Resplendent – Chapter 432

Chapter 432: Live Target, Xiao Bai

But those were matters for later. At this moment, Gu Ye, Jun Li, and Ding Fang were comfortably sitting in the waterside pavilion, nibbling on crisp, sweet pears, enjoying tart and delicious grapes, and sipping freshly squeezed orange juice, chatting and laughing merrily.

After spending a short time together, Gu Ye had already gained a rough understanding of the two girls’ personalities. 

Jun Li was lively and cheerful, carefree, and straightforward. Ding Fang was quiet and introverted, a bit timid, but kind-hearted and pure. Both were good playmates… however, the Great Pharmacists Convention was approaching soon, and she would hardly have another chance to relax like this.

“My lady, is there anything else you need?” asked Granny Niu, the steward of the small kitchen. She was a plump, fair woman, smiling like the Laughing Buddha, very kind and approachable.

Gu Ye took a sip of the room-temperature orange juice and sighed, “It would be great if we had ice. We could make fruit slushes—sweet, tart, and refreshing. It’s perfect for this lingering autumn heat!”

Upon hearing this, Granny Niu quickly smiled, “My lady, the main kitchen has an ice cellar. There should still be some ice. Should I have someone crush some and bring it over?”

“Yes! Yes!” Gu Ye nodded eagerly, almost jumping up with excitement.

Behind her, Yue Yuan, who had been fanning her, poured cold water on her enthusiasm: “Miss, your stomach isn’t strong. Even in the peak of summer, your grandfather wouldn’t let you eat ice. Now that autumn is approaching, you definitely shouldn’t eat it. You’d better give up the idea.”

“How many times have I said it already? I’m perfectly fine! Having a little slush or ice bowl now and then won’t hurt! I’m a doctor. I know my own body, don’t I?” Gu Ye glared at Yue Yuan angrily. 

This brat was watching her too closely. It was ruining all the fun!

Yue Yuan remained unmoved. “Last time, Miss, you said the same thing. And what happened? You had stomach pains half the night and had to run to the restroom several times.”

“Yue Yuan, would you die if you didn’t spill my secret?” Gu Ye fumed, nearly wanting to throw the juice in her hand at the girl who had been spoiled into thinking she could do anything. 

Who was really the young lady here? Who should listen to whom?

Jun Li covered her mouth, laughing nonstop, while Ding Fang bit her lip, trying hard to suppress her own laughter. Cousin Ye (Miss Ye) is really adorable!

“Miss, honest advice is often hard to hear, but I only say it for your own good!” Yue Yuan put down her fan, peeled a grape, and gently offered it to her young mistress.

Gu Ye turned her head aside. “I’m not eating it. I’m full of anger! If you won’t let me eat ice, I’m not having dinner either!”  Her heart secretly shed a few bitter tears for herself. Every time she wanted a bite of ice, she had to throw a tantrum and act spoiled. Was it easy being her?

Yue Yuan popped the peeled grape into her own mouth and sighed. “Just now, I passed by the small kitchen. Aunt Yan said we’re having a hot pot tonight, and she told me to invite all the young masters over, as a little warm pot for you!”

“Shut up!” Gu Ye grabbed a grape and flung it at Yue Yuan’s head.

Yue Yuan’s reflexes had been specially trained at the Hidden Soul Pallace. She slightly adjusted the angle of her head, opened her mouth, and caught the grape, happily eating it as she said, “Thanks for the treat, Miss!”

The maids of Jun Li and Ding Fang watched Yue Yuan interact so naturally with her mistress and couldn’t help feeling envious. Although their own young ladies had pleasant temperaments and were not hard to serve, the feeling of being treated like family, as Yue Yuan was, was something they had never experienced.

“Kaaak—” A sharp, angry falcon cry cut through the sky. Shitian, who had been dozing on a stone bench, immediately perked up his ears and widened his dark golden eyes, alertly scanning the sky outside the pavilion.

In the sunset-streaked sky, a small white figure glimmered, bathed in multicolored light from the evening glow. Hearing the familiar cry, Gu Ye craned her neck and looked outside, taking a long moment before recognizing the ‘colorful’ Xiao Bai.

Today, Xiao Bai was acting unusually. It circled high in the sky but, unlike usual, did not swoop down toward her with wagging wings. Recalling its earlier angry cry, Gu Ye furrowed her brows, stepped out of the pavilion, and gazed up at the sky.

Xiao Bai spotted her and, slightly anxious, flew toward her. As it descended to a certain distance, a sharp arrow shot swiftly and accurately in its direction. Gu Ye’s heart felt like it had been grabbed, pounding with tension.

Jun Li also stepped beside her. Seeing the falcon skillfully dodge the arrow, she exclaimed, “Huh? Aren’t hawks and eagles supposed to stay in forests or grasslands? How did one end up in the capital? The arrow seems to have come from the training ground… It must be our cousins…”

Xiao Bai evaded the arrow, let out a triumphant cry, and dove toward Gu Ye.

At the training ground, the Chus’ fourth, fifth, and sixth sons were pulling bows and nocking arrows, all determined to bring down the rare white falcon.

The first arrow was shot by Chu Mubai. After missing, his twin brother didn’t miss the chance to tease him: “Fifth Brother, no wonder Father says your mounted archery hasn’t improved lately. You can’t even handle a flying animal like that—how do you expect to go to war and defeat enemies? Stop embarrassing yourself. Watch your big brother!”

“Shoot it first, then you can talk!” Chu Mubai curled his lip and nocked another arrow. That missed shot a moment ago had really cost him face; he absolutely had to bring down the falcon before Chu Xiaosi did.

The two of them fired arrow after arrow as if competing. But the white falcon seemed to have eyes all over its body. Amid the rain of arrows, it flew closer and closer with complete ease. Every evasive movement was graceful and precise, and it even let out mocking cries from time to time.

Even Chu Xiaoliu began to realize this falcon was no ordinary bird. He stopped his brothers’ reckless shooting and suggested, “Killing a falcon isn’t real skill. Being able to bring it down without injuring it, that’s true ability. Come on, let’s compete!”

“Who’s afraid of who!” Chu Xiaosi and Chu Xiaowu aimed at the falcon’s wings, rapidly shooting their arrows.

The little white falcon in the air seemed to be showing off its skills—darting up and down, dodging left and right, letting out sharp, resounding cries from time to time. Its display drew the attention of the entire Duke’s household and even nearby manors, all looking up to admire the spectacle.

“Xiao Bai!” Gu Ye’s eyes showed her anxiety as she watched the white falcon weaving through the rain of arrows. When an arrow barely grazed its feathers, she gasped nervously.

Sharp-eyed, Xiao Bai immediately caught her voice, let out a joyful cry, and stopped playing with the three brats. With a dive, it headed straight toward Mingzhu Pavilion.

The three brothers at the training ground shouted in alarm: “That’s our sister’s courtyard!”

“Hurry, go!”

“Don’t let that feathered beast hurt our sister!”

The three brothers rushed out of the training ground. Meanwhile, Gu Ming, long forgotten by them, walked toward Mingzhu Pavilion with his hands behind his back, like an old scholar.