C6 Gifted Her with a Candy

“There’s no need to worry about such things,” Hongxiang said, patting Yanwu’s hand. “As a servant, all I hope for is your well-being.”

“Hongxiang...” Yanwu began, but Hongxiang interrupted, “It’s getting late. You should head back now.”

Yanwu glanced at Hongxiang, who gave a gentle smile. Though reluctant, Yanwu knew she couldn’t let Hongxiang down. She stood up, feigning ease, bid farewell, and couldn’t help but look back several times as she walked away.

Hongxiang remained in the pavilion, watching Yanwu leave with a contented smile before finally sitting down. She poured herself a drink, but the taste was bitter and harsh.

In truth, she had lied. Yanwu’s rebirth came at the cost of her own soul, destined to vanish without a trace. There would be no reincarnation for her. She simply didn’t want Yanwu to feel guilty.

No one would ever know the truth.

The sky was overcast. Yanwu lounged lazily on the couch, fiddling with a peony pendant, the cool jade calming her restless mind.

“Sister.” Yuvyi entered, followed by a maid carrying a food box.

“Yuvyi, you’re here? Those maids didn’t even announce your arrival. They’re getting lazier by the day. I’ll have to set them straight tomorrow,” Yanwu said, not rising from the couch. She hid her sorrow and smiled softly at Yuvyi. “Have a seat.”

“I was worried about you, so I came by. It’s not the maids’ fault; I didn’t want them to disturb you. I heard you haven’t eaten today, so I made some pastries myself. I hope you like them. Please, take care of yourself,” Yuvyi said quietly, sitting beside Yanwu and holding her hand.

After speaking, the maid opened the food box and placed a plate of delicate pastries on the table, then stepped back to her original position to stand by.

Yanwu was momentarily taken aback, seemingly surprised by Yuvyi's thoughtfulness, then smiled and said, "Yuvyi, you don't have to worry so much about me. I can take care of myself. Don't focus so much on others that you neglect yourself. What would I do with you then?"

"You're teasing me, sister," Yuvyi laughed. "Why don't you try one of the pastries I made? Are they any good?"

Initially, Yanwu was concerned that Yuvyi might have tampered with the pastries, but then she thought if anything went wrong, Yuvyi wouldn't escape the blame either. She picked up a piece, tasted it carefully, and after swallowing, said, "How could they not be good? Your cooking skills are getting better and better. But I haven't seen you make any for Father."

Yanwu deliberately steered the conversation toward Nan Ying. She knew that, without Mo Ruyan, the only thing causing tension between them was Nan Ying's favoritism. Would Yuvyi show her true feelings?

"Father is always busy. He doesn't have time to try my pastries. Even if I sent them, he'd probably just set them aside until they went cold and then throw them away. You know how he is..." Yuvyi trailed off at just the right moment, her meaning clear. Her eyes dimmed, and her smile became noticeably strained. "If you like them, sister, I can make them for you every day."

"Don't wear yourself out. Making them every day isn't necessary. Just let me know when I feel like having some, and you can make them then." Yanwu smiled gently, reassuringly patting Yuvyi's hand, and feigned a few coughs. "Yuvyi, I'm feeling a bit tired. You should head back. I'll visit you when I'm feeling better."

"Alright." Yuvyi understood Yanwu's subtle hint to leave and didn't linger. She took the maid with her and departed.

After a short while, Jade walked in.

"How are you feeling?" Jade asked as she prepared to take away the plate of pastries.

"Much better, no need to worry," Nan replied, leaning back against the pillow with a nonchalant tone. Seeing Jade about to leave with the pastries, she suddenly spoke up, "Wait, leave the pastries here."

"I noticed you don't seem to enjoy them much, so I thought I'd take them to the kitchen. The staff can have them instead of letting them go to waste," Jade said with a smile.