Zhu Pingniang had a good impression of Ah Qing, but she only thought of her as a smart and quick-witted girl, who hides a touch of timidity behind her cleverness.
In general, sheās someone Zhu would like.
As for innocence...
She didnāt feel it at all.
"Innocent? Who are you talking about? Ah Qing?" Zhu Pingniang blinked: "Really? Isnāt she pretty skilled at Dianzhuang? Sheās learned a lot of dances too."
"Just like you," Miss Lu said confidently: "She does have some of the dancing girl skills, but sheās proficient but not specialized, only following routines, not knowing how to showcase her charm through her posture."
In simple terms, Ah Qing knows how to dance, but doesnāt know how to seduce men.
This also counts as innocence, just like her adorable Ms. Zhu.
"Being able to dance but not able to charm, isnāt that equivalent to not knowing? Just like your innocence."
"Who are you calling innocent? Iām Hehuan..." Zhu Pingniang instinctively wanted to retort.
"Do you have a man?"
"...No."
"No man." Miss Lu tilted her head: "And what about women?"
"Also... no." Zhu Pingniang felt a bit aggrieved and couldnāt help but mutter: "Iāll have one... what do you know... Ah Bai she... Ah Bai she..."
Listening to Zhu Pingniangās muttering, Miss Lu couldnāt help but laugh: "See, if weāre saying youāre not innocent, then thereās not a single pure girl among us."
"Who do you think youāre talking about?" Zhu Pingniang glared.
"Sister, you have heart but no courage, yes." Miss Lu pursed her lips.
Though Zhu Pingniang once hinted to her, saying she wanted to drug Miss Ah Bai from the Immortal Sect when given a chance, it startled her, but upon careful thinking later, she realized her sister was whimsically dreaming.
She wouldnāt actually do such a thing.
Therefore, Miss Lu still believed Zhu Pingniang was as pure as a little white flower.
"I think youāre begging for a beating again." Zhu Pingniang gritted her teeth.
Miss Lu then gently hooked her arm.
"Sister, you already gave me a good scolding today, could you bear to do it again?"
"Youāre just counting on me not wanting to bully you." Zhu Pingniang sighed.
The favored ones are fearless, thatās probably what it means.
But thereās no way around it, her heart isnāt balanced, so naturally there will be favoritism and affection.
Therefore, the last bit of dissatisfaction in her heart dissipated when her arm was swallowed into Miss Luās warmth, turning into a bit of jealousy.
How should one say it.
Being a mother, not having a better figure than her own daughter indeed led to some embarrassment.
Thinking about it, Zhu Pingniang suddenly froze, snapping out of her thoughts: "Wait a second, Ni Zi, you have no man, nor a woman, arenāt you innocent too? Why only talk about me."
Almost got fooled by her.
"Is that so?"
Unexpectedly, Miss Lu remained calm, her lashes gently fluttering, "Sister, wouldnāt you never spy on the maidās bedroom affairs at night."
"Hmm? What nonsense are you talking about, of course, I wouldnāt sneak a peek." Zhu Pingniang blurted out.
"Yes, you have accounting to do at night, many proper things to handle."
Miss Lu nodded, then pointed to her face with interest and said:
"I occasionally sneak a peek under the guise of checking rooms. Sister, you have no idea how playful they are, but Qingmei Workshopās clothes are quite nice..."
She held Zhu Pingniangās arm, her eyes sparkling.
She felt that her sister would also look great in sheer fabric.
"So, Iām not like you, Iām not an innocent girl." Miss Luās smile widened from the corners of her eyes: "Sister, I said long ago, Iām a lustful girl."
Zhu Pingniang was dumbstruck looking at Miss Lu: "LuāEr, you..."
"Just curious, so I take a look." Miss Luās dark eyes showed a touch of grievance: "Now, Iām your maid accompanying you at marriage, events like these, Iāll have to depend on you marrying well."
Zhu Pingniang: "..."
At this moment, Miss Luās image gradually merged with Qinlingās.
She used to think her daughter was pure, but now it seems, if things continue like this, she might also do things like Qinling.
Could it be, she doesnāt have the talent to raise daughters? Why does it end up with everyone wanting to push her over?
She naturally didnāt realize this outcome was the inevitable result of her promiscuous behavior.
āā
Zhu Pingniang silently wanted to withdraw her arm from Miss Luās embrace, but without daring to use force, the other held tighter.
"Ah Qingās innocence isnāt bad." Miss Lu showed some regret: "Had I known she was so fragile, Iād have made her dance skirt longer... I only thought about making her look good, but the hem is a bit short."
"Hmm, it should be fine." Miss Lu added: "If Ah Qingās shy about wearing a short skirt in front of the young master, she could wear an underlayer inside the skirt, after all, itās sword dance, not seductive dance... Hmm... Ms. Zhu, what do you think? Ms. Zhu?"
Because Zhu Pingniang hadnāt responded for a while, Miss Lu scolded: "Are you listening?"
"..."
No response?
Only then did Miss Lu notice something was off, she turned her head and discovered the Zhu Pingniang beside her had been replaced by a life-sized cloth doll without her realizing.
She escaped.
"..."
She gently covered her face.
Only at this moment could she deeply understand that her sister truly belonged to the Immortal Sect.