The young man’s cloak fell away, revealing a delicate face. “Your High… Baby!”

Tie Ci’s face darkened as she gritted her teeth. “Gu Dachong, don’t call me by my pet name.”

“Oh.”

Over there, two others were still fighting desperately. Tie Ci stepped forward and dealt with that group of people in just a few moves. The others came over to thank her, and when both sides saw each other clearly, they couldn’t help but be astonished.

Traveling with Gu Xiaoxiao were actually Li Zhi and Tong Rushi.

Tie Ci hadn’t expected to see these two roommates here. When she was at the academy, she didn’t spend much time in the dormitory and had particularly little friendship with these two, especially Tong Rushi—they had never even spoken directly.

After that group of thugs was beaten down, they knew they had hit an iron plate. For them, encountering such situations wasn’t rare, so they quickly retreated into the house. The group gathered under the corridor to talk, and only then did Tie Ci learn that Gu Xiaoxiao had gone through countless hardships to find an opportunity to leave the capital. He had previously contacted Chi Xue and knew Tie Ci was at the academy, so he headed straight there. Who would have thought that after finally reaching the academy, he encountered that day of strong winds that scattered the poison maniac’s toxins everywhere. The Crown Princess’s Nine Guards were ordered to evacuate the academy students urgently. Since the academy temporarily couldn’t be returned to, the headmaster, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, temporarily ordered early practical training, with all students leaving the mountains. All the academy teachers issued recommendation letters, and students drew lots to go to various places. When Gu Xiaoxiao’s carriage arrived, he encountered the students collectively leaving the mountains and dispersing to various locations. Moreover, the Crown Princess had just revealed her identity and disappeared again, leaving Gu Xiaoxiao completely bewildered.

Fortunately, Gu Xiaoxiao knew Tie Ci’s next target was Dongming County, so he headed there on his own. On the road, he encountered bandits but was rescued by Li Zhi and Tong Rushi, who were also going to Dongming. The three traveled together, inquiring all the way to Dongming. Unexpectedly, they were deceived into entering this underground establishment here and encountered Tie Ci.

Actually, they had already met earlier in the marketplace. Gu Xiaoxiao had thought Tie Ci’s figure looked familiar at the time, but his social anxiety kicked in and he didn’t dare call out to her. Otherwise, today’s trouble could have been avoided.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s face was pale as death, still immersed in the terror of being forcibly kissed by that old prostitute with blood-red lips. While chatting, Tie Ci kept glancing outside with concern. Logically, the thugs and ruffians in this kind of underground establishment all had their own gangs, and once beaten, they could quickly gather a large group. She had been secretly waiting for this, but unexpectedly, this group seemed to cower after one beating and never sent anyone out to report or block them.

Probably because the rain was too heavy?

No one blocking them was for the best. Tie Ci brought the three to her side. When passing through the courtyard gate, she instructed, “For now I’m still acting as Ye Shiba. Please keep my true identity secret.”

All three nodded. Tie Ci nodded to Li Zhi with a warm attitude. She had previously had no particular fondness for this former head of dormitory Wu, but now learning they had saved Gu Xiaoxiao and seeing them protect Xiaoxiao earlier, she naturally was much more courteous.

Her gaze swept over Tong Rushi. Now that he was out of the academy, his cold, rigid demeanor had improved somewhat. At this moment, his gaze was looking through the misty rain curtain at something unknown.

Gu Xiaoxiao was soaked through. Fearing he’d be cold, Tie Ci removed her outer robe and draped it over him.

The two had grown up together since childhood. Gu Xiaoxiao, as the son of a high official, had once been selected as one of her study companions. At that time, Tie Ci was the Crown Princess, the Xiao family hadn’t yet gained complete control of court politics, and Tie Ci’s gifted abilities hadn’t yet awakened. Those study companions all tried various ways to curry favor, but Tie Ci was particularly fond of the severely socially anxious crybaby Gu Xiaoxiao, protecting him under her wing.

After Gu Xiaoxiao came of age, because he had protection and didn’t want to study properly, he had exceptional talent in economics and planning. From then on, he became Tie Ci’s official organization master of Ruixiang Hall and her secret business agent—an iron Pixiu that only brought in money and never let it out.

