Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Teasing and Scolding (1)

"Mo Zhai, I don't expect gratitude for my help, but you have no right to snub me. Put away your pride as a grassland prince; you're not in a position to be arrogant right now!"

Mo Zhai was initially angry, but in the end, he held back, silently staring at Leng Jiu.

Leng Jiu huffed, dusting off leaves from her clothes, "What I said the other day wasn't just empty words. Since you've agreed to be my people, you must be prepared to serve me. If you lack this basic sense of duty, I won't hesitate to kill you myself. If you doubt that, you're welcome to try!"

She had said her piece, and it was her final word on the matter. Her interest in them was genuine, but it was contingent on their discernment. She wouldn't stoop to pleading, and even if she did, they weren't worthy of it.

Just as Leng Jiu was about to leave, Mo Zhai finally spoke from behind, "What exactly is your identity?"

Leng Jiu stopped, responding indifferently, "Do you think you have the right to ask?"

"I… can follow you, but I must seek revenge!"

"Revenge is your own affair. As long as you're capable, I won't stop you!"

Mo Zhai paused, then finally stood and knelt on one knee, "I, Mo Zhai, swear in the name of the grassland's true god, to pledge my loyalty to you for life, never to betray!"

Leng Jiu finally turned around, raising an eyebrow with a smile, "My name is Leng Jiu. As for my identity and everything else, you'll learn when you become someone I can trust. I know you seek vengeance, but remember, 'a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.' Right now, even if you risk everything for revenge, you'll only kill a few of their men. Isn't that too few for a vendetta against your entire clan? Why not wait until you have enough power to make them experience the same humiliation of clan annihilation?"

Mo Zhai's purple eyes narrowed, a light dawning in his heart. He looked at Leng Jiu and realized for the first time how beautiful she was, especially at this moment, like a queen high above, confident and graceful, exuding an aura that made one involuntarily want to submit.

"I've said my piece. You're not a fool, figure it out yourself." Without another glance at him, she turned and walked back to the yard.

Spotting the crescent-white figure from afar, Leng Jiu immediately dropped her imposing demeanor, transforming into the simple girl-next-door and ran over joyfully, "Big brother! You're back!"

Gong Yuxuan's icy eyes warmed slightly at the sight of Leng Jiu, "I heard from the steward that you've been here for a while."

Hearing the word 'steward,' Leng Jiu wrinkled her nose and leaned in, whispering her complaint, "That Uncle Steward is so mean. He wouldn't tell me where you went or if you have a girlfriend, even though I brought him mooncakes!"

Gong Yuxuan chuckled softly at her words, showing a brief, gentle smile, though it disappeared quickly. He asked curiously, "What is a girlfriend?"

"A girlfriend is a girl you like, and who also likes you. You write letters to each other, hold hands, that sort of thing!"

"Cough cough!" Gong Yuxuan coughed uncomfortably, "What are you talking about? Before marriage, how can there be letter-writing and hand-holding?"

"Is big brother too old-fashioned? Who says it can't be? When you like someone, you can't suppress it. You want to see her, talk to her, know if she's well, think of her scent, her smile, and even want to hold hands!" Leng Jiu rambled on, then suddenly looked at Gong Yuxuan with a hint of sadness, "Does that mean big brother already likes a girl?"

"Cough cough cough!" Gong Yuxuan coughed even more, avoiding Leng Jiu's bright eyes and turning his head away, muttering softly, "No!"

Seeing his blushing ears, Leng Jiu felt satisfied, feigning concern, "Really? You're not lying to me?"

"Really, I'm not!"

"That's good!" Leng Jiu seemed to sigh in relief.

Gong Yiwei, feeling uncomfortable, sought a topic to divert the conversation: "It's almost noon now, have you eaten yet?"

Leng Jiu shook her head: "No! I'll go home to eat later!"

Gong Yiwei relaxed slightly and suggested, "Since it's noon, why not stay and have a meal with me?"

Leng Jiu's eyes sparkled: "Sure!"

Gong Yiwei's lunch was not lavish, just three dishes and a soup, quite simple. Leng Jiu, not fussy, sat down and started eating. Her movements were casual yet carried a habitual elegance. It was comfortable to watch and didn’t seem out of place. Gong Yiwei, on the other hand, ate with meticulous manners, his movements flawless. He finished his meal with his bowl as clean as if it hadn’t been used, leaving Leng Jiu speechless at its pristine state.

As Gong Yiwei wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, he noticed Leng Jiu staring at him and was slightly startled, then nervously asked, "Is something wrong?"

Leng Jiu shook her head: "It's not wrong, just that... you eat as if it’s a very serious affair!"

Gong Yiwei smiled at this comment: "My master is a very strict and serious person, demanding of others and himself. I've grown used to these expectations; changing them would be hard!"

Gong Yiwei’s smile momentarily dazzled Leng Jiu. Normally, his expressionless face made him seem unapproachable, but now, with warm eyes and a gentle smile, he radiated a jade-like warmth, captivating her: "Big Brother, you look better when you smile. But with such a smile, I wonder how many girls you would charm!"

Gong Yiwei’s smile stiffened. Why return to this topic? "Ahem! I haven’t asked how to address you yet?"

"I’m Leng Jiu. Big Brother can call me by my name, or A Jiu, Xiao Jiu, it’s all fine!"

"Then, where does Xiao Jiu live?"

Leng Jiu leaned in, teasingly: "Why does Big Brother want to know where I live? Are you planning to come over for a marriage proposal?"

Gong Yiwei blushed at this: "I was just asking casually, why bring up marriage proposals?"

Leng Jiu slumped on the table, suddenly despondent: "So Big Brother really doesn’t like me. Sigh, I should just listen to my mother and marry Wang Er, the neighbor with a limp. I have to marry someone anyway!"

"Your mother has arranged a match for you?" Gong Yiwei quickly inquired, not realizing the hint of anxiety in his own voice.

Leng Jiu stammered: "It's not exactly arranged, but they came to propose and brought many gifts. My mother is considering it!"

"But you just mentioned a limp? Would your mother really let you marry someone with a disability?"

Leng Jiu nodded pitifully: "Yes, he has a limp, but his family is wealthier than mine!"