Chapter 34 [TSS 12]

Ever since that outing, Jian Yu’er often appeared somewhat dazed.

Plum Blossom Pavilion was a private teahouse; anyone with money and power could enter. That day, the young ladies were all very interested in the courtesan Jian Yu Yan kept. Furthermore, they were all able to step into Plum Blossom Pavilion.

This made Jian Yu’er more fearful.

That woman resembled her so much that just a glance revealed everything. Jian Yu’er could not imagine what would happen once they saw the courtesan’s appearance.

Almost everyone would realise that the young master and young lady of Prime Minster’s residence, who were biological siblings, had an ambiguous relationship. She would become the laughingstock.

Jian Yu’er clenched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, her nails digging into her palm, leaving a series of crescent-shaped marks. Jian Yu’er felt that she had to do something.

However, since their last unpleasant encounter, Jian Yu Yan’s return to the residence had become few and far between. Jian Yu’er knew that he was either at the Eastern Palace or at Plum Blossom Pavilion, but both places were ones she desperately wished to avoid. As a result, she had not seen any traces of Jian Yu Yan in recent days.

In the end, with no other options, she had one of the servants keep an eye on the Jian residence’s main gate and instructed them to report to her as soon as Jian Yu Yan returned. 

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Wkdyzzu, pbl alnlkhle osae vbyv Kkyd Zw Zyd bye alvwadle.

Kkyd Zw’la eke dsv eyal elzyu qsa y xsxldv. Gp pssd yp Kkyd Zw Zyd pvlrrle kdvs bkp pvweu, pbl pssd qszzsole aktbv yqvla. Brsd prsvvkdt bkx, pbl qkdyzzu zlv swv y pktb sq alzklq, zlydkdt ytykdpv vbl elpj vs nyvnb bla calyvb, obknb bye clnsxl y zkvvzl ekpsaelale qasx yzz vbl awpbkdt.

Kkyd Zw Zyd tzydnle yv bla okvb pzktbv pwarakpl. Gqvla y qzllvkdt tzkxxla kd bkp lulp, bl pxkzle psqvzu yde ypjle kd y tldvzl vsdl, “Fzso esod, cl nyalqwz dsv vs vakr. Ebu vbl awpb?”

Kkyd Zw’la pweeldzu zssjle wr yde oyp xlv okvb Kkyd Zw Zyd’p pvkzz tldvzl tygl, yde oyp xsxldvyakzu vyjld ycynj.

Fbl bye yppwxle vbyv Kkyd Zw Zyd bye dsv alvwadle vs vbl xydsa qsa ps xydu eyup clnywpl bl oyp yhskekdt bla. Fs obld pbl qkdyzzu nsadlale bkx vs ypj, pbl oyp pwarakple vs qkde ds vaynl sq lhypksd kd bkp lmralppksd. Mbl iwlpvksdp pbl bye kdvldele vs ypj olal nywtbv kd bla vbasyv. Rdpvlye, pbl nswze sdzu pvwvvla, “Ql-tl, oblal byhl usw nsxl qasx?”

Kkyd Zw Zyd tzydnle yv bla clqsal alrzukdt, “Nyvlzu, nswav yqqykap byhl clld iwkvl blnvkn. R’hl clld kd ekpnwppksdp okvb vbl Uasod Vakdnl yzz eyu vseyu. Rv oyp sdzu obld Tla Yyflpvu pwxxsdle Tkp Tktbdlpp vs Iwddkdt Vyzynl vbyv R qkdyzzu qswde y xsxldv vs alvwad.”

Tlyakdt vbl xldvksd sq vbl Uasod Vakdnl, Kkyd Zw’la’p blyav pvkzz qzwvvlale wdlypkzu. Fbl jdlo vbyv okvb vbl Oxrlasa tayhlzu kzz, vbl Uasod Vakdnl oyp ynvkdt yp altldv, yde bla casvbla, clkdt sdl sq vbl Uasod Vakdnl’p xspv vawpvle ykelp, xwpv cl shlaoblzxle okvb ewvklp yp olzz.

Fs, Ql-tl oypd’v yhskekdt bla cwv oyp vss cwpu vs alvwad bsxl?

Jian Yu Yan’s return to the residence today was merely to retrieve some items the servants could not touch. Ah Ming was still waiting for him to have dinner together, so even though he noticed the turmoil on Jian Yu’er’s face, he did not feel like asking her what was wrong, as he did not want to waste any more time.

