Chapter 11: Afraid of Dogs

Tong Youyu waved her hands and stepped back, turning her face away as she said, "Young General, you are too kind. How could I dare to accept someone gifted by the Emperor?"

Yin Mingyan chuckled. "Younger Sister Tong, you don't understand. Not every imperial gift must be held in reverence. As for this one from the Southern Barbarians, even if she were damaged or lost, His Majesty wouldn't bother to ask a single question."

"She is still a member of the Young General's household," Tong Youyu countered, refusing to step into such murky waters.

Yin Mingyan added, "My brother has countless admirers; there is no lack of women in this world. He would never take her into his household."

Hearing this, Luo Ji felt the world go dark. Her body turned limp as she collapsed to the ground, sobbing pitifully, "Second Miss, please have mercy on this servant... Young General..." She lifted a face wet with tears, looking utterly heart-wrenching.

Yin Mingyan kicked her leg and snapped, "Go back to your room! Are you putting on a performance the moment a man from the household appears?" If it were not for the principle that family scandals should not be aired in public, she would have given her a proper scolding for daring to provoke her father.

Yin Zijian glanced at the matron, who immediately dragged Luo Ji away. He turned to Yin Mingyan, his voice deep and stern, "You are becoming increasingly prone to using your hands and feet. Where did you learn such unruly behavior?" First, she had intentionally bumped into Tong Youyu, and now she was kicking a dancing girl.

"I did no such thing," Yin Mingyan denied, humming softly. "If they hadn't provoked me, I would have treated them with nothing but courtesy."

Tong Youyu knew herself well; she was precisely the person who had provoked the Second Miss Yin. Just as she was looking for an excuse to take her leave, a matron from Lady Yin's side arrived to invite her, saying that since it was a rare occasion for Miss Tong to visit, she should be taken to see the fierce tiger. It was not usually suitable for a young lady to see such a thing, but they could keep their distance and take a look at the curiosity.

"A fierce tiger?" Tong Youyu couldn't help but feel curious, but she cast a furtive glance at Yin Zijian and hesitated.

He caught her hesitation, his understanding of her timid nature clear. "What? Are you trying to avoid me?"

The shot hit the mark. However, Tong Youyu refused to admit it. Being looked down upon to her face—she had her pride, after all. Seeing her press her lips together in silence, Yin Zijian lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear: "Do you think you can hide from me? Where would you go?" His tone was icy, sounding like a threat.

For such a hulking man to want to cause her trouble... Tong Youyu puffed out her cheeks, feigning strength: "Lady Yin will not indulge your malice. Don't go too far, or else... or else I will tell my aunt." She emphasized the term "aunt," as that was what the Lady had instructed her to call her.

Yin Zijian almost laughed at her naive demeanor. He scoffed, "Are you a three-year-old child? Running to tell tales?"

"...I will tell." If it was effective, why shouldn't she use it? A surge of courage rose in Tong Youyu's heart. She had never seen a fierce tiger before; this was a rare opportunity, and she was determined to see it. If His Majesty had gifted the tiger to Yin Zijian, she would never have had the chance to see it if not for Lady Yin's permission. She simply let go of her worries and nodded, following the matron with great interest.

Yin Zijian watched her walk away, his eyes half-closed. He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth and followed after her.

The fierce tiger was kept in a cage—a remarkably ferocious white tiger that had been drugged by the Southern Barbarians and transported all the way to Dayong as a tribute. It was currently housed in a special small courtyard built beside Yin Zijian's residence, with several guards assigned to watch it and prevent it from escaping or harming anyone.

When Tong Youyu entered, the area was kept spotlessly clean. The cage for the white tiger was enormous, custom-made by a blacksmith to be sturdy and secure. Tong Youyu peered at it from a distance; a single thick claw of the beast was wider than her own thigh!

"I had only ever seen them in paintings before. Today has truly opened my eyes." If these beasts hadn't been captured, who would have the ability to encounter them and survive? How many people in the capital had ever seen a live tiger?

Jin Kui, following at her side, marveled as well: "Miss, do you think it eats people?"

"I suppose it must..." Tong Youyu gripped her palms as she examined it. "A human's physique cannot compare to a fierce tiger; one would certainly be defeated by brute force alone."

