After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Songyan hurriedly advised, “Master, if you go and drag her back right now and people see, I’m afraid it won’t look good.”

Sikong Xue took a deep breath. She must have been driven mad by that foreign woman to be so impulsive.

But why was she even angry?

That wasn’t Ayuan. What did she have to be angry about?

Sikong Xue thought for a long while and said, “That foreign woman is full of schemes. What if Azhi is being deceived by her? It must be that she lured Azhi to a place like Wangjiang Tower, trying to lead her astray. As her elder sister, I must go and take a look.”

Sikong Xue explained her loss of control as being overly worried about her younger sister.

She wasn’t worried about that foreign woman; she was just afraid that the woman would use tricks to seduce Azhi. Azhi was simple-minded; how could she possibly distinguish the methods of a succubus?

Songyan simply wanted to say that she always felt that girl looked quite simple. Although she was a bit arrogant at times, she didn’t seem to have any ill intentions.

Clearly, the Master was the one with Miss Ning on her mind, which was why she was so distracted and restless.

Since it involved the deceased, Songyan found it inconvenient to say much and could only order the servants to prepare a horse.

Before the horse was ready, Sikong Xue saw Sikong Zhi returning with Ning Yuan on her back.

Instantly, Sikong Xue’s brows furrowed even tighter.

How could this foreign woman let Azhi carry her back?

Could she not walk herself?

How can a grown person need someone to carry them?

Sikong Zhi carried her all the way back. Seeing Songyan, she shouted, “Songyan, come over and give her a hand. She sprained her ankle and has trouble walking.”

The satin on Ning Yuan was too slippery, and she was too embarrassed to press her whole body against Sikong Zhi’s back.

Because of this, their posture was a bit awkward. Carrying her all the way back had exhausted Sikong Zhi.

Songyan stepped forward to support Ning Yuan, allowing Sikong Zhi to catch her breath. She slumped down onto a nearby stone bench.

Sikong Zhi said, “I didn’t think you’d be so heavy to carry when you look so thin. I need to go back and train properly; otherwise, I really might not be able to carry you back next time.”

Nearly failing to carry such a delicate girl made the young General Sikong Zhi quite annoyed. She didn’t blame Ning Yuan for eating too much; she only felt that she hadn’t been diligent enough in her daily training.

If it were her elder sister, her body would surely be stronger.

It was just a casual remark, yet Sikong Xue said, “There’s a next time?”

Sikong Zhi was stunned, thinking her elder sister was blaming her for not protecting her charge well. She hurriedly said, “Don’t blame me, sister. I promise I won’t let her fall next time.”

Sikong Xue: “…”

Sikong Xue stared gloomily at Ning Yuan’s foot, which seemingly didn’t dare touch the ground. She only felt that this foreign woman’s seductive tricks were truly endless.

How could someone sprain their ankle while walking perfectly fine? She purposefully didn’t take the carriage, likely thinking of using this opportunity to seduce Azhi.

Seeing that it was late, Sikong Zhi said, “It’s late, I should be heading back. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll take you to the outskirts to fly kites. Just next time, don’t wear such impractical embroidered shoes.”

Sikong Zhi saw Sikong Xue staring at Ning Yuan’s foot and thought her sister had also noticed a problem with the embroidered shoes.

The shoes had rubbed Ning Yuan’s feet until they pained. Although she had sat for a while at Wangjiang Tower, when she stood up again, her walking was still uncomfortable.

Just as she was about to step out of Wangjiang Tower, Ning Yuan became distracted by a customer mentioning the Ning family and suddenly twisted her ankle.

Sikong Zhi had never seen such a delicate girl. She recalled Yunni reporting back from the army, saying the girl had fainted after practicing a horse stance for only fifteen minutes.

She didn’t believe it then. Seeing her today, she realized there truly was someone even more fragile than Sister Ning.

Left with no choice, Sikong Zhi could only walk in front of her and say, “Get on, I’ll carry you back.”

Ning Yuan hurriedly said, “How can I let you do that?”

For some reason, Ning Yuan felt that if Sikong Xue saw this, she would definitely be angry.

Sikong Zhi said, “It’s fine. The curfew is starting soon, so hurry up.”

She didn’t have the slightest indecent thought toward Ning Yuan. If a comrade-in-arms was injured on the battlefield, she would also carry them back. In Sikong Zhi’s eyes, Ning Yuan was merely an injured person.

But in Sikong Xue’s eyes, this behavior was not quite the same.

Sikong Xue said, “Azhi, military affairs are numerous. How can I let you waste time on her? It’s late; you should return to your manor first.”

Sikong Zhi: ?

Clearly, it was her elder sister who asked her to take the girl out for some air; why was she suddenly issuing an order to leave?

