Even at a time like this, Ji Junjiao remained as composed and elegant as ever.
“She is a member of my household,” he said, his voice cool and restrained. “You have mistaken the person at fault.”
The beauty in red could hardly bear to watch this.
She bit her lip lightly. The malice on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by delicate vulnerability.
Dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, she slowly approached Ji Junjiao.
“Young Master, it was this young lady who first insulted me with foul words. My sisters were only standing up for me, that’s why…”
The women behind her hurried to chime in.
“That’s right! She insulted our Big Sister first!”
“Every word she said was more offensive than the last!”
“Our Big Sister has always been kind and tolerant, but she just kept pushing her luck!”
“We were only teaching her a lesson on Big Sister’s behalf!”
“…”
Well, well.
Qin Buwen nearly burst out laughing.
Had she finally met someone who could match her in acting?
The beauty in red gazed pitifully at Ji Junjiao. With her ample bosom, all it would take was the slightest downward glance to reveal a tantalizing view.
But from beginning to end, Ji Junjiao kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, as unmoved as the legendary paragon Liu Xiahui.
Listening to the women’s accusations, Qin Buwen thought that if she hadn’t experienced it herself, she might almost have believed them.
She lifted her head from Ji Junjiao’s embrace, her doe-like eyes full of innocent bewilderment as she frantically shook her head.
“My Lord, A’Jin didn’t…”
Just as Qin Buwen was wondering how to continue the performance, the man above her spoke in a calm, icy voice.
“A’Jin is not that kind of person.”
Qin Buwen froze.
The innocent expression on her face nearly cracked.
Concerned that she might catch a chill, Ji Junjiao had no desire to prolong the matter.
“Today’s incident…” he said quietly. “I will remember it.”
With that, he led Qin Buwen out of the room.
Her eyes widened.
For a long moment, she couldn’t process what had just happened.
Only after Ji Junjiao escorted her out of the brothel and the cool breeze from the long street washed over her did she shiver violently and finally come back to herself.
“Are you still cold?”
Feeling her trembling, Ji Junjiao stepped into the path of the wind to shield her as much as he could.
“I’m sorry, Miss A’Jin. I didn’t take a carriage when I left the residence today.”
Qin Buwen sniffled and spoke timidly.
“My Lord… did I cause you trouble?”
His expression remained unchanged.
“Not at all.”
He paused.
“It was my fault. You suffered because of me.”
Qin Buwen shook her head with a smile.
“I’m fine. Thank you for saving me, My Lord.”
As though something had just occurred to him, Ji Junjiao looked slightly conflicted.
He hesitated before speaking.
“About what happened today…”
Qin Buwen immediately understood—or rather, thought she did.
“Don’t worry, My Lord! I definitely won’t tell anyone you came to a brothel!”
Ji Junjiao blinked in surprise before letting out a faint laugh.
“You misunderstand, A’Jin.”
“A gentleman acts openly and honorably. Since my conduct was aboveboard, I have no reason to conceal it.”
After a brief pause, he continued,
“What I meant was… I handled today’s matter poorly. I hope you won’t be angry.”
“Huh?”
Qin Buwen blinked in confusion.
Ji Junjiao explained,
“They were in the wrong. By both reason and propriety, they should have apologized to you.”
He fell silent for a moment.
The tips of his ears reddened slightly as he admitted awkwardly,
“It’s just… I’m truly not good at arguing with women. Another day, I’ll have Qingyue come here and see that they properly apologize to you.”
Qin Buwen stared at him as though he’d suddenly grown another head.
Should she call Ji Junjiao overly upright…
Or simply hopelessly rigid?
She’d assumed his parting words—“I will remember it”—had been a warning.
Who would have thought…
He had literally meant he would remember it.
He was actually planning to settle the matter another day?
Although Qin Buwen found it impossible to understand, she quickly waved her hands in embarrassment.
“There’s no need, My Lord. I’m already very happy that you stood up for me.”
