It was the first time Noble Consort Jing had heard that these river bandits had actually had the Emperor in their sights!

Under these circumstances, it would not do to accuse the organizers of the outing of harboring malicious intent.

After all, organizing the outing had thereby drawn the bandits away from the Emperor and shielded him from disaster — it was not only blameless, but positively meritorious!

However, the claim that Chu Linlang had ingratiated herself with Tao Yashu, joining forces to ostracize Yixiu and thus causing her not to disembark, was something that had been witnessed by people.

If she let the matter go lightly, would this whole ordeal not truly turn out to be nothing but unreasonable troublemaking?

Noble Consort Jing gritted her teeth, and through eyes misted with tears, she said grievously: “Yet the fact that this Chu woman is clever and scheming by nature, and in order to curry favor with the legitimate daughter of the Tao Family joined forces with her to bully my niece — that is an ironclad truth. If not for them, that child Yixiu would not have refused to disembark!”

Emperor Ren of Jin frowned and turned his gaze toward the Chu woman kneeling to one side, and toward Tao Yashu who had knelt alongside her mother.

This Chu Linlang, whom Noble Consort Jing claimed had driven the Junzhu to her death, did not look in the least like an insolent and troublesome sort — she appeared slender and delicately beautiful, a truly bright and radiant woman…

How could he not know that Noble Consort Jing was being unreasonably willful? Yet the Yun Family had indeed lost a girl, which was truly pitiable.

To punish the legitimate daughter of the Tao Family on account of this matter would be making a mountain out of a molehill, and would only needlessly offend the Duke.

If instead he dealt with this commoner woman, Noble Consort Jing would have let off some of her pent-up resentment, which would bring him some peace and quiet in return — that would be the convenient thing to do…

Just as the Emperor was rapidly weighing his options and considering how to open his mouth, the cold, clear voice of Situ Sheng beside him suddenly broke the silence: “For a Junzhu personally bestowed her title by the Emperor — who in the female academy has always surrounded herself with friends and followers — to have been bullied by a merchant woman of unremarkable birth? Truly something unheard of! Where did these absurd words that have misled Your Highness come from? If Your Highness would care to reveal it, this official will certainly investigate the matter to the bottom… As for the sudden death by suicide of the young lady of the Yun Family, even without Noble Consort Jing raising the matter, the Court of Judicial Review will pursue it to a full conclusion. It is said that on the night the Junzhu departed, three to five matrons entered her room; there were sounds of screaming and struggling throughout, candlelight and shadows of rope. Afterward, someone who examined the ligature mark on her neck noted that the pattern ran horizontally — not consistent with self-hanging, but rather resembling the mark of someone having been strangled from behind…”

With these words from Situ Sheng, the entire hall was struck with shock.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had both reached an age where they understood everything — what was there they did not know?

If what Situ Sheng said was true, the implications of what had happened there were immediately clear to them both.

Noble Consort Jing, however, was trembling with fury from head to toe, no longer able to keep up her frail and delicate act: “Silence! Lord Situ! What is the meaning of this? Are you accusing my family of killing their own daughter!”

Situ Sheng said coldly: “Your Highness may rest assured — the specific cause of death will require exhumation and autopsy. If Noble Consort Jing is determined to pursue the true culprit, the Court of Judicial Review will naturally open a case, to restore justice and clear the wrongful suffering of the young lady of the Yun Family!”

Noble Consort Jing was trembling all over with rage.

She had always considered Situ Sheng someone on her side — after all, he was on good terms with her son, and had even helped the Fourth Prince trip up the Crown Prince in a significant way.

Yet she had never in a thousand years expected that at this critical juncture, he would suddenly turn on her like a mad dog. It was truly beyond anything she could have anticipated!

By now even her frailest mask was beginning to show hairline cracks of its own accord: “What utter nonsense are you speaking! What exhumation and autopsy? Let me see who dares disturb my niece’s peace in the afterlife!”

How could that coffin be opened? If it were opened, would it not thrust the Yun Family into the eye of the storm all over again?

Upon hearing this, even the aged Emperor sat beside them with a veiled expression, narrowing his eyes and scanning back and forth, wondering just how much more of an unexpected “surprise” his trusted official was going to bring to this prayer hall.

