Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tianshu Courtyard was currently brightly lit, where Xiao Shi was found sitting beside the stone table. In the courtyard, the Plum Tree blossomed, and plum fragrance filled the air.
As she read a scroll attentively, the lights shone on her face gently which highlighted her fair skin in a way that her face was glowing. In addition, her eyes seemed so deep that one would get lost in them.
Su Ru stood beside her silently and was worried as she looked at her.
‘The second lady has been blue lately, she doesn’t have the energy to do anything at all, and is unbothered by everything. Even when her protectors were changed, she was unmoved as if those weren’t her protectors at all.
‘If it wasn’t because there’s nothing wrong with her health, she would’ve crushed the jade pendant to notify the third lady.’
‘Menglan and Yang Xu have been working in the kitchen to prepare meals since they don’t trust the people from the imperial residence.’
‘Ever since King An returned to the residence, everything changed. Somehow, the looks of the people changed where they began having looks of sympathy. The people thought that the head chief’s leaving meant a new beginning and that the consort will no longer be protected. Unquestionably, the Royal Highness will suppress her, and she’ll have to obey him.’
‘As for scribes and maids like myself, even though we want to help the consort, we dare not do it brazenly. After all, it’ll affect our lives and our families. If anything goes wrong, we’ll be kicked out of the imperial residence.’
“Su Ru, how long has it been?” All of a sudden, Xiao Shi put the scroll down and asked absent-mindedly.
She looked at Su Ru without an expression.
Su Ru knew what she was asking, hence she answered softly, “A day more than a month.”
“It has only been a month?” Xiao Shi frowned, shook her head, then picked the scroll up again.
Su Ru suggested, “Second Lady, we should notify the third lady and the others so that they can come up with an idea.”
“They’re far at the Imperial Mausoleum, what ideas can they come up with?” Xiao Shi added, “Besides, it’s not much of a big issue, I’ll see how long more he can turn savage for! Even if something happened, they can’t return or it’ll be a terrible disaster, do you understand?”
“The chief will definitely have an idea though.” Su Ru quickly mentioned, “We’ll have the third lady too.”
Of course, she was aware that Chu Li could not return to Fairy’s Capital as that would mean violating the order, where he would be punished with death.
“Mm, Younger Sister finally got married to Chu Li, it’s worthy of celebration!” Xiao Shi chuckled, then shook her head. “The two of them went through so many hardships, but fortunately, they ended up together.”
“Yes…” Su Ru sighed.
She knew the best about what happened between Chu Li and Xiao Qi, where thunders were heard at a silent place. While outsiders might not notice any mishaps as if everything was smooth where they simply went with the flow, only the ones closest to them knew what they actually experienced. Honestly, it was a rocky path for them.
“Is there any gossip outside?” Xiao Shi asked anxiously and put her scroll down again.
Su Ru answered, “It’s inevitable, there are tattlers everywhere who are envious of the head chief.”
“Hmph, those fellas!” Xiao Shi pouted. “They always have reasons to gossip! You may leave, I’d like to stay here for a while.”
“Second Lady, have supper before you sleep.” Su Ru added, “You didn’t have your dinner.”
“There’s no need for that.” Xiao Shi shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
“The Royal Highness…” Su Ru pondered, then uttered softly, “I think the Royal Highness has plans for something else, it’s best that you make some preparations. If anything, we should return to High Duke’s Public House.”
“Mm…” Xiao Shi wondered, then nodded. “Mm, returning to High Duke’s Public House sounds good.”
Su Ru was instantly elated.
Xiao Shi then continued, “But we’ll never be able to hide from him forever, that fella’s a lunatic now!”
“It’ll be better after some time.” Su Ru comforted, “We can give him pressure through High Duke’s Public House so that he doesn’t behave immorally, and to show him where he stands. If all else fails, we can just stay in the public house, he can’t do anything about it!”
Xiao Shi nodded lightly. “Mm, let’s go with that.”
While they conversed, a figure suddenly appeared. It was Chu Li.
He waved his hand to cut off their conversation, then disappeared together with Xiao Shi.
At that moment, everything became a blur to Xiao Shi. By the time she saw the light again, they arrived at an antique-looking courtyard.
Xiao Qi stood in the gazebo, where she was dressed in a clean, white gown. Upon seeing her arrival, she put on a beautiful smile. “Second Eldest Sister!”
