Chapter Fifty: Renewed Events

“Brother Li, don’t tell Mother, alright?”

In the Ink Fragrance Courtyard, Jiang Li carefully cleaned and dressed Liu Qin’s wound, applied medicine, then wrapped it with a clean white cloth. Only after lowering her rolled-up sleeve did he finally relax. The first time he saw the injury on his little sister’s hand, his heart ached so much he nearly wept. Though it wasn’t a grave wound—just two patches of scraped skin and a few bloody marks—it hurt him more than if he’d been wounded ten times over himself. His little sister’s skin was pale and tender, like silken tofu, and now, with this raw red patch exposed, it looked especially stark and pitiful.

Liu Qin knew how much Jiang Li doted on her. Touched, but not wanting him to worry, she reached out and smoothed the frown between his brows, grinning as she said, “My hand doesn’t hurt anymore. With Brother Li’s medicine, it’s all better. But here—” She patted her own backside. “Here still hurts a lot. Hmph, Little Wu really is a rascal.”

Jiang Li scooped her up and laid her face-down on the couch, massaging her bottom through her clothes as he promised, “Don’t worry, little sister. Your brother will teach him a lesson for you next time.”

At this moment, only the two of them were in the room—not even Fang Nuo or Changxing were around—so their intimacy went unseen. As for whether this breached decorum, Liu Qin cared little. To Jiang Li, his sister was almost a part of himself; besides, upon seeing her injury, his heart held no other thoughts.

Liu Qin was delighted by his pledge—just you wait, you troublesome Little Wu. Suddenly remembering something, she turned and said, “Brother Li, don’t tell Mother! I don’t want her to worry.”

Indeed, not wanting to trouble their mother was one reason, but there was another she couldn’t quite explain. Something in her subconscious simply didn’t want her to know, nor did she want Mother to harbor any prejudice against Master Mu or Little Wu. In her eyes, these were merely childish squabbles—nothing more than a bit of roughhousing. If Mother found out, no mother would fail to fret over her own child, especially when Little Wu was older and temporarily living with them. Though Mother was reasonable, when it came to her daughter, she couldn’t help but have feelings.

The next day, Liu Qin went to class as usual, acting as though nothing had happened. Others, however, were not so at ease—especially Fang Nuo, who hovered around her during breaks, fetching water and snacks, even taking over Cui Liu and Cui Yu’s usual tasks.

Curiously, though, Cui Liu, knowing she was injured, ought to have been at her side, fussing over her. Liu Qin didn’t resent her absence, but it was unlike Cui Liu’s usual attentive ways. Before, she’d never stray from Liu Qin’s side. As for Cui Yu, there was nothing to be said—she was already fifteen, and girls her age were sometimes mothers, yet she remained as oblivious as ever: good enough for play, but nowhere near Cui Liu in terms of thoughtfulness.

Thinking of this, Liu Qin couldn’t help but glance back. Cui Liu and Cui Yu still sat in the last row—Cui Yu had already run outside to play, leaving Cui Liu alone, staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

What’s wrong? Is something troubling Cui Liu? Only now did Liu Qin realize that, lately, she’d been so focused on Mother and Jiang Li, she’d seldom stayed in the Plum Courtyard and hadn’t noticed any change in Cui Liu. Clearly, she’d been neglectful of those closest to her.

Before she could look away, a commotion broke out nearby. By the time she returned to herself, Fang Nuo and Little Wu were already glaring at each other, eyes full of anger. Fang Nuo, half a head shorter than Little Wu, would have rushed him if Jiang Li hadn’t held him back. Even knowing he would lose, Fang Nuo seemed determined to fight. As for Little Wu, he wore his usual infuriating smirk, casting a sidelong glance at Fang Nuo and Jiang Li, taunting them with a “come if you dare” look.

What Liu Qin didn’t know was that Little Wu’s hands had been itching for some time. If not for his foster father’s repeated warnings not to cause trouble or bully the Liu household with his martial skills, he would have flattened these children long ago.

Liu Qin tugged Fang Nuo’s sleeve, asking, “A Nuo, what’s going on?”

Fang Nuo replied indignantly, “I was bringing you water and accidentally spilled a little on his shoe. He kicked me and called me a servant—so unreasonable!”

Liu Qin’s anger flared. If yesterday’s tumble had been her own fault for meddling, today’s insult to Fang Nuo was intolerable. “A Nuo, go call Changxing and the others.”

Fine, you’re tough? Well, we’ll take you on together—let’s see if numbers don’t win the day.

Fang Nuo happily ran to find reinforcements. Jiang Li took Liu Qin’s hand, and the two stood side by side, eyeing Little Wu with determined hostility as sparks flew between their glares.

Soon, Fang Nuo returned with Changxing and the others, bolstering Liu Qin and Jiang Li’s ranks. Just as a chaotic brawl was about to erupt, Lei Hu, who’d been standing guard in the courtyard, sensed trouble and rushed inside, inserting himself between Jiang Li and Little Wu. “What do you think you’re doing? Looking for punishment?”

Someone whispered, “The teacher’s coming!” and instantly the children scattered back to their places. Though Master Zhou was gentle, he wielded considerable authority among these youngsters.

Seeing the teacher arrive, Lei Hu retreated to the courtyard. Yesterday’s incident, when both Little Wu and Liu Qin had been injured, had caught him off guard. By the time he realized what had happened, it was too late; both parties were people he was supposed to protect—one his master’s family, the other his junior uncle. He’d had no choice but to pretend he saw and heard nothing. Yet that night, guilt gnawed at him. The adults had entrusted him with the young lady’s safety, but she’d been hurt right under his nose. Even if it was an accident among their own, he’d still failed in his duty. He resolved that from the next day on, whenever Liu Qin went to the front courtyard, he would not leave her side again. That was why he was present at Xuanlu today.

He stayed only in the courtyard and didn’t attend class. Though he’d learned to read under his master, he had little talent or interest in scholarly pursuits. Now over twenty, he’d sooner die than sit among these half-grown children chanting lessons—he’d never live down the embarrassment.

Thus the morning’s turmoil passed, and in the afternoon they all went together to the martial training ground. Today, Master Mu was far less lenient than yesterday. He immediately ordered them to hold a horse stance for a full hour without rest. After Lei Hu demonstrated the proper position, Master Mu handed over supervision and sat to the side, leisurely sipping tea.

Liu Qin grimaced; she couldn’t ask for special treatment or complain about being thrown by his foster son—it would sound so weak. Martial training meant hardship, and Master Mu had no patience for those who couldn’t endure it.

She managed to squat reluctantly, caring little for the precision of her posture. Lei Hu corrected the others but was lenient with her, turning a blind eye. Even so, less than a quarter of an hour had passed before she collapsed to the ground.

Master Mu glanced at her and said, somewhat unexpectedly, “Little Wu, take the young lady inside to rest.”