Situ Sheng paid no attention whatsoever to Noble Consort Jing’s threatening glare, and unhurriedly continued: “Lord Yun has gone to the Court of Judicial Review several times to make his case, overcome with righteous indignation. In this official’s view, the intent must surely be to investigate his daughter’s murder. Junzhu Yixiu was in the prime of her youth and beauty — to have met with such a fate, anyone who hears of it is filled with outrage and indignation. Lord Yun must be consumed with guilt over not having sent a trusted person to keep proper watch over the Junzhu, allowing this accident to befall her. This official believes that if this matter is to be pursued in detail, it should properly begin with the people closest to the Junzhu. Your Highness may rest assured — this official already has an important witness, and will investigate the matter to the very end, ensuring that Junzhu Yixiu does not depart this world bearing an unredressed injustice!”

“You… Silence! That child Yixiu had a fierce and proud nature — she died to preserve her honor, protecting the reputation of the Great Jin and the Yun Family! I will absolutely not allow anyone to use her death as a pretext to throw mud upon the heads of our Yun Family!”

Situ Sheng said coldly: “Died to preserve her honor? The ordeal suffered by Junzhu Yixiu is a disgrace to every man of the Great Jin! We of this generation were incompetent, allowing bandits to be so brazen! There is no need for a weak young woman’s death to prove any point — nor is there any need to drag in unrelated persons to bear responsibility for her death!”

“You…” Noble Consort Jing was momentarily rendered speechless by his retort, yet inwardly she felt a flash of secret satisfaction.

Did not these words of his amount to slapping the Emperor in the face?

After all, was it not at the Emperor’s own instigation that poor Yixiu had taken that path?

The Yun Family was connected to the imperial family by marriage — if they were to produce a woman whose purity had been violated by people from the Jing Kingdom, what would become of the Emperor’s dignity and face?

Thinking of this, Noble Consort Jing turned to gaze at the aged Emperor, who had been sitting there in silence all along, and said with grief-stricken sorrow: “Your Majesty, Situ Sheng has spoken offensively and shown disrespect to the deceased! I beg you to uphold justice for that poor child Yixiu…”

She wept with pear-blossom tears streaking her face, looking deeply pitiable.

If Yixiu had truly been killed by someone else, an aunt weeping like this for her niece would genuinely inspire tender sympathy.

Yet Emperor Ren knew his capable official well. Situ Sheng had always conducted himself with steadiness, with a temper as unyielding as iron, and he never spoke without grounds.

If he could say that what had happened in the Yun household that night involved something hidden, he must certainly have both witness testimony and physical evidence in hand.

Foolish woman! Did she not know what kind of people her own family were? And yet she was still standing there arguing with Situ Sheng. Did she think that everyone, like him, would be blinded by affection and act partially?

Furthermore, if Situ Sheng’s words were true, and someone could be driven to take the life of their own flesh and blood daughter to preserve so-called family reputation — how was that different from a beast?

When Emperor Ren first heard with shock of what had happened at Ronglin Female Academy, and of Yixiu’s ordeal, his feelings, beyond fury, were in many ways similar to those of Situ Sheng.

In those years, the military dispatches had been delayed, General Yang had received no supply of provisions and no reinforcements — and thus a general of great renown had met his end on the battlefield!

Had General Yang Xun still been alive, with three thousand Yang Family troops guarding the borders, would the tigers and wolves of the Jing Kingdom have dared to be so brazen? Daring to stir up trouble deep within the territories of the Great Jin?

In those years, Emperor Ren had flown into a momentary rage, with no remonstrating officials at his side to counsel restraint. Upon hearing that Yang Yi had surrendered, in the heat of his fury, he had issued the order to execute the entire Yang Family.

From that point onward, the tradition of scholar-officials taking up military careers had been suppressed, and no capable talents had emerged from the battlefield. In the years that followed, the Great Jin produced no generals that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the sons of the Yang Family!

This was a move the Emperor Ren himself regretted having made — no one else could speak of it, but whenever the court found itself without capable generals to employ, he would think of that blunder and be overcome with remorse.

And so, that day when Emperor Ren was in Noble Consort Jing’s palace and thought of Yixiu’s ordeal, his remorse stirred once again, and he had spoken the words: “If I had known of today’s humiliation from the beginning, I should not have executed the entire family of Yang Yi.”