The Pixiu had long been accustomed to the genderless intimacy between himself and the Crown Princess. Wearing Tie Ci’s outer robe, he stammered a request for ginger soup. Tie Ci ordered Chi Xue to prepare the soup. The two maidservants had followed the signals she left and caught up yesterday.

She and Gu Xiaoxiao walked inside intimately, asking which room he wanted to stay in. Without hesitation, Gu Xiaoxiao said, “I’ll stay right next to you.”

Tie Ci ordered Dan Shuang to call the innkeeper to clean up the room on her right side next door. Just as they were about to go upstairs, something floated down from overhead. Tie Ci looked up and saw Feiyu leaning on the railing, cracking sunflower seeds and spitting the shells lightly downward.

Seeing her, Tie Ci wanted to introduce her close friend to her. Looking up with a smile, she said, “Feiyu, this is my dear friend Gu Xiaoxiao…”

Before she finished speaking, Feiyu gave her an ambiguous look and withdrew her head.

Tie Ci was baffled. She was naturally magnanimous and, having raised a hall full of girls in Ruixiang Hall, was no stranger to women’s little moods. She just laughed, personally took Gu Xiaoxiao to his room, ordered hot water to be heated, arranged for Gu Xiaoxiao to bathe, and had the kitchen prepare foods Gu Xiaoxiao liked. For a moment she was extremely busy.

She knew her male best friend’s temperament. When he said he wanted to come, she hadn’t taken it seriously. After all, his father was strict, and for someone with severe social anxiety to travel a thousand li alone was no easier than changing gender. She hadn’t expected him to keep his promise and actually come. One could imagine how difficult the journey had been. Her heart was full of tender affection, wanting only to quickly make it up to her Gu Dachong. While Gu Xiaoxiao soaked in the bath in the inner room, she busied herself in the outer room, thinking about what else she might have missed, then quickly ordered Dan Shuang to buy Gu Xiaoxiao’s favorite snacks.

Next door, Feiyu waited for her to return. Watching the innkeeper deliver meals and water, trip after trip making the floor shake, with hot water already sent in—that guy should be bathing now—yet Ye Shiba still hadn’t returned.

Then she heard Tie Ci ordering Dan Shuang to buy snacks, fluently naming several types. Dan Shuang went without a word.

Feiyu leaned by the door watching, thinking that Ye Shiba’s two maidservants were both outstanding. Usually they treated him with respect, but you could see they didn’t really have much reverence in their bones. Now that some inexplicable guy had arrived, Dan Shuang and Chi Xue both seemed very familiar with him. The cold-as-ice Dan Shuang was even so enthusiastic about running errands.

She also thought that capital city young men were said to be dissolute and fond of cosmetics, and male relationships weren’t unheard of. Looking at Ye Shiba and this surnamed Gu, they seemed overly intimate. Could it be…

Thinking this, she frowned.

She had worked so hard for so long, and Ye Shiba clearly had concerns about two men being together. But perhaps his concerns weren’t about male relationships at all?

Rather, he already had a little male wife at home, which was why he repeatedly rejected her?

While brooding uncertainly, she suddenly heard the sound of sliding doors next door, and the little male wife calling out: “Shiba! Where are the clothes I asked you to bring? The underwear this inn provides is too poor quality! It chafes my thighs!”

Then she heard Tie Ci’s voice saying, “Your bundle was as big as a mountain—you expect me to carry it around all day? I left it in Ziyang. Find someone to fetch it later!”

Listening, Feiyu first showed no expression, then a sinister smile spread across her face. She hopped back to her own room, and after a while, took a pair of underwear to the room next to the next room.

Gu Xiaoxiao had finished bathing and was getting dressed, his silhouette vague behind the screen. Feiyu’s teeth seemed to grind lightly, then she broke into a smile and handed over the underwear, saying, “Wear this—finest Lu silk, thin and soft. I guarantee this young master will be satisfied.”

Tie Ci reached out to take it, but Feiyu avoided her hand and passed it behind the screen herself. Gu Xiaoxiao immediately withdrew his hand, calling, “Shiba!”

