Chapter 61: Coaxing

Turning back as if drained of all vitality, Shen Quanyi felt somewhat drowsy.

She slept exceptionally soundly that night, not waking until noon the next day.

Her body ached terribly, though it did not feel like a chill. Lazily leaning against the edge of the couch, Shen Quanyi watched as Madam Liu and Qiuyue entered the room carrying basins.

After applying soap to a silk hand towel to wash her face, Madam Liu smoothly arranged her hair into a high bun. As Shen Quanyi seated herself by the table, Hushan went off to the small kitchen to fetch the meal.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, yet Mistress has grown increasingly idle and carefree. You may be unconcerned, but you do not know how many ambitious people there are in our courtyard. Just wait and see, before long they will all outstrip you."

Qiuyue muttered discontentedly while her hands moved at a leisurely pace. Frowning slightly, Shen Quanyi brushed away the hand Qiuyue was using to massage her shoulder and asked simply, "What is it?"

"Mistress, you have no idea. Early this morning, Mistress Yang went to the front courtyard to pay her respects, and she still hasn't returned."

Qiuyue narrowed her eyes, seemingly recalling something unpleasant, and her expression darkened. Even Madam Liu at the side wore a slightly chilled look.

Guessing what the matter was, Shen Quanyi curled her fingers, gently tapping her slender nails against the table, and asked offhandedly, "Did you send the scar-removal ointment over?"

At these words, Qiuyue opened her mouth, hesitated, and fell silent with a look of words dying on her lips.

Madam Liu wore a conflicted expression before finally speaking up: "Mistress acted out of pure kindness, but some people simply do not appreciate it and likely harbored ulterior motives."

Qiuyue hastily chimed in, indignantly declaring, "Last night, the maid from that courtyard disposed of the medicine we sent, burying it right under the tree in the back courtyard!"

Though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing it aloud still caused Shen Quanyi to start slightly. Her almond eyes widened, her clear black-and-white pupils freezing in place for a long moment. Her throat grew hot and aching, rendering her momentarily speechless.

"It seems Mistress Yang has fully recovered and no longer needs our charity. In the future, I shall be less foolishly sentimental."

With that, Shen Quanyi snatched up the Hetian jade teacup from the table and casually dashed the overnight ice-cold tea into the glowing red brazier on the floor. With a few sharp hisses, the water dissolved into faint, wispy white steam and vanished into the air.

Catching sight of Shen Quanyi's action, Madam Liu lowered her head even further. Qiuyue pressed her lips together in silence, her bright eyes watching as Shen Quanyi's expression returned to its usual unruffled calm.

"What Lady Su said that day was entirely right. It seems I was previously muddle-headed and blind." Shen Quanyi reached up to adjust the golden silk and kingfisher-feather butterfly hairpin dangling from her hair.

Qiuyue and Madam Liu remained silent. At that exact moment, Hushan returned with the meal. Noticing the strained and unusual atmosphere in the room, he kept a cheerful and smiling facade. "What is Mistress getting angry about? There is nothing worth losing your temper over. Being sisters in this inner courtyard for a time is already a rare blessing. No matter how deep the affection, over long periods it is bound to change, as everyone has a different nature."

Shen Quanyi raised an eyebrow, turning to watch Hushan unpack the small dishes from the food box one by one, finally placing a porcelain jar of golden bird's nest soup in front of her.

With a wave of her hand, Madam Liu pulled Qiuyue along and backed out of the room.

Shen Quanyi sat quietly, resting her cheek in one hand as she watched Hushan bustle about.

"Oh, my dear master, even if you are angry, you must not punish your own body. If you are truly upset, you can beat me a couple of times. My skin is thick and tough, I'm not afraid of pain."

Holding the bowl of golden bird's nest soup, Hushan scooped a spoonful with a white porcelain spoon, blew on it gently, and brought it to Shen Quanyi's lips.

She had not been all that angry to begin with—at worst, she blamed herself for failing to recognize a person's true colors, and figured that realizing it now was enough. However, hearing him ramble on actually stirred up a flicker of irritation. Seeing the spoon offered to her, she turned her face aside.

Hushan good-naturedly chased after her line of sight. After a few repetitions, his arm grew sore, forcing him to set the bowl down and reach out to gently turn Shen Quanyi's face back to the front. "My good master, I beg you to spare me from your torment."

His face was full of helpless resignation, at which Shen Quanyi could not help but smile lightly. Narrowing her eyes, she reached out and pinched Hushan's cheek, feeling the soft, smooth skin between her fingers.

Such fine skin could easily surpass that of most women.

"You just said your skin was thick and tough."

Hushan pressed his face further into Shen Quanyi's hand, coaxing her with a soft tone, "Then please, master, give it another good pinch."

"I won't waste the energy." With a soft huff, Shen Quanyi released her grip, leaving a distinct red patch on his fair cheek.

She deliberately teased, "Let's see if you should turn into a woman in your next life. Otherwise, such skin is truly going to waste."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Hushan's face faded visibly. The steam rising from the small bowl grew denser, wrapping around her face in a hazy mist that gradually flushed with a faint pink hue.

Shen Quanyi moved her lips, realizing internally that her previous remark had struck a raw nerve. Because of his delicate appearance, Hushan had suffered no small amount of humiliation in the past, and a wave of sheepish apology washed over her.

Hushan lowered his lowered gaze, then lifted it again with a smile. "What does it matter, Mistress? As for those past matters, they were merely the wicked designs of people with filthy hearts. Neither I nor this face of mine are to blame."

Hushan's voice was soft and gentle, yet it slipped into Shen Quanyi's ears and landed heavily upon her heart.

"If we keep talking, the food will grow cold. Please partake, Master."

Seeing that Shen Quanyi had calmed down, Hushan hurriedly handed the golden bird's nest soup back to her. This time, Shen Quanyi accepted it, using the spoon to take small, steady bites.

"It's nothing of consequence. One is bound to encounter people in life and impulsively offer up one's sincere heart, regardless of whether the other person wants it. Only after being hurt in the end does one finally wake up."

As he spoke, Hushan knelt halfway. The floor was covered with a thick, embroidered red velvet carpet that felt soft and yielding beneath.

Shen Quanyi had just gotten up, stepping out barefoot to sit by the table. Her fair ankles and pink toes looked delicate and charming.

Hushan averted his gaze, picked up the embroidered shoes resting nearby, and gently grasped her slender ankle to lift it. Shen Quanyi frowned as the tiny fibers of the carpet lightly brushed against the sole of her foot, sending a ticklish sensation through her.

Her toes curled instinctively. As Hushan picked up the shoes, a thought occurred to him, and he retreated to the inner chamber to fetch a pair of socks. He slid them onto Shen Quanyi's feet before finally putting on her shoes.

Setting aside her teacup, Shen Quanyi let out a soft breath and stretched her legs.

"Since Mistress already understands, we can take precautions. Fortunately, Mistress Yang has not yet won the master's favor, so she is still far behind you. Mistress need only hold firmly to the master's affection."

Hushan kept his head bowed, watching Shen Quanyi's lightly swinging legs, which caused the tassels on her embroidered shoes to sway rhythmically back and forth.