Resplendent – Chapter 435

Chapter 435: Brothers’ Affection

“You guys! You’re overthinking it!” Chu Mutong tapped his three younger brothers on the heads with his fan. Seeing their pitiful expressions, he finally spoke, “Our sister isn’t the petty type you’re imagining. She was just playing a little trick on you. If you don’t believe me, go back and see: even if you hadn’t bought food for the falcon, she wouldn’t have made things difficult for you!”

Yuhup! Their sister was such a clever and sensible little girl. How could she possibly hold grudges? Besides, if she was still annoyed, she’d just find a way to vent, not punish them seriously. 

A small prank was nothing to fear.

The three brothers soon brought a live sheep from the market, slaughtered it in the main kitchen, and carried the innards to Mingzhu Pavilion. 

By this time, Jun Li and Ding Fang had already gone to their courtyards. Otherwise, seeing the bloody innards would have surely frightened them.

Gu Ye was leisurely eating snacks—more precisely, feeding them to her two pets. The snacks had been prepared by Aunt Yan using the current setup of the small kitchen. She only ate one piece herself; the rest were strictly for the pets. 

Alright, for tonight’s mutton hotpot, she’d endure it! The remaining snacks were partly given to the maids and servants in the courtyard, and partly fed to her panther and falcon.

“Sister, the fresh sheep innards are here!” Chu Xiaowu announced, holding the steaming innards. Being the least clever, he was naturally the easiest to boss around.

Gu Ye glanced at him and nodded expressionlessly. “Indeed, very fresh… Yue Yuan, have Fifth Brother take these to the small kitchen and tell Aunt Yan I want mutton offal soup. Make plenty so everyone can eat tonight. And the sheep’s eyes, kidneys, and testicles were all delicacies. Roast them tonight so my three brothers can try them too!”

“Uh… weren’t these innards supposed to be for your beloved falcon?” Chu Xiaowu straightened his arm, trying to hold the innards as far from himself as possible. Yet the strong, metallic scent of blood still hit his nose. 

Ugh… he was about to vomit! Just now, his sister had said these would be made into dishes for them to eat. This was a new round of punishment, right? Right?

“Xiao Bai doesn’t eat raw meat! It loves roasted lamb!” Shitian by Gu Ye’s side meowed in protest. Gu Ye patted its little forehead. “And our Xiao Mo too. Fourth Brother, take that sheep to my small kitchen and roast it tonight for them to feast!” 

Chu Musong glanced at the tiny black cat and then at the not-so-large white falcon. These two pets could probably be satisfied with just one leg of lamb. Did they really need a whole sheep?

But since sister ordered it, he would do as told. As long as his sister was happy, not just one sheep. Even a hundred, he would bring them!

Chu Xiaowu hurried off with the sheep innards to the small kitchen. Only Chu Xiaoliu remained. 

Gu Ye pointed at the remaining snacks on the plate and said to him, “Sixth Brother, try Aunt Yan’s cooking. You won’t miss the manor’s official chef!”

Chu Xiaoliu was just about to reach for a piece when he saw the cat and the falcon glaring at him like predators. 

The white falcon boldly jumped onto the table, pressing its sharp talons on the plate, staking its claim. The little black cat’s golden eyes, reflected in the evening glow, sparkled with a sinister, eerie light.

Embarrassed, he pulled his hand back and forced a smile. “As an older brother, how could I dare to compete with my sister’s pets for food?”

“There are still three pieces of pastries on the plate. Brother, take one, so these two don’t fight over it!” 

The panther and the falcon acted as if they had an old grudge; the moment they met, they’d start squabbling. Most of the time, it was Xiao Bai being deliberately provocative, teasing the black panther. When their tempers flared, both could draw blood. 

Gu Ye felt both exasperated and worried!

Shitian lifted its whiskers disdainfully: it wasn’t going to fight with Xiao Bai, that fool! They could just split the food evenly—why insist on fighting?  

Gu Ye picked a piece of osmanthus cake from the plate and handed it to Chu Xiaoliu.

Under the intense stares of the two pets, Chu Xiaoliu braced himself and forced the bite into his mouth. The moment it entered his mouth, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he couldn’t help but praise, “Delicious!”

Gu Ye grinned mischievously, “Right? Right? Aunt Yan’s pastries really are exceptional. The osmanthus comes from the garden, mixed with honey, and the best glutinous rice is used. Sweet but not cloying, soft in the mouth, and the texture is perfect…” 

“What are you talking about? Listening to this is making my mouth water!” Chu Xiaowu, returning from the small kitchen, couldn’t resist chiming in.

A sly glint appeared in Gu Ye’s eyes as she subtly pointed to the plate on the table with only two pieces left: “Osmanthus cake! Made by Aunt Yan—better than the manor’s official chefs, not worse at all…”

Seeing only two pieces left on the plate, Chu Xiaowu assumed they were for himself and Fourth Brother. His hand shot forward to grab one, ready to shove it into his mouth…

“Ow! Sister, why is your falcon pecking people? Look, it drew blood! This falcon is too fierce; maybe we shouldn’t keep it. It’s fine if it hurt me. I’m thick-skinned and it’ll heal in a few days. But if it hurt you, our parents and us brothers would all feel heartbroken!” Chu Xiaowu’s hand had been pecked, blood gushing out. 

Xiao Bai had still gone easy on him; with anyone else, it could have pierced right through!

Chu Xiaoliu stood nearby, gloating: “Fifth Brother, you grabbed Xiao Bai’s snack and now you’re complaining it bit you? Serves you right!”

Gu Ye had Yue Yuan bring her medicine kit and, with a hint of apology, helped Fifth Brother clean the wound. Chu Xiaowu, in turn, comforted her: “It’s fine! This isn’t even as bad as getting scratched up in the training ground! Anyone who trains in martial arts will get cut. This little injury is nothing.” 

Gu Ye applied medicine to his wound, bandaged it carefully, and reminded him: “Don’t get it wet for the next two days. It’s hot, and the wound can easily get infected. If it really gets infected, they might have to remove the surrounding flesh!” 

“Sister, it’s not that serious…” Chu Xiaowu clearly didn’t take it seriously.

Gu Ye glared at him: “Fifth Brother, do my words have effect or not?”

“They do, they do!” Chu Xiaowu couldn’t bear to see his little sister unhappy. Two days without water, he could endure that. “Don’t be mad, Sister. I’ll listen to you!” 

“Tomorrow, have Aunt Yan make my favorite red bean pudding. We’ll send some to the brothers. It’ll count as Xiao Bai’s apology!” Seeing how compliant her Fifth Brother was, Gu Ye felt a little regretful about her earlier prank.

“Pudding? What kind of snack is that? I’ve never heard of it!” Chu Xiaowu secretly exchanged a glance with Xiaoliu. See?  Little Sister softened, didn’t she? The ‘debt’ for shooting at Xiao Bai would probably be settled now. 

The act of playing the injured party still worked on her. When he pulled back earlier, he had deliberately paused for a moment; otherwise, that foolish falcon could never have injured him. 

Who says he’s just straightforward? He can be cunning too, alright?