After Zhu Pingniang fled in panic, the more she thought, the more unsettled she felt.
It shouldn’t be like this.
How did she beco such a useless woman?
She thought that even Zhu Tongjun wouldn’t be rendered speechless in front of Yun Qian like she was. Why did her cultivation in the mortal world make her even worse?
She couldn’t understand.
As for the idea that she had feelings for Xu Chang’an, so she felt guilty seeing Yun Qian...
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Zhu Pingniang: "..."
At this mont, fleetingly, she recalled the helpless look in Xu Chang’an’s eyes as he watched her brandish a dagger, and his eyes filled with unreserved trust, causing her to sigh softly.
Alright, perhaps there was a slight hint of emotional stirring.
But this stirring was definitely not that of a woman for a man; it was far less intense than the thrill she felt seeing Ah Bai. Consequently, Zhu Pingniang preferred to label this stirring as... being moved?
Yes, it must be being moved.
Zhu Pingniang silently halted her steps, contemplating that if she kept ntioning Qingluo and let Qingluo misunderstand her fondness for the young man, how would she ever face Qingluo in the future?
That can’t happen.
So...
Zhu Pingniang lightly patted her cheeks with both hands and gathered so spirit, thinking that her loss of composure in front of Miss Yun must be because Yun Qian’s nature restrained her.
What she liked most was teasing young n and won with intrigue, even if soone like Xu Chang’an couldn’t easily be teased—finding his helpless reactions amusing.
But with Yun Qian, it wouldn’t work; Zhu Pingniang believed if she tried to tease Yun Qian, all she would receive would be a puzzled look.
At that point, the awkwardness would surely rest with her.
Just like she never "bullied" Wen Li, such pure-minded and indifferent girls were always her nesis.
And Yun Qian, driving her husband to cook right in front of her, was a lack of elder respect, where she already ca up short.
Even knowing she had favored Wen Li, she couldn’t handle being with her, yet with Yun Qian...
Behaving so uselessly seed very normal indeed.
"Hmm... it must be so." Zhu Pingniang found her excuse, mumbling to herself: "It definitely isn’t my fault... it’s Miss Yun who’s peculiar; her eyes are too clean."
Such clean girls are like mirrors; having Xu Chang’an nearby is fine because Yun Qian would keep all her attention on Xu Chang’an.
Once Xu Chang’an left, Zhu Pingniang had to bear Yun Qian’s attention, and the reflection directed at her made even the slightest dark thoughts within her magnified. Yun Qian evidently said nothing, but she herself couldn’t hold it together.
Therefore, Zhu Pingniang concluded it wasn’t her fault, but Yun Qian’s... no, it was Xu Chang’an’s fault.
He guarded Yun Qian so well, her innocence was so pure that anyone with impure thoughts like hers would feel burned approaching her.
Yes, it was Chang’an’s fault.
Such a Yun Qian in Flower Moon Building, how could any girl gather the courage to approach her?
Impossible.
Yet Zhu Pingniang suddenly realized that she had fled irresponsibly...
She clearly promised Xu Chang’an to look after Ms. Yun, but after speaking just three embarrassing sentences, she fled, leaving Yun Qian alone.
If Chang’an were to find out, how could she ever face him?
Hence, Zhu Pingniang turned around and walked back a few steps, lifted her head... and froze.
She saw Miss Lu and Yun Qian casually chatting, the atmosphere harmoniously pleasant, and Miss Lu occasionally smiled—showing no sign of reluctance.
Zhu Pingniang: "..."
She silently turned around.
Carefully pondering whether to expel Miss Lu from Flower Moon Building.
Why wasn’t this girl burned?!
Zhu Pingniang masked her face with one hand.
If you can get along well with Yun Qian, doesn’t that make the only useless one?
At this mont, after spending much ti gathering excuses, Zhu Pingniang felt those excuses were effortlessly shredded by Miss Lu.
"Could it be... the useless one is ?"
With a face full of self-doubt, Zhu Pingniang picked up an umbrella from the fra and stepped out of the cabin.
Now, amidst the widespread downpour, taking advantage of the somber weather, yet the lake surface glead with colorful lights, bustling yet distinctly lively.
But seeing the painted boat quietly suspended on the lake, Zhu Pingniang’s mood suddenly beca calm.
The deck of the large ship was naturally colder than the cabin—so snowflakes fluttered, red lanterns mirrored in the water.
The evening grew colder, and on the painted boat, only a few girls still lingered outside.
She leaned against the railing, pondering.
It turned out it wasn’t guilt; she simply missed Ah Bai.
Perhaps seeing the warm atmosphere between Yun Qian and Xu Chang’an made herself, as a fellow woman, feel slightly... just slightly... lonely.
A bit.
Just a little bit.
Zhu Pingniang alone leaned against the pole, under the flickering lights, her face’s contour standing clear, her complexion crystalline like jade.
Even if she continuously developed herself towards "Zhu Pingniang," her essence ultimately remained Zhu Tongjun, no matter how vulgar or ordinary she made herself... this one point could never be hidden.
At first glance, she now wore a fiery red corset contrasting her slender waist, a dark tight sleeve top, below a smoky gauze scattered flower skirt, with her hair hanging low slantwise adorned with a green jade phoenix hairpin—looking exceptionally beautiful.
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