Transmigrated Empresses (Male and Female)

Chapter 24

She smiled and said, "You should call me Fourth Sister-in-law and Eleventh Brother." Her voice was gentle and beautiful, like being bathed in holy light.

"Fourth Sister-in-law? You're Lu Susu!" It's truly astonishing that Zi Mo managed to marry such a beautiful woman by sheer accident. That guy's hit the jackpot.

"I am a concubine." She stepped aside and bowed, acknowledging her status.

I quickly stepped aside and said, "You flatter me, Fourth Sister-in-law." Damn, I'd never heard Zi Mo mention his wife before. I thought he was too ashamed to admit he'd married an ugly woman, but it turns out he was just secretly enjoying himself.

I think I should try to curry favor with this woman. "Fourth Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry about earlier. I was blind. Please don't mind."

"Eleventh Brother, you're too kind." Lu Susu rolled up her sleeves, seemingly preoccupied.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, what are you doing at the back door?" It seems she should go out through the front door. Could it be that she's meeting her lover and giving Zimo an ugly hat?

Her face flushed slightly, and she looked as delicate as a flower: "Eleventh Brother, I need your help with something."

"Fourth Sister-in-law, please speak. I will certainly serve you with utmost loyalty." If it were me covering for Zi Mo, I would absolutely protect him. You should think carefully before you speak.

She lowered her head, and her demure femininity almost overwhelmed me. Damn it, can I have this woman?

"Fourth Young Master...is he...with Eleventh Brother?" Her voice was so low it seemed to drift away on the wind. Looking at her, I was reminded of a classic description—head bowed, facing the wall, answering, yet the answer remained elusive. What a lady. I despise my earlier insult about her climbing the wall.

"Fourth Brother? No, I haven't seen him for several days either." Indeed, I hadn't seen him for several days; I almost forgot about him if she hadn't reminded me.

"Haven't you heard what people say, Eleventh Brother?" She twisted her sleeves, as if trying to stir out gold.

"Hear what?" I've been lying at home these past two days, what could I possibly hear?

Lu Susu's eyes were red, but she forced herself not to show weakness in front of others: "Fourth Young Master, he..."

"Him what?" I asked, annoyed. Please speak quickly. I like you, but not to the point where I can stand your nagging.

She mustered her courage and looked at me, saying, "The Fourth Young Master has been at Yanxiao Tower these past two days."

"Yan Xiaolou!" I exclaimed in surprise. How could that be? Zi Mo isn't that kind of person. Besides, I go there often, and I've never heard of him!

"Eleventh Brother is usually closest to Fourth Young Master, so I hope Eleventh Brother will tell Fourth Young Master to take good care of his health." This woman finally revealed her purpose in meeting me. What a pitiful reason, though; her husband is out having affairs and she can't even go and cause trouble. Luckily, I'm a man.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you're overthinking it. I'll definitely keep an eye on Fourth Brother and make sure he doesn't forget his responsibilities." I'll help you this once; we'll be counting on you to make a living in this family in the future.

She smiled, her expression refined. Damn it, Zi Mo, you better not let me stay at the Yanxiao Tower!

[Main Text: Chapter Twenty-Three]

I carried the fish in my hand. Since I couldn't eat it myself, I decided to go back, wash it, and give it to Chou Qian. I haven't thanked him yet for saving me last time.

"Mother—Mother!" I called out loudly to my beautiful mother.

"What are you shouting for? You're so reckless. How will you ever get married?" My mother tapped my nose and scolded me.

I pouted, annoyed that she always poked me; it hurt. "Hehe, I'll bring one home for Mother someday," I said, clinging to my mother and acting coquettishly.

"You!" Seeing that she was about to point at me again, I quickly dodged. "Hehe." My mother's hand missed, and I grinned mischievously.

"I want to eat fish, here you go." My mother looked at the fish I was carrying and tried to take it from me. "No need, someone will bring a good one later."

"Who is it? The Fourth Young Master?" Mother guessed her unchanging answer.

I said smugly, "Wrong! It's Lu Susu!"

"Call me Fourth Sister-in-law." Mother raised her hand to hit me again. I ran into the house so she couldn't hit me.

"How did you end up with the young mistress?" Mother asked, puzzled that I could somehow get on her good side.

I chewed on a piece of Suzhou cake and asked, "Mother, do you know Yanxiaolou?" I was sure Mother knew, because neither of us were stupid.

"Yanxiaolou? What's wrong? Has Ziyi taken a fancy to one of the girls there?" my mother teased me.

I chimed in, "Mom is so clever! If you approve, we can hold our big, healthy grandson next year!" I laughed heartily.

My mother wiped the crumbs from the corner of my mouth: "I'm just afraid you'll have the will but not the ability."

"Who said that! I can make an iron tree bloom, so why can't I make a woman give birth to a child?"

My mother pinched my nose: "Don't cause me any trouble, you have no manners."

I rubbed my unlucky nose: "I know, that Yan Xiaolou..." Mother stood up, walked to her private little drawer, and took out an antique-looking tin box. I chuckled foolishly; all her treasures were inside. I stared greedily at Mother; she glared at me, which I took as a sign of love.

She took out her key, slowly opened the box, and handed me a thin piece of paper. "This is a gift from your mother. How are you going to thank me? You naughty boy, always sneaking around behind your mother's back and neglecting your studies."

I opened it and saw the land deed—the land deed for Yanxiao Tower. Overwhelmed with emotion, I hugged my mother tightly and kissed her passionately: "Mother is the best, Mother is the best mother in the world!"

"Come down," her mother said affectionately. "If you stay home and draw pictures obediently, and earn more dowry, I'll be content."

"Yes, yes, Mom knows me best." He then kissed his mother again.

"You!" Mother laughed, wishing she could give me the whole world, but unfortunately she didn't.

Hehe. She was truly born at the wrong time; why wasn't she an empress? Sigh! Blame it on fate! Finding a brothel wouldn't be bad, going to find some beauties...

I sneaked into Yanxiaolou's private chamber, where the enchanting sounds were as intoxicating as music; it was truly a feast for the ears.

I followed the singing as I crept deeper into the private chamber. Just as I was about to push open the door, a fragrance of flowers wafted into my nostrils, and my precious ear was grabbed: "You little rascal, causing trouble again."

"Mommy, be gentle, it hurts!"

"I hope it hurts you to death." A remarkably well-preserved old hen grabbed me away from the doorway and dragged me forward. I waved my fists to make the old woman let go of my claws: "Let me go, boss." The hen dragged me away from our area and said angrily: "Why are you here again? If I hadn't been watching over you, you would have been eaten and groped by those girls long ago."