Jian Yu’er watched as Jian Yu Yan sealed the study drawer and walked from behind the desk. She assumed that he would go to the inner room to change his clothes. She had planned to join him for dinner and talk, but then she heard Jian Yu Yan mention that he still had matters to attend to and that if nothing was urgent, he would leave first.

Jian Yu’er was momentarily stunned, before abruptly grabbing Jian Yu Yan’s sleeve. “It’s already so late, what could be so important that you need to get to now?”

Her words came out too hastily, and only after she spoke did she realize how familiar they sounded. It was because, a few days ago, she had asked him the same thing.

It was already so late; naturally, there were places one would go in the evening.

Jian Yu’er’s charming face instantly turned pale. The accumulated fear and inexplicable anger that had been building up over the past few days suddenly erupted, and she asked agitatedly, “You’re still going to see her?”

Jian Yu Yan was momentarily puzzled by her use of the word ‘still,’ and asked, “Why can’t I see her?”

Because… because I’m here, shouldn’t I matter more than her?

However, Jian Yu’er could never bring herself to say such words. She thought momentarily, and her pale face blushed slightly as she stammered, “Because… because her appearance is so similar to mine, I… I…”

Her voice trailed off awkwardly. Jian Yu Yan assumed that Jian Yu’er was upset because she did not want him associating with someone who resembled her. He mistook it as a matter of pride and believed she felt insulted.

Some things had never been made clear. Seeing Jian Yu’er’s helpless expression, Jian Yu Yan decided that it was better to explain everything to her today so she would not misunderstand further. He spoke gently, “You are you, and she is she. I’m seeing her not because of you.”

“… It’s because of her?”

“Initially, it was indeed because of you that I became infatuated with her. But now, it’s because of her,” Jian Yu Yan admitted with a smile. “In my eyes, you two are entirely different. So Yu’er, there’s no need for you to worry.”

Jian Yu’er was stumped.

She had always thought that Jian Yu Yan avoided her because he could not have her, so he preferred not to see her at all. On the same note, she believed he continued seeing that woman because he could not be with her; hence, he had no other options. But now, Jian Yu Yan was telling her that he went to see the woman every day, but it had nothing to do with her at all.

Jian Yu’er looked up at Jian Yu Yan in disbelief, her voice trembling, “You’ve fallen for that courtesan?”

Yan Yi Ming and Little Apple were watching the current plotline’s live broadcast. 

Jian Yu Yan did not deny his feelings for Yan Yi Ming, leaving Jian Yu’er completely dumbfounded.

As a game centred around Jian Yu’er, Jian Yu’er’s inner thoughts were completely exposed before Yan Yi Ming’s eyes.

She had never seen Jian Yu’er in such inner turmoil before.

Yan Yi Ming was somewhat surprised. After all, in the original game, Jian Yu’er was portrayed as a considerate and selfless ‘good girl’ who always thought of others first. She would never harbour such self-centred or resentful thoughts. Yet, at this moment, Jian Yu’er’s heart was filled not only with disbelief but also with a surge of malice.

Malice towards Yan Yi Ming.

Jian Yu’er’s anger was not born from disbelief that Jian Yu Yan truly liked Yan Yi Ming but rather from the fact that he did. In her eyes, Jian Yu Yan’s affection for Yan Yi Ming only came about because of her. In that instant, Jian Yu’er resented Yan Yi Ming for stealing Jian Yu Yan.

Little Apple was also bewildered. Jian Yu’er’s character appeared to be gradually changing, but this shift was beyond their control. Little Apple could only cautiously voice its thoughts, “The first appearance of Jian Yu’er’s negative emotions was after Nangong Xuan completely abandoned her. Now, it might be because Jian Yu’er could feel that Jian Yu Yan has been gradually distancing himself. This stimulation might have triggered her…”

Yan Yi Ming chuckled mirthlessly, “Didn’t she say Jian Yu Yan would only ever be her brother in this lifetime? So why is she getting agitated now that her brother has found himself a little lover?”

Little Apple was momentarily stunned, “Maybe it’s because of her possessiveness?”

Yan Yi Ming did not reply. Her gaze was still fixed on the current situation between Jian Yu’er and Jian Yu Yan.

Jian Yu’er could not accept that Jian Yu Yan had fallen for someone who bore so much resemblance to herself. Jian Yu Yan helplessly said, “Yu’er, it’s not Ah Ming’s fault that she looks like you.”

