Chapter 37

Yin Jiuyi was not particularly concerned with court affairs; all his attention was focused on the Ruyi Pavilion.

But he didn’t go to the Ruyi Pavilion every day-only occasionally, when the mood struck him, would he pay a visit.

Sometimes, when he was tired, he would sleep at the Ruyi Pavilion before returning home.

One day, he rode back on horseback. I happened to be strolling in the residence and saw the sweat on his forehead, but I didn’t hand him a handkerchief, nor did I wipe it for him.

This scene was witnessed by Lu Yurong and Fang Henyu, who were out admiring chrysanthemums together.

That evening, Lu Yurong’s Maid summoned me.

When I arrived, Fang Henyu was there as well. The two of them were always inseparable.

“Zhuzhu, do you know why I called you here today?” Yin Jiuyi always called me “Zhuzhu,” so she assumed it was my nickname and used it regularly.

I shook my head.

She stood up and suddenly leaned close to my face. The abrupt movement startled me, and I flinched reflexively.

“Cousin was sweating all over today-why didn’t you wipe it for him?”

She leaned even closer, pressing both hands firmly on the crossbar beside the chair, trapping me in a posture of dominance, her eyes wide as she stared at me: “A woman should be gentle and graceful, considerate of her husband. When a man sweats, how can you remain indifferent?”

She released her right hand, pulled out a silk handkerchief from her waist, and walked over to Fang Henyu, who was drinking tea. Bending down, she gently dabbed the handkerchief on Fang Henyu’s forehead, wiping away the sweat as she pinched her voice and said coquettishly, “Husband, you’re sweating-wipe it quickly, don’t catch a chill.”

A trace of awkwardness flashed across Fang Henyu’s face, and she quickly turned her head away.

I stared in astonishment at this ridiculous scene, unable to help but wonder if they’d taken the wrong medicine today-why were they acting so strangely?

“Have you learned?” As I was lost in thought, a sharp, hawk-like gaze suddenly shot over. Lu Yurong nodded emphatically: “This is how a true lady should behave. From now on, do it like this-when Cousin sweats, wipe it for him just like this. Henyu, don’t you agree?”

Fang Henyu awkwardly pushed her away, took a sip of tea, and cleared her throat: “That’s basically it. That’s what the matrons always taught.”

But as I thought about it, the two of them never actually did this in daily life.

Today, they both clearly saw Yin Jiuyi sweating, yet neither of them went up to wipe it for him.

“The matron always said, once you’re married, your husband is your sky. You must be quiet and well-mannered, support your husband and raise children at home. When your husband gets up, don’t forget to dress him; when he’s tired, don’t forget to massage his shoulders-” Lu Yurong sat upright, hands folded in front of her, reciting solemnly.

Fang Henyu glanced at her and interrupted: “Enough, you hated it back then, and now you want to pass it on to others.”

“Zhuzhu, don’t listen to her-I’m teaching you!!” Lu Yurong argued a bit more, then waved her hand dismissively with her eyes closed: “Alright, alright, just think carefully about what I taught you today. It’s getting late, hurry back and find Cousin.”

On the way back, Xiaotao supported me, chattering happily: “Miss, the two Princess Consorts are really easy to get along with. Her Highness is lively, and the Concubine only looks a bit stern. The Concubine is really good at painting-the little gray rabbit with red eyes on this lantern is so cute.”

I squeezed the long handle of the rabbit lantern, watching the light and shadow cast on the stone path, and said, “They gave me a handkerchief just two days ago.”

They’re both a few years older than me, fond of laughing and playing around.

The moonlight overhead was bright and clear, casting me into a hazy reverie. It seemed that in these past two weeks, the happy life I once yearned for had begun to take a clear shape.

I grabbed Xiaotao’s hand and started running. I wanted to go back and tell Yin Jiuyi that I’d learned how to read the account books, and he wouldn’t need to teach me every night anymore.