CMWKSD -Chapter 186 Do You Like Me?

At night, listening to the steady, warm breathing beside her, Jiu Yue slowly opened her eyes.

Today’s conversation with Emperor Fengyuan lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.

Before leaving, Emperor Fengyuan had said something to her—something that made Jiu Yue unconsciously recall that Ji Yiqing had said the same thing to her once.

They didn’t seem to oppose her hitting people or punishing them. Because they both understood Jiu Yue—they knew she wasn’t the type to slap someone without reason.
But killing someone was different.

No matter what the other person had done or said, killing required deep consideration. Because once a person died, there was truly nothing left.

Ji Yiqing and Jiu Yue were equals; he wouldn’t patiently lecture her like Emperor Fengyuan did.
He would speak to her from a place of equality, sometimes even pleading with her not to kill lightly.

But Emperor Fengyuan’s perspective was different. He told Jiu Yue that if everyone acted like her—killing whenever they felt like it—the whole world could become another kind of Dark Moon.

A thought that made Jiu Yue feel disgusted, even repulsed.

Emperor Fengyuan also told her to try trusting those around her.

After everything happened, as her eldest brother-in-law, Ji Chaomian truly did everything he could. A seventh-rank minor official without any backing, going up against the deeply rooted and entangled Jiang family in the court, was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

But Ji Chaomian still tried. Emperor Fengyuan told Jiu Yue to think carefully about what the Ji family really meant to her.

At the time, Jiu Yue’s mind was full of disdain. “Think? I’m not thinking.”

But now… she found herself unable to sleep.

Thinking of Ji Yiqing, she turned slightly to look at him. She barely moved, and Ji Yiqing’s large hand naturally and gently patted her back.

Jiu Yue had never thought she needed anyone to soothe her to sleep, but Ji Yiqing did it so naturally that it felt right.

And Ji Chaomian?

He was her eldest brother-in-law. By rights, she should have felt dislike, even hatred for him. But… there was none of that.

Among the brothers of this generation of the Ji family, you could say they feared Jiu Yue, were wary of her— but there was no dislike, no hatred.

Does not disliking someone mean you like them?

Jiu Yue scratched her chin. Oh no… her brain was starting to work. Could it be… a familial affection brain? Or even a love brain? So annoying~~~

She turned and—thud!—bumped herself into Ji Yiqing’s arms.

She heard him muffledly groan. Still with his eyes closed, he murmured, “Doesn’t hurt~ This little pain isn’t pain at all.”

It was obvious Ji Yiqing was already used to being hit by her in her sleep.

Jiu Yue chuckled softly. She settled into a comfortable position in his embrace, tucking all her thoughts and reflections deep in her heart, before finally drifting off to sleep.

Ji Yiqing rested at home for five or six days. But the Jiang family matter still required going to the office.

Although it was Ji Yiqing going to the office, Jiu Yue’s resentment was greater than his.

Holding the blanket, she quietly watched him struggle to dress, his arms and palms still unhealed from the injuries.

Really a dedicated office worker—hurt in both right arm and left hand, yet still able to write?

Unbelievable. That scoundrel, Huang Shiren!!!

Just as Ji Yiqing finished putting on his official robe and picked up his hat, he saw Jiu Yue sitting in the middle of the bed, holding the blanket, her eyes blinking, her little head slowly… refusing to sleep.

Ji Yiqing chuckled quietly. He stepped forward gently, placing a hand on the back of her head to guide her back to bed.

Suddenly, Jiu Yue’s eyes lit up, and she reached out to grab Ji Yiqing’s belt. Ji Yiqing was pulled toward the bed, calling out while stabilizing himself, “No, no, the robe will wrinkle, I’ll get scolded!”

Jiu Yue snorted, “Can’t you just not go?”

Ji Yiqing wanted to stay too—this was rare, her speaking to him so spiritedly—but there was no choice. After finishing the Jiang family matter, he and Ji Chaomian would rise in status; there could be no mistakes.

“You be good.”

Jiu Yue glared at him as if seeing a ghost. “You think that word suits me?”

Ji Yiqing stroked her head, kneeling with one foot on the bed and one on the floor, leaning close to her lips: “It suits you. In my eyes, you suit every word that describes beauty in this world.”

Jiu Yue was amused. Had he finally woken up to her, or what? Before, just a glance would turn his whole face red. Now, teasing her like this was effortless.

“Go, go, go—time to head to the office.”

Ji Yiqing nodded, tucked the blanket around her, and left.

Jiu Yue didn’t get up much later than him. She was already used to waking early for a training session. At first light, she washed up and stepped outside.

Shao Qing hurried over, “Master, the Commandery Princess has arrived.”

Jiu Yue frowned. She was slow on the uptake. By now, it had been several months since Prince Ling had made his move against Ji Yiqing.

“What’s she here for?”

Shao Qing looked at her incredulously. Who was the real master here?

“Fine, I’ll go see.”

Dressed in a sharp, dark brocade robe, Jiu Yue strode out, radiating confidence.

Seeing Ling Yue, the once-arrogant and haughty aura was gone. She stepped lightly, giving off a faint impression of a proper young lady.

Jiu Yue frowned slightly, looking up at the sky. The sun hadn’t risen in the west, after all…

Seeing Jiu Yue, Ling Yue blushed, stepping forward to bow, “Doctor Jiu Yue, greetings.”

“Commandery Princess, what brings you here?”

Ling Yue took out a finely made invitation from her sleeve, “My mother is hosting a flower-viewing banquet at our residence. I specially came to invite you.”

Jiu Yue looked at Ling Yue, puzzled. “You…”

Ling Yue blinked, reminiscent of that day when she saw Shen Zongsheng’s watery, big eyes.
Could it be that all these young lords and ladies from wealthy families had equally affectionate peach-blossom eyes for dogs?

Jiu Yue suddenly rubbed her goosebumps, then, cautiously, asked Ling Yue: “Do you… like me?”

When she had asked Shen Zongsheng that day, she had been a bit arrogant. This time, she was more cautious, but still asked directly.

No matter what, the words coming from Jiu Yue’s mouth sounded outrageous.

But… Emperor Fengyuan’s heartfelt words made Jiu Yue feel like she was loved by everyone, as if flowers bloomed wherever she went.