Was her sister… jealous?

Looking at the girl, Sikong Zhi suddenly found it extremely interesting.

Since the Ning family’s downfall, her sister had been solemn and joyless every day, which made people worry. Since this girl moved into the Prime Minister’s manor, her sister actually showed more “living” emotions.

It seemed that having such a person by her sister’s side was truly not a bad thing.

Ning Yuan felt the atmosphere was a bit off. Not wanting to get Sikong Zhi scolded, she hurriedly said, “Sister Azhi, if you are busy with affairs, please go back first. Don’t worry about me. I was very happy today, thank you.”

After being cooped up in the manor for so many days, finally being able to go out for some air indeed made her mood quite good.

Sikong Xue: “…”

“Songyan, it’s late. Prepare a horse for the Second Miss and send her back.”

She was openly driving her away now.

Sikong Zhi didn’t argue with Sikong Xue; she simply smiled and left.

Before leaving, she didn’t forget to tell Ning Yuan, “Good sister, rest well in the manor. I’ll come to see you in a few days.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Sikong Xue’s face darkened several shades more.

How long had the two of them known each other for them to be so intimate?

Would they be performing the “rites of Zhou” in a few hours?

No, Azhi was not that kind of person.

Songyan went to see Sikong Zhi off, leaving only Ning Yuan and Sikong Xue in the courtyard.

Ning Yuan sat on the stone bench, looking at Sikong Xue, her original good mood completely gone.

Even though she couldn’t walk back to her room on her own, she wouldn’t ask Sikong Xue for help. She just sat there silently.

Sikong Xue stood with her arms crossed, watching coldly, not intending to give her a hand.

Sikong Xue inexplicably thought of the past, when Ayuan was in trouble but refused to speak to her.

The two were at a stalemate for a long while before Ning Yuan suddenly stood up and limped her way back.

Seeing this, Sikong Xue stepped forward and grabbed her arm, saying, “What? You think because you’ve seduced Azhi, you can disregard me?”

Looking at the two of them, it seemed they had truly agreed to go out together next time.

Why was this woman so happy when she saw others, yet only had a pouting face when seeing her?

Ning Yuan’s foot was still in pain, and she said aggrievedly, “When did I ever seduce Sister Azhi?”

Sikong Xue said, “Calling her ‘Good Sister’ one after another, and you still say you aren’t seducing her?”

Ning Yuan argued back, “It was you who wanted to acknowledge me as a sworn younger sister. Naturally, I would call her ‘Sister’.”

Although Sikong Zhi currently appeared older than her, Ning Yuan had always considered Sikong Zhi a younger sister in the past.

Although they hadn’t had much contact before, Ning Yuan didn’t dislike the Second Miss. In comparison, Sikong Zhi was much kinder than Sikong Xue.

Calling Sikong Zhi “Sister” now was perfectly fine.

Hearing her say this, Sikong Xue grew even angrier. She raised her hand and pinched Ning Yuan’s face, saying, “You refuse to call me ‘Sister,’ yet you call Azhi so affectionately. And you still say you aren’t seducing her?”

Seducing her, then seducing Azhi—did she think of them sisters as fools?

Ning Yuan: “…”

“What are you even talking about?” Ning Yuan couldn’t understand why Sikong Xue cared about this.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Ning Yuan felt Sikong Xue was being jealous.

“Then I’ll call you ‘Sister.’ Can you please let go of my hand first? You’re gripping me so hard it hurts.”

Once again, a face full of innocence and helplessness, coupled with the genuine pain in her foot, caused thin beads of sweat to break out on her forehead. Under the moonlight, though things weren’t perfectly clear, her discomfort was palpable.

Realizing her own loss of composure, Sikong Xue hurriedly let go.

How could she be so childish whenever she faced this succubus…

It was just calling Azhi “Sister.” Azhi had no indecent thoughts toward this foreign woman, so what was there to be angry about? In the absolute worst-case scenario, this foreign woman was not Ayuan, so what on earth was she angry about?

Without the restraining force, Ning Yuan’s footing was unstable, and she uncontrollably fell toward Sikong Xue.

She squeezed her eyes shut, expecting Sikong Xue to push her away, but her body suddenly felt light. Opening her eyes again, she was being held firmly in Sikong Xue’s arms.

The tips of Ning Yuan’s ears burned; she didn’t dare look at Sikong Xue.

This Sikong Xue was truly temperamental. She hadn’t seduced either of the sisters; clearly, it was Sikong Xue who was being inappropriate by insisting on holding her.

But this was fine too, as it saved her the trouble of walking.

Vengefully, she hooked her arms around Sikong Xue’s neck. She didn’t have much strength, but she thought to herself: Go ahead and be mean to me; I’ll choke you! No, from now on, I must eat more to get heavier and crush you!