Xiao Shi pursed her lips together as she smiled too. “I finally met the bride!”
“Second Eldest Sister, you’re so thin now!” Xiao Qi blushed.
Xiao Shi giggled. “I did become thinner, you didn’t. Looks like you didn’t suffer any hardships, I’ve been worried!”
“I’m fine here. I took care of a few ignorant fellas, now they’re better-behaved.” Xiao Qi then said, “Instead, Second Eldest Sister, why didn’t you notify us anything?”
Subsequently, the three of them sat by the stone table in the gazebo.
Xiao Shi scoffed. “You’re already in a difficult state, why should I give you more trouble? Besides, you’ve just gotten married, it’s your honeymoon period now, I’m not going to be an evil person!”
Afterward, she cast a sidelong glance at Chu Li. “You’re the most cunning person I know, taking advantage of the situation for your own benefit. You knew about the rules here long ago, didn’t you? You were just waiting for my younger sister to fall into your trap!”
Chu Li smiled without saying a word.
Xiao Shi continued, “Don’t tell me that you offended the emperor on purpose so that he would dispatch you to the Imperial Mausoleum, and that you’ll have a chance to win my younger sister over?”
“Second Lady, you overestimated me!” Chu Li laughed. “If I were so capable, why would I only do it now?”
“That’s true.” Xiao Shi smiled. “You suffered quite a lot of hardships too, my younger sister really treated you well! Nonetheless, you’re rewarded after all the sufferings, you won the heart of a beautiful lady!”
Chu Li chuckled.
Although Chu Li and Xiao Qi were married now, they were not exactly husband and wife yet. Currently, Xiao Qi still had her mind set on the Regal Sword Scripture and was not going to lose her virginity.
Previously, he was occupied with rendering achievements so he did not have time to think about anything else, but now that he was back to Gale City and finally had free time, he began having such adult thoughts again. As such, he started thinking of ways to consummate their marriage.
Furthermore, his advancement in the Manifestation of Nature Restoration gave him better stamina.
Feeling rather embarrassed, Xiao Qi could not stand her teases anymore. She quickly asked, “Second Sister, let’s talk about King An first. What divine technique did he master for him to be so vicious?”
“Who knows?” Xiao Shi twitched her mouth. “I’m guessing he’s just affected by his martial art. Now that he regained his skills, he’s not listening to anyone, even her two sisters dare not speak to him because he’s so easily triggered.”
Chu Li humphed. “Did he go to Tianshu Courtyard?”
Back then, the two of them made a bet. Since King An lost the best, he could not return to Tianshu Courtyard forever.
“He didn’t.” Xiao Shi shook her head. “It was his sisters who told me about it. Nevertheless, he beat up Zhu Tianhua and the others, saying that they’re arrogant and untamed, hence they’re not worthy of being protectors. He wants to kick them out of the imperial residence.”
“Are they severely injured?” Chu Li asked.
Xiao Shi nodded. “They’re quite heavily injured, I think he did it to provoke you.”
Chu Li shook his head. “He’s trying to force you to leave Tianshu Courtyard!”
Upon hearing that, Xiao Shi was stunned. She quickly realized what was going on, then sneered. “What a smart move!”
On the other hand, Xiao Qi had no idea about the bet between Chu Li and King An, thus she looked at Chu Li confusingly. Chu Li then explained everything to her.
Xiao Qi furrowed her brows. “Why does he want to force Second Eldest Sister to leave Tianshu Courtyard?”
Chu Li tilted his head at her, then giggled.
Xiao Shi glared at Chu Li snappily, then looked at Xiao Qi. “What else would men want? Don’t you know what Chu Li wants to do with you?”
Xiao Qi came to a sudden realization, where her face immediately reddened. She forced herself to remain calm. “He actually has such despicable thoughts?”
“Looks like we’ll have to teach him a lesson!” Chu Li uttered.
Xiao Shi shook her head. “You must be careful, he’s no longer how he was before. His martial art is truly shocking, and I heard from Zhu Tianhua that he’s more superior than you now.”
“Oh?” Chu Li frowned. “Is he so powerful now?”
“You must be wary, don’t rush it. In case you’re defeated and your identity is exposed, it’ll be awful!” Xiao Shi warned.
Once his identity was exposed, the emperor would not just let him go. Endless troubles would come knocking on his door.
