Chapter 41: Drunk

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

The book with illustrations and texts was truly rare to see.

But the pictures in such poses made Young Master Meng blush.

The first time she saw two half-dressed women kissing, she felt like she had grabbed a hot potato and wanted to throw the scorching storybook away immediately.

But for some reason, after reading the descriptions next to the pictures, she was inexplicably drawn to the story and couldn't help but keep reading.

She actually felt a bit excited, eager to see what would happen next.

Mm, blame it on the storybook being too tantalizing.

When having wild thoughts, it's indeed better to find something to do to divert attention.

Reading like this, Young Master Meng temporarily forgot about what Ye Wuyou said and stopped thinking about the Princess, and her elder brother. She temporarily put them out of her mind and focused on reading the "storybook".

While Ye Wuyou was boiling medicine, Young Master Meng kept reading the storybook with great interest, fully absorbed in it. She felt joy and sadness along with the characters in the book.

It wasn't until footsteps echoed in the hallway that Young Master Meng snapped back to reality.

At that moment, she had only read about half of the book.

Before she could finish reading about the reunion of the rich young lady and the female thief, the untimely sound of the door unlocking broke the silence.

Young Master Meng felt annoyed, having been interrupted at such a crucial moment.

Hurriedly, she put the book back in its original place and snuggled back under the covers, pretending to be still asleep.

But for some reason, as she closed her eyes, the scenes from the book lingered in her mind.

The previously blurry faces in the illustrations had transformed into the faces of the Princess and herself.

Thinking of the scene where she pinned the Princess down and took all she could, Young Master Meng couldn't help but swallow nervously.

The Princess’ charm and sweetness resurfaced in Young Master Meng's mind, making her heart itch slightly.

"Hey, you have been sleeping all day, is it still not enough?"

Before Young Master Meng could continue her thoughts, Ye Wuyou's voice interrupted.

Young Master Meng turned her head with a cold expression.

"I like it, so what?"

"Alright, alright, as long as you are happy."

Seeing the lingering flush on Young Master Meng's face, Ye Wuyou's smile deepened. Without pointing it out, she placed the tray on the bedside cabinet, picked up the book from the edge of the bed, and deliberately tucked it into her bosom in front of Young Master Meng, casually saying, "First, drink the porridge to fill your stomach, then take the medicine."

From start to finish, Young Master Meng's gaze never fell on the food that could satisfy her hunger, but remained fixed on the book in Ye Wuyou's hand that could fill her fantasies.

She put it away?

Ye Wuyou actually put it away!

Meng Chang'an's gaze grew increasingly resentful.

Young Master Meng never thought that something she once disdained would one day become something she desired but couldn't obtain.

Noticing the resentful look in Young Master Meng's eyes, Ye Wuyou smiled and asked, "What? Do you want to read it?"

Before Young Master Meng could figure out how to tactfully ask, Ye Wuyou smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, I think you better forget about it. You never liked the idea of love between women since you were a child. Better not, lest your elder brother blames me for corrupting you."

Young Master Meng felt a surge of frustration, unable to express it.

Ye Wuyou must be doing this on purpose!

Just because she was a bit harsh on her before, does she really need to hold such a grudge?

No matter what Young Master Meng was thinking, she kept a nonchalant expression and said casually, "Who wants to read it anyway? It is none of my business if you want to keep it."

Ye Wuyou was sure that if the Young Master showed the slightest interest, she would hand over the book without hesitation.

But since Young Master Meng said nothing, Ye Wuyou contentedly kept the book.

But Young Master Meng refused to say anything. In this case, Ye Wuyou took the notebook back with peace of mind.

No matter how sullenly Young Master Meng drank her porridge and medicine, Ye Wuyou didn't say much. She simply returned to the recliner, leisurely swinging her legs and reading her book in full view of the Young Master.

Afternoons were the easiest time to get drowsy, but somehow, thinking about the unfinished story and seeing Ye Wuyou enjoy reading alone made it impossible for Young Master Meng to sleep.

After holding it in for a long time, seeing Ye Wuyou intending to read the entire afternoon, Young Master Meng finally couldn't stand it and asked through gritted teeth, "Ye Wuyou! How long do you plan to keep me locked up?"

Ye Wuyou didn't even look up when she heard the question, merely chuckling, "Do not misunderstand, I never meant to imprison you. If you want to leave, just go. I will not stop you."

Young Master Meng: "…Then why did you lock the door?"

"Is it not because I was afraid you would sneak away when I was not paying attention? After all, Li Qiubai sold you to me in exchange for your elder brother. If you just ran away, I would be at a huge loss."

At the mention of this, Young Master Meng felt even more stifled. Even if she didn't believe that the Princess would do such a thing, hearing others say it still made her heart uneasy.

Before Young Master Meng could retort, Ye Wuyou pointed towards the table in the distance and said, "Look, your things are over there. Do what you want; I am not stopping you."