Sikong Xue didn’t know what the person in her arms was thinking; she only felt her restless movements.

The subtle movements made Sikong Xue’s heart itch.

Why did she impulsively pick her up just now?

It was all the fault of those two young maids in the West Courtyard; it was so late and they didn’t know to wait at the manor entrance.

After carrying her back to the West Courtyard and entering the room, by the candlelight, she finally saw that Ning Yuan’s face was deathly pale.

Sikong Xue pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling a bit of regret.

Looking at her like this, she must be in a lot of pain. Yet she had thought the woman was trying to seduce Azhi and was putting on a show.

Placing her on the soft couch, Ning Yuan shrunk back slightly, only to see Sikong Xue reaching down to remove her shoes and socks.

“What are you doing!”

“Shut up!” Sikong Xue scolded her, pulling off the shoes and socks. Seeing her ankle was severely swollen, she couldn’t help but reproach her, “Injured like this, why didn’t you say so from the start?”

Hurting but not saying a word, only knowing how to sit there and pout—she had the exact same stubborn temper as Ayuan.

Ning Yuan said sarcastically, “I was afraid you’d think I was seducing someone again.”

Sikong Xue: “…”

Sikong Xue also realized that she had gone a bit too far.

“I was in the wrong just now.” Sikong Xue’s tone softened.

With her ankle swollen like this and unable to use medicine, she must be extremely uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, Yin Chiyun was still being held by the Eldest Princess and couldn’t come to the manor to treat her.

Her calf was held by Sikong Xue, causing an inexplicable itch to rise.

Ning Yuan wanted to pull her leg back, but Sikong Xue showed no intention of letting go.

“Why are you holding me like this? Let go of me.”

Sikong Xue finally snapped back to reality. She let go of her hand, and the skin, as smooth as silk, instantly slipped away from her fingertips.

“With an injury like this, don’t go out for the next few days.”

Chunhe dipped a cloth into the cold well water and wrung it dry. She said to Sikong Xue, “Master, don’t worry. The injury on the lady’s foot is not serious. After some cold compresses and a few days of rest, it will be fine.”

“It will be fine in a few days?” A spark of light appeared in Ning Yuan’s eyes.

She had thought she’d be cooped up in bed for half a month, which would have been such a hassle.

Xiaqun smiled and said, “Don’t worry, lady. When I twisted my ankle before, it was Sister Chunhe who looked after me. I guarantee you’ll be hopping around in a few days.”

Before Ning Yuan could smile, she heard Sikong Xue ask, “Are you in such a hurry to go out? Do you still want to go to Wangjiang Tower?”

Ning Yuan’s eyes widened, “You sent someone to follow me?”

Otherwise, how could she know they went to Wangjiang Tower?

Sikong Xue said, “I can’t be bothered to send someone to follow you. The person Azhi sent back to deliver things said you were out eating. At this hour, only Wangjiang Tower is still open.”

However, this woman had reminded her; next time, she should indeed have someone follow her.

“What, are the song and dance at Wangjiang Tower that good?”

Ning Yuan thought carefully; the performance was indeed quite good, no worse than what she’d seen at palace banquets.

Just as she was about to nod, she saw Sikong Xue’s face turned somewhat cold.

“It was actually just okay…”

She kept telling herself in her heart: I’m living under her roof right now; I can’t lose my temper at Sikong Xue, I can’t lose my temper at Sikong Xue.

Seeing Sikong Xue’s cold face and her silence, Ning Yuan said, “It’s late. Master should head back and rest early.”

If Sikong Xue continued to linger before her, she’d be driven to a faint from anger before her injury even healed.

“What did you call me?” Sikong Xue furrowed her brows.

So everything this foreign woman had said just now was a lie.

Ning Yuan: “…”

Ning Yuan pressed her lips together, feeling her tongue get a bit tied.

Did she really have to call Sikong Xue “Sister”?

Sikong Xue stared at Ning Yuan, seemingly determined to hear her call out “Sister” before she would leave.

Ning Yuan opened her mouth but truly couldn’t make a sound. She said, “Why are you being so childish?”

Sikong Xue was stunned.

Indeed, why was she being so childish?

Leaving behind a sentence of “Rest well,” Sikong Xue fled from the West Courtyard.

Chunhe brought some cold water, waiting to change the cloth for Ning Yuan’s foot. Xiaqun said with a giggle, “Don’t blame her, lady. The Master must have seen you were injured and became overly concerned, hence her chaotic behavior.”

Ning Yuan said, “It’s fine.”

Ever since she could remember, Sikong Xue liked to oppose her. If she truly got angry at Sikong Xue, she’d have been dead from anger long ago.

