"Oh, you wicked girl, your mouth is truly formidable. I can never win an argument with you," Cai Qing said helplessly. Chu Qing was simply too quick-witted, and Cai Qing was utterly defeated in their verbal sparring.
Chu Qing couldn't help but stifle a giggle. "Not at all. It's just that I've spoken your mind directly. You've been hit where it hurts and have no words to retort. My dear sister, tell me, aren't you eager to get married soon? If you truly feel that way, I'll ask the young madam to put in some effort to hasten your marriage."
"It will also save Lord Lu from waiting day and night so laboriously. Once your good deed is done, we can share in your joy."
Cai Qing's fair face flushed even redder. Chu Qing's sharp tongue truly was something else, leaving her speechless and only able to sulk in frustration.
"You... if you dare to speak nonsense again, I'll... I'll tear your little mouth apart, so you can never marry and remain an old maid."
Cai Qing reached out, intending to pinch Chu Qing's chattering mouth. This mouth was truly both loved and hated. When angry, she truly wished to sew Chu Qing's mouth shut with a needle, so she could never speak again.
It was unbearable to have her mouth spewing irritating words, and yet, Chu Qing always managed to say them in a way that left no room for rebuttal.
"Oh, dear sister, I dare not... I truly dare not..."
Seeing that Cai Qing seemed genuinely angry, Chu Qing quickly covered her mouth and begged for mercy, not wanting Cai Qing to actually tear her mouth.
"You sure are quick to beg for mercy, but it's too late. Today, I must tear your little mouth apart."
Cai Qing deliberately put on a furious act, chasing Chu Qing as if she were truly going to rip her mouth open.
"Oh, dear sister, I truly dare not... please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."
After much pleading, Cai Qing finally took pity and stopped teasing Chu Qing. She put her hands on her hips, her voice tinged with a hint of anger, "If you do this again, let's see if I let you off."
"Alright, alright, I know. There won't be a next time," Chu Qing said, stepping forward to link her arm with Cai Qing's, pulling her to sit on a chair and handing her a cup of tea with a placating gesture.
"Seriously, Sister Cai Qing, have you ever thought about marrying Lord Lu?"
Cai Qing's eyelids drooped, a faint shadow clouding her eyes. "It's not that I haven't thought about it, but... but I'm afraid everything will change after marriage. Lord Lu will become different from now, perhaps even estranged. I also worry that married life will be filled with trivial disputes, endless arguments."
"If that's the case, I'd rather not get married. It's quite good to continue living like this."
In her heart, she harbored a genuine fear of marriage and worried that married life would be difficult. It was better to continue living as they were, without the necessity of getting married.
A look of shock crossed Chu Qing's face. She had never expected the usually carefree Cai Qing to think so deeply about marriage, even contemplating future possibilities. It was truly unexpected.
"But the things you mentioned are, after all, just a minority. I personally think Lord Lu is a good man. After you get married, it certainly won't be as you imagine..."
Cai Qing sighed slightly, her tone tinged with helplessness. "I hope so. But no one can predict the future. These things are too far off. Let's not talk about them anymore..."
Who knew what the future held? She didn't want to dwell on these distant matters anymore. It was better to let things take their natural course.
"But you, a young girl who has just come of age, how can you be thinking about such things..."
She was so young, yet already contemplating these matters. The more she thought about it, the more it felt off. Her gaze fell upon Chu Qing as she examined her, and after a moment of thought, she suddenly asked, "Do you have someone you like, which is why you're starting to think about this?"
Chu Qing was startled and quickly waved her hands in denial. "No... no, that's absolutely not true."
"Pfft..." Cai Qing couldn't help but laugh at Chu Qing's nervous and anxious demeanor, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles.
"Look at how scared you are. Even if you do have someone you like, what does it matter? It's all very normal, look how you're trembling."
Realizing she might have been tricked, Chu Qing's little mouth immediately pouted. "I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going to see the young madam to see if she needs any help. Sister Cai Qing, you should rest well in the room."
"I'll go with you to have a look."
She had been taking care of Lord Lu all day and hadn't gone to see the young madam. Instead, she had troubled the young madam to attend to matters at both ends. Now that Lord Lu was out of danger, she could take the opportunity to help the young madam.
"Sister Cai Qing, please don't trouble yourself further. You've been taking care of Lord Lu all day. Lord Lu might call for you again later. Just rest assured in the room and take good care of Lord Lu later. I will look after the young madam, and absolutely nothing will go wrong. Please rest well."
Leaving Cai Qing in the room, Chu Qing stood up and walked out.
...
"Young madam, please rest for a while. This servant will keep watch over the young general."
Chu Qing pushed the door open and tiptoed in, carefully placing the tray in her hands on the desk without making a sound.
Upon hearing the noise, Feng Jin opened her eyes, which had been half-closed in slumber. She stretched and stood up, leaning on the desk.
"Young madam, this servant has made some lotus seed soup. Please have some to fill your stomach."
The young madam had stayed awake all night, guarding the young general since last night. Even an iron-willed person couldn't endure such hardship. Without eating or drinking, she would surely fall ill eventually.
Feng Jin was also hungry. She sat on the chair, picked up the bowl, and began to drink the porridge heartily.
"After the young madam finishes the porridge, please go and rest. This servant will stay here to watch over the young general. If anything happens, this servant will call you immediately and absolutely nothing will go wrong."
She was also worried that if the young madam continued to stay awake like this, her body would not be able to withstand it. What if the young general's injuries healed, but the young madam fell ill instead?
Feng Jin placed the empty bowl on the desk. "No, I'll stay here."