Young Master Meng finally understood—Ye Wuyou wouldn't stop her, but she intended to follow her everywhere.

Young Master Meng smirked lightly and didn't say more, simply turning her head to look at the tray on the distant table.

Seeing that Ye Wuyou had no intention of looking at her, Young Master Meng threw off the covers, got off the bed, and walked towards the table in her inner robe and pants.

On the tray, there was a neatly folded set of clothes.

And that set of clothes was exactly what she had worn before entering the capital.

Aside from this old set of clothes, there was a ring-handled sword beside the tray.

Seeing the beloved sword that had accompanied her for more than a decade, Young Master Meng couldn't muster any joy.

The reason was simple: these items originally belonged in the Princess' residence.

Now, seeing these items in Ye Wuyou's possession, combined with Ye Wuyou's earlier playful words, Meng Chang'an could somewhat guess the situation.

If not the Princess, who else could take these items from the Princess' residence and give them to Ye Wuyou?

Moreover...

Using her brother to replace herself and taking her out of the prison, and the person she held before falling asleep, were indeed the Princess.

As Meng Chang'an's hand touched the cold scabbard, she felt a chill run through her heart.

Lowering her gaze slightly, Meng Chang'an asked in a subdued voice, "When she handed me over to you, did she say anything?"

Only then did Ye Wuyou turn her head to look at Meng Chang'an, smiling mischievously. "She asked me to take good care of you. How about it? Are you satisfied with how I have been taking care of you?"

Meng Chang'an couldn't help but furrow her brows, then followed up with another question, "Anything else?”

"Trying to get information from me?" 

Ye Wuyou teased. “Heh, I won't tell you. If you want to know, go ask her yourself."

Meng Chang'an: "..."

Realizing that she wouldn't get anything useful from Ye Wuyou, Meng Chang'an coldly hmphed and ignored her. She picked up her old clothes and went behind the screen to change.

Putting on her own clothes again, Meng Chang'an felt a bit more comfortable. However, despite her outward ease, she couldn't shake off the heaviness in her heart.

After securing her wrist guards and hidden weapons, Meng Chang'an picked up her sword and went over to kick Ye Wuyou's recliner.

"Hey, I want to go out.”

However, Ye Wuyou didn't even bother to get up. Without lifting her head, she replied, "Is that how you call someone? Look at your attitude, it's like begging someone for a favor. Be a good girl and call me 'Sister-in-law'. Who knows, if I'm in a good mood, I might be willing to take you out!"

Now Meng Chang'an couldn't stand the word "sister-in-law" the most.

Every time it was mentioned, she couldn't help but think of the Princess.

"Ye Wuyou!"

Meng Chang'an gritted her teeth and exclaimed, "Are you not afraid that I will kill you in a fit of anger?"

At this moment, with Meng Chang'an's pale complexion, she was no threat to Ye Wuyou.

"Do you even see what state you are in now? You can barely walk steadily, let alone be my opponent." 

Seeing Meng Chang'an's stern expression, Ye Wuyou chuckled awkwardly, saying, "Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Do not get mad! Where do you want to go? I will take you there!"

As she was going to be her future sister-in-law, Ye Wuyou didn't dare to bully her too much. Seeing that Meng Chang'an's mood was indeed not right, she softened her attitude and asked, "Come on, where do you want to go?"

With that, the little tiger that had almost reached out its claws to scratch someone finally retracted its fangs.

"I want to go out and drink, drink the strongest alcohol."

Looking at Meng Chang'an's despondent expression with her eyes lowered, Ye Wuyou couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

Did this joke... go too far?

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3614052
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.

She had thought that Meng Chang'an would say she wanted to go to the Princess's residence, so she was prepared to secretly take her there. But she didn't expect Meng Chang'an to make such a request.

Even when Meng Chang'an pulled her to sit in a corner seat on the first floor of the Drunken Immortal Inn, Ye Wuyou still couldn't figure out what had triggered this reaction in her.

Watching Meng Chang'an silently pouring herself one drink after another, Ye Wuyou couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

If Li Qiubai found out that Meng Chang'an, who hadn't fully recovered from her illness and injury, came here to drink, could she still protect herself?

Just thinking about Li Qiubai's usual methods made Ye Wuyou shudder involuntarily.

Before Ye Wuyou could say anything to advise her, Meng Chang'an didn't hesitate to give another order.

"Bring me another barrel, I want more!"

Looking at Meng Chang'an's half-drunk and dazed state, and then glancing at the counter and meeting the gaze of the shopkeeper who was always looking in their direction, Ye Wuyou couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.

Li Qiubai's people were always very quick to pass on information.

Author's Note:

Are there many people who want this storybook? Rich family daughter x female thief, the author who can only draw stick figures cannot draw it, but if you want to read it, I can consider opening pre-collection to continue the story... 

(If there are many people interested, I'll draft a pre-collection. It will be arranged after finishing the next online game book. If there aren't many readers interested, then forget it!)