After Sikong Xue left, Ning Yuan suddenly remembered the small trinkets Sikong Zhi had bought her while they were at the night market.

She hurriedly asked Xiaqun, “Where are the things I bought? Weren’t they sent back to the manor?”

Xiaqun said, “Those things… Master said they were of unknown origin and was worried someone might have mixed in some poison, so she had Sister Songyan take them away.”

Xiaqun was also puzzled. It was one thing to worry about the pastries having unclean things mixed in, but those lanterns and masks didn’t seem like things someone could tamper with.

But since the Master wanted to withhold those items, she couldn’t say much.

Ning Yuan muttered, “So stingy.”

How was Sikong Xue still the same as when they were children, always liking to snatch her things?

Sikong Xue returned to her room. Smelling the agarwood incense, she looked at the trinkets Azhi had bought for that woman piled on the table. She rubbed her temples, only feeling that she hadn’t been calm at all tonight.

She was the one who let Azhi take the girl out for a stroll; why did she start getting jealous again?

That was just a stand-in, a fake. Why should she care so much?

In two months, it would be the anniversary of Ayuan’s death. If she cared so much about this foreign woman, how could she face Ayuan?

She couldn’t see this foreign woman anymore.

For five consecutive days, Sikong Xue did not go to the West Courtyard again.

Songyan came to report that the injury on the foot of the lady in the West Courtyard had healed. Sikong Xue didn’t take it to heart, simply saying, “If it’s healed, then it’s healed. Why come specifically to tell me about such a small matter?”

There was no concern in her tone, only impatience.

Songyan hesitated and said, “Then, Master… what you said a few days ago about having people come to the manor to tailor new clothes and make jewelry for her, does that still stand?”

The girl seemed to be “losing favor”; was there still a need to spend so much money on her?

Sikong Xue lowered her gaze and said, “Naturally… it stands.”

She only didn’t dare to see that foreign woman; she hadn’t said she would mistreat her.

No…

Many things she hadn’t given to Ayuan, how could she give so much to that foreign woman?

“Forget it, she doesn’t go out anyway. Why would she need so many new clothes and jewelry? Let’s wait until summer.”

When the weather turned hot, she’d have people make new clothes for her.

Songyan complied.

In fact, these days, there were already more clothes sent to the West Courtyard than she could wear. It was only because the Second Miss said a few days ago that the embroidered shoes caused the girl to twist her ankle that the Master said she’d have people come to the manor for new ones.

But after only a few days, the Master had changed her mind.

Songyan tested the waters, “What about her meals? Should there be restrictions?”

Although this girl wasn’t picky, the cook in the kitchen, in order to make her happy, made nothing but delicacies for her to eat.

A lot was spent on her meals, but Sikong Xue had never cared about it before.

Sikong Xue frowned and said, “I just felt that since she stays in the manor every day, she doesn’t need too many clothes and jewelry. When did I ever tell you to mistreat her regarding her food?”

She was already so thin, yet Songyan wanted to starve her?

Songyan hurriedly said, “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

Songyan felt very innocent. She clearly thought the girl was “losing favor” and wanted to test her Master’s intentions. But from her Master’s reaction, she clearly still cared about that girl.

Yesterday, Sikong Zhi came to the manor wanting to visit Ning Yuan, but was blocked by Sikong Xue.

Sikong Zhi had brought snacks from Wangjiang Tower and said, “Eldest sister, last time I saw our good younger sister liked this, so I brought some over. I wonder if the injury on her foot is better?”

Sikong Xue said, “Her injury is serious. The doctor said she needs to watch her diet and can’t eat snacks.”

Sikong Zhi was puzzled; she had never heard of a twisted ankle meaning one couldn’t eat snacks.

“Then I’ll go take a look at her?”

“Her injury is severe. She hasn’t been able to bathe for these few days, so she might be disheveled. It would be too disrespectful for her to see you like this; you should head back first.”

Sikong Xue kept the snacks Sikong Zhi had brought, then sent her off on the grounds of being busy with official business.

Unwrapping the brown paper containing the snacks and seeing the white sugar cakes inside, Sikong Xue froze.

In the past, Ayuan also liked eating white sugar cakes, but she always had toothaches when she was teething, so the old Madame Ning didn’t let her eat them.

Once, Ayuan secretly ate a white sugar cake, and a loose tooth was stuck and pulled out.

Sikong Xue saw Ayuan cry from fright and hurriedly used a handkerchief to carefully wrap Ayuan’s fallen tooth. She climbed onto the roof and placed Ayuan’s tooth there.

Sitting on the roof ridge, she shouted loudly, “Ayuan, look! If you put the fallen tooth on the roof, a new tooth will grow in a few days.”

