5
This Young Master is Very Satisfied with You
Old Madam Bai had long heard of Chi Yanqing’s notorious reputation and was so terrified she nearly lost control of her bladder, repeatedly kowtowing and pleading for mercy in a muddled voice.
“I dare not do it again, Young Master, spare my life!”
Bai Jingchu had long stopped crying.
She never expected this scoundrel wasn’t just a pretty face—he possessed such remarkable martial skills!
Training through harsh winters and scorching summers required strict discipline and unwavering perseverance.
How could such a man fail to control his baser instincts?
The rumors about his promiscuity were likely either slander or part of someone’s deliberate scheme.
Marquis Qinggui intervened with a stern command: “Yanqing, we have a guest from the Bai family present. Mind your manners.”
The murderous aura around Chi Yanqing instantly dissipated, replaced by a warm, radiant smile like a sunny day in June.
“I was merely scaring this thieving hag. After all, this silly girl now somewhat belongs to me. Beating and scolding her at will clearly shows disrespect toward my Marquis household.”
Bai Jing’an was immediately overwhelmed with shame, stammering awkwardly: “This servant spoke out of turn and overstepped her bounds—she truly deserves punishment! Upon returning to the residence, she will be severely disciplined. We have disturbed you today and shall take our leave now.”
He turned and snapped at Old Madam Bai: “Get out of here! Return to the estate to receive your caning!”
The old woman scrambled to her feet, covering her face as she limped away.
Bai Jingchu was equally eager to make her escape.
But a figure flashed before her—a vermilion brocade robe embroidered with golden thread qilin patterns, draped over broad shoulders and carrying the pleasant scent of snow lotus, blocking her path.
Chi Yanqing looked down at her, his eyes holding a dangerous glint of absolute certainty.
“I am quite pleased with you.”
Bai Jingchu retreated two steps, extending a hand toward him: “Then do I get any pastry rewards?”
Chi Yanqing’s lips curved: “Not only will there be pastries, but when the day comes to marry the Bai family’s young lady, I shall naturally request you from the Bai residence to warm my bed.”
Bai Jingchu’s eyes widened in clear astonishment, her smiling lips freezing instantly.
He was clearly threatening her!
If the marriage alliance between the families proceeded as planned, he would legitimately demand her as part of the dowry—after all, she was nominally the trial marriage maid.
Had he discovered her deception? Did he know she was feigning madness to avoid the trial marriage, and was now using this to blackmail her into helping him break off the engagement?
Chi Yanqing took in her stunned expression completely, then lowered his head, tilting slightly to whisper by her ear:
“So, whether you’re truly foolish or just pretending, you’d better do as I say. Don’t play any tricks. Otherwise, I’ll devour you whole.”
Then he drew out a sickeningly sweet “Be good” with a lingering tone.
Bai Jingchu stared at him dumbfounded, then slowly cracked a smile uglier than crying: “Steamed or braised?”
Hmm…
A foodie!
Chi Yanqing gazed at her delicate, almost translucent skin—pale and tender with a hint of begonia pink, as if it would melt in the mouth, sweet and soft.
Bai Jingchu fled the Marquis Qinggui residence in utter disarray.
The dangerous aura radiating from Chi Yanqing, coupled with his warm yet hollow smile, made her so tense she could barely breathe, desperate to escape.
Returning to the Bai residence where she had lived for over a decade.
Her barely calmed heart instantly plunged into despair.
Vermilion gates with high thresholds, the gleaming brass door knockers appearing somewhat sinister under flickering candlelight.
When she left three years ago, it was also at night—a two-person sedan chair secretly waiting in the shadows.
Adoptive Father said that the Bai family had been dragged into the case of Consort Su’s sudden death. If it weren’t for Eunuch Li’s mediation, the Bai family would have faced ruin, and he himself would not have survived.
