So she didnât continue investigating further... To be honest, at that time she cared because she suspected Zhu Tongjun was also the successor of Shi Qingjun; otherwise, without reaching the Qiankun Realm, one wouldnât catch her eye.
Miss Aqing: "..."
Sighing, she placed a hand over her forehead.
Below Qiankun Realm, all are antsâhow long has it been since she thought that way?
Watching the sisters laughing and playing with umbrellas on the street, Miss Aqing began to doubt life.
Who can tell her how Zhu Tongjun transformed into the current Zhu Pingniang?
Wasnât she arrogant and indifferent?
How did she become so considerate and likable?
"This world... is somewhat strange."
Miss Aqingâs blinking rate gradually increased.
Anyway, she quite liked her. If it werenât for Zhu Pingniang and Shi Qingjun being so close, she really wanted to take her away.
As Miss Aqing was spacing out, a yellow-clothed young girl stepped hurriedly through the water and stopped in front of her.
"Ms. Qing, Iâve brought you the dress for the evening banquet." The girl shook the package in her hand in a triumphant manner.
"..."
"Ms. Qing?"
"Oh, itâs nothing."
Miss Aqing looked blankly at the panting girl in front of her, touched her head, and teased, "Why did you rush here?"
"I didnât want to keep you waiting too long, Sister." The yellow-clothed girl giggled, "Sister, the dress Steward Lu prepared for you is very beautiful, but... itâs a bit short."
"???" Miss Aqing was stunned, a few question marks popped up on her head.
"Short? How short?"
"About... up to here."
The yellow-clothed girl pointed to her upper knee, then said, "But the steward said that at the time, only our sisters and Young Master, along with Miss Yun, will be there, so it wonât matter."
"How is it not a problem; isnât the young master a man?" Miss Aqing was speechless.
"Eh? Is Young Master Xu considered a man?"
"...?"
The yellow-clothed girl blinked.
Miss Aqing blinked too.
"Oh, it seems he is."
The yellow-clothed girl nodded belatedly, then explained, "The young master isnât lustful, so we forgot heâs also a man... But it doesnât matter, Ms. Qing, if you think the dress is too short, I can get a longer one."
"Just as it is, donât trouble yourself." Miss Aqing took the package, holding it in her arms, "Add a lining... Just, you didnât tell them Iâm preparing for the Sword Dance?"
If it involves sword dancing, movements might be bigger.
A skirt above the kneeâis it dancing or seducing men?
"I told them, but this is a brothel, I want to see Ms. Qing wearing this while performing the sword dance... It must look great."
"..."
"Tch." The yellow-clothed girlâs eyes narrowed, "Ms. Qing, you took Young Masterâs umbrella, yet act so reserved, is it because Miss Yun is also here today?"
"What are you talking about?" Miss Aqing tapped her on the head.
The yellow-clothed girl stuck out her tongue.
Miss Aqing lowered her eyelids, her light green eyes gently shimmering.
She was still thinking about Zhu Pingniang; now she herself is going to wear a short skirt to perform.
Whoâs more ridiculous, her or Zhu Tongjun, is quite obvious.
And the ever-secretive Xu Changâanâshe couldnât bear the bad outcomes, so she approached, but with no choice.
Even...
Being able to perform with the young master, might it be repaying a part of the life-saving grace?
Whatâs the big deal with Zhu Tongjun turning into Zhu Pingniang?
And yet sheâs still here holding an umbrella.
ââ
On the way back with the girl to change clothes and prepare, they chatted casually.
"So, did you talk to them when you took so long getting the dress?" Miss Aqing asked.
"I did." The yellow-clothed girl nodded.
"Did you mention my eyes?" Miss Aqing asked.
"...Yeah."
The yellow-clothed girl spoke with some dissatisfaction, "Sister, I just complained to Steward Lu about Pingniang dyeing your eyes, and the steward laughed, then wanted to hit me."
"You provoked her again."
"Steward Lu seems not in a good mood today."
