Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yu Youyao suddenly woke up and stared blankly at the green ceiling above her head.
In the nightmare, the reason why the Duke Rongâs Residence was so brazen and dragged her into the crepe myrtle garden was because the Princess
Consort of Duke Rongs Residence had long colluded with Yang Shuwan.
Even if the matter was exposed, Yang Shuwan would stand up for the Duke Rongâs Residence and push all the blame to the older Yao Yao. No one would believe the words of an eldest daughter with no mother.
Chun Xiao, who was in the nightmare nightmare, did not have the powerful skills to fight against three people alone, and her cousin did not have any arrangements in the crepe myrtle garden. With a stepmother with ill intentions, no matter how guarded the older Yao Yao was, she could not disobey her stepmother outside.
The outcome was almost predestined.
This was the reason why she had been engaged to Song Mingzhao later.
In the nightmare, the older Yao Yao had ruined her reputation. She already had the intention to die, but she couldnât let go of her grandmother.
In the nightmare, the older Yao Yao did not have any spiritual dewdrop and had no way to save her cousinâs life. Her cousin lasted for three years and was finally at the end of his lifeâ¦
âCousinââ Yu Youyao was completely disheartened and desperate. She hugged her legs and buried her face in them, sobbing.
For a moment, she couldnât tell reality from dream.
After an unknown period of time, she suddenly got up from the bed. She was wearing inner clothes and her hair was disheveled. She walked out barefoot.
When Chun Xiao heard the commotion, she quickly entered her house. In the dark room, Young Missâs white figure was thin and delicate.
âYoung Miss, did you have a nightmare?
Yu Youyao turned a deaf ear to her, as if she hadnât heard her. Her eyes were wide open as she walked out of the house barefooted.
Chun Xiao thought that Young Miss hadnât heard her clearly, so she shouted again, âYoung Miss, itâs already midnight. Where are you going?
Yu Youyao turned a deaf ear.
Chun Xiao sensed that something was amiss. She had heard from the old maid in the courtyard that when she fell asleep at night, she would get out of bed and do some strange things. This was called sleepwalking.
In the past, there was an old woman in their residence who had suffered from sleepwalking.
A maidservant woke up in the middle of the night and saw her. When she saw the old woman running to the woodshed in the middle of the night to get a machete, she was so frightened that she screamed and shouted. The old woman, who was in a daze, was frightened awake and went crazy. In a few days, she passed away.
Chun Xiaoâs face turned pale with shock. She didnât know if she should wake Young Miss up or not.
Seeing that Young Miss had already left the room, Chun Xiao quickly called for the young maidservant on duty. âYoung Miss is a little unwell from the nightmare. Hurry up and invite Nanny Xu over.â
The young maidservant did not dare to ask further and quickly ran away.
Chun Xiao quickly chased after her out of the room. Seeing that Young Miss had left the Jade Courtyard in a daze, she did not dare to make a sound. She could only secretly feel anxious as she followed behind her.
Soon, Yu Youyao arrived at The Green House.
Yin San, who was hiding on an elm tree, rushed into the house.
Zhou Linghuai, who had always been a light sleeper, heard the commotion.
âWhat is it?â
The old elm tree in The Green House had also been there for many years. Standing on it, one could almost see the entire Yu Residence. Yin San said, âFor some reason, Young Miss is lingering at the entrance of the courtyard.â
Zhou Linghuai immediately got up and put on his boots. He took his outer robe from the shelf beside the bed and put it on as he asked, âWhat time is it now?â
Yin San said, âItâs just past midnight.â
There was a dim lamp hanging diagonally on the courtyard door of the Green House, and the shadows of the lamp scattered sparsely on the closed courtyard door. Shentu was pasted on the door. The clueless deity sat under the peach tree on both sides, his chest bare and his stomach exposed. He had a long beard and horns on his head, and he held a peach wood sword in his hand. Under the dim light, he looked even more ferocious.
The gatekeeper of The Green House had been personally drawn by her cousin.
At that time, she was still very disdainful. âCousin, your painting of the door god is too ugly. It looks scary.â
Her cousin said, âThe fiercer the door godâs painting is, the more ghosts and evil can be repelled. The house will have better protection.â
Yu Youyao snapped out of her daze.
Only then did she realize that her previous nightmare was too real, waking her up with a start. In a daze, she couldnât tell reality from dream. Unknowingly, she had arrived at The Green House.
This was clearly against the rules. Why didnât anyone stop her?
Yu Youyaoâs hair was disheveled, and she was only wearing a thin inner shirt. It was only April, and the night was as cold as water, but she already felt her entire body turn cold. The coldness drilled into the soles of her feet, along her calves, and crawled up her back.
Yu Youyao shivered and turned to go back
At this moment, the courtyard door of the Green House opened with a creak.
Yu Youyao was stunned and suddenly turned around
Her cousin stood under the sparse light. He was tall and slender.
Suddenly, she turned around and saw the person there in the dim light. Yu Youyaoâs eyes suddenly turned red, and large drops of tears rushed out. âWhy are you crying?â Zhou Linghuai strode out of the courtyard and walked to Yu Youyao. Before Yu Youyao could react, he had already taken off his outer robe and draped it over her.
Yu Youyaoâs thin and cold body was wrapped in her cousinâs warmth, and she couldnât help but feel warm. She stammered, âCousin!â
The little girlâs eyes were red, and even her voice was hoarse. She looked pitiful.
Zhou Linghuai lowered his head. The little girlâs fair feet were folded together, and her small and exquisite toes were also curled up uneasily.
The limestone floor was cold and hard. Just like that, she walked barefoot all the way!
âWhy are you running around without even wearing shoes?!â Zhou Linghuai felt his scalp tingle. He reached out and picked the little girl up horizontally.
âAh!â Yu Youyao exclaimed softly, her hands instinctively grabbing her cousinâs shoulders.
Outside the door, Chun Xiao, who was following behind Yu Youyao at a distance, suddenly widened her eyes in shock and covered her mouth.
Suddenly, someone patted her shoulder from behind.
Chun Xiao was shocked. She suddenly turned around and saw Nanny Xu standing behind her. She quickly said, âNanny, Young Master, he⦠Just now, Young Missâ¦â
Nanny Xu nodded. âGo back. Young Master will send Young Miss back later.â
Chun Xiao was also stunned. âBut, Young Miss, sheâ¦â
Nanny Xu reminded, âDonât make a fuss. Youâre Eldest Missâs most trusted maidservant. Just pretend not to see it and donât tell anyone.â At this point, she sighed slightly. âThe huge inner courtyard of the Yu Residence canât trap a phoenix with wings. Sooner or later, it will fly out.â
Chun Xiao was stunned. For a moment, she did not understand what Nanny Xu meant and did not know what to do.
Nanny Xu patted her back. âGo back!â
In a daze, Chun Xiao followed Nanny Xu back.
Zhou Linghuai carried Yu Youyao back to the study and placed her in the inner room. On the bed where he usually rested, he held her hand, and his palm was cold. âItâs late at night. Why arenât you even dressed properly? Why are you running outside barefooted? Itâs still April.. What if you catch a cold?â