CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: REGARDLESS OF GENDER

Although Meng Yao didn’t understand horses, she could observe.

This horse selected by Li Baixia, though not very tall, had a sleek and shiny coat.

It gave the impression of a spirited young lad... oh no, a spirited young horse.

The bluish-gray fur was intermixed with white.

It looked somewhat like the color of fully burnt ashes.

Meng Yao touched the horse’s mane, "Welcome to our family, let’s give you a name, you’ll be called Ashes from now on."

"What a strange name," Meng Zhu muttered, "Aren’t they all supposed to be named something like ’Chasing the Wind’ or ’Lightning’?"

Meng Yao laughed, "Horses with those names are all top horses, right? Besides, what’s strange about Ashes? Look, the color of its coat is just like ashes, isn’t it vivid!"

Whether it understood Meng Yao’s words or not, Ashes snorted, seemingly very pleased.

Li Chang’an chimed in, "Mom, I think Auntie chose a good name."

"Anyway, it’s her horse, she can call it whatever she wants. You talk to your aunt about how to care for it; I’m tired and need to rest," Meng Zhu said.

Meng Yao had no interest in horse care, so she called Zhao Dajiang out, but Qin Zheng also came along.

"Eh? Who is this?" Meng Zhu exchanged glances with Qin Zheng.

"Greetings, madam," Qin Zheng bowed to Meng Zhu.

Meng Yao quickly explained, "This is Si Mo, who will accompany Dahe during his exams."

"He looks unbelievably good!" Meng Zhu exclaimed, "In all my years, I’ve never seen anyone as good-looking."

"He’s certainly quite striking," Meng Yao said.

"This won’t do, having someone like that around Dahe—how is he supposed to focus on his studies?" Meng Zhu frowned.

Meng Yao was a bit stunned, not quite understanding what Meng Zhu meant.

Seeing Meng Yao’s confusion, Meng Zhu patiently said, "Little sister, I need to talk to you seriously about this."

With that, she pulled Meng Yao along to her room.

"What’s going on, elder sister?"

As Meng Zhu entered the room, she turned around and locked the door.

Meng Yao was baffled.

"Even though it’s not unusual for scholars to have such inclinations, you can’t be so blatant about it. People usually visit certain establishments as a form of cultural refinement. But having him around at all times, won’t that distract Dahe from his studies? Plus, with his looks, keeping him around is bound to cause trouble." Meng Zhu looked serious.

Many scholars were successful; quite a few had such inclinations.

Quarrels over women were common.

Similarly, there were plenty of quarrels over men as well.

If the Zhao Family were distinguished and affluent,

then having such a person around wouldn’t attract unwarranted attention.

But the Zhao Family doesn’t even qualify as a scholar-farming family, so how could they protect such an exceptionally handsome attendant?

In the future, if someone were interested, and if Dahe were to back down a bit, perhaps trouble could be avoided.

But young men, being hot-blooded, how many would back down?

They’d risk everything for a beauty—oh no, for a handsome man. The odds of such a scenario are quite high, very high.

What would be the consequences then?

"Elder sister, it’s not what you think," Meng Yao said, somewhat amused.

"Better if it’s not!" Meng Zhu replied, "You should find another attendant."

"Is it truly as serious as you say, elder sister?" Meng Yao asked.

"I’ve been tactfully stating it. It’s not just scholars; truthfully, many men have such preferences, even those with influence. In Fengyang Town, there was once a wealthy family—a young man there was so handsome, he was described as otherworldly. From a young age, young women and wives couldn’t take their eyes off him. Everyone in town was curious about what kind of beauty would suit him! In the end, before he got married, his family’s business collapsed. His parents fell ill from stress, and to provide them with the best medicine, he willingly accompanied a rich merchant." Meng Zhu sighed, "It was said that his looks brought disaster to his family."

So, not only are beauties fated to suffer, but also the exceptionally handsome...

For boys, being too attractive isn’t safe either.

Meng Yao called Zhao Dahe in and explained Meng Zhu’s concerns to him.

Zhao Dahe first assured them he didn’t have such inclinations, then explained Qin Zheng’s identity to Meng Zhu.

Meng Zhu became even more worried.

"If anyone recalls this and investigates..."

"Their family is just a branch of the Qin Family. Those who ransacked and exiled the Qin Family didn’t consider them important. Besides, with Qin Zheng’s current appearance, people might be struck by his good looks, but no one would associate him with the previous Qin Zheng," Zhao Dahe said.

"But what if something goes wrong..."

"Auntie, fortune favors the bold. Moreover, the Qin family was only exiled; no one can say for sure they won’t have a chance to return. If they do, helping Qin Zheng in his time of need is a favor he’ll never forget." Zhao Dahe replied.

Meng Zhu sighed, "But you shouldn’t keep him by your side. Auntie’s not exaggerating, it’s just..."

If it’s as Meng Zhu says, indeed, Qin Zheng was too conspicuous.

[Disguise him, you can use makeup on him. The cosmetics I produce guarantee to transform him.]

The system’s voice echoed in Meng Yao’s mind.

Although the system’s goal was for silver, this wasn’t a bad plan.

"Clumsy hands, I don’t know how to apply makeup." Meng Yao remained calm; this wasn’t her first time dealing with the system, knowing it was a trap.

[Buy cosmetics, and a makeup skill is included.]

All of Meng Yao’s silver was gone, and not only that, the system seized several of her embroideries.

The space now contained a set of antique-looking cosmetics and tools.

How antique-looking? They were the kind that, once Meng Yao took them out, outsiders would only admire their exquisite beauty without questioning their origins.

There was nothing out of place; they looked just like the packaging from cosmetic shops, only more refined.

As for the makeup skill, Meng Yao didn’t feel anything; according to the system, its power would only show when applying makeup.

"Just make him look ordinary," Meng Yao said.

Zhao Dahe and Meng Zhu both stared at Meng Yao.

Meng Yao remained unfazed, "Zhao Ting taught me."

Zhao Dahe thought: Is there anything my father can’t do?

"Can you make him up?" Meng Zhu was curious if someone so handsome could actually be made to look plain.

"You both step out first, I need to prepare," Meng Yao said.

She couldn’t possibly pull out the items in front of them.

Although they didn’t know what needed preparing, Meng Zhu and Zhao Dahe left.

Meng Yao retrieved the items from her space, placed them in the basket usually used for needles, and carried it out of the room.

Zhao Dahe was already discussing with Qin Zheng what Meng Yao and Meng Zhu had said.

Qin Zheng nodded continuously, full of agreement.

Right, being too attractive and born into wealth and power would be beneficial.

Otherwise, it would be a source of trouble.

Regardless of gender.