Chapter 110: Absolutely Not

“The fifth day of the new year?” Yunyi asked in surprise. “Didn’t you say we were supposed to return on the second day?”

“Isn’t it better to rest at home for a few more days?” Before Yunyi could respond, Li Shimin added, “Don’t worry—Second Mother has already approved. Your monthly stipend will be paid as usual, not a single coin less.”

“Thank you, Second Master.” Though she didn’t know why Li Shimin had suddenly intervened in the Music Pavilion’s affairs and granted them so many extra days off, it was ultimately a good thing for her.

“I’ll accompany you back,” he said. With that, the two walked side by side along the quiet cobblestone path, neither speaking, simply enjoying the peaceful morning. It was still early, and they encountered few people along the way.

Li Shimin was the first to break the slightly awkward silence. “After returning last night, did everything go well?”

Yunyi glanced at him and replied indifferently, “Everything is fine. Second Master also looks well—I assume you enjoyed yourself greatly last night.” For some reason, saying this left her feeling uneasy, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

Li Shimin stopped walking and stared at her with an odd expression before breaking into a smile. Seeing this, Yunyi was baffled. “Why is Second Master smiling?”

Li Shimin chuckled softly. “Are you under the impression that I frequent the Wanhua Pavilion?”

A blush crept onto Yunyi’s cheeks as she turned away. “Where Second Master chooses to go is your own business. Meixue wouldn’t dare…”

Li Shimin interrupted her. “I have indeed been going there recently, but not for the reasons you think.”

“All men who visit brothels do so for one purpose only. I’ve never heard of any other reason,” Yunyi retorted.

Li Shimin sighed lightly. “Living in this world, there are many things beyond our control. Take you, for example—you came to the governor’s residence to become a dancer. Wasn’t that also against your will?”

Yunyi fell silent for a moment before murmuring, “But I’ve never heard of anyone visiting a brothel out of ‘helplessness.’”

“Just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.” Li Shimin didn’t elaborate further on the topic. When they reached Yunyi’s quarters, he said, “Finish packing your things and head home soon. Don’t delay. As for the five hundred coins you’re being rewarded, the accounts office will calculate it and deliver it to your home later.”

Yunyi studied him for a moment and asked, “Is Second Master worried that Lord Wang might pester me again?”

Seeing that she had seen through his intentions, Li Shimin didn’t deny it. “After you left last night, Wang Wei asked about you several times, but I managed to deflect his inquiries. However, judging by his interest in you, I doubt he’ll give up anytime soon. It’s safer for you to stay home during this time. By the fifth day of the new year, they should be gone.”

Yunyi looked at him for a moment before curtsying deeply. “Thank you, Second Master, for helping me avoid trouble.”

Li Shimin smiled faintly. “You belong to my household—it’s only right that I protect you. Besides, last night’s mishap was partly my oversight.” He knew Wang Wei and his group would be difficult to deal with, but he hadn’t expected them to be so lustful. Fortunately, he had arranged for Chenxiang and Xixiang to arrive just in time; otherwise, the situation might not have been resolved so smoothly.

“Meixue takes her leave.” After bowing once more, Yunyi turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she paused, hesitating to speak. She bit her crimson lips lightly.

Li Shimin approached her. “What is it you wish to say?”

Staring at her reflection in his eyes, Yunyi finally blurted out, “Helplessness… is it real?”

At these words, a faint smile curved Li Shimin’s lips. “Of course!”

These two simple words brought a sense of relief to Yunyi, dispelling her earlier unease. After bowing once more, she quickly returned to her room to pack her belongings. The still-sleeping Jiang Caiping stirred awake at the sound, rubbing her sleepy eyes groggily. “Sister, what are you doing?”

While packing, Yunyi explained, “Second Master just spoke with Nurse Yang. He said we can return home today and won’t need to come back until the fifth day of the new year. Our monthly stipends will remain unchanged, and we’ll each receive an additional reward of five hundred coins!”

Jiang Caiping stared blankly at her for a long moment before snapping out of her daze. Without bothering to put on clothes or shoes, she jumped out of bed and rushed to Yunyi. “Sister, you’re not joking, are you? We don’t have to return until the fifth day—and we’ll get five hundred coins?”

Yunyi quickly grabbed a nearby garment and draped it over Jiang Caiping’s shoulders, scolding gently, “You little fool, don’t catch a cold!” Seeing Jiang Caiping staring at her silently, she laughed. “I’m not joking. Nurse Yang herself said so, and Second Master was present—it’s absolutely true. Otherwise, why would I be packing?”

Realizing it wasn’t a joke, Jiang Caiping was ecstatic, clapping her hands and laughing. Watching her antics, Yunyi shook her head. “Enough, enough! Hurry and get dressed, or you’ll spend the New Year sick. Then what will you do?”

Jiang Caiping nodded repeatedly, scrambling to put on her clothes and shoes. Midway through dressing, she couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear, counting on her fingers. “Today until the fifth day—that’s six or seven whole days off! Not only do we keep our monthly stipends, but we also get an extra reward. Hehe, this is wonderful! Not even Chang’an or Luoyang could offer such a great arrangement!” Pausing, she added, “With this five hundred coins, I can buy some sugar cakes for my younger brothers—they’ve wanted some for ages. And I’ll get something tasty for my parents too.”

“Alright, hurry up and get dressed, then pack your things and head to the accounts office. Second Master must have already given the order by now.”

Hearing this, Jiang Caiping hurriedly finished dressing and washing up, then began packing her things in a rush. Seeing Yunyi preparing to leave, she called out, “Sister, wait for me! I’ll be done soon.”

Yunyi carefully placed a set of newly made clothes into her bundle and casually remarked, “I’m not going to the accounts office. I want to see Father as soon as possible. Second Master said he’d send the money over in a few days.”

Jiang Caiping was about to agree when she suddenly noticed something. Grabbing Yunyi, who was about to leave, she asked, “Sister, what did Second Master say to you this morning?”

Yunyi was bewildered by the question. “Isn’t it just what I told you earlier? What else could it be?”

“No, there must be something else.” Jiang Caiping was certain. “Last night, you didn’t even let me mention Second Master, but now you’ve mentioned him three or four times in just a short while.” As she spoke, she seemed to notice something else and pointed at Yunyi’s face. “And look! Every time you mention Second Master, you smile! You can’t deny it.”

Yunyi touched her cheek lightly and scolded, “Nonsense! I’m not smiling.”

“I’m not making it up! If you don’t believe me, look for yourself.” Jiang Caiping dragged Yunyi in front of the bronze mirror to show her reflection.

The woman in the mirror had a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips, her cheeks slightly flushed—it was unmistakably the look of… No, that was impossible. Li Shimin was the man who caused Mo Ping’s death—he was her enemy. How could she possibly…

She was mistaken. Something must have gone wrong. She wouldn’t like Li Shimin. Absolutely not!