Chapter 9: 008 Unwillingness

The First Madam’s residual anger had yet to subside, and she had rarely found such an opportunity to lecture Yun Buhui. The gossip in Fengcheng over the past few days was known to everyone, and with Lou Yanran’s reputation damaged, the First Madam was in a foul mood. Since this matter had started because of Buhui, the First Madam had long wanted to teach her a lesson to vent on Lou Yanran’s behalf.

Seeing her son defending Yun Buhui, her anger only flared further. Lou Yanran smiled faintly and said, "Mother, let it be. It was just a misunderstanding. The weather is so cold, and Big Brother has fallen and injured himself; we shouldn't just stand here in the snow. Let’s go back and find a doctor to examine him first, lest he has damaged his bones or tendons."

Seeing that Lou Shaoqi’s expression was extremely uncomfortable, the First Madam grew anxious. She fussed over Lou Shaoqi like he was her precious treasure, while Xiangyun and Xianglan supported him on either side, braving the wind and snow to return to the First Madam’s courtyard.

Lou Yanran turned back, gazing at Buhui with a smile, and said apologetically, "Buhui, Mother was just concerned about Big Brother, so her tone was inevitably a bit harsh. Please don't hold it against her; everything will be fine in a few days."

Yun Buhui pursed her lips, her smile gentle and warm. "Third Cousin, you speak too seriously. I do not blame Aunt."

Lou Yanran looked quite gratified. Through the veil of wind and snow, her smile did not seem genuine in Yun Buhui’s eyes, as if covered by a layer of gauze. Lou Yanran said, "Buhui, regarding Cheng Youtian, I hope you don't mind. I had no idea he would suddenly propose."

"Third Cousin is as beautiful as a flower and possesses peerless talent; it is not strange that Young Master Cheng fell for you at first sight. You don't need to explain this to me," Yun Buhui said softly. No one benefited from this matter, so whether she explained it or not made no difference.

She was not a soft persimmon to be squeezed by others.

"Oh, Buhui, the cloak you are wearing is very precious," Lou Yanran said, appearing quite surprised as she smiled and looked at her attire.

Yun Buhui was draped in a sable cloak with a yellow embroidered satin surface, a ring of snow-white sable fur protecting her neck. This precious cloak was very warm to wear, blocking out the chill of the harsh winter.

This was an extremely rare cloak, made from the fur of polar sables from the Great Snow Mountain; the fur was fine, soft, smooth, and exceptionally warm.

Yun Buhui inwardly cursed her luck. Nominally, she was the cousin of the Lou household, but she was not held in high regard. Lou Zhentian did not pay much attention to her, and the monthly allowance of the Lou household was managed by the First Madam. The amount of silver Yun Buhui received each month was meager; how could she afford such a precious sable cloak?

Moreover, this was not a cloak that could be bought with money alone.

"Third Cousin has a truly sharp eye. This was a gift to me from the Third Aunt."

"Is that so?" Lou Yanran smiled indifferently. "The Third Concubine is truly good to you."

After she finished speaking, the two bid each other farewell. Yun Buhui returned to her own Xuemei Residence. Bingyue had already brewed warm tea. As soon as Buhui entered the room, she sat by the heater to warm herself and drank the tea. Bingyue unfastened her cloak and asked with a smile, "Miss, you must be very frustrated that you didn't get to punish that scumbag, right?"