Sleeping Soundly in Her Bed - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Pull and Push

 

At the critical moment, the flying dagger—glinting with a chilling light, was suddenly struck down by the hilt of a sword, clattering loudly to the ground.

 

Rachel was still scared out of her wits, her sharp cries nearly piercing her own eardrums.

 

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp!!!” (Murder! They’re really murdering a peacock!)

 

“So noisy!”

 

The woman in red, Mu Yanshan, strode forward, blocking Rachel’s only path of retreat. She was clearly Jiang Zhishui’s capable subordinate; Rachel had previously been hauled before Jiang Zhishui by her like a little chick. Seeing her approach now, Rachel instinctively shrank her neck back.

 

Jiang Zhishui sheathed her sword and shot a cold, indifferent glance over. “The bird is my pet. Mu Yanshan, what are you?”

 

The red-clothed woman trembled violently and fell straight to her knees, her forehead touching the ground.

 

“This servant is Your Highness’s slave! Your Highness, this servant knows her mistake. I beg for your mercy!”

 

Rachel watched, dumbstruck. Jiang Zhishui, however, ignored her and turned her gaze toward Rachel.

 

“How did my little bird end up in a place like this?”

 

Rachel: “Chirp chirp chirp.” (I’m just an innocent golden peacock who doesn’t understand human speech. I didn’t hear a thing.)

 

Jiang Zhishui sighed helplessly, her tone carrying a hint of doting indulgence.

 

“Let’s go. Take her back.”

 

Only then did Mu Yanshan breathe a sigh of relief.

 

Rachel intended to follow Jiang Zhishui back to the courtyard, but her tail feathers were suddenly yanked hard by Mu Yanshan. Rachel had never suffered such an insult; she raised her head, intending to let out a high-pitched scream to bring Jiang Zhishui back. Seeing this, Mu Yanshan quickly let go and clamped her hand over the bird’s beak.

 

“Shut your mouth!”

 

Rachel looked at her provocatively. With Jiang Zhishui’s words backing her up, her safety was guaranteed for now; this woman wouldn’t dare to actually do anything to her.

 

“Chirp~”

 

The peacock’s cry suddenly became soft and gentle, winding through several melodic turns as if intentionally trying to annoy her. Mu Yanshan’s face twisted in rage, but she ultimately restrained herself from drawing her blade.

 

“Behave yourself. I’m taking you back.”

 

Rachel: Hah, this is what happens when you provoke this Princess!

 

Mu Yanshan brought Rachel back to the garden specifically designed for raising peacocks. It had an expansive lawn, rolling hills, and various rockeries stacked beneath thick banyan trees. Beside them sat an exquisite little nest built of down feathers and silk—a level of luxury comparable to a noble’s palace.

 

Rachel, however, had absolutely no desire to live here.

 

She was the Empire’s most noble princess; how could she wrong herself by huddling in this tiny, ugly nest…

 

Well, although silk and down feathers layered together are indeed quite soft.

 

“Keep a close eye on this beast. If it escapes again, you won’t need to stay here anymore.”

 

Mu Yanshan left these harsh words and turned to depart. The surrounding maids looked at one another, their gazes eventually landing on Rachel.

 

The youngest maid’s mouth wobbled: “Lord Peacock…”

 

Rachel: “…”

 

To maintain her princely dignity, she remained silent for a moment, then silently crawled into that “tiny, ugly” nest.

 

Actually, it was quite comfortable.

 

She hadn’t even warmed up the nest before dinner time arrived. Rachel was once again carried to Jiang Zhishui’s courtyard by a maid.

 

Jiang Zhishui was sitting in a gazebo flipping through a scroll. Seeing that it was her, she beckoned the maid over.

 

“Has she eaten?”

 

“My Lady, this servant has not yet eaten,” the maid said cautiously, two spots of red appearing on her cheeks. “Neither has Lord Peacock.”

 

Jiang Zhishui merely patted the top of Rachel’s head and pointed toward the nearby rosewood table.

 

“Go.”

 

The maid walked to the table with her head lowered. Only then did Rachel realize the table was laden with food, with human food and bird food clearly separated.

 

Hearing that the little maid hadn’t eaten either, Rachel snatched up a bite of the fish mince she offered, then pushed a plate of Eastern pastries toward the maid.

