Chapter 19: It Was Just Holding Her Hand!

Damn it! Was it really just a matter of holding her hand for a moment? Now she had to stand under the blazing sun for an entire hour?

Ji Yin tried to break free from Young Lord Ji’s binding, but no matter how many times she struggled, it was futile.

“Great Demon, this restraint is far too powerful!”

Of course Ji Yin knew that.

“Little Demon, do you think I’ll get tanned if I really have to stand here for an hour?” Ji Yin looked up at the scorching sun overhead, her heart filled with worry.

The Demon Cauldron remained silent.

The steward paced around the main courtyard, sweat streaming down his anxious face.

The master hadn’t returned from court, the lady wasn’t at home, and even the third young lord was absent. What was he to do?

“Eldest Young Lord!” There was no other choice but to seek out the eldest young lord.

Ji Shaofeng’s courtyard was shaded by a grove of bamboo, serene and elegant.

The main hall’s windows were open. A man in white sat before them, staring at the chessboard laid out before him, pondering deeply. His complexion was as flawless as jade, bearing the air of an immortal untouched by the world’s dust.

Footsteps sounded outside, and Ji Shaofeng already knew who approached.

“Eldest Young Lord!” The old steward immediately bowed. “The seventh young lord has somehow angered Young Lord Ji. With the master and lady away, and the third young lord absent, please, you must go see to it.”

Ji Shaofeng set down his chess piece and rose.

The old steward blinked, and the refined figure was already gone.

Ji Shaofeng arrived at Xuanyuan Ji’s courtyard, where he saw Ji Yin standing in the middle. He stepped forward.

Ji Yin watched as he passed by and immediately cried out, “Big Brother! Save me!”

Ji Shaofeng stopped, glanced at Ji Yin, then rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the main hall.

Ji Yin was speechless.

In front of Young Lord Ji was a chessboard with an unfinished game and a small incense burner, from which wisps of fragrant smoke drifted, filling the hall with its scent. Ji Shaofeng approached and bowed. Young Lord Ji lifted his gaze, giving a gentle nod.

The two men—one dazzlingly handsome, the other noble and ethereal—seemed to freeze time in that moment.

“I’ve heard the eldest young lord is skilled in chess. Might you solve this puzzle for me?”

“I have dabbled a bit. If you don’t mind, I’ll give it a try.” Ji Shaofeng adjusted his robes and sat opposite Young Lord Ji, picking up a piece.

Ji Yin was stunned.

She had thought Ji Shaofeng came to rescue her! But instead, he sat down to play chess with Young Lord Ji!

The incense gradually burned away, and the chess match became increasingly clear. At the exact hour, Ji Shaofeng placed the final piece, resolving the puzzle.

“Eldest young lord, your skill is truly extraordinary.”

“You flatter me,” Ji Shaofeng replied, glancing outside. “My seventh brother offended you. Allow me to apologize on his behalf, and now I’ll take him away for proper discipline.”

Suddenly, Ji Yin felt she could move. She flexed her hands and looked up to find Ji Shaofeng had already emerged.

“Come with me.”

“Why did you take so long? I was about to die from the sun!” Ji Yin complained.

Ji Shaofeng took out a porcelain bottle, poured a drop of medicine onto his fingertip, and rubbed it onto Ji Yin’s forehead.

“So comfortable!” She felt a cool sensation, refreshing her spirit. The dizziness from the sun vanished instantly. It was like eating a piece of ice—her whole body felt invigorated.

To be punished by standing in the sun for an hour was no small matter; Ji Yin had never suffered such a severe penalty before.

…

Wu Yan watched as Ji Yin was led away by Ji Shaofeng and came to stand beside Young Lord Ji.

“Young Lord, it seems the eldest young lord doesn’t spoil the seventh young lord quite as much as everyone thinks.”