Even the Emperor himself had never imagined that these inadvertently spoken, heartfelt words of his, upon reaching other people’s ears, would be so wildly over-interpreted and layered with countless mockeries and implications — and would ultimately lead to a young girl’s death in the very bloom of her youth.

As for the ordeal of Noble Consort Jing’s family’s child, Emperor Ren had initially felt some guilt, believing himself to be in Noble Consort Jing’s debt. Whenever she wept and sobbed, Emperor Ren had complied with her in every way, treating it as making amends for what was owed.

Yet a sickly and delicately aged favored consort weeping now and again — like a spring that simply would never stop bubbling — had grown tiresome as well.

What was more, today he had been shocked to hear Situ Sheng’s words — that Yixiu, in all likelihood, had been forced to her death by the Yun Family’s own hands.

The aged Emperor’s heart was as if he had swallowed a clump of fur — thoroughly nauseated.

No matter how pear-blossom-and-rain pitiful Noble Consort Jing’s weeping appeared, it could stir no compassion in him.

Seeing the Empress Dowager beside him unable to bear the aggravation and wrinkling her brow, Emperor Ren finally spoke, coldly rebuking Noble Consort Jing: “This is the Empress Dowager’s prayer hall, not your Yun Family’s funeral hall! If you wish to weep, We grant you leave to pay a family visit and go weep with your brother at the Yun household!”

The ill will in the Emperor’s words this time required no great pondering to detect.

Noble Consort Jing’s heart lurched, and she could not understand what she had done wrong — why was it that the Emperor could no longer be as magnanimous and patient with her as before?

She dared not carry on as she had before with the Empress Dowager. She immediately swallowed her tears, quietly apologized to both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, then was helped up by her palace maids and retreated in sorry defeat.

Once Noble Consort Jing had gone, the Empress Dowager said: “Fortunate that Your Majesty arrived in time. Otherwise, this favored consort of yours in the rear palace — this Dowager cannot reason with her, and dare not provoke her!”

Detecting the displeasure in the Empress Dowager’s tone, Emperor Ren naturally rose at once to apologize to his mother.

In truth, the Empress Dowager was not particularly angry — after all, spending her days at leisure in the palace, when had she ever witnessed such a spectacular display of changing faces as today?

Taking this opportunity, she smoothly brought up the matter: “Your rear palace ought to have someone proper to manage it. Otherwise, with all this murky chaos day in and day out, how can Your Majesty put his mind at ease on matters of state? This Dowager does not mean to say that women of modest backgrounds are necessarily unsuitable — but when it comes to matters of great principle and consequence, they do lack a certain breadth of heart and depth of vision. After a short while, a fine batch of young women will be entering the palace. Your Majesty should also pay attention and take notice, and if any stand out, promote them accordingly… Yashu, come and pay your respects to the Emperor! Your Majesty, take a look — this legitimate daughter of the Tao Family is just about to come serve at this Dowager’s side as a female official. Does Your Majesty think she is pleasing to the eye?”

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager gently nudged Tao Yashu — her most favored — forward a few steps, letting her make an impression before the Emperor.

That Noble Consort Jing — with only so much capacity for scheming — had made such a fierce scene earlier, with no purpose other than preventing the legitimate daughter of the Tao Family from entering the palace.

Yet unfortunately she had met a hard obstacle. That young man called Situ Sheng had slapped in Noble Consort Jing’s face every word that was difficult for the Emperor to say himself, hard and flat, and with a single move of “opening a case and exhuming the coffin,” he had left Noble Consort Jing with nothing to say in return.

The Empress Dowager had watched with cool eyes from the sidelines the whole time, finding it more satisfying and gratifying than listening to the Heart Sutra. Now, taking the opportunity to give the Tao Family’s legitimate daughter a little push forward — the days when Noble Consort Jing had lorded it over the palace with such arrogance were coming to an end.

To speak of it — apart from that face and figure of hers, where did Noble Consort Jing resemble Fang Liangling at all?

Although the Empress Dowager had never been fond of the frail and ailing Fang Liangling, that young woman had carried herself with great generosity of spirit and a natural ease in manner. She had absolutely none of Noble Consort Jing’s scheming and calculating heart. Had Fang Liangling still been alive, Noble Consort Jing would never have risen to the position she occupied today…

Having heard the Empress Dowager’s words, Tao Yashu rose mechanically and, as though measured with a ruler, paid a full and proper obeisance to the Emperor with perfect correctness and formality.