Yin Zijian stood to the side, his face dark and silent. He felt a hint of surprise; she was watching so intently, without blinking, that he had thought... she would be scared to tears.

Yin Mingyan reached out and tugged at her brother's sleeve, pulling him aside to whisper. "Brother, you told me not to meddle, so what do you intend to do?"

"Do about what?" Yin Zijian looked down at her.

The siblings stared at each other. Yin Mingyan said in disbelief, "The person you have harbored a grudge against for years is now in our home, and you intend to let her leave unscathed?"

"What else would you have me do? Do you want her to leave with broken limbs?" Yin Zijian raised an eyebrow.

"That wouldn't be necessary," Yin Mingyan crossed her arms and asked, "Brother, surely you don't mean to say you have no plan for revenge?"

This question stumped Yin Zijian. In the past, he had indeed been determined to make Tong Youyu suffer, even imagining her weeping in distress when they were young. But the moment he saw her again after returning to the capital, those thoughts became difficult to execute. Tong Youyu was too fragile—a delicate, petite bundle with a slim waist and a spirit far less bold than before. Yin Zijian did not doubt that he could make her shed tears with a single scare. Yet, even if she cried, he knew his heart would not feel the satisfaction he had anticipated.

"And here I was, planning so much for you, Brother, but you are just so useless," Yin Mingyan said, shaking her head at his lack of resolve.

Yin Zijian glanced at her sideways. "Just mind your own business."

"Fine, fine. That Miss Tong is like a piece of dough. No matter how I provoke her, she never gets angry. How can I continue to be the villain?" Yin Mingyan wrinkled her nose, feeling bored.

Dough? Yin Zijian lowered his eyes; it was a fitting description.

After Tong Youyu observed the white tiger and asked what it ate, she watched as the steward used a long bamboo pole to lift fresh chicken and lamb legs to feed it. With one bite, those sharp teeth crunched the entire chicken bone to pieces. Having satisfied her curiosity, she left the courtyard, intending to bid farewell to Lady Yin. The hour was getting late, and she dared not linger for fear of being asked to stay for a meal; she needed to return quickly.

As the group emerged from the tiger's courtyard, they heard the sound of barking in the distance.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Modian!"

It was clearly Yin Mingyan's dog, and she opened her arms to welcome it. The large black dog called Modian was not small in stature, and it came sprinting toward them with its long tongue lolling out.

Tong Youyu caught sight of it and her face went pale. She stepped back instinctively, stepping on Yin Zijian's foot.

"What are you doing?" Yin Zijian pushed her away, only to notice that her face was white and her lips were trembling. "Don't tell me you're afraid of dogs?"

The large black dog was already right in front of them. Tong Youyu went rigid, unable to move, not even hearing what Yin Zijian had said. He simply wrapped a long arm around her and lifted her off the ground.

Her feet left the floor abruptly, and Yin Zijian spun her around to shield her from the dog's direct approach. Only then did Tong Youyu regain her senses. Her heart hammered against her ribs; she wrapped her arms around him, burying herself into his hot, firm chest without a second thought.

*Is she crazy?* Yin Zijian frowned, stiffening slightly. The two were pressed so closely together; Tong Youyu was holding on with such force that her soft, pliant chest was crushed against him. She didn't seem to realize it...

Jin Kui stepped forward and spread her arms to block the way. "You cannot let the dog near the Miss! It was a hunting hound that broke loose long ago that caused her horse to bolt. Although she doesn't remember the incident, she has been terrified of dogs ever since..."

Yin Mingyan was displeased to hear someone feared her beloved pet. "She watched the tiger with such interest, yet she's afraid of a dog..." Her Modian was so cute!

The matron quickly helped to steer the large dog away, saying, "Everyone has something they fear; some people are even afraid of kittens. With the tiger in the estate recently, the dog has become more restless and easily startled. We must be careful."

Once Modian was led away, Tong Youyu was set back down. Her legs felt weak, and she relied entirely on Jin Kui for support. She felt a bit dazed, and the back of her head throbbed with a dull ache...

Yin Zijian curled his long fingers into a fist. Are women... all so soft? Especially someone like Tong Youyu—looking so small, yet so fleshy. How contradictory. He had never paid attention to such things before, but now, a comparison stirred his restless thoughts.