Chapter Six: All Are Masters of Pretending

“Why do I hear complaints the moment I arrive at the door?”

As the words fell, Rong An entered, dressed in a simple blue gown, a gentle smile upon her lips.

Rong Jiu was momentarily stunned, then she blossomed into a radiant grin. Forgetting her pain, she hurried down from the couch to greet her sister. “Sister, why are you here? These attendants, really, they didn’t even announce you.”

“I told them not to. You’re still as careless as ever. I heard from Amu that you haven’t been resting these past few days, pushing yourself much too hard.” While speaking, Rong An reached out and gently rubbed Rong Jiu’s forehead with the tenderness unique to an elder sister.

“Oh, please don’t tease me. I’ve had quite enough misery already!” Rong Jiu pouted, snuggling into Rong An’s arms, seeking comfort like a spoiled child.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say another word.” Rong An covered her mouth and chuckled helplessly. Ever since her sister lost her memory, she’d become much more affectionate—always coming to chat and lighten her mood, even secretly learning to cook nourishing soups she’d never heard of before, offering them up with an earnestness that melted the heart. No matter what, Rong Jiu was the sister she cherished most.

Only then did Rong Jiu emerge from Rong An’s embrace and affectionately pulled her to sit by the soft couch.

“I brought you some excellent medicine. Try applying it—it’s precious stuff. Even when your brothers get injured, I’m reluctant to use it. Tell me where it hurts and I’ll put it on for you. I promise you’ll feel better by tomorrow.”

As she spoke, Rong An accepted a small vial of ointment from the maid and gently applied it to Rong Jiu’s wounds. Unlike other healing salves, this one was cool and soothing at first touch, not at all irritating, and carried a faint, lingering fragrance that wrapped around the senses. Anyone who didn’t know better might mistake it for perfume.

“Sister, what is this medicine? It smells wonderful!”

“It’s called ‘Welcoming Fragrance.’ Not only does it relieve soreness and stop bleeding, it also prevents scarring. Most importantly, after applying it, you’ll smell better than if you’d bathed in perfume or carried a sachet.”

“Then can I use it instead of perfume or a sachet from now on?” Rong Jiu exclaimed with delight.

“That won’t do. It’s fine to use occasionally, but too frequent use is just like musk.”

“Musk? Won’t that cause infertility?” Rong Jiu gasped.

“Yes. If it’s serious, you should wait five or six days between uses. That way, it won’t affect you.”

“Whew! I understand,” Rong Jiu said, finally at ease, nodding seriously.

The March breeze was always gentle and warm, and as it swept by, it carried not only coolness but also the faint scent of flowers.

At this moment, Rong Jiu sat idly upon a swing in the garden, legs swinging back and forth. Though surrounded by a riot of blooming flowers, none could compare to the fleeting expression on her brow.

Before long, Amu hurried over, panting as she rounded the circular archway. Rong Jiu rushed to meet her, barely able to contain her impatience.

“So, did you find anything?” she asked anxiously.

“Um…” Amu clutched her waist, gasping for breath.

“Hurry and tell me!” Rong Jiu was abuzz with excitement.

“They’re with the Crown Prince in the Bamboo Grove… huff, huff…” Amu finally managed to get the words out.

“Great, thank you, Amu! You rest, I’m off! La la la—” Having gotten the news she wanted, Rong Jiu ran off, humming a cheerful tune.

“Hey—”

Amu watched her vanish in an instant and shook her head helplessly. She had barely sat down to rest when Rong Ying arrived.

“Amu, where’s Little Ninth?”

“Ah? The princess just went to the Bamboo Grove,” Amu stammered, startled by the sudden question.

“The Bamboo Grove? What’s she doing there?”

“The Crown Prince and General Mo are there. She’s probably looking for them…” Before Amu finished, Rong Ying had already darted off.

With another sigh, Amu tried again to sit, but then Rong Yu appeared, making her jump up once more.

“Where’s Little Jiu?”

“The Bamboo Grove…” Amu had barely finished before Rong Yu disappeared without a trace.

Amu pursed her lips despairingly. She had just turned around when Rong Xian approached.

“The Bamboo Grove…” Amu preempted him before he could even open his mouth.

So Rong Xian hurried off toward the Bamboo Grove as well.

