Over the past few days, Li Yue Shu had clearly felt that He Xiao Yu was different from the arrogant and overbearing legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion rumored about.
While she was a bit spoiled and willful, she wasn't unreasonable. It was only when facing He Xue Bao and Ji Quan Si, especially when both appeared together, that she became particularly unreasonable.
On the surface, it seemed like she was acting out of jealousy and petulance, but a closer look would reveal that her gaze lingered on Ji Quan Si less than it did on Mo Yu Lin.
Li Yue Shu was lost in thought, and her gaze, which had been fixed on He Xue Bao, failed to retract.
Sensing her attention, He Xue Bao approached with a smile and asked, "Why has Sister been watching me?"
He Xue Bao appeared bewildered and innocent, seemingly having completely forgotten how Li Yue Shu and He Xiao Yu had verbally clashed with her during the lake excursion a few days prior.
Li Yue Shu was accustomed to this, muttering "Nothing" before going to find He Xiao Yu.
Honestly, she greatly admired He Xue Bao's tolerance.
If she had been retorted to in such a manner, the next time she met them, she wouldn't have directly resorted to physical violence, let alone maintained a cheerful and affectionate demeanor, calling her "Sister."
Yet, He Xue Bao not only managed to do this but also appeared before them daily, displaying her cordial and gentle nature.
Of course, Ji Quan Si accompanied her.
The appearance of these two was purely coincidental and happened on the very first day of treating Mo Yu Lin.
As soon as He Xiao Yu left, Ji Quan Si arrived.
Naturally, no one here welcomed him, and Hong Dai personally shut the door.
However, Ji Quan Si did not leave. He scaled the wall and exposed the identities of Li Yue Shu and Qin Mo Yuan.
Li Yue Shu was not surprised by this.
Even with the cheat item of the spatial dimension, Ji Quan Si was, after all, the master of Chi Yun Lou. He already knew that Hong Dai was with them, so it was not strange for him to recognize them.
But Ji Quan Si did not seem inclined to expose their whereabouts. In fact, upon learning they were investigating Mo Yu Lin, he proactively offered his assistance.
Li Yue Shu intended to ask about the conditions for his help, but Hong Dai spoke first: "No need, my Ming Yue Lou can find out!"
Ji Quan Si lowered his eyes, his captivating phoenix eyes curving slightly. "Didn't you say that if I married the Crown Princess, you would never see me again?"
Hong Dai pouted.
These words were spoken in a fit of pique after they had kidnapped He Xiao Yu.
Hong Dai naturally wouldn't lose face and said with a stiff neck, "I truly never want to see you again!"
"Is that so?" Ji Quan Si narrowed his eyes and smirked wickedly, "Then last night, you climbed into my bed, stripped me, and bit me..."
Hong Dai quickly covered his mouth, glancing cautiously at Li Yue Shu, who was resting with her eyes closed in Qin Mo Yuan's embrace not far away. Her cheeks flushed as she hurriedly pulled Ji Quan Si away.
Faintly, fragments of their conversation could be heard:
"...You can marry and take concubines, but I can't find a man?"
"Is this the reason you opened Qing Feng Guan?"
"How dare you! All the good-looking and well-built men I painstakingly found, you burned them all down..."
Li Yue Shu strained her ears but couldn't hear what was said afterward.
What a shame!
...
Ji Quan Si emerged from Hong Dai's room in the latter half of the night.
No one knew what they did, only that Ji Quan Si left with a look of satisfaction.
The next day, Ji Quan Si returned, accompanied by He Xiao Yu and He Xue Bao.
To be precise, He Xiao Yu arrived first, and Ji Quan Si brought He Xue Bao later.
Unlike his attitude the previous night, Ji Quan Si merely cast a subtle glance at Hong Dai upon entering. Afterward, he acted as if he didn't see her, his eyes fixated on He Xiao Yu with disdain.
He Xiao Yu frowned at this but did not respond.
He Xue Bao, observing the two, proactively broke the silence. "Sister, Crown Prince Brother specifically came for you today."
She glanced at Mo Yu Lin beside her and said meaningfully, "This is Young Master Mo's residence. Although Sister is not in the imperial genealogy, everyone knows you are the Crown Princess."
"Although Sister is here to see these friends, if it were known that Sister visits Young Master Mo's residence every day... it would not be good for Sister's reputation."
At this point, He Xue Bao smiled bashfully. "Therefore, Crown Prince Brother specifically called Xue Bao. With Xue Bao accompanying, Sister's meetings with Young Master Mo will not be spoken of so ill."
He Xiao Yu looked at her expressionlessly, seemingly unfazed by her words.
However, Hong Dai, standing nearby, couldn't help but scoff, "Tsk, what a pure white lotus! No, it should be called green tea."
Having heard Li Yue Shu's explanation, He Xue Bao naturally understood the meaning behind her words. Her expression changed, and then... she cried.
She wept prettily before Ji Quan Si.
Ji Quan Si seemed to want to pretend he didn't hear, but He Xue Bao's call of "Crown Prince Brother" made it impossible to ignore.
Thus, Ji Quan Si could only offer comfort but did not intend to scold Hong Dai.
Witnessing this scene of "mutual affection," Hong Dai let out a cold snort and directly pulled He Xiao Yu, the Crown Princess, away.
Inevitably, Ji Quan Si had to coax He Xue Bao during the day and then sneak in at night to coax Hong Dai.
This happened for several consecutive days!
As for his methods of coaxing...
Cough!
The soundproofing in this residence was a bit poor. Perhaps she could offer Mo Yu Lin some suggestions for future renovations.
Li Yue Shu found it impossible to sleep with the sounds from next door, so she came to the courtyard to admire the moon.
After she had been out for a while, Qin Mo Yuan also emerged, carrying an outer garment.
He draped the outer garment over Li Yue Shu's shoulders and asked her with concern, "Ah Shu, are you troubled by something?"
Li Yue Shu looked puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
Qin Mo Yuan replied sincerely, "Besides being engrossed in research or troubled by something, Ah Shu never suffers from insomnia."
Li Yue Shu paused, then her eyes twinkled. "Something is happening in my room, and I can't sleep."
"Something is happening?" Qin Mo Yuan stood up, his expression tense. "I'll go and see."
They had been hiding their movements, and nothing had happened. Could they have been discovered?
Qin Mo Yuan cautiously pushed open Li Yue Shu's room.
Soon, he walked out with a dull expression.
Even in the moonlight, Li Yue Shu could see the blush on his cheeks.
"Pfft!"
Li Yue Shu burst out laughing.
She had heard from Xing He that Qin Mo Yuan, having lived for over twenty years, lived like a monk. He and Chai Yang had even doubted if he liked women.
Today, it seemed he was indeed pure. He blushed so much just from hearing a sound!
Seeing her unrestrained laughter, Qin Mo Yuan's eyes darkened. He walked over and pinched Li Yue Shu's cheek. "Is it that funny?"
Li Yue Shu blinked innocently. "Am I laughing? I didn't realize? You must have seen wrong!"
Seeing her face full of smiles, yet denying it completely, Qin Mo Yuan narrowed his eyes.
He suddenly moved close to Li Yue Shu's ear, his breath like orchids. "Ah Shu's cries must be even more delightful."
After speaking, Li Yue Shu felt something hot and soft brush past her earlobe.
"Boom!"
Li Yue Shu's mind exploded instantly.
Licking... licking her ear?
Xing He lied!
This was clearly not a pure monk who knew nothing!