Chapter 172: Morning Light, Gauze Curtains

March 12th.

mao hour, sharp.

The eastern window gradually turned white. Ding Suian gently pried open the arms Zhao Yan had wrapped around his arm and got out of bed barefoot.

On the floor, the clothes of the three of them were tangled in a heap.

Ding Suian rummaged through them.

Inside the red canopy, Lin Hansu slowly opened her eyes; in fact, she had long since woken up.

The reason she continued to feign sleep was because she did not know how to face the current situation.

The Young Master was accustomed to being mischievous, and Zhao Yan was a demon herself; had she gone mad along with them?

Last night, she had actually muddled through and agreed to his crazy demands.

There was a rustling sound outside the canopy. Ding Suian finished dressing and turned back to lift the curtains.

Inside the canopy, Lin Hansu sensed it in advance and quickly closed her eyes.

Seeing this, Ding Suian did not make a sound. He simply pulled up the silk quilt that Zhao Yan had kicked away, covering their bodies.

Afterward, he went downstairs on tiptoe.

Downstairs, Wansu, who had been on night watch, had eyes red from exhaustion and was drowsy, but the moment she saw Ding Suian, she stood up quickly, her face inexplicably blushing.

She had heard the commotion upstairs last night very clearly. Being able to hear it, it was inevitable that she would have some thoughts.

“Young Master, this servant will go get breakfast. Won’t you eat something before you leave?”

Wansu whispered. Ding Suian did not stop walking and waved his hand. “No need. I’ll just go to Li Si’s stall and buy two sesame cakes to eat. Elder sister, after you serve the Princess after she wakes up, get some rest early.”

Having said that, he had already opened the door and walked out.

Wansu subconsciously followed a few steps and only stopped when she reached the door. In the morning mist, Ding Suian walked to the wall, leaped lightly, and his robust figure disappeared behind the wall.

Wansu looked at the empty west wall, sighed for no reason, and then laughed at herself.

Recalling the year before last, after the Princess received the imperial decree to be spared from being buried with the deceased and quickly seized control of the Prince’s estate, she had once wanted to ask the Princess to act as a matchmaker for her marriage.

Fortunately, she hadn’t spoken up. Having set her sights on her master’s man, even if the Princess were magnanimous and didn’t mind, it would inevitably plant a thorn in her heart in the future.

However, looking at the current situation, there might really be a possibility of becoming one family in the future.

If the Princess finishes her mourning period and can marry Head Ding openly, for personal maids like her and Yi Huan, the probability of becoming a concubine is very high.

It’s just that a dignified Princess marrying a minor Dutou, no matter how one looks at it, is a mismatch in status.

Head Ding, you must work hard to get promoted!

After letting her thoughts run wild for a while, Wansu turned and went upstairs.

Second floor. On the bed, perhaps because she had left a warm embrace, Zhao Yan reached out in a daze, but grabbed nothing. With an agile turn, her jade arm, which was exploring like a radar, finally grabbed a rounded arm this time.

Although not as sturdy as Ding Suian’s, it was chubby and fragrant. Zhao Yan wrapped her arms around it like vines, closed her eyes, rubbed her face against it, and smacked her lips in satisfaction.

On the inner side of the wide bed, Lin Hansu’s body stiffened slightly. Yet, unable to help herself, she quietly looked down.

Morning light shone through the gauze curtains, softly sprinkling onto Zhao Yan’s cheeks. The little fox was sleeping soundly, her long, curled eyelashes occasionally trembling, and her face was rosy, revealing a lustrous glow.

A few strands of black hair were scattered on her forehead, making her skin look even more like jade.

She seemed to be having a sweet dream, as the strength with which she held Lin Hansu tightened a little more, like a small beast that had found a warm nest, completely trusting and snuggling against her.

A sleeping Zhao Yan is a good Zhao Yan. Not naughty, not argumentative, neither flirtatious nor pretentious.

Perhaps because of Zhao Yan’s earth-shattering ‘Mother’ from last night, Lin Hansu looked at her defenseless, adorable sleeping state, and her thoughts couldn’t help but wander to the idea that if she and the Young Master had a daughter in the future, it would be quite nice if she grew up like this.

But her personality must absolutely not be like Zhao Yan’s!

Her, Lin Hansu’s daughter, must definitely be raised to be a refined young lady.

A moment later, she rejected this idea. Having a daughter means she has to learn rules from a young age, and when she grows up, one has to worry about her being deceived by sweet-talking men! It’s better to have a son; I’d rather we go and cause trouble for others than be troubled by others!

As she thought, she unconsciously reached out and very lightly and gently brushed away the stray hair stuck to Zhao Yan’s forehead.

