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She now didn’t even like her own body…
The next day.
Yun Chu woke up from a long, deep sleep.
It had been years since he had slept so soundly, and he woke up reluctantly.
But as soon as he opened his eyes and saw where he was, he was instantly wide awake.
How had he actually fallen asleep?!
Where was Li Yunli?!
Like a vigilant animal, Yun Chu perked up his ears and glanced around. It was completely silent.
Li Yunli had already gotten up.
She woke up even earlier than he did!
And she left him alone in bed?
Last night… Did she really not touch him?
More importantly—where was she?!
Yun Chu lifted the covers and glanced at himself. The bell tied to him was still securely in place.
A wave of discomfort surged through him.
This… This was no different from those men who went to brothels to tease the courtesans but never followed through with their actions!
He sat on the bed sulking for a while, his face growing slightly red with frustration.
He figured it was probably because he had copied scriptures all night the day before and hadn’t slept. Then, with everything that had happened yesterday, he had been utterly exhausted, so he had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
But… but wasn’t she the one who fell asleep first last night?
Was this woman just toying with him?
Yun Chu was furious. He threw off the covers and sat up abruptly, preparing to put on his shoes.
Since things were like this, there was no need to hesitate anymore.
He grabbed one shoe and put it on, then reached for the second.
Ah Si had already arrived. Though he hadn’t been able to enter the manor, he had left a secret signal, meaning he would come to find him. He needed to think of a way to make contact with him.
Yun Chu slipped on both shoes and was about to head for the door when—
Creak.
The door swung open from the outside.
Li Yunli stepped in with one foot, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Yun Chu’s grumpy, just-woken-up expression.
“Oh? The consort is awake?”
The person he had just been mentally cursing appeared before him so suddenly that Yun Chu froze.
His anger had nowhere to go, so he immediately put on a docile expression.
“…Mm.”
“Perfect timing. Yesterday, the servants rushed to make a few casual outfits for you. You won’t need to wear the previous ones anymore.”
Although the previous clothes were chosen by the original owner, they were ultimately inappropriate and unsightly.
Li Yunli thought for a moment and decided they needed to be changed.
Other people might find a sudden shift in clothing taste odd, but fortunately, the original owner had always been fickle, so it wouldn’t seem too abrupt.
“The previous clothes were a bit old, and the style was unappealing. In the end, they were not appropriate for appearances. It’s better to change them.”
As she spoke, the maids entered the room carrying the new clothes.
Yun Chu stared at them in disbelief.
Inappropriate for appearances?
She didn’t even like his body anymore?!
He stiffly turned his head, just in time to see one of the maids unfold an outfit.
As expected—it had tight sleeves, a waist belt, knee guards—completely covering him.
Yun Chu sneered inwardly.
“This one is more practical. There are also some long, wide-sleeved robes,” Li Yunli said.
Another maid unfolded a different outfit.
“These were made in a hurry. In a few days, the seamstress will deliver newer ones.”
Li Yunli knew that her interactions with Yun Chu had to be carefully balanced—not too harsh, yet not too lenient.
But judging by Yun Chu’s wary expression, she had probably been a little too forceful.
So she waved her hand, signaling the maids to set down the clothes, adjusting her approach.
“There’s the White Fruit Banquet in a few days, and you’ll need to meet guests. Dress properly so you don’t embarrass the manor.”
Yun Chu’s stiff expression finally softened a bit.
“Yes, I understand.”
Li Yunli continued, “You know the rules. I have important matters to attend to today. Once you’ve changed, you’re dismissed.”
Such an obvious dismissal.
Yun Chu only bowed his head. “Yes.”
Li Yunli had come quickly and left just as fast.
She was gone before he could say another word.
Yun Chu quietly watched her leave, unsure how to feel.
The anger from waking up and not finding her was gone.
She had taken time out of her busy schedule just to deliver his clothes.
She still seemed very invested in dressing him up.
His emotions settled, and Yun Chu smirked slightly before stepping out of the room.
But just as he rounded the corner, a voice, laced with cold sarcasm, called out—
“Oh? Little consort, did you enjoy being favored last night?”
Who?!
Yun Chu snapped his head around.
No one was supposed to enter the courtyard before he left the sleeping chambers!
A blue-clad young man sat atop a wall at the far end of the veranda, his high ponytail swaying in the breeze.
He sat there arrogantly, one leg propped up, looking at Yun Chu with disdain.
It was Ah Si!
“This is the Grand Princess’s estate. You’re far too bold,” Yun Chu remarked.
“Not as bold as you,” the boy sneered. “Everyone thinks you’re in the imperial prison, but instead, you actually sold yourself for survival—throwing yourself at the enemy!”
Ah Si had snuck into the manor, but not to catch up.
“Oh? And you? Hiding your identity just to become the enemy’s stable boy?” Yun Chu countered calmly.
“You—!” Ah Si spat at him. “Shameless!”
Yun Chu hadn’t expected Ah Si to find him so soon.
He especially hadn’t expected their first reunion in this life to be the morning after he had been summoned to the Grand Princess’s chambers.
In the past, every encounter with Ah Si had ended disastrously. But this time, with the Grand Princess dismissing her attendants last night and giving him new clothes this morning, the situation looked very incriminating.
It didn’t help that he hadn’t spoken up for Ah Si yesterday.
Yun Chu sighed, then suddenly changed his tone, speaking sincerely.
“Young General, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Ah Si frowned at the unexpected words.
The title “Young General” was one he hadn’t heard in a long time.
Yun Chu gazed at him.
“Since Wei’s capital fell and I was taken prisoner in Chu, I heard you had been searching for my father’s remains to lay them to rest. I knew you would come.”
Ah Si’s eyes flickered with complex emotions.
Yun Chu continued, “I knew you would come. You are just like me—someone who won’t stop until they reach their goal.”
He had to earn Ah Si’s trust as quickly as possible.
Ah Si hesitated, then asked, “Don’t deceive me. You should be in prison. Why are you here?”
Yun Chu rolled up his sleeve, revealing whip scars.
“Blame this body for attracting that woman. The imperial prison was harsh, but at least it was better than the long torment of the Grand Princess’s estate.”
“But, Young General, I have to survive,” he continued. “Wei’s capital has fallen. My father and brothers died in battle. I must live to take revenge. I will endure humiliation if it means staying alive.”
Ah Si remained silent, still weighing the truth of his words.
At that moment, sounds came from outside.
Ah Si gave Yun Chu one last look, nodded, and leapt over the wall.