TFSRITA Chapter 161

Seeing her son’s peach blossom-shaped eyes—so similar to her own—filled with accusation, the Princess cleared her throat and tried to soothe him, lightly scolding, “Well, maybe you should try doing something worthwhile for a change.”

“How do you even know I wasn’t? She wasn’t there, so she doesn’t know either!” Ji Jaxun mumbled, pointing at the woman sitting quietly with a faint smile and a composed demeanor. “She was so fierce last night when she hit me; now she’s acting all demure!”

The Princess simply closed her mouth and watched silently.

The Marquis of Peace, who preferred horseback over the “dainty” carriage, missed out on his foolish son’s antics this time.

Predictably, the moment Ji Jaxun finished speaking, Yan Qing raised her gaze to him, her large eyes sparkling mischievously. Smiling warmly, she said in a gentle tone, “If you didn’t tell me what you were doing, then none of it counts as proper. Also, are you saying you’d like me to give you another beating right now?”

Ji Jaxun, unable to sit due to his sore rear, widened his eyes in exasperation and quickly turned to his mother, clutching her sleeve like a forlorn puppy. His damp eyes begged her for help as he whimpered, “Mother, aren’t you upset about this?”

The Princess gently pulled her sleeve free, smiling sweetly. “My dear son, this is between the two of you. I won’t interfere.”

Ji Jaxun was stunned, staring at her in disbelief. “How could you do this to me?!”

Yan Qing reached out, pulled him back, and ruffled his hair like a pet. Still smiling warmly, she said, “From now on, wherever you go, let me know. Be back before dinner. And for every visit to the Cuirong Pavilion, you’ll get one beating.”

Her words carried a teasing tone, but her intent was unmistakable. She then glanced at the Princess, whose expression remained serene—if anything, she seemed entertained.

Yan Qing realized, somewhat surprised, that her in-laws didn’t mind her disciplining their son.

From the first day Yan Qing had “taught” Ji Jaxun a lesson, there had been no objections or interference. Even after the events of the previous evening—when her “lesson” was loud enough to echo through the estate—no one came to stop her. She’d only aimed for areas that wouldn’t cause harm, ensuring her strikes landed on his rear. Despite his cries echoing through the entire Marquis estate, not a single soul came to his rescue.

Their nonchalance confirmed her suspicion: her in-laws trusted her completely to handle Ji Jaxun as she saw fit.

Ji Jaxun naturally felt indignant at her new “rules,” but knowing he couldn’t win against her, he clamped his mouth shut and sulked off to a corner. Yet, as he turned away, a strange emptiness settled in his chest.

Scratching his head, he tried to ignore the soreness in his backside. The discomfort brought his wandering thoughts to an abrupt halt.

After about half an hour of jostling in the carriage, they finally arrived at the Princess’s residence.

“Jaxun, take your wife on a tour of the estate,” the Princess said softly before turning to Yan Qing with a smile. “This will be your home now, so make yourself comfortable. If Jaxun misbehaves, don’t hesitate to teach him a lesson—just don’t cripple him. If you can manage to tame him, I’ll reward you with a manor.”

“Mother! Are you even my real mother? Or have you been switched?” Ji Jaxun cried out, his handsome face etched with genuine doubt.

The Princess smacked the back of his head with practiced ease and snorted, “Still think I’m not?”

Ji Jaxun muttered bitterly, “You are…”

That unmistakable strength confirmed it.

The Princess chuckled and gently pinched his cheek before walking off ahead. Yan Qing, amused, followed suit.

Left at the rear, Ji Jaxun and the Marquis of Peace walked side by side. The Marquis clapped a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder, then another on his already sore backside. Ji Jaxun yelped in pain, only to be straightened out by the weight of his father’s hand.

“A proper man shouldn’t fear a little pain,” the Marquis said, his voice firm. “Cowering like that, what makes you different from a woman?”

Ji Jaxun sulked as he walked into the estate, his shoulders slumped. With a deep frown, he turned to his servant and ordered, “Xiao Liu, go to Cuirong Pavilion and buy some wine for me!”

The Cuirong Pavilion’s wine was famously exquisite.

Looking smug, Ji Jaxun glanced at Yan Qing’s slender figure ahead. With a cheeky grin, he teased, “I’m not going there, but I’m still giving them my business. How about that?”

The Marquis only shook his head, amused by his son’s antics. He quickened his pace, catching up to his wife, and leaving Ji Jaxun behind.

Yan Qing, however, stopped in her tracks.

Ji Jaxun instinctively froze, hesitant to approach her. Eyeing the still-motionless Xiao Liu, he grew frustrated and gave the servant a small kick. “What are you waiting for? Go!”

Xiao Liu hesitated, glancing nervously between the two of them. Sighing inwardly, he couldn’t decide whose orders to follow—his young master’s or his young mistress’s.

“Go ahead. Buy plenty,” Yan Qing finally said with a casual wave of her hand.

Surprised, Xiao Liu quickly responded, “Right away, Young Mistress!” and darted off.

Ji Jaxun stared at her in shock, pointing back and forth between the two of them. “Are you saying your words carry more weight than mine now?”

Yan Qing laughed at his dumbfounded expression. “Lead the way,” she said with a smirk.

Feeling defiant, Ji Jaxun planted his hands on his hips and sneered. “You think I’ll just lead the way because you said so? What about my dignity? Beg me! If you beg me, maybe I’ll—”

Yan Qing took two quick steps forward and grabbed his hands. Ji Jaxun’s words faltered, the “way” stuck in his throat as he stared at her in stunned silence.

“You… What are you doing?” he stammered, his bravado crumbling.

Tilting her head slightly, Yan Qing leaned closer, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled sweetly. In a deliberately soft and sugary tone, she said, “I’m begging you. Please, lead the way.”

Her voice wasn’t particularly natural, but the slight sweetness in her tone, coupled with the way her words lingered in the air, sent an inexplicable shiver down Ji Jaxun’s spine. It started at the base of his tailbone and radiated outward, leaving him frozen and unsure of what to do.