Chapter 71

"Chapter 71: Shadow Guards! (3)"

Mo Yi Na was a diligent and eager student, tirelessly learning without complaining. Leng Jiu was exhausted from teaching her until nightfall, her hand cramping from all the makeup work.

"Sister Jiu!" Mo Yi Na massaged Leng Jiu's shoulders and arms, "Madam Kong is cooking tonight. Her dishes are delicious. Please stay for dinner."

Leng Jiu brushed her off, "Oh, come on! I'm not upset. Why are you acting guilty?"

Mo Yi Na laughed, still acting obsequiously, "You're the best, Sister Jiu!"

Leng Jiu rolled her eyes at her and ignored her antics.

The dinner, personally served by Kong Xiangyun, consisted of five dishes and a soup. The delicious aroma filled the room even before they started eating, indicating the meal's quality. Kong Xiangyun said, "Miss Jiu, you haven't tried my cooking yet. I made these especially for you. Please don't be too critical!"

Leng Jiu, looking at the dishes, joked, "I'm afraid that after eating Madam Kong's cooking, I won't be able to enjoy any other chef's work. That would be a real problem!"

"Exactly! After eating Madam Kong's food, nothing else compares!" Mo Yi Na chimed in flatteringly.

Kong Xiangyun smiled silently.

Mo Di entered just as the meal was served. His face still damp from washing, he paused upon seeing Leng Jiu, nodded to her, and then silently took his seat.

Mo Yi Na poked Mo Di's waist irritably, "Brother, when did you become so wooden?"

Mo Di glanced at her and turned away.

Mo Yi Na pouted, disliking her brother's unemotional demeanor. Despite his coldness, he had never been so expressionless, especially in front of Sister Jiu.

Leng Jiu was used to Mo Di's silent, expressionless manner. She quietly ate her meal, occasionally responding to Mo Yi Na's comments.

"Sister Jiu, stay with me tonight, please?" Mo Yi Na began to wheedle.

Leng Jiu pulled her hand away, "Stop it, that won't work on me!"

As Leng Jiu walked away, Mo Yi Na turned to Mo Di and kicked him, "Aren’t you going to see Sister Jiu off? You're comfortable letting her go back alone at night?"

Mo Di initially thought she didn't need him to accompany her, but after being kicked twice by Mo Yi Na, he followed her. He pondered whether Leng Jiu would be upset if she knew he was following her.

Leng Jiu, standing before the Prime Minister's mansion, sighed deeply. "Why have I stooped to cajoling men?" She took out the jade gourd, "Well, I'm already here."

"Knock, knock!"

"Who is it?" The doorkeeper, Xiao Qian's voice came, followed by the door opening slightly. His eyes widened in surprise, "Miss Leng! Why are you here so late?"

Leng Jiu helplessly shrugged, "The Prime Minister is in a bad mood today, and I'm here to cheer him up."

Xiao Qian, recalling the Prime Minister's mood from the afternoon, didn't doubt Leng Jiu's words and hurriedly opened the door for her.

"I know the way, I can go by myself," Leng Jiu declined his offer to accompany her.

Xiao Qian handed her a lantern and advised her to be careful. After Leng Jiu walked away, he suddenly felt puzzled, "Why did she refer to him as the Prime Minister and not Young Master Yu Wei? Could it be that he revealed his identity to her?"

When Leng Jiu reached Gong Yu Wei's door, she saw Uncle Xiang. A servant carrying a meal was talking to Uncle Xiang, who sighed helplessly and waved the servant away.

Leng Jiu approached only after the servant left, tapping Uncle Xiang's back lightly. He turned around in surprise, "Mis...”

"Shh!" Leng Jiu placed her index finger on her lips, signaling him to lower his voice.

Uncle Xiang understood and lowered his voice, but still sounded a bit excited, "Miss Leng, why are you here?"

Leng Jiu waved the jade gourd in her hand, "The Prime Minister is upset today, so I've come to cheer him up!"

Uncle Xiang chuckled upon hearing this, "Has the Prime Minister finally seen the light? He's been sulking all afternoon and is now lying in bed. Miss Leng, you'll have to do a good job cheering him up. He hasn't eaten all afternoon and might be starving!"

"Understood!" Leng Jiu gestured to Uncle Xiang and pushed the door open to enter.

Relieved, Uncle Xiang dismissed the other servants, closed the door, and stood guard himself.

This was Leng Jiu's first time in Gong Yu Wei's room. The room, like its owner, was orderly and devoid of any luxury, utterly simplistic. There was a screen at the far end, and behind it was his bed. Leng Jiu peeked around the screen to see him lying on his side on the bed, emitting a cold aura.

Sensing someone approaching, Gong Yu Wei coldly said, "Get out!"

Leng Jiu walked over and sat beside his bed.

"Who allowed you in?" Gong Yu Wei turned angrily but froze upon seeing Leng Jiu. Then he abruptly turned away, his demeanor growing colder, "Leave!"

Leng Jiu sighed, took out the jade gourd, and dangled it in front of him, "Do you really not want it?"

Seeing no response, Leng Jiu pretended to withdraw, "Fine, if you don't want it, I'll take it back!"

Suddenly, Gong Yu Wei snatched the jade gourd, his voice still icy, "You can go now!"

Leng Jiu feigned a pat on her sleeve as she stood up, "I wanted to chat with you, but since you don't seem keen, I'll leave now and won't come back again!"

She had only taken a few steps when she felt two intense gazes on her back, as if daring her to take another step would result in being shot through!

Leng Jiu turned around and looked at him, "I'm really leaving now, you know!"

Gong Yuwei remained silent. Leng Jiu took a couple more steps, and just as she was about to step out from behind the screen, Gong Yuwei finally spoke, "If you leave now, don't bother coming back!"

Leng Jiu stopped in her tracks and smiled, turning back to slowly walk towards him. She sat down beside Gong Yuwei, who was giving her a cold look, and said in her usual tone, "That won't do, I still want to visit big brother!"

Gong Yuwei turned his head away, his face unyielding and cold.

Knowing his stubborn nature, Leng Jiu didn't bother to coax him any further. She took off her shoes and climbed directly onto the bed.

Gong Yuwei tensed up immediately, a look of alarm on his face, "What are you doing?"