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nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nJiang Pengji struggled to control her laughter. Eventually, she finally appeased Taxue.

n“Ahem. I promise not to jest anymore.” Jiang Pengji cleared her throat. Under Taxue’s watchful gaze, she gently continued, “You and Xunmei grew up together. There’s no need to be hostile toward each other over something like this. I know you’re outraged on my behalf, but both you and she are girls. I am, too. I can understand why Xunmei did what she did.”

nTaxue was a smart girl, and she understood what Jiang Pengji was trying to say. “Langjun…”

n“Hush, let me finish.” Jiang Pengji raised a hand to stop her from speaking. “I know my parents’ plans. They made those arrangements so you girls would never reveal my secret. They also hoped that I would have good people to serve me for the rest of my life. But times have changed. Who knows what the future holds?”

nTo Jiang Pengji, it was a crime to let these two girls die of loneliness just so they would keep her secret.

nAs long as she lived an honest and straightforward life, what was there for her to hide?

nShe was proud of her gender and never once thought of it as a burden.

n“I’ve always treated you and Xunmei as family. If there’s anyone you like, feel free to tell me. I will make the arrangements. It’s tough being a girl when you don’t have the freedom to act independently…” Jiang Pengji smiled. “You are my maids, and I will protect you girls and allow you to do whatever you want. I’ll talk to my father…”

nBefore she even finished speaking, Taxue’s eyes turned red and fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She hugged Jiang Pengji before complaining into her neck. “Langjun, you just promised not to flirt with me.”

nHow did a simple and pure friendship turn into something like this?

nThe System gave a cold hmph and thought the future was starting to look bleak.

n“Come now, wipe those tears. If I were a man, I would feel so sorry.” Jiang Pengji laughed and used her sleeves to dab Taxue’s tears away.

n“Does that mean you’re not sorry now?” Taxue rebutted.

n“That’s not true. I would still be sorry. Just that the orientation is wrong,” Jiang Pengji said meaningfully as she raised an eyebrow.

nTaxue froze, not understanding her words. But she quickly regained her senses and flushed.

nJiang Pengji’s expression returned to normal. “Help me tell Xunmei before she gets in too deep. Xu Ke may be a good person, but he does not suit her. Her actions will not be enough to subdue him.”

nWhen Taxue noticed that her Langjun was speaking seriously, she hurriedly collected herself.

n“Langjun, aren’t you thinking too highly of him?” Taxue asked unhappily.

nNo matter what, Xu Ke was still a servant who had been bought by the Lius. His social standing was low, and he had a brand on his face. Xunmei, on the other hand, was a trusted maid for the young master. Her rank was just below that of the head servant. Xu Ke was unworthy of Xunmei.

nBut even if Taxue didn’t approve of Xunmei’s feelings for Xu Ke, she wouldn’t have done anything about it.

nHowever, Jiang Pengji made it seem like Xunmei was not worthy of Xu Ke.

nJiang Pengji smiled helplessly and did not explain.

n“Xu Ke seems simple and honest on the outside, but on the inside, he’s egotistical and proud. Xunmei would suffer if she married him.”

nIf she had not insisted on buying Xu Ke from the slave trader, he might have successfully escaped the slave shop.

nIf the times remained peaceful, Xu Ke would most likely not be able to achieve anything. His low status would be enough to put him through hell. In the next few years, however, chaos would descend… And he might be able to take advantage of that time to make a name for himself.

nAnd if Jiang Pengji was pleased with him at that time… Well, it was hard to say.

n“You are so considerate for Xunmei, yet she’s full of her own opinions!” Taxue grumbled unhappily.

n“That’s human nature,” Jiang Pengji replied.

nJiang Pengji did not care as long as her attendants did not piss her off or betray her. If they ever did, she would not be so pleasant.

nOutside, Xunmei’s heart was in a turmoil of complicated feelings as she walked towards Xu Ke, who was still kneeling.

nNight had fallen, and the air was cold.

nShe carried in her arms a simple cloak that she had sewn using cloth she had bought herself.

n“The second Langjun allows you to get up now…” Xunmei said as she draped the cloak over Xu Ke. “If you continue kneeling here, people might start saying that he’s merciless and unable to sympathize with the servants.”

nXu Ke was numb from the cold night air, but he suddenly felt the warmth from the cloak. He looked up and made eye contact with Xunmei’s gentle gaze. He could tell what she was thinking, and he quickly looked away.

nHe was not stupid; he knew that Xunmei and Taxue had special statuses. In noble families, personal attendants were practically like a young master’s concubines.

nXu Ke’s lips were still numb from the cold. “…No, it’s my fault, and I’m reflecting on it.”

nXunmei repeated what Jiang Pengji had said, and Xu Ke’s eyes flashed with emotions before he became calm.

n“Langjun’s method is good.” Xu Ke sighed and smiled.

nThe reasonable Taxue and the gentle Xunmei were always by Liu Lanting’s side. Taxue knocked sense into him while Xunmei showed him care and support. Additionally, there was Jiang Pengji’s magnanimity. He certainly felt humble before them.

nXu Ke staggered to his feet as he gathered the cloak around him. He put his hands together in front of him as a gesture of respect, and he thanked Xunmei.

nWhen Liu She heard what Jiang Pengji had done, it took him a while to collect his thoughts.

n“Seems like the training program is redundant now…”

nUnder the candlelight, Liu She pursed his lips and tried not to let a smile take over his face.

nBefore he went to bed, he looked at the tablet that he had enshrined in his room. It looked like he was remembering something.

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