Yet for a young girl right in the bloom of her years, there was not a trace of bashful excitement at paying respects before the Emperor — her face was utterly expressionless, as wooden as a prayer drum just struck by an old monk, rigid and unyielding.

The aged Emperor looked at the properly decorous Tao Yashu, and his own expression was equally flat and indifferent.

At his age, what beautiful flower had he not yet admired?

Looking at this tender young girl, barely older than his own granddaughters, felt no different from sipping a cup of tea he had tasted a thousand times over — utterly ordinary and unremarkable.

The two utterly unmoved individuals left the Empress Dowager somewhat anxious. She could not help but think privately that she would need to find other opportunities to let Yashu appear more before the Emperor’s eyes.

Among all the female officials who would be entering the palace, only this Tao Yashu had the exceptional breadth of character and bearing of spirit worthy of becoming an Empress.

Now, as for Chu Linlang, she felt only the relief of one who had narrowly escaped disaster, and slowly let out a long breath she had been holding.

Just moments ago, flashes of lightning and rolling storm clouds had been churning overhead, coming close several times to striking her to dust and ashes.

Fortunately, Situ Sheng had arrived in time and confronted Noble Consort Jing head-on in person, allowing this small shrimp to escape unscathed from the raging storm.

In the past, she had only known that Situ Sheng was very skilled at climbing the ranks and had risen quickly — he must have been one who knew how to accommodate everyone on all sides.

Yet she had never in a thousand years expected that before the Emperor himself, this man would conduct himself and speak in such a way — taking such an unconventional approach, even daring to confront the Emperor’s most favored consort right to her face…

And yet all of this he had done entirely to come to her rescue. He was truly recklessly bold and wildly audacious in a way that… made one’s heart pound, and left one feeling he was truly a magnificent and admirable young man like none other to be found anywhere under heaven!

If the circumstances had allowed it, she would have truly wanted at that moment to throw herself into his arms, press her lips to his, and then strip off that upright and perfectly pressed official uniform of his, piece by piece.

Apart from herself, perhaps no one knew that Lord Situ, though his face was already a fine sight, had an even more impressive sight concealed beneath his clothing!

But here and now, within the palace’s prayer hall, she could only suppress the impulse to swallow that magnificent official whole, and stand quietly to one side, listening in composure.

Somewhere along the way, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had resumed their conversation with Great Master Lingyun, speaking about a dharma assembly that was to be held soon at the imperial temple.

The Empress Dowager’s idea was that she was too old and disinclined to leave the palace. By the time the assembly was held, Yashu would already be in the palace, and she could take charge of supplying incense and offerings on behalf of the consorts in the palace.

This dharma assembly was quite a notable affair, held every year without fail. And it was said that the date of the assembly had a rather curious significance — it seemed to coincide with the birthday of the Third Prince, that elusive figure who could be glimpsed but never truly seen.

Although the Emperor had publicly declared the Third Prince to be alive, it would not have been fitting to celebrate his birthday when he was nowhere to be seen.

And so every time this occasion arose, the Emperor would use the pretext of praying for his own welfare and commission a high monk to hold a dharma assembly in prayer.

What remained unknown was whether the Emperor was praying for the welfare of the living, or performing rites of transcendence for the departed.

Yet Great Master Lingyun said that this year’s calendar year carried the character of water and the sign of sickness-water rising to the hall. If one could find a person of a fire-element birth command to preside over the dharma assembly’s arrangements, it would surely fortify and prosper the Emperor’s fortune.

Emperor Ren listened and nodded, saying: “Then We shall immediately command the Ministry of Finance to conduct a search and see if any person of such a birth date could be of use.”

Great Master Lingyun smiled slightly, then turned his head and addressed Chu Linlang, who had been quietly standing to one side: “Why go to so much trouble? Those with a destined connection are right before our eyes. Might this female benefactor share her date of birth — would she permit this old monk a glance?”

Ah? Chu Linlang was startled, but when a eunuch came over with paper and brush and requested that she write down her date of birth, she dared not be negligent, and faithfully wrote it down.

Great Master Lingyun looked at the birth date and nodded, saying: “This old monk just heard that the female benefactor shielded the Emperor from disaster, and it suddenly occurred to me to ask about her birth date. I did not expect it — this is truly Heaven blessing His Majesty. This female benefactor’s birth date falls precisely within the fire element. And if this old monk guesses correctly, the female benefactor’s path in matters of marriage has been rather troubled, has it not?”

