Chapter 68: The First Stirrings of Heart

  She took it and replied unconsciously, "It was given by my brother, isn't it beautiful? I like its color and have been carrying it with me all the time."

  "Xia Yang?" The answer was too unexpected, a flash of inspiration in his mind, Yuan Longqiao couldn't help but frown and think deeply.

  "What's wrong?" Xia Tian finally asked, discovering his abnormality.

  He hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice: "This nine-linked ring is made of rare bi-xia stone. As far as I know, the Yi tribe presented the treasure bi-xia stone to the emperor, and the emperor kept it in the palace garden until my brothers and I were born, when he divided it into six portions, with each of us getting one piece except for my fifth brother."

  Xiatian's eyes widened in surprise as he carefully examined the nine-linked ring in his hand, "How did big brother end up with this stone?"

  "I'm not clear either." Yuan Longqiao's gaze fell on the nine-linked ring in her hand, as if a layer of fog had been cast over it, making it impossible to see his thoughts.

  "Huh? Why isn't the fifth prince here?" The big, round eyes turned around, staring at him in puzzlement, full of curiosity.

  Looking at those agile and cunning eyes, Yuan Longqiao smiled slightly, but his eyes had already dimmed. "Because he is the Emperor's most beloved son, so the honor and glory he receives are naturally different from ours."

  Recalling the elegant figure like a jade tree in the pavilion, recalling the handsome and extraordinary Wu Gongzi, Xia Tian couldn't help but fall silent. It's not surprising at all that such a person would be favored.

  "Alright," Yuan Longqiao adjusted his mood and said in a warm tone, "You go back with Ma first, don't run around randomly. I'll be back after finishing things with Brother Ma."

  "What are you going to do?"

  He lightly tapped her forehead and half-jokingly spat out two words: "Secret." He picked up the empty bowl and chopsticks and headed straight to the Ma family.

  What's wrong! Xia Tian touched his forehead and made a face at his back.

  The sky was getting late, and Xia Tian and Ma Sao waited with bated breath, neither of them knowing what the two big men were mysteriously doing.

  The door creaked open and Xia Tian rushed out immediately. Looking at the green vegetables and fish meat in Yuan Longqiao's and Ma Achai's hands, she was somewhat surprised.

  "What's this?" she asked dully.

  Yuan Longqiao smiled slightly as he walked past her: "I'll make you something delicious tonight."

  "Dog girl, come out quickly." Ma Achai also shouted with great enthusiasm, "Today is your younger sister's birthday, you must show off your skills!"

  "What's this, today is your birthday! You're really something, why didn't you say so earlier!" Madam Ma came out of the house, taking the things from Yuan Long's hands while scolding Xia Tian.

  "What's my birthday?" Xia Tian counted the days with her fingers, suddenly realizing, "Ah, today isn't my birthday, I forgot." She ran to Yuan Longqiao's side in three steps, fluttering her long eyelashes, curiously asking: "How did you know today is my birthday?"

  "You're my wife." He said calmly.

  It's not without emotion that Xia Tian's eyelashes curved upwards, and a thread of sweetness welled up in her heart: "When is your birthday?"

  "You don't know?" A little disappointed.

  "I don't know of course, but you tell me and I'll remember."

  A hint of helpless pampering appeared in his eyes, and he reached out to rub her hair, saying in a low voice the date that even he had almost forgotten: "April 20th."

  "April 20th... wow, you're an Aries. No, wait, the zodiac should be calculated according to the Gregorian calendar. Oh dear, never mind, I guess you don't have the Gregorian calendar here either. People born under Aries are natural leaders, straightforward and a bit childish. As for you..." She stroked her chin, circling around him, sizing him up from head to toe. "You seem a bit like it," she shook her head, looking quite disappointed, "but not quite."

  Yuan Longqiao was dizzy from being wrapped around by her, and he pulled her back, narrowing his eyes slightly uncomfortably, saying: "What are you talking about? Why can't I understand what you're saying?"

  She directly laughed and softened in his arms as she looked at him with a resentful and indignant expression.

  Her eyes fluttered, her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and her breathing was audible. Her coy and cunning expression made him momentarily unable to control his emotions. "Xiao Tian!" He leaned down, the faint scent of a young girl emanating from her body was like a touchstone that stirred his strong will.

  Summer suddenly opened her eyes wide, staring blankly at his increasingly close face, with deep and resolute facial features that were irresistible. The dark pupils were no longer cold or spoiled, but a kind of intoxicating attraction that she couldn't explain. His breath made it difficult for her to breathe, but it smelled so good that she just wanted to take a deep sniff. What was he going to do? She stared at his slowly approaching lips, feeling both afraid and expectant.

  "Sister, what flavor of fish do you like to eat?" Ma Sao came out of the kitchen with a joyful face, carrying the fish. As soon as she saw Yuan Longqiao and Xia Tian in the courtyard, they immediately blushed. "Uh, I...I'll go cook." She turned around and ran, almost tripping over the threshold.

  In the summer, her face suddenly felt hot, and she pushed Yuan Longqiao away with force. The two of them stood on opposite sides, both feeling somewhat awkward for a moment.

  "Cough, where's my gift?" Xia Tian turned around and stretched out her hand, but her face was turned to the side, her long eyelashes fluttering lightly, the faint red on her cheek hadn't faded, her neck as white as porcelain, her face even more delicate.

  "What gift?" His voice was slightly hoarse.

  "A birthday gift for me!" She turned back to glare at him, naturally extending her hand in front of his face once again. "Since you remembered my birthday, there's no reason not to give me a birthday gift, right?"

  "No." He calmly stared at her, his answer a matter of course.

  "Really?" She asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow at him.

  "No."

  The dinner was exceptionally sumptuous, with fish and meat, and fresh vegetables.

  This is the best meal I've had in so many days, summer completely disregarding her image and competing with Doggy for the fish meat on the plate, a meal that was eaten to the sound of laughter and full of smiles.

  "Whoosh!" The courtyard gate seemed to have been kicked open by someone, and then a group of people's loud shouts and cries were heard.

  "Ma Zhai, get out of here! If I don't teach you a lesson today, your grandma won't know how many eyes Zhang Tianba has!"

  Ma Chai and Ma Sao exchanged a terrified glance, both looking at Yuan Longqiao for help.

  He furrowed his brow, put down his chopsticks, and calmly got up to leave. His tall and straight figure, steady pace, and tenacious temperament all made people feel at ease. Xia Tian held the dog's hand, smiled and said to Ma Achai and Ma Sao: "Don't worry, Xiao San is here!"

  In the small courtyard, people were packed in, Zhang Tianba was still wearing a single jacket, holding a hoe upside down in his hand, standing with his legs crossed and mouth skewed. Behind him, more than a dozen burly men stood, each holding a knife. Seeing Yuan Longqiao, Zhang Tianba visibly shrank back, but looking at the people he brought, he stiffened up again. "You little brat is still here, humph, it's really great, today I'll dismember you to avenge last time."