Over the past two days, Susu had studied with extreme diligence. She burned the midnight oil at night, then went to Jiang Hao's room during the day to seek instruction in medicine. She slept only two shichen each day, and Lu Zhi's heart ached just watching her.
"Little sister, why not let Brother Jiang stay a few more days? Then you won't have to tire yourself out like this," Lu Zhi said.
Susu shook her head. "The Emperor's decree requires Brother Jiang to reach Xianyang within two months. Time was already tight on the road, and we can't delay him because of me. Delaying an imperial order is a grave crime punishable by beheading."
"I'm fine. It's only been two days. I've already memorized everything, and Brother Jiang has explained it all to me from beginning to end. What I'm studying now is even more advanced."
As she spoke, Susu looked at her sister, took Lu Zhi's hand, and said softly, "I'll miss you terribly when you leave too, Sister. Traveling is very hard, so you must take good care of yourself."
Lu Zhi stroked Lu Su's little face. "I know."
Being cared for by her younger sister made Lu Zhi very happy. The sisters were deeply devoted to one another.
"Mmm, Sister should take even better care of Brother Jiang," Lu Su said.
Lu Zhi narrowed her eyes, pinched Susu's tender cheek with her jade-like hand, and said fiercely, "That's what you really wanted to say, isn't it? Such a little girl, yet full of sneaky thoughts."
Susu cried out in pain and jabbed Lu Zhi in the waist. Lu Zhi was especially ticklish and had a sensitive constitution, so she shrank back in fright. The two sisters began laughing and roughhousing together, and their laughter often rang out