Chapter 876

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Through the east-facing glass window lattice, the outside was still pitch black, with not a trace of dawn, just like this bitter and short spring night.

In the room stood a bronze Fu-Shou cloisonné incense burner, the fragrance lingering and not dispersing, the charcoal fire in the burner glowing red.

The wide canopy bed's curtains were tightly closed, occasionally trembling without wind, and the sound of orioles could be heard lingering; it continued late into the night, and it was unknown when it subsided.

On the bed, jade was wrapped in brocade quilts, and snow lay on gauze pillows; the fragrance was intoxicating, gathering and not dispersing, an indescribable scene of beauty.

Wu'er woke up from a sweet sleep, her star-like eyes slightly opening to see Jia Cong fast asleep, his arm draped under her neck, holding her tightly by his side.

She slightly raised her body and saw Ping'er sleeping on the outer side, her hair disheveled like clouds, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

The brocade quilt slid down, revealing a section of snow-white, delicate shoulder; she leaned her head on Cong Sanye's shoulder, sleeping soundly.

Wu'er felt slightly proud; Cong Sanye was holding me even while asleep, and he wasn't holding Ping'er—he must love me more.

As for what happened last night, although every detail was clear and etched in her bones, Wu'er didn't dare to think too much about it; it was truly too shameful.

Last night, Cong Sanye didn't know how he cajoled them, but the three of them ended up sleeping in one bed in a daze; perhaps because Cong Sanye was about to go on an expedition, they were all reluctant to part with him.

Thinking of the repeated intimacy last night, Wu'er felt her whole body burning, vaguely remembering that she was exhausted, and Cong Sanye had pressed Ping'er under him again...

Wu'er thought that it would be dawn soon, and wondered if she should get up early; if anyone found out, she would die of shame.

But she was too embarrassed to get up first, so she could only continue pretending to sleep, squeezing closer to Jia Cong, but she couldn't fall asleep again.

……

After a short while, the pitch black outside the window faded, and a faint dawn light appeared; Ping'er suddenly woke up in a start.

She struggled to sit up wrapped in the quilt, looking at Jia Cong sleeping peacefully beside her, her pretty face burning hot, her body feeling soft and weak.

Seeing Wu'er leaning beside Jia Cong, who also seemed to be in a deep sleep, her long, curled eyelashes fluttered slightly twice.

Ping'er pursed her lips slightly, not wanting to expose them, lifted the bed curtain, picked up the clothes on the floor, and began to dress lightly.

When she had finished putting on her small undergarments and was about to get off the bed, she couldn't help but say, "Wu'er, you are still pretending to sleep there; hurry up and get up to tidy up.

Soon they will knock on the door to deliver water; if they see through what happened, we will surely be laughed to death, and you are not allowed to blame me then."

Wu'er was called out by her, got up with a face full of red, her expression somewhat helpless, and hurriedly groped for her clothes to put on.

Although the two got off the bed lightly, Jia Cong had long been awakened; worried that they would lose face, he could only continue pretending to sleep—last night he had indeed been a bit absurd...

……

Ping'er was meticulous; after dressing neatly, she went to the dressing table to carefully groom herself.

Wu'er, however, just tidied her hair neatly after dressing, stepped forward to help Ping'er comb her hair, and carefully inserted hairpins and head ornaments.

Ping'er laughed, "You don't need to be so diligent; I can tidy myself up."

Wu'er snorted and said, "Who said I was helping you? You think too highly of yourself; you weren't the one on night duty last night.

Even if you came into the room early today, you shouldn't be disheveled and untidy; those maids are so sharp, they would see through it at a glance.

If you lose face then, do you think I will have face? I couldn't even keep watch while on night duty and dragged you into this mess—it's truly shameful.

If even a whisper of this gets out, they will say Cong Sanye is too absurd, and it won't be good for Cong Sanye's reputation."

Ping'er's pretty face turned red, and she said, "You think quite carefully; I suppose it's my fault then."

Wu'er said, "You don't need to say such things; when it's your turn for night duty, I will come over to bother you too; we are even."

……

Ping'er couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this, her whole body burning, and she laughed and scolded, "You have been enlightened by Cong Sanye, becoming more and more reckless and shameless.

Cong Sanye is going on an expedition tomorrow, and I am reluctant to part with him, which is why I couldn't hold back last night.

This is already too excessive; I dare not mess around with you again.

Next time you come over while I am on night duty, I will surely turn around and run; I will honestly make room for you, but Cong Sanye won't be able to trick me again."

Wu'er laughed, "Are you being too sharp? After covering for Cong Sanye last night, you refuse to leave any evidence..."

Wu'er had some misgivings about last night's romantic affair, but Ping'er's detailed words melted much of it away.

As the two were talking, Jia Cong's voice came from behind: "What evidence are you leaving? I want to get up, and you aren't coming to help me."

Ping'er and Wu'er both turned red when they heard this.

Wu'er said, "This time Cong Sanye should dress himself; I will help Sister Ping'er tidy up quickly, so we don't get caught and lose face."

Ping'er laughed, "That's the logic; Cong Sanye took enough advantage last night, so Cong Sanye should suffer a little today."

Jia Cong laughed, jumped off the bed, tidied up his scattered clothes, dressed in a moment, and went to the clothes rack to take his padded jacket.

Ping'er, having been inserted with a phoenix hairpin by Wu'er, took a look in the mirror and said, "Now it's all neat; this is enough."

She stood up to help Jia Cong put on his outer robe, and Wu'er took the belt to help Jia Cong tie it.