Inside the Bamboo Grove—

Rong Le and Mo Ningshu were engrossed in a game of chess, the green bamboo swaying gently in the breeze, yet not half so graceful as the two young men themselves.

Rong Jiu hid quietly behind a fake mountain, a sly, fox-like smile tugging at her lips.

Hmph, Mo Ningshu, don’t think you can hide from me just by sneaking away here.

Though Mo Ningshu was usually reticent and somewhat evasive toward Rong Jiu, she found him rather charming—especially when sitting quietly with a book, his presence was most captivating.

Unfortunately, ever since Rong Jiu teased him last time, he’d been avoiding her like the plague. He claimed he was teaching her martial arts, but as soon as she’d learned the basics, he dispatched her away.

“Ninth Sister, what are you doing hiding here?”

The sudden voice startled Rong Jiu so much she clutched her pounding chest, glaring at Rong Ying who had appeared beside her. “You nearly scared me to death! Can’t you be quieter? What if we’re discovered?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. But, what are you doing here?” Rong Ying asked in a hushed voice.

Rong Jiu gestured toward the figures in the pavilion. “What are you here for?”

“Aren’t those Cousin Le and General Mo? I’m obviously here to find you,” Rong Ying replied.

“Amu and her big mouth…”

“Why are you spying on them? Are they hiding some unspeakable secret—” Rong Ying’s lips curled into a mischievous grin.

“You really have an overactive imagination!” Rong Jiu flicked her on the forehead. “It’s just that Mo Ningshu, after I teased him a bit the other day, has been avoiding me like I’m the plague. He even stopped teaching me martial arts. It’s infuriating!”

“Haha, of course he’d avoid you! Everyone in Xining knows you’re more annoying than a dog,” Rong Ying laughed, rubbing her head.

“You called me a dog!” Rong Jiu, incensed, twisted Rong Ying’s ear and wouldn’t let go.

“Ouch, ouch, I surrender, I’m the dog, alright?”

“Hmph, that’s better,” Rong Jiu said smugly, finally letting go.

“What are you two sneaking around here for?” Rong Yu and Rong Xian arrived unnoticed.

The sudden voices startled them so much that Rong Jiu slipped from the fake mountain, but she made sure to drag Rong Ying down with her.

“Ow!” the two cried out as they hit the ground.

“Jiu’er, are you alright?”

“Ninth Sister!”

Rong Yu and Rong Xian rushed forward to help Rong Jiu up.

“Why’s no one helping me?” Rong Ying pouted, feeling thoroughly wronged.

“You’re a grown man, get up yourself,” Rong Yu and Rong Xian chorused.

Rong Ying had no choice but to sulkily rub his sore backside.

“What are you all doing here?” Rong Le and Mo Ningshu, drawn by the commotion, came over.

When Mo Ningshu saw Rong Jiu, his fine brows knit together, a complicated feeling stirring within him.

Rong Jiu made covert signals to Rong Yu and Rong Xian, hinting for them to find an excuse to get Rong Le to leave.

The two caught on immediately, raising their eyebrows in a silent “leave it to us” gesture.

“Brother, here’s the thing: we’d all planned to play together in the Bamboo Grove, but Cousin Ying got mischievous and climbed the fake mountain,” Rong Xian lied with a straight face.

“That’s right! Jiu’er was worried he’d fall, so she called him down, but he refused. So Jiu’er went up to get him,” Rong Yu added.

“In the end, he really did fall! This brat not only dragged himself down but took Ninth Sister with him.”

“Exactly!”

Their performance was worthy of an award, tears and snot included. Rong Jiu silently gave them a thumbs up.

“Is that so, Cousin?” Rong Le asked, frowning at Rong Ying.

Rong Ying pouted, feeling doubly wronged—he was hurt and now taking the blame.

“Ying, just tell the truth. Brother won’t blame you,” Rong Yu said with an air of righteousness.

“Yes, just tell the truth,” Rong Xian echoed, though out of Rong Le’s sight, their hands made threatening gestures…

“I…” Rong Ying opened his mouth, but the threatening looks from Rong Yu and Rong Xian, along with Rong Jiu’s slashing gesture across her neck, silenced him.

“It was my fault…” he admitted tearfully.

