CH 112.2

Chapter 112.2 – What’s There To Fear?

While the north was experiencing heavy snowfall, the Liang capital had also been snowing for several days. A thick layer of snow had accumulated both on the ground and on the roofs.

Maybe because the weather was extremely cold, everyone was staying home and didn’t cause any trouble. So, the Court of Judicial Review had also been a bit idle lately. Other than some difficult cases that was reported from other regions, there had been no major incidents in the capital area.

Lu Qipei was free and returned home from work much earlier than usual. When she returned to the mansion in the afternoon, she saw Qi Yang leading Lu Sheng to the yard to build a snowman. Lu Qipei didn’t rush forward, just watching from the side.

Both the big one and the little one were dressed thickly, but most likely because she was afraid that the child would catch a cold, Qi Yang easily refused Lu Sheng’s request to make one herself. She built the snowman herself while Lu Sheng clapped next to her. Only when the miniature snowman was ready and the maids found some black stones did she pick up the little dumpling and ask her to put the eyes on the snowman, then added a nose and mouth to it.

The little dumpling added the eyes and felt satisfied, then put her arms around Qi Yang’s neck and giggled.

Lu Qipei waited until Qi Yang had put Lu Sheng down before walking closer. She took Qi Yang’s hand and felt a slight disapproval when she felt the cold on her palm. “Your Highness, are you really not afraid of freezing up, coming out to play in the snow on such a cold day?”

Qi Yang actually saw her a long time ago, and naturally knew that her chastisement was not that serious.  She was in a good mood right now, so she smiled and said, “I know, isn’t it fine once in a while? But my hands really are cold now, Ah Pei, can you warm them up?”

Of course, Lu Qipei did not refuse. She held Qi Yang’s hands to keep her warm, even ignoring the hand stove they had.

But when Qi Yang mentioned warming her hands, this was not all there was. Seeing that Lu Qipei didn’t refuse her, a hint of cunning flash in her eyes. Then, without waiting for Lu Qipei to react any further, she suddenly pulled out her hands and directly placed her cold hands on Lu Qipei’s neck.

Lu Qipei had a scarf around her neck, and she was originally feeling very warm. But suddenly, she was covered by those cold hands and couldn’t help but shiver.

Qi Yang gave a triumphant smile like a fox. Lu Qipei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so she just swept her up horizontally and picked her up. The sudden action startled Qi Yang, who yelped in surprise. The hands pressed against Lu Qipei’s neck immediately turned to hug it.

This time it was Lu Qipei who smiled, the corner of her lips rising smugly.

Qi Yang saw it and couldn’t help hooking Lu Qipei’s neck, angrily saying, “Are you playing tricks on me?”

Lu Qipei carried the person in her arms but then walked away, pretending to be sincere while saying, “How could that be? It’s just that Your Highness seemed to have been standing in the snow for a long time, so just warming your hands might not be enough. Let’s go back to the house, so you won’t stay in the cold wind outside for too long and catch a cold.”

Maybe it was a coincidence, but as soon as Lu Qipei finished speaking, a gust of wind came. Qi Yang was about to say something, but the cold wind came and made her sneeze a little.

Just as she said that, Lu Qipei saw Qi Yang really sneezing and catching a cold, and she immediately became nervous. Before bringing her back to the room, she instructed Zhi Ting, “Tell the chef to make some ginger soup, Her Highness might catch a cold.”

When she heard this, Zhi Ting immediately turned around to pass the order, but the little dumpling followed inside the house.

Qi Yang was wrapped in a cloak and placed beside the brazier, bringing warmth to her face. She did catch a cold, so she didn’t refuse the ginger soup, but when she saw Lu Sheng coming, she blinked at her with a rare hint of liveliness.

Lu Sheng and Qi Yang were naturally closer now, and the former immediately ran to sit beside the latter. Seeing Qi Yang stretching her hand out to warm herself, she also followed suit. The little one looked just like the older one, and at a glance it was hard to say whether the little dumpling looked more like Lu Qipei or Qi Yang.

When she saw this, Lu Qipei’s heart suddenly turned soft, and she felt a sense of happiness and fulfillment in a trance.

Qi Yang warmed herself by the fire for a while, and when her hands were no longer as cold, she withdrew them and picked up the oranges by the side. She just barely touched them when she heard Lu Qipei say, “This orange is too cold. Your Highness just caught a cold wind outside, it’s better to eat something hot.”

As she said that, Lu Qipei took out two oranges and placed them next to the brazier and started roasting them.

When she saw this, Qi Yang immediately understood that Lu Qipei was roasting hot oranges for her to eat. But what would a roasted fruit taste like? It’s really strange to think about. She instantly lost interest in eating oranges.

She looked at the fresh hot tea on the table nearby, but then thought that the ginger soup would be delivered soon. She also lost interest in drinking tea, and decided to just wait for the ginger soup.

However, Lu Sheng didn’t think much about it and looked eagerly at Lu Qipei’s roasted oranges, like she wanted to taste the new thing.

After a while, the oranges were roasted, and Lu Qipei peeled one and handed it to Qi Yang. Qi Yang shook her head in gratitude and handed it to Lu Sheng on the side. The little dumpling blinked, but out of curiosity, she still broke off a piece and placed it into her mouth.

The taste was actually quite good, still sweet and sour, but the warmed fruit was a bit strange to most people. Lu Sheng accepted it well, and broke off another piece after eating one. However, Lu Qipei and Qi Yang did not dare to give her more.

Not long after, the ginger soup was also delivered. Qi Yang frowned and took a sip, and quickly started sweating all over.

Lu Sheng was still young and had not tried that many things, including ginger soup. So seeing Qi Yang drinking ginger soup, she became somewhat curious. After Qi Yang saw it, she poured a little out to an empty bowl and handed it over to Lu Sheng with a smile, “Ah Sheng, do you want a taste?”

The little dumpling nodded almost without hesitation. The ginger soup smelled a bit pungent when she brought it in front of her face – she hesitated but still took a small sip to try. Then immediately, the sweet and spicy taste stimulated her and her little dumpling face immediately wrinkled…

Seeing this, Qi Yang couldn’t hold back and laughed while falling into Lu Qipei’s arms.

Author notes:

Lu Sheng (questioning life): Why does Your Highness keep laughing every time she looks at me?

Qi Yang (seriously): Because you are a pistachio1!

Lu Sheng (suddenly realizing): So, I’m a fruit?

Qi Yang (cannot hold back anymore): Hahahaha~

Translator notes: