Jiang Chun and You Yuji had no secrets between them, so discussing such matters didn’t cause any embarrassment. However, Si Que was still in the dark, and You Yuji coughed lightly to change the topic. “Let’s not talk about this. How are you and Zhao Sheng?”
“Why not talk about it?” Jiang Chun stomped her foot in frustration. “If it doesn’t work, you could try some home remedies! If that doesn’t work, find someone else to try! Is the person you’re secretly keeping not in good health? Have you really not considered asking Zhao Sheng to find a strong young man from the army for you?”
You Yuji’s gaze shifted past Jiang Chun to the curtained bed. Her lips involuntarily curled up slightly, imagining Si Que’s expression at this moment. She should have stopped Jiang Chun from saying more, but she continued to slowly comb her hair, giving Si Que on the other side of the curtain a silent response.
Jiang Chun’s maid knocked on the outer door, announcing that Zhao Sheng was looking for her.
Jiang Chun said, “I have to go to the front to pay respects to your mother with Zhao Sheng. I was supposed to go directly, but I heard you were home, so I came here first.”
You Yuji nodded, “Go ahead.”
The two exchanged a smile and a handshake before Jiang Chun quickly walked out.
You Yuji watched Jiang Chun’s retreating figure and reminded her, “Walk slowly.”
Jiang Chun waved her hand without looking back.
You Yuji turned her gaze to the bed, the curtain hanging quietly, with no sound from within. She set down her comb and walked slowly to the bed. With a delicate hand, she gently lifted the curtain and looked inside, catching the daylight on Si Que.
Si Que lay expressionless.
He looked at You Yuji and asked, “What reaction does Sister want from me? One, hug you and cry, begging you not to abandon me. Two, get angry and ignore you, making you coax me. Three, darken my face and tie you up for a beating.”
“Choose one,” he commanded.
Si Que’s lips slowly curled into a sly, mischievous smile.
His eyes gleamed with a strange, luxurious smile that made You Yuji look at him deeply. She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, still gazing into Si Que’s eyes.
“Choose one,” Si Que repeated.
Not choosing was not an option.
You Yuji didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she leaned slightly and pressed her fingertip gently to the corner of Si Que’s eye, speaking softly, “Your eyes are really beautiful. Our child must have eyes just like yours.”
She lifted her eyelashes and looked at him tenderly, her soft voice holding a faint smile. “What do you think?”
Si Que: …
The fire in his heart was inexplicably suppressed. Of course, it was only slightly suppressed; it could not be completely extinguished.
What man could tolerate being told he was “not good enough”?
Only a eunuch could tolerate such words!
You Yuji chuckled softly. Seeing her laugh, Si Que’s smile faded, replaced by a hint of irritation. Realizing he was genuinely upset, You Yuji softly leaned closer, whispering into his ear, “Alright, my dear Ah Que is very capable.”
Although Baishui was still at the Jinnan Prince’s Residence, Si Que felt the gentle breath by his ear, like a cat’s paw lightly scratching his heart. It didn’t hurt, but it tickled.
Si Que turned his head to look at her gentle, close-up eyes and insisted, “Choose one.”
Today, she had to choose one!
You Yuji looked at him, knowing he wouldn’t let her off without choosing. She hesitated for a moment before offering her hands to him.
“I choose three.”
You Yuji smiled deeply at Si Que, wanting to see if this little trickster would really hit her.
Si Que stared into You Yuji’s eyes for a while, then suddenly reached out and yanked her waist sash hard, pulling it out and causing her sleeping pants to loosen.
As he had said, with a cold face, he used the soft, snowy sash to wrap tightly around You Yuji’s crossed wrists several times.
You Yuji frowned slightly, watching how he tied her hands. Her gaze slowly moved up from her bound hands to his face, carefully observing his expression.
Si Que, indeed, kept his face cold and refused to look at her. He got out of bed, grabbed You Yuji’s bound wrists, and dragged her toward the small room. Without the sash, her sleeping pants slipped down loosely, nearly tripping her.
The curtain in front of the small room’s window was drawn, allowing a faint morning light to peek through. The narrow room was filled with clothes and was rarely lit. Coming in from the outer room, the sudden dimness made You Yuji blink, her eyes still adjusting to the low light.
Before You Yuji’s eyes could adapt to the dimness, she heard the harsh sound of a chair being dragged. Si Que pushed You Yuji onto the chair and then went to the wardrobe to find soft cloths for binding.
Initially intending to find a sash You Yuji used to wear in summer, Si Que instead spotted her riding belt. After a brief hesitation, he took the belt. He separated You Yuji’s legs, squatted down in front of her, and tied each leg to a chair leg.
You Yuji frowned, watching Si Que, a suspicion forming in her mind.
While tying her ankles, Si Que suddenly looked up and met You Yuji’s scrutinizing gaze. He flashed a bright smile and asked, “Sister, are you sure you chose three?”
You Yuji was silent for a moment, then slowly smiled at him. She said, “The whip should be in the bottom right drawer of the wardrobe.”
“Alright.”
Si Que tightened the belt around You Yuji’s ankles and stood up to return to the wardrobe. You Yuji expected him to find the whip in the drawer she mentioned. However, Si Que tore a green feather from one of her old dance skirts.
Surprised, You Yuji said, “You know I’m not afraid of being tickled.”
“You’re just not being tickled in the right places,” Si Que said, his eyes downcast. He slowly ran the green feather across his palm—testing it.
You Yuji was silent for a moment before asking seriously, “Can I change my mind and choose the first option now?”
“Beg me?” Si Que lifted his eyes to look at her, the soft green feather still lazily trailing across his palm.
“Never mind. It seems…” You Yuji trailed off.
It seemed… a bit novel.
As Si Que looked at You Yuji, the little bit of anger in his heart had long dissipated. He couldn’t quite explain if this was an excuse to start something.
He had wanted to do this for a long time. How could he always be the one left feeling restless after she teased him, only for her to turn away with a charming smile, leaving him alone? He wanted to take care of her first and then let her wait, making her beg with teary eyes for him to hold her.
Hmph.
Reality proved that Si Que’s self-control was not as strong as he had imagined. He didn’t wait for You Yuji to beg tearfully; he was already defeated. He glared at her with reddened eyes, angrily wiping the moisture from his lips with the back of his hand.
This vixen, even when tied up, was still restless.
You Yuji felt wronged, insisting she hadn’t done anything.
She hadn’t expected that Si Que’s version of “a beating” would be like this. She counted; he had called her “sister” at least a hundred times, which meant he had “beaten” her at least a hundred times. It was probably more, but she lost count after a while.
You Yuji sighed softly, feeling dazed. It was the first day of the Lunar New Year. The whole year’s plan starts in spring, and the day’s plan starts in the morning. It wasn’t a good start to spend the morning of the first day of the new year like this.
She leaned lazily against Si Que’s shoulder, starting to feel sleepy. The plans she had made to get up early and take care of things were now being pushed back.
She thought, let’s deal with it later.
Chen Anzhi, tormented by his burns, could not find peace day or night. On this day in previous years, he would spend the morning hosting guests with his father, then in the afternoon, go out to drink and have fun with his cousins.
Today, he was alone and desolate.
He had heard that Wangjiang, who had been bribed by Fang Qingyi, had drowned himself out of guilt. He couldn’t believe that Wangjiang had truly betrayed him; Wangjiang had been so loyal all these years. Could there be some misunderstanding?
Moreover, between Wangjiang and Wangshan, he had always preferred Wangjiang.
Prince Jinnan was quite overwhelmed. On this first day of the Lunar New Year, guests came in an endless stream to offer their New Year’s greetings. Each one inquired about the fire. Initially, he could brush them off with a few words, but as more people asked, it became increasingly frustrating for him.
Gu Momo, the maidservant beside the princess, was also extremely busy. Usually, the prince and the heir would receive the male guests for the New Year. This year, with the heir injured, the prince had the eldest son assist him in hosting.
On the women’s side…
The princess was too injured to get out of bed. Being a proud person, she didn’t want the guests to see her in such a weak and disheveled state, so she didn’t make an appearance. Normally, if she didn’t come out, the heir’s wife would host in her place. But Gu Momo didn’t expect that You Yuji would return to her maternal home in the middle of the night and not come back at all!
Although You Yuji was no longer the official heir’s wife, she still held the title. Gu Momo thought You Yuji would help host the guests, but… the princess didn’t say anything, even refusing Gu Momo’s suggestion to fetch her from the You family. Gu Momo had no choice. Despite having served the princess for many years and being capable of hosting the guests, she wasn’t the mistress, and many things were inconvenient for her to handle.