Little Ayuan sniffled, finding it rare that Sikong Xue wasn’t mocking her.

But the roof was so high; how would Sikong Xue get down?

Little Ayuan stared blankly at the roof; Sikong Xue indeed couldn’t get down.

Sikong Xue was only eight years old then. Although she usually liked to climb walls and trees, the roof was so high; once she climbed up, she suddenly didn’t know how to get down.

Ning Yuan cried again, this time out of worry.

The crying attracted the servants in the manor, and the butler soon brought a ladder to rescue the little ancestor on the roof.

Afterward, Ning Yuan was forbidden from eating white sugar cakes as punishment, and Sikong Xue was hit on the palms ten times with a ruler by the Grand Commandant.

Seeing white sugar cakes again, Sikong Xue’s longing for Ning Yuan increased a few degrees.

She couldn’t treat this foreign woman as Ayuan anymore.

Ning Yuan was cooped up in the West Courtyard for a full ten days.

For the first few days, her foot still pained, making it difficult to walk around on the ground.

During the subsequent days, she felt that the servants in the manor looked at her with strange eyes. Someone was whispering, saying that she was likely “losing favor.”

Hearing those words made her heart heavy, so Ning Yuan stayed in her room and didn’t see anyone.

But being like this all day wasn’t a solution.

Ten days ago, Sikong Zhi took her out. When the two were eating, she accidentally heard that the Ning family’s criminal status had been cleared. Although the Ning family was still in Lingnan, their lives were much better.

Hearing those words, Ning Yuan was worried about her family, which was how she twisted her ankle.

If Sikong Xue didn’t see her at all, how could she find an opportunity to ask Sikong Xue to send her to Lingnan?

Although she didn’t know what kind of tantrum Sikong Xue was throwing, as she was living under her roof and had a favor to ask, she naturally had to find a way to please Sikong Xue.

Ning Yuan calculated the days; it would be Sikong Xue’s birthday in less than two months.

Currently, she lived here and her food and housing were all provided by Sikong Xue. Even if she had some money in her hands, it was also Sikong Xue’s money.

If she used Sikong Xue’s money to buy a birthday gift for Sikong Xue, it would be too insincere.

Ning Yuan looked at the small kitchen in the courtyard and said to Chunhe and Xiaqun, “Chunhe, Xiaqun, do you two know how to make snacks?”

Chunhe asked, “What kind of snacks would you like to eat, lady?”

Ning Yuan shook her head and said, “It’s not that I want to eat them. I want to make some snacks for the Master as a way of repaying her for taking care of me during these days.”

Xiaqun said, “That’s easy. The Master loves white sugar cakes most. If the lady makes them, the Master will surely like them.”

Ning Yuan’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly; she clearly remembered that Sikong Xue hated white sugar cakes most.

She remembered that what Sikong Xue liked was almond cakes.

Was it that these two young maids didn’t understand Sikong Xue’s taste, or had times changed and the things she once liked had long since been forgotten?

Ning Yuan thought for a while and said, “Then please teach me how to make white sugar cakes.”

Chunhe said, “The two of us are not particularly good at it, but we can make them together with you.”

Chunhe and Xiaqun went to the kitchen to collect the materials for making cakes. The few of them rolled up their sleeves and, after the first attempt, the steamed cakes turned out both hard and crumbly.

Xiaqun said, “Why don’t we go to the kitchen and ask the cook to teach us?”

“No.” Ning Yuan rejected the idea without even thinking.

If the cook came, word would definitely get out.

Before the cakes were successfully made, she didn’t want Sikong Xue to know.

The group tried again. This time, at least it looked like a cake, but the texture was still quite coarse.

If Sikong Xue ate it, she would surely say many irritating things.

They spent nearly half a month working on it, and the cakes they made finally looked the part. This time, Ning Yuan personally sifted the glutinous rice flour and carefully mixed in the white sugar.

Once the cakes were placed in the steamer, Ning Yuan sat by the stove waiting eagerly, occasionally leaning in to smell the fragrance from the steamer.

Before long, the small kitchen was filled with the scent of cakes.

Xiaqun said, “It’s ready to be taken out.”

“Let me!” Ning Yuan couldn’t wait to reach out and lift the steamer lid.

Just as Chunhe was about to stop her, the scorching steam billowed out. Ning Yuan let out a cry as her fair, tender hand was scalded by the steam, immediately turning a large patch of red.

The two hurriedly helped Ning Yuan rinse her hand with cold water, but Ning Yuan didn’t care about the pain.

“Oh no, the steamer lid fell onto the cakes!”

She was finally about to succeed, but because of her clumsiness, it was ruined.

Xiaqun said, “At a time like this, forget the cakes.”

