Yuan Zhu then took out two red pouches and handed them to Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang. They bowed to Si Zhan with bright smiles, “Thank you, Your Highness the Leisurely King.”
Just as Yuan Zhu was about to step back, Ning Wan Wan grabbed her hand.
“Yuan Zhu, this is your New Year’s money. Thank you for saving me at the polo field.”
Yuan Zhu seemed surprised but accepted it after Si Zhan urged her.
“Thank you, Young Mistress.”
Just as Ning Wan Wan was about to smile, her left wrist was suddenly grabbed by Si Zhan. His phoenix eyes nervously stared at the bandage on her hand. “What happened to your hand?”
Panicking, Ning Wan Wan had been hiding her left hand in her wide sleeve, only showing her fingers. In her urgency to stop Yuan Zhu from stepping back, she accidentally exposed her entire hand.
She tried to appear nonchalant, saying, “I cut myself while organizing jewelry.”
“Is it serious?”
“It’s nothing, just a small injury.”
Si Zhan looked unconvinced, his long eyebrows furrowed as he scrutinized the bandaged hand, trying to see through the bandage.
His intense gaze made Ning Wan Wan lower her head, her eyelashes trembling. She gently pulled her hand from Si Zhan’s grip, and he reacted, looking slightly embarrassed and averting his gaze.
Everyone fell silent, creating an awkward atmosphere. Ning Wan Wan kept her head lowered, Si Zhan turned away, Yuan Zhu looked between them, while Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang smiled, contributing to the awkwardness.
Si Zhan finally cleared his throat and broke the silence. “I had intended to visit Madam Ning to pay New Year’s respects, but Master Lin said the old madam is still resting…” He trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Ning Wan Wan replied, “Grandmother stayed up late for the New Year’s Eve vigil. Being older, her energy is a bit low.”
Si Zhan nodded in understanding, and they fell silent, exchanging shy glances.
Seeing this, Fu Yi approached Yuan Zhu, “Miss Yuan Zhu must be hungry. We have fresh fruits and snacks prepared. Let’s go.”
Yuan Zhu looked at her master for instructions, but her master seemed focused only on Ning Wan Wan, so she followed Fu Yi.
In the hall, only Ning Wan Wan and Si Zhan remained.
