Jin Mo smiled, assuming they had just returned. “You must be tired from traveling. Go rest.”
Xiao Wu and Xiao Zhou looked surprised. “Second Young Miss, we didn’t come from outside. For the past two years, the family head ordered us to protect a young widow at the Beauty House. Today, we were told we’re no longer needed.”
“The family head is getting married and sent us back. The young widow, caring for his younger brother alone, seems pitiable. Without the family head, they might not have survived these two years. Now, it appears he has lost interest, which seems cruel. The young widow has the family head’s child, and despite his questionable background, he’s only been affected by the family head.”
Xiao Wu spoke with pity, prompting Xiao Zhou to tease, “Are you falling for him? Forgetting you have a ‘tiger’ at home?”
As their playful banter continued, Jin Mo reflected on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Jinyu and Su Yi.
Xiao Lian became irritated when he heard a suppressed laugh. He didn’t know how to react and couldn’t scold her for laughing. What was so great about embroidery? He didn’t want to do men’s work in his room every day like his brother. Turning his head, he saw a woman smiling in the soft sunlight, making his heart skip a beat. However, recalling her ‘mockery’ angered him. No matter how unskilled he was, he was sure he could perform better than her. Although she was beautiful, she wasn’t as attractive as that ‘vulgar’ woman, and her resemblance to her was annoying and made his face flush.
Thinking of that ‘vulgar’ woman, Xiao Lian felt furious again. It had been five days since he had seen her. He glared at Jing Mo at the courtyard gate. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not for you to do.”
Jing Mo, surprised, smiled nonchalantly. “Young brother, where is your brother?” She assumed this was the widower’s younger brother because he looked small for his age.
“My brother went to the street, leaving me to do men’s work,” Xiao Lian mumbled and glared at her again. “Don’t call me young brother. Call me Xiao Lian. That’s what everyone calls me.”
