Chapter 4, The Frugal Wife

You! The girl, her face flushed with anger, turned and walked away. The boy laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling, then turned to stare at Jun Ke, who, however, turned her face away.

With a sigh, Junke thought to herself that the boldness and openness of ancient people's speech was no less than that of Jing Hengbo, and their shamelessness in lying to one's face was no less than that of Wen Zhen, truly admirable, truly admirable

Jun Ke looks to the sky, thinking that you truly are not afraid of bursting your belly from boasting

"Brother, I won't run away tonight; tomorrow, I fear I will become an unjust groom." The young man laughed heartily, "That maid from Shengping sneaked around a few days ago to consult Aunt San. What was she asking about? As if I didn't know."

The young man's eyes lit up, and he clapped his head, saying, "What a good idea." He half-turned to embrace Jun Ke, feeling her fragrant and ethereal presence, reminiscent of the mountains adorned with blooming iris under thin clouds. His heart stirred involuntarily, and he couldn't help but want to turn and look at her. However, facing the girl on the wall, he ultimately restrained himself, hiding Jun Ke further behind him, smiling as he squeezed her hand. The girl on the wall saw this gesture and turned pale with anger once again.

Jun Ke could not help but chuckle. As she smiled, a flash of brilliance appeared in her eyes. The girl on the wall could not clearly see her features, but she noticed the rare golden light in those dark pupils. She was momentarily taken aback, then quickly reacted, pointing at the boy in Jun Ke's arms and coldly said: "What are you doing holding him"

What are you saying! The young girl blushed and spat, while Jun Ke's eyes sparkled, thinking to himself that this phrase is classic and very much in the style of a foolish youth

"Go back, girl." The young man changed his tone again, soft as if it could drip with water, "If you insist on dragging your brother back today, that's fine. I will take your sister-in-law along as well, so that Sheng Ping can see what a true beauty looks like"

She had not yet responded when the young man in her arms raised his hand and naturally rested it on her shoulder. As he did so, a surge of strength overwhelmed her, rendering Jun Ke unable to move. Meanwhile, the young man had already wrapped one arm around her shoulder and turned to the young girl with a smile, saying, "My wife, of course you can hold me."

Upon seeing the young girl turn around, two muscular guards immediately jumped down from the wall, bending down to back each other. Instantly, a sense of vigilance arose within her. What is the identity of this pair of siblings? Such an imposing demeanor?

"You are not serious at all!" The girl on the wall looked at the two of them, her face flushed, stamping her foot, "Who said you could stay in the yard? Isn't it because you refuse to go out yourself? Princess Shengping... What is so bad about Shengping? With such a status, deigning to come here for half a year with excuses, waiting on you, and you don't even give a good expression. But when someone invites you to a meal, why do you run away?"

The young man beside me has a slender waist and long arms, with well-groomed fingers. His entire being exudes a refined and graceful charm. Although young, his demeanor is distinguished and elegant. His long hair is dampened by the dew, and his profile, with a hint of his delicate lips, reveals a beautifully curved line.

After all, she is still a young girl. Although she is intelligent and composed, her nature possesses an uncarved jade-like innocence and carefree spirit. Moreover, she is naturally magnanimous, not perceiving offense but rather finding things amusing, which makes her unable to resist speaking out.

Jun Ke exclaimed in surprise, was this girl his sister? He had thought it was just another clichéd story of a hot girl pursuing a man

This person waited for the girl to leave, patted the boy on the shoulder, and said, "Breaking into the mansion at midnight and calling a deer a horse, today's matter should come to an end here. There is no need to thank me for helping you out; I only ask you, in the future, not to recognize me. Take care, take care, never ever meet again." After saying this, she turned and left

"You young lady need not understand this." The young man waved his hand, "Sister, go back. Even if the emperor himself were to invite me tonight, I have no intention of leaving your sister-in-law. A man of honor does not fear dying in the arms of a gentle woman, but he must die on the right bed"

Jun Ke was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. What kind of reasoning is this? Clearly, it was his request, and clearly this delicate young lady had come after him. Instead of holding him accountable, she comes to question her?

Jun Ke peeked out from behind the young man, smiling cheerfully as she said: "Yes, I dare not take advantage, I seek to sever ties, I seek disdain, I seek to be dismissed"

Jun Ke smiled, then turned to pick up the booklet. The young man gazed intently at her profile. On that rainy night, with a light mist, the illumination was dim, revealing only her delicate side. From her half-dropped hair, exquisite features rose and fell, and as she turned her head, a fleeting glance seemed to shimmer with a dazzling golden light.

Sighing, the girl helplessly shook her head and said resentfully, "Every time I have to clean up after you!" She then pointed at Jun Ke and fiercely declared, "From today onwards, you must sever ties with my brother. What kind of person do you think you are to occupy my brother's attention?"

Jun Ke watched the agile movements of the young girl, thinking to himself, is this the legendary martial arts? Indeed, did everyone in ancient times possess such skills? Before he could finish his thought, the girl stumbled on the wall, and someone below immediately shouted, "Be careful!" Two muscular men then leaped up, one on the left and one on the right, to support her

What is even more peculiar is his tone, which inherently carries a sense of nobility typical of someone in a position of authority. It is as if he is accustomed to giving orders, yet he does not come across as overbearing; instead, he evokes a feeling of willing submission, making it seem inappropriate to defy him

"Where did you get your wife?" The girl on the narrow wall turned pale with anger. Not daring to stamp her feet on the narrow wall, she kicked the tiles towards Jun Ke. The young man flicked his fingers, and all the tiles shot back at her. As the girl hurriedly dodged, he laughed and said, "You’re already eager to send congratulatory gifts before the wedding ceremony. Thank you, thank you, but I don’t like these tiles. Are you hinting at the joy of tile-making? No way, with so many daughters, I can’t handle it; the dowry would be too extravagant.

