Wei Zhilan said in a trembling voice, “Brother! She was the one who hit Miss Pei first this time.”
“It was Miss Pei who started it!” Jiang Yihuan protested. “The moment she saw me, she called me a seductress and accused me of trying to entice you. That’s why I asked Zhu Xian to hold her down.”
Wei Zhilan snapped, “She was only joking! But you actually laid hands on her. Apologize right now!”
Pei Nianfang added tearfully, “General Wei, I was only teasing her, yet she and your subordinate beat me up. You have to stand up for me.”
Wei Zhao let out a cold laugh.
“Did she give you permission to joke with her? Did you see her laughing? If those words aren’t offensive, why don’t you say them to yourself instead?”
Jiang Yihuan’s eyes lit up.
“Exactly! That’s what I meant! I’m not good with words, so I couldn’t explain it properly. You’re much better at it.”
Pei Nianfang wanted to cry.
Not good with words? You’re way too good at arguing!
Wei Zhilan comforted her. “Enough, Nianfang. Don’t cry.”
Jiang Yihuan tugged on Wei Zhao’s sleeve.
“See? They’re the real friends. I won’t play with your sister anymore. Your mother, though, is very nice.”
Wei Zhao finally relaxed a little.
“You didn’t upset my mother, did you?”
“No. Your mother and your grandmother both like me. They were competing to take care of me. But I listened to you and stayed by your mother’s side.”
“Hm. At least you’re sensible. Get in the carriage.”
Jiang Yihuan refused.
“Why do you get to ride such a magnificent horse while I have to sit in the carriage?”
“Because I know how to ride. Do you?”
She grabbed the reins.
“I don’t, but you can take me with you. I don’t take up much space.”
She pulled on the reins with all her strength, refusing to let go.
Liang Jian and the other guards were secretly laughing.
Not wanting to make a bigger spectacle of himself, Wei Zhao pulled her up onto the horse.
“Happy now?”
“Yep! Very happy!”
Sitting proudly atop the horse, Jiang Yihuan felt incredibly imposing.
“Wei Zhao, look! That tallest pavilion—Sister Zhu Xian said it’s the Pavilion of Longing for a Son.”
Wei Zhao snorted.
“That’s nothing more than the late emperor’s useless repentance for Crown Prince Zhangde.”
“Useless repentance?”
Wei Zhao said nothing.
Crown Prince Zhangde had been the late emperor’s legitimate eldest son.
Powerful, benevolent, and morally impeccable, he had won the hearts of the entire realm, shining like the brightest moon in the sky.
Yet the late emperor grew suspicious of him and forced him to take his own life. None of the crown prince’s children survived, leaving not even a single descendant behind.
Only afterward did the emperor realize he had driven his finest heir to death. He built the Pavilion of Longing for a Son in remorse.
But what good was repentance after everything had already happened?
After returning to the Wei Residence, Wei Zhao visited Madam Heng before leaving Jiang Yihuan in her care.
He then summoned Zhu Xian and asked casually,
“Why did you take her out? And why did you help her stir up trouble?”
Defending Jiang Yihuan was one thing.
Zhu Xian neglecting her duties was another.
Zhu Xian answered honestly,
“Master, Miss Jiang was feeling cooped up, so I took her out. Miss Pei bullied her—how could I not help? She suffered enough in the countryside. Now that she’s in the capital, I couldn’t let her continue being mistreated.”
Liang Jian shot her desperate looks.
Stop talking! Don’t provoke the Master!
After a long silence, Wei Zhao smiled.
“Oh? Zhu Xian, how many bolts of Flowing Light Brocade did that little fool give you? You’ve been bought over already?”
Zhu Xian’s mouth fell open.
How did Master know?
After stammering for a while, she finally muttered,
“…It’s not just because of the brocade. I wanted to help her. I have a strong sense of justice.”
Wei Zhao clapped once.
“Excellent! Since you’re so righteous, I’ll grant your wish.”
“Three months’ salary deducted.”
Zhu Xian wailed in despair.
Why fine her money?
She would rather have been beaten with the paddle.
Wei Zhao returned to his bedroom.
The moment he pushed open the door, he noticed the quilt on his bed bulging suspiciously.
His face darkened instantly.
