Volume Two, Chapter 41

"Just tell His Majesty that your older brother is an upright man and has no interest in romantic affairs anymore."

A palm pressed against Zhu Xiaojiu's forehead. He turned his head and found that his older sister's bedroom door was finally open; her seclusion had ended, and she was willing to step out of her room.

Straight Confucian Scholar Robes, a neat male Hair Crown, and eyes that no longer dodged or feared her secret being discovered—this appearance of hers made Zhao Huangpu's smile freeze for a single instant, as if her female makeup from that night had nothing to do with her at all, and she was merely a maiden who happened to resemble her.

Was the medicine he gave her too strong? Had he overcorrected?

Was she joking with him? Was she retaliating against him for using petty tactics to force her away from Little Jing?

He let out a slight sigh and, pretending to cup a hand to his ear, leaned close to Zhu Bafu, whom he had not seen in a long time. "What did you just say, little Zhu? Say it again for Zhen to hear."

Zhu Bafu crossed her hands and raised them above her head, knelt on both knees, and kowtowed, prostrating herself. "Long live Your Majesty. This subject has spent half a month in seclusion studying, and for the autumn examinations, this subject will surely not fail Your Majesty's great expectations!"

This bow was like a reply given back to Zhao Huangpu. Starting today, she, Zhu Bafu, was going to be a real man, with nothing left in her mind except loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, offering counsel for His Majesty, and willing to die a thousand deaths without regret!

...Who wants you to treat yourself like a man! Who wants