Chapter 64: Side Story Two and Ten Q&A

Side Story 1

After Lu Jin died, Lu Bao'er no longer had a father. She stared alone at the vast manor and felt bewildered for the first time. Who should she rely on from now on? Should she rely on Xie Junling, her father's prized disciple?

She blinked dizzily at the man not far away, who was dressed in a bamboo‑green long robe, his long black flowing hair loosely bound by a white ribbon. He turned his head, glanced at Lu Bao'er, his features stern, showing no hint of delight.

Lu Jin had once told her that from now on Xie Junling would be her husband. Yet Xie Junling seemed pure and aloof, like a banished immortal who never partook in worldly affairs, not someone who would stir mortal feelings. If he didn't like her, would Lu Bao'er still have to stay with such a person?

Lu Bao'er thought optimistically; she was still young, and to survive in this world she had to depend on a man.

Who to find? She didn't know many men. Not to mention Xie Junling's character, at least he had a face, and with that face Lu Bao'er could wholeheartedly like him.

Lu Bao'er took small steps forward, reached out and pinched Xie Junling's collar, then looked up and asked, "Husband, what's for dinner tonight?"

Perhaps it was the first time Xie Junling was called "husband", and the speaker was still a milk‑scented little girl. He froze for a second, his body stiff. After a while, fearing his actions might hurt Lu Bao'er's feelings, he hurriedly added, "Do you want noodles?"

"Mm."

"Alright, just wait a moment." Xie Junling was exceedingly steady, never losing composure in any situation, yet now he was startled by a little girl's utterance of 'husband'.

He only wanted to repay a favor, yet he had taken on the little burden left by Lu Jin. For such a little girl to become his wife—could it be called... not absurd?

When Xie Junling turned to leave, he furtively glanced at Lu Bao'er. Her small frame stood in the snow, the flakes still falling onto her hair tips and brow. Her black lashes were long, catching the snowflakes, making her whole figure hazy, as if she could drift away with the wind. Not long ago she had been crying nonstop; now it seemed all her tears had been shed, and she would never cry again. Was that good or bad?

Xie Junling couldn't articulate any reason.

He merely, with barren words, tried to soothe her, hoping the little girl would no longer be shrouded by the gloom of losing her father.

While kneading dough with salted water, Xie Junling suddenly recalled. When had he become so overly sympathetic? He could have simply ignored her, cared for her until she grew up, then let Lu Bao'er find a handsome husband, while he pretended to be her brother and sent her off in glory.

But would such a pure child be misled and cheated by others?

Xie Junling felt a headache; he was only in his early twenties, why must he bear his old father's concerns?

Xie Junling wasn't the type who kept his fingers away from worldly affairs; he knew his mentor Lu Jin could cook, so he guessed that Lu Bao'er had been raised very well and didn't even know how to cook. A girl like that, if married into a small household, would be tormented by mother‑in‑law and sisters‑in‑law, right? Marrying her into a prestigious family? Though Lu Bao'er was fairly beautiful, she wasn't the daughter of a high official, so that probably wouldn't work either. Unless Xie Junling succeeded in the imperial exams, then perhaps, using his brother's name, he could arrange for Lu Bao'er to marry into a gentry family.

Lu Bao'er didn't realize Xie Junling had put so much thought into it; she smelled the fragrance of the dish and came over, standing on tiptoe beside the stove, peering into the pot.

Xie Junling was both exasperated and amused, repeatedly coaxing her, "Wait a little longer, it'll be ready soon."

"Why is there only so little?" Lu Bao'er saw just a small bowl of noodles in the pot; there were two of them, how could that be enough to eat?

Xie Junling said calmly, "I bought some river shrimp and quickly fried the shells in oil, extracting a small bowl of shrimp oil—just enough for one person. The shrimp‑oil noodles are too greasy; I don't like them."

Is that so? Are there people who don't like shrimp? Lu Bao'er nodded slyly and stopped arguing.

The noodles were indeed tasty; Lu Bao'er ate her fill and went to wash up early.

She thought that with a parental decree they should be husband and wife, and thus spouses should share a bedroom. Should Lu Bao'er invite Xie Junling to sleep together? She felt a bit shy, got off the couch and went to the study where Lu Jin had lived before, to find Xie Junling.

