Chapter 51: Lovely and Slender, Like a Waist in the Chu Palace

Fang Qinru thought of the design drafts she hadn't had the chance to show Gu Yan, so she made a special trip to visit today.

Xu Yuan led her inside, just in time to run into a scene in the living room.

Shen Yanhui was half-crouched in front of the sofa, holding a medicine bowl, coaxing Gu Yan to take her medicine.

"The last mouthful." His voice was kept low, possessing a rare patience.

"It's bitter..." the young girl's voice dragged on, soft and sweet.

"Eat a candy after you finish."

"Give me the candy first."

"Finish it."

The two confronted each other for a few seconds, and Gu Yan finally took the bowl with a look of resignation, tilted her head back and gulped it down, her features instantly scrunching into a ball.

Shen Yanhui stuffed a candy into her mouth.

Gu Yan wrinkled her face and turned her head away, then noticed Fang Qinru standing at the entryway.

"Sister Fang?" Her eyes lit up; she pushed away the man's hand and jumped off the sofa.

Shen Yanhui stood up and gave a slight nod to Fang Qinru, his expression already restored to indifference, devoid of the doting look he had when facing Gu Yan.

Fang Qinru nodded back.

Her gaze swept lightly between the two, a trace of very faint envy flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Such patience, such intimacy.

She had also once fantasized about such pure affection.

But... that was all a very long time ago.

Fang Qinru lowered her eyes and quickly adjusted her expression; when she raised her face again, it was that gentle and proper smile once more: "I didn't disturb you two, did I?"

Gu Yan pulled her inside, "How could you? Why did you come over today?"

Fang Qinru: "Forgot? I said I wanted to show you the design drafts."

Gu Yan told a lie without changing her expression, "Of course I didn't forget!"

Shen Yanhui placed the medicine bowl on the island counter, walked back, and patted Gu Yan's head: "You two chat, I'm going back to the study."

"Mm-hmm." Gu Yan nodded.

He walked two steps, then turned back, fished another candy from his pocket, and tucked it into Gu Yan's palm.

Only then did he truly leave.

Fang Qinru watched Gu Yan's action of clutching the candy in her palm and smiled, pursing her lips.

Once he had left, she said: "It seems you didn't quarrel yesterday."

Gu Yan's face flushed; not only did they quarrel, they even quarreled their way into bed.

Thinking of last night, she felt her mouth ache.

"Of course, I'm so understanding, I wouldn't quarrel with him over such a small matter," she said with a guilty conscience.

Fang Qinru did not doubt her and nodded.

Gu Yan felt even guiltier, pulled her to sit on the sofa, and changed the subject: "Quick, let me see the design drafts!"

Fang Qinru tapped open her tablet.

A new Chinese-style modified dress, bamboo leaf patterns, pearl frog buttons, sleeves were translucent thin gauze three-quarter sleeves, and the hem had an asymmetrical design.

The other was a champagne-colored satin dress, the shoulder straps designed as pearl chains, with butterfly-shaped cutouts at the waist.

Gu Yan liked it at first glance, "So chic!"

Fang Qinru said: "The first time I saw you, I felt you would be quite suited for the new Chinese style."

A bright and imposing appearance, like a young lady from a noble family pampered in ancient times.

Gu Yan couldn't put it down, "I haven't worn this style before."

"Then it's the perfect time to try."

Fang Qinru added: "By the way, next Wednesday is my birthday, and Zhou Wei said he's hosting a small banquet. If you and Mr. Shen are free, you can come by."

"Sister Fang's birthday, I will definitely come." Gu Yan agreed readily.

The two chatted for a while longer before Fang Qinru rose to take her leave.

When she reached the door, she suddenly remembered something, turned around, and said softly: "Yanyan, on the day of the birthday banquet... if Mr. Shen formally brings you out, many things will be much simpler in the future."

Gu Yan understood what she meant.

Shen Yanhui's attitude was what mattered most; everyone else was just one-sidedly enthusiastic.