……

Just as Wu'er was about to help Jia Cong comb his hair, Ping'er suddenly thought of something and walked quickly toward the door, remembering that Cong Sanye had bolted the door last night.

Now that she was still in the room, the bolt was locked tight from the inside; the maid who came early would surely be suspicious...

Ping'er had just approached the door and hadn't had time to pull the bolt when she heard urgent and crisp footsteps in the corridor.

Someone walked to the door and knocked twice, then tried to push the door open, which naturally didn't open.

"Eh, when was the door locked? Wu'er, are you up? The big copper basin is still in the room; I need to get hot water for Cong Sanye."

Ping'er heard this crisp and pretty voice and knew it was Qingwen; her heart skipped a beat—of all people, the most curious one had to come.

Qingwen, seeing that her words had just fallen, heard the bolt inside being pulled, as if someone had been guarding the door, and felt somewhat strange.

When Qingwen waited for the door to open, she saw Ping'er standing before her, dressed in exquisite clothes, her cloud-like hair dark and shiny, her hairpins gorgeous, standing tall and beautiful—very pleasing to the eye.

Qingwen felt strange and said, "Sister Ping'er, you are up so early; why lock the door when entering Cong Sanye's room? It's truly rare for early morning."

Ping'er saw Qingwen's beautiful big eyes, the water in her gaze flowing, looking her up and down.

There was a hint of suspicion in her eyes, as well as an inexplicable desire to know...

Ping'er felt her skin crawl under Qingwen's gaze and laughed, "When I entered, I was worried about the wind outside, so I bolted the door without thinking."

Qingwen didn't quite believe it and saw Ping'er's eyebrows dyed with ink, her beautiful eyes moist like water, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her lips pink and tempting—truly indescribably beautiful.

Even though she was a woman herself, she was momentarily dazed.

She laughed, "Sister Ping'er, you look really beautiful today, much better than usual. What rouge or lip balm do you use? I should buy some to beautify myself too."

……

Ping'er subconsciously touched her lips, feeling strange—what kind of look was this girl giving? Where did she have any lip balm left?

She had been messing around with Cong Sanye last night, and it had all been rubbed off by Cong Sanye...

She laughed, "You must be seeing things; why would I put on rouge early in the morning? You go help Cong Sanye tidy the bed, and I will go get the water."

Qingwen felt even stranger—Sister Ping'er must be sleeping in a daze; isn't rouge and powder for putting on in the morning?

She shook her head in confusion and entered the inner room to tidy the bed; just as she walked to the canopy bed and was about to tidy it.

Wu'er suddenly turned red, put down the comb in her hand, and blocked Qingwen without a sound.

Blushing, she said, "Qingwen, my hands aren't as nimble as yours; you should comb Cong Sanye's hair, and I will tidy the bed."

Qingwen's delicate nose twitched, and she muttered, "The fragrance on the bed is so strong; Wu'er, your rouge is too heavy. Use less next time; even if you have money, you shouldn't be like this."

Wu'er's face stiffened, and she hurriedly replied, "It seems a bit heavy; I'll use less next time as you said."

Jia Cong hurriedly said, "Qingwen combs hair the best; let her fix me up; I enjoy it the most."

Qingwen was distracted by them and didn't think deeply for a moment, laughing, "Cong Sanye finally knows my worth."

Jia Cong saw her pick up the comb and carefully comb his hair; her technique was light and nimble, truly very efficient.

He also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart—this girl's nose was too sharp; if she were allowed to run around the room, she would likely blabber about everything...

Wu'er quickly folded the brocade quilt, tidied the bedding and sheets, bundled them into a package, and went out.

Qingwen said, "Wu'er, just tidy the bed; why make such a big fuss? There's no sun today, so you can't dry the mattress anyway."

Wu'er laughed, "I'm not drying the mattress; Cong Sanye will sleep one more night, and tomorrow he will go on an expedition, so I'm changing the mattress for Cong Sanye so he can sleep more comfortably."

Qingwen saw Wu'er's graceful figure, holding the big bundle of items, walking quickly out of the room, and muttered, "What's wrong with Wu'er? Suddenly busy for no reason.

Changing the mattress for Cong Sanye—she should have changed it a few days ago; waiting until today to change it, just to let Cong Sanye sleep one night on a new mattress—the housekeeper is truly confused."

……

Jia Cong laughed, "Let Wu'er be busy; fix my hair and wait for breakfast; there are still many things to do today."

Qingwen laughed, "Cong Sanye, rest assured; I won't delay your important business."

Her hands moved faster, using the comb to carefully comb through his hair, then her small hands interlaced back and forth.

Against the pitch-black hair, her palms looked even more like jade, her fingers like willows, exquisite and beautiful; in just a moment, she had tied the bun and carefully inserted the hair crown.

Ping'er also brought in a copper basin of hot water; Qingwen served Jia Cong as he washed his face and rinsed his mouth. He was about to go to the main room for a meal when he saw Qingwen about to enter the inner room.

Jia Cong said, "Qingwen, what else are you busy with? Come have breakfast with me; eating alone is tasteless."

Qingwen said, "Cong Sanye, don't you feel the inner room is a mess? The stool is overturned and no one is helping; I will tidy it up first, then have breakfast with Cong Sanye."

Ping'er hurriedly said, "These are just small matters; you just go have breakfast with Cong Sanye, and I will tidy it up."

Jia Cong laughed, "Let Sister Ping'er tidy it up; I am going on a long journey the day after tomorrow, so we will have to wait a while before we can have breakfast together again."