Seeing Lady Lin walking over with a frown, Gu Momo knew she had encountered another problem. Lady Lin had a tough time this year. In previous years, the eldest son would sometimes assist the prince with hosting, and Lady Lin never participated. This year, the sudden fire caught everyone off guard, and Lady Lin was hastily roped in to help.
Without a female host, the entire Jinnan Prince’s Residence was somewhat chaotic today. Gu Momo was even more worried about the guests who might be secretly laughing at their predicament.
Gu Momo sighed.
While the Jinnan Prince’s Residence was frazzled by the New Year’s greetings, the You family was experiencing a different kind of joy and harmony.
Knowing the You family’s current situation, the guests who came to offer their greetings were careful not to disturb the seriously ill Madam You and didn’t come too early. Only Zhao Sheng and Jiang Chun, the in-laws, arrived early.
You Yuji, having arranged her hair, hurried to the flower hall, surprised to see Jiang Chun talking to her mother, who was sitting in a wheelchair. You Yuji was delighted that her mother could get out of bed today.
“Why did it take you so long?” Jiang Chun pretended to be angry, glaring at You Yuji. “Are you deliberately making us wait for you to have breakfast?”
Why was she late? It was because of what you said that was overheard by someone who shouldn’t have heard it! You Yuji glared back with a smile, saying, “You’re the one who talks too much!”
She walked over to her mother with a smile, sitting in the chair Chenshu had pulled out for her, right next to her mother.
“How are you feeling today, Mother?” she asked, holding her mother’s hand.
“I’m fine,” Madam You said, stroking her daughter’s hand. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes, very well,” You Yuji nodded emphatically.
Madam You gently patted You Yuji’s hand. You Yuji looked at her mother, her eyes unwilling to leave for even a second. It had been too long since she had seen her mother awake and lucid.
The maidservants entered in a line, carrying plates of sumptuous breakfast dishes.
“Finally, we can eat!” You Jiamu took a big bite of a dumpling, still looking like a child, a stark contrast to the ambition he showed last night in front of You Heng.
You Heng glanced at him, thinking he was still just a kid.
You Yuji took the medicinal porridge the maid handed her, gently blowing on it and testing the temperature before placing it in front of her mother. Madam You held the spoon but didn’t eat. Instead, she asked, “Why didn’t you invite your friend to join us for breakfast?”
“She’s not feeling well and hasn’t gotten up yet. Besides, she doesn’t like crowds. I’ll have a maid bring her meal to her later,” You Yuji explained softly.
“Yuan Yuan brought a friend?” Jiang Chun asked curiously.
You Jiamu chimed in, “That Princess Que, who came back with Sister yesterday.”
Jiang Chun gave You Yuji a suspicious glance.
You Yuji pretended not to notice and calmly ate a piece of rice cake. Her heart, however, skipped a beat.
She knew Jiang Chun too well. That glance made You Yuji nervous, fearing she might become suspicious.
Madam You picked up a piece of crisp bamboo shoot with her silver chopsticks and placed it on the small dish in front of You Yuji. This gesture brought You Yuji’s thoughts back to the present, making her look at her mother with tenderness.
On New Year’s Eve, she returned home late at night and was now having breakfast at home. Such behavior might seem odd to outsiders. Her mother, who had been bedridden and unconscious for long periods, was unaware that she had quietly signed a separation agreement with Chen Anzhi.
Yet, her mother didn’t ask a single question.
After breakfast, You Yuji stayed with her mother for a while until her mother felt tired. Knowing her mother’s strength was limited, You Yuji quickly helped her back to her room and assisted her in lying down.
“Yuan Yuan.”
“Mother, what is it?” You Yuji sat down by the bed, holding her mother’s hand.
Madam You looked at her daughter tenderly and said, “Just do what you think is right.”
You Yuji was surprised, her lips parting slightly but not knowing what to say. After a moment, she nodded, showing a soft smile similar to her mother’s, and replied gently, “I will, Mother. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not worried,” Madam You said, her eyes closing tiredly, but with a faint smile still on her lips.
You Yuji bent down to tuck her mother in. After making sure she was asleep, she stayed by the bed for a while before leaving quietly.
She returned to her boudoir to find Si Que. She wondered if he, being unwell, had eaten breakfast yet. However, after searching her room thoroughly, she couldn’t find any sign of Si Que.
