Ling Mohhan’s eyes darted suspiciously as he aimed for the cake on the table, unceremoniously scooping some and smearing it onto Feng Jin’s face.
“What are you doing?” Feng Jin was startled by the sudden attack.
“This is called sharing the blessings and enduring hardships together. You and I are one body, so we should naturally enjoy good things together.”
Ling Mohhan’s words were righteous, but his face was full of triumphant laughter.
“Alright, then let me show you my prowess.”
As if granted a special decree, Feng Jin immediately let loose. She pounced onto Ling Mohhan, smearing the entire cake onto his face. If what happened before had some semblance of beauty, this was now beyond description except for the word ‘ugly’.
The others also joined in. The entire large cake, with little of it consumed, ended up on everyone’s faces.
After a whole battle, cake splattered every corner of the room, sparing nothing.
Feng Jin wiped her face, only getting cream on herself and nothing else. Her clothes were also covered in cream.
“I’m going to change my clothes. Cai Qing, take them and clean up the room.”
With that, Feng Jin stood up and left, her body feeling sticky and uncomfortable. She needed a good bath.
After Feng Jin left, Ling Mohhan also got up and left, leaving the mess for the others.
Cai Qing glanced at the chaotic room, her small face immediately drooping. How long would it take to clean this up? If she had known, she wouldn’t have played so joyfully, only to have her clean up the mess in the end.
“I’ll help you clean. You go change into clean clothes first,” Lu Shi said in a deep voice, getting up to start cleaning.
“I’ll be back as soon as I change.”
Cai Qing no longer hesitated. The sticky feeling of cream all over her was truly uncomfortable. She hurried back to her room to change and then rushed back to help clean.
The group worked until the sun began to set before finally tidying up the main hall. Cai Qing’s legs were so tired they felt a bit weak. She slumped onto a chair, lacking the strength to even sit up straight.
Lu Shi saw Cai Qing’s exhaustion and handed her a cup of tea.
“Thank you, Steward Lu,” Cai Qing said, taking the teacup and sipping it.
“Oh… Lu Shi, you’re really biased. You haven’t seen how tired I am, and you didn’t even think to pour me a cup of water,” Ling Muzhu complained, singling out Lu Shi for judgment.
“Exactly, I’m also exhausted,” Ling Wan complained discontentedly.
“Second Sister, if you’re thirsty, I’ll get you some tea. You shouldn’t expect anything from Lu Shi.”
Ling Muzhu shrewdly observed Lu Shi and Cai Qing. They were hiding quite a bit; how had he not noticed before?
Cai Qing’s fair little face immediately turned red. She lowered her head in embarrassment, not daring to speak.
“No… I… I just…”
Lu Shi stammered, unable to articulate anything, unsure how to explain.
“Alright, stop explaining. I understand all of this,” Ling Muzhu replied, giving Lu Shi an understanding look before standing up and patting his shoulder.
“I can’t do this anymore. I’m going back to my room to rest.”
Ling Muzhu stretched, feeling he couldn't go on any longer. He had to go back, take a bath, and sleep soundly.
“I’m going back too. You two continue… continue.”
Ling Wan didn’t want to be a third wheel anymore. She stood up and left in a hurry.
Cai Qing raised her eyes to glance at Lu Shi, then quickly lowered them again. The embarrassment on her face intensified. She coughed lightly, “I’m going back to serve the young madam.”
She stood up in a panic and left with a wobbly gait. As she passed by Lu Shi, Cai Qing glanced quickly away, not daring to look at him.
“Cai…” Lu Shi opened his mouth, but swallowed the words that were about to be spoken, growing even more annoyed with himself for not being able to say what was on his mind.
Cai Qing ran back, her face flushed. Feng Jin, who was tending to the flowers, saw Cai Qing hurrying back and called out, “Cai Qing, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red?”
“N-nothing…” Cai Qing stammered, “I… I’m just… too… too hot… I’m going back to my room to change my clothes.”
Cai Qing quickly trotted away, obviously distracted, and nearly tripped over a stone.
Hot? Feng Jin looked up at the overcast sky. There wasn’t even a sun today; it was actually a bit cold.
What had happened to Cai Qing to make her so strange? She would have to ask her properly when she had the time.
Yesterday, Lin Yuwei had returned to Pingyang Marquis Manor, leaving her with no one to chat with or relieve her boredom. She had been bored to death all day.
Feng Jin couldn’t help but sigh. Life in ancient times was truly difficult, with nothing for entertainment. Especially at night, how could someone like her, accustomed to nightlife, tolerate a life of early to bed and early to rise?
Men could still go out to amuse themselves and pass the time, but women were advised to stay indoors and never step outside. Confined to these square courtyards all day, how could they possibly live?
Fortunately, she still had things to do to pass the time, otherwise, she would truly be suffocated.
“Why are you sighing?” Ling Mohhan, who had heard her sigh from afar, sat down beside Feng Jin and asked.
Feng Jin lay her head on the table, not looking up at Ling Mohhan. She murmured to herself, “I’m so bored, life is utterly dull…”
“Bored, dull. Tell me, what would be considered interesting?”
Ling Mohhan rested his chin on his hand, waiting with great interest to hear what Feng Jin would say next.
“Can we go out and play tonight?”
She had never been out at night before. This was a good opportunity to go out and see what the nightlife of Dong Chu was like.
“If a woman like you goes out at night, it will cause gossip. If you truly feel stifled, I’ll take you out for a stroll tomorrow at noon.”
“I don’t want to. I only want to go out at night. Then I can dress up as a man and go out with you, okay? I promise I won’t run around or cause trouble for you. Just take me out for a bit, please…”
Feng Jin shook the man’s arm coquettishly. She hadn't been so eager to go out initially, but Ling Mohhan’s words had made her restless.
If she didn't go out today, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
“Do you really want to go out that much?”
“Really, truer than pearls!” Feng Jin replied sincerely, her eyes shining with anticipation for Ling Mohhan’s answer.
“Alright then, you can go out with me. But you must not cause trouble, and you must stay by my side and not run around…” Ling Mohhan said incessantly, clearly not entirely at ease.