TFSRITA Chapter 159

According to tradition, the new bride is supposed to stand behind her mother-in-law and attend to her.

However, the Grand Princess was not accustomed to such formalities. She preferred having someone more useful nearby, and as for her daughter-in-law, who was a young lady, she thought it better to let her sit down directly. “Sit down, no need for those old rules,” she said.

“Thank you, Mother,” Yan Qing replied sweetly, sitting down.

Though she was exceptionally beautiful, her face still radiant even with minimal makeup, she lowered her eyes in a composed manner, making her appear dignified and calm, far from the rumors about her.

The Grand Princess was pleased with what she saw and had no intention of making things difficult for her.

After all, this marriage had been granted by the Emperor, and Yan Qing, as the daughter of the Prime Minister, was someone who could hold her own. The rumors of her past were better forgotten, and life would go on without dwelling on them.

Unaware of the Grand Princess’s thoughts, Yan Qing quietly ate her meal.

The conversation at the table flowed in and out of various topics, occasionally touching on Yan Qing. She responded politely but kept her answers brief, giving the impression of a composed woman. On occasion, when Ji Jiaxun’s two sisters-in-law or younger women said something inappropriate, the Grand Princess would step in to help, preventing Yan Qing from feeling awkward.

Yan Qing and Ji Jiaxun had gotten up early, and aristocrats often took their time with meals, so it took a while to finish.

Noticing that the Grand Princess seemed increasingly satisfied with Yan Qing, Ji Jiali, the younger sister-in-law, suddenly asked, as if casually, “Sister-in-law, you’re quite impressive. I heard you went to Cuihong Pavilion alone last night.”

“Ah…” Realizing she might have said something wrong, Ji Jiali quickly added, “I’m sorry, sister-in-law, I was just curious.”

Cuihong Pavilion was a notorious brothel, a place despised by respectable women and seen as the lowest of the low.

What Yan Qing had done the previous night was enough to give any modest woman something to gossip about.

The Grand Princess furrowed her brow, ready to intervene, but Yan Qing set her tea cup down and, smiling, said, “What’s there to be afraid of? Cuihong Pavilion isn’t a den of tigers and dragons.”

Ji Jiali’s face stiffened, and she chuckled awkwardly. “Well, it’s just… it’s not a very respectable place…”

Yan Qing feigned confusion. “What’s wrong with it? If it were truly bad, your brother wouldn’t have gone there himself.”

“But…” Ji Jiali was about to protest, but she couldn’t finish her sentence. The place was a brothel! Men could go, but women had no place there.

Before she could continue, the second aunt, who had been silent until now, interrupted in a deep voice, “Lili!”

Ji Jiali reluctantly fell silent.

“Tsk—” Ji Jiaxun scoffed, and when everyone looked at him, he casually added, “Cuihong Pavilion is quite nice—bright lights, plenty of fun, it’s a great place.”

“Shut up!” Pingwu Hou bellowed, glaring at his son.

Ji Jiaxun, sensing the danger, immediately sobered up and slammed his bowl down in frustration.

With a loud crash, the utensils clattered as Ji Jiaxun stood up and stormed out.

Pingwu Hou, too, set down his chopsticks and followed his son, his voice angry but trying to stay calm, “Little brat, I’m letting you off today because it’s your special day, but don’t think you’re getting away with this.”

“Ah!” Ji Jiaxun yelped as if someone had stepped on his tail. “Dad, you can’t do this—ow!”

The others, accustomed to this behavior, continued eating as if nothing had happened. The Grand Princess, smiling, said, “They do this often, don’t mind it. You must be tired from yesterday, you should rest for now. Tomorrow, we’ll return to the Princess’s residence.”

Pingwu Hou and the Grand Princess had a deeply affectionate relationship. Their family was large, and they usually lived in the Princess’s residence, only coming back to the Marquis’s house on holidays.

The others didn’t particularly enjoy the Grand Princess’s presence at the table. Having been raised in a well-off household, her behavior was vastly different from theirs, and they even had to bow when they saw her. As soon as they heard she was leaving, their smiles became a lot more genuine.

Yan Qing, agreeing with the suggestion, decided to return. As she passed through the front hall, she saw Ji Jiaxun getting a good thrashing from Pingwu Hou. As he was being hit, Pingwu Hou grumbled, “I told you not to slack off on your martial arts training. Now look at you, running away from a fight!”

Ji Jiaxun quickly flipped over and avoided another strike, his handsome face grinning with pride. “See? I dodged it!”

He stuck out his tongue and, with a playful, mischievous look in his eyes, jumped up and ran off.

While he hadn’t learned martial arts, Yan Qing noticed that his movements were quick and graceful—his escape was swift and efficient.

Pingwu Hou didn’t intend to hurt him; seeing Ji Jiaxun running off, he clapped his hands and chuckled, “Little brat!”

At that moment, Pingwu Hou showed his tender, fatherly side.

However, as night fell and Ji Jiaxun hadn’t returned, he began to regret his actions. He sighed, holding his wife and lamenting, “I shouldn’t have let that little brat run off.”

It was their first day of marriage, and he had already disappeared.

Although the whole city was talking about what his daughter-in-law had done last night, and Pingwu Hou thought it was somewhat amusing, the whole situation was far from glorious. Would they have to go through it all again?

The Grand Princess also looked troubled. She had tried to have someone bring Ji Jiaxun back before, but each time it had failed for various reasons, which was why she was so surprised when Yan Qing managed to bring him back.

“Maybe we should go ourselves?” the Grand Princess suggested tentatively.

Pingwu Hou grumbled, “Fine, just wait, I’m going to make sure he’s bedridden for three days this time!”

The Grand Princess sighed and prepared to stand up to change her clothes.

At that moment, a servant outside the door came in to report, “Lord, Your Highness, Young Master has returned.”

The Grand Princess and Pingwu Hou both froze in surprise. “Really?”

The servant nodded affirmatively.

In truth, Ji Jiaxun was just as surprised as they were to be back on time.

As soon as the sky darkened, his usual friends, who often stayed overnight at Cuihong Pavilion, dragged him to leave, all wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.