 

The little maid seemed quite gentle; since Jiang Zhishui said she could eat, they might as well share.

 

“Chirp.”

 

Unexpectedly, the maid’s hand shook, and the silver spoon fell back into the bowl. Immediately following was a thud as she fell to her knees, large tears streaming down.

 

“Have mercy! My Lady, have mercy!!!”

 

Rachel was utterly bewildered.

 

Jiang Zhishui looked up from her scroll, casting a faint glance over. Mu Yanshan, who was hidden in the shadows, immediately appeared, prepared to drag the maid away.

 

Rachel: “Chirp chirp chirp?” (What did the little maid do? Didn’t you tell her to eat?)

 

She quickly bit onto the little maid’s sleeve, pulling back with all her might. Mu Yanshan intended to kick her aside, but remembering that Jiang Zhishui was watching, her strength faltered. The little maid was actually pulled back by Rachel.

 

Rachel thought she had saved someone, but the little maid only cried harder.

 

“It wasn’t me! I really didn’t do it! Mercy, I beg your mercy…”

 

She wailed while desperately trying to pull her sleeve back, as if Rachel were some demon crawling out of hell.

 

Rachel: “?”

 

“My Lady?” Mu Yanshan looked down for instructions.

 

This time, Jiang Zhishui didn’t even lift an eyelid; she merely waved her hand dismissively.

 

“The bird is unwilling.”

 

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Mu Yanshan’s eyes. “Your subordinate understands.”

 

The little maid finally breathed a sigh of relief. Standing up with tearful eyes, she scrambled and crawled out of the courtyard as fast as she could.

 

Rachel stood in place, still completely confused.

 

“Your subordinate takes her leave.”

 

Mu Yanshan bowed and left, leaving only Rachel and Jiang Zhishui.

 

Faced with a table of delicacies, Rachel didn’t know whether to eat or not. she could only cautiously observe Jiang Zhishui’s expression, fearing she might be the next one dragged out.

 

The little maid should be okay, right? Rachel looked worried. Unfortunately, Jiang Zhishui was focused only on her scroll and gave no further instructions. Rachel’s heart immediately felt unbalanced.

 

What is this temperamental female pervert thinking! She’s even harder to serve than my cheap old man of a father.

 

So, Rachel steeled her heart. Since she wasn’t going to die, she might as well fill her stomach.

 

She buried her head in her food and ate until her belly was round. Then, she hopped off the chair, planning to make her getaway.

 

“Little bird.”

 

Jiang Zhishui called her. Rachel pretended not to hear, walking toward the exit without looking back.

 

“That maidservant will be fine.”

 

Rachel’s footsteps paused: “Chirp chirp chirp.”

 

At least Jiang Zhishui did something human for once.

 

Though she didn’t understand why the little maid reacted so violently, the fact that Jiang Zhishui would explain it to a bird surprised Rachel. Could it be… Jiang Zhishui discovered she could understand human speech?

 

Impossible! Rachel immediately dismissed the idea. This woman was surely just talking to herself.

 

She continued to play dumb and walk out, but her long tail feathers were suddenly gripped gently, nearly making her stumble.

 

“Chirp chirp chirp?”

 

Turning around, she saw Jiang Zhishui playing with her tail feathers, her fingertips entwined in the drifting plumes. A playful look flashed across her cold, beautiful face.

 

“Why don’t you accompany me for a nap?”

 

Rachel: “Chirp chirp chirp?”

 

She had no way to struggle. With a flutter of sleeves, Jiang Zhishui reached out and scooped her up; Rachel fell into a warm embrace.

 

What incredible speed!

 

Jiang Zhishui carried her back to the bedroom. Only now did Rachel see what this woman’s room looked like. Behind a massive screen, statues and dance figurines were vaguely visible. Further in was a large bed made of pearwood.

 

The auspicious cloud carvings on the bed frame were exquisite and lifelike; in the Lanxi Empire, this frame alone would be worth ten thousand gold pieces. Jiang Zhishui lay down on it without a care, cradling Rachel in her arms. She whispered, “Stop making a fuss.”

 

Who is the one making a fuss? You’re the one constantly interfering with my life, okay?