The first impression is "Whose loose woman is this!"

The young girl scoffed disdainfully at the statement, yet it was evident that her brother's threat still made her hesitate. She knew that this young man was capable of following through on his words. If he were to truly bring a woman back, how could the esteemed person waiting at home endure it? It would be better not to return at all

The young man was just about to turn around to thank her, but to his surprise, she was even more decisive, leaving without hesitation. In a moment of astonishment, he called out: "Miss Tangtu, I sincerely apologize. Please hold on for a moment, allow me to express my gratitude."

In an instant, she had no time to use her eyes; she relied solely on her senses. She felt that the man who had collided with her had a refreshing and pleasant scent, his movements were not lewd, he bore no weapons, and his voice was still youthful, slightly husky as if in the midst of voice change, yet low and pleasing to the ear

However, as I looked up, I saw the young girl with her chin slightly raised, glistening with a jade-like sheen in the rainy night. From her chin upwards, her nose was delicately pointed, resembling a jade bead. Further up, a pair of elegant eyebrows arched gracefully, with the distance between them seeming a bit wider, yet evoking a sense of spaciousness, like the mist that drifts elegantly across the mountains and fields, floating and sinking in the horizon.

A person who would say such things in the middle of the night must surely be facing difficulties

At midnight, a man crashes into you, asking you to hold him tightly. What would you do

Jun Ke noticed that although the young man appeared carefree and playful, the atmosphere around the library was actually quite tense. His gaze never shifted from the top of the wall to look at her, and his footsteps seemed somewhat peculiar. Jun Ke, who did not understand martial arts, speculated whether this was the legendary footwork known as "Bu Ding Bu Ba," which could be both offensive and defensive.

She originally had some desire for the young man to take her away, but at this moment, she no longer intended to wade into these murky waters. Throughout history, the highest officials and nobility have been the class most prone to turmoil, so it is better to let it go.

Unfortunately, Junke is not.

Jun Ke chuckled softly and whispered in the young man's ear, "It's nothing, just ask for more betrothal gifts and you'll make it back, right"

"Isn't she just looking for Lady San to do some embroidery and drink tea? What else could it be?" The young girl looked utterly astonished

The young man raised his head, gazing at her silhouette. Unable to restrain himself, he coughed once, then again. After a moment, a smile flickered in his eyes as he took out a booklet from his pocket and tossed it over, saying earnestly, "I sincerely apologize; this is the only one I have. If given the chance, I will certainly travel the world for the young lady to gather unparalleled secret manuals, collecting three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or even eighty of them"

The phrase "Hold me tight," which sounded both like a command and a plea for help, stirred something within Junke.

He could not see her eyes, for Jun Ke was not looking at him; instead, she was frowning at the top of the wall. As the sound of the wind arose, a young girl in splendid attire had already leaped onto the wall.

At this moment, several individuals were in a standoff at the courtyard wall of the Zhou residence. Although their voices were not loud, it would not be long before someone came to investigate. Jun Ke contemplated whether she could take this opportunity to have the young man escort her away. However, the young man also realized the inappropriateness of the situation. Suddenly, he spoke earnestly to the girl on the wall, saying, "Sister, your brother has been locked in the courtyard all day, idly counting the legs of ants, thinking about your sister-in-law, suffering from lovesickness and only eating four meals a day plus a late-night snack. It is one thing for you not to sympathize, but after I finally managed to escape, and before I even had the chance to be affectionate with your sister-in-law, you, a young lady, come out to spy and even want to break us apart. What kind of behavior is that!"

Jun Ke's lips curled slightly, thinking to herself that although this person came from a noble background, their upbringing was not lacking. She paused but did not turn around, smiling as she said, "Indeed, I have treated you with great kindness, and I fear that if I do not allow you to express your gratitude, you may not be able to sleep. How about this: what martial art did you use to send the tiles flying just now? Do you have any manuals? Just a few will suffice."

Ninety-nine percent of modern women with social experience, who have encountered incidents such as being groped on public buses, having their faces touched by street thugs, being pressured to drink in bars, dealing with lewd advances in restrooms, and facing exposure from exhibitionists, will elegantly extend their fingers, lift their long legs, and use the pointed toes of their seven-inch high heels to deliver a front kick or side kick learned in taekwondo, targeting the assailant's vital areas, and decisively shout, "Drop dead"

Not far away, lights and voices could be heard; the guards of the Zhou residence had already arrived. The young man stood still, suddenly striking his right fist against his left palm, murmuring, "Miss Zhou!"

The young man stood there in a daze, momentarily bewildered as if his eyes had deceived him. When he regained his senses, all that lay before him was the empty wind and faint mist, and in the hazy rain, a extinguished paper lantern swayed gently in the corridor, while the figure of the girl had long since vanished.

An orphan was brought into the research institute, and for over ten years, lived a secluded and monotonous life. Although they learned about the evils of human nature through various media, they had not experienced it firsthand. While remaining vigilant, they actually yearned to embrace all the new experiences with their own intuition.

All thoughts lasted but a fleeting moment, and then she raised her hand and embraced the young man

Holding onto the past, the young man stiffened, looking up at her in disbelief. He had merely made a jest, fully aware that no young lady would ever comply with such words. Just as he was preparing to use force or some other means, unexpectedly, he felt a warmth in front of him; she had actually embraced him!