Chapter 60: Xu Xiaoyu (IV)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jiang Pengji had a good night’s rest and cleaned up under Taxue and Xunmei’s attendance.
“Langjun, the head servant sent a messenger last night. He said that someone escaped the ranch but was caught and brought back.”
Taxue straightened Jiang Pengji’s collar and then combed her hair into an updo. She fastened it with a simple yet intricately carved jade hair stick.
In ancient times, people were very particular about their outfit, hair, and appearance. Jiang Pengji only knew how to tie a ponytail.
She let her two maids fuss over her as she lazily cracked open her eyes. She asked, “Escape? Is it Xu Ke?”
“Sounds like him. He’s now waiting outside for you to deal with…” Xunmei replied evenly. “You’re so gentle and sweet, unlike other men. You took him under your wing. What was he dissatisfied with? To think he would try running away…”
Jiang Pengji listened quietly and did not utter a single word. Truthfully, she admired what Xu Ke had done. Fighting for his freedom showed how courageous he was. Unfortunately, in this era, the way she and Xu Ke thought was considered rebellious.
But she could not afford to be treated as a fool because of Xu Ke, so she kept quiet and listened.
She started streaming in her elegant and unrestrained style and then quietly ate breakfast.
Of course, the food options in this era were limited, and the audience commented on the quality of her breakfast.
Outside the study, Jiang Pengji came upon Xu Ke, who was tidily dressed. The wound on his face had been properly tended to and was wrapped up.
“Why are you here?” Jiang Pengji asked.
“The master instructed me to follow you into your studies and to serve you.”
Xu Ke trembled with rage, and his words showed his reluctance, but his posture was still polite. It was very unlike the way he was the day before.
Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and looked away as she swiftly realized something. Her lips curved upwards.
Due to her identity as a girl, Liu Lanting had never once had a pageboy. Taxue and Xunmei had been in charge of grinding ink and cutting paper. But now that Xu Ke was her pageboy, those tasks would fall to him.
Xu Ke was shocked when he entered the study and saw rows of books, stacks of bamboo scrolls, and even some rare paper books. His gaze swept over all the book titles, and he forgot himself.
The study room was much bigger than a commoner’s entire house. The books on the shelves were priceless!
Xu Ke lost his anger the moment he saw the books. He was so excited that his hands trembled.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Pengji’s gaze swept over Xu Ke, and then she sat down and pointed at a chest beside the writing desk. “Cut the paper.”
The paper workshop produced large sheets of paper. Jiang Pengji usually had the paper cut into a suitable size for practicing her calligraphy or homework. But the paper was too small for her to work on for designing a plan. She needed bigger pieces to work on.
Toudu Feiqiu: “It’s still early and the host has given us some eye candy. Though the gender is wrong, he’s still very pleasing to the eyes.”
Laogong Bushi Laogong: “Eh, isn’t this the obstinate boy from yesterday?”
Jiang Pengji appeared to be practicing calligraphy, but she was actually reading the comments. The comments were from all those dirty viewers!
Badao Zhongcai: “Did some unspeakable ahem ahem happen yesterday? If not, how did this wolf boy turn into a sheep with just one night? You must have done something to this cutie!”
Jiang Pengji tsked inwardly. When had she done anything to him? Obviously, someone else had trained him.
Mofashaonu Afeng: “I didn’t watch for two days. Has the host started her plan to create her harem?”
Meishaonu Zhanshi Ayuan: “The audience is stupefied while the young lad, Xu Ke, remains docile and as pretty as a painting…”
The comments were getting racy, and some viewers even gave some Likes. Some commented that they wanted a live viewing of how to tantalize a man. Jiang Pengji’s eyebrows nearly moved in amusement.
The oblivious Xu Ke stood aside, totally unaware of what was going on in Jiang Pengji’s mind. His fair hands held on to the bamboo paper; the texture of it made him blush. The paper was as soft as a maiden’s hands. His heart beat profusely as he stood there helplessly.
This is bamboo paper?
Xu Ke had studied under a scholar in Zisang County. As a commoner, he had been lucky to study. When would he ever have the opportunity to use paper that was worth more than its weight in gold?
He had seen bamboo paper before, but it was incomparable to the box of expensive paper in front of him.
The paper he had seen before was like an old woman’s wrinkled hands, but this paper was like the skin of a newborn baby. It was smooth, and he could not stop touching it.
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Had she missed something? Why had she brought back a pervert with a fetish?
Actually, Jiang Pengji did not want to keep Xu Ke by her side. She had planned to have him keep track of her accounts and help train the new servants. He would deal with the household matters, from training servants to handing out rewards and punishments.
This was the beginning stage of her private army.
But even though she had once been the commander of Corps Seven, this era and her own time were too different. She had to grope her way in the dark for many things.
Jiang Pengji appreciated that gleam in Xu Ke’s eyes… But apparently, her father misunderstood something.
Due to his past years of insane work, Liu She had not led a regular life, and he was rarely able to sleep much.
Jiang Pengji went over to Liu She to pay her respects and have a meal with him. She keenly observed that his dark circles under his eyes were much darker this morning.
“Father, you didn’t sleep well?” Jiang Pengji asked, even though she knew the reason.
Liu She smiled, took a gulp of tea, and then said, “Trained a wolf.”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
She knew his words were not false, and Jiang Pengji turned her face away.
Jiang Pengji had no sympathy for Xu Ke. He’ll probably have some sort of trauma for the rest of his life, she thought.
Suddenly she thought of something that she needed to talk to Liu She about. She thought he had misunderstood by thinking that she wanted Xu Ke for his looks.
“Father, Xu Ke is still a man. Having him by my side seems inappropriate.”
Jiang Pengji was still a girl, and Xu Ke was as smart as Feng Jin. If she were not careful, there would be consequences.
“He was still bought with real gold and silver. Keep him as your pageboy for now. If he’s not good enough, then we’ll dismiss him,” Liu She replied.
Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes. Did his words have another meaning?
“I wanted to have him oversee the new servants’ training and be a bookkeeper.”
Liu She finally lifted his head to look at her. He frowned before he replied neutrally, “I’ll leave it to you.”
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