu and Hu Chanyuan sat side by side...
On a stone bench in the distance, I watched quietly.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a warm golden light, and Hu Chanyuan glanced at Su Mu's calm profile out of the corner of her eye.
This child is so handsome, and he's so caring. No wonder Qinghan listens to him.
These experiences in caring for children were all learned by trying them on Xiaoxiao, right?
These two children had relied on each other since they were little, and had truly suffered a lot. She finally sighed softly, her tone complex:
“Mu’er, sometimes when Aunt Hu sees how sensible and steady you are, she feels ashamed of herself as an elder.”
She managed the affairs of the royal palace with remarkable efficiency, and her cultivation was at the Golden Core stage, yet she felt overwhelmed when it came to the most mundane task of caring for children.
They might even need a child to help.
Su Mu turned back and looked at her with clear eyes.
Aunt Hu not only did everything herself, but she was also extremely good to her and Xiaoxiao. Seeing her so dejected, she couldn't bear it.
His tone was one of sincere reassurance: "Aunt Hu, please don't say that. The affairs of the Prince's residence are numerous and complex, yet you manage them all perfectly, don't you? His Highness is willing..."
We are already very grateful that you took us in. Helping to take care of Miss Qinghan is what I should do.
"Besides, things like cooking are small things that can be learned gradually. If Aunt Hu doesn't mind, Mu'er can help you teach people how to cook."
"I'm quite confident in that area," he thought. "After all, I've taught quite a few people."
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Su Mu's words were considerate and tactful, which warmed Hu Chanyuan's heart, and she nodded.
With so many servants in the Prince's mansion, how could it be her turn to cook? Perhaps she only agreed because she was attracted to Su Mu's meticulousness and gentleness.
So, after instructing the maid to take good care of the two little girls playing in the courtyard, the two went to the kitchen.
Su Mu skillfully tied on her apron, washed her hands, and retrieved the ingredients. While smoothly preparing the ingredients, she explained the key points to Hu Chanyuan.
skill.
His movements were methodical and focused. The warm yellow light illuminated his still-youthful yet already showing features profile, revealing a certain...
A reassuring, mature charm beyond her years.
Hu Chanyuan watched from the side, unable to look away, and for a moment forgot to watch Su Mu's movements.
When she tried to do it herself, she became clumsy and flustered. As she attempted to stir-fry the ingredients in the pan, hot oil unexpectedly splattered out.
It attacked her.
"Watch out!" Su Mu reacted quickly, instinctively stepping to the side and raising his hand to block the hot oil. Most of the scalding oil had spilled onto his arm.
On the forearm where the sleeve is rolled up.
"Mu'er!" Hu Chanyuan exclaimed in surprise, her heart clenching. Forgetting everything else, she immediately grabbed his wrist and anxiously examined it:
Let me see! Does it hurt? It's all my fault for being so careless.
"Aunt Hu, I'm fine." Even young Su Mu was able to lead Zhi Xiao to escape from the encirclement of mysterious cultivators, how could hot oil possibly harm her?
But feeling her closeness, he froze for a moment. They were extremely close; the rich, fragrant scent of orchids mingled with warm perfume emanating from her was clearly lingering in his mind's eye.
He smelled so good, Aunt Hu.
Perhaps it was because of the confined space, perhaps it was because of the touching scene of Su Mu protecting her with his life, or perhaps it was... Hu Chanyuan checking Su Mu's injuries.
The movements gradually slowed down.
Her fingertips unconsciously caressed his wrist gently. Looking up at Su Mu, her eyes, though still filled with worry, were now clouded with a hint of sadness.
A hazy, alluring hue, which she herself was unaware of.
Her breathing quickened slightly, and her voice unconsciously became lower and softer, carrying a hint of allure: "Does it still hurt?"
Aunt Hu... Aunt Hu will blow on it and it won't hurt anymore.
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, her red lips parted, and her soft breath gently brushed over the few oil stains on Su Mu's buttocks.
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