Chapter 46: If It Cannot Be Used, It Can Be Killed

Shen Quanyi did not stoop this time. Standing straight and tall, she lowered her gaze slightly, looking down at Mother Liu who was kneeling before her.

"When people act, they are cautious in everything; they try every possible means to hide when they encounter something. But beasts are different. Their brains are probably incomplete, so it is only natural if they commit some harmful deeds."

Shen Quanyi's voice was extremely calm. She withdrew her gaze from Mother Liu, turned to pick up the wine cup on the table, and took a small sip. The liquid was slightly pungent upon entering her throat, but once it reached her stomach, it felt warm and soothing.

Suddenly, she leaned down, pulled the kneeling Mother Liu to her feet, and shoved the wine cup into Mother Liu's arms. "Have a taste, Mother. They say it's from a newly opened wine shop in the capital, and it's not easy to buy."

Mother Liu could not help but tighten her grip on the cup. When she raised her head, she saw Shen Quanyi smiling brightly opposite her, forcing herself to wear a smile as well. "The concubine is wise."

"You saw it today—how much our Second Young Miss dotes on that hound, wishing she could keep it by her side at all times. Fortunately, the hound is quite obedient; a mere flick of the whip makes it utterly submissive."

Mother Liu recalled the hound she had seen earlier. Although somewhat feral, it looked as if it had been domesticated long ago. Presumably, the young eunuch holding the soft whip by its side was the one specially assigned to raise it over the years.

"It looks like it was raised by someone since it was a puppy. It understands and obeys its master's commands, so a lot of effort must have been put into it."

Shen Quanyi gave a soft "hn" and sat down to one side. Her vermilion-painted fingernails traced patterns on the table, while the words escaping her warm lips were chilling: "Yet, that hound is ultimately a beast. No matter how close to human nature it appears, it remains feral at heart."

"Being kept so intimately close to people leaves too much room for variables. What if something goes wrong one day, and it offends the master? Or what if it dies? Tell me, how could the Second Young Miss bear it then?"

With that, Shen Quanyi let out a long sigh. Looking up at Mother Liu with a faint trace of pity in her eyes, she continued, "After a long time, even cats and dogs are kept with affection. It would truly be a pity to lose one overnight."

Cold sweat beaded on Mother Liu's forehead. She dug her fingernails into her palms and parted her dry lips. "But this servant sees that the hound has been raised for a long time; why would it ever offend its master?"

"It is merely a beast. Since it is obedient, Mother, you just need to find a way to make it disobedient—or perhaps, make it obey Mother instead."

Shen Quanyi sat in composed leisure, toying with an embroidery frame in her hands. She had never been particularly skilled at needlework, and it had taken her a great deal of effort to embroider this "Hundred Children Playing" piece.

"This servant... has never done such a thing." Mother Liu pressed her pale lips together and made to kneel before Shen Quanyi once more, but this time Shen Quanyi did not give her the chance, reaching out to tightly grip Mother Liu's wrist.

"Mother, playing the good person doesn't bring a long life these days. Just because you haven't done it doesn't mean you cannot do it now. Besides, with Mother's abilities, such a trivial matter is a mere trifle."

Mother Liu averted her gaze from Shen Quanyi.

For some reason, the room suddenly grew hot. The brazier roasted the interior with sweltering heat, and that familiar suffocating feeling descended upon her once more. She nodded, bowed to Shen Quanyi, and withdrew.

Lifting the curtain of the inner chamber and stepping out, Mother Liu raised a hand to unfasten the cloth buttons at her collar, finally releasing the pent-up breath in her chest.

Qiuyue hurried forward, but seeing Mother Liu's grim complexion, she halted her words as Mother Liu waved a hand to stop her. Hushan, standing by the doorway with his sleeves gathered, gave Mother Liu a sidelong glance. Mother Liu merely said, "Never mind, bring some jasmine tea."

Hushan acknowledged the order with a nod and turned to prepare it himself. With a dark expression, Mother Liu pulled Qiuyue's hand and headed toward the small side room.

Inside the room, Shen Quanyi watched Mother Liu's retreating figure, finally letting her heart settle. Mother Liu's temperament was truly difficult to grasp; she had only been half-certain when speaking to her.

Fortunately, her efforts had not been in vain.

Yet, she truly disliked forcing others to do things.

Pressing her brow, Shen Quanyi turned and walked into the inner chamber to lie down on the soft couch, closing her eyes in feigned sleep. Even with her eyes shut, a deep look of worry lingered on her fair, delicate face.

Qiuyue entered first with a basin of hot water, soaked a towel, and wiped Shen Quanyi's face.

Hushan held a carved red-lacquer tea tray bearing a begonia-white-jade cup filled with jasmine tea. He blinked at Qiuyue, who immediately understood and stepped outside to insert a piece of incense, previously prepared by Mother Liu, into the cloisonné three-legged elephant-trunk censer.

It wasn't until thin wisps of smoke rose and drifted into her nostrils that the restless heat in Shen Quanyi's heart slowly subsided. Still, feeling no drowsiness, she sat up, her ink-black, silky hair cascading over her shoulders down to her waist.

"You sneaky rat, you make not a sound."

Shen Quanyi scolded softly. Hushan smiled gently, carefully climbed onto the soft couch, tucked up his robe, knelt down, and placed a silk cushion over his lap for support.

With just a glance, Shen Quanyi raised an eyebrow and casually lay down again, resting her head softly on Hushan's lap. Listening to the soft, steady breathing of the person holding her, Hushan reached out and massaged both sides of Shen Quanyi's temples with a moderate touch.

He truly possessed some skill; after just a few strokes, Shen Quanyi relaxed completely and let out a comfortable sigh from her throat.

A bitter smile crossed Hushan's mind. It was a skill he had learned back when he was a child, purely to please Madam Zhang and avoid beatings.

"If someone is useless, just kill them. There are plenty of people, and capable ones can always be found. Why should the mistress distress herself over them?"

Before he finished speaking, Shen Quanyi slapped him on the head. Rising and leaning close to Hushan, Shen Quanyi narrowed her eyes, reached out to stroke his smooth cheek, and traced her fingers up along his curved eyebrows. This fellow's eyes and brows were always terribly striking; those watery, affectionate peach-blossom eyes with upturned corners seemed custom-made to seduce.

Up to mischief, Shen Quanyi suddenly hooked her finger and gave his forehead a sharp flick.

Bearing the force without resistance, Hushan let his head tilt slightly backward with the momentum.

Looking at the comical motion, Shen Quanyi felt a twinge of amusement, though she let out a light huff through her nose. "You really are a bad-hearted eunuch. Murder is always rolling off your tongue."

Shen Quanyi raised a hand to cover her mouth, her wide sleeves falling back to reveal slender, delicate arms as smooth as lotus roots.

She gave an elegant yawn and chuckled softly. "Enough, everything out of your mouth sounds like a King of Hell decree. Do you think you're still on that bandit-infested estate where you could run amok?"

Yet Hushan did not get angry. His brows relaxed, and not a trace of worry could be seen on his face. His previous tone had been completely earnest; he was not speaking idly.

"This servant has seen plenty of blood. Silent disposal is not difficult. Rest assured, it will never soil the concubine's hands."

Shen Quanyi gathered her expression, her face turning solemn. "Keep those thoughts to yourself. It's just not time for that yet."