Xie Junling planned to read more books and draft a few essays before heading to the capital for the exams. Before he could even start grinding, Lu Bao'er entered the study wearing only a middle‑length robe.

He saw that it was late night outside the window and thought perhaps Lu Bao'er was afraid to sleep alone and wanted to talk to him.

Xie Junling, having no experience with children, asked her at that moment, "Are you afraid of the dark?"

Lu Bao'er shook her head, hesitated for a while, then said, "I just wanted to ask, husband, shall we return to the room and sleep together?"

Xie Junling saw her clear eyes and had no idea what the sentence meant. He was startled by it, his face a little uneasy, and said, "No need."

Since that blunt refusal seemed improper, Xie Junling added, "I'll sleep in the next guest room; you can go to sleep first."

Lu Bao'er was rejected and felt a bit dissatisfied. After returning to her room, she later thought: perhaps Xie Junling despised her? After all, his complexion is better than hers; maybe he truly doesn't like her!

At this moment, only Xie Junling, while writing his article, was still distracted. He thought: If Lu Bao'er later marries someone else and tells her future husband that I once invited my brother to share a bed, what should I do?

Xie Junling had a headache; he figured there was no way to marry her off to another, so it might be better to keep her himself.

Of course, many years later, Xie Junling would be immensely grateful for that decision and think it was truly wonderful.

Later, when Xie Junling recalled the past, a slight fear lingered; fortunately he hadn't married Lu Bao'er off to anyone else, or he would have regretted it for life.

Xie Junling turned his head, glanced at Lu Bao'er sleeping soundly on the inner side. He gently kissed her forehead, the corner of her eye, and her nose tip, then pressed his lips to hers, pried open her teeth, and tangled with her.

Lu Bao'er was deep in sleep when Xie Junling abruptly roused her, leaving her unsure whether she felt angry or embarrassed. She tried to struggle, but only a few faint, mosquito‑like hums escaped her lips; later, Xie Junling's advances grew stronger, and by the next morning Lu Bao'er felt sore in her waist and back, unable to get out of bed.

That scoundrel truly is a beast in robes! He even took advantage while she was asleep!

On a whim, Xie Junling incurred Lu Bao'er's resentment; this time she truly ignored him, went to sleep with Zhu Zhu'er at night, leaving Xie Junling alone in the empty room all night.

Side Story 2

When Zhu Zhu'er was born, Old Lady Su originally wanted to follow Jingdu's custom and call her "Zhu Jie'er", but after trying, it didn't sound special and "Zhu Zhu'er" sounded nicer, so the family used that name, while the servants called her "Second Miss".

When Zhu Zhu'er was five, Lu Bao'er took her to visit Princess Huayang's residence. Princess Huayang was the emperor's most beloved daughter, about ten years older than Lu Bao'er, and had only one legitimate eldest son, Chen Yang. Chen Yang took his father's surname; since Princess Huayang married out rather than bringing a son‑in‑law, all her children bore the Chen surname. Chen Yang was five years older than Zhu Zhu'er, roughly the same age as Xie Jun. For some reason, the Chen boy, pampered by Princess Huayang, ignored all the ladies of the court but took a keen interest in the milk‑scented little girl Zhu Zhu'er. Did he bring her sweets and coax her into the palace? Each time Lu Bao'er had to go herself to fetch her.

Lu Bao'er was curious; normally a boy in his early teens would be the most unruly, and older children rarely liked to play with younger ones, yet Chen Yang was odd, enjoying holding Zhu Zhu'er. Thinking this way, she felt Chen Yang was indeed a rare considerate person, perhaps because he saw himself as an older brother to Zhu Zhu'er and thus took extra care of her.

But Xie Junling didn't believe it, thinking the Chen boy was a mischievous spirit with unknown motives. He wanted to keep a close watch on Zhu Zhu'er, ordering Lu Bao'er to stop sending her daughter to the princess's residence! The household wasn't lacking sweets and cakes; why must they crave the princess's palace?

Yet no matter how much Xie Junling blocked, he couldn't stop Zhu Zhu'er from clamoring "Brother Chen" and demanding to go to the princess's residence. Regarding this delicate girl, Xie Junling could only compromise, instructing the old nanny to keep a tighter watch, lest Chen Yang take advantage of her.