Tie Ci hurried over, supported Feiyu to move her back, took the underwear and said, “Let me handle this. He doesn’t like meeting strangers.” Then asked, “Where did you get this underwear?”

Feiyu glanced toward the screen and said languidly, “Have you forgotten? All your undergarments are kept in my room. This set is brand new—I just bought it for you.”

Tie Ci said, “What…” Behind the screen, Gu Xiaoxiao already said displeasedly, “Shiba, when you’re alone away from home, you must be more careful. In your movements and behavior, it’s better not to be too intimate with others. Especially this kind of…”

He stopped, his upbringing preventing him from insulting someone to their face, but clearly he also looked down on someone like Feiyu.

Seductive and demonic.

How could such a person be so intimate with the Crown Princess?

Feiyu leaned against the screen and smiled, “This kind of what?”

Tie Ci sensed something was wrong in the atmosphere. Knowing that Gu Xiaoxiao would be uncomfortable with outsiders present, she supported Feiyu’s shoulder and quickly ushered her out. “Go back for now. When he’s ready, I’ll formally introduce you both at dinner.”

Behind her, Gu Xiaoxiao said, “Onions, garlic, ginger…”

Without turning around, Tie Ci said, “I know—you don’t eat any of them! I’ve already given instructions.”

Feiyu suddenly grabbed her hand. “Shiba, do you know what I don’t eat?”

Tie Ci was startled. She really didn’t know what Feiyu avoided eating. It seemed she loved everything and was very precious about food.

At her pause, Feiyu smoothly brushed off her hand. Just then, Second Senior Brother came limping upstairs. Feiyu went forward to meet him, leaning on his shoulder. “Senior Brother, I want to learn your lightness skills.”

Second Senior Brother seemed to instantly forget his earlier embarrassment of being hung outside the building, saying seriously, “That can be considered.”

Feiyu slipped her hand into his elbow crook. He looked down, coughed once, but didn’t withdraw his hand. Raising his head, he took her downstairs.

Tie Ci: “…”

What was going on here?

She stood dejectedly on the stairs, watching those two walk away chatting and laughing, then looked up at the gray sky.

A woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

Dinner was at a combined table downstairs. Since Tie Ci had booked the entire inn, there was no fear of being disturbed by unrelated people. Gu Xiaoxiao was in much better spirits. Before sitting down, he habitually surveyed the dishes and asked about prices, then went out to speak with Chi Xue. After a while, the innkeeper came in sweating profusely, added many dishes for everyone, and kept apologizing.

Everyone was somewhat baffled. Tie Ci knew what was happening and smiled, “How much did you earn back this time?”

Gu Xiaoxiao sat at a separate small table beside her, far from the others. Hearing her ask this, he gave her a look. “Shiba, though your family is wealthy, money shouldn’t be wasted like this. This place is a black shop. In this season, tofu spoils easily and fish are everywhere—they’re cheapest—yet he managed to make three or four tofu dishes. Green vegetables are much more expensive, but you hardly see any, yet he dared charge you a tael of silver. If I don’t make him cough up half of it, I’ll take his surname.”

“Please don’t—your father would break your legs.” Tie Ci served him food. “You’ve worked hard. Eat more to recover.”

Gu Xiaoxiao spread his hands. Tie Ci understood and smiled, signaling Dan Shuang to give him the money pouch. Gu Xiaoxiao accepted it, saying, “From now on, I’ll handle your food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. And your room—good heavens, I nearly fainted when I saw it today.”

This was routine. Gu Xiaoxiao had an organization obsession. If she didn’t let him organize, he would hit people.

Tie Ci nodded frequently, offering no resistance.

The others looked at each other. Everyone present except Feiyu knew her identity—it was quite a spectacle.

Only Second Senior Brother didn’t look up, sitting properly to the side, saying to Feiyu beside him, “I think those spare ribs are quite good.”

Feiyu glanced at him sideways. “So, feed me!”

Second Senior Brother, who expected to be fed, thought for a long time, picked up chopsticks, fed Feiyu one bite, then put down the chopsticks. Glowing with satisfaction, he said to Tie Ci, “I originally thought women who were chaste, obedient, and caring were good. Now I see that men caring for playful women is also quite interesting.”

Tie Ci: “…”

Playful your grandmother’s head.