Ji Junjiao answered seriously,
“When someone is wrong, they should apologize. One shouldn’t have to suffer so many grievances for nothing.”
Qin Buwen realized…
No one had ever said those words to her before.
In her previous life, she’d spent sixteen years as the empire’s most notorious traitorous minister.
Not once had anyone told her that.
The Ji Junjiao she remembered from her past life had been as cold as fresh snow—aloof, ascetic, impeccably upright, and almost painfully rigid.
In his world, personal relationships and romantic attachments seemed to have no place at all.
He acknowledged only the way of the gentleman.
Only the laws that protected the nation.
Back then, Qin Buwen had often thought…
If someone lived their entire life like Ji Junjiao… how unbearably dull that life must be.
Though judging by the man beside her now…
The Grand Secretary seemed perfectly content with it.
A chill ran through Qin Buwen.
She pulled his outer robe tighter around herself, lowered her head…
And happened to glance at her own chest.
…Wait.
She suddenly remembered what Ji Junjiao had just said.
“My Lord, may I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
Qin Buwen looked down at her chest again before asking cautiously,
“You said you’re not good at dealing with women…”
“…Then what about me?”
Ji Junjiao paused before understanding what she meant.
To him, A’Jin was much like Qingyue.
She was someone he knew well enough to be comfortable around, so speaking with her never made him feel awkward.
Smiling faintly, he answered honestly,
“You’re different from them.”
What Qin Buwen heard was:
They have breasts. You don’t.
Crack—!
It felt as though a bolt of lightning had exploded directly over her head.
No way…
Did Ji Junjiao think only women with generous figures counted as “women”?
Qin Buwen looked at him with wounded resentment before lowering her gaze to the modest rise of her own chest.
…It wasn’t that small, was it?
Was Ji Junjiao really this shallow!?
Her original plan had been simple.
Seduce Ji Junjiao.
Stay by his side.
Earn his trust.
But judging by the current situation…
She still had a very, very long road ahead of her.
It’s fine!
So what if he likes women with bigger chests?
I’ve read enough romance novels about talented scholars and beautiful ladies.
Surely I can straighten him out!
Having made up her mind, Qin Buwen covered her mouth and coughed twice, giving a pitiful sniffle. Her face looked pale and listless.
Ji Junjiao frowned immediately.
“Miss A’Jin, can you hold on a little longer? We’ll be back at the residence soon.”
Qin Buwen forced a weak smile.
“My Lord… may I lean on you a little?”
She coughed again.
“The ladies just now forced several cups of wine on me. I’m feeling rather dizzy.”
Without suspecting a thing, Ji Junjiao extended an arm for her to hold.
Her hand was so small…
So soft…
Even through the sleeve of his robe, he felt an unusual warmth where she touched him.
Keeping himself properly composed, he continued walking, firmly pushing all distracting thoughts aside.
Qin Buwen considered her options.
If she fainted right now, Ji Junjiao would probably carry her back to the residence.
But the timing wasn’t right.
She had no intention of doing that yet.
Holding onto Ji Junjiao’s arm, Qin Buwen finally returned to the residence with him.
Her body truly was rather frail.
It had only taken a brief chill.
By the time they reached the residence, she had already developed a fever.
Qingyue was frantic, running back and forth in a panic, terrified that Qin Buwen’s wounds might worsen.
Half-conscious with fever, Qin Buwen still managed to hide the jade thumb ring she carried on her before finally allowing herself to drift into sleep.
…
The next time she became aware of her surroundings, she was awakened by the sound of a heated argument echoing through the residence.
She squinted toward the window.
The sun was already high overhead.
It was daytime.
“Ji Junjiao, what exactly are you trying to do? We’re both officials of the court. Are you truly determined to see me dead?”
It was Li Yunmu’s voice.
Qin Buwen was instantly wide awake.
She.
Wanted.
To watch.
The drama.