 

Rachel was held tightly by Jiang Zhishui. The woman didn’t seem to be using force, yet her arms were like walls of iron. Unable to move, Rachel could only stare blankly at the carvings on the bed canopy. Surprisingly, she drifted off to sleep again.

 

What’s wrong with me? I clearly got enough sleep last night. How can I sleep so soundly in this female pervert’s bed? When I wake up, I’ll probably be chopped into pieces and have my feathers plucked to make a skirt!

 

When she woke, Rachel’s first move was to check her feathers. Finding them only slightly messy and none missing, she breathed a sigh of relief. Looking to her side, Jiang Zhishui was nowhere to be found.

 

“Chirp chirp chirp?”

 

Rachel called out twice, but no maid came to groom her feathers. She hopped off the bed herself, rounded the screen, and found the place empty.

 

Rachel’s interest was piqued.

 

This was Jiang Zhishui’s private room! Perhaps she could find some leverage; then Jiang Zhishui would be forced to pledge loyalty to her Eldest Brother!

 

No sooner said than done. Rachel circled the rosewood dressing table and the altar, but found only ordinary items. She felt utterly dejected. Then again, how could a female official from the East leave secrets here? They were likely hidden in a study or basement.

 

Eldest Brother, this is all I can do to help you for now. I tried my best.

 

Rachel didn’t stay in the bedroom. Instead, she slipped out to the garden. This time, she didn’t go deep inside but hopped onto a tree near the perimeter. The tree wasn’t tall, and it took a lot of effort for Rachel to get up there, but she could at least see half the garden’s layout.

 

The garden was a massive hexagon; this was where Rachel had been turned around yesterday. She wanted to plan an escape and couldn’t avoid this maze. However, since that pervert Jiang Zhishui lived here, she must go out every day. Rachel planned to follow her first to scout the terrain, then find an opening to slip away.

 

Thinking this, Rachel jumped down, wanting to find someone to lead the way. To her surprise, she ran right into Mu Yanshan.

 

Mu Yanshan was giving instructions to some maids. Rachel hid behind a shrub and listened; she discovered Jiang Zhishui was going out today!

 

Her eyes lit up—wasn’t this a god-given opportunity? Since no one had noticed her, the worst that could happen was being caught again. As a pet, it was normal to try and escape, right?

 

She stealthily followed Mu Yanshan all the way back to Jiang Zhishui’s courtyard. Seeing Jiang Zhishui still in the back garden, Rachel broke into a cold sweat.

 

Fortunately, I wasn’t spotted.

 

“Your Highness, the carriage and horses are ready,” Mu Yanshan said with her head bowed.

 

Jiang Zhishui seemed to be adjusting her robes.

 

“Where is the bird?”

 

“She likely went back to her nest. Your subordinate will check on her later.”

 

Jiang Zhishui rose and left with Mu Yanshan. Rachel followed stealthily behind them, traveling unimpeded to the garden entrance. She told herself she must memorize the route, but to her surprise, the two didn’t go through the garden’s main gate at all. Instead, they circled to another moon gate.

 

Rachel remembered that behind it lay another courtyard. Were they forgetting something?

 

Rachel continued to follow stealthily. Entering the moon gate, she found the courtyard held a secret world of its own. It looked ordinary on the outside, but the inside was remarkable—it led directly to another main road of the manor, winding and twisting!

 

“Chirp chirp chirp!” (You hid it so well, you really made this Princess look for it!)

 

Once on the main road, the figures of Jiang Zhishui and Mu Yanshan vanished. Rachel hid in the small courtyard, ensuring they were far away before strolling out boldly.

 

The main road was sparsely populated. Rachel spent the way dodging gardeners and grooms, finally reaching the manor’s main gate. Jiang Zhishui was sitting in a platinum carriage. Suddenly, she inexplicably pulled back the curtain and looked toward the large banyan tree where Rachel was hiding.

 

Rachel was so scared she quickly shrank behind the tree, her heart pounding like thunder. After a while, she peeked out; the convoy had gone far. She breathed a sigh of relief, slipped cautiously to the perimeter wall, skillfully climbed a tree, and then—leaped!

 

Rachel landed on the grassy slope outside the wall. Losing her footing, she rolled downward.

 

But she enjoyed it, because—she was finally out!

 

She, Rachel! The Empire’s most precious Peacock Princess!

 

She was back!