Chu Linlang had not expected the National Preceptor to be so perceptive. She quickly confirmed it was so, indicating that she had just completed a divorce nearly a year ago.

Great Master Lingyun nodded: “Without sufficient fortune and blessing, it would indeed be difficult to grow old together with someone of your birth command. Female benefactor need not be impatient. If you are fortunate enough to meet a suitable companion whose life chart accords with yours, your marriage and love will be perfectly happy.”

Chu Linlang quickly thanked Great Master Lingyun for helping to part the clouds and reveal the sky before her.

And before long, the duty of bearing the lotus butter lamps at the upcoming dharma assembly fell to Chu Linlang, this person of a fire command whose fortune was at its most powerful and auspicious to the Emperor.

Emperor Ren also thought the Great Master had spoken wisely — this woman had truly brought him benefit and blessing. Since that was so, and Chu Linlang was already serving as his auspicious guardian spirit driving away evil, he could not be stingy with her. At once, greatly pleased, he bestowed upon Chu Linlang the honorary title of “Xinmei Anren,” along with additional rewards of gold and silver.

This title of “Anren” was one that only the wives of sixth-rank officials were entitled to receive.

The Emperor had quite evidently “forgotten” that she had already divorced a sixth-rank Court Physician, yet still awarded her the rank befitting a sixth-rank official, granting her the status and honor of an official consort.

As for the “Xinmei” — meaning “New Plum” — it was taken from the ancient poem: “One tree of new plum blossoms beneath an ageless moon, the sail returns to an old year as new grasses greet spring.” It carried a meaning of misfortune giving way to good fortune, of all things being renewed.

Chu Linlang was not especially versed in poetry, but she understood well the weighty significance of this bestowed title — a golden carp entrusted with the hopes of reversal and renewal.

Having received the imperial reward and expressed her gratitude, the newly titled Xinmei Anren exited the palace when departing, in the company of the Tao family mother and daughter.

Chu Linlang asked in a low voice: “That dharma assembly — the task of bearing the lamps… is it a good assignment?”

Tao Yashu replied calmly and steadily: “Why would it not be? Such an imperial duty — it is at the very least a protective talisman. Without it, I am afraid Noble Consort Jing would still find ways to trouble you. I had not expected Great Master Lingyun to ask for your eight characters of birth. Noble Consort Jing will have to think twice before targeting you again. After all, the Emperor has always held the dharma assembly in great reverence — she cannot very well use you as a convenient pawn any longer!”

Chu Linlang nodded, feeling that Tao Yashu’s words made perfect sense. She had turned misfortune to her advantage — she must go to the temple later and offer the Great Master a generous donation of incense money.

Taking advantage of the walk toward the palace gate, Chu Linlang quietly said to Tao Yashu: “You were also quite bold back there. You should not have spoken up for me — that way, would you not have offended Noble Consort Jing?”

Tao Yashu smiled fearlessly and said in a low voice: “I was bound to offend her sooner or later, so there is no need to worry about the moment. Compared to what you did diving into the water to save me, what I did is nothing at all? Had it not been for Lord Situ and the Emperor arriving in time, I still could not have protected you…”

Before she could finish, Wu Shi walking ahead turned her head with an expressionless face: “In the palace, walking and talking like this — what kind of manner is this? Quickly now, say goodbye to your fellow student!”

For some reason, Wu Shi’s expression was very unpleasant. Tao Yashu said no more, only quickened her steps, and followed her mother out of the palace.

Looking at Wu Shi’s rigid manner, Chu Linlang finally understood how her eccentric fellow student had come to be who she was.

Raised under such a strict and exacting mother, there was probably not a single thing throughout Tao Yashu’s whole life, from childhood to now, that she had ever done entirely according to her own heart’s desire.

Thinking then of the aged Emperor’s white hair, and of her good friend Yashu, who bloomed like a spring flower in her prime —

A wave of inexpressible sadness suddenly welled up in Chu Linlang’s heart.

A heavy old tree bearing down on a tender young peach blossom — how could that ever be a happy marriage?

If she were someone’s mother, she would never allow her daughter to live such a miserable life — not even in exchange for overwhelming riches.

After this, Chu Linlang was personally escorted to the palace gate by Chief Eunuch An.

