The Cross-Dressing Legend Is Excessively Beautiful - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

If Qiu Tong were still here, she would have been utterly shocked to see Song Xizhi with such an expression.

After all, the sight of a sinister, chilling “Red-Robed Specter” suddenly transforming into a gentle older sister was simply too beautiful and too surreal.

Song Xizhi took Song Xialan by the hand and sat down beside the brazier.

Outside, the snow fluttered and the gale howled. Inside, however, countless logs of premium charcoal burned, filling the room with a cozy warmth.

Song Xizhi leaned halfway against the soft couch, his jet-black hair falling like spilled ink, his cheeks flushed a faint crimson from his coughing.

His beauty was not diminished in the least by his sickly appearance; instead, it added a layer of fragility that inspired pity.

Xi Shi clutching her heart—he was the very image of it.

Song Xialan reached out to pour a cup of tea for Song Xizhi. “Sister has always been in poor health. Father, out of pity, specially settled you here in the Biluo Courtyard to recover, and strictly instructed the servants not to disturb you. While his intentions were good, it has made this courtyard far too desolate.”

Her eyes crinkled with a smile. “Lan’er was thinking of Sister and feared you might be bored, so I came specifically to keep you company and chat.”

Song Xizhi fell silent, letting out a long sigh. “My courtyard is indeed desolate.”

He took a sip of tea. “If it weren’t for your frequent visits, I would have thought I was about to be forgotten.”

Song Xialan covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh. “Saying that is just being modest. Open your eyes and look around—is there anything in this room that isn’t a rare treasure? Any random object taken out of here would be enough to make others marvel for days.”

“Even putting these curiosities aside, your daily living expenses alone are no small sum.” Since there was no Mistress in the manor and Song Xizhi was in poor health, Song Xialan had taken over the household affairs once she reached her coming-of-age ceremony (Ji-ji).

She knew the ledgers of Biluo Courtyard like the back of her hand. The food, the clothes, the daily necessities—every single item was of the highest quality, nothing short of wonderful.

Outsiders all claimed that the Prime Minister’s favorite was his second daughter, Song Xialan, but little did they know that Song Xizhi’s treatment was far superior to hers.

In the dead of winter, maintaining a room as warm as spring was no simple feat. Even in her own room, the supply of charcoal was not nearly as abundant as this.

“Whenever Father obtains something good, which time has he not prioritized you? Even I don’t have that kind of luck,” Song Xialan said, her brows knitting slightly as she feigned a look of grievance.

Song Xizhi remained silent. “Father—” He deliberated for a long while before finally shaking his head. “His thoughts… are too deep.”

The two of them fell into a momentary silence, staring absentmindedly at the curling wisps of smoke rising from the warmer.

Song Xizhi suddenly asked, “Since you’ve come this time, have you brought some other goodie?”

Song Xialan pulled an object from her sleeve and replied, “Truly, nothing can be hidden from Sister. Lan’er recently came across something new and brought it over specifically for us to admire together.”

Song Xizhi took it and looked closely. The box was crafted from high-quality Ironwood—a material so incredibly hard and precious that it was difficult to leave even a scratch on it.

Yet, the edges of this box were carved with exquisite patterns, and the hollowed-out koi carp design in the center was so lifelike it was breathtaking. Clearly, great effort had been poured into it.

The outer box alone was worth a fortune, making one curious about what kind of splendor lay inside.

Just as Song Xizhi was about to lift the lid, a pair of long, warm hands pressed down on his. “Sister, don’t be in such a hurry. This gift can only be seen at night.”

As those long fingers brushed against his cool, delicate skin, both of them paused, their expressions freezing as they selectively chose to ignore that momentary subtlety.

Song Xizhi unobtrusively withdrew his hand. “Then I shall listen to you. We’ll look at it tonight.”