Who Says the Young Lady Isn’t a Man

The days spent healing seemed to crawl by endlessly. Feeling as though her arms and legs were about to rust from disuse, she stretched and made her way toward Miss Ada’s room.

Today marked her official return to work. With a spring in her step, she walked along the garden’s corridor. Just months ago, not far from here, a brutal family feud had erupted. But however fierce the battle, it was always the foot soldiers who paid the highest price in blood—behind every victor stood a mountain, slick and crimson. The memory of Elsa’s peaceful expression before her death suddenly weighed on her, making it hard to breathe. Elsa had lost her mother early and was raised by her father’s own hand. Just when Elsa was finally able to fend for herself, her father succumbed to years of illness brought on by relentless toil. Surely, Elsa saw Ada, her mentor, as her final lifeline. Otherwise, how could such a delicate girl have found the courage for such a desperate act?

Now she was gone, leaving only regret in her wake. With bowed head, she hastened on.

The third miss’s room was completely different in style from Ada’s. Staring at the fresh and elegant little forest cottage before her, she froze. Was this the very house where Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother lived? What a fanciful imagination.

She walked the pebble path and knocked on the sturdy-looking wooden door. It creaked open on its own. Was the third miss a fan of ghost stories? A chill ran down her spine, but she forced herself to stay calm and stepped inside.

The room’s interior was much larger than it seemed from outside—bare, sparsely furnished, not a servant in sight. “Miss Ada?” she called tentatively.

“Come in,” a muffled voice answered from somewhere within. Following the sound, she rounded a table adorned with a single vase and found a half-open door. Pushing it gently, she was stunned by the sight within.

There was a scene she’d seen countless times in anime, manga, novels, and films—a young man with chestnut hair, bare-chested, sat up in bed, rubbing sleepy eyes. His features were strikingly similar to those of the eldest miss—a noble nose, resolute jaw, lending him an aura of solemnity and calm, inviting not a trace of impure thought.

But still—could you not wear such a serious face while draping yourself in nothing but a thin blanket? Anyone with eyes would think something unsavory!

With a crash, she slammed the door shut at lightning speed, telling herself over and over: This has nothing to do with me, nothing at all! If the third miss didn’t order her… male companion (?) to dress properly, well, she had seen nothing at all!

Just then, the main door opened, and the old man entered, his ever-present Colonel Sanders smile beaming. “Hey there, you’re here early!”

She looked at him as if he were a well in the desert to a dying traveler. “Uncle, there’s a strange man in the house!”

The old man looked puzzled. “A strange man?”

She pointed a trembling finger at the door of the room she’d just fled. “Inside…” Before she could finish, the young man, now fully dressed, emerged and greeted the old man as if nothing were amiss. “Good morning, teacher.”

The old man gestured to the young man and turned to her. “You two haven’t met? This is the Grant family’s third—young master!” With that, he gave her a gentle push forward. “This is your new personal guard.”

She clung to the old man’s arm and whispered, “Wasn’t it supposed to be the third miss? How is it a young master now?”

He cleared his throat and whispered back, “I never said miss, did I? That was your assumption.”

She fell silent. Ah, gossip leads only to ruin—rumors can kill.

The young master sat calmly in the room’s only chair, sipping tea. He uttered a single word, light as a feather: “Leave.”

Sensing the tension, the old man hurried to mediate. “Junyan, don’t be difficult. She may not be the strongest, but she’s smart, quick-witted, daring, and resourceful—the perfect choice for your personal guard.”

She could only offer a foolish grin under his sales pitch.

Junyan didn’t even look up, still gazing into his teacup as if expecting flowers to bloom within it. “No. She’s too ugly.”

She imitated him, bowing her head in silent protest. Why did everyone in the Grant family judge by appearances? Were they merchants of magical artifacts or hosts of a beauty pageant? She could only sigh inwardly.

