"Miss, she only just flew out the door. That's pretty close."
Chun Tao answered with utmost seriousness.
Jiang Yourning withdrew her gaze helplessly.
This little lass was so hopeless with words. In the modern world, her boss would definitely fire her before she'd worked even half a day.
Only a beautiful, kindhearted little fairy like me would still be willing to spoil her.
"Jiang Yourning, I'll fight you to the death!!!"
Zhen Yueyao's eyes reddened at this, and she charged at Jiang Yourning like a madwoman.
Deciding not to stoop to the level of someone whose days were numbered, Jiang Yourning pulled Chun Tao aside and dodged.
Bang.
Another crash rang out.
Zhen Yueyao had put too much force into her lunge. She missed and crashed onto a table holding two bowls of liquor.
What followed was a scream like a pig being slaughtered.
Hearing the commotion upstairs, Jiang Wanrong hurried down.
"Ningning, what happened?"
"Nothing, Fifth Sister. If you're not finished, go back upstairs and carry on."
An obedient, sweet smile immediately returned to Jiang Yourning's face.
A moment later, Jiang Yourning glanced again at Zhen Yueyao, who was climbing off the table. Two of her hairpins had fallen out, her hair was disheveled, and she was staring at her hand, sobbing as though her heart were being torn apart.
She called out to the people gathering around to watch:
"Everyone, please bear witness for me!
"I never laid a hand on her. They were the ones who picked a fight with me. Now one's on the floor and the other's on the table, but that has absolutely nothing to do with me. I shouldn't be held responsible."
The crowd of onlookers quickly nodded.
"Don't worry, Miss Jiang. We all saw it. This woman was trying to pick a fight with you. You didn't bully her."
"Neither Miss Jiang nor the young lady from the Zhen Family is any good, but this time, I'm on the Jiang Family's side."
The splinters on that rough, shabby table had cut Zhen Yueyao's hand, and the pain was already tearing her apart. Hearing everyone around her side with that bitch Jiang Yourning, she lost control and broke down.
"Jiang Yourning, just you wait! This isn't over!"
Her eyes red, Zhen Yueyao tried to shove Jiang Yourning as she passed the two sisters, only for Jiang Yourning to dodge again.
All she could do was glare fiercely at Jiang Yourning before leaving in disgrace.
Where she couldn't see, Jiang Wanrong's sleeve shifted slightly.
Were even the smallest fry daring to make trouble for my little sister these days?
No wonder her sister's reputation was so poor. With that brain of hers, whenever she encountered someone picking a fight, she would surely think of beating them up once she got angry.
That simply wouldn't do.
Once she returned home, she would have to teach her properly. There were plenty of ways to take revenge; fists weren't the only option.
The Drunken Spring House.
Inside a private room on the top floor.
Two men sat facing each other.
One wore black robes edged with gold thread and looked rather irrepressible.
The other was wrapped in a white fox-fur cloak despite the sweltering weather. A half-mask concealed most of the lower part of his face, yet hints of his extraordinary looks could still be glimpsed beneath it. His gaze was cool and clear, his hair white as snow.
The man in black was recounting what had happened at the Jiang Family that day.
"Don't you think the Jiang Family is ridiculous? They actually managed to get their babies switched. They don't even know where the other girl came from."
"Mm."
The man in the white fox-fur cloak nodded lightly. His voice was cool and bitingly cold, and not the slightest ripple stirred in his indifferent eyes.
"But... they can do whatever they like. It has nothing to do with me anyway."
The man in black voiced his complaint.
There was a childish, youthful air about him.
"You have a betrothal arranged in infancy with the Jiang Family. Now that their true daughter has returned, you ought to visit and settle the marriage."
That cool voice sounded again, making the young man's expression even more distressed.
The young man shifted in his seat as though his whole body itched.
"Qian Xue, you know I've never felt anything for this marriage. Besides..."
As he spoke, he seemed to remember something. His cheeks flushed slightly, and tenderness crept into his eyes.
"When I went south a little while ago, while fleeing people trying to kill me... I was badly wounded and lost consciousness. A very gentle fairy saved me. I... want to marry her."
"Don't forget... the divination I once performed for you. You and the Jiang Family's young lady share a bond ordained by fate.
"But there is a slight variable in that bond.
"If that variable is resolved, you and Miss Jiang will enjoy a happy marriage.
"If you miss the right opportunity, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
Qing Qianxue took a small sip of tea and sighed helplessly. (Note: this is an alias, deliberately feminine.)
"Qian Xue, you know I don't believe in fate. I'll find a chance to break off this engagement. Whether the Jiang Family's fifth young lady is a celestial maiden descended to earth or a demoness reborn, my heart has room only for my little fairy now."
Had he never met his little fairy, Xie Ciyan felt that he wouldn't have minded listening to Qing Qianxue, marrying the Jiang Family's fifth young lady, and spending a lifetime treating her with the courtesy of an honored guest.
But now that he had someone he loved, marrying anyone else would hardly be appropriate.
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