And at this point, the girl cautiously tiptoed, said excitedly, "Sister, let me tell you a secret; I heard from the ladies... Steward Lu upset Pingniang today, got disciplined, and was limping when she arrived."
"Hmm." Miss Aqing looked at her, "Is this what Iâm asking about?"
"I know what you mean, Sister. We did talk about a lot of your things." The yellow-clothed girl quickened her pace, walked a bit further, then turned her back and charmingly looked at Miss Aqingâs eyes.
"Ms. Qing, are you really a Half-Demon?"
"Iâve told you before."
"Ah, so itâs true, the sisters say so too." The yellow-clothed girl shook her head, "If Iâd known it was true, I wouldnât have been angry when I heard the rumors recently, nor lost sleep over them speaking ill of you."
"Who spoke ill of me?"
"That Ni Zi named Fang, she said there was trouble from the Immortal Sect. She just looks prettier; I donât like her."
"Is this really the time to discuss this?" Miss Aqing sighed, "Are you afraid of the Half-Demon?"
"Afraid, who wouldnât be?" The yellow-clothed girl gently pulled down her shouldersâ clothing a little, exposing a scar on her collarbone.
On her fair skin, the scar ran across to the side of her neck, looking like she nearly lost her life.
"My family suffered a demon disaster in the past, leaving only me, and Pingniang picked me up." The yellow-clothed girl tilted her head, reminiscing, "It was caused by a Half-Demon."
Miss Aqing looked at the hideous scar on the girlâs shoulder, her eyes flickering, wondering what she was thinking.
After a while, she said, "Why do you seem not afraid?"
"Afraid of Half-Demons, but not afraid of Ms. Qing." The yellow-clothed girl smiled and hugged her arm; "Is this hard to understand?"
"..." Miss Aqing found it quite difficult to understand.
After all, the deterioration of a Half-Demonâs bloodline canât be explained by good nature; many demon disasters occur because Half-Demons go mad, changing personalities, forgetting family ties.
"Pingniang is from the Immortal Sect; sheâll have a way with the Half-Demon bloodlineâs flaws." The yellow-clothed girl came closer, comfortingly held Miss Aqingâs hand:
"Sister, donât worry, the steward said Pingniang is always watching you, and if there are signs, sheâll find a way... So, donât be afraid."
Miss Aqing looked at how the girl was comforting her, her gaze dazed.
Donât be afraid.
Long have these words been unheard.
Indeed, compared to Zhu Pingniang, she preferred this girl.
If her identity is exposed someday, sheâll just take her away.
"Not only me, the sisters of Piluo Residence say similarly, asking Sister not to worry about the identity matter." The yellow-clothed girl muttered, "Even as annoying as Ni Zi named Fang, saying Sister is a Half-Demon... also thinks this should be told to Pingniang in case something happens, then itâs too late."
All ladies from Flower Moon Building, not really sisters, yet when trouble arises, most can remain calm.
This is the benefit of having someone like Zhu Pingniang from the Immortal Sect.
"Besides, if Pingniang isnât enough, thereâs always Young Master Xu, Pingniang could ask for his help." The yellow-clothed girl said.
Miss Aqing blinked.
In Flower Moon Building, Xu Changâan is considered more trustworthy, powerful "Immortal Sect" than Zhu Pingniang; this seems to be common knowledge among the girls.
Would someone powerful be a madam?
If it were before, sheâd find it laughable, since Zhu Pingniang and Xu Changâan were worlds apart.
Now it seems indeed like one is heavenly, one earthly.
Miss Aqing looked down.
The weather was cold, the yellow-clothed girlâs nose was reddened, she rubbed her nose, then looked at her with a silly smile.
Miss Aqing thought she merely prepared some snacks for her when she entered the building, considered regular neighborly visits under Zhu Pingniangâs routine "monitoring."
Who would have thought sheâd be clinging since then, calling her "Ms. Qing" for years.
She suddenly didnât know if it was the gentleness of Young Master Xu that made oneâs heart flutter, or the silly smile of this girl.
Perhaps itâs non-contradictory.