It’s not her fault that she looks alike, but it is her fault for stealing Jian Yu Yan because of that resemblance!

Little Apple stared in shock at Jian Yu’er’s inner monologue, its CPU nearly crashing from the overwhelming surprise. After a long while, it finally managed to stammer out a sentence in a trembling voice, “Jian… Jian Yu’er… she… she likes Jian Yu Yan?”

“Ever since discovering that Jian Yu Yan didn’t view her as just a sister, Jian Yu’er could no longer treat him as just her brother.”

The fact that Jian Yu’er could later develop a romantic relationship with Jian Yu Yan in the plotline indicated that this female protagonist’s emotional acceptance was far higher than others might have imagined, or perhaps she actually had feelings for him all along.

In the original game, Jian Yu Yan’s true identity is revealed, which finally causes Jian Yu’er to stop seeing him as her biological brother. But now, the catalyst for this change was her—Yan Yi Ming.

After Jian Yu Yan expressed that he no longer had any feelings for Jian Yu’er, he was surprised to find that instead of feeling relieved or happy, Jian Yu’er became more irritable and sensitive. Eventually, she even nearly lost control over her emotions. Although Jian Yu’er never explicitly voiced it out, Jian Yu Yan came to understand the reason behind her reaction.

Jian Yu Yan suddenly looked up at Jian Yu’er. After all, he had loved her for so long, and even though he had given up, there was still a moment when his heart wavered.

Seeing Jian Yu’er’s eyes turned red from crying, Jian Yu Yan helplessly sighed and wiped her tears. His actions caused Jian Yu’er to no longer be able to hold back her tears. She looked up at Jian Yu Yan and asked if he could stop seeing that courtesan. But Jian Yu Yan told her he could not.

Jian Yu’er cried even more, saying that she was afraid that others would see Ah Ming’s appearance. If they were seen together, it would damage both of their reputations.

Jian Yu Yan did not answer her. He gently consoled Jian Yu’er for a long time before escorting her back to her courtyard. It was not until he was about to leave that he finally promised Jian Yu’er that he would take care of the matter.

That evening, Yan Yi Ming did not get to have dinner with Jian Yu Yan. By the time he arrived at Plum Blossom Pavilion, it was already later than usual. When he spotted Ah Ming’s appearance, he was momentarily stunned.

Ah Ming was dressed in an opera costume today, her delicate features accentuated by makeup. She wore vibrant attire. Upon seeing him, she turned and smiled, her charm heightened far beyond her usual demeanour.

Jian Yu Yan had never seen her dressed up like this before. He found himself inexplicably drawn to her, feeling a fondness he had not experienced before. He stared at her momentarily before asking, “Why did you suddenly dress up as a noble consort?”

“I just felt like doing so,” Ah Ming smiled. “You came at the wrong time; I just finished my performance.” After saying this, she picked up her teacup and took a sip. Glancing at the lipstick stain on the rim of the cup, she turned to Jian Yu Yan and asked, “Did the rouge on my lips come off?”

Jian Yu Yan walked over and kissed the enticing lips stained with tea. After a moment, he softly chuckled, “Now it has.”

Ah Ming glanced reproachfully at Jian Yu Yan and pushed him away. She returned to the bronze mirror and carefully reapplied her rouge before asking, “Do I look good in this outfit?”

Jian Yu Yan stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “Of course, you look beautiful.”

Ah Ming beamed, “The owner also praised my get-up, saying that I looked stunning. If I could perform on stage, he said I would definitely outshine even Yu Mei.”

Jian Yu Yan suddenly fell silent. Ah Ming had told him many times before that she really liked performing on stage, but he had never agreed to it.

At first, he did not want others to see how much she resembled Yu’er. But now, it was because he just wanted to be the only one who got to see her in this light.

But if he kept letting Ah Ming stay in Plum Blossom Pavilion, she would never give up on this idea. Recalling what Jian Xiang had once told him and the promise he made to Jian Yu’er today, Jian Yu Yan once again brought up the suggestion for the second time, “Ah Ming, let me redeem your contract from Plum Blossom Pavilion.”

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T/N: Sorry, my lovely readers, but I’m finally back! I finally submitted my thesis paper and ‘graduated’! Posting will resume once a week. Thank you for your kind understanding and patience.

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