She did not hurry to leave, but waited in her carriage for a while, until Situ Sheng came out, at which point she popped her head out and asked: “In the future, that Noble Consort Jing… she will not summon me into the palace again, will she?”

Situ Sheng looked at her exaggeratedly frightened expression and smiled slightly: “Rest assured — she will be ‘very busy’ and will have no time to trouble you. Should she come looking, you may simply say you are preparing for the Emperor’s dharma assembly and cannot get away…”

Chu Linlang understood — this former harsh official of the capital intended to give Noble Consort Jing’s household trouble.

Since she now had this umbrella overhead — the kind that made people tremble with fear at the mere mention of it — Chu Linlang relaxed her mind as well. She quietly asked: “Had you calculated all of this in advance, and deliberately accompanied the Emperor to come rescue me today?”

Situ Sheng replied lightly: “If not to rescue you, would I have had the nerve to, out of nowhere, ask the Emperor to let me — one of his officials — go to the Empress Dowager’s prayer hall?”

Chu Linlang let out an amused laugh, and then asked: “… That Great Master Lingyun — what is your connection with him? Was coming to the palace today also just a coincidence?”

She suddenly recalled that she had once seen the calligraphic stele inscription left behind by the great general Yang Xun in the imperial temple.

Had the abbot Lingyun not given his permission, the great general’s calligraphy could hardly have been preserved.

And so Chu Linlang ventured a bold guess — Great Master Lingyun and Situ Sheng were surely deeply connected as well. The fact that the Great Master had asked for her eight characters of birth and then smoothly arranged for her to have the protective talisman of bearing the lamps at the dharma assembly was probably not a coincidence either, was it?

This time Situ Sheng offered no explanation, though looking at his faint and subtle smile, everything seemed to speak for itself.

So this was what he had meant by saying he had arranged everything — he had truly given careful thought to every detail and put everything in meticulous order.

From childhood to now, Chu Linlang had always depended on herself for everything.

Although since coming to know Situ Sheng, she had gradually grown accustomed to his silent but thorough and attentive care —

Yet thinking of how he had just now stood before the Emperor and, without giving the favored consort of the rear palace a good look, maintained his ground entirely for her sake, Chu Linlang looked at his magnificently handsome face and still felt her knees go weak. Gazing at this gallant young man who held the sky up for her, she could not suppress a secret smile as she asked: “Would you like to come to my shop tonight… and play around a little?”

Had they not still been at the palace gate, Situ Sheng would very much have wanted to pinch the cheek of this woman who smiled like a playful young rascal!

She dared say it out loud — though he wondered just what manner of play she had in mind.

In such a public setting, the two of them could not linger long in conversation. They simply whispered to arrange the time for their private meeting, then each went their separate ways.

Yet on Chu Linlang’s journey back, she was pondering: just who had gone before Noble Consort Jing to stir up trouble, targeting her and Tao Yashu with such precision, and falsely accusing them of bullying Junzhu Yixiu?

When she went to the female academy the next day, she deliberately paid close attention to all her fellow students and tutors. Everyone appeared perfectly normal at her arrival, and not a single person asked about what had happened during her visit to the palace.

Linlang felt that the one stirring up trouble could not be anyone from the female academy.

In that case, that left only the relatives who had accompanied them on the journey!

Chu Linlang was momentarily so lost in thought that she fell into a daze, until her little friend Guan Jinhe came up and patted her on the back, giving her such a start of pain that she cried out.

Miss Guan was startled, looking at Chu Linlang’s expression of pain, and hurriedly asked: “What is the matter? I did not use that much force!”

Chu Linlang covered her lower back with her hand, helplessly waving her other hand to indicate this was not Guan’s fault.

That makeshift hard bed set up in the shop was truly the death of her!

She had never been accustomed to sleeping on a hard bed — she simply could not endure it at the best of times. And yet that person, having been starved for too long, had not known to hold back his strength. Once he pressed down, he would not let go.

After such a wildly abandoned night, her slender waist felt as though it had been crushed by a thousand troops and ten thousand horses. Even a pat on the back was enough to cause a sprain.

Moreover, that immodest little line of hers — “play around a little” — had truly brought great trouble upon her head.

That rascal had played in quite a varied and elaborate fashion — even she, who could be considered a woman of some experience, had gone red-faced with a racing heart!

—