However, the old nanny and Lu Bao'er both thought Chen Yang was cold to others but extremely kind to Zhu Zhu'er, even carrying her to the garden to play and occasionally handing her sweet cakes. Considering Chen Yang was a prodigy, where had he done such things? All the ladies of various marquis families were interested in him, but he brushed them off with a nonchalant, "Your looks aren't even as good as my Zhu Zhu'er." Using a five‑year‑old girl to silence them was quite amusing.

Lu Bao'er often went to the princess's residence for another reason: she got along extremely well with Princess Huayang. The princess thought, since Lu Bao'er bore the surname Lu, though she had a trace of royal blood, she wasn't truly royalty—could they become in‑laws? Though her generation could be considered Lu Bao'er's aunt, cousins could still marry, and with one family named Xie and the other Chen, if fate allowed, becoming one family wouldn't be a problem.

Princess Huayang smiled mischievously, "I also wish to bear a daughter as adorable and beloved as Zhu Zhu'er, but my womb is uncooperative and hasn't moved."

Princess Huayang was truly hurt by this; when she gave birth to Chen Yang, her body was injured, and she only has one legitimate son.

Lu Bao'er squeezed the princess's hand and said, "If you like Zhu Zhu'er, I often bring her to play, so you can see her more."

"Then that's wonderful! Of course I welcome it!"

Princess Huayang talked with Lu Bao'er for an entire afternoon; when Lu Bao'er took Zhu Zhu'er away, Chen Yang's face darkened, looking displeased.

Princess Huayang was surprised that her own son took such a liking to Zhu Zhu'er; in idle moments she teased him, asking, "Why do you always bring the Xie family's little daughter to the residence?"

Chen Yang was only eleven, yet already tall; broad shoulders, narrow back, a pair of up‑turned phoenix eyes, and he replied coldly, "She seems fun to play with."

"What nonsense?! The daughter we cherish in the palm of our hand is not for you to play with!"

"Cherish? Chen Yang recalled the little girl sitting beside him eating pastries, sneered, 'If the Xie household can cherish her, why can't the princess's residence? It's just moving her to another place; bringing her here now and then is no problem.'"

Knowing a child better than a mother, hearing that, it seemed Chen Yang had taken Zhu Zhu'er to heart. But she's only a five‑year‑old; if Chen Yang truly cared, that would be fine, yet if it's just fleeting interest, the Yan King of the Xie family, Xie Junling, would not let him off.

Who wouldn't like someone? Must you like the Xie family's little daughter?

Princess Huayang was somewhat troubled; she didn't know what kind of temperament her son truly had. He rarely spoke more than a few words to her, only when the conversation turned to Zhu Zhu'er did he seem to rely on his mother and speak a few sentences with Princess Huayang.

However, it turned out that Princess Huayang was overthinking; Chen Yang said he was interested in Zhu Zhu'er, and he truly had been interested for a long time. All the way until two years after Zhu Zhu'er's coming-of-age, Chen Yang followed the Grand General on campaign, earned military merit and returned to court, and was even granted rewards by the Emperor. He was extremely scheming, and taking advantage of the Emperor's happiness, he jointly requested the imperial edict for marriage, marrying Zhu Zhu'er to himself.

The Emperor also knew that Zhu Zhu'er was Xie Junling's only daughter, but he felt that his own grandson Chen Yang was increasingly pleasing to the eye, whether in character or martial skill, he was nothing short of a dragon among men—how could he not be a match for Zhu Zhu'er? This was a match made in heaven, so he boldly acted as matchmaker and directly agreed to this marriage.

It is the emperor's command—who would dare defy it? Xie Junling coldly eyed the vigorous young man in the hall, his thoughts deep as he thanked the emperor for his grace.

He had previously told Lu Bao'er that Chen Yang was not a good sort, but Lu Bao'er felt that Chen Yang, at such a young age, was willing to join the army and endure hardship, and was especially respectful toward her—not the unruly, hard-to-get-along-with sort that outsiders claimed.

No matter how respectful he seemed, it was merely to deceive their daughter; such a wolf who had schemed for years is the most dangerous to guard against. At such a young age, his mind is so deep—how could the pure and innocent Zhu Zhu'er be a match for him?!