Bai Jingchu, filled with the sorrow of marching to her death, stepped over the threshold, glancing back every few steps. The weathered gate creaked shut behind her, and the last thing she saw was Bai Jingshu’s lips curling into an irrepressible smile.
She had fought with all her might just to return alive.
Yet her maid, Xuejian, who had endured three years of hardship with her, would never come back—buried in that filthy place in her stead.
Bai Jing’an dismounted his horse, tossed the reins to the gatekeeper, and strode into the mansion with his head held high, beaming with joy.
Bai Jingchu blinked back her tears, her exhausted body unable to keep up with Bai Jing’an’s brisk pace.
Madam Bai Chen’s courtyard, named “Chonglou,” was still brightly lit.
Bai Jing’an was excitedly recounting the events of the day at the Marquis’s residence.
“…I waited until the Dowager Marchioness was completely out of danger before taking my leave. The Marquis and his wife repeatedly expressed their gratitude and prepared a gift of thanks, which I brought back to the family. That’s why I was delayed and only returned at this hour, keeping you waiting, Mother.”
Upon hearing Bai Jing’an’s account, Madam Bai Chen’s face lit up with joy, and she clapped her hands. “My son has truly proven himself! Your grandfather always said you were mediocre, that you weren’t diligent enough in your medical studies and would never amount to much—he wouldn’t even teach you all the Thirteen Needles of the Ghost Gate. Yet today, you handled the situation single-handedly, reviving the Dowager Marchioness with just a few silver needles. Even your father might not have been capable of that. You’ve truly made me proud.”
Bai Jingshu, who was also awake and standing beside Madam Bai Chen, added softly, “Elder Brother has always been exceptional. It’s just that Grandfather was overly strict and never gave him the chance to shine. As the saying goes, ‘A golden carp is no mere pond dweller; it transforms into a dragon when the winds and clouds change.’ Elder Brother’s time has come.”
Bai Jing’an grew even more pleased with himself.
Bai Jingchu entered the room with a carefree expression, making no effort to expose his hypocrisy or his false claim to credit. In her current situation, drawing attention was the last thing she needed.
Madam Bai Chen immediately furrowed her brows, her face turning cold.
Bai Jingshu studied her with a probing gaze. Gone was the coarseness she had shown three years ago when she first returned to the Bai family. Her skin was now smooth, her features delicate, adorned with pearls and jade, and her gaze had become haughty.
Bai Jing’an explained, “Young Master Yan had to attend to the sickbed, so I brought her back on the way.”
Madam Bai Chen asked, “Did it go as planned?”
“It did,” Bai Jing’an reported. “Old Lady Bai said she personally waited outside. After it was done, Young Master Yan got dressed and left.”
Bai Jingshu, blushing, inquired, “Then the rumors about Young Master Yan… are they true?”
Bai Jing’an pondered for a moment. “He is handsome and dignified, but his actions are indeed eccentric and bold, unpredictable in mood.”
Bai Jingshu’s cheeks flushed slightly as she fiddled with her sash. “These spoiled young nobles, sheltered by their ancestors’ prestige, don’t need to worry about consequences. It’s only natural for them to be a bit arrogant.”
Madam Bai Chen dismissed the others and called Jingchu closer. “Tell me, child, what did you do with Young Master Yan yesterday?”
Jingchu said tearfully, “He was shameless! He took off his clothes in front of me, bit me, pinched me, and whipped me!” She immediately pulled aside her clothes to show Madam Bai Chen the wounds on her shoulder.
Bai Jingshu bit her lower lip, as if she were the one being bitten.
“Did you pay attention to what Mother asked you to observe?”
Bai Jingchu nodded and gestured with her hand: “The bird on Young Master Yan is about this big.”
Two inches.
Bai Jingshu lowered her head, peeking furtively. Seeing the two-inch length pinched between Bai Jingchu’s fingers, she couldn’t help but look astonished.
Madam Bai Chen was also taken aback: “So short? Are you sure?”