Night fell. Cuizhu Courtyard.
Chu Qingmeng lay in bed, eyes wide open, without a shred of sleepiness. It had been more than twenty days since she arrived in this world, and she finally felt she could settle down and quietly ponder everything that had happened over this period. Meeting them in the tomb—she had originally thought this group of people were just like her, accidentally straying into the tomb. At the time, she even wondered if people went out into the mountains and forests just to do cosplay. She hadn't taken it seriously at first, yet she had muddle-headedly ended up in this Dayu Dynasty. Although she had been all alone in the modern era with nothing much to linger over, having grown accustomed to the days of the internet, every single day in this ancient era was agonizingly difficult. She wondered when she would ever be able to go back. It seemed she had to think of a way to make some more money, and then hire some professional tomb raiders to bring her along and retrace her steps through the tomb. That way, she would definitely be able to return! Thinking this, Chu Qingmeng drifted off into a hazy sleep.
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard, Mo Chenfeng and his wife were also still awake. Chen Siyu looked at Mo Chenfeng's wounds, which were nearly healed, weeping as she pitied him. After Mo Chenfeng offered a good deal of comfort, he continued, "When all is said and done, this whole affair was stirred up by those spies from the Yueshi State. I just never expected that so many Yueshi spies were hiding right along the border. I must speak to The Emperor about this matter; some people's heads are quite superfluous."
"Sigh, I don't understand court affairs, so you just go ahead and discuss it with The Emperor. It's just that I feel that child Qingmeng didn't seem very keen on your proposal this afternoon. If you ask me, why don't you go to The Emperor and request that she be ennobled as a Commandery Princess? That way she can enjoy her freedom." Chen Siyu said to Mo Chenfeng while helping him change his clothes. "That child looks at first glance like someone who hates being restricted. Once she's granted the title of Commandery Princess, if she wants to live outside, we can have her stay in the residence right next to ours. If she doesn't want to move out, letting her stay in Cuizhu Courtyard all the time would also be rather nice."
"True! What happened this afternoon was just a whim of mine on the spur of the moment; I certainly didn't think it through." Mo Chenfeng paused before continuing, "Under those circumstances, she gave the only thing she had to save her life (the Life-saving Pill) to Liujin and me. I truly don't know how to thank her. Both her behavior and the things she brought with her are unlike anything in our world. But no matter what, she saved our father and sons. As long as she wishes to stay, I must ask my wife to keep her identity a secret and help cover for her as best as you can."
"I understand," Chen Siyu nodded. "Alright, it's late. Let's rest!"
Qingfeng Courtyard.
Mo Liujin sat upright at his desk with a book in hand, yet for two whole hours, the book in his grip had not been flipped a single page. It was as if he were looking through the book to see her standing on the small ledge at the cave entrance that day. She had been dressed much like a man, her hair neatly tied back behind her head. When she called out from the ledge, her chubby little face had been brimming with happiness, her joy entirely unmasked in her words. And that casual glance back of his had caused him to fall completely. Even knowing that her attire and styling were unlike ordinary people, and knowing full well that her appearance was deeply suspicious, the moment she fell from the ledge, he had still rushed forward. And later, when she saved his life, the softness of those delicate hands brushing against his forehead was something he would likely never forget for the rest of his life.
Qingze Courtyard.
Mo Liufang lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. A thousand thoughts churned within him: at what point had his thoughts begun to follow Qingmeng? Was it when she saved Wushuang in the tomb? Or when she ignored him, a grown man, and prepared to dig the earth all by herself? He could not remember. He only felt that she was different from any other woman he had ever seen. She was very pure, wearing all her thoughts plainly on her face. Clearly a total stranger to him, she had nevertheless stepped in to save their entire party. Thinking of this, Mo Liufang sighed softly. She was far too kind-hearted, and that was hardly a good thing. Ah well, he would simply take it upon himself to protect her well!
On this night, every courtyard was astir with a different train of thoughts. Some slept as soundly as logs, like Mo Liuteng and Mo Liuchen; others lay awake all night, like Mo Liujin who pretended to read and Mo Liufang who stared blankly; while others were filled with a whirl of questions, such as the brothers Mo Liuyuan and Mo Liujue.
Early the next morning, in the main hall.
Chu Qingmeng was rudely awakened early in the morning by several older maidservants. Her mind went blank for a moment when she saw them, before she finally remembered that they were the people Princess Consort had arranged for her yesterday—Mama Fu and Mama Qi. Just as Chu Qingmeng was off in her own world, the two mamas had already begun preparing to change Chu Qingmeng's clothes. Chu Qingmeng's thoughts snapped back instantly, and she waved her hands frantically, saying, "Mama Fu, Mama Qi, I'll put them on myself. You can just help me put on my makeup in a moment." The two mamas answered in unison, and after Chu Qingmeng finished changing and washing up, they stepped inside to begin styling her hair and applying her makeup. Chu Qingmeng truly didn't want others waiting on her; after all, having been an orphan for sixteen years, who had ever waited on her? But the hair and makeup of this ancient era were simply too difficult; she really couldn't manage it on her own! The mamas would just have to step in.
Sure enough, under the hands of the two mamas, Chu Qingmeng looked as though she had been given a completely new head.