Interesting your grandmother’s interest.

…

The heavy rain continued for another three days.

During these three days, Tie Ci felt like she had become the filling in a sandwich, the bacon in a club sandwich, the sausage in a hot dog—caught between her male best friend and female best friend, wanting to die from the torment.

Every day Gu Xiaoxiao would painstakingly organize her room, and in the blink of an eye Feiyu would mess it up.

When Feiyu messed it up, Gu Xiaoxiao would wait for her to leave before reorganizing, but after spending an hour reorganizing everything, Feiyu would restore it to its original state in the blink of an eye.

That wasn’t all. While Gu Xiaoxiao was organizing Tie Ci’s room, Feiyu would also tamper with Gu Xiaoxiao’s own room. The changes were different from those in Tie Ci’s room—subtle alterations like pulling the blanket out slightly, kicking one shoe inward, tilting a cup out of its tray. These were more wicked than making a complete mess—at first glance it still looked clean and tidy, and ordinary people wouldn’t notice, but for someone like Gu Xiaoxiao, everything felt wrong. He would lie down then get up, get up then lie down, correcting bit by bit, spending half a day on it.

So Gu Xiaoxiao spent from morning to night organizing rooms, not even having time to talk with Tie Ci. He didn’t usually exercise and wasn’t physically strong. Having been caught in the rain yesterday and stressed today, he quickly caught a cold. Even lying in bed he was still giving directions: “Help me up, I can still do it! That cup still isn’t right!”

Meanwhile, the perpetrator had gone out with Second Senior Brother for a nature walk. Who knew what nature they could appreciate when summer was almost over and it was still pouring rain.

When Feiyu and Second Senior Brother returned in the evening, the first thing they did was ask what Tie Ci was doing. Hearing that Gu Xiaoxiao had caught cold and Tie Ci was personally caring for him, she immediately became disagreeable, sneering coldly, “Seductive slut.”

Chi Xue, who had responded to her, stood to the side. Hearing this, she seriously looked Feiyu up and down.

This… person really had no self-awareness.

When Tie Ci saw Feiyu return, still arm-in-arm with Second Senior Brother, her gaze swept over that arm.

Feiyu’s fingertips shrank back.

But Second Senior Brother became even more pleased, puffing out his chest and gripping the arm tighter, pinching Feiyu’s fingertips red.

Tie Ci inexplicably found it irritating and turned away, thinking this was Western etiquette, Western etiquette… Then she thought again that Master had said Western etiquette also included cheek kisses and hand kisses—did these two also do that?

At dinner, she arranged for Chi Xue to select dishes Gu Xiaoxiao liked and send them to his room. Over there, Feiyu didn’t touch her chopsticks from beginning to end, while Second Senior Brother happily fulfilled his “pleasure of caring for someone.”

Listening to their flirtation, Tie Ci lost her appetite and put down her bowl after eating just a few bites.

When Chi Xue was clearing the food, she couldn’t help but sigh.

These complicated romantic relationships.

That night, after checking on Gu Xiaoxiao, Tie Ci returned to her own room and immediately saw Feiyu lying on her bed.

Tie Ci sighed and leaned against the doorframe looking at her.

What was the top courtesan up to—ignoring her during the day but clinging to her at night?

Feiyu lay on her side facing her, propping up her cheek, saying lazily, “You’re back.”

Tie Ci hummed acknowledgment, then suddenly said, “Xiaoxiao and I grew up together—we have the friendship of iron brothers. Why are you so hostile toward him?”

Feiyu laughed. “He doesn’t seem to have a good attitude toward me either. Why don’t you go persuade him?”

“I will talk to him. Xiaoxiao is very guarded against people and doesn’t dare get close to unfamiliar people. It’s normal for him to be wary of you at first,” Tie Ci said. “Please be tolerant. Once everyone gets familiar with each other, you’ll know that Xiaoxiao is a very simple person.”

“Look at you defending him sentence by sentence. Those who don’t know might think he’s your little male wife,” Feiyu said languidly. “Isn’t that right, Brother Shiba?”

Tie Ci rested her chin in her hands and looked at her, suddenly laughing. “Listen to your tone—those who don’t know might think you’re jealous.”