The Tale of a Tang Dynasty Lady, Part Three

Updated simultaneously across multiple accounts and platforms.

Originally titled A Calm as Still Water, A Grace Like Song (temporarily suspended for a third revision after being plagiarized)

As he walked, Xue Chongjian muttered to himself, “Thank goodness nothing happened... What would we have done otherwise... My mother makes a fuss, and now you're making a fuss too!” He glared fiercely at Li Longji. “You're a grown man, yet you keep making people worry!”

Li Longji was so annoyed that he simply covered his ears.

Seeing this, Xue Chongjian shouted at him instead. “Everyone says this place is haunted. What would I do if something happened to you?”

“Can't you stop acting like your mother? You're driving me crazy!” Li Longji hurried ahead, grumbling, “Is it really that serious? You never stop nagging... Going on and on... So fussy... Like some gossipy old woman...”

Xue Chongjian caught up with him. “Sanlang, please take care of yourself for once! Do you know how worried I was last night when I heard you were missing too? I... I...”

“That's so cheesy!” Li Longji turned and ran off, then came trotting back a moment later. “I've told you so many times, Father didn't come home late last night, so I went out to look for him. I caught a chill when I got back. It's such a tiny thing, and you just keep talking about it!”

Xue Chongjian smiled instead. “A chill isn't a tiny thing. Look at my brother. He caught a bit of a chill too, and he's been lying down ever since New Year's Day.”

“Chongyin-ge doesn't look like the frail type. How did he get so sick?”

“Hard to say. It shouldn't be serious, but he keeps saying his chest feels stuffy. Several court physicians examined him, but none could figure out why. My mother even said he should sleep, and that he'd be fine once he'd slept enough.”

“Ha, your mother is quite something!” Li Longji laughed, then suddenly slapped his thigh. “Didn't they say Taoist priests have immortal elixirs? Why not ask for one?”

Xue Chongjian shook his head in alarm. “Don't bring up elixirs! That's a sore subject! Thankfully, Lady Shangguan is fine. Otherwise... No, no, I wouldn't dare go up against my mother's iron will...”

Xue Chongjian looked dejected, but Li Longji gazed ahead, lost in thought.

“Second Brother Xue,” Li Longji asked hesitantly, “have you ever thought about... well, getting married?”

“Huh?” Xue Chongjian stared at Li Longji in shock for a long while. “I'm only twelve, and you're only fifteen! What? D-do you have someone you like?”

Theme: Two old signed authors recommend a “copy.”