Chapter Text
The court of Jinling has many rules, as all courts are wont to do. Some of these are obvious, others esoteric to the point of obscurity, and yet others not so much rules as incontrovertible existences in and of themselves.
Here is one of them: you do not, under any circumstances, upset Tai-nainai in any way, shape, or form, because her looks of disappointment easily beat anything the Xuanjing Bureau could manage.
Here is another: neither should you, under any circumstances, tell Lin Shu, all-around terror of the Lin manor and Chiyan army and especially everyone younger than him, that he shouldn’t do something.
The best outcome is no outcome.
The most likely outcome, on the other hand, is inadvertently encouraging him. A fact one particular Yan Yujin is getting swiftly acquainted with.
“Lin Shu-gege!” he wails, forlorn in the afternoon sun. “Let meeee doooooown!”
The most brilliant youth of Jinling smiles beatifically and dodges a flailing arm. “Only if you ask nicely.”
Behind him, Jingyan and Jingrui exchange a glance, and silently agree not to point out that Yujin already has, to no avail. (Jingyan’s actually wondering if something had happened earlier today without him noticing – Xiao Shu isn’t usually this unreasonable… not with anyone other than him, at least, though that’s neither here nor there.)
But Yujin’s reply, however futile it would’ve been, is cut abruptly short by a sudden and light cough from behind.
They all turn, in near-comical unison, to find Concubine Jing standing there, her smile mild as the look in her eyes.
Lin Shu yelps before scrambling to let Yujin down.
Very carefully.
Jingyan’s mother is still smiling, perfectly serene, as she nods and walks away again.
Behind her, Jingyan and Jingrui exchange another glance.
“Your mother’s scary,” Jingrui mouths silently at him.
Jingyan nods dumbly, and wonders if she can teach him that trick.
(“Jingyu asked me to ask you,” begins Yueyao, eyes dancing merrily, “how you managed to stop Xiao Shu’s menacing of little Yujin. And if you can possibly impart some of that wisdom to him.”
The corner of Liyang’s lips twitch almost reluctantly. “…Jingrui might’ve mentioned it once or twice too, perhaps. He was very impressed.”
Jinyang’s eyebrows fly up in clear amusement. “Oooh, Xiao Shu’s not gonna be happy if he finds out that both Jingyan and Jingrui are busy ruining his reputation! Better tell them to watch out, then, our dear Lady Jing can’t always be around to save them.”
They all look to Jingyi expectantly.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what all of you could be talking about,” she says placidly, and pushes the plate forward. “Here, have another cookie while they’re still warm.”)