Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Meng Liang wrung the handkerchief in his hands before speaking up with an embarrassed tone. “I heard from some servants that Hejian doesn’t have any night curfews and that the night life is quite rowdy… Since I’m here, I was thinking of having a look. But my aunt’s health is not good and my uncle is busy with work… I was thinking of going alone… If I meet any ruffians, will my reputation be at stake? That’s why I’m here…”
Jiang Pengji gave a cold smile. Since he had offered himself up on a silver platter, she was going to take full advantage of it. Furthermore, what noble girl would leave the house without a group of servants and maids protecting her?
Unreasonable!
“But… dear cousin, you’re a girl. If you’re seen with me…” Jiang Pengji replied awkwardly, “Won’t others talk and ruin your reputation? If you’re really bored, you can get some of the maids to play with you in the yard. If you really want to go out, however…”
Meng Liang grit his teeth. He did not expect Liu Xi to be a sanctimonious hypocrite.
Liu Xi was obviously interested in going out, but she still pretended that she had to think about her cousin’s reputation.
Meng Liang had planned to persuade the other, but he was feeling very frustrated.
If he were back in Meng County, he would not even have to persuade anyone. They would be throwing themselves at his feet and begging to tag along.
Yet, Liu Xi was putting on an act!
When he thought of that, Meng Liang was resentful. He pushed half the blame to Liu Xi and the other half to his page boy. When he returned, he was going to kill his page boy for making the suggestion.
“How about this…” Jiang Pengji continued before Meng Liang could reply, “If you really want to leave the residence, then why not disguise yourself as a boy? That way, no one could say anything when you’re seen with me. If we meet anyone I know, I’ll say you’re my friend.”
Jiang Pengji acted like what she had suggested was for Meng Liang’s own good. “I don’t think you’re aware that I just ended my betrothal with a girl from the Wei family. If someone were to see me out with you, they would probably besmirch my reputation and say that I broke it off because I have someone else…”
When Meng Liang heard that, he frowned as though he had heard the weirdest suggestion.
Let him “disguise as a man?” What a preposterous idea his younger cousin had suggested!
It was a pretty good suggestion from Liu Xi’s point of view. Not only did it protect his cousin’s reputation, but it also prevented any false rumors from being spread. It also freed “her” boredom.
It was a good idea, but that would depend on Meng Liang.
If Meng Liang were to revert back to his real clothes, Meng Hun might find out and catch up to them. But if he did not agree to the plan and missed his chance, he would not have any other excuses to drag Liu Xi out with him.
Jiang Pengji watched him be at a loss for words before she said, “I shouldn’t have suggested that. You’re so beautiful that even if you were to disguise as a man, no one could tell the difference… It’s late. If there is nothing else, let one of my maids send you to your room. If it gets even darker, it’ll be hard to see and you might fall.”
Meng Liang quickly regained himself. Why was he so stupid? It would be too dark out for anyone to recognize him if he wore men’s clothes. He could still put on some light makeup.
Meng Hun was nothing but a lowly officer. He was like a dog serving his father and helping him with the horses. He had only seen Meng Liang a few times. Once he put on some makeup, and with the help of darkness, how would Meng Hun recognize him?
When he realized that he was overthinking things and that he had allowed some insignificant slave threaten him, Meng Liang calmed down and hid his smile behind his handkerchief. “Lanting, why are you so anxious? I haven’t left. I was just surprised by your bold suggestion.”
Jiang Pengji laughed and her next words were light and indulging. “In that case, Xi will wait for you in the courtyard. Remember to let the maids help you put on some makeup to hide your beauty. That way, no one will recognize you.”
Meng Liang smiled with Jiang Pengji’s words, but he turned solemn in his heart. If he were not so sure that Liu Xi was not aware of his true identity, he would wonder if he was actually poking fun at him for looking too effeminate. Meng Liang kept a lid on his anger and pasted a huge smile on his face before he quickly to his room.
Nongqin was the new head of maids and she walked the other to the door. Once Meng Liang was no longer in sight, she quickly returned to Jiang Pengji with some fear in her eyes.
“Langjun…”
Before Nongqin could finish, Jiang Pengji lazily leaned against a table and twirled a fan in her hands.
“Nongqin, go prepare a new set of page boy clothes.”
“Yes!” Nongqin swallowed back whatever concerns she wanted to voice.
When she returned with the clothes, Jiang Pengji pointed at it with her fan and said, “You wear it.”
“Ah?” Nongqin was dumbfounded.
“Let’s head out tonight and watch a show.”
Jiang Pengji’s smile was mysterious and Nongqin blushed when she saw that.
Due to her head of maid status, Nongqin was allowed in on a secret: Her Langjun was a girl.
When she had found out, she was rooted to the spot.
But… even with that knowledge, sometimes Nongqin would still feel flustered when she looked at Jiang Pengji. To her, no other men were as charming as her Langjun.
Even when Jiang Pengji gave a mysterious smile filled with mischief, it was very enchanting.
Nongqin quickly bound her chest with layers of cloth and put on the clothes. The clothes was a little big on her. She put on some darker makeup and changed the shape of her eyebrows. From afar, she looked like a delicate boy.
“Luckily you do not have any piercings, or else you’d be found out immediately.” Jiang Pengji swept her gaze over Nongqin and showed her satisfaction. Jiang Pengji chose to bring Nongqin out not because she was bias, but because, of all the maids, she was the only one without any ear piercings.
She had actually planned to bring Xu Ke, but he was still over at the farms.
Nongqin was speechless when she noticed that Jiang Pengji was planning to leave without any money.
“Langjun, please wait. I’ll go prepare some money.” How could one leave home without any money?
Jiang Pengji snorted. “What’s there to prepare? Someone is willing to spend money. If tonight is a success, we may even help you earn some betrothal gifts.”
Nongqin was dumbfounded again. Betrothal gifts?