Her hand was burned like this; how could she still be so foolish?

Even though Ning Yuan had repeatedly urged them not to tell the Master.

But seeing Ning Yuan like this, Xiaqun truly felt pained for her.

If the Master knew, she would surely come to see the lady and wouldn’t let Ning Yuan go through such trouble.

Sikong Xue wasn’t unaware of Ning Yuan’s daily efforts.

Ever since Chunhe went to the kitchen to get glutinous rice flour, Sikong Xue had noticed.

Coupled with the fact that smoke occasionally rose from the chimney of the small kitchen in the West Courtyard, Sikong Xue knew this foreign woman was restless.

She thought she’d stop after a few days, but she didn’t expect that after nearly half a month, she still spent her days doing unknown things.

She thought she wanted to cook for herself, but as usual, the West Courtyard had the kitchen prepare meals and send them over, while Chunhe and Xiaqun only collected glutinous rice flour and white sugar.

She wasn’t trying to tinker with some dark magic, was she?

Seeing the chimney of the West Courtyard smoking again, Sikong Xue walked over as if possessed. Inside, she heard Xiaqun say, “The lady’s hand is burned like this and she can’t use medicine; it’s truly pitiable.”

Chunhe said helplessly, “Unfortunately, Lord Yin doesn’t often come to the manor, and the lady won’t let us tell the Master…”

Hearing the words of the two maids, an nameless fire rose in Sikong Xue’s heart.

If she had stayed quietly, how would she have burned her hand?

Clearly, it was because she spent her days fooling around in the kitchen that she ended up like this.

Sikong Xue pushed open the gate of the West Courtyard. Chunhe and Xiaqun were startled. They were about to offer their greetings, but Sikong Xue raised her hand to stop them.

Sikong Xue looked at the small figure crouching in the kitchen looking dejected and strode forward.

Ning Yuan thought Chunhe and Xiaqun had come in. She sniffled and said, “Didn’t I say to let me be alone for a while?”

“You spend your days causing trouble yourself, yet you talk about wanting to be alone?”

Hearing Sikong Xue’s voice, Ning Yuan stood up in a panic. Looking at her flour-stained clothes and her scalded, red wrist, she didn’t know what to do for a moment.

Not only was she in a mess, but there was also quite a bit of flour on her face. And because she had just cried from the pain, she had a dirty face that looked quite pitiable.

Sikong Xue said, “Scalded like this, why didn’t you let Chunhe get medicine?!”

Did she think hiding and crying on her own would make it better?

Ning Yuan’s eyes were filled with tears. Seeing Sikong Xue, she bit her lip and said nothing.

If she let Chunhe report this to Sikong Xue, Sikong Xue would surely think she was intentionally seducing her.

She just wanted to please Sikong Xue, not seduce her.

Speaking of which, she had also been very troubled these past few days.

The medicine to suppress her “heat” was almost finished, and Sikong Xue hadn’t had anyone send her more.

She was also too embarrassed to speak up, so she could only break one pill in half to take twice. Because of this, the effectiveness of the medicine decreased, and she had to endure for a long while before the heat subsided.

If she couldn’t find a way to make Sikong Xue happy soon, she was afraid she would die from the heat before she could see her family.

Seeing her not speaking, Sikong Xue looked at the steamer. Seeing the white sugar cakes steaming inside, she felt even more irritated for a moment.

“If you want to eat white sugar cakes, why not have the kitchen make them? Why must you do it yourself?”

Her voice grew louder. Xiaqun finally couldn’t help but enter the kitchen and said, “Master, don’t blame the lady. It’s because she heard the Master liked white sugar cakes that she wanted to learn!”

Xiaqun also didn’t know why the Master had suddenly become so unkind to Ning Yuan. She only felt that Ning Yuan looked very pitiable.

“What did you say?” Sikong Xue was stunned for a moment.

This woman went through such trouble and made herself such a mess just to make white sugar cakes for her to eat?

But she didn’t like white sugar cakes…

Sikong Xue rarely ate such sickly sweet cakes as white sugar cakes. The manor was always stocked with them because Ayuan liked them.

Sikong Xue said, “I don’t like eating these. Don’t make them anymore in the future.”

The tone didn’t sound like she didn’t like white sugar cakes, but rather like she didn’t like the person making them.

Ning Yuan lowered her head and said despondently, “I understand.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she forced herself not to cry again.

Sikong Xue’s heart softened. She took a handkerchief and wiped her face clean, saying, “I’ve been busy with official business these past few days and couldn’t come to see you. Don’t let your thoughts wander.”

Facing this face, Sikong Xue truly couldn’t be genuinely angry.

Knowing clearly that she wasn’t Ayuan, yet seeing her cry, Sikong Xue still couldn’t help but feel pained.