The old man could only lead her from the young master’s room, and she trailed behind, kicking at stones in silence. After a while, his voice drifted back to her. “Don’t worry. You’re the only one who can be Junyan’s guard. After the last battle, Ada and Junyan cleared out all the people around the eldest miss, leaving only Jane. Right now, the Grant family is sorely understaffed. That guard post has been vacant too long—I’ll convince him.”

She replied with a wry smile, “Why does this feel like a matchmaking session? Uncle, you’re not playing matchmaker, are you?”

He paused, then burst out laughing. “Well, I’ve never been a matchmaker before—but who knows, maybe after you become his guard and get close to him, something might come of it!”

She grabbed his arm in panic. “No! Please, spare me! I’m a devout Buddhist, seeking purity and a life free from worldly entanglements. As the saying goes: no ego, no others, no sentient beings, no lifespan; beauty is but bone and flesh!”

He regarded her, chanting her mantras, with bemusement. “Buddhism?”

She put her palms together. “A kind of faith. Amitabha.”

He decided to ignore this clearly traumatized woman. Before they knew it, they had reached a small house not far from the young master’s. He pushed the door open. “Stay here until I persuade Junyan. Think of it as managing the library. And let me tell you, there are some treasures in here!”

Gazing at the dust, debris, and cobwebs filling the room, her heart sank. Clinging to her last hope, she called out, “What’s the salary for a librarian?”

He waved a hand from afar—five fingers.

“Five gold coins?!” She was stunned. Only five gold coins? How was she supposed to be happy?

Without looking back, he replied, “Fifty… silver coins!”

Bang! She collapsed in despair.

The next morning, she dutifully came to the young master’s library, armed with mop, broom, cloth, and bucket, ready to begin her day’s work. Donning her homemade paper hat, she suddenly felt a sense of glorious mission.

Never underestimate a librarian! Consider Shen Congwen, Mo Yan, and our most revered Chairman Mao—didn’t they all start as librarians? What does this say? It tells us that librarianship is a great and honorable profession, one that makes positive contributions to the nation! We must value this calling, work hard, and turn it into a spirit, a goal, a banner! (Please read this speech in the tone of a leader’s address.) Standing on the threshold, she delivered her stirring speech to rally her own morale.

Clap, clap, clap! Wait, was that applause? Stiffening, she turned, mortified that someone had seen her in this ridiculous state.

The second miss stood behind her, eyes bright with amusement, radiating that signature Mary Sue pink aura. She held an ivory-white garment, though the swirling dust made it impossible to see the details. Not that she’d ever approved of the second miss’s taste.

But she had no right to refuse. Ada tossed the garment forward, and she caught it instinctively, cursing her own servile reflex. Forcing a smile, she asked, “Dearest second miss, is this for me?”

Ada paused, then flashed a sly grin. “You’re always using my name behind my back, aren’t you? What’s this—has the sun risen in the west? You’re actually calling me second miss today? I’m scared~”

She put on a regretful face. “Indeed! I’ve been reflecting on my attitude at work lately and realize I’ve done poorly. Thankfully, you’re so magnanimous, not stooping to my level. I promise to change my ways and dedicate myself to your service once more!”

Ada gave her a knowing look. “Oh, so you want to come back as my guard?”

She replied with conviction, “I’d walk through fire and water without hesitation!”

“Oh dear, when you say that, it’s hard to refuse.” Ada covered her face with mock shyness.

Then don’t refuse! Please, take me away from this wretched place! She screamed internally, but on the surface, remained meek. “What do you think, second miss?”

“But…” Ada put on an innocent face. “I’ve already promised you to the third master. If you come back now, I’ll be in a difficult position~”

A metallic taste rose in her throat.

“Besides, the third master just agreed to take you to the Lyon family’s banquet.”

Her blood boiled.

“You should stay with him—who knows, he might take you as a concubine! You must thank me then~”

Thud! A heavy blow seemed to land on her head, and darkness closed in.

Stardust Chronicles 009_009: Who Says a Lady Isn’t a Man—Update Complete!