Chapter One Hundred Twenty Nine: Sister Sends Off, Little Sister Delivers
“Qiu Ju, we’re leaving first.”
“Senior Sister, make sure to eat early!”
“Mm. Got it.”
On the practice field, the last batch of disciples from the Sword Flower Palace also said their goodbyes to Qiu Ju and headed off to rest.
However, Qiu Ju, still alone on the practice field, tirelessly practiced her swordplay.
She practiced until dusk, a light sweat glistening on her brow before finally pausing to catch her breath.
“…The Grand Sword Competition is coming up soon.” Wiping her sweat, Qiu Ju gazed into the distance.
For the past few days, she had been practicing late into the night at the field.
Although she hit a plateau in her sword skills and this routine practice wouldn’t yield major progress, she couldn’t help but want to train just a bit longer.
As if by putting in a little more effort, she could get closer to her sister’s shadow.
“…I wonder how my sister’s swordplay is coming along.”
She suddenly sighed to herself.
In the entire Sword Flower Palace, there were only her and her sister as sword attendants.
When it came to talent, everyone would first think of her and her sister.
But Qiu Ju always felt she couldn’t compare to her sister.
She and Chun Lan had completely opposite personalities.
Chun Lan was bold, and even a bit headstrong, always standing her ground, no matter who she faced.
Unlike herself, a timid, introverted, and self-conscious girl.
Sometimes, Qiu Ju envied her sister for being able to disregard others’ opinions, only caring about her own feelings.
Besides, Chun Lan was an excellent swordfighter.
Though they were roughly equally matched, Qiu Ju always felt that if they truly fought, she would still lose to her sister.
“Sigh.”
She suddenly felt a wave of dejection and hung her head: “I haven’t made any progress in my swordplay… I’ll be left behind by my sister.”
Just thinking about it made her feel sad and frustrated.
——
——
After tidying up, Qiu Ju made her way back to her lodging, taking the familiar path.
She happened to pass by the confinement room.
Since she was already on her way to deliver food to Sang Zhe, Qiu Ju decided to carry the meal along and arrived at the confinement room door.
“Young Master Sang, I’m here to deliver dinner—”
Before she could finish, an extremely familiar yet somewhat strange voice came from inside the confinement room.
Familiar because it was her sister Chun Lan’s voice.
Strange because…
She had never heard her sister sound like this before.
Such a delicate, suppressed moan, as if she were doing her best to endure something.
Qiu Ju jumped in surprise. She hurriedly dodged to the side of the window and peeked in.
What she saw left her stunned—their fierce and tough sister, who always wore a scowl, was now utterly soft and limp, her face flushed.
Soaked to the skin, her inner garment faintly peeking through her outer dress. Her fair skin took on a layer of pink, with her gaze hazy and confused.
Across from her stood a man, mischievous and leering, playfully pinching her chin and saying something indulgently.
Qiu Ju’s heart raced.
What on earth was happening?
Could it be that the guest was doing something bad to her sister?
But her sister didn’t seem to resist at all; her expression didn’t look like someone being forced either.
So what were they doing…?
Before Qiu Ju could think further, Chun Lan stumbled to her feet, glaring at Sang Zhe in utter embarrassment.
Then, she staggered away from the room.
Qiu Ju was scared and hid, watching her sister quietly retreat to her quarters.
Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions, a thousand thoughts swirling.
No, wait.
Could it be… that her sister offended the guest again out of temper, and that’s why they were taking advantage of her?
Just remembering Chun Lan’s embarrassed expression made Qiu Ju gnash her teeth.
No way.
I, I have to find a way to save my sister!
——
——
After sending Chun Lan off.
Sang Zhe leisurely sat in his chair, sipping tea with satisfaction.
That girl Chun Lan really was still too inexperienced.
Or rather.
The disciples of the Sword Flower Palace had virtually never stepped outside, never experienced the harshness of the outside world, and the naïve white lotus girls were still too green compared to him, a seasoned player.
With just a few words, it was easy to see through their thoughts and intentions.
So even though the little girl was stubborn and insisted she’d never yield to him.
Sang Zhe was certain.
By this time tomorrow, she’d still obediently come to him.
Moreover, the news of the existence of the precious training jade, she wouldn’t dare to tell anyone else.
She’d only dare to keep it to herself.
Perfectly, Sang Zhe had been displeased with this arrogant little girl for a long time.
Ever since their first meeting, she’d spoiled his plans.
She ruined his carefully prepared confession and wore that expression of “Even if I have 99 faults, do you have even one flaw?”
Every encounter was something to grit one’s teeth over.
Now that she was in his grasp.
Sang Zhe was pondering whether to find a chance to bully her a bit tomorrow, as payback for the face she had thrown at him.
Suddenly, a timid voice rang from the door.
“Sang… Young Master Sang!”
Sang Zhe turned to see Qiu Ju standing at the door, looking nervous and uneasy.
“Sister Qiu Ju.”
Sang Zhe immediately donned a friendly smile: “Come to bring me dinner?”
“Just in time, I’m hungry too. Let me see what’s good tonight—”
He was halfway through when Qiu Ju suddenly stammered and interrupted him.
“Y-Young Master Sang, um…”
She tightly gripped her skirt, her expression conflicted and distressed, and finally, bright red in the face, she hardily exclaimed:
“Y-You are not allowed to bully Chun Lan!”
“If Young Master Sang bullies Chun Lan, then I… I…” Her eyes blinked rapidly, almost crying.
“I’ll… ask Young Master Sang… to bully me instead of Chun Lan!”
Sang Zhe: “?”
“Er, Sister Qiu Ju, did you misunderstand something?”
He chuckled awkwardly: “I haven’t bullied Chun Lan at all.”
“Young Master Sang is lying.”
Qiu Ju pouted, whispering: “I saw… I saw everything just now.”
“What did you see?” Sang Zhe’s expression gradually turned cold.
“I saw Young Master Sang… pinching Chun Lan’s chin, and Chun Lan was very embarrassed, all wet and…”
In just a few sentences, Qiu Ju made Sang Zhe fumble for words, her face as flushed as a ripe tomato, her voice trembling.
“You definitely bullied my sister! That… that’s not allowed!”
She kept her head down, face burning, shouted softly: “You can’t do… inappropriate things!”
Sang Zhe: “…”
This little girl seems to have quite the imagination.
However.
Seeing Qiu Ju all shy yet trying hard to stand up for her sister was just adorable.
Sang Zhe couldn’t help but crack a smile.
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