Chapter 33: A Yuan Likes Sister

When Pei Ji heard the question, his eyes grew colder. “Hmm.”

Mo Ying stepped forward with the keys and opened the door.

Jiang Huaiyue didn’t think much about it—she just assumed Pei Ji didn’t let his sister out because of her mental condition.

“Actually, the prince could take A Yuan out for a walk sometimes. She’s been stuck in such a small courtyard for over ten years—it must be driving her crazy.”

She’s a person, not some pet. Even if she’s like a child, she still has the right to freedom.

Mo Ying sensed the sharp aura radiating from his master and couldn’t help but admire the boldness of his highness.

“Do you think I don’t want to?”

That casual suggestion of taking A Yuan out for a stroll was not as easy as it sounded.

He had many enemies. If those with ill intentions found out about A Yuan, she would definitely be hurt.

Moreover, A Yuan was mentally impaired and physically weak, needing medication and careful care for years. If something happened to her outside, how could he face their parents?

Jiang Huaiyue noticed his displeasure and quickly closed her mouth, feeling a bit regretful.

The more she said, the more mistakes she made. Jiang Huaiyue, you should be more careful.

The courtyard gate opened, and she stepped inside. Pei Ji passed her and headed into the house, Jiang Huaiyue closely following.

Before she even got close, she heard a maid gently coaxing, “Miss, after taking your medicine, will you let me play with you?”

“No, it’s too bitter.” A Yuan frowned, showing strong resistance.

The maid coaxed for a long time, but A Yuan still refused to take the medicine.

Pei Ji stepped in, saw A Yuan hiding to the side, walked over, and helped her up. “A Yuan, why aren’t you taking your medicine?”

A Yuan saw Pei Ji and grabbed his sleeve. “Brother, A Yuan doesn’t want to take the medicine. It’s too bitter.”

She had to take medicine three times daily, having done so for many years. Occasionally she would be stubborn and refuse.

At first, sugar could coax her, but that stopped working over time. Now, for her health, Pei Ji sometimes had people force it on her.

“A Yuan, be good. You have to take your medicine to get better.” Pei Ji sat with her and brought the medicine.

A Yuan shook her head. “Don’t want to.”

Pei Ji narrowed his eyes. “Lu Bai, feed her.”

The waiting maid Lu Bai stepped forward and held the medicine cup.

Jiang Huaiyue watched them from outside. They were about to force-feed her?

She didn’t say anything—after all, it was Pei Ji’s sister, and he had many years of experience caring for her. She wouldn’t interfere.

But after watching for a while, she really couldn’t bear it.

A Yuan was stubborn, and most of the medicine spilled. The little girl cried pitifully, tugging at hearts.

“Prince, should I try?” Jiang Huaiyue suddenly spoke.

A Yuan saw her, immediately pried Pei Ji’s hand away, and ran over, grabbing Jiang Huaiyue. “Sister, brother’s mean~”

Jiang Huaiyue looked down at her sleeve now dirtied and twitched the corner of her mouth. “A Yuan, Sister will take you to wash up first.”

“Mo Ying, go fetch some water.” She nodded and gave the order.

Mo Ying glanced at Pei Ji and, receiving his signal, went to fetch water.

Jiang Huaiyue took out a handkerchief and gently wiped A Yuan’s lips. A Yuan’s bright eyes stared at her, unblinking.

Pei Ji saw this and ordered Lu Bai, “Clean up here, then go to the kitchen and bring another bowl of medicine.”

“Yes.” Lu Bai replied and quickly tidied the table.

Mo Ying brought in some water. Jiang Huaiyue gently wiped the little girl A-Yuan’s tear-streaked face, then washed her hands, and sat down with her at the table.

“A-Yuan, your brother said you wanted to see me?” Jiang Huaiyue smiled as she asked.

“Mm, I like sister,” A-Yuan nodded, smiling with dimples faintly showing—extremely adorable.

Jiang Huaiyue stroked her hair. “What do you like about sister, A-Yuan?”

She was a bit curious herself—A-Yuan had only met her once, so how could she like her so much? Could it be because Jiang Huaiyue was the first stranger A-Yuan had seen?

A-Yuan blinked and answered, “Sister is pretty, sister smells nice, A-Yuan likes.”

As she spoke, she suddenly hugged Jiang Huaiyue tightly and rubbed against her like a little kitten.

Jiang Huaiyue glanced helplessly at Pei Ji with wide eyes, as if to say, “It’s your sister acting on her own, not me.”

A-Yuan hugged her tightly. Jiang Huaiyue hesitated but gently patted her back and whispered, “A-Yuan, be good, let go of sister first.”

At her words, A-Yuan obediently loosened her grip.

Jiang Huaiyue caught a familiar herbal scent. Sure enough, in the next moment, Lu Bai entered carrying a dark, bitter herbal decoction.

No wonder A-Yuan found it bitter; honestly, traditional Chinese medicine really was too bitter.

Seeing the medicine, A-Yuan frowned with a look of dislike.

Jiang Huaiyue thought for a moment, then quietly asked Pei Ji, “If I get A-Yuan to take the medicine, will Your Highness promise me one thing?”

It was clear Pei Ji cared about A-Yuan, so maybe through A-Yuan she could improve Pei Ji’s impression of her.

She didn’t ask for full trust—just that he wouldn’t always be thinking about killing her.

Pei Ji glanced at her. “Mistress, don’t forget you still owe me silver.”

“I know, I never said I wouldn’t pay back. Just give me a few more days, I’ll definitely pay you back,” Jiang Huaiyue said. Her novel was already finished; within days she would bring it to the bookstore and it was bound to become popular.

Once her novel was a hit, a mere few dozen taels of silver would be nothing—just a matter of time.

“Then consider this time the repayment,” Pei Ji said flatly.

Jiang Huaiyue didn’t expect him to say that but, as they say, you can’t argue with a person’s mouth—so she reluctantly agreed. “Fine.”

She took up the medicine, thinking that A-Yuan wouldn’t be taking just this one dose, so there was still a chance.

“A-Yuan, brother wants you to take this medicine because it’s for your own good. If you drink it, sister will play with you, okay?” She smiled gently at A-Yuan and spoke softly.

A-Yuan hesitated, looking at the medicine in Jiang Huaiyue’s hand, then at her face silently.

She wanted to play with sister, but the medicine was too bitter—she really didn’t want to drink it.

Jiang Huaiyue took out some candy from her waist pouch. “A-Yuan, try this?”

A-Yuan’s eyes lit up when she remembered the candy Jiang Huaiyue had given her last time. She reached out, took it, opened it, and popped it into her mouth.

The sour and sweet taste filled her mouth, and she was happy like a little child.

“Tasty?” Jiang Huaiyue looked at her mischievous expression and felt her heart melt.

A-Yuan nodded. “Tasty, A-Yuan wants more.”

Jiang Huaiyue seized the opportunity and handed over the medicine. “If you drink the medicine, sister will give it to you.”

A-Yuan thought for a moment and said, “Sister also wants to play with A-Yuan.”

Understanding her meaning, Jiang Huaiyue helplessly shook her head, half laughing, half crying. “Alright, I promise you.”

Seeing Jiang Huaiyue agree, A-Yuan frowned and drank the medicine in one gulp.

Jiang Huaiyue smiled and turned to give Pei Ji a triumphant look.

Pei Ji glanced at her pretty face, his eyes deepening gradually.

A-Yuan’s face scrunched up after drinking the medicine, so Jiang Huaiyue gave her some candy.