Yun Jinnian found a Little Monk to inquire which direction wild fruits could be found in and, with a basket in tow, set off with Hemei and Henuan.
Dai Hanmi brought Minxian along.
Dai Hanbo, trailed by two young servants, watched his sister Xiaoxiao up ahead, merrily chatting away, and Yun Jinnian, responding with a light smile—his own smile soon blossomed.
He was naturally a person of high talent, courtesy, and mild-mannered demeanor—despite coming for protection, he still extremely observed proper conduct.
With the weather as it was, the mountain was abundant with wild fruits. Hemei picked one and, upon peeling it, found it to be quite sour.
Yun Jinnian tried a taste, and indeed, it was awfully sour.
"Miss, shall we pick more?" Hemei asked, visibly displeased and clearly unwilling to continue.
"Let’s pick more. When we get back, we can preserve the orange peels with cane sugar to make dried citrus peels that are appetizing. As for the sour oranges, cook them in a large pot with cane sugar, then store them in a large jar. After about ten days to half a month, the oranges will lose their sourness!"
"Can we really eat them like that?" Dai Hanmi curiously asked.
"Let’s give it a try!"
The group gathered several baskets full of oranges, and the young servants immediately came forward to carry them back to the temple.
Now deep into autumn, nearing winter, flowers had faded, many weeds began to wither away, leaves turned yellow and fell, geese migrated southward, and a cold wind blew. Yun Jinnian stood at the windy spot, gazing into the distance.
Dai Hanmi stood beside Yun Jinnian and called out softly, her carefree laughter subsiding.
"Do you long for a warm home?"
Yun Jinnian turned to look at Dai Hanmi, her eyes filled with astonishment, speculation, and confusion.
"Seeing you stand here so lonesome, my heart aches!" Dai Hanmi said, grabbing Yun Jinnian’s hand and holding it tight. "Jinnian, my third brother is a good man, don’t you think?"
Yun Jinnian was taken aback.
What does this have to do with Dai’s third brother?
"Why don’t you marry my third brother? Look at my family: my father and my brothers do not take concubines and haven’t even taken secondary wives. My grandmother, mother, sister-in-law, and second sister-in-law are all easy to get along with. You..."
"Hanmi," Yun Jinnian interjected, cutting off Dai Hanmi before she could continue, and looked at her earnestly. "Hanmi, there’s already someone in my heart!"
Dai Hanmi was stunned.
"You have someone in your heart? Who?"
How could this be possible...
Yun Jinnian didn’t intend to hide it from Dai Hanmi.
Dai Hanmi carefully considered Prince Rui Chu Yu: good-looking, of noble status. Though he was a bit of a rake, with his standing, even without doing anything worthwhile for the rest of his life, he wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing.
She had wanted to advocate for her third brother, but Yun Jinnian was her good sister. If Yun Jinnian said there was someone in her heart, then she truly liked Chu Yu.
How could she pressure Jinnian?
"What about Prince Rui then? Does he also..."
"Yes, he has me in his heart as well!"
Dai Hanmi fell silent.
The wind picked up, scattering Yun Jinnian’s words, yet they seemed not to disperse.
For someone like Dai Hanbo, a Martial Arts master with excellent hearing, naturally, he also heard Yun Jinnian’s admission.
She had someone she liked, and fortunately, that person also liked her.
He was in immense pain, but he had to let them be.
He could not become a burden to her.
If he became persistent and kept professing love and cherished her...
He turned away, unable to look at her, feeling a bit of sting in his eyes, his face feeling somewhat hot.
Dai Hanbo managed a faint smile and wiped his face with his hand.
It turned out the wind was just too strong, and sand had gotten in his eyes!
Looking into the distance, he resolved to protect her in his brother’s stead from now on, Dai Hanbo thought.
Dai Hanmi turned her head and spotted a young man in brocade, followed by two attendants.
He approached slowly.
Looking at Yun Jinnian, she asked in confusion, "Who is he?"