Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty‑Nine

It may be because Xie Junling grew up in a poor family, he keeps everything simple, even the study is sparsely furnished. Originally there were two jade‑and‑red‑peach bonsai on the desk, making it look splendid. Xie Junling found those items too gaudy, so he had them locked away in the storeroom.

Thus, the study contains only a bookshelf and a redwood desk, and on the floor sit two blue‑ceramic jars holding scrolls, for Xie Junling to take out when he feels like painting and to keep for appreciation.

In daylight, the goose‑white snow matches the ever‑green bamboo in the garden; looking through the carved lattice window, the panes slice the snow and bamboo into a unique scene, giving a hint of elegance.

Qingyao has never actually been in the study; she assumed that someone as refined as Xie Junling would have a lavishly arranged study. Yet the moment she stepped in, her feet felt cold—there was not even a heated floor!

Qingyao thought, if she ever becomes a concubine, she will redecorate the master's study, display rare antiques, and light the floor heater, for how could the head of the household be left freezing?

Unfortunately she does not know that Xie Junling fears excessive warmth would hinder his scroll‑reading; after all, he is not Lu Bao'er, who was pampered since childhood and cannot tolerate any chill, and he would rather heat the room to a perpetual April.

Moreover, he is accustomed to frugality; now his household has food, drink, and clothing, far better than before. So there is no need to spend silver on charcoal; his stipend is modest, and he must curb expenses.

Qingyao's delicate hand trembled slightly as she turned and presented the chicken soup to Xie Junling. She did not set the bowl down; instead, she audaciously lifted the ladle, scooped a mouthful, and fed it to him. Twisting her body, she deliberately exposed the faintly visible white of her neck; such teasing would be hard for many men to resist.

Xie Junling smelled the chicken soup, glanced at the approaching ladle, and sneered, "If you no longer want these hands, you should have said so earlier. A master must consider his servants; find a good butcher and have them cut you off."

Xie Junling's words were half jest, half seriousness, but his eyes were as clear as winter snow, chilling to the soul.

Qingyao is like a mouse that ran into a cat, having swallowed the courage of a bear and a leopard to dare such daring antics before Xie Junling.

She turned pale with fear, knocked the chicken soup onto the floor, and knelt, "I… I overstepped, Master. It's just that I've admired you for a long time; my feelings were uncontrollable…"

Seeing Xie Junling silently appraise her, Qingyao mustered a burst of solitary courage, took two steps forward while kneeling, and plaintively said, "I know, Master, that you and Madam have not yet consummated. If you wish, I can take on that duty, as long as it pleases you. I have no other request, nor do I aspire to become your concubine. I know my status is low, but my heart is devoted to you, and it pains me. Now that I might relieve you of the worries of the marital chamber, I feel joy."

Qingyao bit her lip, feigning shyness. She went all out, raising her hand to undo each frog button. Yet before she could loosen her clothes and reveal the embroidered yinyang bellyband, Xie Junling called a servant from outside the academy, who bound Qingyao tightly with a five‑flower knot and pressed her to the ground.

Qingyao was horrified; she had thought no one was present, but the servants had been hidden, waiting in the inner chamber.

With Xie Junling's single command, she became a turtle in a jar!

Qingyao, panicking, blurted, "Master… Master! In view of my devoted heart, please spare me!"

She did not know how Xie Junling would punish her, but seeing the servant's gleaming sword at his waist made her legs tremble uncontrollably.

Xie Junling gave her a strange look and said, "At first I only wanted to sell you off, giving you a chance to live. Now… what a pity."

"Pity?" Pity what? Qingyao didn't know what she had done to ruin this chance at life.

Xie Junling, still somewhat considerate, gave her a light glance and said, "If you hadn't knocked over that bowl of chicken soup, I probably wouldn't have raged so much, threatening your life. What a pity—the soup you spilled was the one Madam simmered for me. She rarely spends effort on meals; it's rare she makes me a bowl of soup, and you ruined it completely."

He gave a cold smile, his words like a demon's whisper: "Rest assured, I will not let you go."

"Master… Master!" Qingyao screamed in terror, realizing how overreaching she had been. Since Xie Junling openly and secretly protects Lu Bao'er, he clearly values her. What is Qingyao, daring to compare herself with the one he cherishes?

Ignoring Qingyao's heart‑rending cries, Xie Junling waved his hand and ordered the servant to drag her out of the study.

He adopted a compassionate pose and said, "I cannot bear to see blood."

Hearing this, Qingyao couldn't help but feel a secret joy—could Xie Junling be as benevolent as a bodhisattva, planning to spare her?

Yet Xie Junling calmly added, "Zhu Sheng, take her outside for handling."

"Yes, Master!" Zhu Sheng is a youth Xie Junling once saved; having survived, he learned martial arts, came to Jingdu, and devotes himself wholly to Xie Junling, vowing to protect him.

Xie Junling, seeing that the servant could not be driven away, comfortably kept him. Though called a servant, he is more like a friend; Xie Junling rarely summons Zhu Sheng except for important matters. Usually Zhu Sheng comes and goes unseen, spending most of his time away from the mansion.

It was also Qingyao's "good luck" that she ran into this ominous star today. Zhu Sheng's methods are ruthless; how he will twist Xie Junling's orders and deal with Qingyao remains unknown.

In short, he will certainly not give Qingyao another chance to return to Xie Fu, and will label Xie Junling as "cruel and ruthless."

However, when Xie Junling thinks of Lu Bao'er's carefree demeanor and learns of Qingyao's attempt to seduce him, he certainly will not dwell on it.

If Lu Bao'er truly cherished Xie Junling, how could she allow these servants to approach the study so easily? No other mistress would relish jealousy; they would surely send the pretty maidens far away, not letting them serve in the inner courtyard. Yet Lu Bao'er is a mischievous spirit, completely indifferent.

Does she have no sight of Xie Junling at all? Thinking this, he inexplicably became angry.

When Lu Bao'er returns to the mansion, he still does not show a pleasant expression. Seeing Xie Junling's complexion turn pale, Lu Bao'er assumes he has been offended in the Imperial Academy and becomes even more cautious.

Xie Junling, seeing her timid demeanor, recalled the midday bowl of chicken soup and felt a pang of remorse. He sighed and said, "How could Madam think to simmer chicken soup for me, to have it delivered for me to drink after I return to the mansion?"

Lu Bao'er looked bewildered, "Huh? What chicken soup?"

"Didn't you simmer chicken soup for me to taste?" Xie Junling's tone was dangerous, squinting, whispering.

"Ah, that soup? It's that the old lady said the husband was busy with official duties, so I told the staff in the companion room to ask the cook to simmer it for the husband!" She gave a nervous laugh, embarrassed, "The husband understands me; how could I ever simmer soup? I've never even plucked a chicken feather!"

"... Very well." Xie Junling sneered repeatedly, "Truly worthy of being my wife."

"Thank you, husband, for the compliment!" Lu Bao'er was overjoyed; she knew she was indeed gentle and considerate.

"..." Xie Junling's face darkened further; he decided to continue giving Lu Bao'er the cold shoulder tonight, speaking not a word to her as punishment.

Yet Lu Bao'er was completely unaffected by Xie Junling. In fact, she was pleased that he didn't speak before sleep, so she wouldn't be disturbed and could sleep more soundly.

---------Side note---------

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