However, Gu Yan thought, Sister Fang must not know that it was she herself who didn't want to be too high-profile right now.

She was only twenty-three; she couldn't let others know she had married young.

"I know." She nodded, her smile bright, "Thank you, Sister Fang."

——

The afternoon of the birthday banquet.

Gu Yan directed Xu Yuan to take out her moon-white cheongsam.

Xu Yuan opened the wardrobe and searched carefully.

"Huh?" she suddenly voiced.

"What's wrong?" Gu Yan was trying on earrings and turned her head at the sound.

"There's a piece of clothing... it seems to be missing." Xu Yuan's voice was a bit hesitant.

"Which one?"

"It's that one..."

"Which one is 'that one'?"

"It's... that black lace one..."

Xu Yuan stammered, and Gu Yan understood immediately. The one her good friend Lin Wei had stuffed in, the one that couldn't even be called clothing.

Gu Yan gritted her teeth: "If it's gone, it's gone; I wouldn't have worn it anyway."

Xu Yuan did not believe her.

Even if her young lady didn't wear it, Mr. Shen would tell her to.

She had already seen through it all.

However, she still had to save face for her, so she nodded: "Fine, you won't wear it."

Gu Yan: "..."

The stylist helped Gu Yan change into the cheongsam, loosely coiled her long hair into a low bun, and inserted a pearl hairpin.

Xu Yuan exclaimed that it looked beautiful and secretly took quite a few photos.

Finally, the stylist looked around and still felt something was missing. She picked up a fur shawl and draped it over her arms, finally feeling satisfied.

Gu Yan turned left and right in front of the mirror, very pleased. Just as she was about to tell Xu Yuan to bring over the imperial green jade pendant, the bedroom door was pushed open.

Shen Yanhui walked in.

He had already changed his clothes, wearing a black suit with a matching tie and dark gold cufflinks.

When he saw her, his footsteps paused, his eyes deep and dark.

His gaze swept slowly over her, from the pearl frog buttons to her slender waist, and then to the slit of the skirt.

Gu Yan felt her skin burning under his gaze; she reasonably suspected this man was being suggestive with his eyes.

"Does it look good?" Gu Yan lifted her chin and asked proudly.

Shen Yanhui didn't speak, but walked to her side and reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.

Xu Yuan and the stylist very considerately retreated.

"'Slender and graceful like a waist in the Chu Palace,'" he said while tracing her waistline, "mine."

"Who is yours!"

Shen Yanhui chuckled softly and picked up the necklace from the jewelry box. His fingers brushed against the back of her neck, pushing aside the stray hairs to put it on for her.

After fastening the clasp, he didn't let go immediately.

His fingertips gently caressed the frog button at the back of her neck.

"It itches..." Gu Yan shivered slightly.

Shen Yanhui lowered his head and kissed her earlobe, "I really want to hide you away, so only I can see you."

It wasn't the first time Gu Yan had heard him say this.

She glared at him in the mirror, "Shen Yanhui, your possessiveness is excessive."

He admitted it frankly, "Mm, so be good."

Gu Yan suddenly turned around, reached out to hug his waist, her bright eyes flashing with mischief.

"I am very good, I like you the most. So... can we make a deal?"

Shen Yanhui: "What do you want to negotiate now?"

Gu Yan frowned slightly, "It's that Chinese medicine; can I stop drinking it? It's really, really bitter, and I've already been drinking it for over a month..."

Truly like a child, unable to endure even this bit of bitterness.

Shen Yanhui nodded: "You can."

Gu Yan was stunned: "Really?"

She hadn't held out much hope; she didn't expect him to agree so easily.

Afraid he would change his mind, she immediately stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, setting him up first. "I knew my husband was the best."

Shen Yanhui pointed to his other cheek.

Gu Yan understood, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him a few more times.

This silly girl didn't know that since the course of treatment was over, of course she didn't need to keep drinking it.