Free Web NovelChapter 415: Chapter 415: A Sweet Dream
The lamp in the study went out.
The courtyard grew even quieter. Only the indifferent moonlight spilled down in silence, coating the roof ridge in a thin layer of frost.
A cold gust of wind seemed to blow past, lifting a corner of the door curtain before letting it slowly fall back into place.
Xie Pei suddenly felt a chill and couldn’t help but shiver. He glanced outside, his brow furrowing.
There was nothing outside.
He let out a long breath and pressed his temples.
’Perhaps I was just so furious that my head was spinning... That’s why I’m being so paranoid.’
Xie Pei stood for a long while before finally turning to go rest on the bed behind the screen.
He didn’t sleep well that night. He seemed to be lost in a haze of dreams, but when he woke, he couldn’t remember a thing. All that remained was a splitting headache.
Xie Pei rose while the sky was still dim.
He had a court session to attend, and more importantly, today was the final day of the ten-day deadline.
In other words, there would be a resolution to Xu Jie’s case—or rather, Huo Yucheng’s case!
After changing into his official robes, Xie Pei was just about to board his carriage when he seemed to remember something. He stopped and turned his head to ask,
"An Bai still didn’t return yesterday?"
The servant lowered his head and nodded timidly.
The Second Young Master was a dissolute rake who rarely stayed home. Things had been tense outside recently, and after a scolding from the Marquis, he had started coming home more often.
But that hadn’t lasted long. Yesterday, he had once again stayed out all night.
Xie Pei was already in a foul mood, and his irritation flared at the news. He flung his sleeve back forcefully. "That defiant son! He’s utterly incorrigible!"
None of the servants dared to say another word.
Xie Pei was fuming, but there was nothing he could do about Xie Anbai at the moment, and the court session could not be delayed.
His face ashen with anger, he boarded the carriage.
As the carriage wheels began to rumble, Xie Pei’s mood gradually settled.
Thinking of the situation he was about to face, he heaved a heavy sigh and closed his eyes.
’I just hope... nothing unexpected happens...’
...
Ye Chutang was also up bright and early.
Xiao Wu was still deep in sleep. Hearing the stirring, she struggled to pry one eye open.
’Is Big Sis going out today?’
But she soon realized Ye Chutang had no intention of leaving. Instead, after briefly tidying up, she had warmed a pot of wine.
’...Wine?’
The faint, crisp aroma finally woke Xiao Wu completely.
Wrapped in her thick quilt, she stared with wide, dark eyes at her Big Sis, who was sitting leisurely by the window.
Ye Chutang turned back, her eyes crinkling as the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.
"You’re up?"
A brazier was burning in the room, so Xiao Wu didn’t feel cold at all. In fact, she felt quite toasty.
She dressed herself, then padded over to Ye Chutang and threw herself onto her lap. Tilting her head back, she looked up at Ye Chutang with curiosity.
’Big Sis seems to be in a really good mood today.’
’But we’ve just been staying home lately, and nothing special has happened. What’s put her in such high spirits?’
’After all, Big Sis doesn’t normally drink by herself.’
As if reading her mind, Ye Chutang let out a soft laugh and brushed the tip of Xiao Wu’s nose with a pale, slender finger.
"I had a dream last night that something wonderful would happen today, so I’m celebrating in advance."
Xiao Wu was a little baffled.
’...That’s it?’
Ye Chutang poured a cup of the freshly warmed wine, which had a rich, sweet, and potent aroma.
She truly hadn’t felt this carefree and content since returning to the capital.
She raised her cup, then paused. Winking gently at Xiao Wu, she whispered—
"It was a very happy dream."