Even if this woman set the West Courtyard on fire, Sikong Xue would likely only worry about whether she was injured.

She had someone bring the ointment for burns and personally applied it to Ning Yuan.

“Don’t enter the kitchen anymore. Summer is coming in a few days, and burns are especially difficult to heal. In a few days, I’ll have people make summer clothes for you. If others saw you like this, they’d think I’ve mistreated you.”

Sikong Xue was rarely this gentle, and Ning Yuan’s tears finally couldn’t be stopped.

“I thought you were never going to look after me again.”

She had thought Sikong Xue wanted her to fend for herself here.

After her rebirth through another body, Sikong Xue was her only reliance. If Sikong Xue didn’t look after her, she wouldn’t know what to do.

Once the burn on her wrist had healed, Ning Yuan stopped making white sugar cakes and instead had Chunhe go to Wangjiang Tower to buy a box of almond cakes for her.

Chunhe said, “If the lady wants to eat almond cakes, just have the cook make them. Why buy them from outside?”

Ning Yuan looked at the wooden box containing the cakes and said, “I want to give the cakes to the Master tomorrow.”

Ning Yuan remembered that tomorrow was Sikong Xue’s birthday.

“Tomorrow?” Xiaqun thought for a moment and quickly covered Ning Yuan’s mouth, saying, “Lady, don’t say such things. Tomorrow is the Master’s birthday, and the Master hates this day most.”

“Why hate a birthday?” Ning Yuan remembered that Sikong Xue used to love her birthdays most.

In the past, the Grand Commandant would celebrate grandly in the manor, and Sikong Xue would always force Ning Yuan to prepare a gift for her.

If Ning Yuan prepared something less valuable than what she had given to Yuchi Jin before, Sikong Xue would make a scene.

Xiaqun said, “I don’t know why, but tomorrow, it’s best if the lady doesn’t provoke the Master.”

On the seventh day of the sixth month every year, Sikong Xue’s face would be exceptionally gloomy. Although she wouldn’t pointlessly punish the servants, no one dared to even breathe too loudly on this day.

Ning Yuan didn’t take it to heart.

It must be Sikong Xue putting on an act.

On this day, something so major happened to the Ning family, and she was killed by her own fiancée.

She hadn’t even come to loathe this day; what was Sikong Xue throwing a tantrum about?

The next day, Ning Yuan had long forgotten Xiaqun’s warning.

She couldn’t find Sikong Xue during the day, thinking perhaps she had gone to the palace. When evening came, Ning Yuan went to find her, carrying the cakes.

Looking from a distance and seeing that the lights in Sikong Xue’s room were out, Ning Yuan sighed.

It seemed she wouldn’t be able to find Sikong Xue today.

Holding the cakes and about to leave, she suddenly heard a clattering noise from the backyard.

Was it Sikong Xue?

The last time she went out at night, she had encountered Sikong Xue in the backyard.

Ning Yuan went to the backyard, still hiding behind a tree, but this time she wasn’t noticed.

Ning Yuan poked her head out and saw Sikong Xue sitting there in the pavilion in the backyard, not knowing if she was drinking tea or wine.

At this hour, it was likely wine.

It was truly strange. Who wouldn’t have a grand celebration on their birthday, instead of hiding here alone and drinking?

“Come out.” Sikong Xue didn’t even lift her head.

Sensing someone watching her from the shadows, she knew without even thinking that it was the one living in the West Courtyard.

In the entire manor, she was the only one who dared to come and find trouble on this day.

For some reason, Sikong Xue wanted someone to have a drink with her.

She had gone to see Ayuan during the day, and her heart was filled with melancholy.

Sikong Xue had originally wanted to engrave “Tomb of Beloved Wife Ning Yuan” on the tombstone, but fearing that Ayuan wouldn’t be willing, she could only let it be.

Ning Yuan walked up to Sikong Xue, holding the almond cakes. Seeing that Sikong Xue seemed unhappy, she opened the box containing the almond cakes and said, “Drinking so late, I’m afraid it will hurt your stomach. Why not eat some cakes?”

Sikong Xue frowned, about to criticize her for being presumptuous, but when her gaze landed on the almond cakes, the words at the tip of her tongue were suddenly swallowed.

When she was sad in the past, Ayuan would also give her almond cakes.

She didn’t particularly like eating them, but because Ayuan gave them to her, she found them exceptionally delicious.

This was a secret between her and Ayuan; how could this foreign woman know?

It must be that she stumbled into it by chance.

Sikong Xue had been drinking. Although she knew clearly that the person before her wasn’t Ayuan, she couldn’t help but crave the company.

“Can you sit and stay with me for a while?” Her tone carried a few hints of pleading, as if afraid the person before her would refuse.

