Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1005 - 103_1

Chapter 1005: Chapter 103_1

"No? Does sister-in-law mean that you don’t want my brother to accompany you tomorrow, or you don’t mind at all that he’s leaving for his duty?"

How can anyone answer that! Both answers would be damaging!

"Neither!" Zhu Yan gave Xiao’er a stern look.

Being glared at wasn’t really a big deal for Xiao’er; hadn’t Shangguan Xuanyi glared at her countless times? Undeterred, she continued, "Neither? Then what is it?"

"Stop teasing your sister-in-law so much!" Jingrui worried that Xiao’er’s relentless probing wouldn’t cease until she shocked everyone, quickly stepped in to intervene.

"As expected, once a man marries a wife, he forgets his mother... No, in this case, he forgets his sister! Favoritism!"

Jingrui: "..."

Zhu Yan, teased like this by Xiao’er, felt all her melancholy vanish. But Zhu Yan was no pushover either! As a well-seasoned woman of the martial arts world who’d helped her father manage his business for many years, she’d grown a thick skin.

Her keen eyes spotted that Xiao’er’s collar was a bit high. It was the middle of May under a blazing sun! Xiao’er was most afraid of the heat, so why would she choose to wear a high-collared dress?!

This was fishy!

As expected, she noticed a slight red mark on Xiao’er’s neck. In the past, she wouldn’t have recognized what it signified. But now, as a woman acquainted with such affairs, she understood. So, she subtly changed the topic, "Xiao’er, aren’t you afraid of the heat? Why are you wearing a high-collared dress today?"

Worried Xiao’er might not catch her drift, Zhu Yan watched her with a teasing smile in her eyes.

Thinking the reason why she wore a high-necked dress, thanks to Shangguan Xuanyi’s ardor in the morning, Xiao’er’s expression became momentarily rigid. Then she showed no sign of embarrassment as she directly fired back, "It seems, sister-in-law, you’re now experienced. My brother must have been quite... vigorous these days. Do you still want to ask me how I got hurt? Do you need me to tell you?"

After this, Xiao’er even winked at Zhu Yan: as for who could outdo her in brazenness, if she was the first, who dared to claim they were second?!

Been... vigorous? Zhu Yan’s face turned as red as a cooked shrimp as she thought of certain inappropriate scenes. That was way too explicit!

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at Xiao’er with a sense of resignation. This girl really dared to make a joke out of anything! Even he, known for his cold demeanor, felt embarrassed!

Who would know better than him why Xiao’er wore a high-necked dress? So as soon as Zhu Yan spoke up, he understood!

Xiao’er winked at Shangguan Xuanyi: without using a powerful move, one could not hold one’s own!

Look, her winning move rendered her opponent helpless!

What could Shangguan Xuanyi say? All he could do was strive to increase his tolerance!

"Vigorous? What kind of injury did Xiao’er sustain? When did Xiao’er get hurt?" Jingrui was utterly confused. His earnest nature couldn’t imagine that his wife would joke about such a thing!

"Nothing, it’s all just a misunderstanding. I’m going to see if Yun’er and Brother Ri are back yet!" Zhu Yan almost fled the scene under her husband’s bewildered gaze.

Indeed! When it came to impudence, who could top Xiao’er? Zhu Yan utterly lost. She swore that if Xiao’er were to tease her any further, she would just play dumb. She would no longer be the fool throwing an egg against a rock, or shoot herself in the foot!

Jingrui remained clueless, wondering why Zhu Yan looked so scared for him to get to the bottom of it. He turned his puzzled gaze to Xiao’er.

Xiao’er patted him on his shoulder, "Don’t ask me, you’ll regret it! I don’t mind answering any question, but are you sure you’re ready to hear it all?"

Leaving him with those words, Xiao’er also walked away. Hmm, she could hear the little dumpling Di Shaowei’s voice.

Jingrui: "..."

He was always one to seek answers tirelessly. If something stumped him, he insisted on understanding it. Hence, Jingrui still left without an answer turned to Shangguan Xuanyi, "When did Xiao’er get injured?"

"She didn’t! You misunderstood!" Shangguan Xuanyi found this person too stupid to bother with and strode away.

"Then why did she say that!" Jingrui quickly followed.

"What were her exact words?" Shangguan Xuanyi kindly reminded him.

Exact words?

Xiao’er just said, "It seems, sister-in-law, you’re now experienced. My brother must have been quite... vigorous these days. Do you still want to ask me how I got hurt? Do you need me to tell you?"

What experience did Zhu Yan have now? What was he vigorous about? Wait, vigorous? Now experienced? Combining Xiao’er’s expressions, Jingrui suddenly understood what her words really meant!

Jingrui was instantly disoriented! His face turned alternately red and black! What a wicked girl, she really dared to say anything now! It must be Shangguan Xuanyi’s pampering that spoiled her! She was now barely recognizable as the sister he once knew!

Shangguan Xuanyi and Xiao’er didn’t care how confused Jingrui was. They happily went to tease Di Shaowei’s little dumpling. No, it was Xiao’er teasing and Shangguan Xuanyi frightening the little dumpling at the sideline!

...

The next day, Fu Ranhui visited Prince Rui’s mansion early in the morning to see Xiao’er.

Xiao’er had just finished breakfast, and Shangguan Xuanyi had already gone to court early. She planned to send some things to Jingrui and head back home, when a servant came to inform her of Fu Ranhui’s visit.

Xiao’er was surprised: "This early? Did something happen?" She made some guesses in her mind, but couldn’t think of any problems. So she invited her in.

When Fu Ranhui came in, Xiao’er took a look at her face. It’s been quite a while since they met, having been busy with Jingrui’s wedding recently. She hadn’t had a chance to visit her.

Seeing Fu Ranhui’s glowing face, smiling eyes without any hint of worry, Xiao’er was relieved. "You seem different, Princess. Does General Zhao treat you well?"

Xiao’er’s tone, although questioning, sounded like a statement!

Fu Ranhui blushed slightly at her words, but still nodded, "Yes, he treats me very well."

Zhao Youwei would instruct the servants not to disturb her sleep. He would command to her maid to inform the cook of what dishes she loved and told them to prepare those dishes for every meal. He also showed considerable care in other matters.

Seeing her friend living in happiness, Xiao’er felt happy for her, "Isn’t General Zhao setting off for Zhan’er Island tomorrow? Why aren’t you spending more time with him today at home? Or are you planning on accompanying him to Zhan’er Island and came to bid farewell?"

Everyone knew that generals and civil servants were different. Generals were burdened with the safety of their territories, they couldn’t return home whenever they wanted.

However, Zhan’er Island was not an appropriate place to visit. Zhao Youwei knew the situation there, and Fu Ranhui, accustomed to a sheltered life, would probably not be taken by him.