Chapter Thirty-Six: Cherishing Jade

  The guests should have arrived by now. The firecrackers are a prelude to the start of lunch.

  Ye Qingning coughed and smiled: "It's getting late, we should also go to Changhe Hall."

  Gu Xiannian nodded and looked at Gu Xiyu.

  Gu Xi Yu's body trembled, her big eyes filled with shock and fear, her face turned pale, and her hands unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand, as if she was about to faint at any moment.

  If she insists on taking her to Changhe Hall for the banquet, she will definitely be scared. But if not, what should they do next?

  Gu Xiannian hesitated for a moment before smiling awkwardly and saying, "Qingning younger sister, you go back first! I'll stay here to accompany Yu'er."

  Ye Qingning hesitated and said: "Why don't I stay behind to accompany Cixi as well?"

  "It's all right, I'll stay with her," Gu Xiannian said with a faint smile. Although his tone was calm, there was an underlying power that brooked no refusal.

  Ye Qingning wanted to say something else, but Gu Xiannian had already lowered her head and softly said to Gu Xiyu: "Yu'er, if you don't want to go, I won't go either. Let's stay here and accompany you."

  Gu Xi Yu's flustered expression relaxed slightly, and she nodded lightly.

  Ye Qinglan finally came to her senses from the stunning first meeting, and silently regretted for Gu Xiyu. Such a beautiful girl, unfortunately suffered from autism...

  People with autism often exhibit introversion and rarely speak, refusing to interact with others. In more severe cases, both intellectual and psychological development are impaired. Gu Xiuyu is already a 13- or 14-year-old girl, but her behavior is like that of a 5- or 6-year-old child. It seems she belongs to the category of severe autism patients.

  If such a patient were to be treated in modern times, with the help of Western medicine and psychotherapy, there would be some hope for recovery. At least there could be some improvement. But in this era, doctors probably wouldn't even understand what autism is, let alone treat it.

  Furthermore, Gu Xiuyu is the daughter of a prominent national duke, and even if she has an unusual temperament, no one dares to speak ill of her. Her family naturally wouldn't think badly of her either. As a result, Gu Xiuyu's illness was neglected, delayed until now, and became more severe...

  Ye Qinglan couldn't help but let out a light sigh, her gaze wandering over Gu Xizhen's lowered face before suddenly colliding with a pair of eyes. In the brief moment their gazes met, Ye Qinglan's heart uncontrollably skipped a few beats.

  Those profound eyes are like a deep and bottomless spring, making people unconsciously drunk in it, unable to extricate themselves.

  This is purely a physical instinctive reaction, just like how a man can't help but feel excited when he sees a sexy and beautiful woman.

  So Ye Qinglan quickly forgave herself for her momentary distraction and even took advantage of the opportunity to take a few more glances.

  Fortunately, Gu Xiannian quickly shifted her gaze to Ye Qingning: "Qingning, it's getting late, you should head back first! Auntie must have sent people to look for you everywhere."

  Ye Qingning could only nod in agreement, gazing at Gu Xiannian with a lingering reluctance before turning to leave.

  Ye Qinglan tactfully played the role of background board and left with Ye Qingning. Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance back at Gu Xiannian.

  A fleeting glance, and all I could see was Gu Xi Ye's profile.

  He lowered his head and spoke patiently, with a slight upturn at the corners of his lips, like a delicate and beautiful ink painting.

  Ye Qinglan silently praised her and then withdrew her gaze.

  Ye Qingning, however, was visibly distracted, remaining silent throughout the journey, her facial expression changing unpredictably, lost in thought.

  At this moment, Ye Qinglan could very much understand Ye Qingning's feelings. With a man like Gu Xiannian around, Zheng Junyan suddenly became duller by comparison. And to make matters worse, the Zheng family had planned to discuss the marriage between the two today...

  They soon arrived at Changhe Hall.

  Ye Qinglan quietly tugged at Ye Qingning's sleeve and whispered: "Sixth sister, let's go find Eldest Aunt first!"

  Ye Qingning indeed came back to her senses, perked up and smiled as she responded with a "yes".

  Today's birthday banquet had a total of twenty tables, with ten tables for male guests set up in the Changhe Hall. The female relatives also had ten tables, which were set up in the Flower Hall. Each table had about eight to nine people.

  The seats had been arranged properly, and the noblewomen led their own daughters to sit down, with laughter and chatter filling the air.

  Zheng was secretly anxious, seeing Ye Qingning and Ye Qinglan coming together, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Before he could speak, he heard Zheng's wife hurriedly ask: "Where is Xihe? Why didn't she come with you? Can't find her?"

  Ye Qing Ning hesitated for a moment before telling the truth: "We found them by the lotus pond. However, Xi Yu refused to come over. Brother had no choice but to stay behind and accompany her..."

  Mrs. Zheng's face indeed darkened a lot, and she let out a light sigh.

  The Dingguo Gong Mansion's descendants were thriving, and in this generation, there were six paternal cousins, but only one legitimate daughter, Gu Xiuyu. Her mother loved her as if she were a treasure, and everyone in the mansion, from top to bottom, couldn't help but dote on Gu Xiuyu with tender loving care.

  Ke Cu Xi Yu has been extremely introverted and reluctant to speak since childhood, spending her days cooped up in the boudoir without stepping out. In the past two years, she has become even more extreme, refusing to see anyone.

  I thought bringing her out today would help her make more friends. Didn't expect it to turn out like this...

  Zheng said in a low voice: "Xī Yù is still young, don't rush her for now. She will naturally get better slowly over time."

  Mrs. Zheng sighed: "She's only one year younger than Ning'er, and she's not a child anymore. If it's always like this, how can I not worry?" She has already reached the age of discussing marriage, but still has such a temperament, what will happen in the future?

  Zheng guessed her concerns and sighed. Immediately, she cheered up and said: "It's not good to stay by the lotus pond all the time either. How about this? I'll send someone to the lotus pond to take them to Luomei Courtyard, find a quiet guest room for Xiyu, and have some food sent over."

  It's also good this way! Mrs. Zheng nodded.

  Zheng's eyes signaled to Dongyan. Dongyan immediately understood and quietly left.

  Ye Qingning listened to both of their words, her expression changing slightly. Zheng Shi, however, intentionally or unintentionally glanced at her with a profound meaning that probably only Ye Qingning could understand.

  Ye Qingning calmly averted her gaze and smiled at Ye Qinglan, saying: "Tenth sister, let's go sit with Eighth sister!"

  Ye Qinglan agreed happily.

  The two of them walked together to the table, their manner extremely intimate, as if they were a pair of sisters who got along very well.

  Ye Qingfu was still resentful, and glared at Ye Qinglan with a huff. Following Ye Qingning around, the people she came into contact with were all top-notch noble ladies from prestigious families.

  This dead girl, usually quiet and unassuming, somehow managed to wrap Ye Qingning around her finger.

  Ye Qinglan didn't even glance at her, and sat down with a smile, whispering and laughing with Ye Qingning.