Finally being able to find a way to please Sikong Xue, Ning Yuan naturally wouldn’t refuse.

She sat down beside Sikong Xue and asked, “You seem somewhat unhappy today?”

Today was clearly Sikong Xue’s birthday; why was she unhappy?

Sikong Xue lowered her gaze, looked at the empty wine jar, and opened another one.

After taking a gulp of wine, Sikong Xue saw the person beside her looking at her, seemingly waiting for her to speak.

Facing this face that was identical to Ayuan’s, Sikong Xue’s heart ached terribly.

On the day Ayuan died in her arms, she was as young and innocent as this foreign woman. Ayuan only wanted to find a good person, yet she was hurt so badly by Yuchi Jin…

“Sister?” In order to get closer to Sikong Xue, Ning Yuan had to go against her conscience and call her “Sister.”

The soft voice made Sikong Xue’s heart tremble.

Sikong Xue looked away and said, “I’m unhappy because… my beloved doesn’t like me.”

Beloved?

Ning Yuan had never thought that Sikong Xue being depressed would be because of this.

Could someone like Sikong Xue, with such a sharp tongue, actually have someone she liked?

When Sikong Xue faced someone she liked, she probably wouldn’t say irritating things.

Sikong Xue looked at the bright moon in the sky, thinking of the scenes of playing with Ning Yuan as a child, and said, “I grew up with her, yet she doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for me.”

Ayuan didn’t like her; the thing Ayuan said most was “Sikong Xue, I hate you.”

Hearing Sikong Xue say this, Ning Yuan only felt a sense of sourness in her heart.

The one who grew up with Sikong Xue…

Was it Yin Chiyun?

In the past, Yin Chiyun always followed Sikong Xue into trouble. When the two were punished together, they never blamed each other.

Yin Chiyun had a good temper; no matter what Sikong Xue said, she wouldn’t get angry. The two together had an indescribable harmony.

When Ning Yuan first arrived at the Prime Minister’s manor, Yin Chiyun always came over and even said she wanted to cure her “heat.”

Thinking back now, everything Yin Chiyun did was likely for Sikong Xue. Perhaps Yin Chiyun was worried something would happen between her and Sikong Xue, so she wanted to help treat her.

Only recently, Yin Chiyun was nowhere to be found. It couldn’t be that because she was in the manor, Yin Chiyun was angry and wouldn’t come anymore?

If it was truly because of her that Sikong Xue was drinking her sorrows away today, then her sin would be great.

No wonder Sikong Xue wanted to act as a matchmaker for her at first but then let it slide.

It was likely because her thoughts were preoccupied by someone else, so she couldn’t worry about her.

Thinking of this, Ning Yuan said somewhat despondently, “Perhaps she also likes you, but you just don’t know it.”

Someone like Yin Chiyun and Sikong Xue were likely mutually in love.

Sikong Xue sighed and said, “It’s too late to say anything now.”

Perhaps Ayuan did like her a little bit, but she was too timid then to go to the Ning manor to propose, leaving behind a lifelong regret.

Ning Yuan looked at the wine cup on the stone table, the sourness in her heart increasing.

Why hadn’t she seen it before?

And why was she so sad?

Could it be that she liked Sikong Xue?

But Sikong Xue didn’t like her…

Ning Yuan poured herself a cup of wine. Before Sikong Xue could stop her, the strong liquor had been swallowed.

So spicy.

She didn’t know wine was this spicy before.

Ning Yuan was brought to tears by the spiciness, but she felt that her heart didn’t seem to be so uncomfortable.

Thinking this, Ning Yuan took another large gulp.

Ning Yuan murmured, “No wonder some people like to drink away their sorrows. It turns out that after drinking, one won’t be sad anymore.”

It was likely because she had drunk too little, so she still remembered that Sikong Xue liked someone else.

Ning Yuan drank a lot more, until she couldn’t sit steadily, her body going soft and falling toward Sikong Xue.

Sikong Xue looked at the person who had fallen into her arms because she was drunk and rubbed her temples. What did this foreign woman have to be sorrowful about? Perhaps she missed her family.

Sikong Xue saw this foreign woman as if she had discovered some new and fun toy, cup after cup. Fearing trouble after she got drunk, she said, “Don’t drink anymore. You should go back and rest.”

This foreign woman’s alcohol tolerance was so poor that Sikong Xue was truly afraid that if both of them got drunk, something uncontrollable might happen.

Ning Yuan wouldn’t have it. Leaning on Sikong Xue with half-closed eyes, she said, “Why are you so stingy, not even willing to share a bit of wine. You have someone you love but can’t have in your heart, and I seem to have one in mine too… We are fellow sufferers; we should drink until we’re drunk.”