Because of this, Xie Junling bore a grudge against this son-in-law for a long time; consequently, even when Zhu Zhu'er returned to her parents' home after marriage, he gave the son-in-law no pleasant look. But later, seeing that Zhu Zhu'er lived comfortably in the Chen household, he gradually let go of this displeasure. On occasional family banquets, even though Xie Junling disliked this son-in-law, he was willing to drink two cups with him and give him a glance.

Couple's Orientation 10 Questions

1. May I ask both of your names?

Xie Junling: "Xie Junling."

Lu Bao'er: "Lu..." She hadn't even finished speaking when Xie Junling covered her mouth and dragged her away.

Xie Junling said warily: "Who knows which troublemaker is asking for names—don't get sold and still count the money for the buyer."

Lu Bao'er expressed disbelief, muttering: "Didn't you also tell her your name, husband?"

Xie Junling answered solemnly: "As a husband, I have strategies; I'm not afraid of being deceived, unlike you."

Lu Bao'er: "..."

(Deng Deng: Sorry for the interruption; I never imagined I'd one day be force-fed dog food.)

2. What about your ages?

Lu Bao'er: "I should be almost twenty? After all, I've already given birth to Zhu Zhu'er and Jin Ge'er."

Xie Junling gave a light cough: "I'm just a bit older than Bao'er."

(Deng Deng: Just a bit older? It's clear you're almost ten years older.)

Xie Junling shot a glare: "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute; or do you want to take a walk in the heavenly prison?"

(Deng Deng: Okay, I'll keep quiet. I'll definitely not let Bao'er find out about this.)

3. What's the other's personality?

Lu Bao'er: "My husband is very gentle and considerate; he'll bring me tea and water."

Xie Junling: "My clumsy wife is the sort who gets sold and still counts the money for the buyer."

4. What do you like about the other?

Lu Bao'er: "It's my father's order; it seems I didn't choose this person."

Xie Junling: "I was afraid she'd be too young and get deceived, so I took her in."

Don't say that raising a fetish is so nonchalant, okay?

5. What do you dislike about the other?

Lu Bao'er: "He's too overbearing, always telling my husband that there's an old grandma in the inner chambers, so it's not proper to be too affectionate. He always insists it's marital harmony, and if the servants happen to catch a glimpse of the master's intimate relationship, they'd even be pleased and not mind. It's clearly twisted logic, twisted logic!"

Xie Junling gave a light cough and said nothing.

Sure enough, this guy is just a big-tailed wolf!

6. Do you think you get along well with each other?

Xie Junling: "I think it's not bad; I wonder how the lady feels?"

Under Xie Junling's lewd might, Lu Bao'er wanted to cry but had no tears: "I think it's all quite good."

This guy exploits people and even exploits habits……

7. How do you like being called by the other?

Xie Junling said with interest: "Good older brother?"

Lu Bao'er recalled that night's absurdity, her face flushing, she couldn't contain her anger: "Xie Junling! Don't go too far!"

"Tsk, my husband doesn't even call me that anymore."

"..."

8. What is your hobby?

Xie Junling said solemnly: "At a nice lakeside, being called 'good older brother' by my clumsy wife."

Everyone was shocked by Xie Junling's shamelessness……

9. Which part of the other's body do you like the most?

Lu Bao'er bashfully: "My husband's eyes and lips are extremely handsome; Jin Ge'er and Zhu Zhu'er both resemble him."

Xie Junling: "Bao'er is fine everywhere; whether her jade feet or her hands, they're perfect for holding and playing with in the palm."

How come someone's speech always sounds a bit suggestive?

10. Have you ever lied to the other?

Lu Bao'er: "If I lied, my husband would surely find out right away."

Xie Junling: "Never. Deceiving her serves no purpose."

(Completely finished)

-----Side note-----

Here on Red Sleeve, only when the word count is rounded up do they charge; so this chapter's 4700 characters would count as only 4000 characters' worth of money, not be charged as a 5000-character chapter, right?

Those ten questions in this section are my free gift to everyone; I wish you all happiness every day.

Now it's truly finished!

Let's meet with tilted necks!