“Third Young Mistress, it is almost 7-9 am. Would you like to get up and wash?”

Outside the canopy, Wansu’s soft call suddenly rang out.

“Oh, I’ll get up right away~”

After answering, when she looked at Zhao Yan again, she discovered that this vixen had already opened her eyes. Her long, narrow fox eyes were moist and confused. She stared at Lin Hansu for a long time before she gradually remembered why she was sleeping here.

At this moment, Lin Hansu’s hand that was brushing her hair was still resting in front of her forehead.

Zhao Yan opened her mouth and gave a small yawn, “Mother~”

“!” Lin Hansu, who had been full of doting, instantly darkened her face and scolded in a low voice, “If you dare spout nonsense again! I will beat your butt!”

Zhao Yan rubbed her eyes and asked in a soft, sleepy voice, “Elder sister agreed last night, why can’t I call you that now?”

“Shut up!” Lin Hansu’s face instantly turned bright red.

Last night was absurd, and at that time her brain had turned into mush, so how could she care about propriety and shame? However, people cannot remain in that state forever, and after waking up, one will always feel ashamed.

“Elder sister, is it only when the three of us are sleeping that I can call you that?”

“.Shut up! Stop talking!”

“Eh, people say men are heartless, called pulling up their pants and not recognizing people. Elder sister, you haven’t even put on your pants yet, and you’re already not recognizing people!”

“.”

Sure enough, only a sleeping Zhao Yan is a good Zhao Yan.

“Fried fritters, fried fritters! Three coins each, two for five coins~ Crispy fried fritters!”

“Dad, I want to eat fried fritters!”

“Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating. If I fry your dad, will you eat that?”

“Wah, I won’t eat fried dad, I want to eat fried fritters!”

7-9 am sharp, the entire city of Central Heaven had long since awakened.

The eateries along the street were steaming with heat, and the waiters were shouting to attract business. A father and son had a disagreement over whether to eat fried fritters or “fried dad,” and the little child was sitting on the side of the street crying.

The street was bustling and noisy, full of the hustle and bustle of the mundane world.

Ding Suian held a sesame cake in his hand, weaving through the crowd.

About a quarter of an hour later, he turned into Ziwei Ward, and the smoke and fire of the mundane world instantly disappeared.

Upon stepping into Liuhe Street, he was the only person left on the wide street. Not to mention the street vendors, even the people passing by the alley entrance had a hurried, avoidant appearance.

They didn’t even have the courage to glance into the street, fearing that one extra look would bring disaster. The reason, naturally, was the West Yamen located on this street.

In front of the high steps of the West Yamen, Ding Suian hurriedly finished the last bit of his sesame cake. Just as he stepped onto the steps, the black-armored guards on both sides of the gate shouted in a low voice, “Stop!”

Before he could introduce himself, he heard a boisterous, hearty laugh from inside. “Head Ding, I didn’t see you come to take up your post yesterday. I thought you didn’t dare to take on this job. Hahaha.”

Before the laughter faded, Sun Tiewu strode out and enthusiastically dragged Ding Suian inside, as if afraid he would run away. “Head Ding, how are these three office rooms?”

The Commander of the Main Army Division, this temporary organization, was set up in the West Yamen. Firstly, it was convenient to interrogate unlawful officers nearby after arresting them. Secondly, it was to inform the world who the backer of this military discipline rectification operation was, so as to prevent some people from developing improper resistance.

Sun Tiewu was very enthusiastic. Not only did he prepare the space for Ding Suian in advance, but he also sent the appointment documents and the official seal. But that was all.

“Head Ding, you also know that the affairs of the West Yamen are extremely complicated. Although Lord He and I hold the titles of Commander and Deputy Commander of the Main Army Division, we both have a lot of things to deal with. The affairs of the Main Army Division will have to rely on you.”

Sun Tiewu was better; at least he met Ding Suian. But the so-called Commander He Danian didn’t even show his face. They were all thousand-year-old foxes.

That day, Ding Suian, in the name of the Commander of the Main Army Division, issued several orders, summoning subordinates such as Gongye Ni, Chest Hair, and Hu Jiangjiu, as well as Ding Lie, Hu Yingfu, and He Dahai of the Winged Tiger Army, to be temporarily transferred to the Main Army Division for duty.

At noon, everyone who received the transfer order arrived one after another. Except for Old Ding.

Ding Suian knew at a glance that he had failed to persuade Old Ding after all. He always felt that Old Ding was not afraid of trouble or simply unwilling to wade into muddy waters, but was deeply afraid of something, or someone, and was terrified of exposing himself to the public eye.