“Brother, Cousin Ying’s really hurt. He might have broken a bone! We should take him to the physician,” Rong Yu said, pretending to help him up.

“That’s right, if we don’t treat him, he might be paralyzed for life,” Rong Xian chimed in.

“Ow! Cousin, I’m in so much pain, am I dying?” Rong Ying, having learned his lesson, feigned agony.

“You take him. I’ll see to my sister—she fell too,” Rong Le said, waving them off.

“No need, Brother, you should go with them. I’m fine,” Rong Jiu said, pushing Rong Le away as Rong Yu and Rong Xian quickly hoisted the “injured” Rong Ying.

Though reluctant, Rong Le was helpless under their persistent urging and left.

Watching them go, Rong Jiu grinned triumphantly before turning to Mo Ningshu and immediately adopting a pitiful demeanor.

“Oh, General Mo, it hurts so much! I think I twisted my ankle and strained my back,” she said, clutching her waist as Mo Ningshu turned to leave.

“You were fine a moment ago…” Mo Ningshu replied, exasperated.

“I just didn’t want my brother to worry. Besides, Cousin Ying was more seriously hurt,” she said, feigning innocence.

“…”

“I can’t walk now. General Mo, why don’t you carry me back?” Rong Jiu eyed him mischievously.

“Men and women should keep their distance. I’ll fetch someone. Your Highness, please wait here,” Mo Ningshu said, shivering as goosebumps rose.

Seeing him about to leave, Rong Jiu pounced and clung to his leg, wailing, “Oh, I’m in such pain! If you leave me here, I’ll die before anyone comes. General Mo, you can’t just abandon me!”

Mo Ningshu tried to shake her off, but she clung too tightly.

“Your Highness, this is unbecoming,” he said, pinching his brow.

“If you know I’m delicate, why not carry me to the physician?”

“If you let go first…”

“I’ll let go if you carry me.”

“…”

“Pretty please?” Rong Jiu pouted, her voice soft and sweet.

Mo Ningshu’s scalp tingled, goosebumps all over. “Fine, fine, get up. I’ll do it.”

After all, a princess clinging to a foreign envoy’s leg would do neither of them any good if word got out.

“Hee hee!”

Rong Jiu opened her arms, signaling for him to pick her up. Mo Ningshu hesitated, then turned and crouched with his back to her. “Please get on, Your Highness.”

Rong Jiu pursed her lips—so much for a princess carry! But being carried by a handsome man wasn’t bad either.

She threw herself onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck, secretly pleased.

Mo Ningshu felt her weight and her breath warm against his ear, and his cheeks flushed as his heartbeat quickened.

But all this went unnoticed by Rong Jiu on his back.

The man who had always disliked contact with women found himself oddly enjoying this moment.

“Your Highness…” After only a few steps, Mo Ningshu called out with a darkening expression.

“What’s wrong?” Rong Jiu tilted her head.

“Please stop wriggling,” he said, eyeing her swinging legs as if wishing he could remove them.

“Why?”

“It’s exhausting!”

“Exhausting? Am I too heavy?”

“Actually—”

“You’re calling me fat!” Before he could finish, Rong Jiu interrupted indignantly.

“I didn’t—”

“Don’t deny it! You’re saying I’m heavy and I’m wearing you out.”

“You misunderstood…” Mo Ningshu nearly cried. That wasn’t what he meant at all—how did she twist his words so completely? Women truly were unfathomable.

“You big oaf! Don’t you know you should never call a girl fat?” Rong Jiu wriggled off his back and glared at him, cheeks puffed with anger.

“Big oaf?” Mo Ningshu was baffled. “What does that mean?”

“That’s none of your business! Don’t try to change the subject!” Rong Jiu stood with hands on her hips, the image of righteous indignation.

“I—”

“Are you about to call me unreasonable as well as fat?” She cut him off again.

“No.”

“But your eyes say it all! I’m so disappointed in you.” With that, Rong Jiu stormed off, leaving Mo Ningshu utterly bewildered.

“My eyes… what did they say?” Mo Ningshu touched the corner of his eye, utterly perplexed. “Women of Xining are too baffling…”

Watching Rong Jiu’s retreating figure, Mo Ningshu felt an unfamiliar stirring within him. Her inexplicable anger… was actually rather endearing?