“Who’s there? Get out!”
Jiang Yihuan had just fallen asleep.
Startled awake by the shouting, she poked her head out drowsily.
“It’s me.”
Looking at her flower-like face, Wei Zhao rubbed his aching temples.
“Weren’t you staying in my mother’s courtyard? Why are you in my room?”
“Madam brought me here.”
“She said I’m your woman, so I have to serve you.”
Wei Zhao grabbed the back of her neck.
“My woman? Dream on.”
Jiang Yihuan broke free from his grip.
“Stop making a fuss. Hurry and get some sleep. I’ll sleep on the inside, and you sleep on the outside.”
Wei Zhao reached for her leg, intending to drag her out.
Her fair, jade-like calf was as smooth as satin.
Before he could even get a proper hold of it, it slipped right through his fingers.
His hand froze in midair.
He had actually missed?
Jiang Yihuan whispered,
“Wei Zhao, you look tired too. Just sleep. I promise I won’t do anything to you.”
Wei Zhao immediately recalled how she had taken advantage of him before.
“You’ve got it backward. Lie still!”
“Oh, okay.”
Jiang Yihuan obediently lay flat.
She looked completely at his mercy.
Wei Zhao leaned over and gently pinched her soft chin.
With her beautiful eyes wide open, Jiang Yihuan covered her face and smiled sweetly.
“I’m ready.”
Wei Zhao’s whole body stiffened.
What am I doing? Have I completely lost my mind?
At that moment, Liang Jian announced from outside,
“General, the Old Madam requests your presence immediately. She says it’s urgent.”
Wei Zhao scoffed.
It had to be about her disappointing natal family again.
He sighed at Jiang Yihuan.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll come find you later.”
She nodded obediently.
“Mm. I’ll wait for you.”
When Wei Zhao met the Old Madam again, her attitude had softened considerably.
She first praised Jiang Yihuan’s beauty before asking after the Crown Prince.
“Grandmother, just say what you want. Stop beating around the bush,” Wei Zhao said impatiently.
The Old Madam forced a smile.
“You’re the Crown Prince’s Junior Tutor and have a close relationship with His Highness. Your cousin offended the Crown Prince. Please plead for mercy on his behalf.”
Wei Zhao replied coolly,
“Grandmother, you’re mistaken. That fool offended a member of the imperial family. By law, both his hands should be crippled, and he should serve three years of penal labor.”
“You’re so capable. Can’t you save him?”
“I can.”
“But I won’t.”
The Old Madam trembled with rage.
“You little wolf cub! Abandoning your own family? Let’s see how long your glory lasts!”
“That won’t concern Grandmother.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked away.
After returning to his courtyard, Wei Zhao planned to move Jiang Yihuan into the side room.
Zhu Xian stopped him.
“You’d better not. Miss Jiang is sleeping so soundly. Once she falls asleep, she won’t wake up until morning.”
Wei Zhao paused.
“…She’s not eating dinner?”
Zhu Xian shook her head.
“She said food was scarce back in the countryside. Whenever she got hungry, she’d just sleep through it. She’s used to skipping dinner.”
Wei Zhao remained silent for a moment before turning and heading to the side room instead.
In the middle of the night, unable to sleep, he grew increasingly dissatisfied.
Why could Jiang Yihuan sleep so peacefully until dawn?
He went into the main bedroom and shook her awake.
“Yihuan, I have some news for you.”
She jolted awake in fright.
“In the middle of the night? What kind of news could it be?”
“Your brother escaped while being escorted into exile. The surrounding mountains are full of venomous snakes and wild beasts. I’m afraid his chances of survival aren’t good.”
Tears immediately welled up in Jiang Yihuan’s eyes.
“Waaah… my poor brother… He should’ve given himself to you long ago and served you properly.”
Wei Zhao froze.
“Your brother… gave himself… to me?”
“Of course. Don’t you like men too?”
“…Who told you I like men?”
“My brother. Everyone back in Wuzhou knows.”
“They say you like both men and women—but you’re especially obsessed with my brother’s body.”
Wei Zhao: “…”
He had gotten out of bed in the middle of the night…
Only to make himself furious.
How could the cunning Jiang Qianli possibly have such an adorably foolish little sister?