Chapter 28: First Encounter with the Gathering Storm

Li Qian remained silent for a long while, which only made Qiu Yue increasingly anxious. She even felt a pang of regret for speaking up so impulsively. She had only meant to help Liu, whose life had been difficult, but now she feared her rashness had been a grave mistake.

The atmosphere grew heavy with an ominous tension. Shen Quanyi, sensing the shift, clicked her tongue inwardly and reached out to gently stroke the back of Li Qian’s neck. Li Qian glanced down at the woman causing such a stir in his arms. He then took her hands in his, interlacing their fingers, their palms warming each other.

"The steward Zhang has acted without cause. Give her ten lashes," Li Qian commanded.

Hearing the punishment meted out to Zhang, Qiu Yue felt a wave of relief and was just about to express her gratitude when she saw Shen Quanyi, who had been nestled in Li Qian’s arms, slip down to stand before him. She bowed gracefully.

"That would be inappropriate," Shen Quanyi said softly. "Zhang has been a steward at the manor for many years. It is merely a matter of a few meals; such a harsh punishment is uncalled for."

Li Qian looked down. This time, he did not immediately pull her back. As Shen Quanyi bowed her head, the elegant, jade-like curve of her neck was exposed. A faint smile touched his lips, and he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her slender waist.

"I know you have always been so kind and considerate."

Sitting on Li Qian’s lap, Shen Quanyi could see clearly that while a smile remained on his face, his eyes held an undisguised coldness. She sighed inwardly, thinking that Qiu Yue had been too reckless. She bowed her head again and said, "I am to blame for my poor discipline, for being disrespectful in your presence. I shall go and accept ten strikes of the paddle myself."

With his permission, Qiu Yue breathed a sigh of relief, kowtowed in gratitude, and hurried out with Liu.

Only when the biting wind hit her face at the doorway did Qiu Yue feel as if she had come back to life. She had truly lost her senses; all her years of service in the front courtyard had been for nothing. Shen Quanyi hadn't even mentioned Zhang, yet she had blurted it out. Had it not been for Shen Quanyi’s plea, she would have likely met the same fate as those in the kitchen.

Inside, Shen Quanyi stepped down from Li Qian’s lap and poured him a cup of tea, offering it to him personally. Li Qian looked at her with a cryptic smile but did not take it. With a playful, daring smile, Shen Quanyi held the cup to his lips.

Li Qian leaned down to take a few sips, then pulled her close, burying his face in her chest as they embraced intimately. Having returned in such a rush, his hair was damp with the melting snow and the chill of the evening. Shen Quanyi picked up a handkerchief and wiped his hair dry.

Struggling for breath, Shen Quanyi gasped. When she looked up, those deep, dark eyes were fixed intently upon her. The flickering light of the lamp blurred their figures together.

"I have caused you trouble and put you in a difficult position," she said in a strained voice. Li Qian looked at her expression of apology and regret; his lips tightened, and he took her delicate hand, bringing it to his mouth to bite it gently.

"Silly girl, why are you like this with me? Hmm?" Li Qian hummed. "I am overjoyed that you are willing to let me know your troubles."

Shen Quanyi remained silent, and Li Qian sighed. "Next time something like this happens, I hope you will come to me directly. I have always wanted you to see me as your refuge. Zhang is nothing but a servant; you could have dealt with her yourself without me. You don’t need to tread so carefully in my presence."

No one had ever spoken to her like this before. A warmth flooded Shen Quanyi’s heart. She leaned in, raised her chin, and kissed his forehead. It was the first time she had ever performed such an intimate gesture.

Li Qian was stunned, filled with a happiness he didn't know how to express. He stood up, but his wide sleeves knocked over the tea, splashing his clothes. Seeing him behave like a flustered boy, Shen Quanyi suppressed a laugh and hurried to wipe him down with her handkerchief.

Finally, she sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes sparkling with newfound joy. "In this world, besides Grandmother, you are the only one who treats me so well."

"Now that you know how good I am to you, the physician said your injuries are mostly healed. You should properly comfort me in return," Li Qian said, sweeping her up into his arms. He had been away for days, and knowing she was injured, he had been forced to suppress his desires.

Unable to hold back any longer, they tumbled onto the bed.

With their clothes partially undone, the woman’s unique fragrance filled his senses, and a flush crept across Li Qian’s face. After their passion, Shen Quanyi was too exhausted to even open her eyes.

Li Qian, bare-chested, leaned against the side of the bed. In the moonlight spilling from the window, he gazed at the fair skin marked with the red traces of his own making. He pulled her into his arms again, his burning gaze lingering on her body. He traced her smooth face with his fingertips, eventually coming to rest at the corner of her eye. He pressed down with increasing force, massaging the delicate, soft skin until a striking red mark emerged.

The touch was slightly painful, causing Shen Quanyi to frown subconsciously, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears, looking utterly pitiful.

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Li Qian snapped out of his trance and rolled over, pinning her beneath the quilt once more.

They had not been together for a long time, and the intimacy lasted until nearly dawn. They called for water twice, and by the end, Shen Quanyi was so exhausted she drifted into a deep sleep. Li Qian had to bathe her himself and even helped her change into her undergarments.

The next day, they woke up together. Shen Quanyi shifted her aching body. She couldn't tell if it was because they had been too vigorous, but she felt a sharp pain in her waist. She assumed it was nothing and would pass with time.

She called for her maids. Qiu Yue and Liu entered, heads bowed, carrying basins and cloths. The moment Shen Quanyi saw Qiu Yue, she was about to ask a question, but saw her offer a reassuring smile.

She set her mind at ease, and after being groomed, she ordered breakfast.

The meal was prepared with great care: a bowl of golden bird’s nest, a bowl of red date and blood bird’s nest, abalone served in a jade dish, a time-consuming eight-treasure wild duck, and a plate of fish fillets in milk sauce.

Shen Quanyi ate more than usual, and Li Qian watched with a smile, thinking that the new chef, Zhang Desheng, had truly put in the effort.

After the meal, however, Shen Quanyi still felt something was wrong. She tried to endure it, but since Li Qian was not attending to official duties that day, he noticed her discomfort immediately. After he pressed her, she could no longer hide the pain.

Clutching her waist, she collapsed into Li Qian’s arms, shyly explaining where it hurt, and began to sob softly, her tears and mucus staining his chest.

Seeing her cry in pain, Li Qian grew anxious. He cradled her, trying to soothe her, and immediately ordered someone to fetch the manor’s physician.

But word came back that neither of the two physicians could be found. Upon hearing this, Li Qian was filled with fury. Just as he was about to lash out, he remembered he could not delay, and ordered someone to summon a female physician from the Imperial Academy of Medicine.